VANCOUVER — Garfield Mahood has spent 30 years fighting for the Canadian government to require plain packaging for cigarettes. So, the long-time non-smokers’ rights activist says he doesn’t have much faith in the government’s ability to regulate and restrict the marketing of marijuana. “They identified tobacco products as a cause of disease back in the 1950s,” said Mahood, president of the Campaign for Justice on Tobacco Fraud. “They’ve never been able to bring this epidemic close to a conclusion. “What would give you faith that health departments are going to effectively regulate any health problems related to these other drugs?” As the Liberal government prepares to introduce legislation to “legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana” before this summer, one […]

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SIX NATIONS – Legal counsel for the Haudenosaunee Development Institute denies he’s worked for the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council as their legal representative. In an email to the Two Row Times, Detlor wrote, “My client representation is confidential and held by my clients however with that said I am on the record for a number of matters as representing HDI as counsel which continues. I have never represented HCCC [Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council] as legal counsel because HCCC does not retain lawyers to my knowledge however I continue to work with and for the HCCC.” Questions regarding the transparency, or lack thereof, of the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) and its legal council, Aaron Detlor have recently been brought into an […]

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SIX NATIONS – Darcy Powless has been repairing and restoring cars on Six Nations since 2010 and wants to continue serving the community and surrounding areas for years to come. Darcy is the owner of Classics to Customs Autobody on Six Nations and first got hooked into auto repairs and restorations by learning alongside his uncle Bud when he was younger. “I learned most of the mechanical stuff from my uncle,” said Darcy. “He taught me a lot and watching him is what first got me interested in cars.” Darcy moved from Six Nations to Akwesasne in 2000 and started working for a friend there in his garage where he learned a lot more about car restoration and detailing. Powless had […]

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SIX NATIONS – Questions regarding the transparency, or lack thereof, of the Haudenosaunee Development Institute (HDI) and its legal council, Aaron Detlor still circulate around the Six Nations community. Many community members have attempted to access information and documentation regarding issues including who is and is not on payroll, as well as their duties and remuneration schedule. Only vague and general reports have been offered the public, which lack important detailed information. Detlor and members of the Men’s Fire community group are currently in the courts with allegations, charges and counter charges going both ways. Detlor was physically removed from his office at Grand River Employment and Training in recent months by members of the Men’s Fire after several attempts to […]

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SIX NATIONS – Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate narcotic most commonly prescribed to cancer patients in a lot of pain and was designed for a specific purpose. For the past number of years Ontario has seen a rise in fentanyl related injuries and deaths. It is a drug that is very difficult to see, smell or taste, and other drugs can be easily ‘cut’ with fentanyl, in powder, pill, or liquid form. When a drug has been cut with something else it means that another substance has been added to make the volume higher, so more of the product can be sold or distributed. More-or-less, cutting is another way to say ‘filler’ has been added. When an individual is prescribed […]

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6. The Canadian Invasion of Haudenosaunee Territory Charles Stewart, the new Superintendent of Indian Affairs under the MacKenzie King administration, does not seem to have understood the political complexity of the office he was charged with at first. What happened next illustrates the illusory nature of representative government in Canada at the time, as well as the need for a neutral arbiter when there is a serious power imbalance between the parties. On December 4, 1922, Stewart, accompanied by Scott, travelled to Brantford to negotiate the appointment of a tribunal to settle Canada’s differences with the Six Nations. After meeting all day at the local YMCA the Department of Indian Affairs made an offer to negotiate their differences with the […]

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By Sandra L. Anderson BRANTFORD – The 17th Annual Grand Fete Du Vin, the largest fundraiser of the year for the Grand River Chorus took place on February 11 and was a great success. Gerry McDougald was the grand winner of the night, taking home the grand prize certificate for a return trip for two from Brantford to Quebec City donated by VIA Rail Canada. He won a game of Heads and Tails for the prize. Don and Dawn Shiell of Brantford are the winners of a travel Gift Voucher. The Grand River Chorus thanks VIA Rail for their generous contributions to this event. The organizing committee consisted of 15 people chaired by Susan Howe and Maria Lloyd. Auction Co-ordinator […]

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HAMILTON – To give Grade 8 students from J.C. Hill Elementary the opportunity to learn more about athletic opportunities close to home last Saturday, the students participated in inter-squad scrimmages during the half-times of both the McMaster Marauders women’s and men’s basketball games, and took tours of the facilities. The 16 students were accompanied by Associate Director for Indigenous Student Services James Lamouch, and were guided through the many diverse buildings, fields and facilities provided by McMaster for athletics students throughout the day. Troy Hill, Grade 8 Teacher, Basketball Coach and former vice principal of J.C. Hill explained the motive behind the trip. “This was to experience life as a student athlete,” said Hill. “To show the kids what it […]

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OHSWEKEN – Last Friday the Six Nations Community Hall became a meeting place for people looking for work and those with career and job openings. The Grand River Employment and Training (GREAT) Job Fair attracted 43 employers with a wide array of opportunities for job hunters on Six Nations and surrounding areas to look into. Some of the businesses present were CHCH TV, Jukasa Radio, CKRZ Radio, law enforcement, correctional facilities, and more. “It started at 11 [in the morning] and over 65 people come through many with resumes in hand,” says event co-ordinator Cathy Smith. The flow of people was steady throughout the day as people wandered through the rows of employers, each looking for fresh faces to fill […]

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On January 18, 2017, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (Ministry) posted on the Environmental Registry for a 60-day review and comment period a regulation proposing a regulatory charge on water bottling facilities. The proposed charge would apply to water bottling facilities taking groundwater in accordance with a permit to take water issued under the provisions of the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA). The purpose of the charge is to assist in the financing of activities and programs to more effectively manage groundwater takings by water bottlers. The OWRA gives the Ministry the authority to establish charges and recover the costs of provincial activities relating to promoting the conservation, protection and management of water in Ontario and fostering its efficient […]

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By Elizabeth Doxtater The media (even some native media) describe us as ‘Native Canadian’ or ‘Canadian First Nations’. We are neither. This Canadian adjective can cause confusion, but can be explained using treaties. Treaties can only be made between nations. Native vs. Canadian disagreements are not ‘domestic’, rather, they are international. Native nations in North America have a solid claim to nationhood as we meet the five criteria for nationhood status: 1. Belief 2. Culture 3. Government 4. Land base 5. Language. Multiculturalism does not facilitate a (1.) common belief nor does it represent a (2.) common culture. The Crown is formally the head of the Canadian State, therefore Canada is not a (3.) sovereign nation. The land base occupied […]

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By Thohahoken Last week, Justin Trudeau’s government tried to stop Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba from issuing a ruling promised for February 15, 2017 on the liability of Canada for Ontario Indigenous children’s loss of cultural identity during the Sixties Scoop. The Sixties Scoop era from 1965 to1984 placed 16,000 indigenous children from Indian-reserves in Settler foster homes. Plaintiffs in the $1.3 billion lawsuit claims that the Settler government’s foster care policy harmed children’s identity. In response, the federal Justice Department letter last week to Justice Belobaba said Canada “would like to address the timing of the release of your decision on the summary judgment motion, given the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada’s stated intent to launch […]

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Despite playing their best half of lacrosse of the season, the Rochester Knighthawks fell 21-12 to the Saskatchewan Rush Saturday night at Connors & Ferris Field at The Blue Cross Arena. Rochester was led offensively by Josh Currier who had a career-high four goals, including three in the first half as the Knighthawks led 8-7 after 30 minutes. Kyle Jackson also put up a four-point night with a pair of goals and two assists. The first half was highlighted by four goals by defensemen as Scott Campbell, John Rae, Andrew Suitor and Graeme Hossack all scored. Campbell tied the game at two early in the first quarter on a breakaway followed shortly after by Currier’s second of the night to get the […]

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Ranked with artists such as Alessia Cara and Maroon 5, Six Nations Singer and Songwriter Jace Martin has earned the No. 35 spot on the Billboard Top 40 Radio Hit List with his 2015 hit “Free to Fly”. “Free to Fly” received huge response as fans showed their support by tweeting requests, making Martin’s song a “debut with a bullet” on the chart from January 2 to 30. “Which means [the song] didn’t climb the charts, it shot right to and debuted at No. 35,” said Martin, who is thankful for the support. “I just want to thank Six Nations for all of your support in helping me achieve my dreams.” But “Free to Fly” has already broke ground in […]

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BRANTFORD – Music lovers gathered to listen to music full of indigenous influence at the Woodland Cultural Centre on Saturday, February 4, to hear songs from Gail Obediah’s Let the Eagle Fly album. Obediah posted to Facebook one day before the release of her album to let listeners know that her work is for healing; calling the work a piece of ‘the resurgence of our people’. “Let the Eagle Fly became a project that directed me into following Creator’s path. It has been a journey of trust, faith, intuition and patience. This was created with the intention to help out in whatever way I could for the healing and wellness of our people that have suffered the effects of the […]

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SIX NATIONS – The owners of TNT restaurant in Ohsweken are proud of their history, their loyal customers, and the awesome food they continue to serve up for the community. “We’ve been in business since 1989,” said Bonnie Hill, who is currently overseeing and running the fast-food restaurant in the Ohsweken Village Plaza. “It’s definitely a family business — having been owned by two of my aunts, my mom, and my grandma.” Right now Bonnie’s mom and dad still own it, but she looks after everything and is set up to take over when they retire. Bonnie has been around since the beginning. The restaurant started out as an ice cream and sub shop owned by Bonnie’s aunt, Theresa Thomas, […]

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Brantford – Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus is celebrating its diversity with the grand opening of its Hall of Nations, Feb. 15 in the Davis Fuels Walkway. “Laurier is a home away from home for many students, and the Hall of Nations acknowledges the country of origin of our entire student body,” said Adam Lawrence, dean of students at Laurier Brantford. “Being an inclusive community involves celebrating and educating all individuals at Laurier. We hope this initiative will be a positive addition to the Laurier culture.” Approximately 50 flags will be hung in the Hall of Nations, each recognizing the country of origin or aboriginal community of a current student on campus. “Thanks to a generous donation from the Student […]

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TORONTO – Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to show your significant other, family or friend just how special they are. Flowers have a long history of being the ideal gift whether you are celebrating 30 years of marriage, have just started to date someone, or want to show your friend you appreciate them. “The beauty of flowers as a Valentine’s Day gift is that they can easily be personalized depending on how you want to make someone feel,” said Dejan Kristan, marketing director at Flowers Canada [Ontario]. “You want to send out the right message to your Valentine, whether it is ‘I love you’, ‘I care for you’, or simply — ‘you are a great friend’”. Kirstan offers insight into the […]

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3. The Haudenosaunee Relationship with British North America The particular indigenous people involved in the League of Nations application had a long and complex involvement in North American colonial development. By the 1920s, the seat of government for the Canadian branch of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy was on a territory known as the ‘Six Nations Reserve’, near Brantford Ontario. The 20th century produced a vast literature struggling with elusive concepts related to the idea of ‘nationality’ and it was not until 1933 that international law established a positive legal definition for a ‘state’. Following Article 1 of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, it is now considered that a ‘state’ must have a permanent population, a defined […]

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SIX NATIONS – Nestled on 23-acres of beautifully manicured and maintained grounds, Six Nations’ Grand River Spa is a luxurious escape for anyone looking to relax and unwind. “We offer massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps, make-up services, hair-styling and more,” said Andrea Carvalho, manager of the spa. Carvalho said the team at Grand River Spa is trained and more than capable in meeting the needs of the customers and clients who come from several of the surrounding communities. “We have a registered massage therapist, two full-time aestheticians, one full-time and one part-time hair stylist. People come from Six Nations, Brantford, Caledonia, Hamilton, Ancaster, Hagersville and even from farther away sometimes.” Carvalho said a lot of customers call Grand River […]

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