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First nations families can now apply for compensation in historic child welfare settlement

Eligible first nations individuals removed from their homes between 1991 and 2022 can now seek compensation for discriminatory underfunding of child and family services

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has confirmed that the claims process is now open for the first two classes under the historic First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Class Action Settlement.

On April 19, 2023, the AFN along with the Moushoom and Trout Class action plaintiffs reached a final settlement agreement worth more than $23.34 billion. This agreement aims to compensate first nations children and families harmed by the federal government’s discriminatory underfunding of the first nations child and family services program and its narrow interpretation of Jordan’s Principle.

The claims period for the removed child class and the removed child family class offi-

cially opened on march 10, 2025. This marks an important step forward in addressing long-standing injustices in first nations child welfare.

Eligible individuals include first nations people who, as children between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022, were removed from their homes while living on reserve or in Yukon and placed into care funded by Indigenous Services Canada. Their caregiving parents or grandparents may also qualify under the removed child family class.

Compensation amounts vary but are expected to range from $20,000 to $40,000 per eligible individual, with potential for additional payments depending on circumstances. Payments are issued only once claimants reach the age of majority.

To apply, eligible claimants should visit www.fnchildclaims.ca or call 1-833-852-0755. The process requires valid

government-issued identification and a mailing address. Direct bank deposit is available for those who provide account details.

Free support is offered through claims helpers who provide trauma-informed, one-on-one assistance with completing forms online, over the phone, or in person where possible. This help also connects people to local wellness resources.

Claimants have three years from reaching the age of majority to submit their claim. Minors can apply up to two years before turning 18, though payment is held until adulthood. Extensions of up to one year may be granted in special circumstances.

This initial claims period covers only two of the nine classes under the settlement. Additional classes will open later after federal court approval. Claimants may qualify under multiple classes but will receive only one base

compensation payment.

The AFN stresses that this compensation process is completely separate from ongoing work toward long-term reform of the first nations child and family services program. The settlement addresses past harms while reform efforts focus on preventing future discrimination.

Important warning: no one should pay fees to file a claim or share personal information with anyone claiming to represent the settlement. Fraudulent actors may try to exploit the process.

The official administrator, Deloitte, does not cold-call claimants. Report any suspicious contact to 1-833-852-0755 immediately.

This settlement stems from a 2007 human rights complaint filed by the AFN and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. It follows years

of Canadian human rights tribunal orders recognizing systemic discrimination against first nations children.

For many first nations communities, this claims process represents accountability for policies that led to thousands of children being removed from their families, cultures, and homelands. It offers a measure of justice and support for healing.

The AFN encourages all potentially eligible individuals and families to apply and seek support if needed. Every claim represents a story of a child and family impacted by unfair systems.

More information, including detailed eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions, is available at www.fnchildclaims.ca.

Couch to 5k training program

ed trails at Dundas Valley Conservation Area.

Does running 5 km sound like an impossible dream that you’ve always wanted to accomplish?

It’s not that impossible!

Now is your chance to start training with Fawn Porter at the LSK track starting May 26, culminating in completing a 5km run at the Tom Longboat Run in Toronto on Sept. 6.

All experience levels from 18 and up are being welcomed, whether starting from scratch or building your existing stamina.

In 2020, I could barely walk around my block without getting dizzy and wanting to go home.

Five years later, in May 2025, I completed an 80km ultramarathon in 17 hours through the wood-

Although not everyone aims to go from the couch to 80k, even the couch to 5k seemed like an impossible dream to me in early 2020.

It’s no secret that Tom Longboat left a lasting legacy on Six Nations on the importance of chasing your goals and showing what true grit meant when he became the first indigenous person in history to dominate the world of long-distance running in the early 1900s.

More than 100 years later, his legacy lives on, with runners of every age and ability getting off the couch and pushing their bodies in a way they never thought possible. Longboat ran 42 km marathons at a time when there were no special diets, sports nutritionists,

for Tom Longboat Run in Toronto

electrolyte drinks, dedicated tracks, or high-tech shoes cushioning our every step.

He just ran around the roads on the Rez in flat and flimsy shoes considered severely inadequate by today’s standards.

Tall, wiry, lithe and muscular, Longboat was built for running. His ability to set running records in such sub-standard shoes is just another testament to his incredible endurance, stamina and grit.

And in the over 100 years since Longboat made his mark on the running world, the fabled sub-two-hour marathon has just been achieved.

Just a few days ago, Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe officially broke the twohour barrier at the London Marathon, crossing the finish line at 1:59:30. Although running GOAT

Eliud Kipchoge, also of Kenya, first broke the two-hour barrier in 2019 at 1:59:40 in Vienna with optimal course conditions, it was not on an official course.

Longboat, by contrast, broke running records on various courses during his career in the early 1900s, with a marathon best of 2:24:24, smashing the previous record by five minutes.

Training to run a 5k is rewarding and manageable for most people of all ages and fitness levels.

It usually includes running about three or four days a week and some cross training on alternate days, such as walking, weights or biking.

A beginner runner should use the run-walk method, that is, running very slowly, almost trotting, for a few minutes, then walking to cool down

for a few minutes, then trotting slowly again, while gradually increasing the amount of time you can spend running/jogging without stopping.

It usually takes about seven to eight weeks.

After getting to the five-minute mark, then you can work on speed. First off is just finishing the distance. Speed comes later.

Fuel is also important so be sure to eat a very well-balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables and healthy carbs and fibre. Sleeping well is also important in having enough energy to run.

A great way to track your progress is to buy a fitness/GPS watch that measures the time, distance and pace of your runs and workouts, while also measuring your heart rate and a host of other health variables, includ-

ing tracking your sleep at night.

I record and track all my runs on an app called Strava that downloads all my running stats from my watch to my phone. I have six years of running data recorded in that app.

That way, you can measure how far you’ve come over eight weeks, or months, or even years into your running journey.

There is nothing like the feeling of a runner’s high and knowing you achieved something you once thought impossible. Registration is now open. Training is on Mondays from 5 pm to 6 pm, Wednesdays from 7 am to 8 am, and Fridays from 7 am to 8 am at the orange track at LSK Elementary School.

Anyone interested can contact Fawn Porter at 519-754-7930 or email at pota1@sixnations.ca

Council seeking community input on Cambridge quarry agreement

now seeking community engagement on the project after holding a meeting on Monday night.

Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council (SNGREC) is poised to get $1 million in exchange for the expansion of a contentious quarry pit in Cambridge.

SNGREC is partnering with Cambridge Aggregates, a division with Heidelberg Materials, on the pit expansion and is

The Company is proposing to expand an aggregate pit known as the Edworthy West Pit, an above-the-water-table quarry in the Township of North Dumfries. The lands are located on the corner of Spragues Road (Highway 24A) and Greenfield Road.

The company has agreed

to a 10 cents a ton levy.

As the quarry’s estimated total tonnage is 11 million, SNGR will receive about $1.1 million over the life of the quarry, plus adjustments for annual inflation.

Up to one million tonnes may be extracted each year.

Aggregates are sand, gravel, and crushed stone that are mined from the earth

and commonly used for construction and roads.

SNGREC said it believes all aggregate activity should be subject to regular consultation, but the Crown insists there should only be consultation for new quarries, quarry expansions, and a few other activities.

“As a result, no consultation is required for ongoing aggregate operations,” SNGREC said. “Cambridge Aggregates, Edworthy Pit is considered an expansion.”

SNGREC said aggregate companies have no legal

obligation to provide financial restitution to SNGR for the resources they are taking.

Furthermore, SNGREC said, the Ministry of Natural Resources, which regulates aggregate operations in Ontario, regularly gives companies permits without substantial First Nation consultation and refuses to support financial accommodations.

SNGREC said it used a third party, SVS Consulting,

to review the quarry’s environmental reports.

The Edworthy Pit is above the water table and potential species impacted by the expansion include:

-Birds, such as the Red Tailed Hawk, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Wild Turkey, Great Blue Heron, Eastern Wood Peewee (Special Concern Species), American Crow, Horned Lark, Barn swallow (Special Concern

Award winning Cree artist Michelle Thrush

BC Premier addresses DRIPA

By 2RT Staff

VICTORIA, B.C. – April 21, 2026 — British Columbia Premier David Eby and the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) issued a joint statement Monday confirming the provincial government will not introduce legislation this spring to suspend or amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) or related UNDRIP provisions in the Interpretation Act. The announcement marks a significant policy reversal after months of debate over legal uncertainties created by recent court rulings. Earlier this year, the government had considered a temporary suspension of up to three years to address concerns that DRIPA was complicating resource development and regulatory decisions. Strong opposition from First Nations leaders, including an open letter from the FNLC, led to last-minute talks and the decision to pause any changes.

The joint statement reads: “The Government of B.C. will not be introducing legislation to suspend or amend DRIPA or UN Declaration-related provisions in the Interpretation Act, in the spring legislative session. The Government and First Nations Leadership Council are committed to working together with all First Nations leaders on a path forward to discuss and consider the government’s stated legal concerns, while upholding the title and rights and human rights of First Nations. Together, we commit to genuine collaboration to find solutions as soon as possible, and before the fall legislative session.”

This development preserves DRIPA’s core mechanism: a strong interpretive rule requiring all provincial laws to be read consistently with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), particularly Article 26. That article affirms Indigenous peoples’

rights to lands, territories, and resources they have “traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired.”

The emphasis on “acquired” lands is especially relevant beyond British Columbia. In Ontario’s Haldimand Tract / Grand River Territory, the 1784 Haldimand Proclamation explicitly granted land to the Mohawk Nation (loyalist Mohawks) and others of the Six Nations in recognition of their service to the Crown during the American Revolutionary War. The Proclamation’s language prioritizes the Mohawk loyalists’ losses and attachment to the British cause, describing the grant as compensation “for them and their posterity forever.” This formal Crown grant constitutes “acquired” territory under the plain meaning of UNDRIP Article 26.

With BC maintaining robust UNDRIP consistency — rather than diluting it — the interpretive framework gains national weight.

FREE to attend; All are welcome. Limited seating, preregistration required.

2026 Women Deliver Conference

ONWA joins Indigenous women leaders from across Turtle Island, New Zealand and Australia to push for systemic change

By Jace Koblun

The Ontario Native Women’s Association (OMWA) is amplifying Indigenous Women’s leadership on the global stage at the 2026 Women Deliver Conference (WD2026) taking place in Melbourne, Australia.

Hosted for the first time in the oceanic pacific region on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin nation, WD2026 brings together advocates, policymakers, researchers and grassroots leaders to advance the health, rights and well-being of women and girls worldwide.

At a time of global uncertainty, OMWA is using the conference to move beyond participation toward meaningful action. The organization is working with Indigenous women leaders from the māori women’s welfare league and the Wiyi Yani u Thangani institute to host a concurrent session

that centres indigenous women’s strengths, teachings and collective power.

This session highlights how Indigenous women transform their stories into action. It celebrates leadership across Turtle Island, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Australia while fostering dialogue on Indigenous women’s responsibilities to lead change and restore balance.

“In a world filled with uncertainty, we recognize that indigenous women's leadership is needed now more than ever,” said Cora Mcguire-Cyrette, CEO of OMWA.

“We are not just participating in the women deliver conference – we are using this forum to mobilize as indigenous women and influence policies that impact our daily lives. We are here to push beyond presence and into action –where indigenous women are driving systemic change, shaping priorities

and advancing solutions on the ground in their communities. This is an opportunity to strengthen our collective voices as we know that we are stronger together. Our work is about advancing meaningful change for indigenous women, our families, our communities and our nations,” she said.

ONWA has a long history of advocating for the rights, safety and well-being of Indigenous women and their families in Ontario.

Established in 1971, the organization delivers culturally enriched programs and services focused on ending violence against indigenous women, ensuring equal access to justice, education, health services, environmental stewardship and economic development.

The participation at WD2026 reflects OMWA’s ongoing commitment to elevating Indigenous women’s voices in both national and international conversations.

The Red Sentinel: Keeping the Line on a Suburban Perimeter

He announces himself before he is seen. A sharp, mechanical chatter—too deliberate to be dismissed as noise, too constant to ignore—cuts across the yard in rapid bursts, a declaration. By the time your ears register the sound, he is already fixed on you: small body tensed, tail flicking in sharp arcs, posture pitched forward on the branch. Not startled. Not merely curious. Certain. Present. Claiming. The American red squirrel does not behave like the rest. Grey squirrels drift through the yard with loose, opportunistic ease, treating the space as shared commons. Birds take what they need, then lift away. But this red holds a line, a principle. He enforces it relentlessly, almost recklessly, without regard for size or outcome. He will chase a grey three times his mass, scold a dog from a limb, interrupt what ignores him. He wins not by strength or speed, but by absolute refusal to yield his territory, a commitment transcending mere instinct.

At first, his behavior reads as pure agitation, the frantic scolding of a creature perpetually on edge. Then, with weeks of watching, it solidifies into habit. Only after months does the deeper pattern emerge: structure, maintenance, medicine. There is a perimeter here, living and breathing, redrawn each day. He chooses the high fork of the white pine as his primary station—al-

ways the same tree, the same angled branch where the trunk splits, commanding three directions. From that vantage, the yard resolves into a clear diagram: porch roof, bird feeder line, dense cedar hedge. He arrives in a single decisive leap, claws raking bark. Then comes the stillness. Not the rigid freeze of prey, but the loaded pause of a sentinel who has calculated every variable. From here, he calibrates, adjusting invisible boundaries according to wind, light, and seasons, an architect of his domain.

Over winter, the perimeter expanded boldly. We discovered the nest by accident, pulling covers off porch furniture. No haphazard pile, this was architecture: shredded cedar bark and moss layered into a dense, insulated cup, tucked deep into cushions. Not hidden in shame, but assumed—as though the porch, though ours by deed, had been quietly incorporated into a territory far older than our presence. For those cold months, covered furniture extended his range. Utility mattered more than permission, challenging our ownership.

When spring arrived, we removed the covers, exposing the nest. He abandoned it without drama. No frantic rescue attempts, no lingering protests. By the time we noticed the neat structure, he had withdrawn to the bush line. The perimeter contracted as swiftly as it had grown. Yet nothing essential changed. The claim remained intact, a testament to his pragmatic understanding of utility.

Some mornings, he

rotates his watch to the maple closer to the house. From its lower, commanding branches, he looks directly onto the old nest site, head cocked, as if confirming an entry in a ledger only he can read. Nothing physical remains but faint scent and memory. That is sufficient. The maple perch allows him to keep the former outpost in view while securing the current one. Territory, in his mind, is never a flat circle on a map. It is a constellation of bright points—pine fork, maple crook, cedar hedge, buried caches—linked by orbits of sound and motion that only he maintains. This constellation is a map of enduring presence. The chatter continues daily, sharp and insistent, unmistakable even from inside the house. The same patrols along the edges, the same swift expulsions of intruders. One grey squirrel drifts lazily along the fence rail, and the bursts begin instantly—short, hard rattles like a gear locking into place. The grey hesitates, tail twitching. Another burst, closer, louder. The larger animal turns and flows back, defeated not by force but by unrelenting assertion. The red does not give chase beyond his chosen line. He simply resumes his scan, satisfied the boundary has been reminded of its keeper. This ground is held.

From the natural world, a deeper wisdom emerges, one that resonates deeply with ancestral teachings. We were told in Six Nations territory to hold the line. To maintain the medicine line—the living boundary between here and there, between

us and forces that would erase us, between what was given by the Creator and what was taken by treaties, maps, and time. This line is not always visible, nor often respected by casual crossers. Yet, it must be asserted anyway, day after day, season after season, generation after generation. For a line not spoken, not patrolled, not reaffirmed, eventually disappears. The medicine line lives in repetition, in memory, in the refusal to let the world forget, a testament to enduring spirit. The red squirrel’s rhythm mirrors this teaching with uncanny precision, a living embodiment of constant vigilance. Dawn and dusk are his loudest hours, when yard movement peaks and clarity is greatest. Midday, he often falls quiet unless provoked, conserving precious energy while scanning diligently from a high limb. During heavy rain, he vanishes into deeper cover, but the instant it eases, he reappears on station, shaking water from his russet tail with brisk snaps, like a seasoned guard clearing a rifle before resuming duty. The perimeter, in his unwavering commitment, must be reasserted before the world forgets who holds it.

We humans tend to misread such insistence as mere confusion or overreaction, projecting our own anthropocentric biases. Surely the squirrel didn't mistake the porch for deep forest, nor fail to understand the nuanced boundary between human and wild space. Nothing in his actions suggests confusion or a lack of awareness. There is no

illusion of permanence in the structures he occupies; instead, there is only utility, only timing, only the ongoing, living act of holding ground—however that ground is defined in the shifting light of any given moment.

His territory is never static, but a fluid, dynamic entity. It expands when conditions allow—food abundant or cover thick— and contracts under pressure, as when the porch was reclaimed by our hands. It reasserts itself continuously through sound and movement, a constant negotiation with the environment.

We humans often think of space in rigid, legal terms: owned or not, granted or denied, inside the fence or outside it. Yet what plays out in this suburban yard, and what was taught on Six Nations land, reveals a more honest, resilient logic. Boundaries are not erased when they are crossed; rather, they are tested and reaffirmed.

Occupation is not always marked by visible flags or fences, yet it remains powerfully operative. Withdrawal is rarely surrender; instead, it is a strategic repositioning for the next assertion, a testament to enduring will.

The red squirrel caches thousands of seeds, nuts, and cones each autumn, hiding them in scattered locations with remarkable spatial memory. Some forgotten caches sprout into new trees—unintended generosity. Others sustain him through deepest snows. His life is a continuous accounting of resources and risks, defended not with walls but with voice and vigilance. In late summer, when young

disperse and competition spikes, chatter intensifies into near-constant scolding. In midwinter, when energy is precious, he becomes more selective but no less absolute about his core range.

There is no vanity in any of it. No performance staged for human eyes or neighboring animals. The mechanical rattle would continue unchanged even if every other creature vanished. It is not theatre; it is maintenance. A lighthouse flashes not only for passing ships, but because rocks remain dangerous and the coast must be marked. The medicine line is not drawn merely for those who respect it, but because the people remain—and must continue to remain.

Now, in the greening days of another spring, he is back among the high branches, announcing again. Not louder, not weaker; the same steady declaration. The porch furniture stands empty and ordinary. Grey squirrels still test the edges. The world keeps turning, full of larger forces that barely notice one small red sentinel. Yet the line holds. The perimeter lives. The sentinel does not guard what is his as if fragile property. He declares what remains his—moment by moment, season by season—until light fails and pine boughs fold him back into evening shadow.

The sound carries across the yard whether acknowledged or not. And the boundary, wherever drawn today, is never the final one.

Head of Production: Dave LaForce

Jace Koblun Writer: Donna Duric

Benjamin Doolittle

GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE

Species), and Grasshopper Sparrow (Special Concern Species)

-Mammals such as Coyote, Red Fox, Striped Skunk, Virginia Opossum, White Tailed Deer, and multiple bat species

-Insects, such as the Monarch (Species at Risk)

-Plants such as Black Cherry, Butternut (Endangered), Trembling Aspen, Common Buckthorn (invasive Species), White Pine, Sugar Maple, Black Walnut, Red Pine, White Ash, Staghorn Sumac, Red Oak, White Baneberry, Common Milkweed, Paper Birch, Hackberry, Shagbark Hickory, Common St. Johns Wort, Chokecherry, Common Elderberry, North American Raspberry, Alleghany Blackberry, Curled Dock, Nannyberry, Riverbank Grape.

The company offered mitigation measures such as a buffer width of a minimum of 15 meters from extraction sites.

Their project ecologist has also required that erosion and sediment control fencing be installed in specific locations along the

licence boundary to protect adjacent environmental features.

In addition, the ARA Site Plan also requires that “sediment and erosion control fencing shall be inspected prior to site preparation activities to ensure it was installed correctly and during pit operations to ensure that the fencing is being maintained and functioning properly. Any issues that are identified shall be rectified immediately.”

As part of rehabilitation activities, additional measures are in place to prevent and control erosion including: vegetating the side-slope as quickly as possible using a fast-growing seed mix and hydroseeding; annual inspections of the side-slope to assess stability, including erosion; and assessment of the adequacy of erosion control is also part to the annual agricultural rehabilitation monitoring program.

Ecological rehabilitation and enhancement will be monitored for invasive plant species and management strategies shall be developed and imple-

mented as necessary. Any noxious or invasive weeds in the agricultural rehabilitation area will be managed in accordance with Agricultural Best Management Practices.

Archaeological stage one and two digs were conducted.

Cambridge Aggregates has agreed to notify SNGR of any reportable spills (i.e. any spills that require notification to MECP) and agrees to notify SNGR of any chance archaeological and cultural heritage finds.

About 300 trees will be removed, with the company promising to plant 6,175 trees and 885 shrubs during and after extraction.

The area will be rehabilitated mostly back to agricultural land after extraction has completed. The total habitat removal will be 1.62 hectares for the aggregate extraction. That habitat is made up of 0.25 hectares of red pine plantation, 0.2 hectares of cultural meadow, 0.65 hectares cultural thicket and 0.52 hectares of hedgerow – termed as “semi natural”.

February 1st

GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE

2026 DEADLINE CALENDAR FOR Ǫgwehǫ́ :weh n=:` Ohswegęh]:nǫh Onkweh]n:we ne: Ohswekenhro:non

GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE

2026 DEADLINE CALENDAR FOR Ǫgwehǫ́ :weh n=:` Ohswegęh]:nǫh Onkweh]n:we ne: Ohswekenhro:non

2026 DEADLINE CALENDAR FOR Ǫgwehǫ́ :weh n=: Ohswegęh]:nǫh Onkweh]n:we ne: Ohswekenhro:non

2026 DEADLINE CALENDAR FOR Ǫgwehǫ́ :weh n=:` Ohswegęh]:nǫh Onkweh]n:we ne: Ohswekenhro:non

2026 DEADLINE CALENDAR FOR Ǫgwehǫ́ :weh n=:` Ohswegęh]:nǫh

• Application Deadline for Summer semester

STUDENTS MUST APPLY ONLINE BY SPECIFIED DEADLINE GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE

STUDENTS MUST APPLY ONLINE BY SPECIFIED DEADLINE

Onkweh]n:we ne: Ohswekenhro:non

STUDENTS MUST APPLY ONLINE BY SPECIFIED DEADLINE

• Fall Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.

STUDENTS MUST APPLY ONLINE BY SPECIFIED DEADLINE

February 1st

• Levels 3 & 4 (Master or PhD students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing.

• Application Deadline for Summer semester

• Winter course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

February 1st

May 1st

August 1st

• Fall Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.

• Application Deadline for Summer semester

• Application Deadline for Fall or Fall/Winter semester(s)

• Winter Marks/Progress Reports due for all funded students.

• Fall Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.

• Levels 3 & 4 (Master or PhD students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing.

May 1st

• Winter course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

May 1st

August 1st

• Winter course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

• Levels 3 & 4 (Master or PhD students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing.

• Application Deadline for Fall or Fall/Winter semester(s)

• Winter course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

• Application Deadline for Fall or Fall/Winter semester(s)

• Summer course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

• Winter Marks/Progress Reports due for all funded students.

• Application Deadline for Fall or Fall/Winter semester(s)

• Winter Marks/Progress Reports due for all funded students.

• Official transcripts are due from students funded for any of the three previous application periods (Summer/Fall/Winter).

• Levels 3 & 4 (Master or PhD students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing.

• Certain documents are due for students approved for Fall semester funding.

• Summer course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

August 1st

October 1st

• Summer course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

• Application Deadline for Winter semester

• Official transcripts are due from students funded for any of the three previous application periods (Summer/Fall/Winter).

• Certain documents are due for students approved for Fall semester funding.

October 1st

• Certain documents are due for students approved for Fall semester funding.

• Summer Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.

• Levels 3 & 4 (Master or PhD students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing.

• Application Deadline for Winter semester

• Fall course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

• Summer Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.

• Levels 3 & 4 (Master or PhD students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing.

• Fall course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.

For more information, please visit our website at www.grpseo.org, connect with us on Facebook/Instagram, call our office at (519) 445-2219 or see our updates in the local newspapers.

Honour. Educate. Empower.

Empower.

Mental Health Week 2026

COME TOGETHER, CANADA: STRONGER CONNECTIONS BETTER MENTAL HEALTH OME

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1:30PM-3:00PM

10:00 AM-4:00PM MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

BUILDING 50 COLBORNE ST S SIMCOE

2:00

5:30-7:30PM LIGHTS, CAMERA, CONNECTION! FORTITUDE YOUTH INITIATIVE LAURIER BRANTFORD YMCA

2 FLOOR MEETING ROOM ND 100 WATER ST, BRANTFORD

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If you’re 16 or older, please take this short survey from GREAT. It asks about your work, education, and future job or training interests so we can better support our community Takes 30 mins to complete in person ONLY

Must be Six Nations Band Members

know the score.

By Jazz Fuller

Good day everyone, Hope everyone is having a good start to their week! We are almost through round one of the NHL Playoffs. Currently as of Tuesday Afternoon, The Buffalo sabres lead the Boston Bruins 3-1 in their series. Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are tied 2 games a piece. The Anaheim Ducks surprisingly lead their series against the Edmonton Oilers 3 games to 1. Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning are tied in their series 2-2. The Philadelphia Flyers were leading their series 3 games to 0 but Sidney Crosby & the Pittsburgh Penguins have battled their way back by winning the past two games and trail the

SCOREBOARD WATCHIN 2026 WEEK 16

Flyers 3-2 in their Pennsylvania state series. Las Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth are also tied 2-2 in their series. Colorado Avalanche have defeated the LA Kings 4-0 in their series to move on to the next round, as well as the Carolina Hurricanes defeating the Ottawa Senators in a four game sweep to also move on to the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Buffalo Sabres are home Tuesday night vs Boston Bruins for game #5. In NBA basketball news, the local Toronto Raptors have crawled out of an early 2-0 series deficit by winning back to back games in Toronto on their home court even the series with the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-2. The Raptors won game three of the series 126-104 led by Scottie Barnes in scoring who finished with 33 pts, 5 rebounds & 11 assists. Raptors won game four of the series 93-89 led by Scottie Barnes & Brandon Ingram who both finished the game with 23 points each. Game number

five in the series will be played back in Cleveland and is set for a 7::30PM start tonight, the Cavs are currently a -8.5 favourite in this game. Thus far through round one of the nba playoffs, each matchup series as of Tuesday April 28th are as follows:

Toronto Raptors/Cleveland - Cavaliers Series Tied 2-2

Orlando Magic/Detroit Pistons - Orlando Lead Series 3-1

Houston Rockets/ LA Lakers - Lakers Lead Series 3-1

Philadelphia 76ers/ Boston Celtics - Celtics Lead Series 3-1

Atlanta Hawks/NY Knicks - Series Tied 2-2

Portland Trailblazers/ San Antonio Spurs - Spurs Lead Series 3-1

Denver Nuggets/Minnesota TimberwolvesTimberwolves Lead Series 3-2

Oklahoma City Thunder/Phoenix Suns - OKC Thunder have won the series 4-0

In MLB baseball news, The Toronto Bluejays

have got some good news, Sophomore ace pitcher Trey YeSavage is back! Trey spent the first few weeks of the season on the Injury list while recovering from a shoulder injury. YeSavage was the Bluejays bright shining star throughout last year’s deep playoff won which the Bluejays fell in game 7 of the world series to the LA Dodgers. YeSavage is set to start his first game of the season Tuesday in a matchup against the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox took game one of the series Monday night with a 5-0 win. Through 28 games of the long 162 game season, the Bluejays currently hold a record of just 12 wins and 16 losses. The Jays are currently 4th place in the AL EAST division, 6.5 games back of the division leading NY Yankees who hold a 19-10 record. Bluejays star player Ernie Clement continues to lead the Bluejays in hits with 36, including 13 doubles. Andres Gimenez leads the Bluejays with 16 RBI’s and Kazuma Okamoto leads

the Jays in homers with 5. Star player Vladdy Jr. leads the Bluejays with a batting average of .330, Vladdy currently has 34 hits, 15 runs scored and 14 RBI’s through 28 games played. After the conclusion of the Red Sox series, the Bluejays head on the road to Minnesota for a 4 game series against the Twins starting tomorrow night at 7:40PM.

In NLL Lacrosse news, there will be no 4PEAT! The Georgia Swarm defeated the Buffalo Bandits 17-10 on Saturday night to eliminate the Bandits from the playoffs. Lyle Thompson led the Georgia Swarm with 4 goals & 6 assists in a slaughtering game where Georgia was leading at one point by 9 goals. In the Halifax Thunderbirds vs Vancouver Warriors game, at halftime, Halifax was trailing 7-1. The halftime locker room pep talk must’ve been legendary as the Thunderbirds went on to score 9 straight goals in the second half of the game without giving up a single goal. The 10-7

Halifax Thunderbirds win marks one of the league’s greatest playoff comebacks in existence. Georgia will face Halifax in round two of the playoffs which sets up an amazing matchup with players from Six Nations on both squads. In the other two playoff matchups, The Toronto Rock Beat Saskatchewan 16-13 and the San Diego Seals narrowly defeated the Colorado Mammoth 13-12. Round Two of the NLL Playoffs take place this upcoming weekend with San Diego taking on the Toronto Rock Friday night at 7:30PM in Hamilton and Halifax taking on Georgia Saturday night at 7:30PM. Each matchup is a best-ofthree series with the first team to win two games moving on. Good luck to all the scones representing their teams in the NLL Playoffs this weekend! That is it for this week’s sports news. I hope everyone has a great finish to their week and an even better weekend. Thanks for tuning in to read, we’ll cya next week!

Brantford Rolls Back in Time with Seasonal Roller Skating! Dust off those skates and get ready to groove, because Brantford is bringing back a classic pastime! The Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre is now offering seasonal roller skating sessions, perfect

SEPTEMBER 2026 SEPTEMBER 2026

EMPLOYMENT COUNSELLING & JOB DEVELOPING

This 16-week certificate program, in partnership with Fanshawe College, introduces students to the employment and career services sector while building foundational skills to support job seekers and connect with employers.

EMPLOYMENT READINESS

This 16-week program focuses on employment and career planning, including 12 weeks of in-class training to build workplace skills and work ethics, followed by a potential 4-week placement.

WELDING TECHNIQUES LEVEL 1

This program teaches welding techniques aligned with CSA W47.1 standards, including SMAW, FCAW, and GMAW processes, along with the theory required for Apprenticeship In-Class Training and certification testing.

SIX NATIONS COUNCIL

SIX NATIONS AND NEW CREDIT

JAMIESON: Dawn Valerie

September 30, 1961 - April 27, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dawn Valerie Jamieson. In her 64th year after a battle with cancer she made her final journey home Monday April 27th. Daughter to the late Hubert and Rose Jamieson. Loving sister to Kook (Marie), Dennis (Deb), Dale (Durham), Shelly, Laurie (Dave), Scott (Yvonne), Debbie (Late Raymond). Beloved mother to Shayne (Brittaney), Lanny (Chantel), Kaylea (Kyle), Shauna (Tanya), Aleesha, Emily, Alex and Dante. Loving Grandmother to Bailee, Kali, Adley, Ellie, Lucas, Sophia, Kennedeigh, Carter, Kobe, Cash, Aiyanna, Arii and Laynee.

She made those in her life smile, laugh and feel loved. She will be greatly missed and the impact she made on so many lives will echo on forever. Though she is gone physically, her eternal light will continue to shine on and remind us that love can always overcome.

Resting at her home 2805 3rd Line after 2pm Wednesday, then to Styres Funeral Home after 3pm on Thursday where Funeral Service will be held on Friday May 1, 2026 at 11am. Interment Stumphall Cemetery. www.rhbanderson.com

Relocation Sale

April 22 - 30th

Due to lack of ongoing community patronage, after 6 years in the prime location of the Iroquois Village Plaza, Life Sustainers is left with the option to relocate the business to online sales.

All purchases will be at 15% off while there are other clearance sales as well.

This includes all natural health supplements, essential oils, super foods, wellness remedies, organic personal & homecare, eco-friendly, earth friendly products & gift items.

There have been a small number of customers over the 11 years in business who have regularly put Life Sustainers on their go-to list, and thank you for the support. I hope that you will continue to support the transition of a 100% Onkwehon:we woman owned business promoting natural wellness and earth-friendly sustainability that’s supports the health of community members, others and Mother Earth.

What could have been a 11 year anniversary sale is going to be a

Relocation Sale. May 1, 2026

Life Sustainers will be closed at the Iroquois Village Plaza.

CLUES ACROSS

1. Purchase

4. British news organization

7. Midway between northeast and east

8. Language specialist group

10. Fancy automobile

12. Small loop or series of loops

13. Exploiter

14. Don’t know when yet

16. Group of languages

17. One who’s finished

19. After B

20. Angled

21. A place to adopt pets

25. Swiss river

26. Young boy

27. Unexciting

29. American comedian Vidale

30. Peyton’s little brother

31. Corporate higher-up

32. “All in the Family” star

39. Strike something forcefully

41. Up in the air (abbr.)

42. Clay earth pigments

43. Means to record brain activity

44. Small constellation

45. Embraces

46. Brief description

48. Exclude

49. White (French)

50. Insect

51. A major division of geological time

52. Soviet Socialist Republic

CLUES DOWN

1. Type of whale

2. In tune

3. A citizen of Yemen

4. Actress Ling

5. One who supports 6. Circus performer

8. Yearly tonnage (abbr.)

9. Quantitative fact

11. Utah city

14. Where a golfer begins 15. Attendant

18. The ancient Egyptian sun god 19. Book of Chronicles (abbr.)

20. Benedictine monk

22. Not turbulent

23. Car mechanics group

24. Buffer used in chemistry

27. Fall heavily

28. Pie _ __ mode

29. The Brits love it

31. Children’s TV channel (abbr.)

32. Jacksonville footballer

33. Helps little firms

34. __ and behold

35. A way to resemble

36. Fingers

37. Excessive indulgences

38. You might be an “empty” one

39. “How the West Was Won” writer

40. European river

44. They begin the alphabet

47. The body’s messenger

SUDOKU

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

You approach a task with wisdom and insight this week, Aries. Your measured approach paves the way to finding a solution that will benefit all involved.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

It is key to treat yourself this week, Taurus. A purchase or experience could bring you longterm joy. Just be careful about spending too much.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, you are full of clever solutions more often than not. If there is a problem, you’re often the one who can crack it. This will be the case this week as well; your knack is put to the test.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, let others in and reap the rewards of a welcoming attitude. Your social circle expands and others embrace opportunities to spend time with you.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, start a project you have been thinking about as soon as possible, especially when the creative spark ignites. If you wait too long, the inspiration may vanish.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, you are surprisingly relaxed about something that used to stress you out a lot. Growth looks good on you, so remain committed to any positive changes you have implemented.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Romantic feelings or friendships seem to flow easily right now, Libra. Any connections you make will feel balanced and purposeful. Prioritize those who bring you the most joy.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, you are engaging every bit of energy you have to go into deep work mode. You will be focused and unstoppable for the next several days. Others may not see you for a while.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, good news or good timing show up just when you need it. It might provide the inspiration needed to start a project you’re excited about.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Family life is going very smoothly right now, Capricorn. Stability will prevail in the days ahead. Embrace the peaceful atmosphere and encourage others to follow suit.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Share your perspective with all who are ready to listen to your story, Aquarius. Keep in mind that your voice carries weight and you have the ability to spur change.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Your financial confidence grows, Pisces. You might see a salary increase at work, so now is the time to consider implementing some notable financial changes.