Ontario Premier Doug Ford has apologized to Indigenous leaders for comments that some First Nations described as racist.

The comments were sparked by opposition to Bill 5, which would allow his government to bypass environmental and other regulations in order to fast track resource development in special economic zones.

Dan Karpenchuk has more.

Native leaders have opposed Bill 5, which would, among other things, fast track mining approvals for critical minerals.

And last week Premier Doug Ford appeared frustrated by their opposition.

“You can’t just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government. You’ve got to be able to take care of yourselves.”

Ford had also said his government was making an offer to First Nations on “a silver platter” and that he had treated them like “gold”. But his language didn’t sit will with most Indigenous leaders.

Sol Mamakwa is the only First Nations member of the Ontario legislature.

“Those comments that were very deeply troubling. But also racist. As First Nations, you know, we are not beggars and I think at this point, those type of comments we don’t need those comments from the premier.” 

During a two-hour meeting with the Indigenous leaders, Ford apologized.

“I just want to say I sincerely apologize for my words. Not only if it hurt the chiefs in that room, but all First Nations. And I get passionate because I want prosperity for their communities.”    

Anishnabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige spoke for Native leaders.

“Our chiefs felt today that the apology was sincere. We are looking at today as a new day going forward.”

Debassige says the meeting was not about Bill 5, but about the Ontario government upholding its treaty responsibility.

She did say Native leaders are still opposed to Bill 5.

She also would not disclose everything that was said during the meeting.

Deborah Ann Begay is two-spirit and the first Indigenous justice of the peace in Arizona’s Maricopa County. (Courtesy Advance Native Political Leadership)

It’s the last day of Pride Month – an observance meant to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ community.

KJZZ’s Gabriel Pietrorazio has more on a Navajo jurist who identifies as two-spirit.

Born in Lupton on the Navajo Nation, Maricopa County’s first Indigenous justice of the peace, Deborah Ann Begay, has been ruling out of the Moon Valley courthouse in north Phoenix since 2020.

The Navy veteran and single parent attended University of California, Berkeley then law school at Arizona State University.

And Begay says the best part of her job is officiating marriages, especially for same-sex couples.

“Doing the ceremony, you’re performing a like professional function, but yet you’re kind of included in their private lives. And that’s even more so when I would get invited to their personal homes.”

Despite the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing those unions in a 2015 landmark decision, they are still not recognized by the Navajo Nation.

The Diné Marriage Act defines matrimony as being only between a man and woman, though there’s been recent pushback to repeal that law.

In 1847, members of the Choctaw Nation donated $170 to victims of the Irish famine. And it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Seo McPolin reports on a new festival that is bringing Indigenous and Irish people together again.

It’s been ten years since the Kindred Spirits sculpture was installed in the Irish county of Cork.

From the 20 feet tall, stainless steel feathers which commemorate the Choctaw donation, a new organization emerged.

Kindred Spirits Ireland is hosting the World Peace Gathering July 18-20 for those who wish to “celebrate peace, healing, cultural exchange, and Indigenous wisdom”.

Featured guests include former Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch and Chief Phil Lane Jr.

“Sensei” Steven Seagal, who claims DNA connections to Indigenous Yakut and Buryat heritage, was also just added to the line-up.

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