This has been an eventful year for Ǫgwehǫ:weh people across all of Canada. In some cases the events have been monumental: such as the victories for so many Haudenosaune athletes taking national titles this year! Some news has been incredibly upsetting: namely the passing of Bill C-10 in parliament and the continued failure of the Harper government to meaningfully respond to the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
In all cases it has been our responsibility to deliver to you every week the stories of what is happening in the indigenous world.
The following are a few of our lead stories over the past 52 weeks. We invite our readers to visit www.tworowtimes.com and read all 52 issues for free. We encourage your feedback and hope you will stay with us in 2015. It has been our pleasure to provide you with the news that matters to you; accurately and as it happens. We are humbled and ever so grateful to be your “go-to” source for indigenous news. Happy Holidays and Nu-ya! Nu-ya!
January 2014
Well regarded Six Nations warrior Dick Hill enters rest. Hundreds of people send condolences and acknowledge his contributions to the people.
February 2014
Gatherings across Turtle Island are held in honour of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Participants call on the Harper government to create a formal government inquiry into the matter.
March 2014
Protests demanding a national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls shut down Wyman Road and local railways going through Tyendinaga.
April 2014
Six Nations launches protests and discussions condemning the conservative government’s proposed changes to education on reserves. The First Nations Education Act is ultimately an unsuccessful proposition and AFN Chief Shawn Atleo’s tenders his resignation.
May 2014
CAS honours the wishes of a New Credit family to pursue traditional medicine for their daughter’s leukemia.
June 2014
Six Nations’ Don Tripp challenges constitutional questions in court. Elected Chief Ava Hill addresses the UN on aboriginal rights.
July 2014
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court in BC concluded the Tsilhq’ot Nation have title to their traditional lands and can control what development happens on their territory. The Second Annual Lyle Anderson Sr. Memorial Smoke Dance Competition was a success in spite of stormy skies and lots of rain.
August 2014
Haudenosaune people from all nations of the Confederacy gathered to mark the 250th Anniversary of the 1764 Treaty of Niagara. A group of band members at Kahnawake collect names of non-band members living within the borders of the reserve with intent to evict those living in violation of the reserve’s residency by-law. Community members lined the streets of Six Nations to cheer on the Rebels bringing home the Founder’s Cup. Haudenosaune athletes would take a number of national titles this year, rocking Men’s Lacrosse by scooping up the Founder’s Cup, the Mann Cup, the Minto Cup, the Champions’ Cup and a Silver Medal at the FIL World Field Lacrosse Championships.
September 2014
Six Nations man Travis Squire-Hill is found guilty of dangerous driving causing the deaths of two local youth. A Six Nations woman decides to pull her 11 year old daughter from chemotherapy at McMaster Children’s Hospital for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in favour of pursuing indigenous and alternative medicine instead.
October 2014
Six Nations Police respond to what appeared to be a pipe bomb at the Village Café in Ohsweken. The OPP Bomb squad was called in and the device destroyed. It was revealed to be a fake.
November 2014
Proposed changes to the Criminal Code of Canada, also known as Bill C-10 or the Anti-Contraband Tobacco Act, pass through parliament and receive royal assent and officially become a part of Canadian law. Manufacturing, distributing or moving tobacco without paying tribute to the federal government is now a crime in Canada with mandatory minimum jail time. A Brantford judge ruled that a Six Nations mother has the constitutional right to practice indigenous medicine to treat her child’s Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The ruling is seen as a major victory for indigenous people across the country.
December 2014
Assembly of First Nations elections were held and Perry Bellegarde was chosen as the National Chief. He will maintain this position for the next 3.5 years. Many hope he will overhaul the organization and implement numerous recommended changes.
