Truth & Politics

Manitoba's premier says a member of the opposition mocked him as he prepared to speak about his father and the history of First Nations being denied the right to vote. Wab Kinew says the Progressive Conservative MLA made a crying sound and gesture during a speech about protecting the rights of vulnerable groups. Jeff Wharton, the MLA in question, denies the allegation. That's one of the topics up...

Canada's auditor general says Indigenous Services is falling short. Karen Hogan says despite an 84 per cent increase in funding, the department has failed to act on more than half of the recommendations made over the past decade to improve services and programs. Access to clean drinking water and emergency management are among the top concerns. That's the focus for this week's Truth and Politics p...

Mi'kmaw Member of Parliament Jaime Battiste is calling for a study that could lead to major changes to the Indian Act. The Liberal MP recently tabled a motion to examine the impacts of sections of the Act known as the second-generation cut-off. Also on the agenda for this week's Truth and Politics panel - cows and plows. Why does this historic agreement remain so controversial? Plus, the Universit...

First Nations University of Canada in Saskatchewan is facing scrutiny after an internal investigation into its president was leaked. The report, obtained by APTN News, looks into allegations against FNU president Jacqueline Ottmann involving nepotism and mismanagement. Prepared by Deloitte Legal Canada, the report substantiated many of the claims and found the president created what it called a 'c...

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan has broken its silence on the forensic audit of its finances. Indigenous Services Canada and auditing firm KPMG found $34 million in questionable spending. A statement from the organization, which represents more than 70 First Nations in Saskatchewan, says it has faced unwarranted attacks in relation to the audit. For more, our Truth &...

It's been a busy week with no end in sight as we head into the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. With that in mind, our Truth and Politics panel will weigh in on a range of stories this week, including child welfare reform, Orange Shirt Day, the FSIN audit and vandalism at the constituency offices of two Manitoba cabinet ministers. Joining host Dennis Ward on the Truth and Politics panel...

Details are beginning to emerge about a forensic audit of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, the political advocacy group that represents more than 70 First Nations in Saskatchewan. Indigenous Services Canada says it presented the findings to the FSIN on Sept. 11, with a public summary expected before the end of the month. So far, FSIN has declined to comment. Also on this week's epis...

After months of speculation, the Carney government has unveiled a list of major projects deemed to be in the national interest. An Indigenous advisory council has also been announced to guide the work of the new Major Projects Office and ensure equity ownership and meaningful participation for Indigenous Peoples. Joining guest host Tiar Wheatle on this on this week's Truth and Politics panel is Je...

At least two people are dead, including the suspect, after multiple stabbings in Hollow Water First Nation in Manitoba. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of September 4 and resulted in eight community members suffering from stab wounds. The tragic incident conjures up memories from the mass stabbing in James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, which happened on this very day three ye...

The impacts of drugs, alcohol and violence in our communities are often in the news. Next week, a resolution is coming forward at the Assembly of First Nations that calls for a First Nations-wide state of emergency in relation to the drug, alcohol and bootlegging crisis devastating First Nations families and communities across Canada. Tiar Wheatle is filling for host Dennis Ward this week, joined...

Some First Nation leaders in southern Manitoba are calling for a summit on the leadership of their grand chief. This is the second time a non-confidence vote has been requested during Jerry Daniels' leadership at the Southern Chiefs' Organization. Other Indigenous political organizations and governments have also been in the news this week, dealing with questions around leadership. Joining host De...

The federal government says this wildfire season is already the second worst on record, with tens of thousands forced to flee, largely Indigenous. As smoke blankets parts of the Prairies and evacuation orders remain in place for 28 First Nations, we ask: is Canada handling wildfire evacuations and supports for First Nations the right way? Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskw...

Métis leaders were in Ottawa on Thursday for a meeting with the prime minister and some of his cabinet over Bill C-5; however, the summit has been more notable for who isn't there. As we reported earlier, the Manitoba Métis Federation said they would not be going because the Métis National Council and Métis Nation of Ontario will be there. At the same time, Métis Nation British Columbia also backe...

A new report released this week is highlighting the intersection between the disappearance of Indigenous women and human trafficking in Canada. According to the report by Thomson Reuters, despite being only 5 per cent of the population, Indigenous women and girls account for over 50 per cent of trafficking victims. While the data may not come as a surprise to Indigenous peoples, it is a cause for...

A northern pipeline, improvements to the rail line connecting Hudson Bay to the Prairies, and expedited critical mineral mining are all on the table with the newly passed One Canadian Economy Act and Ontario's Bill 5. Great for Canada perhaps with U.S. tariffs on the horizon, but there's always one big looming question when it comes to new infrastructure. This week on Truth and Politics, we ask th...

The federal government's controversial Bill C-5, the Building Canada Act, is now law. Pushed through in just a few weeks, the bill aims to fast-track development projects deemed in the national interest. But critics say it sidelines Indigenous rights and opens the door to environmental harm. Nine First Nations in Ontario have launched a legal challenge against the legislation. This week on Truth a...

The controversy continues after Manitoba's minister of accessibility blocked the entire APTN News editorial team on social media. The block followed reporting on Minister Nahanni Fontaine's comments about an American Sign Language interpreter at a public event. In a statement from the minister on Wednesday, Nahanni Fontaine said, "immediately upon learning that journalists were blocked on my socia...

The fallout continues after comments made by Manitoba's minister of accessibility about an American Sign Language interpreter. Caught on camera at a graduation ceremony, Nahanni Fontaine said the interpreter was distracting and shouldn't have been on stage. That's on this week's Truth and Politics panel, along with a look at Canada Day and the ongoing infighting at the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan. J...

Can you be sued for saying someone isn't Indigenous? That's the title of recent report by Michelle Cyca for The Walrus, where she outlines two cases before the courts where someone accused of being a pretendian has sued their accuser. One of those court cases wrapped up this week. That is one of our topics on this week's Truth & Politics panel. Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of...

The debate over fast-tracking legislation for so-called national interest projects is heating up. One First Nations leader is promising a long, hot summer if the federal government passes Bill C-5. Others are criticizing the national chief for her involvement in the so-called consultation process. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is apologizing after saying he treats First Nations "like gold"...

A new poll conducted for the Association of Canadian Studies finds a majority of Canadians reject the idea that they live on stolen Indigenous land. Fifty-two per cent of those polled in May 2025 say they do not live on stolen land – that number climbs to 60 per cent in Alberta. Among youth, however, half of students surveyed believe they do live on stolen land. Also this week, Manitoba Premier Wa...

The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act – or Bill 5 – has now passed, despite concerns raised by First Nations. It's the latest in a wave of legislation provincial governments are pushing forward as jurisdictions across the country look to launch development projects in part, in response to the Trump-era tariffs. Our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward to weigh in. Jennifer L...

King Charles made a whirlwind visit to Canada, delivering the speech from the throne and meeting with leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council. In Saskatchewan, Glenn McCallum has been re-elected as president of the Métis Nation–Saskatchewan. And in Manitoba, a state of emergency has been declared. The military has been called in to help evac...

Plenty of developments on the federal political scene this week. Former chief and now Member of Parliament Billy Morin has been appointed the Conservative opposition critic for Indigenous Services. The recently elected Liberal government says it won't present a new budget until the fall. And lawyers for the federal government say they're done negotiating child welfare reform with the Assembly of F...

This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled his new cabinet. Three Indigenous members of Parliament will be part of his inner circle. One of the most notable appointments is Mandy Gull-Masty, a former grand chief of the Grand Council of the Crees in Quebec. She becomes the first Indigenous person to lead Indigenous Services Canada. Our Truth and Politics panel is here, joining guest host Tiar W...