Truth & Politics

Another pipeline project was proposed this week. The Northern Shield Energy Corridor would carry half a million barrels a day from Alberta to Ontario. Some First Nations have expressed concern, while Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has yet to weigh in on the 3,300 km pipeline that would run through the province. Also on the panel this week, a look at some of the resolutions for next week's Assembly Of...

We are a few hours away now from a fast-changing announcement on the next steps for a pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia.  The proposed pipeline was to be announced by July 1 and much remains up in the air. What is the route, is there a private sector proponent and will shovels actually hit the ground next year?  For more, our Truth & Politics panel is here. Joining Host Dennis Ward is Jenn...

This week, the federal government announced three major projects to be considered for fast tracking under the Building Canada Act – and all three have major implications for Indigenous Peoples. They include a deep-water port in Nunavut, a highway connecting Yellowknife with Inuvik in the Northwest Territories and the deep geological repository for nuclear waste in northwestern Ontario. Joining hos...

A war of words is unfolding in Alberta after chiefs there unanimously passed a resolution this week calling for an investigation into Premier Danielle Smith and members of the United Conservative Party. The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs in Alberta want the RCMP and auditor general to look into actions by Smith and the UPC when it comes to violating treaties, calling a referendum and failing to take ac...

It's Pride Month, Indigenous History Month, pow wow season and Sundance time. There are also several audits underway on how Indigenous governments and organizations are spending their funding. Those are the topics on this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Tiar Wheatle to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • APTN Natio...

There has been an increased amount of violence in First Nations in recent months, and much of it is in the North. That is one of the topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Also on the panel this week, changes to a proposed anti-hate bill that would have made residential school denialism a punishable crime failed to pass in the Senate, the Assembly of First Nations' trip to Buckingham Palac...

Premiers from Western Canada and the territories met in Alberta earlier this week. Much was on the agenda, but one of the big headlines to come out of it was comments Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew made during a press conference, calling out Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over separation and the duty to consult. That is one of the topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward...

There is continuing controversy over an Indigenous-led, unscripted comedy series in early production for CBC Entertainment and APTN, as the future of the show looks murky. According to a joint statement from CBC and APTN, Northland Tales was pitched at an Indigenous Screen Summit in 2024 as a satirical prank show. For clarity, APTN News had no prior knowledge nor any involvement in this production...

An Alberta judge has delivered a major blow to the separatist movement in Alberta after quashing the separatist petition, saying the provincial government breached its duty to consult with First Nations. That is one of our topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Alberta-based strategist and advisor Cara Currie Hall and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Ni...

It's been another busy news week with Red Dress Day, the naming of a new governor general and a multi-million-dollar legal victory for the Manitoba Métis Federation. Here to help break it all down for us is our Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Creeson Agecoutay to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • • APTN National News, our...

May 5 is the annual National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, also known as Red Dress Day. It comes at a time when there are questions over funding for MMIWG initiatives and advocacy organizations. That is one of our topics for this week's Truth & Politics panel. Also on the panel this week, after more than four decades, the Gathering of Nations has had its las...

The controversy in British Columbia over the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) continues, even after Premier David Eby backed down on a previous plan to pause or suspend the legislation. Also on the panel this week, the Manitoba Metis Federation is celebrating as the Manitoba Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement had its second reading in the Hous...

Mark Carney has secured his majority government and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations held its first assembly since being ordered to repay nearly $29 million to the federal government. Our Truth & Politics panel discusses these developments, plus the connection between the Anishinaabe Nation and the latest trip around the moon. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz...

There are concerns over funding meant to end the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Organizations like the Native Women's Association of Canada and the National Family and Survivors Circle say funding they receive from the federal government is about to sunset. However, some advocates say it is time to reallocate that funding elsewhere. Our Truth & Politics panel we...

After taking a week off, our Truth & Politics panel has a lot of ground to cover, including another prime minister making light of a protestor from Grassy Narrows First Nation. Also this week, the NDP have selected Avi Lewis as the new leader of the federal party. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair with the Winnipeg Free Press. • • •...

It has been touted as Canada's first Indigenous-led supervised consumption site. The Manitoba government promised a facility during its first term. Earlier this month, it said the launch was imminent. Now, Premier Wab Kinew is backing away and offering no timeline. Joining host Dennis Ward on this week's panel are Niigaan Sinclair of the Winnipeg Free Press and Bronwyn Dobchuk-Land, an associate p...

It was a surprise move in federal politics this week when Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossed the floor from the NDP to the governing Liberals. Idlout, the territory's sole MP, has been critical of the federal government since she was first elected to the House of Commons in 2021. As you can read over on our website, her defection could have a number of consequences, from helping push the Liberals to a...

As we have been reporting this week, there has been a lot of outrage over the way a security guard at a Winnipeg Dollarama brutalized an alleged shoplifter. Both the guard and alleged shoplifter are now facing charges. For more on this latest incident involving a security guard, our Truth & Politics panel are here. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategies and...

The tranquility of Puerto Vallarta was shattered by gunfire and arson after members of a drug cartel reacted violently to the killing of their leader by federal authorities in Mexico. Flights into the popular resort city were cancelled or turned around mid-air to avoid the conflict, while tourists already there sheltered in their hotel rooms. What does this violence mean for the Indigenous people...

Métis Nation-Saskatchewan says it is reducing mental health services due to federal funding cuts. The cuts will directly impact citizens who rely on the supports. But the announcement comes at a time when the MN-S also confirmed it is spending just over $7,000 a month for office space in Ottawa. Our Truth & Politics panel weighs in. Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Strategi...

The former leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia is the latest right-leaning politician to be accused of spreading misinformation and fear mongering about Indigenous land rights. According to reporting by our friends at The Tyee, Conservative MLA John Rustad told a packed house that Canada wouldn't exist without that partnership with First Nations, and equally, First Nations wouldn'...

As we've been reporting this week, an inquest is currently underway in Winnipeg into the shooting death of 16-year old Eishia Hudson. Hudson was shot and killed by a Winnipeg police officer in 2020, following a high-speed car chase, prompted by a liquor store robbery. Our Truth & Politics panel discusses the inquest, as well as the Conservative Party convention and pop star Billie Eilish's stolen...

The Conservative Party of Canada is in Calgary this weekend for their national convention, where Pierre Poilievre's leadership will be voted on. Poilievre has drawn the ire of the Coastal First Nations coalition in British Columbia over his social media posts. The Heiltsuk Nation are coalition members. They're calling Poilievre's posts dangerous disinformation. Now, questions are being asked about...

A speech by Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week has garnered international coverage and high praise from many – with the exception of U.S. President Donald Trump, who took his own shots at the Canadian leader. It all comes against the backdrop of Trump's fixation with acquiring Greenland. Joining the discussion are Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwâw Str...

An elected official with the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan was caught on tape leaving a series of profanity-laced voicemail messages. APTN National News obtained the recordings from the sister of the man who says he left them on her phone. We begin this week's podcast by listening to one of those messages and unpacking what it means for accountability and leadership. We also look at how U.S. Immigrati...