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 by Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and lawyer Leah Ballantyne.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 backed out because they were only invited as online observers.

Joining guest host Sav Jonsa are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 alarm.

Also, this week we're discussing a new poll that finds most Canadians think the country is making progress on reconciliation.

Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 that very question: how will this affect First Nations rights?

Host Creeson Agecoutay is joined by Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press and Paskwâw Strategies CEO, Jennifer Laewetz.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 and Politics, we look at how First Nations leaders are responding. Some say the legislation is a threat, others see economic opportunity.

Host Dennis Ward is joined by Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press and lawyer, professor and activist Pamela Palmater.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 social media account, I directed staff to reverse this decision.”

This week on Truth and Politics, we ask: is it appropriate for an elected official to block a media outlet?

Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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.

Joining host Dennis Ward are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/

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 Paskwâw Strategies and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press.

• • •

APTN National News, our stories told our way.

Visit our website for more: https://aptnnews.ca

Hear more APTN News podcasts: https://www.aptnnews.ca/podcasts/