Local homeowner pleads with elected council to shut down grow-op
DONNA DURIC donna@tworowtimes.com
TWO ROW TIMES
Fourth Line resident
Nancy Porter told elected council last week that a massive grow-op behind her property has been a non-stop problem for her and her mother since last year and she wants something done about it.
From concerns about unknown staff members working there to the smell of the cannabis plants, Porter told Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council local residents should have been consulted before the grow-op was given the green light by the Six Nations Cannabis Commission.
The SNCC is funded by elected council but oper-
ates at arm’s length from the band and is tasked with issuing permits and licenses to cannabis growops and retailers on the reserve.
Since Porter’s complaints became a widespread community concern in March, elected council has put a halt on all new cannabis licenses and permits issued by the SNCC.
Porter said five generations of her family grew up on the Fourth Line property, farming the land and growing food on the property.
About seven years ago, she said, the land behind her where the current grow-op is located became a tobacco field before being clear-cut even further for the 110-acre cannabis grow-op.
She said the growop has caused a “great destruction” in her and her mother’s peaceful way of life.
Her elderly mother still lives at the property.
Porter said she’s been trying to bring her concerns to the attention of authorities in the last year but hadn’t received any answers until there was a live video circulated on social media that provided people with a glimpse of what was happening behind her house.
“This has affected many people living in close proximity to this business,” said Porter. “We are bringing these concerns to you because it’s your responsibility to provide answers as the Six Nations Cannabis Commission was created under this
council.”
Porter asked elected council to answer a number of questions, to which she expected answers to by July 1.
Porter said she wanted to council to provide her with a number to call to deal with immediate safety concerns because she’s concerned about the non-natives who work back there.
“There’s quite a few people around and not knowing who they are. That’s been an ongoing situation for over a year. I just want a phone number I could call for safety reasons. They have security there but they’re securing what’s there. We need something for our safety.”
She said previously she had contacted the Six Nations Police but was told if
she called again she’d be charged with harassment.
“The police were called a few times. There was so much misunderstanding (with the police). I have filed a couple of complaints about a couple of police officers."
Porter also asked if there were going to be any updates to the memorandum of understanding the commission has with elected council.
“There needs to be changes for sure,” said Elected Chief Sherri-lyn Hill.
She said Six Nations Elected Council agreed any new licenses would be halted for six months but they can’t terminate previous licenses issued by the commission.
The Fourth Line growop license is issued to a
company called Legacy Farms.
Porter also asked why local homeowners and businesses were not consulted and the elected chief said, “We can ask the commission.”
Porter and other neighbours said they are concerned about the “unknowns that are back there and people walking up and down the driveway. It’s a non-stop problem for us. I’d like to know what you’re going to do about this.”
Hill said elected council is, “hearing all the parties’ information” - after which elected council make a decision and let the community know.
Ec Dev Trust announces 2025 recipients
By 2RT Staff
The Six Nations of the Grand River Economic Development Trust (EDT) is giving $457,944.53 to three recipients for the 2025 round of general funding.
The funding is a result of surplus profits of the business activities of the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC).
All three applications received for this round of funding were approved by the EDT committee following presentations and individual and group scoring.
The following projects have been approved for community investment:
-Six Nations Polytechnic will receive $125,698 for technology upgrades at SNP Brantford
-The Six Nations Language Commission will receive $317,317.53 for their Tentsitewatewén:nahkwe’
‘We will Pick Our Languages Back up’ project
-Grand River Employment and Training Inc. (Kayanase) will receive $14,929.00 for Kayanase Tourism and Greenhouse Capacity Building
Since 2016, the EDT has invested approximately $24 million back into the Six Nations community.
The funding comes from annual distributions of surplus profits by Six Nations
of the Grand River Development Corporation.
The EDT is the mechanism in which surplus profits generated by Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation are invested into the Six Nations community for the collective benefit of its members.
The EDT was borne out of a 2011 community engagement study called “We Gather Our Voices” when the SNGRDC was just forming.
Following the launch of SNGRDC’s newly-remodelled governance structure in March 2023, the mandate of the EDT has become a function of the SNGRDC Board of Directors, which will continue to provide funding for community investment.
Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation manages Six Nations’ economic interests in 25 energy projects and numerous economic development opportunities in and around the Six Nations territory.
SNGRDC’s current energy portfolio consists of over 2.4 GW of capacity through its direct or indirect involvement in five battery storage, six solar, and 14 wind projects.
SNGRDC is located on the Six Nations Reserve and employs an average of 100 employees.
SNCDT APPLICATION FOR 2026 FUNDING DEADLINE
June 30, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. (no late applications will be accepted)
The Six Nations Community Development Trust application for 20 26 funding is open and can be downloaded from our website sncomtrust.com or please email for a copy to be sent directly to you.
Contact us at our office at 905-765-1236, email coordinator@sncomtrust.ca if you need any assistance or have questions.
Oneida Business Park, 50 Generations Drive (corner of 4th line and Hwy #6).
Box 7, Suite 111, Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0
Phone: (905) 765-1236 Email: coordinator@sncomtrust.ca
Surprising features of shopping local
By Jace Koblun
A movement to “shop local” gained steam as more communities faced few options outside of big box stores.
The shop local approach encourages consumers to patronize local businesses, and even those fully devoted to the cause might not realize how beneficial it can be. The following is a look at how communities and residents win when shopping local.
Shopping local increases employment opportunities: Small businesses employ more workers than their larger counterparts, creating two out of every three new jobs, according to the Small Business Administration. In fact, small businesses account for 99.7 per cent of all employer firms in the United States. Buying locally means employment levels are either going to be stable or there will be more opportunities for local residents to work in the community.
Shopping local does not
cost more money: Many people are under the assumption that buying locally is always more expensive. But this isn’t always the case. Local shops may offer a range of products from a particular region, which will reduce shipping costs, and that savings can be passed on to the consumer. Plus, small businesses may offer special discounts and promotions more readily than nationwide chains, so consumers can get more value for their money.
Shopping local helps to keep money in the community: Patronizing local stores creates a recirculation of money in the community. Dollars spent
in town raise the overall level of economic activity, which helps pay salaries, and builds up the local tax base, says Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development.
Shopping local can help the planet: Environmentalists were among the first people to promote local consumption, as buying local can cut down on transportation-related pollution.
Shopping local stretches beyond seasonal events: Certainly there are a host of local merchants that do much of their business during key times of the year or specialize in seasonal produce; however, many local businesses also offer products year-round, and these local merchants include artisans, designers, musicians, and clothing retailers.
There are many reasons to increase reliance on local shops and vendors, who benefit communities and residents in myriad ways.
Communities and residents win when shopping local.
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day together
JACE KOBLUN jace@tworowtimes.com
TWO ROW TIMES
National Indigenous Peoples Day has been celebrated annually in Canada since 1996.
The United States has its own Indigenous Peoples' Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday in October. The Canadian celebration is meant to honour First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and other Indigenous cultures across the country.
It occurs on the summer solstice, which is a day with spiritual significance for many Indigenous communities, according to Smithsonian. The contributions of Indigenous peoples in Canada can be celebrated in many different ways.
Listen to music: Listen to music by Indigenous artists at home or while travelling. This is one way for individuals to connect with their own cultures, or for those outside of them to enjoy these creative works.
Learn and grow: Visit a nearby museum or take a virtual tour of museums devoted to Indigenous culture. Museums and virtual tours celebrate the creativity, resiliency and endurance of Indigenous People through displays of thousands of historical and contemporary objects.
Read a book: Delve into the pages of a book written by an Indigenous author. Tom Highway is Cree and worked as a social worker in Indigenous communities. He began his writing career as a playwright, but also au-
thored novels, children’s books and songs. His works speak bluntly about the tragedies endured by Indigenous peoples.
Purchase handmade decor: Many Indigenous artists make livings selling their wares, both in person or on sites like Etsy. These pieces can bring beauty and touches of culture to homes and workplaces.
Dine on good food: Seek out Indigenous restaurants to enjoy native cuisine. Bison long has been a significant resource for Indigenous peoples in Northern Canada. Enjoying bison burgers or a hearty bison stew can be a treat. Also try bannock, a biscuit-type bread that is a speciality of Indigenous cooks throughout North America. As well as fried scone.
Chiefswood Park, Lower Grounds
Thursday July 3, 2025
Time: 10:00am-6:00pm
10:00AM- Opening Address with Department of Well-Being Cultural Advisors
11:00AM-12:00PM-
1:30PM-2:30PM-
3:00PM-5:00PM- Canoe and Kayak Races (Ages 10+)
Intense Israeli strikes hit Tehran after Trump demands 'unconditional surrender'
By Joseph Krauss, Jon Gambrell And Natalie Melzer
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Intense
Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran’s capital early Wednesday after it issued a warning about a new area it could target, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Tehran's residents to evacuate and demanded that the country surrender without conditions.
Uncertainty roiled the region and residents of Tehran fled their homes in droves on the fifth day of Israel’s air campaign aimed at Iran’s military and nuclear program.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog for the first time said Israeli strikes on Iran’s main uranium-enrichment facility at Natanz had also damaged its main underground centrifuge facility, not just an above-ground facility, as previously acknowledged.
Israel asserts its sweeping assault is necessary to prevent Iran from getting any closer to building an atomic weapon. The strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran. Iran has retaliated by launching some 400 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel.
Israel hammers Tehran A major explosion could be heard around 5 a.m. in Tehran Wednesday morning, following other explosions that boomed earlier in the predawn darkness.
Authorities in Iran offered no acknowledgement of the attacks, which has become increasingly common as the
Israeli airstrike campaign has intensified since they began on Friday.
The Israelis earlier warned they could strike a neighborhood south of Mehrabad International Airport, which includes residential neighborhoods, military installations, pharmaceutical companies and industrial firms.
Israel also claimed that it had killed Iran’s Gen. Ali Shadmani, whom Israel described as the country’s most senior remaining military commander, in Tehran. Shadmani was little known in the country before being appointed last week to a chief-of-staff-like role as head of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters following the killing of his predecessor, Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, in an Israeli strike.
Trump demands Iranian surrender
Trump left the Group of Seven summit in Canada a day early to deal with the conflict between Israel and Iran, telling reporters: “I’m not looking at a ceasefire. We’re looking at better than a ceasefire.”
When asked to explain, he said the U.S. wanted to see “a real end” to the conflict that could involve Iran “giving up entirely.” He added: “I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate.”
Writing on social media later, Trump warned Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that the U.S. knows where he is hiding and called for Iran's “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," without elaborating.
Trump posted that there were no plans to kill Khamenei “at least not for now.” Despite warning that
U.S. “patience is wearing thin,” he indicated that diplomatic talks remained an option, and said he could send Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with the Iranians.
Iran vows further attacks Iran offered no immediate response to the president's posts, but the country’s military leaders vowed that Israel would soon see more attacks.
“The operations carried out so far have been solely for the purpose of warning and deterrence,” Gen. Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the commander in chief of Iran’s army, said in a video. “The punishment operation will be carried out soon.”
Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the evolving situation over the phone on Tuesday, according to a White House official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Israel’s military warned the population to stay close to shelters as Iran fired new salvos of missiles, but officials said most were intercepted. Sirens blared in southern Israel, including in the desert town of Dimona, the heart of Israel’s never-acknowledged nuclear arms program.
Iran launched another barrage early Wednesday. Israeli rescue services had no immediate reports of injuries. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed in a message that the barrage included the use of Fatah missiles, which Tehran describes as hypersonic. Israel has not acknowledge Iran using hypersonic missiles. Hypersonic weapons,
which fly at speeds higher than Mach 5, pose crucial challenges to missile defense systems because of their speed and maneuverability.
The U.S. State Department announced that the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will remain closed through Friday due to “the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.”
Iran has fired fewer missiles in each of its barrages, with a handful launched late Tuesday. It has not explained the drop in missiles fired, but the decline comes after Israel targeted many Iranian launchers.
Shops closed, lines for gas in Iran’s capital Trump warned on social media that “everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran," echoing an earlier Israeli military call for some 330,000 residents of a downtown neighborhood there to evacuate.
Tehran is one of the largest cities in the Middle East, with around 10 million people, roughly equivalent to Israel's entire population. People have been fleeing since hostilities began.
Asked why he had urged the evacuation, Trump said: “I just want people to be safe.”
Downtown Tehran emptied out early Tuesday, with many shops shuttered, as well as the ancient Grand Bazaar, which has closed only in times of crisis, such as during the 2022 anti-government protests and the coronavirus pandemic. On the roads out of Tehran to the west, traffic stood bumper to bumper. Many middle- and upper-class
Iranians were headed to the Caspian Sea, a popular getaway spot. Long lines snaked from Tehran’s gas stations.
Satellite images analyzed Wednesday by The Associated Press appear to show no vessels anchored off the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain, about 660 miles (1,062 kilometers) south of Tehran. Dispersing ships is a common safety technique employed by navies around the world in times of trouble.
Iran has threatened to target U.S. military installations in the region, though there’s not been any attack so far since the Israeli campaign against Iran began on Friday Signs that Iran is restricting access to outside world Iranian authorities appeared to be curbing the public's access to the outside world. Phone and internet service was disrupted, with landline phones unable to receive or dial international calls.
NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, reported that it had detected a significant drop in internet traffic from the country. Iran’s Cyber Security Command acknowledged the internet restrictions and in a statement carried by Iranian state television said it was “implementing numerous measures for different parts of the country” The move was meant to stop enemies from “continuing to exploit infrastructure to carry out cyber and military operations,” the statement said.
Iran has restricted important communications tools in past nationwide protests and during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war.
International websites appeared to be blocked, but local websites were functioning, likely signaling that Iran had turned on the so-called “halal net,” its locally controlled version of the internet aimed at limiting what the public can see.
Iran's state TV on Tuesday urged the public to remove the messaging app WhatsApp from their cellphones, alleging without evidence that the app gathered user information to send to Israel.
In a statement, WhatsApp said it was concerned that "these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most.”
Nuclear agency reports more damage to enrichment site
The International Atomic Energy Agency said it believed that Israel’s first aerial attacks on Iran’s Natanz enrichment site had directly affected the facility’s underground centrifuge facility. Satellite imagery collected after Friday’s attacks showed “additional elements that indicate direct impacts on the underground enrichment halls,” the watchdog said.
The IAEA earlier reported that Israeli strikes had destroyed an above-ground enrichment hall at Natanz and knocked out electrical equipment that powered the facility, which is 220 kilometers (135 miles) southeast of Tehran. Most of Iran's enrichment takes place underground to protect from airstrikes.
DHL Express to strike, lockout
By Christopher Reynolds
DHL Express Canada plans to shut down operations across the country this week amid a strike and lockout involving 2,100 truck drivers and other workers, adding to turmoil in the parcel market. With the two sides at an impasse, the company said it will halt thousands of daily deliveries starting Friday — the same day that federal legislation banning replacement workers takes full effect.
DHL will stop receiving inbound packages to Canada from abroad on Tuesday at 9 p.m., DHL said in an email.
Spokeswoman Pamela Duque Rai pointed to stalled negotiations with Unifor and the legislation known as Bill C-58, "which prohibits the use of replacement workers during industrial action," she noted.
On June 8, the German-owned carrier said it was rolling out a "contingency plan" that allowed it to keep serving its more
than 50,000 customers, which range from retailer Lululemon to e-commerce giants Shein and Temu.
Duque Rai had said in an email at the time that DHL did not expect "significant disruptions" to its service.
Unifor, which represents DHL truck drivers, couriers and warehouse and call centre employees, had warned against any steps to supplant unionized workers with temporary ones, with president Lana Payne saying the move would impose a chill on contract talks.
Last Friday, Unifor's bargaining committee said it had met with DHL Express Canada CEO Geoff Walsh, who stressed the possibility of a halt the following week.
"We will not be intimidated by the company’s threats to disrupt service or shut down operations," the committee said in a June 13 bulletin to members.
The upcoming pause adds to the labour tumult in the parcel sector, as Canada Post remains at loggerheads with 55,000 workers amid strained negotia-
tions and an overtime ban imposed by the union last month.
Canada is not the only country struggling with falling mail volumes — a key factor in the impasse between the two sides — and DHL is among those feeling the pinch.
In March it announced plans to cut 8,000 jobs in Germany this year, marking the largest set of layoffs in its home market in decades.
Back in Canada, Duque Rai sought to frame the union's proposals as unreasonable. "While we are committed to fair compensation for our employees, our position is that Unifor's demands — a 22 per cent salary increase for hourly employees, as well as a 42 per cent salary increase for owner-operators — do not reflect the current economic landscape and would jeopardize our operational viability," she said.
Payne said DHL has been seeking concessions since negotiations kicked off nearly a year ago.
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.
Today and every day, we celebrate and honour the rich history, vibrant cultures, and enduring strength of Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
Mayor David Bailey, on behalf of County of Brant Council.
Wildfire evacuees return home
By Steve Lambert
Wildfire evacuees continued to make their way home in some Manitoba communities Tuesday, but there were hurdles.
Tataskweyak Cree Nation lifted its evacuation order Monday evening, then told the community's 2,400 residents Tuesday morning the return was being delayed due to problems with the water system.
"Water tests came back (with) high aluminum. The pipes and reservoir will need to be cleaned and samples taken after the cleaning," said a message posted on the chief and council's Facebook page. An evacuation order also was lifted Tuesday for the
dozens of evacuees from Bissett, near the Manitoba-Ontario boundary. They were forced out last month by a wildfire near Nopiming Provincial Park. Residents in Flin Flon, one of the largest communities evacuated, were still waiting for the fire threat to diminish before they could be allowed to return.
An out-of-control fire covering roughly 3,700 square kilometres continued to burn north and east of the city of 5,000 people.
Manitoba’s latest report said crews were battling 18 fires, eight of which were out of control.
At the peak of evacuations, about 21,000 residents were out of their homes, putting pressure on the
province’s supply of hotel rooms and prompting Premier Wab Kinew's government to encourage tourists to reconsider Manitoba travel plans.
A third of those evacuees came from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in the north-central region. They have started returning home, as are residents in Snow Lake, Sherridon and Herb Lake Landing. Rain and cooler temperatures have brought relief to both Manitoba and Saskatchewan in recent days, allowing fire bans to be reduced and more evacuees to go home. In Saskatchewan, the province reported 13 active fires, with three out of control.
GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE
2025 DEADLINE CALENDAR for / gweh?: weh n=:` Ohsweg,h]:n/h
Onkwehón:we ne: Ohswekenhro:non
Feb. 1st Application Deadline for Summer semester Apply on-line! Fall Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.
Levels 3 & 4 (Master or Ph.D. students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing. Winter course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.
May 1st Application Deadline for Fall or Fall/Winter semester(s) Apply on-line! Winter Marks/Progress Reports due for all funded students.
Levels 3 & 4 (Master or Ph.D. students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing. Summer course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.
11:59 pm May 1st to 9 am July 1st - The On-line Application on the GRPSEO Website is not available.
Aug 1st Official transcripts are due from students funded for any of the three previous application periods (Summer/Fall/Winter).
For all APPROVED FALL applications - Any documentation that was requested by the Funding Advisor to be submitted to GRPSEO by August 1, (as outlined in the “Check List of Required Documentation” form provided to the applicant), and not received by this deadline date will result in CANCELLATION of the approved application and loss of funding.
Oct. 1st Application Deadline for Winter semester – Apply on-line!
Summer Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.
Levels 3 & 4 (Master or Ph.D. students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing. Fall course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.
STUDENTS MUST APPLY ON- LINE BY SPECIFIED DEADLINE
OTHER POST SECONDARY DATES AND EVENTS 2025
Jan. 2 Office Reopens 2025
Feb. 17 Office Closed: Family Day
Mar. 7 Winter Semester Contact Required From All Students (Check With Your GRPSEO Funding Advisor)
Apr. 18 Office Closed: Good Friday
Apr. 21 Office Closed: Easter Monday
May 1 Accepting Graduate Promotion Items
May 19 Office Closed: Victoria Day
June 1 Summer Office Hours: Open from 8 am to 4 pm
June 23 Office Closed: Observance National Indigenous Peoples Day
July 1 Office Closed: Canada Day
Aug. 1 Official Transcripts
Aug. 4 Office Closed: Civic Holiday
Sept. 2 Back to Regular Office Hours: Open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Sept. 1 Office Closed: Labour Day
Sept 30 Office Closed: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
Oct. 13 Office Closed: Thanksgiving Day
Oct. 31 Deadline to Submit Graduate Promotion Items
Nov. 7 Fall Semester Contact Required From All Students (Check With Your GRPSEO Funding Advisor)
Nov. 11 Office Closed: Observance of Remembrance Day
Dec. 23 Office Closed: Christmas Closure
Jan. 2, 2026 Office Reopens
Please check the local newspapers, our website at www.grpseo.org FaceBook/Instagram/X or give us a call at (519) 445-2219 for more information.
Honour. Educate. Empower.
Around 80,000 Canadians in the Middle East amid conflict: Global Affairs
By Vanessa Tiberio
There are approximately 3,500 Canadians in Iran and another 6,700 in Israel amid an escalating conflict between the two countries, Global Affairs Canada says, as some of them are stuck in the region or worried about relatives caught in the crossfire.
The count is based on the voluntary registration of around 80,000 Canadians in the Middle East and doesn’t fully reflect how many of them may need help getting out, the department said in a statement.
Global Affairs Canada added that it hasn’t received any reports of Canadian injuries or deaths in the conflict.
The department is warning against all travel to Iran, Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and advising Canadians in the Middle East to monitor the news and follow the instructions of local authorities.
Military strikes and falling debris from the hostilities pose “serious risks” across the region, the department said, adding that the situation may result in disruptions to transportation and air travel, as well as border closures.
Maddy Eisenberg is an Ottawa resident currently stuck in Tel Aviv after her flight home from what was supposed to be a one-week trip in Israel was grounded.
Eisenberg is among a dozen Canadian and U.S. residents in an LGBTQ+ Jewish delegation that arrived in Israel last week to learn more about the country and attend the Tel Aviv Pride parade.
Eisenberg’s departure flight from Tel Aviv on Monday was grounded as missile attacks between the two countries intensified. She was told it could take days or maybe weeks for her to return home.
“It’s a bit of a shock to the system to hear that it could take weeks,” she said in an interview. “But also none of us at the same time expected a brand new war to just break out, so there’s that.”
Israel first launched strikes on Iran’s capital Tehran in the early hours of Friday in what it said was an attack targeting Iran’s nuclear and energy sites to prevent the country from building a nuclear weapon.
In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel, with explosions rocking the cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Eisenberg said she wasn’t prepared for the wake-up call she received over her hotel’s loudspeaker early Friday morning, adding that she only had a few moments to search for her shoes and passport in the dark and run to a bomb shelter.
“That was the first time we
experienced a bomb shelter for all of us in the delegation,” she said. The conflict has escalated since the initial attacks. Israeli strikes have killed more than 200 people in Iran and injured more than 1,200. In Israel, just over two dozen people have been killed by Iranian strikes, with more than 500 wounded.
In the days following the initial attacks, Eisenberg
said she’s been receiving notifications to go to the bomb shelter close to every half-hour, with many of the alerts coming in the middle of the night.
“We’ve learned to sleep in our clothing, we have our go bag ready, we have water,” she said. “There is no daylight and no way to get in, so we bring what we need.”
Eisenberg said she is hopeful that she can get
back to Ottawa to reunite with her husband, parents, niece and nephew as soon as possible.
“There was an expectation that this would be the trip of a lifetime for a week and then that's it and then I go back to my regular life. And that has obviously changed,” she said.
Ontario resident Amir, who asked that his full name not be used because he fears negative consequences for
his family, said his relatives had to leave Tehran's District 3 on Monday following evacuation orders from Israel’s military.
“The whole family went into panic mode and we tried to get specifically the elderly in our family, like my grandmother, out of that area because for them it would be impossible to move around quickly,”
Groundbreaking ceremony marks new chapter for Kawenní:io/ Gawení:yo School
STAFF REPORT
editor@tworowtimes.com
TWO ROW TIMES
SIX NATIONS, ON – Kawenní:io/Gawęní:yo School
(KGS) is thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of its new school, marking a significant milestone in the revitalization of Mohawk and Cayuga languages and Haudenosaunee culture.
After nearly 40 years of dedication, the community is celebrating this historic event that symbolizes resilience, language resurgence, and nationhood.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10am, Friday June 20th, 2025 at 1443 Tuscarora Rd, Ohsweken ON N0A 1M0.
The event will feature a Tobacco Burning, speeches from key members of the community, and a collective celebration of the school’s mission to foster linguistic
and cultural heritage.
“This new school embodies the hopes and dreams of our founders and every family that walked through our doors.”, said Karihwiohsta Tammy Jonathan, Principal. “We’ve waited such a long time for a place to call our own–and it’s almost here!”
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
• Tobacco Burning:
When the Speaker burns traditional tobacco, the smoke carries our collective messages to the Creator.
• Speeches: Insights and reflections from guest speakers involved with the school over the years.
KGS is a unique dual-language immersion school, dedicated to preserving the Mohawk and Cayuga languages. The new facility will offer enhanced resources and opportunities for students and the broader community.
We invite media representatives, staff and families, community members and supporters alike to join us for this momentous occasion.
ABOUT KAWENNIIO/ GAWENIYO SCHOOL
KGS has been in operation since 1986, with the later development of the secondary school in 1995. Our aim is to help preserve the traditions and cultures of the Rotinonhsion:ni/ Hodinohso:ni. At the same time we are attempting to prepare students for life after high school, whether they plan to go on to higher learning or to enter the work force.
For more information, please contact: Trisha MacDonald Board of Directors | Secretary, Kawenniio/Gaweniyo School, (905)768-7203 boardsec@kgschool.ca
CL SURE SOLIDARITY DAY
All Six Nations of the Grand River departments will be closed on Monday, June 23, 2025.
Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, June 24 @ 8:30am.
As we continue on our reconciliation journey, let us celebrate the remarkable contributions and achievements of Indigenous Peoples in Hamilton and across Canada.
Let us honour the rich cultural traditions, values, and diversity of Indigenous communities, and express our deep gratitude to those who have cared for this land for centuries.
halluci nation
thursday,
1709 front rd. st williams
Tom Cruise is finally getting an Oscar - as will Dolly Parton, Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas
By: Lindsey Bahr
Thirty-five years after Tom Cruise received his first Oscar nomination, he’s finally getting a trophy. It’s not for his death-defying stunts, either. At least, not exclusively.
Cruise, choreographer
Debbie Allen and “Do The Right Thing” production designer Wynn Thomas have all been selected to receive honorary Oscar statuettes at the annual Governors Awards, the film academy said Tuesday. Dolly Parton will also be recognized with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her decades-long charitable work in literacy and education.
“This year’s Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a
lasting impact,” Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement.
Most recipients of the prize historically have not yet won a competitive Oscar themselves. Cruise, 62, has been nominated four times, twice for best actor in “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Jerry Maguire,” once for supporting actor in “Magnolia” and once for best picture with “Top Gun: Maverick.” He’s also championed theatrical moviegoing and big-scale Hollywood production through the coronavirus pandemic.
Yang spotlighted Cruise’s “incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community.” Allen, 75, has never been nominated for an Oscar. But the multi-hyphenate entertainer — she also acts and produces — has played an integral role in the Oscars show, having
Notice of Public Information Centre
The City of Brantford (City) is undertaking an update of the 2020 Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The TMP Update will reconfirm the City’s investments in transportation infrastructure in the coming years, in consideration of updated population growth projections and a continued focus on sustainable transportation solutions. The goal of the TMP is to ensure the transportation system can accommodate future growth forecasts through the provision of a transportation system that accommodates automobiles, transit users, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The City invites the public, agencies, stakeholders, businesses , and First Nations to participate in and learn more about this s tudy by attending a Public Information Centre (PIC). The objective of this PIC will be to present the planning process, summarize wor ks completed to-date, and provide an opportunity for attendees to share comments and concerns pertaining to the study. Members of the project team will be available at the PIC to answer questions and discuss the study.
The PIC is scheduled to take place on:
Date: June 26, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course and Learning Centre, 320 Balmoral Drive, Brantford, ON N3R 7S2
For anyone unavailable to attend the PIC, the display materials will be made available on the Project Website: Brantford.ca/TMPUpdate.
choreographed seven ceremonies over the years. Four of those were nominated for prime-time Emmy awards.
A nomination had also eluded Thomas, a leading production designer whose films have often gone on to best picture nominations and even one win, for Ron Howard’s “A Beautiful Mind.” Thomas is most known for his long-term collaboration with filmmaker Spike Lee, from “She’s Gotta Have It” and “Malcolm X” through “Da 5 Bloods.”
Parton has been nominated twice for best original song, for “9 to 5” and, in 2006, “Travelin’ Thru” from the film “Transamerica.” But her honor celebrates her humanitarian efforts over the years, through organizations like the Dollywood Foundation and the literary program “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”
Yang said Parton “exem-
plifies the spirit” of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
The awards will be handed out during an untelevised ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles. Last year’s recipients included the late Quincy Jones, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, filmmaker Richard Curtis and casting director Juliet Taylor. Recipients of the prizes, which honor lifetime achievement, contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences and service to the academy are selected by the film academy’s board of governors.
This story has been corrected to reports it's been 35 years since Tom Cruise's first Oscar nomination, not 25.
We want to hear from you!
Input and comments received during the PIC and throughout the study will be taken into consideration. If you have any comments or would like additional information, please visit the Project Website or contact one of the following Project Team members:
Paul Bumstead, B.E.S. Senior Project Manager, Engineering Services City of Brantford pbumstead@brantford.ca
James Clarke, C.E.T., PMP, Senior Project Manager, Engineering Services City of Brantford Phone: 519-759-4150 ext. 5198 clarkeja@brantford.ca
Personal information is collected and authorized under Section 10(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, and will be used to assist in the decision-making process throughout the study. Except for personal information, including your name, address and property location, all comments received throughout the study will become part of the public record and included in project documentation. Questions about this collection can be directed to the Senior Project Manager, 324 Grand River Avenue, Brantford, ON N3T 4Y8, 519-759-4150 ext. 5198. In addition, personal information collected will be used in accordance with the purpose noted above, as well as with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day
At LiUNA Local 837, the word “UNION” means good wages, good benefits, a pension plan, safe working conditions and being treated with respect and dignity on the job. We are a strong and respected voice in the City of Hamilton. We look to the past with pride and to the future with optimism, as we continue to build communities and opportunities for working families in our great City.
know the score.
Arrows reset after tough week
By Jim Windle
SIX NATIONS — It was not a good week for the Six Nations Jr. A Arrows who lost both games on their schedule. Friday, June 13th proved unlucky for the Arrows in Whitby, losing a close one in overtime, 11-10.
The Warriors reversed the 5-3 first period Six Nations lead in the second period to set up an exciting third period as the teams locked horns tied at 8-8. Eric “Hodo” Martin scored both third period goals for the Arrows, his 13th and 14th, to send the game into an extra sudden-death overtime, period.
Only 19 seconds in, Nolan Byrne ended it for Whitby with his 20th of the season, and the game-winning goal.
ALL HOME GAMES AT ILA
Eric Hodo Martin netting four goals, adding two assists while Noah Snyder added six points to his record, all assists.
Takaronhiotakie Thompson contributed three goals and a pair of assists in the Arrows win and Trysen Sunday scored two and assisted on another. Ray Cortes notched a one as well for the Arrows. Sakaronhiotane Thompson suffered the loss in the arrows net while Cooper Wilson earned the win for Whitby.
Wednesday, June 11th, Six Nations suffered a 14-9 loss at the hands of the St. Catharines Athletics after a third period Arrows let-down stole a win for the A’s.
Daylin John-Hill scored his 19th of the season not a minute into the game, however the next five came from the sticks of A’s marksmen to build a 5-1 lead. The Arrows regained equilibrium and scored four by the end of the frame thanks to Trysen Sunday, Joe Squire, with two, and Noah Snyder.
The A’s lead 6-5 heading into the second, where
each team traded three goals apiece, leaving the Athletics still holding onto a one-goal lead at 9-8. Snyder scored to even things at 0-0 early in the third, but the wheels suddenly fell off the Arrows wagon, allowing five in succession, including a third period hat-trick by St. Catharines’ Josh Ford. Even with the back-toback loses, the Arrows remain close to the first place Orangeville North Stars, only four points back. However, they will also have to start looking in the rearview as the Warriors of Whitby are making ground. They are two points back but hold several games in hand. The Arrows return to action, June 18th, when Kitchener-Waterloo comes to the ILA for an 8 pm start. That will be followed with a June 22nd, face-off with the Oakville Buzz at 7 pm.
Chiefs wax Kodiaks at the ILA
By Jim Windle
Tuesday night, June 17th, at the ILA, the Six Nations Chiefs made it a 7-1-0 record so far this extended 18 game schedule. The 5-3-0 Coburg Kodiaks were in town and came face to face with the Chiefs who were not very neighbourly to their visitors building a 6-3 first period lead and blowing that up to an 11-5 second period bulge.
The Chiefs were comfortably ahead entering third period action but Six Nations were not satisfied and kept the peddle down in the third, with the next three. Coburg broke the Chiefs five goal run with two of their own and it was a 16-7 game.
This coming week, the Chiefs travel to Brampton to face the Excelsiors Thursday night before returning to the ILA next Tuesday, June 24 when they will host the Peterborough Lakers at 8pm.
Always a scoring marvel, Jamieson has become the team’s top setup man, using his instinctive knowledge of the game and a magic stick that seems to be able to find open teammates at just the right time. DARRYL SMART
Daylin John-Hill scored his 19th of the season not a minute into the game, however the next five came from the sticks of A’s marksmen to build a 5-1 lead.
LAFORCE
Rebels trip over the finish line
By Jim Windle
SIX NATIONS — The Six Nations Rebels stumbled across the finish line in the 2025 regular season schedule losing their last three games, 12-11 to the Hamilton Bengals on Sunday, 12-7 to the Cambridge Highlanders on Saturday, and Friday, 13th’s, 13-8 second loss of the week to the Bengals.
The regular schedule closes in the West with Orangeville in first place (19W-1L), Elora Hawks (16W-4L), and next, the Six Nations Rebels with 14 wins against six losses. In 4th place is the Cambridge Highlanders (13-6-1).
The Rebels are chockfull of talent and marksmen starting with Kariwanoro Squire (39G, 32A), Chaz Hill (24G, 43A), Kaidyn Lickers (13G, 27A), and Brody Himelien (15G, 21A).
On the back end, Ryder Johnson has been carrying most of the workload in the Rebels net with a save percentage of .735. Conner Waller has appeared in eight games and has proven to be a solid backup.
Hill United to host in Simcoe
By Jim Windle
SIX NATIONS — The world’s finest fastball players spend their summers like bands of gypsies, traveling from town to town, and even country to country in pursuit of the one common goal that links all sports, to be hailed as champions of the sport you have invested in all your life.
The human call towards the camaraderie and competition of sports takes on many forms, but one such band of fastball gypsies is known as the Hill United Chiefs, a parental powerhouse in fastball circles for years.
The Hill United 2025 Summer Tour continues, June 20 -22, when the Chiefs will be hosting teams for this weekend’s Chiefs Challenge, International Softball Congress sanctioned Qualifier Tournament played in Simcoe. Many of the same teams will be participating but
with a couple of new ones a well. Hill United will welcome the NE Drillers, the Toronto Batmen, Townsend and the Six Nations Red Men. The Chiefs open the tournament at 6 pm, Friday, against the Batmen while the Drillers take on the Red Men at the same time at Park #2.
The Chiefs and the Red Men face each other in the 8pm game. Townsend and the Drillers go at Park 2, at the same time.
Saturday’s games begin at 10am, with the Batmen and Townsend. Two hours later, at 12 pm, the Batmen get back on the field to see the Red Men.
The Chiefs and Townsend starts at 2pm, The Drillers face the Batmen at 4pm. Hill United challenges the Drillers at 6pm while the Red Men and Townsend close out the tournament play. The Medal round will be played Sunday.
The Chiefs were snakebit last week in Mitchell,
Ontario for the season’s first Canada East qualifier tournament. One run losses and an inability to bring runners home, hampered what could, and should have been a better outcome.
Saturday, the Chiefs another close, but no cigar moment despite a solid effort as the Chiefs lost to the Bear Creek Gremlins, 3-1, First Energy, JDT, 3-2. They stayed close to the Drillers in their other game of the day until The Drillers pulled away in the last two innings for the 12-5 Hill United loss.
Sunday morning the Chiefs were already at the ball park getting ready for the Toronto Batmen. The Chiefs opened things with a solo homer, but the Batmen did the same in their half of the frame. That started a tit-for-tat ball game with score changed hands along the way, but in the end, the Chiefs could not get that tying run across the plate and lost 7-6 heartbreaker.
"Eye for Eye 11:11"
Brantford, ON – Over 350 boxing fans filled the Brant Curling Club on Friday June 6, 2025 for Eye for Eye 11:11, a thrilling showcase of local talent.
The evening kicked off with an electric sparring session between Six Nations musician and newest boxer Logan Staats (Mohawk) vs Steve Fenton (Tuscarora), setting the tone for an action-packed card featuring 12 Black Eye members.
Kaiden Scott defeated Santiago Palacios of Napper’s Boxing with a dominant unanimous decision, while Kallum Skelton earned a hard-fought split decision win over Rayne Campbell of Hamilton’s Steeltown Boxing Club.
Among the night’s highlights was the debut of Helen Dery, a Mohawk fighter from Six Nations, narrowly lost to Nicole Funnell of Niagara Falls in a split decision, Dery’s technical skill and heart earned widespread applause.
Vinny Rowe, representing the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, was edged out by Kitchener’s Mehreen Khakh, who claimed the win with combinations and steady
pressure.
Six Nations’ Ava Fenton (Tuscarora) followed later in the card with a dominant unanimous decision belt win over Prabnoor Kaur of Brampton.
The co-main event featured a strong performance by Tom Wallace. Wallace stepped into the ring with unwavering focus as he faced Brampton’s Harpartap Sran. Wallace controlled the pace from the opening bell, using precise footwork and crisp jabs to keep Sran at bay. Wallace secured a clear victory against Sran.
The evening concluded with a high-stakes main event: Rileigh ’Lightening’ Tyler took on Nova Scotia’s ‘Darth’ Vada Hunsley from Hubtown Boxing in a much-anticipated rematch. In a display of grit and growth, Tyler fought with relentless energy and strength, ultimately earning a unanimous belt victory and closing the night on a triumphant note.
Organizers hailed the event as a success, highlighting the growing talent pool in the region and the strong support from surrounding communities.
National Indigenous History Month
Let’s recognize and celebrate the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.
The regular schedule closes in the West with Orangeville in first place (19W-1L), Elora Hawks (16W4L), and next, the Six Nations Rebels with 14 wins against six losses. In 4th place is the Cambridge Highlanders (13-6-1). LAFORCE
GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE
Wa’tkonnonhwerá:ton, Katsitsionhawi niwakhsennò:ten, Hill tewakhsenná:sere, yah tyorhénsa tewakhsenná:yen, Shotinontowanen’à:ka niwakonhwentsyò:ten, wake’nhehsí:yo. Ohswé:ken nitewaké:non táhnon kén:’en kenákere. Kanyen’kéha kahrónhkha. Karonhiaroraks Hill nok Awentennawe McNaughton ronwatí:ya’ts ne yonkyén:’a. Kahnhotonkwas Thomas, Wayne VanEvery, Lorna McNaughton, táhnon Earl McNaughton’kénha ronwatí:ya’ts ne yonkhsothokón:’a. -- Greetings, my name is Katsitsionhawi Hill, I don’t have an English name, I’m Seneca Nation, Snipe Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. I speak the Mohawk language. My parents are Phyllis Hill and Franklyn McNaughton. My grandparents are Yvonne Thomas, Wayne “Sla” VanEvery, and Lorna and the late Earl McNaughton. In 2014, I graduated from Mohawk College’s Early Childhood Education Program and began immediately working in the field to support my young daughter and I. Soon after I decided to pursue courses in my Onkwehón:we language, I was fortunate to grow up learning Kanyen’kéha and have received many awards in Elementary and High school for my achievements in the language. As a mother, I always wanted my daughter to know and be able to learn and speak too. Thankfully, Six Nations Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Arts in Onkwehón:we Languages had both Mohawk
and Cayuga streams and ran in the evenings allowing me to continue working. I graduated the program in 2018 and was featured in Maclean’s 2019 University Rankings, Canada’s Best Schools in a published interview “Bringing the Mohawk Language Home” which also unexpectedly landed me on the cover of the magazine for that year.
While completing my last year of the BAOL, I enrolled in Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa an unaccredited institution teaching Mohawk in an immersion setting to adult language learners of all levels, mostly beginners. I graduated from Onkwawenna in 2019 and was a graduate of their most recent successful third year programs in 2022. At Onkwawenna I was grateful to put the learning from SNP into daily practice and was able to focus more on increasing my speaking abilities. I’d say that I was a Novice-Low speaker when I entered the program and after the first two years I graduated at an Advanced Low level of proficiency maintaining this level through my third year as well. I pursued my career in language revitalization working at Kawenní:io/Gawęní:yo as a Teacher Assistant in the Kindergarten Program in 2019 and have also taught several Kanyen’kéha classes and courses at various levels including in the Honours Bachelors of Arts in Onkwehón:we Languages program at Six Nations Polytechnic.
As an aspiring teacher I decided to enroll to Queen’s University for the Indigenous Teacher Education Program (ITEP) and will be graduating
GRAND RIVER POST SECONDARY EDUCATION OFFICE
2025 DEADLINE CALENDAR for / gweh?: weh n=:` Ohsweg,h]:n/h
Onkwehón:we ne: Ohswekenhro:non
Feb. 1st Application Deadline for Summer semester Apply on-line!
Fall Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.
Levels 3 & 4 (Master or Ph.D. students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing. Winter course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.
May 1st Application Deadline for Fall or Fall/Winter semester(s) Apply on-line!
Winter Marks/Progress Reports due for all funded students.
Levels 3 & 4 (Master or Ph.D. students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing. Summer course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.
11:59 pm May 1st to 9 am July 1st - The On-line Application on the GRPSEO Website is not available.
Aug 1st Official transcripts are due from students funded for any of the three previous application periods (Summer/Fall/Winter).
For all APPROVED FALL applications - Any documentation that was requested by the Funding Advisor to be submitted to GRPSEO by August 1, (as outlined in the “Check List of Required Documentation” form provided to the applicant), and not received by this deadline date will result in CANCELLATION of the approved application and loss of funding.
Oct. 1st Application Deadline for Winter semester – Apply on-line!
Summer Marks/Progress Reports due for all continuing students.
Levels 3 & 4 (Master or Ph.D. students) provide Letter of Good Academic Standing. Fall course registration/timetable and detailed tuition fees due.
STUDENTS MUST APPLY ON- LINE BY SPECIFIED DEADLINE
OTHER POST SECONDARY DATES AND EVENTS 2025
Jan. 2 Office Reopens 2025
Feb. 17 Office Closed: Family Day
Mar. 7 Winter Semester Contact Required From All Students (Check With Your GRPSEO Funding Advisor)
Apr. 18 Office Closed: Good Friday
Apr. 21 Office Closed: Easter Monday
May 1 Accepting Graduate Promotion Items
May 19 Office Closed: Victoria Day
June 1 Summer Office Hours: Open from 8 am to 4 pm
June 23 Office Closed: Observance National Indigenous Peoples Day
July 1 Office Closed: Canada Day
Aug. 1 Official Transcripts
Aug. 4 Office Closed: Civic Holiday
Sept. 2 Back to Regular Office Hours: Open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Sept. 1 Office Closed: Labour Day
Sept 30 Office Closed: National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
Oct. 13 Office Closed: Thanksgiving Day
Oct. 31 Deadline to Submit Graduate Promotion Items
Nov. 7 Fall Semester Contact Required From All Students (Check With Your GRPSEO Funding Advisor)
Nov. 11 Office Closed: Observance of Remembrance Day
Dec. 23 Office Closed: Christmas Closure
Jan. 2, 2026 Office Reopens
Please check the local newspapers, our website at www.grpseo.org
FaceBook/Instagram/X or give us a call at (519) 445-2219 for more information.
Honour. Educate. Empower.
with a Bachelor of Education this year. This program was community based, so it allowed me to stay in my home much of the program in my own community with my family and attend classes on the weekends. The closest classes were held through the Lambton-Kent District School Board at Queen Elizabeth II School in Sarnia. The only exception was the summer semester which required in person attendance on campus at Queen’s University for the month of July. I’m a proud mom of 3, despite being a teenage mom, I was able to pursue my education. I was steadfast in my efforts to create a brighter future for my then daughter and I. I have earned a diploma in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Arts in Mohawk Language, a Bachelor of Education, a Certificate in Adult Mohawk Immersion and am an Advanced Low speaker of Mohawk Language. During my time learning language, I was able to secure a job working with my elementary teacher Ima Johnson’kénha speaking with her and working on a Mohawk language dictionary. One of my proudest moments was when we had a conversation and she told me in the language how proud she was of my efforts to learn and carry fourth our language. Being able to have that conversation with her entirely in Kanyen’kéha is a moment I’ll never forget. I was so devastated when she had passed away.
I’m fortunate to have had the guidance and teachers that I did on this path all are first language speakers or highly distinguished second language speakers: Vina Loft’kénha, Sandra Loft, Wahienhawi McGregor, Ima Johnson’kénha, Jake Thomas’kénha, Tehahente Miller, Tehota’kerá:ton Green, Rohahiyo Brant. I would like to acknowledge them for their love, passion and drive to carry forward the language, culture and knowledge to the future generations and their efforts in revitalizing the Mohawk language on Six Nations.
Having been immersed in the traditional knowledge, teachings, language and values of my people from a young age made navigating life’s natural hardships and challenges a little more peaceful. Knowing where I come from and always having the energy of my roots and ancestors helped me to remain grounded and on a good path. I know my responsibility as an Onkwehón:we woman, mother and daughter due to that, I was able to refrain from using mind changers through the toughest years of my life. As a teacher, being a second language speaker myself has really shaped the way that I engage and teach the students in my classroom. As my first year as a Mohawk immersion teacher comes to an end, I’m incredibly proud to have taught grades 5 and 6, the same grades—that Ima Johnson’kenha once taught me. Returning to the classroom where I once sat as a student has been a powerful full-circle moment. I’m humbled to walk in the footsteps of such a respected educator and community member, and I know I had big shoes to fill. To my students and community—Nyá:wen for trusting me on this journey. You’ve inspired me just as much as I hope to inspire you.A major challenge was having to leaving home (Six Nations) alone to attend in person classes in Kingston for a month because I had a 5-month-old at home that I had been exclusively breastfeeding. My family was extremely supportive and helped to plan for the transition to bottle feeding and the dorm I was staying in had allowed me to use a large deep freezer to freeze my breastmilk. My classmates and instructors were also very supportive of my breastfeeding journey. This experience made me stronger as it was the first time I was away from home, staying by myself and in a completely new environment, it was the first time too that I used public transportation to commute to school. During my learning weekends on the way home I would often cry as I drove home. It was difficult leaving my family once a month to attend class 2 hours away by myself from Friday afternoon and not getting home until late Sunday afternoon.
Another challenge arose while attending Onkwawenna Kentyohkwa. At the time, I was the sole provider for my first daughter, earning only $350 per week while attending 30 hours of classes. Though I had savings from my previous full-time job, they were depleted within the first year. By the end of the second year, I was three months behind on my mortgage. I was unable to access financial assistance through GRPSEO or bursaries, as the program was unaccredited. To supplement my income, I took on a role as the
after-school care coordinator at Skaronhyase’kó:wa (the Everlasting Tree School). I was raised in the language and culture, so being able to see it mirrored at school and in my home was beneficial to my upbringing. Alcohol and drugs were hugely frowned upon in my house growing up. While I was raised in a single parent household, I had the teachings and guidance from my grandparents, and my mom. I learned how to do a lot of different cultural crafts and speaking the language was always encouraged at home. My family raised me with the knowledge and oral stories of our people, so I try my best to live my life with skén:nen, kasha’sténhsera and ka’nikonhrí:yo. My family also taught me of the value of discipline, good work ethic and to be kind and considerate.I see myself continuing to work in the field of language revitalization in various capacities. The health and wellness of a community is directly tied to the health of the languages. I can see myself making Mohawk language more accessible in this community and broadening the age ranges that are currently offered. I also see myself contributing to language growth of adult learners and families in different capacities. It’s always been a goal of mine to provide bursaries for students studying any of our six languages in any institution, our language learners and speakers are in critical need of support. I have loved learning my language my entire life, it has given me purpose in life but it is not something that is well supported in my community.I think one key challenge that needs to be urgently addressed by Six Nations is more support and incentives for our Rotinonhsón:ni language learners. Financially it is difficult to attend an immersion program if one is not well prepared. Attending adult immersion for any of our languages is currently the fastest pathway to become a speaker. It is also the most vital for saving our languages and bringing them out of a critically endangered state. However, as I have stated before these programs are unaccredited so you cannot apply for readily available bursaries and scholarships for added financial support as you would with a typical postsecondary pathway. The living allowance to learn our languages falls severely under the poverty line and many families must sacrifice study time to work part time to make ends meet while attending these vitally important programs. For our languages to all survive and live to see the next seven generations, we need to be supporting people in the programs and using these languages in our homes and as much as we possibly can. We need to get back to intergenerational language transmission in our families. Families should all be learning alongside their child and using the language at home as much as they can. More funding needs to be allocated to the specialty jobs in the community that require speakers be at a defined levels of fluency to attract more people to the field and enhance the jobs and services in the language revitalization sector. By prioritizing our languages in this manner, Six Nations thereby acknowledges the level of commitment and importance of this critical work and its ripple effects on community wellness.Young people are key to the success and continuation of our ways, knowledge and language; you should feel proud and at peace of who you are. There is never ending opportunity out there for you, if you ever thought about getting involved in language revitalization now’s the time, it’s the “cool” thing to do and the opportunities are endless!
Grand River Post Secondary Board Members: Dr. Susan Hill (chair) , Carol Jacobs, Shirley Bomberry, Rick Monture, Barbara A. Martin, Michelle Bomberry, Lana Martin, Audrey Powless Bomberry – Six Nations Council Rep, Amos Key – Six Nations Council Rep.
SIX NATIONS COUNCIL
SUMMER STUDENT POSITIONS
BILL-NAVEAU: Vivian
June 19, 1956 - June 4, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Vivian BillNaveau at the precious young age of 68, on June 4, 2025.
Predeceased by her parents Aldridge & Jane (Warrior) Bill, her siblings Lillian Kane (late Richard), Lorence Bugelski, and brothers Rueben and Elston Bill, and her grandson Christian Bill.
Survived by her siblings Genevie (John) Walker-Schutten, Marilyn Bill, Kathleen (Mike) Kyle, and Aldridge Jr. (Patty) Bill. Brother-in-law to Mike Bugelski. Leaving behind her children Chris, Tammy, Nicole (Tim), and her grandchildren Destiny, Jessica, Taylor, Hunter, Ethan, Mykal, Carter, Shana, Brianna, Brandan, and Maria, as well as 10 great grandchildren, and many nieces & nephews.
Resting at the family homestead 3493 7th Line (River Range Rd.), Six Nations on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 6 pm. The Funeral and Burial will take place at the Seneca Longhouse, 2938 5th Line Rd., Six Nations, Brant County on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 11 am. Arrangements by Styres Funeral Home, Ohsweken. www.rhbanderson.com
LAND FOR SALE
Maracle: Carla Joan Nee; Sault
In loving memory of my dear friend who passed away June 12, 2024.
In all that life has offered us and all that’s left to do, we will never have a greater gift than the years we shared with you. You are not just a memory or a part of the past, you are ours to remember as long as life lasts. There will be no tomorrows for us to share, but yesterday’s memories will always be there. Lovingly remembered and sadly missed. Love always, Elda.
Open Jam
At Chiefswood Fellowship 506 4th Line – 5KM west of Ohsweken Six Nations Sat. June 21 – 1 PM
Bring a friend and your instrument and enjoy the best in local talent – Nashville North Potluck Lunch Info… Phil… 905 768 5442
Cemetery Clean-Up
Grand River United Church 1585 Mohawk Rd.
Saturday, June 21 10-5pm
Plan to attend with your family. Bring your own gardening/lawn care tools.
165 feet wide by 3300 feet deep for a total of 12.5 acres. Beautif8l land with the possibility of building a take which is fed by the Boston Creek. Gas and Lake Erie water is available. Build a home on the banks of the Boston Creek on either side adjacent to 2971 2nd Line.
Serious inquires on purchasing the lot as a whole only. $312,500 firm. Contact: (905) 928-4515
CLUES ACROSS
1. Type of bread
5. Range of mountains
10. Ended
12. Musical forms with a recurring theme
14. On the nature of being 16. Law enforcement agency
18. Australian flightless bird
19. Subway rodent
20. More dried-up
22. A beaver might build one
23. Suggestive of the supernatural
25. Art __, around 1920
26. American rocker Snider
27. Not or 28. Earliest human: __-Magnon Man 30. Firearm
31. Tough outer skin of fruit
33. Alternative form of a gene
35. Low shrub some call “fat pork”
37. Plants in the chamomile tribe
38. Revolutionary War era spy
40. Portion of a book
41. Hoover’s office
42. Title of respect
44. Tax collector
45. Cool!
48. Real estate
50. Boy’s name
52. Airborne (abbr.)
53. Strongly recommends
55. Hit lightly 56. Bar bill
57. Atomic #54
58. Devotes again 63. Fish sauce
65. French stock market
66. Things that consist of two elements or parts
67. Tense
CLUES DOWN
1. Retired game show host Sajak
2. Equal (prefix)
3. Israeli city __ Aviv
4. Loved
5. A type of analyst
6. Ad __
7. Gasteyer and de Armas are two
8. Ran without moving
9. Opposite of yes
10. Diffuse clouds of gas
11. Mentioning one by one
13. Instruments used to dilate
15. Freshwater fish
17. Remotely-manned flying objects
18. Doctor of Education
21. Renews
23. Not the start
24. Pitching stat
27. Small water buffaloes
29. Ceramic jars
32. I (German)
34. Something to toss on a fire
35. The process of flowing in
36. A series of acts at a night club
39. Egg of a louse
40. Inquire too closely
43. Travelers
44. Drink
46. Behave in a way that degrades
47. Electronic music style
49. Northern Ireland city
51. Upset
54. Stiff structure resembling a hair
59. Father
60. North Atlantic fish
61. 8th month (abbr.)
62. Make an effort
64. Commercial
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, the universe is giving you a chance to get in some rest and relaxation before you have to tackle your very long list of tasks. Soak it all up while the break lasts.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, you value comfort and security, which is probably why you will want to revisit some of your investments over the next few days to figure out if you are maximizing your money.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
You excel at seeing both sides of a situation, Gemini. Follow your intuition as you try to navigate a tricky situation at work that requires you to make a firm decision.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
This is a great week to work behind the scenes, Cancer. Consider stepping back from any projects you had planned and let someone else take the lead for a little bit.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
Don’t try to cram too many experiences into this particular week, Leo. You may be disappointed by the results if you take on too much. It’s best to spread everything out.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
Virgo, aim for balance right now. Everything may seem like it is up in the air, so if you focus on two or three important things in your life you can tackle them successfully.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
It isn’t the job of someone else to make you happy, Libra. You have to figure out how to do that on your own. A bit of conflict over miscommunication may arise this week.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
Exercise caution if you are thinking of changing things up, Scorpio. People are used to routine and too much change at once can lead to a lot of floundering and lack of effort.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21
Touch base with your dearest friends, Sagittarius, especially if they haven’t heard from you in a long while. This might be the week to make some plans and reconnect.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, spring cleaning has long passed, but you might want to revisit some organizing and decluttering projects at home. Get rid of as much as you can.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
Aquarius, slowing down and taking stock of your situation is a good idea this week. Not everything needs to be done in a day, so pace yourself and make a good plan of action.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
Try turning off all the excess noise in your life right now, Pisces. Focus on your own thoughts and feelings this week, rather than what others want from you.
