Ceremony to be held for child's partial remains found at residential school site

A First Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan is preparing a proper burial after a fragment of a child's jawbone was found in an unmarked grave during a search of a local residential school site.

The Star Blanket Cree Nation made the discovery in the fall while the community was searching the site of the former Lebret Indian Industrial School. 

The bone was identified by the province's coroner's service to be that of a child between the ages of four and six from about 125 years ago. It was not located anywhere near an area that was known to be a graveyard. 

Rights group releases scathing report on Canada's violations of Indigenous rights

A prominent human-rights group says Canada is failing to address long-standing abuses, delivering a rebuke of what it calls the federal government's inadequate climate policy and violations of the rights of Indigenous people and immigration detainees. 

Human Rights Watch says more than two dozen First Nations remain under long-term drinking water advisories, despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promise to bring that number down to zero. 

Why are there so many cyberattacks lately? An explainer on the rising trend

A wave of high-profile cyberattacks has recently hit hospitals, businesses and organizations in Ontario, including the LCBO this week and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and Scouts Canada in December.

The Canadian Press spoke with cybersecurity experts about whether cyberattacks are on the rise, why they are happening, and what people and businesses can do to protect themselves.

Are cyberattacks happening more often?

Radar shows 2,000 areas of interest at former residential school site in Saskatchewan

A First Nation in Saskatchewan says ground-penetrating radar has discovered more than 2,000 areas of interest and a child's bone was separately found at the site of one of the longest-running residential schools in the country.

Star Blanket Cree Nation Chief Michael Starr said Thursday it shows the harsh truth of what happened within the walls of the Qu’Appelle Indian Residential School.

“It was unthinkable. It was profound. It was sad. It was hurtful," Starr said Thursday. "And it made us very angry what had happened to our young people here."

Blue Bombers sign veteran American offensive tackle Hardrick to a one-year extension

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed veteran American offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick to a one-year contract extension Wednesday.

The six-foot-five, 319-pound Hardrick was slated to become a free agent next month.

Hardrick returns for a seventh season with Winnipeg. He started 17 regular-season games at right tackle last season and was part of a Bombers offence that finished first in touchdowns (58) and second in offensive points (28.2), rushing yards (113.5) and fewest sacks (29).

First Nations, Manitoba and feds team up on rental project for First Nations students

An apartment complex slated to open next year in Winnipeg is to provide First Nations students who have moved off reserve an affordable place to live while they pursue a post-secondary education. 

The project is being spearheaded by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba, with funding from the federal and Manitoba governments. 

The First Nation will own and operate the seven-storey apartment building downtown near the University of Winnipeg and will include a mix of affordable living with more than 40 per cent of the rental units offered at a discounted rate. 

Officer killed in B.C. avalanche was mentor to younger officers: chief

A Nelson, B.C., police officer who died in an avalanche earlier this week is being remembered as a gentle man who looked out for those who were new to the force.

Const. Wade Tittemore, 43, died Monday while off-duty, skiing with a colleague just north of Kaslo, B.C.

Nelson police Chief Donovan Fisher said Tuesday that Tittemore will be missed terribly in the small force of 20 officers.

Fisher called Tittemore a hard worker, a skilled officer and a dedicated family man who was a mentor and example to many junior officers.

Police officer killed in avalanche near Kaslo, B.C., another injured

A City of Nelson police officer has been killed in an avalanche near Kaslo, B.C., the Nelson Police Board says.

In a post on the City of Nelson Facebook page on Monday, the board said another officer was also critically injured.

The board said the pair were on snowmobiles when they were stuck by the avalanche.

No further details were immediately available.

The Nelson Facebook post said more information will be released in the coming days.

Kaslo is in southeastern B.C., about an hour drive north of Nelson.

B.C. pastor accused of sexual charges involving children

A pastor who was servicing a Metro Vancouver church has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference against children.

Police in New Westminster, B.C., say they began an investigation after multiple reports came to them.

A police news release says the offences are alleged to have taken place between 2017 and 2021.

It says after a lengthy investigation by the department's major crime unit, three charges each of sexual assault and sexual interference have been laid against Pastor Edwin Alvarez.

Mazatlán mayor reassures Canadians and other visitors following cartel violence

The mayor of a Mexican city caught up in a wave of drug cartel violence last week wasted little time reassuring Canadians and other foreign visitors that his city is safe for travellers.

Edgar Gonzalez, in a video posted online by the City of Mazatlán, strolled through his city's historic centre on Friday, shaking hands and posing for pictures with tourists.