Reposted by Jon ThompsonRobert Jago @rjjago.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Here's something I've been working on for a while, that I'll be getting into a lot more soon. This is where Land Acknowledgements come from, this is what they mean, and this is how you've all been doing them wrong. 24918
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Claiming “Ontario plans to cut $121 million from emergency firefighting in its 2026-2027 budget, despite the record-high number of wildfires this season,” Amnesty International is calling for a public inquiry into the province’s handling of the file. amnesty.ca/press-releas...amnesty.caAmnesty International Canada calls for public inquiry into Ontario’s wildfire responseIn 2026, wildfires have burned more than 730,000 hectares of land across Ontario, displacing tens of thousands of people. 275
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 14/09/2026About that time Flo Rida poured liquor all over the crowd at Wake the Giant, the sober music event welcoming high school students from fly-in First Nations across far northern Ontario to Thunder Bay. 200
Reposted by Jon ThompsonWarm Up The Guillotine @fiverdrive.bsky.social · 12/09/202660 people represent 0.4% of Kenora, population ~15,000. If this was to make its way to a much larger city, the toll would be severe. For reference: 0.4% of Ottawa's population is a little under 4,500. 032
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 12/09/2026A Northwestern Health Unit release says over 60 drug poisonings/ODs reported in Kenora Thursday/Friday. www.nwhu.on.ca/increase-in-... Tests show nitazene, a rare synthetic opioid, “significantly more toxic than fentanyl.” health-infobase.canada.ca/substance-re...nwhu.on.caIncrease in drug poisonings - Northwestern Health UnitNorthwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is warning people about a significant increase in drug poisonings. “If you use a drug that does not come from a pharmacy or legal dispensary, it may not be what you Rea... 000
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Ginoogaming Chief Sheri Taylor says her First Nation and OPP have terms of an agreement to increase policing drugs & violence. State of emergency declared in 2024: ricochet.media/indigenous/f... NAN-wide state of emergency declared in 2025: ricochet.media/indigenous/w...ricochet.media‘We’re losing control of our communities’: First Nations in states of emergency as Doug Ford pushes to mine the northAs Ontario government sells off the north to international mining companies, communities in crisis are demanding safety and healing instead of resource extraction 043
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Doug Ford’s cabinet shuffle today shows Dunlop, Harris, and Rickford all staying at their posts in emergency, MNR, and Indigenous, respectively. These were the ministers who oversaw the response to Ontario’s worst-ever forest fire summer, measured by hectares burnt. 141
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Thunder Bay Police Service Board has named educator Christy Radbourne as its executive director. 010
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 31/08/2026The Sun’s Monday column is on how Trump renaming Lake Ontario is basically the same as how things are being renamed in Indigenous languages, and where’s the outrage for that? torontosun.com/opinion/colu... Never mind equating reconciliation with invasion threats,“Ontario” is an Indigenous name.torontosun.comLILLEY: Where was the outrage as Canadians renamed our own history?Canadians are right to be angry at Trump's childish decision, but where was that outrage as we erased our own history? Read on. 131
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Matawa council is calling on the federal and provincial governments to address the state of emergency Neskantaga First Nation declared on Aug.4. I filed this story from Neskantaga for @ricochetmedia.bsky.social on Aug.10. ricochet.media/indigenous/r... 021
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Among things that are not a “road to the Ring of Fire,” repaving existing road infrastructure in Aroland First Nation. 020
Reposted by Jon ThompsonJon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Do you find people are unable to restrain themselves from emptying their wallets and handing the contents to you? Do strangers feel compelled to pay you even after short exchanges? Do others often say of you,”I can’t believe how much I want to give that person all of my money?” Come work with us. 173
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026In only two days, a fascinating 6,400 people have signed a petition calling for limits on the number of traditional media stories allowed to feature one individual. www.change.org/p/proposal-f...change.orgSign the PetitionProposal for Arday’s Law: a limit to articles published on one person within a timeframe. 000
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026I see media's running Neskantaga First Nation's second evacuation of the summer. For those who want to read more, I flew to Neskantaga so @ricochetmedia.bsky.social could bring you this story: ricochet.media/indigenous/r... Note for editors: it's free to republish under Local Journalism Initiative.ricochet.mediaRepeated evacuations strain mental health in Northern OntarioFirst it was wildfires. Then a sewage leak. For Neskantaga First Nation, summer is a series of hotel rooms 01510
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026If you haven't checked in with Emo, ON Mayor Harold McQuaker's efforts not to recognize Pride Month, the latest is how he admitted to the integrity commissioner that he pocketed the proceeds of online fundraisers collected for his cause. McQuaker is currently running unopposed for a new term in 2026 042
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026On the lighter side, @ricochetmedia.bsky.social is proud to present Lakehead University's own Todd Dufresne telling Adrian Harewood about the end of enlightenment philosophy and the urgent need for climate revolution. www.youtube.com/watch?v=090S...youtube.comClimate Revolution for Beginners w/ Todd DufresneYouTube video by Ricochet Media 000
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Do you find people are unable to restrain themselves from emptying their wallets and handing the contents to you? Do strangers feel compelled to pay you even after short exchanges? Do others often say of you,”I can’t believe how much I want to give that person all of my money?” Come work with us. 173
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 20/08/2026The late Barbara Kentner’s home of Wabigoon Lake First Nation is calling her killer, Brayden Bushby’s, parole only two years into his eight-year sentence a “message that Indigenous lives are treated as expendable.“ 020
Reposted by Jon ThompsonAndrea Woo @andreawoo.bsky.social · 19/08/2026"Beneath the urgency of the present lies a confounding paradox: we mobilize to put fires out, but not yet to prevent them," writes @sethdklein.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comWe need a wartime mindset to fight the threat of wildfires | Seth KleinWhile many leaders compare the wildfire crisis to the second world war, governments fail to adopt the real lessons of pre-emptive wartime action 0168
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 19/08/2026Come out with Ricochet Media at 7 p.m. to a Reddit AMA with Jeremy Appel about how Postmedia (owned by a Trump-aligned U.S. hedge fund) has amplified conservative grievance politics — creating fertile soil for MAGA-style ideas, and Alberta separation. www.reddit.com/r/RicochetMe...reddit.comRicochetMediaA place to discuss recent headlines from Ricochet Media — an independent Canadian national news outlet and Registered Journalism Organization. Keep up with critical Canadian journalism ⤵️ linktr.ee/r... 032
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Nishnawbe Aski Nation calls the Parole Board of Canada’s decision to grant Brayden Bushby full parole, “devastating.” Bushby struck Barbara Kentner with a trailer hitch he threw from a moving car in 2017. She later died from her injuries. Parole board said he showed no remorse. 153
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Returning to Cushing Lake, north of Lac Des Mille Lacs, after the fires. 011
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 14/08/2026“Thunder Bay” was just the answer of a daily double on Jeopardy! Ontario city with stormy name. Slogan “Superior By Nature.” Guy didn’t get it. He guessed Toronto. 150
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 13/08/2026A notice from Grassy Narrows band office says water has been restored but air remains in the system. Leadership expects to welcome members home from Winnipeg on Saturday. 000
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Grassy Narrows First Nation has declared a state of emergency and the community is under evacuation over water. 152
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Grassy Narrows First Nation has declared a state of emergency and the community is under evacuation over water. 11016
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Are we noticing how liberals have started using "those who present simple solutions to complex problems" as polite longhand to mean "fascists? 010
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 11/08/2026Friends of the Attawapiskat River has applied for a judicial review in an effort to stop construction on the Webequie Supply Road, which would connect the First Nation to proposed mine sites in the Ring of Fire deposit. www.timminstoday.com/local-news/f...timminstoday.comFirst Nations group wants court to overturn Ring of Fire road approvalFriends of the Attawapiskat River have filed an application for judicial review 000
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 11/08/2026I’m back from Neskantaga First Nation, whose eerie emptiness echoes the mental struggle of both those left behind and those who have spent their summer in Toronto hotels, especially among young people. 0167
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 10/08/2026Repeated evacuations are beginning to take a mental health toll on the members of Neskantaga First Nation. It’s the silence that’s deafening. ricochet.media/indigenous/r...ricochet.mediaRepeated evacuations strain mental health in Northern OntarioFirst it was wildfires. Then a sewage leak. For Neskantaga First Nation, summer is a series of hotel rooms 0911
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 10/08/2026“It’s rough out there right now. Bigots on one side of the political aisle and too many cowards on the other."- Ken Jennings 120
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 07/08/2026The latest from Gull Bay: fires are 20kms north and 28kms west from KZA First Nation. Today’s message from chief & council says anyone remaining or blowing blockades does so at their own risk. For more on those who are violating mandatory evacuation orders: ricochet.media/indigenous/r... 012
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 05/08/2026The thing that has been coming is here. www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...thetrillium.caFord government staging official announcements without inviting reportersA review by The Trillium found a growing pattern of government announcements featuring the premier that took place without reporters present 032
Reposted by Jon ThompsonJoey Langdon @jlangdon76.bsky.social · 05/08/2026From @jonthompson.bsky.social through the Local Journalism Initiative. Neskantaga, one of the communities evacuated from the wildfires, returned home earlier this month. However, only 5 days later, they had to evacuate again due to a critical sewage failure. www.snnewswatch.com/local-journa...snnewswatch.comFrom wildfire to sewage crisis: Neskantaga's nightmare isn't overRead the full story and comment on SNnewswatch.com 043
Reposted by Jon ThompsonRicochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 04/08/2026From wildfire to sewage crisis: Neskantaga’s nightmare isn’t over Just days after a wildfire evacuation, the fly-in Ontario First Nation has declared another state of emergency forcing residents to leave their community again. New from @jonthompson.bsky.social: ricochet.media/indigenous/f...ricochet.mediaFrom wildfire to sewage crisis: Neskantaga's nightmare isn't overust days after returning from a wildfire evacuation, the northwestern Ontario fly-in First Nation has declared another state of emergency after a sewage disaster has forced residents to leave their co... 0810
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 04/08/2026BREAKING: Only five days after being repatriated from a forest fire evacuation, Neskantaga First Nation is flying out again, this time due to a contractor causing a sewage backup in the health centre basement. ricochet.media/indigenous/f... Just as summer festival was to begin...ricochet.mediaFrom wildfire to sewage crisis: Neskantaga's nightmare isn't overJust days after returning from a wildfire evacuation, the northwestern Ontario fly-in First Nation has declared another state of emergency after a sewage disaster has forced residents to leave their c... 033
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Just a reminder that absolutely no one cares if you're working with your community partners. Even if your local media doesn't find it categorically disqualifying when you say that, zero readers/listeners/viewers will remember you or what you do if you pretend working with community partners is news. 011
Reposted by Jon ThompsonAdrian Harewood @caradrianh.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Trans Lives in An Age of Erasure: My @ricochetmedia.bsky.social podcast conversation w/ @trevellanderson.bsky.social about representation, resistance & resilience. podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/i...podcasts.apple.comTrans Lives in an Age of Erasure w/ Tre'vell AndersonPodcast Episode · In Bed with the Elephant · August 4 · 47m 063
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Ontario won't commit to an inquiry over response to the worst forest fire season on record, despite calls from every opposition party and First Nations leaders, whose communities have been evacuated. Chiefs have their own ideas they want to contribute. ricochet.media/indigenous/f...ricochet.mediaFord government won’t commit to forest fire inquiry, as chiefs demand change‘Ontario is burning and there’s no end in sight,’ say First Nation chiefs. But ‘we have a treaty partner that refuses to listen’ 095
Reposted by Jon ThompsonRicochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Running the blockade: evacuation orders challenged in northern First Nations. NEW report from Jon Thompson: Elders left behind, speedboats used to get around checkpoints as wildfires loom over northern Ontario communities. ricochet.media/indigenous/r... 154
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026As mandatory forest fire evacuations continue in northwestern Ontario, I spoke to the few people who are being threatened with huge fines and even jail time for blowing blockades, as well as police & chiefs who say those people need to get out now. ricochet.media/indigenous/r...ricochet.mediaRunning the blockade: evacuation orders challenged in northern First NationsElders left behind, speedboats used to get around checkpoints as wildfires loom over northern Ontario communities 087
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 30/07/2026Eabametoong (Fort Hope First Nation) is moving into phase one of repatriation. If Ministry of Natural Resources assessment of surrounding fire risk remains low, community members could begin returning home on Friday. Eabametoong evacuated on July 19. ricochet.media/indigenous/a...ricochet.mediaAbandoned on the road to the Ring of FireEabametoong First Nations leaders say poor communication with the Ontario government is putting their communities at risk 021
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation) Chief Wilfred King has issued a letter warning those left behind in the mandatory forest fire evacuation that they could face up to $50,000 fines and a year imprisonment if they remain. “Please evacuate the reserve now..." 000
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Tension has been building between First Nations and the Ford government as wildfires tear across Northern Ontario. @ricochetmedia.bsky.social Northern Ontario reporter Jon Thompson breaks down the latest developments, as the worst wildfire season in Ontario history continues to rage. 044
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland says communication is getting better between his PC government and First Nations leaders after two weeks of forest fire evacuations. He named Gull Bay Chief Wilfred King in that interview. King says he has “never” met with Holland ricochet.media/indigenous/f...ricochet.mediaFirst Nations Chief says government MPP is lying about meeting with himPC representative Kevin Holland told a reporter he met with the Gull Bay Chief. Wilfred King says it never happened. 041
Reposted by Jon ThompsonHarbinger Media Network @harbingermedia.bsky.social · 27/07/2026On 🌍GREEN MAJORITY🌍 ep1028 the team talk about wildfires and data centres, then @dgrdon.bsky.social interviews @ricochetmedia.bsky.social's @jonthompson.bsky.social about the fires raging in Northern Ontario and the abysmal response from the province. www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/... 011
Reposted by Jon ThompsonRicochet Media @ricochetmedia.bsky.social · 28/07/2026EXCLUSIVE: First Nations Chief says government MPP is lying about meeting with him. Kevin Holland, an associate minister in the Ford government, told a reporter he met with the Gull Bay Chief. Wilfred King says it never happened. @jonthompson.bsky.social reports. ricochet.media/indigenous/f...ricochet.mediaFirst Nations Chief says government MPP is lying about meeting with himPC representative Kevin Holland told a reporter he met with the Gull Bay Chief. Wilfred King says it never happened. 34840
Jon Thompson @jonthompson.bsky.social · 25/07/2026It was meaningful to be asked to guest on Green Majority Radio this week (@greenmajority.bsky.social) Canada’s longest-running environmental news hour Thanks Dave Gray-Donald (@dgrdon.bsky.social) for turning ears to the Northwest’s forest fire story in the south www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/...greenmajority.caHeat Laws, Wildfires, Oil Profits & North Ontario (1028) — Green Majority RadioAired July 24, 2026: We talk about El Niño, wildfires, maximum indoor heat bylaws, better nation-building projects, data centres and record oil profits from the US-Israel war on Iran. Dave Gray-Donald... 042