Issuu

Six Nations Police and OPP target tobacco operations

Six Nations Police and the OPP targeted a tobacco manufacturer near First Line and Seneca Road last week in an effort to combat organized crime.

According to a public notice, the Six Nations Police and Ontario Provincial Police Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Team executed a search warrant last week after an “extensive investigation.”

“OPP officers are assisting at the request of Six Nations Police as part of this coordinated enforcement effort,” the notice said.

The OPP are not allowed to come onto the territory to enforce any laws or conduct searches without a formal request from the Six Nations Police.

Police teams could be seen raiding a property on First Line near Seneca Road on June 11.

“During this operation, there will be a significant police presence necessary

to preserve public safety and apprehend individuals,” police said. “Temporary restricted areas may be established to ensure officer and public safety. Members of the public are asked to avoid these areas and follow directions provided by police.”

This investigation involves non-Indigenous criminal organizations who police say are exploiting Indigenous rights and

lands.

“The illicit profits generated from these operations have not been invested back into or benefited the community. Six Nations Police Service remains committed to protecting the safety, rights and well-being of the community. We recognize the importance of working in partnership with the community and will continue to take action against

criminal activity that undermines its integrity. We will provide updates where appropriate and appreciate the community's understanding and cooperation.”

Just this past February, eight people were charged in relation to a contraband tobacco investigation dubbed Project Panda on Six Nations involving 25,000 kg of tobacco. The investigation also resulted

in the seizure of 1,360 lbs. of illicit cannabis.

Police said a non-Indigenous criminal network is producing and manufacturing contraband tobacco on the territory.

Between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26, 2026, eight people were charged with a total of 48 offences.

No arrests have been announced in relation to last week’s police operation.

In February 2025, the OPP’s Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OECB) began Project Panda to support the Six Nations Police investigating “a criminal network producing and manufacturing contraband tobacco” on the territory, the media release states. FILE

June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Solidarity Day.

The Law Society of Ontario hosted a program earlier this month, focused on “Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples,” as part of the Equity Legal Education Series.

Watch the archived webcast: LSO.ca/EDI-CPD

Stay up to date on upcoming events: LSO.ca/news-events

SNGR and Men’s Fire seek clarity from HDI

Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council (SNGREC) and the Six Nations Men’s Fire have teamed up in a proposed class action lawsuit seeking transparency and accountability from the Haudenosaunee Development Institute.

SNGREC announced the lawsuit last week, which also includes HDI delegates Aaron Detlor and Brian Doolittle, as well as “related parties” regarding consultation and accommodation funds the HDI has obtained via Six Nations’ land use deals and partnerships on treaty territory.

"Both SNGREC and the Men’s Fire agree that community members have a right to know how these funds have been collected, managed, and used,” elected council said.

SNGREC and the Men’s Fire signed an agreement on Jun. 9 to add Six Nations of the Grand River as a party to the HDI litigation led by Men’s Fire representatives Bill Monture and Wilfred Davey.

The agreement specifies that any funds recovered through the court process would go into a trust to benefit the community.

“This joint effort is a step towards greater transparency and building a path forward that benefits all members of Six Nations,” elected council said. “This historic agreement also recognizes and represents collaboration among Six Nations of the Grand River leadership to uphold our collective responsibilities.”

The HDI incorporated in 2014 under the Ontario corporate number 2438543 with the address 16 Sunrise Court in Ohsweken.

The last financial statement the HDI publicly released was in 2018 on their website.

However, the HDI’s 2021 audited financial statement can be found on the SNGR litigation website, which hosts millions of documents relating to Six Nations’ mammoth land claim case against the Crown, scheduled to begin trial in October this year.

The HDI’s 2019, 2020, and 2022 to present audited financial statements are not publicized.

The 2021 audit shows the HDI received $5,178,752 in revenues for the year ended Mar. 31, 2021, with expenses of $3,684,813, leaving them with an excess of revenues over expenses of $1,493,939.

Salaries and benefits cost around $1.4 million, while consulting and professional fees came to $412,815 and

legal expenses came to $319,194.

The audit doesn’t break down who or what or where those consulting, professional and legal fees are, totalling $732,009.

In 2023, the HDI sought to be added to SNGR’s land claim case as an intervenor but was denied.

Through that action, hundreds of documents and transcripts related to that court hearing became available and were published on the SNGR litigation website.

Audited financial statements for 2438543 Ontario Inc. for 2021 and 2022 are also available on the litigation website.

During cross examination in 2023, Detlor was asked to clarify his upbringing and Indigenous status.

Detlor is an enrolled member of the Mohawks

Federal government introduces first nations clean water act

JACE KOBLUN jace@tworowtimes.com

The federal government introduced Bill C-37, the proposed First Nations Clean Water Act, in the House of Commons on June 16. The bill is accompanied by a commitment of 4.6 billion dollars over five years.

It aims to establish minimum standards for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure on First Nations lands. The legislation also addresses aspects of self-government authority over water.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty presented the bill as the result of extended consultations. As of early June, 38 long-term boil water

advisories remained in 36 communities, according to government figures. Previous investments since 2015 have lifted 156 advisories.

Some First Nations organizations and leaders have expressed that earlier drafts contained stronger language on rights. They have indicated they will review the current version and may propose

amendments during the legislative process. The timing of the introduction comes shortly before Parliament is scheduled to rise for the summer. Debate on the bill is expected to continue in the fall sitting. Communities and regional organizations in Ontario are reviewing the details.

Further statements from leadership are antic-

ipated as the parliamentary process moves forward.

In Canada, Bill C-37 refers to the First Nations Clean Water Act. The legislation establishes legally enforceable protections for safe drinking water on First Nation lands and affirms First Nations' inherent right to self-government and control over their water infrastructure.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty. CANADA

Three Six Nations elementary schools to receive septic system upgrades

Peatland wastewater systems at three federal schools will be replaced under a project valued at approximately $2.8 million STAFF REPORT editor@tworowtimes.com TWO ROW TIMES

Six Nations Elected Council (SNEC) approved a recommendation to upgrade wastewater systems at three elementary schools during its General Finance Committee meeting on June 1.

The motion authorizes Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill to sign the required documentation. The project targets Emily C. General, I.L. Thomas Elementary and Oliver M.

Smith Elementary.

These schools currently use peatland systems for onsite wastewater treatment.

Indigenous Services Canada is responsible for the five federal schools on the territory. The total project value is approximately 2.8 million dollars. An assessment supported the need to replace the existing systems.

The upgrades are intended to improve reliability and meet current standards for wastewater treatment. Work is expected to reduce maintenance

issues and support safer conditions at the schools.

Council’s Built Environment, Climate Adaptation, Lands and Membership Committee brought the recommendation forward. The decision follows routine infrastructure review processes.

Replacement of the systems is part of ongoing efforts to address facility needs at federal schools on the territory. Further details on timelines will be released as planning advances.

OPINION editor@tworowtimes.com

They Did Not Just Survive Canada. They Built It.

A National Indigenous Peoples Day Feature

Every June 21, Canadians are asked to pause and honour Indigenous peoples.

There are powwows. There are proclamations. There are land acknowledgements read from laminated cards, social media posts timed to the solstice, and official statements from ministers who will spend the rest of the year defending policies that contradict every word they just said.

The celebrations are not without value. Recognition matters. Culture matters. Visibility matters. But something is consistently missing from the story being told.

The dominant frame positions our peoples as survivors. We endured residential schools. We endured dispossession. We endured legislation designed to eliminate us. We are still here. We are resilient.

All of that is true. It is also profoundly incomplete.

The Architects

Here is what the celebrations rarely say: Indigenous nations did not merely survive the creation of Canada. They helped create it.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy was not a bystander to North American history. It was one of the most sophisticated political unions on the continent, operating under the Great Law of Peace centuries before any European constitutional document was drafted. The Great Law established

consensus governance, the separation of authority, the protection of local autonomy, the accountability of leaders to the people, and the pursuit of peace through what the Peacemaker called the Good Mind — Skennen’kó:wa — a framework built not on dominance but on right relationship.

When European powers arrived, they did not step into a vacuum. They stepped into a fully governed diplomatic world. Trade required Indigenous cooperation. Military survival required Indigenous alliance. Settlement required Indigenous consent — and when that consent was sought honestly, it produced documents like the Haldimand Proclamation of October 25, 1784. That document is worth reading carefully.

General Frederick Haldimand did not grant the Mohawk people a territory in 1784. He memorialized an obligation the Crown already owed. The distinction matters enormously. A grant flows downward — it implies the Crown had something to give. What Haldimand put to paper was an acknowledgment that Mohawk territorial rights pre-existed the Proclamation, that the alliance and its sacrifices had generated a debt, and that the Crown was recognizing what it could not honestly deny.

Six miles deep on either side of the Grand River, from its source to Lake Erie. The language naming “Loyalist Mohawk and their posterity” was descriptive — identifying who was present and for

whom the obligation ran — not a legal definition that created or confined the underlying interest. The right was Mohawk before the document existed. The Proclamation is evidence of Crown recognition, not the source of the right itself.

The Mohawk people did not come to this valley as recipients of Crown charity. They came as a nation whose prior claim the Crown was bound to honour — and did honour, in writing, in 1784. Everything built on this land since has been built over that prior interest, whether those who built it knew so or not.

The Blueprint Both Nations Used

The Haudenosaunee contribution to North American governance did not stop at the Canadian border — because there was no Canadian border when that contribution was made.

The Great Law of Peace is among the oldest living constitutional documents on this continent. Its principles — federated nationhood, consensus decision-making, the separation of civil and military authority, the protection of individual nations within a larger union — were not abstract philosophy. They were functioning governance, observed and studied by European colonists for generations before any American or Canadian constitution was drafted.

Benjamin Franklin knew this. He attended the 1744 Treaty of Lancaster, where Onondaga speaker Canasatego explicitly urged the colonial delegates to unite

under a federal structure modeled on the Confederacy. Franklin later incorporated that counsel into the Albany Plan of Union in 1754 — the earliest serious proposal for colonial federation in North America.

The influence did not end there. In 1988, the United States Congress passed Concurrent Resolution 331, formally acknowledging that the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s democratic traditions and the Great Law of Peace had a profound influence on the development of the United States Constitution. The resolution passed both chambers.

Read that again. The United States Congress — by resolution — acknowledged that American democracy drew on Haudenosaunee governance.

Canada benefited from Haudenosaunee military alliance and territorial foundation. The United States benefited from Haudenosaunee constitutional thought. Both successor states built what they became on the contributions of a Confederacy whose land and sovereignty they then spent two centuries systematically dismantling. One confirmed its debt in a Proclamation in 1784. The other confirmed it by Congressional resolution in 1988. Neither has fully honoured what that acknowledgment implies. That is not ancient history. That is the unfinished business of this continent.

The Loyalist Mohawks

When Canadians speak of Loyalists, they speak of

people who made a choice — often at enormous personal cost — to remain allied with the Crown when the easier path was accommodation with the new American republic.

The Loyalist Mohawks made that choice too.

Thayendanegea — Joseph Brant — understood what was at stake. He was not naive about the Crown’s tendency toward broken promises. He had travelled to London, negotiated at the highest levels, and watched the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix be eroded and abandoned. He chose alliance anyway, because the alternative — absorption into an American republic explicitly hostile to Indigenous sovereignty — was worse.

The Mohawk Valley was burned. Families fled north through winter. Communities destroyed in months.

And then they rebuilt here.

Along the Grand River, the Loyalist Mohawks established Her Majesty’s Chapel of the Mohawks, organized governance, maintained the Confederacy’s political traditions, and contributed to the fabric of what would become Upper Canada. Their presence was not incidental to this region’s development. It was foundational.

The War of 1812 confirmed what the Revolutionary period had established. When American forces moved to absorb British North America, Mohawk warriors and other Haudenosaunee fighters were among the decisive actors who prevented it. Military historians across the political

spectrum acknowledge this. Without Indigenous military participation, the map of this continent looks different. The country called Canada may not exist.

This is not mythology. It is documented history. What the Law Remembers

The Haldimand Proclamation interest does not rest on Section 35 of the *Constitution Act, 1982* — the framework built for Aboriginal title through immemorial occupation. It rests on something more specific: a Crown acknowledgment of a pre-existing Mohawk interest, incurred through alliance, sacrifice, and territorial cession, confirmed in writing by a senior military official acting with full authority. That acknowledgment sits within Section 109 of the *Constitution Act, 1867* — Crown lands held subject to the interests of others. Our interest was there before the Proclamation. The Proclamation is the Crown’s own record that it knew so. The courts have touched this before — *Logan v. Styres* in 1959, *Isaac v. Davey* with Justice Osler’s reasoning. These are the beginning of a legal argument that has never been fully heard. Today is not the day for legal argument. Today is the day for remembering. But the legal argument and the historical memory are the same argument: this territory was established out of obligation, not generosity. The people who came here were not refugees. They were nation-builders — and the

Jace Koblun Writer: Donna Duric

SOLIDARITY DAY: FESTIVITIES

Join us in celebrating our Indigenous culture, traditions, and history at this year’s Solidarity Day festivities! Come on out for food, live entertainment, and more!

Date: Sunday, June 21 | Time: 12-5pm

Location: Six Nations Community Hall (1738 Fourth Line)

What to Expect:

NEW: Water slides & bouncy castles

Catered take-out meal

Performances from local bands

Activities for youth

FREE caramel corn, cotton candy & candy apples

Opening remarks from Elected Chief & Council

Those interested in being a vendor or looking for more information can contact Jake: comm.aa@sixnations.ca or Leigh: sncec@sixnations.ca

All Six Nations of the Grand River departments will be closed on Monday, June 22, 2026. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, June 23.

of the Bay of Quinte also known as Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.

When asked if he was raised in Tyendinaga or Belleville, he and lawyer Max Shapiro, of Blake, Cassels and Graydon, engaged in a back and forth exchange before Detlor finally answered that he “spent time growing up there” referring to Tyendinaga.

Detlor confirmed that he was a paid consultant on behalf of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council (HCCC) with no fixed termination date.

He was appointed to that role in 2007, he said.

He said he does not act as a lawyer for the HCCC but does act as a lawyer for 2438543 Ontario Inc.

He gets paid for those legal services but he confirmed during cross-examination he has not disclosed how much he gets paid for those services.

When Detlor was asked about his role as a delegate for the HCCC he said, “Well, it means that you have been tasked with -- like, it is like the best way I could say it is like you have been

SNGR and Men’s Fire seek clarity from HDI con't

given a quest and you are not allowed out of the game until the quest is over. It is not something that you can -- you can't quit. You can't walk away from it. You are bound metaphysically with the work. You have made a commitment to future generations. Even talking about it now is tough.”

Shapiro asked if part of Detlor if he sees his responsibilities to HDI and the HCCC as requiring him to fully account financially by disclosing how much he receives each year in payments from HDI and its related corporations or organizations.

Detlor wondered who he was supposed to disclose that information to and Shapiro said HDI and HCCC and Detlor said, “that takes place.”

Detlor came under fire when it was discovered in 2023 that he personally co-owned a Toronto condo, along with 2438543 Ontario Inc., at 154-38 Howard Park in Toronto that cost $1.3 million and questions have been raised by both clanmothers and Six Nations Elected Council

representatives about his compensation and activities at HDI.

Clanmother Janace (Henry) Maracle, Cayuga Deer Clan, sent a letter to the HDI seeking information about the HDI’s financial actives.

Her letter was submitted as evidence in the intervenor case in 2023.

Maracle wrote in her letter: “In June of 2016 another Clan Mother and I went to the offices of HDI in order to get financial information, including but not limited to, financial statements, any agreements, job descriptions, salaries, and employee names. We did this at the assurance of Leroy Hill, Secretary of the HCCC, and Aaron Detlor who stated at a May 2016 council meeting that any title holder (meaning any Chief or Clan Mother) could go up to the HDI offices to request access to HDI documents. Two visits to the offices of HDI over the span of six weeks resulted in another Clan Mother and I being rebuffed by HDI, who repeatedly refused to provide us the documents and

CELEBRATING NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

The City of Brantford is proud to join communities across Canada to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We honour the rich history of Indigenous Peoples and stand with Indigenous communities to support the efforts to advance reconciliation and renew relationships based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership.

information we requested.”

She referenced an affidavit submitted by HDI Financial Director Richard Saul in which he stated: "It is not HDI's standard practice to post its financial statements or KPMG's audit findings online. My understanding of the arrangement is that Chiefs and Clan Mothers will report back to their respective communities and Clans on the results of the audit and there is an open invitation to the Chiefs, Clan Mothers, and/or their communities to contact HDI to discuss the results of the audit, including any questions or concerns. That invitation is consistently conveyed to the Chiefs and Clan Mothers... if a member of the community has questions about HDI's business, they simply need to ask. They can make these inquiries directly to HDI, or any of their Chiefs and Clan Mothers who can relay the requests, either at HDI's weekly meetings or on an ad hoc basis.”

Maracle wrote, “In the interest of transparency on the part ofHDI regarding

its finances, this letter is a formal request, a direct inquiry to HDI from the Clan Mother of the Cayuga Deer Clan, to release its financial statements and audits as well as the statements and audits of the following companies for the following years:

1) HDI, from 2007-present

2) 2438543OntarioInc., from 2014-present

3) Ogwawihsta Dedwahsnye, from 2016-present (an organization founded to advance Haudenosaunee cultural interests).

She was not given the information.

Six Nations elected Councillor Helen Miller had also sent an email to the HDI in 2023 asking how much money the HDI had made over the previous seven years and to detail where it went.

She was not given the information.

Brian Doolittle is the only other “delegate” appointed to work alongside Detlor at the HDI other than a third one, Ron Thomas, who has since

passed away. Court documents stated Doolittle received a monthly fee for acting as a delegate for the HDI.

When the cross-examining lawyer asked how much the monthly fee was, HDI’s defense lawyer Tim Gilbert said not to answer and the question wasn’t “relevant.”

When Doolittle was asked who was the highest paid delegate or person at HDI, Gilbert said, “it doesn’t matter.”

Doolittle said he and Detlor consult with chiefs and clanmothers on HDI spending, naming a few of them, saying, “let me see, Gloria Thomas, Sharon Williams, Eileen Jacobs, Mary Sandy, Carol Jacobs, Bernice Williams oh, Amy Silversmith. I don't think I could name any more at this point.”

Doolittle said he and Detlor are “in charge” of the HDI and that chiefs and clanmothers approved their purchase of the Toronto condo.

Emails seeking comment from the HDI were not answered.

obligations made to them are real, enforceable, and not yet fulfilled. What We Owe the Memory

For Mohawk people, identity is not paperwork. It is not blood quantum calculated by bureaucrats or a status card or a departmental file number. Identity is memory carried forward. It lives in language — *Kanyen’kéha* — in the words our grandparents used and our children are learning again. It lives in the Longhouse, in ceremony, in the responsibilities that pass between generations. It lives in the act of

standing on this territory and knowing why you are here and what was paid to be here.

Remembering honestly means holding both truths at once: the injustice and the achievement, the dispossession and the nation-building, the suffering and the statecraft. It means refusing to accept a diminished story about who we are.

The Mohawk Nation of Grand River was constituted, as of October 25, 1784. That is not a legal formality. It is a statement about continuity. The governance authority present on this territory in 1784

This Is a History

Worth Teaching

has not been extinguished. It has been carried forward.

The Mohawks who crossed into this valley in the 1780s came with very little in terms of material wealth. They brought something else: a Confederacy’s worth of governance knowledge, military experience, diplomatic relationships stretching from London to the Ohio Valley, and the unbroken conviction that the obligations made to them were real, enforceable, and not yet fulfilled.

National Indigenous

Peoples Day should celebrate survival, yes. But it should also celebrate statecraft, diplomacy, courage, and nation-building. It should be honest — clearly, publicly, legally honest — about what this land is, what was dedicated and promised, and what is still owed.

Indigenous peoples were not witnesses to Canadian history. They were among its authors.

And some of what they wrote is still waiting to be read.

On National Indigenous Peoples Day, WP Pensions + Beneﬁts is honoured to recognize your cultural contributions.

For more than 30 years, WP Pensions + Beneﬁts has been dedicated to developing life, health and retirement plans to ﬁt the unique needs of First Nation employers and employee groups.

National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21st, 2026

HONORING EXCELLENCE. CELEBRATING CULTURE.

Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day

JUNE 21

The Grand Erie District School Board acknowledges and celebrates the histories, cultures, languages, and contributions of the Haudenosaunee people of the Six Nations, the Anishnaabe people of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as well as all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from Indigenous communities and to walk together on the path of reconciliation.

School beach day

By 2RT Staff

Ohsweken. Oliver M. Smith-Kawenni:io held its annual Beach Day earlier this week. The event gave students time for play and outdoor activities while also including reading sessions in shaded areas. Teachers and volunteers ran the stations.

Vice Principal Wanda Davis said students often name the day as their favourite of the year. The tradition has run for at least 10 years. This year’s event took place on a

warm day, with activities adjusted to include both movement and quiet time. Students moved between play periods and reading in rotation. Organizers included teacher Ms. Vokes and school staff. The format has remained similar over the years, with small updates based on student response.

The day is viewed by the school as a way to combine physical activity with learning in an informal setting. Planning for next year is expected to follow the same pattern.

National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21st

and celebrating the cultures and contributions

First Nations in northwestern Ontario oppose nuclear waste plans

waste in the region.

First Nations in northwestern Ontario held a rally and issued statements on June 16 opposing plans for the transport and storage of nuclear

Speakers cited risks to water sources, land and community health. They also referenced treaty rights and the need for consent on projects affecting their territories.

The co-ordinated response comes as proposals for nuclear waste

management continue to be discussed at federal and provincial levels. Community leaders have called for direct engagement before any decisions advance. Similar concerns have been raised by other First Nations groups in Ontario regarding longterm waste storage. The

current statements add to that ongoing dialogue. No immediate changes to project timelines were announced following the rally. Further meetings between community representatives and government officials are anticipated.

Star Blanket Cree Nation welcomes bison herd to its lands

A herd of 17 bison arrived on land designated by Star Blanket Cree Nation in May. The animals were transported from Alberta and released onto approximately 160 acres.

Community members gathered for the release, which included drumming and ceremony. The return has been described by some community members as fulfilling a goal discussed for years.

One account linked the effort to the wishes of a late chief. The bison are currently on the designated land, with plans for ongoing care and possible expansion of the area. The herd includes both males and females.

Bison hold cultural importance for many prairie First Nations. Their return to specific territories is part of broader efforts to restore relationships with the species. Further updates on the herd’s condition and any community programming tied to it are expected in coming months.

June is National Indigenous History Month

National Indigenous Peoples Day Gathering

Sunday, June 21 12 to 5 p.m.

Exhibitions

Craft and food vendors

Drumming, dance, and song

Maawnjidyang Maa We come together here

All June, Tuesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This exhibition, within the museum and at sites around the city, invites re-storying of Guelph through Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee ways of knowing.

MR. SAUGA

Friday, June 26 · 5 to 9 p.m.

Performance at 7 p.m. · By donation

A high-energy Indigenous performer fusing hip-hop with Michi Saagiig cultural elements. Throughout the evening, view The Archive of Steampunk Mishoomis by Rene Meshake, a 30-foot-wide video projection.

Images: Emily Kewageshig, Moon Reflections (detail, top left), 2026, acrylic on canvas

Photo in turtle: Alex Jacobs-Blum

SPORTS

know the score.

SCOREBOARD WATCHIN 2026 WEEK 23

By Jazz Fuller

Welcome back to another week of sports talk! In local sports news our Six Nations Jr B Rebels are having an outstanding season, they currently hold a 19-1 record through 20 games this season! They are coming off of an 11-3 win over the Wallaceburg Red Devils and currently hold onto the #1 spot in the 12 team league. Keep it up guys! Currently, the Jr A Six Nations Arrows are holding down the #3 spot in their 12 team league with a record of 6-4 through 10 games, just 6 points behind league leading St. Catherines Athletics who hold a 9-2 record. In Men’s SR A lacrosse, the Six Nations Chiefs currently hold a perfect 6-0 record in their 7 team league. The Chiefs remain undefeated and play next against the Oakville Rock Tuesday night at home then on the road Saturday night to play against the Owen Sound North Stars at 7pm. In World Cup Soccer News, the biggest highlight into the first week of the tournament was Monday, where Cabo Verde defended superbly against Spain, the #1 ranked team in the

world, finishing the game in a 0-0 tie. Cabo Verde was a 13-1 underdog in the game, where Spain was favoured to win by 3+ goals. Cabo Verde goaltender “Vozinha” made 7 saves on shots on target in the game where Spain collectively took 27 total shots. The miraculous game that ended in a draw was seen as a win from the small country, and turned goalie Vozinha into an overnight celebrity on instagram where he went from 40,000 instagram followers to over 9 million in just one night. During Mondays contests, each of the four games ended in ties between Spain/Cabo Verde, Belgium/Egypt, Saudi Arabia/Uruguay and Iran/New Zealand. Canada also drew to a 1-1 tie in their opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina in their game that was played in Toronto. Team Canada plays next against Qatar thursday (tomorrow night) at Vancouver stadium with a 6pm est scheduled start time. The highest scoring match thus far in tournament was Germany’s convincing 7-1 win over Curacao. Big matches taking place this week are Defending world champions Argentina who

play Tuesday night against Algeria where attacker Lionel Messi looks so solidify being the greatest soccer player ever as he looks to win back to back Fifa World Cup Championships. England plays Croatia today at 4pm. United States who is currently 1-0 takes on Australia who is also 1-0 on Friday at 3pm. We will continue to update on the tournament each week with more exciting games being played each and every day for the following few weeks!

In NHL news, The Carolina Hurricanes are the 2025/2026 season NHL Stanley Cup Champions! The Hurricanes went on the road this past sunday night and defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 to take down the series final 4 games to 2. Jordan Staal was named finals MVP and the Hurricanes took down their second ever Stanley Cup. After scoring 3 goals in a single period, former Toronto Maple Leafs player Mitch Marner played the final three games of the series scoring just 1 assist, going -5 in plus/minus taking only 4 shots on net. Those stats should make Leafs fans feel a little better.

The NHL draft is soon approaching with the Toronto Maple Leafs holding the #1 overall draft pick which should land them phenom Left Winger Gavin McKenna. The draft takes place June 26th/June 27th and will be held just over the border in Buffalo, New York at the Keybank Center.

In NBA news, it might have taken 53 years but the New York Knicks have been crowned 2025/2026 NBA Champions! The Knicks took down game 5 of the finals on Saturday night 94-90. Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson took down Finals MVP honours after scoring 45 points in the series clinching win. New York City erupted in the road win that sent the entire city crazy, with hundreds of thousands of fans mobbing the streets in a night long celebration. The Championship parade that takes place in New York City thursday (tomorrow) should be iconic.

In MLB baseball news, a big congratulations to Bluejays Pitcher Max Scherzer who threw for his 3,500th career strikeout this past week. Max

Scherzer became just the 11th pitcher in MLB history to record 3500 strikeouts. He reached the milestone during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies against Phillies all star hitter Kyle Schwarber in a game that the Bluejays went on to lose 7-4. Currently the Bluejays remain third place in the AL East

Division with a record of 34-38. In the wild card playoff standings the Jays are in 5th place with just the top 3 teams making the wildcard playoff games. The Bluejays square off against the Red Sox in Boston this week before heading to Chicago this weekend to play against the Cubs. That is it for sports news

this week. I hope everyone is continuing the enjoy the warm weather and getting ready for summer 2026! As always, thank you for tuning in to read the sports column each and every week as I enjoy writing it for you! We will see you all back next Wednesday!

played their final home game at the ILA on Friday, June 12th. Six Na-

defeated St. Catharines Athletics 16-11. The game started out with the Athletics picking off several passes. That’s what the Rebels usually do to the other teams. The Rebels pulled away late in the third period to cement the win. The Rebels finished the season with 38 points, recording 22 wins and 1 loss. Here is the Rebels’ Playoff Schedule for Round 1: Game 1 June 19th 8:00PM at ILA vs Owen Sound North Stars; Game 2 June 20 7:00M at Bayshore CC; Game 3 8:00PM at ILA. Game 3 June 26th 8:00PM at ILA, Game 4* June 27th 7:00PM at Bayshore CC, Game 5* June 29th 8:00PM at ILA. DAVE LAFORCE

The Six Nations Jr. B Rebels

tions

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING

SNCDT APPLICATION FOR 2027 FUNDING

The SNCDT accepts applications once a year from Six Nations organizations and organizations with Six Nations involvement requesting funding for their programs, projects and capital purchases.

DUE: June 30, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ONLY

(No late applications will be accepted so prepare early)

The Six Nations Community Development Trust application for 2027 funding is open and can be downloaded from our website sncomtrust.com or please email for a copy to be sent directly to you.

Submissions must be sent electronically via email to coordinator@sncomtrust.ca. Please submit as one pdf file.

Please read through all the materials carefully to ensure you do not miss any information. The handbook is a great resource to help you answer each question.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at our office at 905-765-1236 or email coordinator@sncomtrust.ca

SIX NATIONS POLICE

Constable - Contract Position

Applications for a contract position for Constable with the Six Nations Police are now being called for.

All applicants must fill out a standard application form available at the Six Nations Police Station.

CRITERIA for applicants are as follows:

Minimum Requirements to be considered for a career in First Nations Policing with the Six Nations Police Service, you must:

- Be 19 years of age or over and able to provide an official birth certificate or proof of age;

- Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of the position having regard to your own safety and the safety of members of the public

- Have successfully completed at least 4 years of Secondary School education or its equivalent (official transcripts and diplomas will be required)

- Be of good moral character and habits, meaning that you are an individual other people would consider being trustworthy and having integrity, with no criminal record;

- certified by a physician to be fit for duty as a front line Six Nations Police Constable and able to pass physical tests which are required in the recruiting process

- Possess a valid driver’s license with no more than 6 accumulated demerit points, permitting you to drive an automobile in Ontario with full driving privileges

- Be able to pass a security clearance as well as background investigation, credit card and reference checks

If you have any criminal convictions under a Federal Statute you must obtain a pardon.

Special Requirements – for the Six Nations Police Service, in order to address the unique and at times urgent needs of the Six Nations of the Grand River Community and Haudenosaunee culture, additional requirements include:

- Extensive knowledge of the unique social dynamics of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory

- A sound understanding of Haudenosaunee culture, customs, traditions and social political issues of the Six Nations of the Grand River

- Six Nations of the Grand River Band Membership/Citizenship and residency is considered a preferred asset and

- Membership or extensive working experience with any Indigenous Nation will also be considered an asset Desirable

•

GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE

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

STUDENTS MUST APPLY ONLINE BY SPECIFIED DEADLINE

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

• Application Deadline for Summer semester

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

May 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

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

• Application Deadline for Summer semester

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

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

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

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

May 1st

August 1st

May 1st

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

May 1st

August 1st

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

2026 SEASON SCHEDULE

Anishinabek Nation on newly introduced federal water legislation

CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA

FIRST NATION (June 16, 2026) – The Government of Canada’s Bill C-37, An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands, was introduced in the House of Commons and received its First Reading, and was later tabled today.

The Anishinabek Nation

views this process as a significant departure from the collaborative approach taken in previous legislation concerning water and infrastructure on First Nations lands.

“Previous legislative efforts reflected in the former Bill C-61, An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related

infrastructure on First Nation lands, which was first introduced in December of 2023, included consultation periods consisting of review and feedback on drafts, and subsequent further amendments developed through meaningful dialogue and partnerships with First Nations and Knowledge Keepers in the months that followed.

The current legislation, by virtue of Bill C-37, is not a product of genuine collaboration. The bill tabled today, while retaining some important aspects of Bill C-61, also includes changes that were unilaterally made without wide consultation or engagement with First Nations, including removing explicit recognition that First Nation individuals

Notice of Online Public Information Centre

Highway 401 & Highway 6/Brock Road South Interchange Improvements

have a human right to clean and safe drinking water, and reducing Canada’s consultation or co-development obligations with First Nations.

This legislation is being tabled without sufficient engagement with First Nations governance structures, traditional knowledge holders, or community voices, thereby

Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment (G.W.P. 3041-23-00)

THE PROJECT

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is moving forward with Phase 3 of Highways 6 and 401 Improvements from the Hamilton north limits to the Guelph south limits (G.W.P. 3042-14-00). This includes the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment Study for Highway 401 & Highway 6/Brock Road South Interchange Improvements (G.W.P. 3041-23-00) (The Project). The Project will address the required replacement of the Highway 6/Brock Road South underpass structure, which is approaching the end of its service life, and examine improvements to the Highway 401 and Highway 6/Brock Road South Interchange. The Project is following the planning process for a Group ‘B’ project in accordance with the MTO Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities and Municipal Expressways (2024) and the project limits are located within the Township of Puslinch, Wellington County. Additional information can be found on the Project website at: http://Highways6and401HamiltontoGuelph.ca.

ONLINE PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE

An online Public Information Centre (PIC) is being held through the Project website. The PIC will provide an overview of the study process, alternative designs to address interchange improvements and the assessment of those alternatives, as well as the Technically Preferred Alternative derived from that assessment and the Project’s next steps.

The Project Team welcomes your input. The PIC materials will be available online as follows:

Where: highways6and401hamiltontoguelph.ca/consultation/ public-information-centres/

When: June 26 to July 9, 2026

The PIC Comment Form will be available online until July 9, 2026 providing the opportunity to ask questions or submit comments on the PIC materials.

If you require further information regarding the Project, would like to participate but do not have access to the internet, or have accessibility requirements in order to participate in this online PIC, please contact the Project Team at the contact information provided below or by emailing the Project Team at ProjectTeam@Highways6and401hamiltontoguelph.ca

Sarah Jewell, P. Eng., M. Eng. Area Manager, Highway Engineering Ministry of Transportation West Region 659 Exeter Road London, ON N6E 1L3

Geoff Coy, P. Eng. Consultant Senior Project Manager AECOM Canada ULC 8th Floor, 105 Commerce Valley Drive West Markham, ON L3T 7P4 tel: 905-418-1502

Comments are being collected to assist MTO in meeting the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. We are committed to ensuring that government information and services are accessible for all Ontarians. For communication support or to request project material in an alternate format, please contact one of the project team members listed above.

undermining the principles of self-determination and respect for First Nation sovereignty. This is concerning, particularly for a piece of legislation that is in part about affirming First Nations’ constitutionally-protected right to self-government on the topic of the legislation. Furthermore, the legislation appears to neglect the importance of co-developing not just the law, but also policies, regulations, and management frameworks in partnership with First Nations, again marking a deviation from the former Bill C-61. The lack of a transparent, consultative process diminishes the legitimacy and effectiveness of the legislation and risks perpetuating colonial systemic inequalities by imposing federal standards that do not fully align with First Nations' rights, traditional knowledge, or real on-the-ground needs. We are concerned that the new bill and related processes may reflect a prioritization of federal and provincial economic interests and assertions of jurisdiction over First Nations’ health, well-being, infrastructure, and constitutional rights and jurisdiction.

Bill C-37 fails to uphold the principles of meaningful partnership, mutual respect, and collaborative governance that are foundational to building sustainable and culturally appropriate water management systems on First Nation lands. The Anishinabek Nation urges the government to engage meaningfully with First Nations over the coming months and revisit this legislation with a genuine commitment to collaborative development, ensuring that First Nations’ priorities are reflected in the legislation and that First Nations are active decision-makers and rightful partners in the stewardship of their waters.

Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) establishes the right of Indigenous peoples to participate in decision-making that affects their rights.

SIX NATIONS COUNCIL

SIX NATIONS AND NEW

HANNA’s GEMS

Thrift and save!!! Come visit our opening.

Gently used clothing for the family. Footwear, Linens, Housewares, Jewelry and much more at reasonable prices.

All clothing is laundered (except items labeled for dry cleaning only). Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Closed on Tuesdays Located @ 3034 Mississauga Rd., 1st Line, MCFN

Delia Bernice Davis

August 11, 1924 - June 10, 2025

D. Bernice Davis in her 101st year has begun her journey back to the spirit world. On June 10, 2026 surrounded by family, Gram peacefully let go to join her loved ones in heaven. Gram was known for her genuine heart, her acts of kindness, and enjoyed loads of laughter. She always helped and loved her family very much. Pre-deceased by her husband Sidney Davis and children Melvin, Virginia, Lois, and Joyce. Survived by her girls, Jean, Debbie, Delores, and Nancy. Also lovingly remembered by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Gram will be missed by all those who knew her.

She will be resting at the Sour Springs dining hall after 5pm on Friday, Funeral and Burial will be at the Sour Springs Longhouse on Saturday June 13, 2026 at 11am. www.rhbanderson.com

No Experience Necessary

Dates:

June 23, 30

July 7, 14, 21, 28

Time: 6:30 – 8:00PM

CLUES ACROSS

1. Similar

4. Have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

10. No (Scottish)

11. __ Aires, city

12. Morning

14. Senior’s son (abbr.)

15. A notable achievement

16. European nation

18. Endings

22. Puts into place

23. Former

24. Grenadier

26. Sea patrol

27. Algerian port

28. Norwegian river

30. Precipitation

31. Sunscreen rating

34. New York is one

36. Patti Hearst’s captors

37. Soft mineral with greasy feel

39. Retired Brazilian footballer

40. An Indian nursemaid

41. Atomic #24

42. Immobile

48. Insignia of royalty

50. Seeds from which chocolate is made

51. Begin again

52. Round root

53. Beginning to end (alt. sp.)

54. What newlyweds just said

55. Empire State

56. Give back

58. College hoops tournament

59. Unstable situations

60. Young women’s associa-

tion

CLUES DOWN

1. Administer a drug 2. Holy places 3. Contrary opinions 4. Blood type 5. Gags 6. Micturating

7. Silly 8. A type of “cuff” 9. Spanish be 12. Austrian river

13. Messenger ribonucleic acid

17. Consume food 19. California supermarket 20. Electronic communication

21. Cassia tree 25. Written works

Answers for June 17th, 2026 Crossword Puzzle

29. Cool!

31. Noteworthy 90s lawyer Kenneth

32. One who was compensated

33. National symbols

35. Raising

38. A type of talk

41. Cloud

43. Middle Eastern peoples

44. Pouches

45. 007’s creator

46. A cut of meat

47. Sports entertainment award

49. Christine __, actress 56. Relief organization (abbr.)

57. Canadian province (abbr.)

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Management opportunities are coming your way, Aries. It is time to step up and take the lead. Your confidence has long been a strong character trait, so push forward.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, patience will pay off big time when a long-awaited piece of news finally arrives. The weekend is a perfect time for walking in nature or tending to the garden.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Your curiosity is leading you down a fascinating path right now, Gemini. This could spark a new interest. Stay flexible, as a last-minute change of plans might be in the cards.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, emotional clarity might help you address a minor concern with grace and ease. You often project a gentle strength that helps to draw people closer to you.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

It’s time for your inner child to come out to play, Leo. Say yes to a game night or a creative pursuit. Joy will be the primary focus this week, leading you to have more fun.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, a breakthrough in your wellness routine may be on the horizon, leaving you feeling energized and refreshed. People might notice the glow and ask for your secret.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, artistic inspiration might just be everywhere you look this week. Whether gazing at the clouds or the buildings around you, you might be inspired to create something.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Transformation is in the air, Scorpio. You might be shedding an old habit for a better one. You may be stepping into a more powerful version of yourself soon enough.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, it’s time to share your knowledge with others, which can bring you a sense of fulfillment that you might not have seen coming.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

Career goals are moving forward at a steady, satisfying pace, Capricorn. Keep your eyes on the future and trust the process. You’re doing amazing work.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Social activism or community work may give you a sense of purpose that is much-needed right now, Aquarius. Your ability to think creatively will help immensely.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Your kindness this week will create a ripple of positivity that flows right back to you, Pisces. Reach out to a friend in need when you have a moment.

CODES ACCELERATION PROGRAM WITHIN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

BUILDING STRONGER, MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT COMMUNITIES

Practical tools, training, and support to help Indigenous communities adopt high-performance energy building codes and build resilient homes grounded in community values.

IMPACT AT A GLANCE:

• 11 webinars delivered

• 1,000+ registrants

• 10 trainings delivered

• 121 trained partipants

WHAT THE PROGRAM DELIVERS:

Online hub of practical resources and tools

Energy Management & Leadership Training Program

Guidance for energy code adoption and implementation

Webinars and peer knowledge-sharing opportunities

Support for resilient, energy-efficient housing projects

ACCESS FREE RESOURCES & TRAINING TO SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY!

Explore toolkits, training opportunities, webinars, case studies, and implementation support designed specifically for Indigenous communities.