George family, detail from “The Boys Who Braid Their Hair” exhibition. Photo by Nancy Bleck and Derek Stevens Photography Andrea Aleck grew up living with her grandfather, chief Dan George, who wore his hair long past his shoulders. It was always normal to see men and boys with long hair. So while watching the news in 2022, Aleck was “quite alarmed” when she saw a report about a Saskatoon daycare that was closed after a Métis child’s hair was allegedly cut by an adult who worked there. Long hair and braids hold a strong cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous people, and hair ..read more

BIPOC Investigating Canada Fellowship position A new first-of-its-kind investigative journalism fellowship program is now accepting applications from BIPOC early-career journalists for a paid 10-month position. The position is virtual and can be based anywhere in the country, and is a unique opportunity to work with three different newsroom teams. The fellow will spend time working at three independent publications — IndigiNews, Ricochet and Pivot — where they will be embedded in diverse newsrooms serving a young and politically engaged Indigenous, Québécois and national audience. All three n ..read more

A Red Dress Day photoshoot by Kim Coltman On the weekend of Red Dress Day, a Cree-Métis woman is holding a two-day Indigenous fashion festival, with designers each creating a red dress to raise awareness about MMIWG2S+. Kim Coltman has worked in the fashion industry since 1972, when she got her start as a model. She now uses the knowledge she’s gained to run Fashion Speaks International (FSI), a Tk̓emlúps (Kamloops)-based organization she started in 2015.  FSI’s Revolutions Red Dress Fashion Festival is set to run this Saturday and Sunday — which is Red Dress Day — in the Northside Hanga ..read more

Haida Elder and residential school survivor Sphenia Jones addresses a crowd outside of “Calgary” courts on the day of a hearing to strike down her lawsuit on April 22. Photo by Tallulah Photo A “Calgary” judge has declined the Catholic Church’s application to strike down a residential “school” survivor’s class action against them, allowing her defamation lawsuit to proceed. In his decision last week, J.R. Farrington said that the basic essentials in Haida Elder Sphenia Jones’s pleading of defamation over alleged denialist comments by priest Marcin Mironiuk “are there.” Jones, who attended the ..read more

Laura Holland and lawyer Neil Chantler spoke to reporters on Tuesday after learning that B.C. prosecutors had decided not to charge RCMP officers in connection with the death of Holland’s son, Jared Lowndes. Photo for The Tyee by Jen St. Denis This article was originally printed in The Tyee and and appears here with permission and minor style edits. Content warning: This story includes details of police violence against Indigenous people. Please read with care for your spirit. After learning that none of the RCMP officers who shot her son will be charged, the mother of Jared Lowndes is callin ..read more

A family album photograph of Eva Takekanew as a toddler with her adopted mom, circa 1984 Content warning: This story deals with trauma from the child “welfare” system, including addiction and loss. Please read with care for your spirit and well-being. During her path to sobriety, Eva Takakenew has done a lot of thinking about her time in the child welfare system. “I figured there was something wrong with me that my [birth] mom didn’t want me,” shared Takakenew, who is from Piyesiw-Awasis (Thunderchild First Nation). “Why did she give me away? Didn’t she love me? And so I would always be think ..read more

Burned trees stand in an area of the Westbank First Nation Community Forest near the upper Glenrosa neighbourhood in syilx Okanagan homelands on Jan. 20, 2022. This area of the community forest was impacted by the 2021 Mount Law wildfire, but had received wildfire mitigation treatment years prior, ultimately helping to prevent the fire from spreading into the community. Photo by Aaron Hemens As wildfires worsen across the province, cikilaxwm (prescribed fire) is gaining more traction as a way to mitigate blazes before they begin, say experts at Westbank First Nation’s (WFN) forest and resourc ..read more

Rebecca Strong is Denesuliné from Stony Rapids in “Saskatchewan” and recently made it through the first round of Canada’s Got Talent. Screenshot from Canada’s Got Talent via YouTube A 20-year-old Denesuliné singer is in the running for a million-dollar prize after captivating the nation with her powerful voice on a recent episode of Canada’s Got Talent (CGT).  During the broadcast on March 26, Rebecca Strong’s performance of Demi Lovato’s song “Stone Cold” delighted the audience and judges alike as she embodied the song’s lyrics. With all eyes on her, Strong hit each note of the power ba ..read more

Ray Williams at his home in Yuquot Bay. Williams was the last remaining Mowachaht/Muchulaht to live in Yuquot year-round. Photos by Amy Romer Author’s note: Ray Williams, Ghoo-Noom-Tuuk-Tomlth, passed away just two months after he was interviewed for this story — on October 31, 2022. This story is dedicated to his memory. Like the coastal wolves Ray was named for, he was highly aware, family orientated and protective of his territory. Let his spirit live on.  Ray Williams recalls the day Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) confiscated all the Mowachaht boats from Yuquot — his hometown and ..read more

Kw’umut Lelum executive director Bill Yoachim, MLA Sheila Malcolmson and Jennifer Whiteside, B.C.’s minister of mental health and addictions, tour the facility’s Cedar Room, where clients and staff can hold group sessions and teachings. Photo: Government of B.C. Located down a quiet street on the territory of the Snaw-naw-as First Nation with an ocean view, the new Orca Lelum Youth Wellness Centre — which offers youth addiction services — gives off a placid spa vibe. Clean and inviting, in addition to the bedrooms which will house up to 20 Youth, the space features a media room, outdoor sauna ..read more