The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
Armada of ocean-going canoes paddles against Kinder Morgan
More than 100 members of Squamish and Tsleil-Wautuuth nations took to the waters of the Salish Sea on Saturday, paddling their flotilla of nine ocean-going dugout canoes, several kayaks, a few motorboats, and even two paddle-boarders from Ambleside to Deep Cove Read more…
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Tsleil-Waututh nation wants NDP to assess proposed Kinder Morgan expanded pipeline
Tsleil-Waututh Nation is calling on Adrian Dix and the provincial NDP to clarify that a "made in B.C." assessment of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline would also apply to Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline project. The Nation opposes the Kinder Morgan pipeline, which would terminate in the heart of their territory on the shore of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver. Read more…
First Nation says Alberta oilsands plan will 'annihilate' its lands and future
The Athabasca Chipewyan says Alberta's plan to balance the oilsands and the environment ignores the concerns of people who live in a remote northeastern region of forest and muskeg. Read more…
Northern development a 'national dream' Harper says
Plumping up the Canadian mining and oil and gas sectors to feed resource-hungry countries the world over has become a singular focus of the Harper government. The prime minister refashioned that priority Monday as one belonging to all Canadians. Read more…
Harper says panel not politics will decide pipeline fate
VANCOUVER - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says science, not politics, will decide the fate of a controversial pipeline project between Alberta and B.C. Read more…
Third-party manager's appointment to Attawapiskat 'contrary to law': Federal Court
Justice Michael L. Phelan of the Federal Court has declared that the appointment of a third-party manager for Attawapiskat First Nation was "contrary to law." Read more…
First Nations must be 'full partners' in resource projects: AFN chief Shawn Atleo
National chief Shawn Atleo wants the premiers to recognize First Nations as full and equal partners in developing natural resources, but he says such recognition should not have to wait for politicians to agree on a national energy plan. Read more…
Atleo's challengers for National Chief include four women
The heads of 633 First Nations will vote for the position of national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) tomorrow, July 18. In a race with eight candidates vying for the top position, an unprecedented half of those are women. Read more…
Members of Sliammon First Nation approve treaty by vote of 318-235
VANCOUVER - Members of a B.C. First Nation have approved a treaty with the federal and provincial governments. Read more…
Sliammon group unable to block treaty vote
The Sliammon band, whose reserve is located just outside Powell River, is voting today on whether to become the third First Nation to enter into a treaty agreement with B.C. The vote comes nearly a month after protesters blocked the initial vote on June 16. Read more…
Sliammon protesters seek injunction to halt upcoming treaty vote
A group of protesters that blocked a treaty ratification vote on B.C.'s Sliammon reserve are seeking an injunction to halt the next vote rescheduled for July 10. Read more…
Tla'amin treaty vote rescheduled amid protest blockade
A treaty ratification vote on the Sliammon reserve has been rescheduled for July 10, despite a continuing blockade that halted the initial vote on June 16. A dozen members of the Sliammon band have blocked the reserve's voting station in opposition of a process a group of protesters called "undemocratic" in a press conference at the office of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs on June 21. Read more…
RCMP and BCCLA clash over First Nations injury investigations
Three First Nations families in northern B.C. have reported serious injuries to a family member resulting in encounters with local RCMP after they called the police for help, according to a statement released by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association Tuesday morning. Read more…
Province's first Superintendent of Aboriginal Achievement appointed
New superintendent position designed by Ministry to boost Aboriginal success in the province's education system. Read more…
Four years later, Harper's apology for residential schools rings hollow for many
OTTAWA - It's four years to the day since Stephen Harper brought together aboriginal groups, opposition parties and churches in offering an unfettered apology for residential schools. But many of those who hoped for progress and reconciliation in 2008 now say Harper's words ring hollow. Read more…
First Nations Health Authority one step closer to realization
B.C.'s interim First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) has received the green light from chiefs and leaders to begin the transition into a permanent healthcare operation. Read more…
AFN national chief Shawn Atleo to launch re-election bid
TORONTO - The current national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Shawn Atleo, is going to officially launch his campaign for re-election in Vancouver later today. Read more…
Ottawa offers help to suicide-pained Vancouver Island First Nation
VICTORIA - The federal government is preparing to put together a relief plan for a B.C. First Nation that has declared a state of emergency over a disturbing spike in suicides and attempted suicides. Read more…
Fifty people still need safe housing in Attawapiskat: Chief Spence
While 22 new mobile homes are now occupied, some 50 members of the Attawapiskat First Nation urgently need safe housing, and 23 others are in temporary housing, Chief Theresa Spence said in a May 11 news release. Read more…
First Nations set to protest Enbridge shareholder meeting over pipeline
West Coast First Nations are planning to protest today at Enbridge's annual meeting of shareholders in Toronto. The Yinka Dene Alliance and supporters oppose a proposed pipeline that would cross their territory. Read more…