Despite a ruling from the Supreme Court outlining a new test for evidence acquired through the work of undercover police, Justice Gerald Allbright said there would be no mistrial in Douglas Hales’ trial in the murder of Daleen Bosse. Hales’ trial was in progress when the Supreme Court ruled on what is referred to as “Mr. Big” sting operations. Hales was recorded giving graphic accounts of killing Bosse and then setting her body on fire in an abandoned garbage dump near Martensville.

Canada had the Catholic Church in court Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench for unpaid residential school money. The federal government said the Catholic Entities, which was one of four churches to sign the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, still owes $1.6 million. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation, which ceased operation in September, was originally supposed to receive $29 million from the Catholic Entities. That amount was dropped to $18 million.

A long-lost Treaty Four medal, one of 21 original medals presented to each chief who entered into treaty on Sept. 15, 1874, was returned to Treaty Four territory.  The medal was in a private collection held by the late Robert D.W. Band and consigned for sale with Jeffrey Hoare Auctions on Sept. 20, 2014. After learning about the sale of the Treaty Four medal, Paula Acoose and her husband Ray McCallum decided to use their personal funds to purchase the medal for the people of Treaty Four.

Mike McKenzie, chief of the Uashat mak Mani-utenam, reminded Prime Minister Stephen Harper that Innu Nation “is an indispensable partner when it comes to hydroelectric, forestry and mining resources.” McKenzie said “In all development, First Nations must be consulted and accommodated. The time when only economic arguments justified the completion of projects is over.

Pentictonwesternnews.com reports the Penticton Indian Band has signed a non-binding letter of interest with Kaneh Bosm BioTechnology Inc., to investigate the cultivation of medical marijuana in its territory. The process now is to talk with community members, do a feasibility study and examine costs of environmental assessments, and if all that is positive, move on to a community referendum. Chief Jonathan Kruger said he is surprised he is hearing more positive than negative comments about the enterprise.

The online news source durhamregion.com reports that a judge considering the case of a First Nation mother seeking alternative treatment of their child’s cancer questioned whether forcing chemotherapy would be “imposing our world view on First Nations.” The mother of the girl wants to take her daughter to the U.S. for treatment that involves herbal medicines and a changed diet. “Who am I to say that is not appropriate?” the judge asked. McMaster Children’s Hospital has taken Brant Family and Children’s Services to court. The agency chose not to intervene when the girl stopped chemotherapy.

APTN National News reports Aboriginal Affairs is “playing politics” with project funding in the millions of dollars for First Nations organizations and reporter Jorge Barrera said the Assembly of First Nations executive is planning a “counter-attack”. Minister Bernard Valcourt is said to be sitting on 14 proposals from the AFN, well past the department’s own April 1 promised deadline for a response.  Of $7.1 million worth of proposals, only $888,720 has been approved.

The OPP and the Nishnawbe-Aski Police successful intercepted illegal prescription pills destined for the First Nation community of Attawapiskat. On Sept. 28, the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Drug Unit, Attawapiskat Detachment members, along with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit seized Oxycodone prescription pills with an estimated street value of $17,500 dollars. The First Nation is located 630 kilometres north of Timmins, Ont.

The woman credited with negotiating B.C.’s first modern treaty under the BC Treaty Process is partnering with EY (formerly Ernst & Young) to help their clients better liaise with First Nations on joint economic development. Kim Baird, former chief of Tsawwassen Nation, will share her insight into the best ways for companies to engage First Nations in future projects.

On Oct. 8, a small demonstration at the edge of a river raised awareness about 0, reads the Truro Daily News. Mi’kmaq representatives set eel traps as part of a protest to a natural gas storage project.