IndigiNews

Nuxalk girls’ basketball team wrapped in support after championship win: ‘Everybody was cheering for us’ The Acwsalcta Thunder became provincial champions at the 2026 B.C. School Sports Provincial Tournament — emerging as the top of 16 high school teams

A Youth basketball team from the small Nuxalk community of Bella Coola have become provincial champions after an intense tournament in “Langley.”

Story by Dionne Phillips 🏀

indiginews.com/sports/nuxal...

Leaders in the North Okanagan join forces to protect crucial watershed from fire Sacred to the syilx, and source of drinking water for 80,000 people, the North Aberdeen Plateau faces ‘extreme threat’ of wildfire — a new plan hopes to help

Leaders in the North Okanagan join forces to protect crucial watershed from fire

Sacred to the syilx, and source of drinking water for 80,000 people, the North Aberdeen Plateau faces ‘extreme threat’ of wildfire—a new plan hopes to help

Story by Aaron Hemens

indiginews.com/news/leaders...

As climate, industry warm Okanagan waterways, expert warns of ‘extinction event’ for fish by 2040 Lauren Terbasket shared the ‘alarming’ data about water trends during a watershed gathering on Feb. 20 — saying climate resilience must be prioritized

A smǝlqmíx (Similkameen) expert is warning that climate change and over-logging could lead to “an extinction event” for fish throughout the Okanagan Basin by 2040.

Story by Aaron Hemens

indiginews.com/news/as-clim...

Winnipeg security guard charged, suspended as protesters rally against racial profiling Demonstrators also call for tighter regulation of private security companies after alleged brass knuckles assault on Indigenous man

Speakers at the rally expressed outrage with how they say Indigenous people have been treated by private retail guards in the city — alleging racial profiling and violence at the hands of employees of several companies, including ISG.

Story by Crystal Greene.

indiginews.com/winnipeg/win...

In Manitoba, a growing herd of wood bison offers lessons in community ‘A proud moment,’ says Skownan First Nation's operations director, as ten bison make long journey across three provinces to join a herd under the community’s care

“They’re really protective of each other — just like how community members are here in Skownan, they’re there for each other.”

Story by Crystal Greene.

indiginews.com/winnipeg/gro...

Inuit grapple with loss of caribou 13 years into 'Labrador' hunting ban: 'I feel like a big part of me is gone' Facing food insecurity and cultural loss, people in the tiny community of Rigolet are mourning — and holding hope — for the important species

“A source of traditional food has been eliminated ... It’s left people craving something that they can no longer have.”

Story by Frey Blake-Pijogge, reprinted from The Independent.

indiginews.com/features/inu...

Introducing Brandi Bird, our new audience engagement editor A Q&A on being a good relative, the importance of humour, and finding new ways to engage with you, our readers

IndigiNews is thrilled to introduce our new audience engagement editor, Brandi Bird!

They are already working to find new ways to engage with you, our readers 👇

indiginews.com/features/int...

Indigenous rights defenders say they’ll ‘not stay silent’ after anti-protest bylaw defeated in ‘Winnipeg’ Advocates remain concerned after forcing withdrawal of proposed buffer zones and ‘nuisance’ protest ban

Indigenous rights defenders say they’ll ‘not stay silent’ after anti-protest bylaw defeated in ‘Winnipeg’—Advocates remain concerned after forcing withdrawal of proposed buffer zones and ‘nuisance’ protest ban

Story by Crystal Greene

indiginews.com/news/winnipe...

smǝlqmíx leaders emphasize ‘no consent’ as 'B.C.' approves Copper Mountain Mine expansion The New Ingerbelle project near 'Princeton' will revive an old open pit mine and raise its tailings dam by 87 metres

Indigenous leaders from the Similkameen Valley are “deeply disappointed” by a provincial decision to approve a contentious mine expansion in their territories — emphasizing that they did not give consent for the project to move forward.

Story by Aaron Hemens.

indiginews.com/news/copper-...

Film tells the story of trailblazing educator who worked to preserve the Cree language 'A Cree Approach,' written and directed by Freda Ahenakew's granddaughter Tristin Greyeyes, will screen at 'Vancouver' film fest on March 7

A documentary about Freda Ahenakew — who spent the majority of her life preserving nēhiyawēwin — will have its world premiere in “Vancouver” next month.

Story reprinted from Windspeaker.

indiginews.com/arts/film-te...

WFN leader imagines prosperous future ‘for many generations to come’ c̓ris Jordan Coble gave a State of the Nation presentation to the Greater Westside Board of Trade earlier this month

During a talk to the local board of trade, a Westbank First Nation councillor reminded businesses that any investments in the community should be mindful of the wellbeing of Youth and future generations.

Story by Aaron Hemens.

indiginews.com/news/at-boar...

With ‘grief and a desire for change,’ community gathers to remember MMIWG2S+ in ‘Winnipeg’ Cities across the continent held similar walks on Valentine’s Day, marking the 35th anniversary of annual memorials for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people

Photographs of loved ones, purple and pink butterfly placards, and a long red scroll of beloved names — all symbols to honour MMIWG2S+ in "Winnipeg" last weekend.

Photo story by Crystal Greene.

indiginews.com/mmiwg2s/winn...

Exhibition explores ‘total visual languages’ binding Salish peoples together New feature, ‘Every River Has a Mouth,’ highlights interconnectivity between Coast and Interior Salish artists at the Bill Reid Gallery

Guest-curated by Snuneymuxw artist and storyteller Eliot White-Hill, it’s his first collaboration with the acclaimed gallery in “Vancouver.”

“Salish art has its own total visual language, our own shapes,” White-Hill tells IndigiNews. “We use our own grammar.”

indiginews.com/arts/every-r...

Inquest continues into Winnipeg police shooting death of Eishia Hudson, 16 Non-adversarial probe of teen’s death cannot assign blame, but family and First Nations hope it will recommend meaningful ways to prevent similar police shootings

Holding up an eagle feather, the father of Eishia Hudson — a teenage girl killed by Winnipeg police officers six years ago — remembered his daughter as “loved beyond words, missed beyond measure.”

Story by Crystal Greene.

indiginews.com/winnipeg/inq...

‘I’m standing up for everything that I believe in,’ say land defenders preparing to appeal TMX convictions Secwépemc and Nlaka’pamux activists arrested at pipeline site ceremony await Supreme Court of Canada’s green light to appeal, as allies fundraise for legal costs

“This is a very layered fight that we’re up against,” said Secwépemc land defender April Thomas, “because it’s right down from the individual level, right up to fighting for collective rights and title.”

Story by Aaron Hemens.

indiginews.com/news/land-de...

Children’s book tells residential ‘school’ story from a kid’s perspective ‘Shirley: An Indian Residential School Story’ — released today — was written by Joanne Robertson with, and about, Elder Shirley (Fletcher) Horn

A new children's book tells the story of Cree Elder Shirley (Fletcher) Horn’s experience over a decade of attending residential “school” — recounting the experience from a kid’s perspective.

Story by Dionne Phillips.

indiginews.com/arts/childre...

'B.C.' group declares Similkameen River among province’s most ‘endangered’ Amidst opposition to mine’s expansion and other threats, LSIB continues to speak out in defence of its waterway, nməlqytkʷ

The Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. — whose members include more than 130 organizations across the province — included the Similkameen River in its annual Endangered Rivers List, citing fears about an open-pit copper, gold and silver mine proposal.

indiginews.com/news/similka...

We've just launched the new IndigiNews Refocus Photojournalism Fellowship: Mi’kma’ki!

A chance for Indigenous photojournalists in Canada to learn from industry-leaders in an expenses-paid bootcamp, in Mi’kma’ki / Kjipuktuk (Halifax) May 17 - 23, 2026. More here: www.refocusfellowship.ca

syilx songwriter Francis Baptiste ‘hoping for a little more’ with newest album Osoyoos Indian Band songwriter's latest alt-rock release, ‘Lived Experience in East Vancouver,’ aims to ‘help people who struggled’ like artist did

The syilx alt-rocker says he set out to “humanize addiction” on his country-infused third release, "Lived Experience in East Vancouver."

"We’re all human beings that deserve help and deserve sympathy."

Story by Aaron Hemens.

indiginews.com/arts/syilx-s...

ReFocus Photojournalism Fellowship | Join, Learn, Capture Now Discover the Indigenous Photojournalism Fellowship in Mi’kma’ki, offering hands-on training and mentorship for Indigenous photojournalists across Canada. Apply by February 28, 2026.

Today, we're proud to launch our NEW IndigiNews Refocus Photojournalism Fellowship: Mi’kma’ki!

This is a chance for Indigenous photojournalists in Canada to learn from industry-leaders in a paid one week intensive from May 17 - 23, 2026.

Learn more: www.refocusfellowship.ca

With habitat affected by wildfires, syilx-led program monitors rattlesnakes The Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre has received new federal funding to continue its research on how the snakes are adapting to a changing environment

Researchers are working on understanding how rattlesnake habitats have been affected by a 2021 wildfire that burned through the South Okanagan.

"That actually burnt all known den locations, as well as all known birthing locations."

Story by Sonal Gupta.

indiginews.com/news/syilx-l...

At the Salish School of Spokane, a community of n̓səl̓xčin̓ speakers is built Students ages one to 13 are immersed in the Colville-Okanagan Salish language — learning alongside their teachers and families

"I’m just so happy that they get to have that experience of knowing their language, knowing their culture, and it really does just ground them and who they are."

Story reprinted from Underscore Native News / ICT.

indiginews.com/features/at-...

‘Truth, courage, care’: Esk’etemc leader honoured with ‘B.C.’ reconciliation award Charlene Belleau has been ‘leading voice’ of justice for survivors — documenting truth and supporting community healing

Former Esk’etemc Kúkwpi7 Charlene Belleau (Eaglestar Woman) has been recognized with an award for her work to support healing and justice for residential “school” survivors and their families.

Story by Dionne Phillips.

indiginews.com/news/truth-c...

Across the border, Indigenous fears spike amidst ‘U.S.’ immigration crackdown With ICE operations, multiple First Nations warn members about travel risks — despite treaty rights. Why Indigenous communities are on the frontlines defending rights for all

With global headlines dominated by ICE's violent arrests of migrants, including children — Indigenous people are finding themselves increasingly in the crosshairs.

“You get arbitrarily taken into detention for looking a certain way.”

Story by Crystal Greene.

indiginews.com/features/ice...

Smudging on skates: Indigenous roller derby team slams onto the big screen Kanien'kehá:ka filmmaker Courtney Montour takes IndigiNews behind the scenes of the high-energy contact sport in her documentary ‘Rising Through the Fray’

Filmmaker Courtney Montour, from the community of Kahnawà:ke, spent several years filming an all-Indigenous roller derby team for her latest documentary.

“It’s about finding community, belonging and representation.”

Story by Dionne Phillips 🛼

indiginews.com/sports/indig...

Tla’amin choreographer brings 'Wild Man of the Woods' ballet home to the West Coast Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe is debuting his piece around ‘B.C.’ — but his sold-out show in his home territories feels particularly special

When choreographer Cameron sinkʷə Fraser-Monroe was asked to create a piece for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, he knew he wanted to tell a story from his home community of Tla’amin Nation.

"It was something that had a universal appeal and access."

Story by Abby Francis.

indiginews.com/arts/tlaamin...

Across a colonial border, First Nations share salmon eggs to bypass dams This year marks a decade of the partnership between the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, in ‘Washington,’ and a syilx hatchery upriver

The partnership has seen Colville Tribes send more than 115,000 eyed chinook salmon eggs to the ONA over the past 10 years.

"It’s not only helping us, but it’s also helping them."

Latest by Aaron Hemens 🐟

indiginews.com/news/across-...

Inside One Family’s Struggle to Keep Their Teen Safe | The Tyee After he was stabbed, his relatives say, the system failed to stop his bullying.

Kai’s foster parents believe attacks he’s faced by non-Indigenous peers aren’t merely the result of bullying.

His experiences also reflect a history of colonial systems failing to uphold the safety and rights of Indigenous Youth.

@amyromer.bsky.social reports. An @indiginews.bsky.social reprint.

Pimicikamak faces long road to repair after havoc-wreaking power outage - Indiginews As the military is ordered to help the northern ‘Manitoba’ Cree community, AFN leader says ‘emergency deployments cannot become the standing response to chronic infrastructure gaps’

On Thursday, about 70 people gathered to drum and round-dance outside the Manitoba Legislature to raise awareness and demonstrate solidarity with Pimicikamak.

“We’re gonna pray for our people and to stand together in a good way and show that they’re not alone.”

indiginews.com/features/pim...

Why aren’t there more Indigenous foods in 'Canadian' grocery stores? Indigenous foods are varied, delicious and plentiful — but getting them to customers can be a challenge for small producers

Indigenous foods are varied, delicious and plentiful — but getting them to customers can be a challenge for small producers.

Story by Stephanie Wood, reprinted from @thenarwhal.ca 🐟

indiginews.com/features/why...