The Eastern Door
Environment advisory group in works
The Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO) wants to do more to engage with community members from all walks of life. With that it’ll soon be forming an advisory group to ensure it has a bett ...More ...
The Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO) wants to do more to engage with community members from all walks of life. With that it’ll soon be forming an advisory group to ensure it has a better grasp on what issues the community wants to see prioritized.
“By having this community committee, we hope to attract expertise from a number of different fields who can help us make regulations or laws that actually make sense, and that will be helpful and productive and beneficial,” said Benjamin Green-Stacey, KEPO’s director. “We want to include those different voices that we’re not necessarily hearing from on a regular basis right now.”
A call-out for participants is expected to go out soon, with the deadline to be set sometime this March. The hope is to have it up and running by April, Green-Stacey said.
Many advisory groups formed through the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) ask that candidates be listed on its membership registry. That’s excluded those who stand by the community’s traditional government. This committee will be different, with representatives from the two Longhouses in town encouraged to join too, Green-Stacey said.
“We want to make sure that everybody is on the same page, and that we’re being collaborative, and that everybody’s voice is being heard, and that we can all collectively work toward the same ends,” he said.
The advisory group will also lead the creation of an environmental protection visioning statement, Green-Stacey said, while also providing input on environmental legislation the office hopes to see come to fruition.
There’s yet to be a dedicated environmental protection law passed in the community. The office is also pushing for similar law that’ll target the St. Lawrence River. The laws have yet to be drafted – but a framework noting the priorities laid out in each has been submitted to Kahnawake’s legislative commission.
“There’s a lot of new things happening in the community, new types of businesses, new risks to our community, and we have to be able to protect our lands, protect our people,” said Council chief Jeremiah Johnson, also the lead on legislation.
A dedicated environment protection law could create a mechanism to fine people over certain types of infractions, like illegal dumping, for instance.
“We need to have the enforcement ability to fine people and to hold them to account,” Johnson said. “We have to have the enforcement ability here in the community to protect ourselves. Like I said, we’re being exploited, and if we don’t have the protections in place, then we’re just going to continue to be exploited.”
An environment law could also lay out how the community or KEPO should be consulted over development in the territory.
“We need to make sure that people can do the things that they need to do, housing and business wise, while not destroying critical habitats for endangered species, migratory species, or culturally-significant species,” Green-Stacey said.
“There’s lots of things that people have been frustrated about, and that is the result of ad hoc processes, because there is no legislation in place to make sure that people are doing things in a consistent and proper manner,” he added, saying that extends to MCK-led projects too.
15 Feb 2025 02:30:19
The Eastern Door
Kanesatake roiled by address erasure
Last Friday in Lachute, Kyle Atkwiroton Canatonquin provided his new Kanesatake address to the clerk behind the counter at the SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) in a transaction ...More ...
Last Friday in Lachute, Kyle Atkwiroton Canatonquin provided his new Kanesatake address to the clerk behind the counter at the SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) in a transaction he thought would be routine. But he got back a bewildering answer: “Do you mean Oka?” she asked.
“No,” he replied. “I meant Kanesatake.”
So she asked for his postal code. He gave her the same one used throughout the territory: J0N 1E0.
“That’s Oka,” she said. Even though Canatonquin’s new address is part of what every government recognizes as Kanesatake territory, the SAAQ didn’t see it that way. In fact, Kanesatake was not listed in the system at all.
“Wow,” Canatonquin said, growing angry as the implications dawned on him. “The government just wiped us off the map.”
The clerk’s response only made him madder.
“It looks that way,” she chuckled.
The recognition of Kanesatake Mohawk Territory is no joke, of course. On the contrary, this is a community that has fought and resisted the erosion of its territory from a colonial force hungry to consume it – Oka is part of Kanesatake’s unceded lands, and not the other way around.
This is why, in part, it has so incensed community members this week as more and more Kanehsata’kehró:non report similar problems dealing with everything from government entities to Amazon, leaving them searching for answers and demanding action.
Reached by The Eastern Door, the SAAQ insisted it is committed to fair treatment of its clients, including Indigenous people. The country’s postal service is the source for the address data, according to SAAQ spokesperson Geneviève Perron.
“In this case, the postal code J0N 1E0 is associated with the city of Oka by Canada Post. The corporation cannot change it,” said Perron.
Maybe Amazon uses the same database – the company said it would look into the situation, but did not provide answers to The Eastern Door by deadline.
Whatever the reason, Kanesatake is not a valid destination for the online retailer, with the system forcing customers to accept their address to be rewritten as belonging to Oka.
This has not always been the case, said Karonhienhawe Nicholas, who was even required recently to change the Kanien’kéha name of her street, Ahsennenhson, to the French version, Rang du Milieu. Instead, she cancelled the order altogether.
“I’m sorry, but no. Enough of the government ignoring and allowing the degradation of our existence and our territory. It’s enough,” said Nicholas.
She hates shopping in stores – crowds wear on her – but it’s a small sacrifice to draw what she sees as a line in the sand. When she told her children the family won’t be ordering anything online until this gets resolved, they agreed with her.
“We’re like an extinct people, extinct community. It’s just unheard of. It’s disgusting and it’s uncalled for. It’s against our human rights, I think,” she said.
“I want Kanesatake acknowledged. My great grandfather didn’t work his ass off and fight hard in 1903 just so his great grandchildren can see it go extinct.”
She is traditional rather than political, she said, but she wants to see the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) step up and intervene in the situation. She even believes Kahnawake should get involved in speaking up for the sanctity of Kanesatake’s territory.
“People, we have to fight,” she said. “This is a right thing to fight for.”
Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) grand chief Victor Bonspille announced on Facebook that he will be meeting with “the minister” next week, an apparent reference to Quebec Indigenous affairs minister Ian Lafrenière. “Our discussions will be putting action an end to this down right (sic) injustice,” Bonspille wrote.
According to Lafrenière’s office, the two politicians had a discussion over the weekend and will be meeting soon.
“The Canada Post issue was raised, and we will be looking into it with Canada Post and the federal government. We have just been informed of this by the grand chief, and further verifications will follow,” said Maxime Tardif, a spokesperson for the minister.
Meanwhile, the Council majority has taken another route, taking the issue to the federal ministry responsible for Canada Post, Public Services and Procurement Canada.
However, despite all signs pointing to the Canada Post database being responsible, the crown corporation’s response to a media inquiry from The Eastern Door does not clarify why community members have noticed a recent change.
“We understand the concerns raised by these residents, however, we can confirm that there haven’t been any changes made to our database,” said Valérie Chartrand, spokesperson for Canada Post. “Some organizations do use Canada Post’s address data, while others don’t, or update their systems later on.”
She said that Canada Post systems include the community or city name of the post office that deals with that area’s mail.
“In this instance, the post office in Oka processes and delivers mail to many communities in that region, which is why the Oka city name is assigned to these mailing addresses,” said Chartrand.
According to the Oka post office, the location delivers mail only to Oka and Kanesatake.
“A change to the mailing place name of a resident’s mailing address can be submitted to Canada Post by the responsible municipal or band council,” said Chartrand. “Canada Post will then work with the council to determine next steps.”
Chartrand later clarified this would then apply to all the community’s addresses.
MCK chief Brant Etienne said Council is still waiting to hear back from the ministry responsible for Canada Post but that they are confident they can have the issue resolved.
“We went straight to the source instead of just shooting blindly out. We’re still waiting to hear back from them but we’re confident we can have that changed,” Etienne said.
“We’re informing them that quite frankly Kanesatake is not a part of the municipality. Due to the Governance Act, it is officially recognized as land set aside for the Mohawks of Kanesatake. This has been ratified by the House of Commons, by the Senate, and by the Crown. As a crown corporation, we feel they are obliged to abide by this designation and to reinstate Kanesatake as a valid designation for delivery.”
MCK chief Serge Otsi Simon echoed the sentiment, saying the band council will pursue the issue if it isn’t fixed.
“If we really need to flex our political muscle, then we will,” he said.
Public Services and Procurement Canada pointed The Eastern Door directly to Canada Post for a response on this issue.
In the meantime, complaints continue to mount.
Kanehsata’kehró:non John Harding also noticed a recent change when trying to make an order on Amazon. Like Nicholas, he chose to cancel it instead.
“It brings memories of pre-1990, when they were trying to erase us from existence. It angered me,” he said, noting it seems Kanesatake is being deleted by the provincial and federal government.
Harding doesn’t trust the MCK to confront the issue, characterizing it as preoccupied with infighting. He is hopeful media attention could help.
“Obviously, something has changed, a change that could have a far greater impact than we can even imagine at this point,” said Harding. “I’d like to get to the bottom of this fundamental change to our existence that happened. Who deleted us? Why did they delete us? How do we resolve this? Obviously we still exist. And finally, how do we ensure this doesn’t happen to us again?”
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
15 Feb 2025 02:24:57
The Eastern Door
Students prepare for Pink Shirt Day
Anti-bullying is always an important message for schools to promote, and at Ratihén:te High School, it’s the students who take the lead come Pink Shirt Day. It’s fitting – no pun intende ...More ...
Anti-bullying is always an important message for schools to promote, and at Ratihén:te High School, it’s the students who take the lead come Pink Shirt Day.
It’s fitting – no pun intended. Taking place the last Wednesday of every February, Pink Shirt Day was created by students in Nova Scotia back in 2007 who were protesting the treatment of a peer who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.
Now local students carry on the tradition of leadership, not just recognizing the day, but designing and making the shirts for the student body as part of their media class, usually selling overflow to community members.
“Every year, it’s basically always student-led,” said teacher Lizane Montreuil, who coordinates student fundraisers for grad celebrations. Credit for overseeing the Pink Shirt Day project goes to media teacher Christine Lefebvre, she noted.
This year’s design was created by student Ehsako:wa Bonspille, featuring a tree and the words Kanehsatake and Skén:nen, Kanien’kéha for peace.
This time, rather than just relying on extras, the students made 40 shirts for the express purpose of selling them to the community. It’s all part of their grad fundraising efforts, Montreuil said.
Rather than in past years, when students raised money to help pay for a prom, this year the class – five boys and one girl – voted to take their celebration in a different direction. They are looking at possibilities like a grad trip – one that could include hunting or fishing, perhaps – or a grad dinner, with the possibility of both, if they raise enough funds.
The class also weren’t interested in running the Indian taco fundraiser, which has been a big hit in past years. Expanding the Pink Shirt Day sales was one way to raise money that better aligned with their interests, Montreuil said.
“They’re a really artistic group, so they really love to design and in their own way showing their art, so it’s a big thing for them.”
The students got a big boost, however, when Kanesatake Health Center (KHC) put in an order for 100 shirts.
“They were super happy that KHC made that order and supported their fundraiser,” said Montreuil.
“All day today they were printing the vinyl and the decal of it, because the shirts haven’t come yet.”
To the KHC, it was an opportunity to step up for local youth by supporting their anti-bullying effort.
“This collaboration not only reinforces our commitment to fostering a safe and respectful community, but also empowers our youth by directly supporting their efforts to create positive change,” said KHC executive director Teiawenhniseráhte Tomlinson.
“By wearing these shirts, KHC staff and community members stand in solidarity against bullying and promote kindness, inclusion, and respect for all.”
The message is one that resonates with the students, said Montreuil. They have sometimes spoken about feeling targeted when leaving the territory for athletic activities.
“Being from an Indigenous culture living on the territory, they have firsthand experience, the impact of what bullying can do,” said Montreuil.
Pink Shirt Day is always well-received by the community, as well, with the extra shirts quickly selling out. This was the case again this year, with the initial run of 40 shirts nearly scooped up at the time of writing.
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
15 Feb 2025 02:19:19
The Eastern Door
Ringette glory for goaltender
Tewehshon Nelson’s English name is Patience, and that’s exactly what paid off for the goaltender and her Benjamin A squad at the Montreal North Ringette Tournament over the weekend. The group h ...More ...
Tewehshon Nelson’s English name is Patience, and that’s exactly what paid off for the goaltender and her Benjamin A squad at the Montreal North Ringette Tournament over the weekend.
The group had notched just two wins alongside 10 losses and two ties heading into the tournament, but that didn’t deter them heading into the tough competition.
“We had a lot to work with at the beginning of the year, and the girls have been slowly progressing,” said Jeffrey Nelson, Tewehshon’s father and the coach of the team, the Blainville Cavaliers.
Jeffrey noted the Benjamin C team he coached last year, with several of the same players, flourished over their season before winning the same tournament with an epic comeback, fuelled by three goals in a minute and a half.
Now the team has put in a repeat performance with another nail-biting finale.
“To be able to do it again, it was just remarkable, just because we were the underdogs,” he said. “I think it makes it a little sweeter.”
The team dropped just one game in the round robin, falling 3-1 to the highly ranked Gatineau Vortex. “They’re very, very tough,” said Nelson.
But the Cavaliers got their chance for revenge in the gold medal match on February 9.
The Cavaliers trailed 1-0 for most of the game after the Vortex scored in the first period, but the team kept fighting.
“It was just a great game, a goaltending battle between the two goalies,” said Nelson.
With just 41 seconds left in the game, the Cavaliers managed to sneak one into the back of the net to tie the game up at one.
“We just kind of demoralized them. They were shocked,” said Jeffrey.
The Vortex managed to get themselves into penalty trouble, heading into overtime with two players in the box. The Cavaliers seized on the opportunity to score a 2-1 victory and take the gold.
“I was very happy and surprised,” said Tewehshon.
“It felt good. I think for everyone else it boosted everything.”
Despite her team’s offensive struggles, Tewehshon has been holding it down in the net, even sparing for the Junior AA team for the past month after that squad’s second goalie got injured.
“It means a lot,” Tewehshon said of the opportunity. “I was thinking I wouldn’t get to higher levels in the first place until my dad showed me that I could.”
Between the two ringette squads and the Ratihén:te High School volleyball team, it’s been busy to say the least. But it’s all been worthwhile – her dad can see the difference the higher-level competition is making for Tewehshon.
“The practices alone are just making her almost unbeatable, it’s crazy,” he said, adding that the Junior AA team is developing her to join next year.
In the meantime, he was thrilled as a coach and a father to see Tewehshon get to experience gold medal success at the Montreal North tournament.
“She was so happy because she’s been the backbone of the team,” he said. “She’s an incredible goaltender. It’s unbelievable what she does every game for the team. And the team has been getting better and better slowly, and everything just kind of came together.
“I know she was ecstatic.”
The Benjamin A Blainville Cavaliers still have a handful of games left in the season, while Provincials are coming up in March before another tournament in April.
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
15 Feb 2025 02:14:28
The Eastern Door
Remembering everyone’s favourite jokester
Joseph Tekaroniake “Dega” Lazare loved the metal band Korn. It was fitting, then, that Lazare chose to go out in style, decked head to toe in Korn merch at his wake, per his own wishes. � ...More ...
Joseph Tekaroniake “Dega” Lazare loved the metal band Korn. It was fitting, then, that Lazare chose to go out in style, decked head to toe in Korn merch at his wake, per his own wishes.
“He had their socks, shoes, the track pants, the shirt, the t-shirt, everything,” said Lazare’s auntie, Sharon Lazare Goodleaf. She said that her nephew, a life-long fan of the band, had told the group he was sick.
“They said, when you’re gone, we want you to be comfortable. So he didn’t wear our traditional outfit or his suit or anything, he wore what the band sent him.”
Described by many as the life of the party and the brightest energy in the room, Lazare passed away at the age of 40 last month after deciding to stop dialysis. He was surrounded by his family and friends when he passed – only a small portion of the countless people in Kahnawake who loved him.
Lazare was known by everyone in Kahnawake as a jokester, a reputation that his cousin, John Dee Delormier, said has been true since he could first walk and talk. “You’re talking extremely funny from a very, very young age, maybe three or four years old and being able to make an entire group of adults laugh,” Delormier said. When Lazare was with his beloved older brother Nicky, the two were known for being a comedy duo.

“It was better than any SNL skit I’ve ever seen,” said Delormier. “The hardest I’ve ever laughed was with Dega and Nicky.” Lazare loved to make people laugh, and most often he liked to do that on the big screen, working on countless movies and TV shows throughout the years, including on his own successful animated show, By the Rapids. It ran on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) from 2008 to 2012, featuring many of his family and friends.
“He was successful, which was incredible, and on top of that, he took us along for the ride,” Deere said. “We always said it as kids, ‘Whoever makes it first brings the rest of us along with them,’ and he stayed true to that pact. Because he wanted to. He didn’t have to.”
From a young age, Lazare had a natural flair for filmmaking and theatre. His best friend, Brady Cross, met him when they were in grade school, and the two attended summer drama camp together.
“He was always the natural scene-stealer, I was just happy I got to pair up and hang out with him throughout the day camp sessions,” Cross said. Lazare got his hands on an old camera from a family member and started filming stunt movies and skits in his backyard, which would be rounded off with a barbeque meal courtesy of Lazare’s mother, Esther Sky.
“Those early days in the backyard were some of my favourite memories,” said Cross, who added that the filmmaking community hopes to hold some kind of event to honour him in the next year, with ideas being floated of setting up an award for young filmmakers.
“I can honestly say I would not have become interested and built my own career in multimedia and videography if not for those early days in Dega’s backyard.”
Dega’s filmmaking landed him in places like Utah for the renowned Sundance Film Festival, and Toronto, but despite his work getting him recognized on an international level, Dega never forgot his roots. His auntie, Robin Sky, said his filmmaking was always about his community.

“He wanted to pour open his heart for a better way to express himself in his love for his family and community,” she said. “I’m so proud of his vulnerability to push the limits. He definitely made an impact, and I’ll miss him dearly.”
His cousin Caira Karihwenháwi Nicholas said she always looked up to Dega immensely, listening as he made up characters and stories to regale the family, captured in countless videos and voice notes he sent them.
“I’m so grateful that he left behind so many videos and recordings for us to treasure,” she said. “Our late grandmother Velma Goodleaf would’ve sung him the song ‘Unforgettable’ by Nat King Cole when he was little and she was alive, and it’s just the perfect way to describe him, truly unforgettable.”
Dega handled every situation with gentleness and respect, said Neil McComber, who worked with him at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) public relations unit.
“He very deeply cared about his community, his family, and the work he was doing, and he was so, so funny, but he didn’t just tell jokes all day,” McComber said.
One memory that stands out was when Dega made a video tribute to the late MCK grand chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton when he died.
“He stayed up all night. He put in all this extra effort to make sure that video was the best it could be,” McComber said. “And it was serious, and it was exceptional.”
Before his death, Dega planned everything, including his funeral, his wake, and his will. He wanted to make things as painless as possible for his family, which Goodleaf said was classically Dega.
“He wanted to protect everybody, so nobody had to worry, we just had to live out his wishes, and we did,” said Goodleaf, who said she’s reassured thinking about Dega being reunited with friends and family in the Sky World. “I’m sure he’s up there bugging them,” she joked. “I hope he’s up there having a damn good time.”
15 Feb 2025 02:05:43
The Eastern Door
Governance project pushes into next phase
The Kahnawake Governance project is continuing to move ahead in its next phase, as organizers seek to draft a document putting forth a collaboratively constructed plan to transition to traditional gov ...More ...
The Kahnawake Governance project is continuing to move ahead in its next phase, as organizers seek to draft a document putting forth a collaboratively constructed plan to transition to traditional governance in the community.
“We’re not just getting people together to throw stories around or share perspectives,” said project lead Gerald Taiaiake Alfred. “We’re actually putting our energies towards the work of developing this proposal.”
Part of the journey of working towards drafting a roadmap to restructuring governance in Kahnawake includes considering past attempts and discussions on the topic.
“From 1992 up until today there’ve been people that have put their minds to this question. We have these documents that are a result of people’s efforts in thinking through this problem in the past, and that includes Longhouse people, people employed by the Council, and individuals in the community who have thought about this,” Alfred said.
“We want to work our way through those ideas and see what makes sense for today, if there’s anything we can learn from them and bring forward and start putting some ideas on paper and circulating that in the community.”
Last June, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) approved the Kahnawake Governance Project’s charter to transition to traditional government, in effect committing to accept the project’s recommendations.
Part of those recommendations included the MCK taking concrete measures to transition towards being an administrative body as opposed to a political entity and the unification of the Longhouses.
“Council has made their declaration that they’re willing to work and follow the direction of the community in terms of getting out of the Indian Act and implementing traditional government, but they can’t do that on their own,” Alfred said. “They have made it clear that they want to follow the direction of the people via the governance project, so that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Ideas from community members will be essential to formulating a plan.
“If there’s anything that can be used to advance us towards this goal of being unified under the Kaianere’kó:wa (Great Law of Peace), they’ll be considered and built into it,” Alfred said.
“If you have a great idea, or if you disagree with somebody, come and express that in a respectful way and hopefully convince us.”
Eventually, the community will be presented with the proposal for returning to traditional governance.
“The community as a whole, through its various forums, will have to accept it or not,” Alfred said. “The Longhouses will go through their process, the elected Council will go through its process. In the end nothing happens without the consensus of the community as it pertains to traditional government.”
Part of the project also includes providing knowledge-sharing opportunities – the first of this year’s events is a presentation from Ahkwesahsró:non Ieieia’taiéri Charlotte Logan, who will be speaking at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, about the history of oral tradition. The talk will take place at the Golden Age Club, and a meal featuring traditional foods will be provided to those who RSVP at [email protected].
15 Feb 2025 01:51:03
The Eastern Door
Freezing for a good cause
To close out this year’s Kahnawake Youth Center (KYC) Winter Carnival, the 28th annual Polar Plunge saw 19 brave souls get dunked into ice cold water, and not just for the entertainment of onlookers ...More ...
To close out this year’s Kahnawake Youth Center (KYC) Winter Carnival, the 28th annual Polar Plunge saw 19 brave souls get dunked into ice cold water, and not just for the entertainment of onlookers and those who tuned into the many Facebook livestreams – although the entertainment was certainly not lacking.
Indeed, each of the plungers had filled out a pledge sheet and collected donations for KYC’s Travel and Exchange program.
“I think it’s a perfect way to end the Winter Carnival, and it was really fun,” said Karlijn Kronenberg, community and family events coordinator for KYC, who co-organized the Carnival with Cheyanne McComber.
Kronenberg’s participation on Friday was not her only time taking the plunge, which took place last Friday.
In 2021, as an intern at KYC, she took the plunge for the first time.
“I was very nervous back then, because I had no idea what to expect, and it was very cold that day. This year, I kind of knew what to do. I was still very nervous because it’s super cold again, and not being from Canada, these types of winters are not what I’m used to,” said Kronenberg, who was born in the Netherlands.
Along with Kronenberg were a half dozen or so other plungers from KYC, who, according to KYC executive director and polar plunge emcee Kyle Zacharie, had started working for the organization in the last year and were plunging as a rite of passage.
“Seeing the people around me doing it for the first time was even more fun,” said Kronenberg. “They asked me how it was, and my opinion about it. I was just like, ‘I don’t want to lie to you, it’s cold, but it feels very rewarding.’”
Rewarding is also what Kronenberg would call her first Winter Carnival as a co-planner. Although it was more work than she’d imagined prior to starting, she said she felt very satisfied with the last two weeks’ proceedings.
“I definitely got to see a lot of different sides of the event, and especially how much preparation goes into it. We start months in advance, and coming out of university, that’s something that I have to get used to,” said Kronenberg. “But that sense of community in Kahnawake, but also especially in the KYC, is so precious, and I’m just so happy to be back.”
As announced by Zacharie prior to the start of the festivities, the participants raised over $9,000 for the program, which will be sending 28 teens and chaperones to Scandinavia – with stops in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Estonia.
The plunger who raised the most money was Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Jeffrey Diabo, who brought in more than $4,600 for the program.
“I started with my own money, because it’s for the kids. I put in $1,000 and then I challenged others to meet it or beat it,” said Diabo.
He said a number of other chiefs did contribute funds: Iohahiio Delisle contributed the most, with a $2,000 donation, and Jeremiah Johnson, David Diabo, and grand chief Cody Diabo also pledged money; Ryan Montour also added a sum collected around the MCK office to the pledge.
“Every bit counts, because it’s for the kids,” said Diabo. “I’m grateful for them for supporting me and for participating in this, because ultimately, the kids are going to benefit.”
Diabo called his first polar plunge an exhilarating experience, although not one he would necessarily like to relive.
“When you go in the water, you get that little bit of a shock, but it was alright. It wasn’t as bad as people thought it was going to be. The more you think about things in a negative way, the worse it is,” said Diabo.
He said that he was quite happy with how much participation there was in the plunge and how much money was raised and hoped that even more kids from the community would be able to participate in programs like KYC’s Travel and Exchange.
“Personally, I would like to see them reach out to some of the less fortunate kids in the town who may not even participate at the youth centre for whatever reason, and give them an opportunity to get outside the community and really see what the world is like, even if it’s just through travel, because it’s a good experience,” said Diabo.
“I myself lived and/or worked in 13 different states over the course of about 12 or 14 years. I got to see a lot. I got to experience a lot. It gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation when I came home. I think that’s very important.”
15 Feb 2025 01:45:34
The Eastern Door
Local joins in on Northvolt lawsuit
A community member has joined in denouncing the expected construction of an electric car battery plant before Quebec Superior Court – the first ever to do so since the Mohawk Could of Kahnawake ...More ...
A community member has joined in denouncing the expected construction of an electric car battery plant before Quebec Superior Court – the first ever to do so since the Mohawk Could of Kahnawake (MCK) launched its lawsuit against Northvolt, the Swedish company involved, over a year ago.
“That’s our traditional territory,” said Eric “Dirt” McComber, who spoke to The Eastern Door as he fried up perch in his tent at the greenspace at the foot of the Mercier Bridge. “The Richelieu River, it goes into the St. Lawrence. Even though that’s on the eastern end of our territory, that’s still our traditional territories.”
Wetlands and woods have already been cleared at the site of the future battery plant that’ll rely on water from the river.
It’ll be located between Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville, but when it’ll be in operation still remains uncertain. A decline in the demand for electric car batteries, especially since the election of Donald Trump, coupled with its parent company filing for bankruptcy protection last year, has led some to doubt it’ll come to fruition. Quebec ministers have assured it will.
The lawsuit filed by the MCK in January of last year also targets the federal and provincial governments. Both failed in their duty to consult the community over the project, the band council is alleging. Each level of government has since maintained otherwise in their defenses to the court.
McComber has fished on the St. Lawrence for the last five decades, and so he’s seen just how much it’s changed over the years.
The period of time it’s frozen each winter declines each year. Cormorants that can eat twice their bodyweight in fish each day are a common sight now. There are more invasive species like zebra mussels. Local plant life is no longer as healthy as it was when he was a boy.
The “Big River” has the capacity to heal itself in spite of all the industrialization that’s disrupted it over the decades, McComber said. The Richelieu’s ecosystem, meanwhile, is fragile.
The eventual factory will pump millions of litres of water each day from the river, while also discharging recycled water back into it. That’ll change the temperature of the river, McComber emphasized in his sworn statement to the court, creating a domino effect on all the plants and animals there, some of which may not survive.
“There’s going to be environmental events happening immediately,” McComber told The Eastern Door. “They’re going to do this project – the project is going to affect the whole system.”
Quebec’s defense largely revolves around its assertion that the Kanien’kehá:ka hold no title to the land where the factory will be built.
It also rationalized its environmental ministry’s decision to authorize the destruction of wetlands there over the band council’s failure to prove its community members practice protected “ancestral activities” there, such as hunting and fishing. Its failure to meaningfully consult the MCK before that authorization is what prompted it to launch its lawsuit.
McComber said it doesn’t make any difference how often Kahnawa’kehró:non go out to fish on the Richelieu River, because they have the right to if they want.
“That land is our inherent traditional land for hunting, trapping and gathering,” he said.
McComber hasn’t fished there in recent years, but his brother still does often, at the mouth of the river.
“I’m not in Russia. I go anywhere I want, anytime I want,” he said. “Nobody fishes it. How do they know? They don’t know nothing, the government.”
Though the band council had long held off on communicating with Quebec’s environmental ministry over the project, it’s since decided to agree to consultations. Preliminary discussions over how those consultations should proceed began earlier this fall.
Court proceedings are still ongoing, with the most recent happening on January 20. The Eastern Door is still waiting to learn when the next one will be scheduled.
Ross Montour, the Council chief that’s taken the lead on overseeing the lawsuit, declined to share comments for this article.
15 Feb 2025 01:40:14
The Eastern Door
Budding scientists show off their work
Kahnawake Survival School (KSS)’s gymnasium was host to something a little different than an Akweks’ home game on the evening of February 5, as the Kahnawake Education Center (KEC) had its combine ...More ...
Kahnawake Survival School (KSS)’s gymnasium was host to something a little different than an Akweks’ home game on the evening of February 5, as the Kahnawake Education Center (KEC) had its combined schools science fair there.
One hundred eighty-one students from Kateri School, Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa, and KSS displayed their projects for their classmates, teachers, and families to see. Six winners – two per school – were chosen among them to represent their school and bring their winning projects to the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair from March 18-20 in the communities of Whapmagoostui and Kuujjuarapik in Nunavik.
One of the winners was Kahnawiiostha Whyte-Turner, in grade six at Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa.
Her project was a water cleanliness and filtration project, which looked to compare water from rivers in Kahnawake, Chateauguay, and Lachine, and then built her own filter to try to filter it more.
“When she first asked to test the water, I was excited for her. Water has always been a huge part of who she is, both in what she loves but also symbolically,” said Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte, Kahnawiiostha’s mother. Kahnawiiostha means “she makes the rapids beautiful” in Kanien’kéha.
“I think I’ll forever remember her jumping up and down when the pH level changed for each river water sample after she ran it through her filter. She made the connection that human beings have the power to pollute the water or clean it. She ended her project with the phrase ‘climate change is in our hands,’” said Megan.
Kahnawiiostha said her filtration system, while using a lot of items that are easy to find around her, mirrors how filtration naturally occurs.
“The filter was made of a plastic bottle and a jar, and the contents were rocks, charcoal and cotton to represent the natural filtration system,” said Kahnawiiostha. “I was testing pH levels, and I learned that safe drinking water is between 6.5-8.5 pH. The water runs through the filter and all the elements and it helps drain out the impurities of the water. Each river sample became cleaner,” said Kahnawiiostha.
“It is our job as Onkwehón:we to project the earth, the water and its gifts.”
Kahnawiiostha said she did not expect to win, thinking she would finish at best third, and is very excited to go up north in March.
“I am very excited and nervous. I’d like to travel to this new place and meet other kids, and I am hoping I’ll get to see the Northern Lights,” said Kahnawiiostha.
“I’m so proud of her, not just because she put in so much effort into this project and didn’t give up, but because she really wanted to make a difference and understand something she cares a lot about. That’s inner fire!” said her mother.
Another winner was Kaylani Delormier, in grade eight at KSS. Her project was to use candles to heat up terracotta pots, to use as a way to keep heat for a period of time in a part of a room without necessarily using electricity.
She said that her grandfather Alan Beauvais was the one who gave her the idea, when she was having trouble finding a project to do.
“We went on the TV and we just started watching videos about it and said ‘yeah, let’s do it,’” said Delormier.
She was happy to win, after having won two years ago for a project that involved regrowing kitchen scraps instead of throwing them away.
At first, she did not realize she had actually won: she did not believe the teacher that had told her, until one week after the fair when it was announced in class that she had.
The other winners of the KEC science fair were Willow Jackson in Kateri School’s grade five for “How does your body react to music,” Iakothwatsiriio Stacey in Kateri School’s grade six for “Wild Blueberries,” Shakotharani Phillips in Karonhianónhnha Tsi Ionterihwaienstáhkhwa’s grade five for “Your Imagination,” and Kanien’kwentha McComber in KSS grade 10 for “Living Lights (Bioluminescence).”
15 Feb 2025 01:35:46
The Eastern Door
Deer for one, deer for all
Thousands of pounds of deer meat went out to community members last week, following a recent cull in the province. Culls to deal with overpopulation are common – but up until now, Kahnawa� ...More ...
Thousands of pounds of deer meat went out to community members last week, following a recent cull in the province. Culls to deal with overpopulation are common – but up until now, Kahnawa’kehró:non haven’t been able to benefit from them.
“We valued it at something around $27,000 that was delivered,” said Council chief David Diabo, who oversaw the agreement struck recently between the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) and wildlife officials that made the donation possible.
The cull began in the fall and ran into this winter, and was carried out in regions like Mount Bruno, Boucherville, and Longueuil, he said. No community members were involved in the hunting.
The shipment included over 4,500 pounds of the meat that were vacuum sealed and frozen.
Various cuts went out to community members through the Kateri Food Basket and the free food program run by Bobby Patton last Thursday, February 6.
“The amount that we received was just incredible,” said Patton, who operates the All Nations Gathering Place, also known as the Mohawk-Cree teepee project. “It’s gone out and helped so many people, so many people are just grateful.”
The Kateri Food Basket got over 1,000 pounds of the game.
“It was all gone that same day, in six hours actually,” said Cory Rice, the director there.
Luckily there’s still some left at the All Nations Gathering Place. They got a larger chunk of the order, said Ashley Ross, who volunteers there – just because they have more storage space.
“We’ve never got a shipment of meat that’s been this large, this is the first time that this has happened,” she said.
The remainder of the meat will likely be integrated into the pre-cooked meals they serve each Friday. Whether it’ll be included in the meal this Friday (today) is still up in the air. It’s their chef that calls the shots, she said.
“There’s just so much that you can do with it,” Ross said.
She took home some of the steak and ground meat herself, which she’ll probably be using to fry up some burgers.
Rice, meanwhile, cooked up some chilli that he ate alongside his wife. With grated cheese on top, of course.
It’s not just ground meat and steaks that were distributed. Antlers, used to make kahstó:was and regalia, were also donated to the two main Longhouses in town, Diabo said. Hides currently being held in Magog will also come through the community at a later date, he said.
Some will be set aside for the cultural centre and Longhouses, with the remainder set to go out to community members.
15 Feb 2025 01:29:39
The Eastern Door
Two Rivers wins by technical knockout
TNT boxing’s third event – the second at the Action boxing club in Mercier – was another resounding success for the promotion formed by the partnership between FightQuest’s Peter Thoma ...More ...
TNT boxing’s third event – the second at the Action boxing club in Mercier – was another resounding success for the promotion formed by the partnership between FightQuest’s Peter Thomas and Joey Two Rivers.
“It was sold out, all action-packed fights, and the crowd loved it,” said Two Rivers of last Saturday’s card, which had a dozen amateur fights.
Of that dozen was Joey’s nephew, Slade Two Rivers, who, at 15 years old, was already in his fourth amateur fight.
Slade, who trains with Action boxing club and represented them on the card, took on Derek Lapierre from Boxe Matthew Carrier Inc.
In the first round, after an exchange of blows, Slade came out on top, with Lapierre losing the fight by technical knockout – essentially the referee stopping the fight due to the inability of one fighter to keep going, in the official’s mind.
“To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect,” said Slade of his mindset going into the fight. “All my opponents so far all had the same build, so I was expecting something like that, but he was completely different.”
Slade said Lapierre was very aggressive, and that they, more or less, made an unspoken agreement to start brawling and see who was left standing.
The only way to determine how hard your opponent will punch is to get punched, according to Slade, but once the first blow was felt, he knew he would have the upper hand in a brawl.
“Once I felt his punches, I knew I got him. He didn’t punch too hard. I knew I had the power advantage. When I’m training, I like to train on my power a lot to exchange punches that are a lot harder than my opponents,” said Slade.
“And I won. I won the exchanges that led to the TKO.”
Slade said he felt great about winning, especially by stoppage instead of by points, but he still felt he could improve some elements of his technique before the next time he climbs in the ring.
“Next fight, I can be a lot more technical, I can do a whole lot better than that, and be a lot cleaner,” said Slade. “I’ll train my feints and my head movements, and my footwork. I train those a lot, especially the feint, but during the fight I really did not feint that much.”
The win brings Slade’s record to 3-1. After losing his first-ever fight, he has now won three straight contests and has won his last two fights by referee stoppage.
The other boxer from Kahnawake, Kael King, went the distance against Jonathan Robert from Boxe Matthew Carrier Inc. but lost his fight by majority decision. His record is now 1-1.
Slade said his next time in the ring for a fight will most likely be for the next TNT show in May at the Knights of Columbus.
15 Feb 2025 01:24:53
The Eastern Door
Billings Blazers catch cash touchdown
When Angela Mason sent in the application for Howard S. Billings High School to the NFL’s Forward Pass program, she never imagined they would actually win. “I was scrolling on Facebook, and I h ...More ...
When Angela Mason sent in the application for Howard S. Billings High School to the NFL’s Forward Pass program, she never imagined they would actually win.
“I was scrolling on Facebook, and I happened to fall on it. It was right at the beginning of the football season, so it caught my eye,” said Mason, who is the manager of the Juvenile and Cadet Blazers football teams.
On a whim, she decided to enter the program for a chance to win $25,000. She described how the Blazers helped assemble a community to help her and the program out.
“Every time we had home games, I needed a whole crew of parents and citizens to help me set up the field, put up gates, sell the sweaters and all the game gear, and everyone stepped up,” said Mason. “It was unbelievable how the parents stepped up. It was touching how I had so much help from everyone. So, I thought it was nice, and it fit what they were looking for. The football games brought everyone together.”
Months later, she started receiving calls from a number she did not recognize.
“When I don’t recognize the phone number, I don’t answer. Plus, I never in a million years thought we’d be chosen,” said Mason.
“So they contacted the school directly, and then the principal of the school called me to ask me if it was a scam because nobody really knew that I sent it in,” said Mason.
The official announcement that the Blazers – along with the Peel Panthers in Ontario and the North Winnipeg Nomads Football Club – had been chosen was broadcast on Sunday’s Super Bowl broadcast on Canadian television. Prior to the broadcast, Billings put out a post telling parents to watch the broadcast for the special announcement. Many Facebook posts from excited parents showing screen recordings followed the announcement on TV.
“It was quick, but it was still something nice,” said Mason.
The NFL said of its Forward Pass program that it “helps empower more families to engage in a sport that inspires character, leadership, resilience, and teamwork – values that extend far beyond the field. This initiative is dedicated to elevating the football experience in local communities, increasing youth participation, and shining light on the football programs that make a difference.”
Along with $25,000, the NFL will also be coming to Howard S. Billings in the summer for a tailgate party.
Charlie Ghorayeb, technical director of the Blazers football program, said that while what the money will be used for has not been finalized, they would like to use if for something that will last a long time.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars is a sizable amount of money. So, you can do something pretty cool with that,” said Ghorayeb. “One thing that we all agreed on is that we don’t want to use it just for operations. We want something that’s going to be a capital expenditure and that is going to be there for 20 years or more.”
As part of the general growth of the Blazers’ program, they will also be adding a Cadet team this year to help develop athletes in-house for the Juvenile team.
“The Cadet team allows us to instil football in the school from grade eight onwards to grade 11,” said Ghorayeb.
Being able to recruit kids at a younger age – especially on the lines – will help the on-field results as well, according to Ghorayeb. He also said he saw the program as a continuation of the development many players go through with the Chateauguay Raiders in younger age groups, with almost half the players in the program going through the Raiders before playing for the Blazers.
Indeed, one factor for the Blazers’ strong recruitment has been, according to Ghorayeb, that it is the school itself that runs football and not the Raiders.
“Civil football practices start at 6:30 p.m. and they go on until 8 p.m. or later and a lot of parents either don’t have the time to go or don’t want their kids out that late,” said Ghorayeb. “Here, they come in, they do their football practice, they are home by 6 p.m.”
Ghorayeb will also be meeting with Kahnawake Survival School (KSS) in the coming weeks to discuss the logistics of having kids from KSS play for the Blazers.
“I wanted to inform them that the kids from KSS are, in fact, eligible to play at Billings, because that’s not obvious,” said Ghorayeb.
He said that Billings had a strong tradition of fielding athletes from Kahnawake on its teams, and that he is hoping this will continue with football.
“We’ll be welcoming them with open arms. However many come, whether it’s one or 10, we’ll be happy to have them,” said Ghorayeb.
15 Feb 2025 01:15:46
The Eastern Door
Team Eastern Door and the North select rosters
With the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) in Kamloops, British Columbia, only a few months away, Team Eastern Door and the North (EDN) have now publicized their teams. Team EDN held t ...More ...
With the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) in Kamloops, British Columbia, only a few months away, Team Eastern Door and the North (EDN) have now publicized their teams.
Team EDN held their final selection camps at the Kahnawake Sports Complex at the end of January. Players who made the teams were made aware prior to this week’s publication.
Seven players from Kahnawake will represent Team EDN in Kamloops in May – four boys and three girls. On the boys’ team, goaltender Pryor Stacey will be joined by Ioteseronties Marcus Diabo, Camden Jackson, and Rohsennakehte Lahache.
For the girls, they too will have a Kahnawa’kehró:non goaltender, as Hayse Horne made the team. She will be joined by last year’s captain Ryan Stacey and Waheshon Curotte.
Ross Leclaire, who coaches the girls’ team, said that while he does not have any specific expectations for the tournament, he feels as though this year’s team is one of an especially strong calibre.
“It’s difficult to say at exactly what level we’re at right now. Competitiveness will always be one of our biggest challenges, since we are pulling together a team on short notice and trying to get them to play as a team, but it’s definitely a higher calibre than it has been over the past few years,” said Leclaire.
The teams will hold a pre-tournament practice, after the regular season of the various leagues they have pulled players from will be finished to try and build chemistry and get them prepared for Kamloops.
Leclaire said that the girls’ team is very young, especially when compared to the other teams in the tournament.
Kwaronienhawi Jacobs, who manages the girls’ EDN team, said that the reason for that is to try and create continuity on the team, with players coming back year after year to create a core – something she saw for herself when she was a player for the team from 2003 to 2008.
“That’s how it was like when I was playing. We had a core group of girls who played together for a very long time, and they moved up further and further in three years and losing one or two here and there, but still gaining another one that has just as much talent, and continuing to create a team,” said Jacobs.
“We want to create a team that’s young and we can move together for the next few years. You’re going to see them grow each year and get better and better.”
Jacobs said that for the returning players, they can already see that growth since last year.
Team EDN is mostly made up of U15 players, and with this being a U18 tournament, it can be intimidating for newer players, according to Jacobs.
“But at the same time, it shows them what they’re capable of, and it makes them strive for next year, to come back even better,” she said.
Another factor for the calibre of the team according to Jacobs is having the tryouts be in Kahnawake, as well as a growth in popularity of women’s hockey in the last few years. She said that compared to prior years, the tryouts had a lot more players this time around.
“I think it’s nice to see that girls are more interested in playing again, because while it was not necessarily going down, it had not really been growing for a while,” said Jacobs.
The full rosters are available on EDN’s website at pen-edn.com.
15 Feb 2025 01:10:22
CBC Montréal
Police say death of couple in their 70s in Boucherville, Que., likely murder-suicide
Police were called to a residence Thursday to perform a wellness check. Instead, they found the bodies of a 73-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman. ...More ...

Police were called to a residence Thursday to perform a wellness check. Instead, they found the bodies of a 73-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman.
14 Feb 2025 23:37:29
CBC Montréal
Quebec City police arrest 3 after 62-year-old man fatally shot
Police received a 911 call around 2:25 p.m. about a man who was shot on des Chutes Boulevard in Quebec City's Beauport borough. Three suspects were arrested after police intercepted a suspicious vehic ...More ...

Police received a 911 call around 2:25 p.m. about a man who was shot on des Chutes Boulevard in Quebec City's Beauport borough. Three suspects were arrested after police intercepted a suspicious vehicle on a highway.
14 Feb 2025 23:16:19
CBC Montréal
Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selänne gives Montreal kids a crash course on NHL ice
Kids from the city’s Sun Youth program tested out their hockey skills on the ice of Montreal’s Bell Centre alongside a Finnish hockey legend. ...More ...

Kids from the city’s Sun Youth program tested out their hockey skills on the ice of Montreal’s Bell Centre alongside a Finnish hockey legend.
14 Feb 2025 22:17:22
CBC Montréal
Why are national anthems sung before sporting events — and should they be?
With Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem at sporting events amid political tensions, is it time to re-evaluate the time-honoured North American tradition? ...More ...

With Canadian fans booing the U.S. national anthem at sporting events amid political tensions, is it time to re-evaluate the time-honoured North American tradition?
14 Feb 2025 21:59:19
Cult Mtl
The most popular romance movies streaming in Canada this Valentine’s Day
Streaming guide JustWatch has revealed the most popular romance movies streaming in Canada this Valentine’s Day. Topping the charts is The Holiday — starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Ju ...More ...
Streaming guide JustWatch has revealed the most popular romance movies streaming in Canada this Valentine’s Day. Topping the charts is The Holiday — starring Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black — which is streaming now in Canada via CTV.
“Two women, one from the United States and one from the United Kingdom, swap homes at Christmas time after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.”
In second and third place are Call Me by Your Name (CBC Gem) and Anyone but You (Crave).

According to JustWatch, Prime Video and Netflix are the streaming services with the best selection of romance movies.

For previous updates on the most popular movies and TV shows streaming in Canada right now, please click here.
For our latest in film and TV, please visit our Film & TV section.
The post The most popular romance movies streaming in Canada this Valentine’s Day appeared first on Cult MTL.
14 Feb 2025 21:37:26
Cult Mtl
Immersive dance experience NIEBO HOTEL transforms a room at le Germain into a stage
NIEBO HOTEL is an immersive dance experience that will transform le Germain Hotel Montréal into a living stage. A collaboration between Ballets Jazz Montréal, CAPAS, Danse Danse, la Parenthèse a ...More ...
NIEBO HOTEL is an immersive dance experience that will transform le Germain Hotel Montréal into a living stage.
A collaboration between Ballets Jazz Montréal, CAPAS, Danse Danse, la Parenthèse and le Germain, this unique performance, choreographed by Christophe Garcia, invites audiences into intimate hotel rooms where dance, music and visuals bring human connections to life.
For an hour, spectators will follow a personalized journey, becoming both witnesses and participants in this poetic exploration of memory and emotion. Blending art and hospitality, NIEBO HOTEL offers an encounter with contemporary dance in an evocative, close-up setting.
Performances of NIEBO HOTEL take place at le Germain Hotel Montréal (2050 Mansfield) from Feb. 18 to March 1
For more on Montreal arts, please visit the Arts & Life section.
The post Immersive dance experience NIEBO HOTEL transforms a room at le Germain into a stage appeared first on Cult MTL.
14 Feb 2025 20:43:46
Cult Mtl
Jean-Marc Vallée: Mixtape highlights the beloved Quebec filmmaker’s exceptional soundtracks
Jean-Marc Vallée: Mixtape is a multimedia and sound-driven exhibition immerses visitors in the creative world of the late, acclaimed Quebec director, where music was the heartbeat of his storytelling ...More ...
Jean-Marc Vallée: Mixtape is a multimedia and sound-driven exhibition immerses visitors in the creative world of the late, acclaimed Quebec director, where music was the heartbeat of his storytelling. Drawing on testimonies from collaborators and loved ones, the PHI Centre exhibition explores Vallée’s deep connection to music as both inspiration and creative process. Through five immersive installations and a rich sound environment, Mixtape highlights key moments in his career while offering an intimate journey into the mind of a filmmaker who translated emotion into cinema through the power of music. Free entry, reservation required.
Jean-Marc Vallée: Mixtape is on at PHI Centre (407 St-Pierre) through May 4
For more on Montreal arts, please visit the Arts & Life section.
The post Jean-Marc Vallée: Mixtape highlights the beloved Quebec filmmaker’s exceptional soundtracks appeared first on Cult MTL.
14 Feb 2025 20:17:20
Global Montréal
Environment Canada forecasts another 15 to 30 cm of snow for Quebec this weekend
Officials warn that this new snow will add to the snowfall amounts received this week, causing significant weight on roofs.
14 Feb 2025 19:49:32
Cult Mtl
Captain America: Brave New World and the fall of the Marvel empire
Over a decade into Marvel’s reign, the rot they’ve unleashed on our culture has never been clearer. The films are stupid and, increasingly, poorly made. Storytelling has long taken a backseat to e ...More ...
Over a decade into Marvel’s reign, the rot they’ve unleashed on our culture has never been clearer. The films are stupid and, increasingly, poorly made. Storytelling has long taken a backseat to easter eggs and marketing opportunities. The films have become increasingly convoluted and fragmented, the effects cheaper and cheaper. Even the propaganda feels desperate and unconvincing. What once was (albeit debatably) a good thing was ruined by the same greed and artlessness that has helped contribute to the fall of the American Empire as well.

Captain America: Brave New World continues the mad descent of a once successful franchise. Sam Wilson is now Captain America (Anthony Mackie) and he finds himself pulled into the inner-circle of the newly elected American president, Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford). The optimism of a new presidential term collapses, however, after a violent event spurs distrust in the new regime but contributes to a collapse in international relations that thrusts the world on the brink of war. Captain America not only has to save America, but also a close friend who has been unfairly implicated in the incident.

Like many late-era Marvel films, Captain America: Brave New World feels fragmented. While pretty much par for the course in terms of Disney’s over-produced and data-driven blockbusters, this one has an especially gruesome restructuring. The film introduces Ruth Bat-seraph, played by Israeli actress Shira Haas, a character intended to be the Israeli superhero Sabra. For dishonourable reasons tied to their bottom line rather than their conscience, it’s clear that Disney had cold feet given the ongoing genocide and spotlight on Israeli war crimes, and did their best to diminish the character. The film feels edited around diminishing mentions of Israel as much as possible and, as a result, downplaying the influence of a character who was clearly instrumental to the plot. She’s still very much present, particularly in the second half, but as an ineffectual prop in a plotless spectacle. Even so, the movie treads that oh-so-diplomatic line of diminishing without criticizing, lest anyone assume Captain America: Brave New World has taken the moral high ground.

Once upon a time, it felt not only accurate to point out that Marvel films are intended for children, but necessary. The fandom that swirled around the movies attempted to elevate these corporate products as high art akin to modern myth-making. Now, pointing out that these films are intended for children should send a chill down your spine: these movies are insidious, pacifying tools that offer little substance and do little more than uphold the American military. Far from a new development, this goes back all the way to Iron Man in 2008, but it seems especially urgent to emphasize that these movies represent a negative contribution to art, culture and human life.

The fact that the film tries — and fails — to deal with the complexity of race relations in the United States only adds insult to injury. As the movie grapples with what a Black Captain America “means,” it does so with only feigned subversion, embracing many false tenets of a post-racial society while vaguely alluding to the difficulties that Black Americans face. As this film seems set up to fail critically and at the box office, it also seems ripe in our newly post-woke culture that the blame will inevitably fall on the POC leads rather than the greedy, anti-art executives.
As Palestinian arts organizations ask for a boycott of this film and Disney, it should be a moment of reflection for fans who are still willing to dish out money to see Captain America: Brave New World. Where does your loyalty lie? With plastic propaganda or with the people? ■
Captain America: Brave New World opens in Montreal theatres on Friday, Feb. 14.
For our latest in film and TV, please visit our Film & TV section.
The post Captain America: Brave New World and the fall of the Marvel empire appeared first on Cult MTL.
14 Feb 2025 18:32:18
Global Montréal
Several hurt after bus carrying swimmers collides with heavy truck in Quebec
Quebec provincial police say they were called to the crash on Thursday afternoon as a winter storm brought heavy snow across the province.
14 Feb 2025 18:10:50
CBC Montréal
Montreal races to clear snow off main arteries as another snowstorm looms
One day after a persistent winter storm dumped over 30 centimetres of snow on Montreal, the city is racing to clear some streets before another one arrives. ...More ...

One day after a persistent winter storm dumped over 30 centimetres of snow on Montreal, the city is racing to clear some streets before another one arrives.
14 Feb 2025 17:27:42
CBC Montréal
Heather O'Neill and daughter Arizona team up to make the Montreal Metro feel magical — read an excerpt now
Montreal author and Canada Reads champion Heather O'Neill is back with a new book, illustrated by her daughter Arizona O'Neill! The serialized novel Valentine in Montreal will be released on July 15, ...More ...

Montreal author and Canada Reads champion Heather O'Neill is back with a new book, illustrated by her daughter Arizona O'Neill! The serialized novel Valentine in Montreal will be released on July 15, 2025.
14 Feb 2025 16:04:54
CBC Montréal
New plan for Montreal's Bedford Elementary School after report of teachers' toxic behaviour
The plan includes making legislative changes that would increase oversight of the province's teachers and ensure the province's schools are secular. ...More ...

The plan includes making legislative changes that would increase oversight of the province's teachers and ensure the province's schools are secular.
14 Feb 2025 15:02:54
CBC Montréal
Fans in Montreal boo U.S. anthem ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off game
Fans in Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem prior to the Americans’ first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland. Forward Matthew Tkachuk had a simple reaction. "I didn’t like it, and ...More ...

Fans in Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem prior to the Americans’ first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Finland. Forward Matthew Tkachuk had a simple reaction. "I didn’t like it, and that’s all I got," Tkachuk said.
14 Feb 2025 12:11:20
Global Montréal
Canadian man sells both Teslas, cancels Cybertruck order to boycott Elon Musk
AlainRoy says he 'absolutely loves' his two Tesla cars and all the tech features they offer, but the Quebec resident says he can't stand driving them anymore.
14 Feb 2025 10:00:25
CBC Montréal
Here’s why it’s getting harder and harder to find a job in Quebec
The number of job vacancies in Quebec has hit a seven-year-low. ...More ...

The number of job vacancies in Quebec has hit a seven-year-low.
14 Feb 2025 09:00:00
CBC Montréal
How Montrealers fared after more than 30 cm of snow walloped the city
The storm caused school closures, tough driving conditions and flight cancellations across southern Quebec. It’s the biggest storm of the season, but more snow is expected in the coming days. ...More ...

The storm caused school closures, tough driving conditions and flight cancellations across southern Quebec. It’s the biggest storm of the season, but more snow is expected in the coming days.
13 Feb 2025 23:36:26
CBC Montréal
Multiple injuries after passenger bus collides with heavy truck in Mont-Laurier, Que.
The extent of the victims' injuries is not yet known, according to a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), who said police are still investigating. ...More ...

The extent of the victims' injuries is not yet known, according to a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), who said police are still investigating.
13 Feb 2025 23:21:05
CBC Montréal
Police investigating suspicious death of couple in their 70s in Boucherville, Que.
The couple was identified as Michel Gosselin, 73, and Ginette Gosselin, 71, Radio-Canada learned. Their bodies were found in a home on Champagne Street in Boucherville, Que. ...More ...

The couple was identified as Michel Gosselin, 73, and Ginette Gosselin, 71, Radio-Canada learned. Their bodies were found in a home on Champagne Street in Boucherville, Que.
13 Feb 2025 22:10:11
Sherbrooke Record
Quebec Street residents push for better snow clearing in Sherbrooke
By William Crooks Local Journalism Initiative Sherbrooke resident Karl Davey has spent weeks advocating for better snow removal on Quebec Street, arguing that the city’s policy of clearing only ...More ...
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Sherbrooke resident Karl Davey has spent weeks advocating for better snow removal on Quebec Street, arguing that the city’s policy of clearing only one sidewalk creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians. Davey, who has lived in the area for over 50 years, says the decision ignores the steep incline of the street and the challenges it presents in winter.
According to a 2011 municipal policy that was made permanent in 2013, the city clears both sidewalks only on high-traffic streets. On local streets with fewer than 500 vehicles per day, only one sidewalk is maintained. The city reaffirmed this policy in a statement provided to The Record on Feb. 13, stating that the decision was made by council and not subject to administrative changes.
Davey said his concerns stem from the specific geography of Quebec Street. “The city forgot that this is one of the steepest streets in Sherbrooke,” he said. “When you add snow and ice, it becomes a serious hazard.” He highlighted that seniors, parents with young children, and residents with mobility issues are particularly affected.
On Jan. 20, Davey formally requested snow removal on both sidewalks. The city responded that the request had been closed and that an “the team will complete the work soon.” However, subsequent follow-ups left Davey frustrated. “They told me it was approved, then two days later, I was told it wasn’t happening,” he said.
District councillor Raïs Kibonge, who was on parental leave at the time, later acknowledged the request and forwarded it to the borough office. “There’s so much red tape,” Davey said. “Nobody wants to take responsibility.”
A passage from the city’s winter maintenance policy, which Davey has reviewed extensively, outlines that service levels are based on safety and circulation efficiency. However, he argues the implementation on Quebec Street contradicts these goals. “This policy says safety is a priority, but it’s not being applied fairly here,” he said.
Davey’s efforts have garnered attention beyond city hall. “I’ve spoken to two radio stations, and it’s picking up traction,” he said. “This isn’t just about me—it’s about my neighbours, the elderly, and families who are forced to walk in the street.”
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L’article Quebec Street residents push for better snow clearing in Sherbrooke est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.
13 Feb 2025 21:59:50
Sherbrooke Record
Tillotson Fund continues to support local organizations
Spring application deadline approaches By William Crooks Local Journalism Initiative The Tillotson Regional Coaticook Foundation (TCRF) is once again accepting applications for its semi-annual grant p ...More ...
Spring application deadline approaches
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Tillotson Regional Coaticook Foundation (TCRF) is once again accepting applications for its semi-annual grant program, with the deadline set for March 12, 2025. The fund, which has been supporting community initiatives since 2012, distributes financial aid twice a year to organizations across the region.
With its roots in Coaticook, the fund was established through a $3 million investment from the estate of Neil Tillotson, an American businessman with strong ties to the area. Since its inception, the TCRF has contributed nearly $2.5 million to local causes, reinforcing Tillotson’s guiding philosophy: “Be humble, be creative, and be kind.”
In its funding round last spring, the TCRF awarded more than $125,000 across 36 grants to various organizations, supporting projects that improve quality of life, education, and access to essential services.
Impact on local organizations
Organizations across the region have consistently expressed gratitude for the foundation’s contributions. Bridget Suitor, director of Lennoxville Community Aid, emphasized in a recent conversation the fund’s reliability in supporting their essential services. “We have been very fortunate to receive Tillotson funds for many years now. It’s always very, very helpful,” she said.
One of the previous grants helped offset rising costs for Meals on Wheels containers, keeping meal prices stable for seniors in need. Another funded new equipment for their pedicure service, which assists elderly residents who have difficulty caring for their own feet. “It allowed us to get new equipment that provides better disinfection of our tools, ultimately giving a better service to our seniors,” Suitor added.
Camp Massawippi, a specialized camp for children with disabilities, has also benefited from the fund. Director Karl Boulé described how a previous grant helped them purchase special chairs that allow children to safely enter and exit the water, especially after flooding affected their docks. “The timing was perfect,” Boulé said Feb. 13 over the phone. “Without those chairs, some of the kids would not have been able to participate in water activities. Tillotson has been extremely good to us.”
The camp also received funding for a golf cart to help transport medical staff around the site. “We skipped applying once to let other organizations benefit, but we will definitely be applying again. The needs at camp never stop,” Boulé said.
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L’article Tillotson Fund continues to support local organizations est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.
13 Feb 2025 21:24:08
Global Montréal
Couple in 70s found dead in Montreal suburb, police call case suspicious
Police found the bodies of a 73-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman when they visited the address to perform a wellness check.
13 Feb 2025 19:52:37
CBC Montréal
Will Quebecers still buy electric cars if they have to pay full price?
The federal rebate program for electric vehicles has ended early and the Quebec program is on pause until April, before being phased out in 2027. In this episode of This is Montreal, we explore what t ...More ...

The federal rebate program for electric vehicles has ended early and the Quebec program is on pause until April, before being phased out in 2027. In this episode of This is Montreal, we explore what this means for car buyers.
13 Feb 2025 19:45:33
Cult Mtl
To Build Law is a film about a push for systemic change in the construction industry
To Build Law is a documentary by Francesco Garutti and director Joshua Frank that follows bplus.xyz (b+) and station.plus (s+) as they launch HouseEurope!, a policy lab advocating for systemic change ...More ...
To Build Law is a documentary by Francesco Garutti and director Joshua Frank that follows bplus.xyz (b+) and station.plus (s+) as they launch HouseEurope!, a policy lab advocating for systemic change in the construction industry.
With the sector responsible for 38% of global carbon emissions and driven by profit-focused redevelopment, the film captures efforts to shift cultural and legal norms by promoting renovation over demolition.
As part of Groundwork, a three-part film and exhibition series at the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA), To Build Law documents architecture as an open, collaborative process — where legislation, storytelling and activism converge to reshape the built environment.
To Build Law is on at the Canadian Centre for Architecture (1920 Baile) through May 25
For our latest in film and TV, please visit our Film & TV section.
The post To Build Law is a film about a push for systemic change in the construction industry appeared first on Cult MTL.
13 Feb 2025 19:40:04
CBC Montréal
Facing rising costs, Montreal music venues get a financial boost from city
Montreal’s small concert venues and theatres will be getting financial assistance from the city to help them stay afloat. Venues with fewer than 1,000 seats will be eligible. ...More ...

Montreal’s small concert venues and theatres will be getting financial assistance from the city to help them stay afloat. Venues with fewer than 1,000 seats will be eligible.
13 Feb 2025 19:06:33
CBC Montréal
North and west REM branches to begin carrying passengers in October
The company overseeing the construction of the REM said trains will begin running between Deux-Montagnes, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and downtown Montreal in March or April for testing. In October, trai ...More ...

The company overseeing the construction of the REM said trains will begin running between Deux-Montagnes, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and downtown Montreal in March or April for testing. In October, trains should begin carrying passengers along the entire REM route — except for the link to the airport.
13 Feb 2025 17:28:59
Global Montréal
Winter storm closes schools, cancels flights in Quebec
Authorities warned of poor driving conditions and possible power outages later in the day.
13 Feb 2025 16:29:03
Global Montréal
Crosby to Marner: 4 Nations opener electrifies as Canada downs Sweden in OT
Canada beat Sweden 4-3 in the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off that saw a vintage performance from Sidney Crosby, a statement goal from Mitch Marner and a rocking home crowd.
13 Feb 2025 14:32:40
CBC Montréal
Home-care nurses told her not to worry about her bedsore. She was hospitalized the next day
The day before Sylvie Hudon was admitted to the hospital, she says nurses visiting her home told her not to worry about the bedsore located on her back. Advocates are now calling for better resources ...More ...

The day before Sylvie Hudon was admitted to the hospital, she says nurses visiting her home told her not to worry about the bedsore located on her back. Advocates are now calling for better resources for people with spinal cord injuries dealing with bedsores in Quebec.
13 Feb 2025 09:00:00
CBC Montréal
Schools closed as powerful winter storm pummels southern Quebec
...More ...

13 Feb 2025 09:00:00
Global Montréal
Canada beats Sweden in OT to open 4 Nations
Mitch Marner scored at 6:06 of 3-on-3 overtime as Canada edged Sweden 4-3 to open the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament Wednesday.
13 Feb 2025 04:20:08
CBC Montréal
Montreal-area schools close as powerful winter storm blows into area
Montreal-area school boards have already begun announcing closures on the eve of one of the biggest winter storms of the season. ...More ...

Montreal-area school boards have already begun announcing closures on the eve of one of the biggest winter storms of the season.
13 Feb 2025 00:01:47
CBC Montréal
Soraya Martinez-Ferrada launches Ensemble Montréal leadership bid with strong support
The former federal tourism minister has secured the backing of four borough mayors, two city councillors and the party’s interim leader, Aref Salem. Martinez-Ferrada says she wants to position Ensem ...More ...

The former federal tourism minister has secured the backing of four borough mayors, two city councillors and the party’s interim leader, Aref Salem. Martinez-Ferrada says she wants to position Ensemble Montréal as a viable alternative to Projet Montréal, arguing that the current administration has failed to deliver on one of its key promises: increasing housing in the city.
12 Feb 2025 22:11:00
CBC Montréal
Man who killed parents in Montreal suburb to be detained in psychiatric hospital
Mitchell Arnott has been found not criminally responsible for the double homicide and has been declared a high-risk accused, a designation reserved for those considered a serious threat to public safe ...More ...

Mitchell Arnott has been found not criminally responsible for the double homicide and has been declared a high-risk accused, a designation reserved for those considered a serious threat to public safety.
12 Feb 2025 22:02:23
Sherbrooke Record
Lennoxville Library holds annual general meeting
Outlines achievements and plans By William Crooks Local Journalism Initiative The Lennoxville Library held its Annual General Meeting on Feb. 11, highlighting a year of growth, community engagement, a ...More ...
Outlines achievements and plans
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Lennoxville Library held its Annual General Meeting on Feb. 11, highlighting a year of growth, community engagement, and financial responsibility. Library board president Heather Thomson, treasurer Ron Coughlin, and director Christian Collins presented their respective reports, detailing accomplishments and future plans.
President’s report: A year of improvements and community support
Heather Thomson, president of the board, opened with a note of gratitude for the library’s volunteers, whose 2,000 hours of work equate to that of a full-time employee. “Our volunteers are the backbone of the library,” Thomson emphasized. The library currently has about 50 volunteers, with 10-12 offering weekly assistance. Volunteers assist with cataloguing, shelving, interlibrary loans, and event organization.
One of the key highlights was the reorganization of the library’s physical space. Thanks to financial support from the Tillotson Fund, the City of Sherbrooke, and Global Excel, significant improvements were made, including the acquisition of modular tables, new study carrels, comfortable seating, and beanbags for the children’s area. The library also installed a retractable screen, which had been provided by the City of Sherbrooke but had not yet been put in place. “We’ve reimagined the space to better serve our patrons,” Thomson said.
The library also expanded its outreach with the enhancement of the Espace Biblio at Square Queen. With the help of the Townshippers Foundation and the Tillotson Fund, a new tent, outdoor seating, and children’s play materials were added, enriching community engagement at the Lennoxville Farmers Market. Over the summer, Espace Biblio hosted 21 activities, drawing in 1,017 visitors, including 696 children and families who participated in programs such as storytelling and arts and crafts.
Fundraising efforts brought in over $11,600, primarily from book sales at the Lennoxville United Church and the Salle Amédée Beaudoin. The “Adopt-a-Book” program and local business sponsorships contributed an additional $4,800. “Our community’s generosity makes everything we do possible,” Thomson noted. Additionally, the Supporting Member Program raised $5,535, reinforcing financial stability for the library.
The library also saw success in program development, hosting 105 children’s activities and 55 events for adults. Programs such as family book clubs, pajama storytimes, author visits, and history talks helped bolster engagement. “Our goal is to keep expanding our offerings while maintaining the quality of service,” Thomson said.
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L’article Lennoxville Library holds annual general meeting est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.
12 Feb 2025 21:24:46
CBC Montréal
Car thefts down across Canada in 2024; Quebec sees largest drop
Though the amplitude of the problem is still significant, 2024 was the first year since 2020 that the number of car thefts declined compared to the previous year. There were 57,359 reported car thefts ...More ...
Though the amplitude of the problem is still significant, 2024 was the first year since 2020 that the number of car thefts declined compared to the previous year. There were 57,359 reported car thefts in Canada in 2024. In 2023, there were 70,475.
12 Feb 2025 19:46:20
CBC Montréal
Legault calls for export tax on aluminum if U.S. follows through on tariffs
Quebec Premier François Legault called for an export tax on Canadian aluminum to the United States, in retaliation to President Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum, during his ...More ...

Quebec Premier François Legault called for an export tax on Canadian aluminum to the United States, in retaliation to President Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum, during his visit to Washington with Canada's 12 other premiers on Wednesday.
12 Feb 2025 19:14:58