Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning Indigenous communities, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and their reserves, territories, and treaty rights. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to see GR activities in areas related to Indigenous Affairs? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Social Issues and Environment.

Dates: 2025-08-31 to 2025-09-06

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Federal investment expands mental health research in Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth networks

On September 2, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced more than $30 million in federal funding over four years to accelerate youth mental health and wellness research nationwide. Delivered via the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Indigenous Services Canada, along with partners including the Graham Boeckh Foundation, the initiative supports the Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net). The investment will extend into a pan-Canadian Indigenous network, enabling First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth and communities to lead research and design culturally grounded services. Each provincial and territorial IYS network will receive funding to strengthen research capacity and data systems, facilitating improved outcomes for youth aged 12 to 25. Examples include new hub launches in Newfoundland and Labrador, youth-led research programs in Alberta, expanded learning health systems in Québec, and collaborative mapping and service gap analysis in Yukon, explicitly led by youth, Elders, and communities.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Overview of federal youth employment and training supports with targeted funding for Indigenous youth

The Government of Canada detailed the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), a cross-departmental initiative led by Employment and Social Development Canada, on September 2. YESS channels funding to programs that help youth, including those facing employment barriers, obtain work experience with tailored supports. Strategic Collaboration projects receiving millions in new funding address employment challenges for youth with disabilities and systemic difficulties across Canada. The federal government also outlined additional supports relevant to Indigenous youth, such as mentorship, wraparound social services, post-secondary grants and loans, work-integrated learning placements, service leadership programs, apprenticeship incentives, and in-territory provincial/territorial supports.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada secures continued fisheries access to U.S. markets under Marine Mammal Protection Act

On September 3, Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed that Canadian fisheries retained comparability findings from the U.S. NOAA under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This regulatory determination allows Canadian fish and seafood exports to continue entering U.S. markets, recognizing Canada's efforts in marine mammal protection, including North Atlantic right whale management, area-based closures, and ongoing implementation of whalesafe gear testing. In partnership with industry and Indigenous groups, over 2,470 tons of lost gear were removed from Canadian waters. The upcoming WhaleSafe Gear Strategy aims to mitigate entanglement risks, preserving trade continuity and regulatory alignment.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal infrastructure investment delivered to Yukon communities and First Nations governments

Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada announced on September 5 that over $18.7 million will flow to Yukon to support community infrastructure through agreements managed by the Government of Yukon. First Nation governments are direct participants in the allocation process, with eligible projects ranging from public transit to water systems and local roads. Notably, the Town of Watson Lake received support to upgrade the Wye Lake Trail. The Canada Community-Building Fund allows communities to address strategic infrastructure priorities essential for housing and development needs.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

BLM Alaska completes inventory, prepares repatriation of Anvik Village remains and funerary objects

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Alaska State Office, has finalized an inventory of human remains and 195 associated funerary objects culturally affiliated with Anvik Village. Items, collected in 1935 and housed at the University of Pennsylvania Museum, include archaeological materials such as lamp fragments, birch bark containers, and animal artifacts. Repatriation procedures under NAGPRA begin October 6, 2025, with requests open to eligible tribes, organizations, or lineal descendants.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Information collection renewals proposed for Tribal Transportation and Tribal Energy Resource Agreements

On September 2, the Bureau of Indian Affairs published requests for comment to renew information collections related to Tribal Transportation Programs (OMB 1076-0161) and Tribal Energy Resource Agreements (OMB 1076-0167). These renewals pertain to annual reporting, inventory updates, development of transportation plans and improvement programs, and notification procedures for energy agreements.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Florida Museum of Natural History schedules repatriations to Seminole and Miccosukee tribes

The University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, completed inventories under NAGPRA that identified human remains and associated funerary objects from the Weedon Island site and Nona's Site, dating to the Middle Archaic Period. The remains and objects, including pottery, animal bones, lithics, and tools, are now affiliated with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Santa Barbara Museum initiates repatriation for funerary objects across California tribal communities

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History announced intended repatriation of over 1,000 unassociated funerary objects, including shell beads, pendants, and lithic artifacts, collected from San Joaquin Valley and Indian Wells sites. Objects are affiliated with tribal communities such as Santa Rosa Rancheria, Table Mountain Rancheria, Agua Caliente Band, Morongo Band, and others. Notification procedures were implemented under NAGPRA regulations, with repatriation set for October 6, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov, U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of intended repatriation of sacred Hawaiian cultural item by North Carolina university

The Gregg Museum of Art & Design at North Carolina State University declared its intention to repatriate a sacred drinking gourd (ipu pawehe), originally misidentified as Cherokee but later confirmed as Hawaiian from Niʻihau and linked to Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo. The item was donated in 2020 and consultations with Native Hawaiian Organizations established its affiliation. Written repatriation requests are being accepted prior to the October 6, 2025, release, in accordance with NAGPRA.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

B.C. and Carrier Sekani First Nations sign renewed Pathway Forward 3.0 agreement for reconciliation

The Province of British Columbia and seven Carrier Sekani First Nations formalized a long-term collaborative reconciliation framework, including commitments on self-governance, economic development, infrastructure, healthcare, and land/resource management within traditional territories.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Québec launches $20.75 million initiative for northern mining infrastructure benefiting Cree communities

The Québec government announced new strategic funding to improve access roads for mining projects, including $600,000 for Sirios Resources’ Cheechoo gold project in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James, enhancing year-round accessibility and supporting workforce mobility for local Cree communities.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care outlines updates to school curriculum including Indigenous content

Minister Lisa Beare stated that B.C. students will study new material including discrimination faced by Indigenous Peoples, along with other curriculum updates focused on identity, history, and inclusion in the 2025-26 school year.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta government issues Alberta Jobs Strategy including supports for Indigenous employment

Alberta introduced a province-wide jobs strategy integrating employment and skills programs targeting Indigenous populations, among others, through the Employment Partnerships Program and additional pillars fostering workforce growth.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Québec confirmed as Guest of Honour for Gothenburg Book Fair 2026, featuring Indigenous authors in Nordic programming

Québec will host literary, policy, and cultural programming in Sweden in 2026, highlighting First Nations writers and policy discussion on Indigenous experiences, with support from the Québec Government Office in London and cultural agencies.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• First Nations leaders talk repatriation of cultural items on final day of AFN annual general assembly: Assembly of First Nations leadership addressed heritage repatriation progress at annual meeting.
• Voices of elders being preserved as Cree oral history project expands in eastern Alberta: Expansion of Cree oral history preservation efforts is underway in Alberta.
• First Nations call on Ottawa to crack down on drug traffickers in their communities: Chiefs demand federal action on drug trafficking in First Nations communities.
• Musqueam and City of Richmond file notices of appeal after Cowichan Tribes ruling: Musqueam and Richmond challenge the Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title decision.
• Musqueam to appeal Cowichan Tribes ruling on Aboriginal title: Musqueam files appeal regarding Aboriginal title legal outcome.
• Chiefs vote down pitch to include First Nations infrastructure in major projects push: First Nations chiefs rejected infrastructure inclusion proposal at general assembly.
• Mint honouring Indigenous artist with commemorative Toonie: Royal Canadian Mint issues new toonie celebrating Indigenous art.
• Assembly of First Nations to lay out budget priorities during general assembly: AFN meeting focuses on First Nations budget needs and priorities.

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