paNOW (Sask)

By Bryan Eneas Two ice highways in northern Saskatchewan have officially been closed down for the year. The ice highway connecting Fond du Lac to the rest of the province closed April 6, according to Steve Shaheen from the Ministry of Highways. This year’s closure date was on par with previous years, he said, despite the unusually-cold temperatures. ... Read More

By Nigel Maxwell A man from the Melfort area has been sentenced for causing a fatal crash while driving impaired. Troy Tolofson, 46, appeared Wednesday at Melfort Provincial Court, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of impaired driving causing death and a charge of resisting arrest. He received a 30-month prison sentence. ... Read More

By paNOW Staff News Director Glenn Hicks and reporter Bryan Eneas discuss a settlement agreement between the federal government, Black Lake and Fond du Lac.     ... Read More

By Bryan Eneas Two Saskatchewan First Nations have reached a settlement in a long-running treaty dispute with the federal government. Treaty 8, which was signed by Black Lake and Fond du Lac in 1899, included a clause which allowed the signing bands to collect agricultural benefits, ammunition, and twine from the Crown: ... Read More

By paNOW Staff The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is warning the province to proceed with caution while drafting legislation to limit exports to British Columbia. Premier Scott Moe has said he would join Alberta in limiting energy exports flowing west. In response, the executive members of the FSIN asked the province to consult with Indigenous people here in Saskatchewan before drafting any legislation which would limit the flow of resources. ... Read More

By CKOM News Staff The Country Thunder Foundation announced the lineup Wednesday for a benefit concert for the 29 families affected by the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy. The Humboldt Broncos Tribute Concert is scheduled for April 27 at SaskTel Centre. Tickets are $65, with proceeds to benefit the families of the 16 killed and 13 injured when the Humboldt Broncos team bus was involved in a collision with a semi truck near Nipawin. The concert will feature performances by Dallas Smith, Brett Kissell, Gord Bamford, Chad Brownlee, Jess Moskaluke, and the Hunter Brothers. ... Read More

By paNOW Staff The RCMP have requested help from the public locating a missing Big River First Nation man. Police said Elvis Gilbert Bird was last seen in the village area of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation April 13 at approximately 1 p.m. Bird is known to frequent Ahtahkakoop, police said, along with Montreal Lake Cree Nation. Bird was described as a 32-year-old Indigenous male, 5’6” tall, weighing 165 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on Bird was asked to contact their local police service, Shellbrook RCMP, or Crime Stoppers.   ... Read More

By Bryan Eneas A legal argument over the term "individual" could have a big financial impact on one Saskatchewan First Nation. ... Read More

By Charlene Tebbutt A free law phone-in clinic happening this week is connecting volunteering lawyers with people who need legal advice. The Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Bar Association and Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan are teaming up for Free Law Day April 17 and 18. The event is held each year across the country to mark the signing of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ... Read More

By Bryan Eneas The Rossignol High School robotics club is becoming a force to be reckoned with. Students in the Île-à-la-Crosse club had a strong showing at Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Sumobot challenge, placing second at the Skills Canada Provincial Competition in Regina April 13. “We were pretty pleased, to say the least,” Dave Dalton, the math and science teacher who runs the club said about the silver medal. ... Read More

By Charlene Tebbutt The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities are urging municipal representatives across Saskatchewan to prepare for the legalization of cannabis. Both SUMA and SARM were among organizations across the country that worked with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to research and develop an informational guide to legalization. The federal government is expected to make cannabis legal in Canada in the coming months, and both SUMA and SARM are urging municipalities to be prepared. ... Read More