Truth & Politics

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...

Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Manitoba declared a state of emergency after a four-day power outage caused major damage to water and plumbing systems, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. That's the focus of this week's Truth and Politics panel, along with a look at U.S. expansionism and what it could mean for Indigenous Peoples – from the situation in Venezuela to renewed talk about Greenland....

A special edition of our Truth and Politics panel, we look back at some of the biggest stories of 2025, including those that did not always get the attention they deserved. The panel also looks ahead, breaking out the crystal ball to discuss the key political and social issues to watch in the year ahead. Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair...

Video showing a First Nations man being evicted from a hospital in Prince Albert, Sask., and left in the snow has sparked outrage. The Prince Albert Grand Council is calling for answers and accountability from the hospital, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the security company involved. The panel also marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's final...

A landmark legal decision has affirmed that Canada owes a legally binding fiduciary duty to provide adequate on-reserve housing. The ruling is being viewed as a huge victory for more than 100 First Nations across the country. For more on the ruling and its implications, we're joined by our weekly Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, the CEO of Paskwâw Strategies,...

The Assembly of First Nations is busy with their winter assembly this week in Ottawa. The prime minister attended and spoke about the proposed pipeline linking Alberta to the northwest coast of British Columbia. That's the topic on this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Creeson Agecoutay are Jennifer Laewetz, the CEO of Paskwâw Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair, a columnist with the Winni...

Celebrated author Thomas King revealed this week that he is not Cherokee. The revelation has left many people shocked and upset, though the admission is not coming as a big surprise for others. That's the topic on this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Creeson Agecoutay are Jennifer Laewetz, the CEO of Paskwâw Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair, a columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press. •...

A Senate committee's vote to end what's known as the second-generation cut off and implement a one-parent rule is being welcomed by long-time advocates and First Nations organizations across Canada. That's the focus of this week's Truth and Politics panel. Joining host Tiar Wheatle are Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press, and Mi'kmaw lawyer and professor Pam Palmater. • • • AP...

From the statutory release of convicted killer Shawn Lamb to the early departure of Canada's prison watchdog Ivan Zinger, the federal correctional system is under scrutiny. That's the focus of this week's Truth and Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward are Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press, and Mi'kmaw lawyer and professor Pam Palmater. • • • APTN National News, our stori...

Reaction to Prime Minister Mark Carney's first federal budget is mixed. Many Indigenous leaders say the budget fails to live up to expectations. They're especially disappointed in the lack of new funding, even though proposed cuts to Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations turned out to be smaller than expected. That's the focus of this week's Truth and Politics panel. Also on th...