Government and Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Extend Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority's Online Exclusivity and Announce Gaming Centre Pilot

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-09-01 01:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Indigenous, Economy, Governance]

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) have amended the 2002 Gaming Framework Agreement (GFA) to extend the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority's (SIGA) online gaming exclusivity via PlayNow.com to September 2029. The amendments increase SIGA's slot machine allocation by 49 to a total of 2,619 machines and approve a new gaming centre pilot project on Flying Dust First Nation featuring up to 49 slot machines as part of a larger commercial development in Meadow Lake.

Ontario and Marten Falls First Nation Break Ground on Ring of Fire Road

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Source: Ontario - Premier's Office
Date: 2026-08-31 15:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Resources, Indigenous]

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Marten Falls First Nation Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, and provincial ministers celebrated the groundbreaking for the 184-kilometre Marten Falls Community Access Road, marking the start of construction five years ahead of schedule. The project, which includes 35 bridges and culverts and is scheduled to open by November 2031, represents the longest segment of the proposed 514-kilometre Ring of Fire all-season road network. The overall initiative aims to connect Marten Falls First Nation to the provincial highway network while unlocking critical mineral deposits projected to add $22 billion to Ontario's economy and create 70,000 jobs.

Indigenous lawyer Leighton Grey garners separatist rally applause in Edmonton Saturday

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-08-30 21:34:58.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Indigenous, Justice]

Indigenous lawyer Leighton Grey spoke at a separatist rally outside the Alberta legislature ahead of an upcoming October 19 provincial referendum on separation, touching on debates surrounding the federal Clarity Act, the Indian Act of 1876, and legal challenges from Treaty 6, 7, and 8 First Nations. The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs previously requested the RCMP investigate Premier Danielle Smith's actions regarding separatism under Section 46 of the Canadian Criminal Code for alleged treason. Meanwhile, the provincial government amended the Citizen Initiative Act via Bill 14 to enable the binding referendum process.

Ontario and Canada Celebrate Successful Restoration of Nipigon Bay

Source: Ontario - Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Date: 2026-08-28 19:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Environment, Climate, Indigenous, Fisheries]

The Governments of Ontario and Canada have officially removed Nipigon Bay from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern after nearly 40 years of cleanup work under the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health. The restoration efforts—which included upgraded wastewater treatment in the Township of Nipigon and Township of Red Rock, stricter pulp and paper industry regulations, and aquatic habitat rehabilitation—spanned a nearly 50,000-acre area including the lower Nipigon River. Since the late 1980s, the Government of Ontario has invested nearly $25.5 million (including over $17 million since 2018), while the federal government has contributed more than $12 million since 2012 alongside total partner investments of $68 million. The milestone project was achieved through collaborative efforts involving local partners and First Nations, including the Red Rock Indian Band, Lakehead University, and local community groups.

Helping businesses adapt, grow, create jobs through new grants

Source: British Columbia - Government News
Date: 2026-08-28 18:15:00.0
Tags: [British Columbia, National, Economy, Labour, Industry, Indigenous]

The Governments of Canada and British Columbia have launched a $2.7 million funding initiative under Phase 2 of the Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund to support northern B.C. businesses and First Nations development corporations responding to global tariffs. Administered by the Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT), the funding is split into two programs opening for applications on September 2, 2026: the Business Diversification and Sustainability (BDS) program, which provides grants of up to $200,000 covering up to 75% of project costs for small and medium-sized businesses totaling $1.8 million, and the First Nations Business Development Capacity Building program, which provides up to $75,000 per applicant covering up to 90% of eligible costs totaling $900,000. The investment is supported by federal funding through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement as part of a broader $5-million provincial response to tariffs.

New Brunswick to review lifting natural gas moratorium

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-08-26 19:06:44.0
Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Resources, Economy, Trade, Indigenous]

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt announced a five-month public review of the province's resource development to evaluate lifting the decade-old moratorium on hydraulic fracking for natural gas. Prompted by rising cost-of-living pressures, increased energy demand, and 50 percent U.S. tariffs implemented by the United States, the government aims to assess safety, environmental standards, and economic opportunities. Natural Resource Minister John Herron and Indigenous Affairs Minister Keith Chiasson noted that the process will feature extensive consultations with First Nations communities. The comprehensive review findings are scheduled to be announced in January 2027, with monthly progress reports issued by the provincial government.

Ontario and Aroland First Nation Break Ground on Ring of Fire Road

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation
Date: 2026-08-24 21:15:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Infrastructure, Transportation, Mining, Energy, Indigenous]

The Government of Ontario and Aroland First Nation commenced major reconstruction and expansion work on the Anaconda and Painter Lake roads as of June 30, 2026, two years ahead of schedule, with completion slated for November 2030. The $22 billion economic initiative upgrades 97 kilometres of roadway, replaces 62 culverts, and bridges Highway 643 to the proposed Ring of Fire all-season roads corridor (including the Webequie Supply Road, Marten Falls Community Access Road, and Northern Road Link). This infrastructure project builds on the Shared Prosperity Agreement signed by Ontario and Aroland First Nation in January 2025 to support critical mineral development and regional connectivity.