Truth & Politics

Each week on APTN National News, our Truth & Politics panelists Jennifer Laewetz and Niigaan Sinclair sit down with our hosts Dennis Ward and Creeson Agecoutay to discuss important topics affecting Indigenous Peoples in the news.

A commitment to search landfill: Why Winnipeg police are changing their tune 03/28/2025

A commitment to search landfill: Why Winnipeg police are changing their tune The identity of Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe — Buffalo Woman — has been revealed more than three years after she was killed by a Winnipeg serial killer. Ashlee Shingoose’s remains are believed to be in the Brady Road landfill, south of the city. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has committed to the family that a search will happen. For more on this, our Truth and Politics panel joins host Dennis Ward. Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwa Harbour Strategies, is on the panel this week, along with Sheila North, executive director of external Indigenous relations at the University of Winnipeg. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35893295

Landfill search was a success, but politics played a role throughout the fight 03/21/2025

Landfill search was a success, but politics played a role throughout the fight The search of a Winnipeg-area landfill for Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran has been a success – but unfortunately, politics played a role throughout the fight to get the search done. For more on this, host Dennis Ward is joined by Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Harbour Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair, a 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35808025

Tariffs, pipelines & rising costs: What it means for Indigenous Peoples in Canada 03/07/2025

Tariffs, pipelines & rising costs: What it means for Indigenous Peoples in Canada Donald Trump’s shifting tariff policies are affecting businesses on both sides of the border. How will Indigenous communities in Canada be impacted? Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says all pipeline projects are pre-approved. What does that mean for First Nations rights? With food prices expected to rise, how can families prepare? And as First Nations leaders head to Las Vegas next week for a summit, what are the optics of the trip during a trade war? Host Dennis Ward is joined by Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Harbour Strategies, and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair to break it all down. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35567810

Former premier and police said landfill search couldn’t be done – now possible remains found 02/28/2025

Former premier and police said landfill search couldn’t be done – now possible remains found On Wednesday afternoon, the province of Manitoba announced that human remains may have been found at the Prairie Green Landfill, where the search for the remains of two First Nations women has been underway since December. The families of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran spoke to the media on Thursday about the discovery. For more on this, host Dennis Ward is joined by Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Harbour Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair, a 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35474485

Feds sign historic land back agreement with Haida Nation – but who actually benefits? 02/21/2025

Feds sign historic land back agreement with Haida Nation – but who actually benefits? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is "giving back" Aboriginal title of Haida Gwaii to the Haida Nation—but what does that actually mean? We break down the details and implications of this historic announcement. We’re also looking at the federal funding cuts impacting residential school Survivors and searches for unmarked burials. What’s at stake, and how are communities responding? And after 49 years behind bars, Leonard Peltier has finally returned home. But is this a moment to celebrate? Joining host Dennis Ward to unpack it all are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwâw Harbour 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35371885

Jordan’s Principle crackdown, Sainte-Marie fallout & unsolved tragedy 02/14/2025

Jordan’s Principle crackdown, Sainte-Marie fallout & unsolved tragedy The federal government is imposing new restrictions on Jordan’s Principle in response to accusations of mis-spending. Meanwhile, the fallout continues after Buffy Sainte-Marie had her Order of Canada revoked, raising questions about her legacy. On Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, the community is mourning a tragic quadruple homicide. Police have called it a targeted attack, yet nearly two weeks later, no arrests have been made. Joining host Dennis Ward to unpack it all are Jennifer Laewetz, CEO of Paskwaw Harbour 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35278110

Jordan’s Principle: Controversy & unmet needs 02/07/2025

Jordan’s Principle: Controversy & unmet needs One week after the father of Jordan River Anderson spoke out, Jordan’s Principle remains in the news—either for services not being funded or for questionable services that are. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss are Jennifer Laewetz from Paskwaw Harbour Strategies and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35183610

Bill Wilson’s legacy, Trump on Native Americans 01/31/2025

Bill Wilson’s legacy, Trump on Native Americans We lost a respected leader last week with the passing of Bill Wilson, a key figure in the 1980s battles over Canada’s repatriated Constitution. Wilson, a hereditary chief of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, was also the father of Jody Wilson-Raybould, Canada’s first Indigenous federal minister of justice and attorney general. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump makes his stance on Native American rights crystal clear. Joining host Dennis Ward to discuss these stories are Jennifer Laewetz from Paskwaw Harbour Strategies and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/35089255

To pipeline or not to pipeline – grand chief flip flops on supporting Northern Gateway 01/24/2025

To pipeline or not to pipeline – grand chief flip flops on supporting Northern Gateway To pipeline or not to pipeline? That’s just one of the big questions on this week’s Truth and Politics panel. Host Dennis Ward is joined by Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwaw Harbour Strategies and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair to explore the issues. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34986825

How Canada’s leaders are preparing for Trump’s presidency 01/17/2025

How Canada’s leaders are preparing for Trump’s presidency Donald Trump is about to be sworn in as the next president of the United States. How are our leaders preparing and what does this mean for people living in Canada? Savannah Kelly is stepping in for Dennis Ward and Creeson Agecoutay. Joining us for this week’s Truth & Politics panel are Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair and Paskwaw Strategies' 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34888050

Trudeau resigns, Trump returns – what’s next for Canada-U.S. relations? 01/10/2025

Trudeau resigns, Trump returns – what’s next for Canada-U.S. relations? It’s shaping up to be a pivotal year in Canadian politics with the resignation of Justin Trudeau, potentially marking the end of the Liberal government. His departure has triggered a leadership race, and a federal election looms on the horizon. Joining us on the first Truth & Politics panel of 2025, with guest host Savannah Kelly, are Paskwâw Harbour Strategies' Jennifer Laewetz and Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34795455

Looking back, looking forward: Niigaan Sinclair & Jennifer Laewetz break down 2024's biggest moments & what’s next 12/20/2024

Looking back, looking forward: Niigaan Sinclair & Jennifer Laewetz break down 2024's biggest moments & what’s next As 2024 winds down, Winnipeg Free Press columnist Niigaan Sinclair and Jennifer Laewetz of Paskwaw Strategies join us to reflect on the year that was and discuss what may lie ahead. That's on this week’s edition of APTN News’ Truth & Politics panel. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34540205

Why do hospitals keep cutting off elders’ hair without consent? 12/13/2024

Why do hospitals keep cutting off elders’ hair without consent? This week on Truth and Politics, it’s an issue that never goes away. Several weeks ago, we told you the story of Jason Kennedy, who came to Winnipeg from the Bloodvein First Nation for a leg amputation. Staff at the Grace Hospital cut off the wrong leg. We also have had two recent stories about elderly hospital patients in Saskatoon and now Edmonton who had their hair cut by staff without family consent. Our panellists include Jennifer Laewetz, a partner with Paskwâw Harbour Strategies, and Niigaan Sinclair, columnist at 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34422185

Breaking down the biggest developments from the AFN special chiefs gathering 12/06/2024

Breaking down the biggest developments from the AFN special chiefs gathering The Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly wrapped up on Thursday in Ottawa. There were a lot of moving parts, including a resolution calling for a national inquiry into deaths at the hands of police. Our Truth & Politics panel breaks it down. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34318155

Why people keep trying to claim Indigenous identity 11/29/2024

Why people keep trying to claim Indigenous identity There is a federal by-election coming up in British Columbia on December 16. The Cloverdale—Langley City riding was held by the Liberals until the MP decided to step down and run in the recent provincial election. Small business owner Madison Fleischer is running for the Liberals but a B.C. Métis society is distancing itself from the candidate who has claimed Métis identity. Our Truth & Politics panel convenes. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34197480

What was the nature of Randy Boissonnault's claims of being Indigenous? 11/22/2024

What was the nature of Randy Boissonnault's claims of being Indigenous? It’s a tumultuous week for Randy Boissonnault, Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre. The Prime Minister announced Wednesday that Boissonnault was out of cabinet so he could clear the air on his claims of being Indigenous. Our Truth & Politics panel weighs in. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/34112496

Three Indigenous writers take home Governor General's Literary Awards 11/15/2024

Three Indigenous writers take home Governor General's Literary Awards Niigaan Sinclair is one of three Indigenous recipients of this year’s Governor General's Literary Awards. He is back on our Truth & Politics panel this week along with Jennifer Laewetz to discuss the book and the significance of the awards. • • • 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/ /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/33948332

Truth & Politics | Coming November 15 11/14/2024

Truth & Politics | Coming November 15 We’re expanding our Truth & Politics panel into a weekly podcast. Each episode, panelists Jennifer Laewetz and Niigaan Sinclair join APTN National News hosts Dennis Ward and Creeson Agecoutay to examine key issues affecting Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Listen every Friday. /episode/index/show/thelaughingdrum/id/33937272

Truth & Politics

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