The Lower Similkameen Indian Band is considering legal and direct action after a mine tailings spill at Copper Mountain Mine on Dec. 10. The nation is also looking for an independent inquiry to determine the cause of the most recent spill before mine operations begin again, as well as an environmental review with plans for cleanup and restoration.

Chief and council assert the spill has resulted in toxic waste contamination to Wolf Creek, which flows into the Similkameen River.

Ottawa apologized to the Wahta Mohawk community for including it on a list of First Nations that had not complied with financial transparency legislation. The nation had sent its financial information by fax before it was due—by only four hours—reports OurWindsor.ca, but it was in by deadline nonetheless. Ottawa published a list of non-compliant nations and Wahta Mohawks stayed on that list for several hours. A letter threatening sanctions seems also to have been sent to the nation. An Aboriginal Affairs official offered an “unconditional apology” for the letter to the Muskoka, Ont.

Cold Lake First Nation’s Chief Bernice Martial was appointed the grand chief of Treaty No. 6, making her the first female to lead the organization.

“I am delighted with all the support from chiefs, Elders and members of Treaty No.6. This is an exciting time for our peoples and I know I will do the best of my abilities to ensure that Treaty No. 6 is protected and that First Nations are properly represented at these political tables where our issues are concerned,” said Martial.

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) 

has awarded the third annual Skills Award for Aboriginal Youth to Shownoo Blackbird-Williams from Walpole Island First Nation in Ontario.

The $2,500 award goes to youth ages 18 to 30 who are enrolled in an apprenticeship program, college or in university, who are a First Nations, Métis or Inuit individual with strong academic standing, and who are committed to their field of study and a career in the revitalized forest sector.

Juno award-winning artist Derek Miller is hosting a new late-night variety series called Guilt Free Zone beginning Jan. 6 on APTN at 10 p.m. ET/MT. It promises the “hippest” Aboriginal musical artists “no-hold-barred” monologues, “provocative” dance and comedy performances, all rolled into one “edgy” Tuesday evening event. Shot in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, Regina and Winnipeg in front of live studio audiences, Guilt Free will expose viewers to new talent and open conversation about often taboo topics like sex and guilty pleasures.

Assault on girl renews calls for public inquiry

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Type 2 Diabetes, the kind that usually develops during adulthood, is reaching epidemic proportions in this country.  The latest statistics puts the number of people living with the disease at more than nine million, one in every four Canadians.  By the year 2020, says the CDA, that number is expected to increase to one in every three people.

Study shows number of incarcerated Aboriginal women growing

Though he is closing in on the Big 5-0, Steve Sxwithul’txw has taken participatory sports journalism to a new level.

And even though he incurred some injuries along the way, the 49-year-old Victoria resident, who is a member of Penelakut tribe of the Coast Salish Nation, would be willing to continue broadcasting his sporting ventures.

Sxwithul’txw is the host and producer of Warrior Games, a 13-episode series created for the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN).

Horn-Miller Receives Pan Am Games Post

A Mohawk woman will play a key role for the Canadian squad at the 2015 Pan American Games.