NAN supports re-election of National Chief Phil Fontaine
First Nations prepare to fight for rights during Vancouver Native convention
Movement toward self government could collapse
Conservative Government must heed support for Kelowna Accord, says Liberal Indian Affairs critic
Aboriginal leaders seek premiers help to revive $5 billion Kelowna Accord
AFN chiefs express concern and strong opposition regarding Prime Minister’s comments on race-based fisheries
The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Phil Fontaine, and First Nations leaders from across the country stated July 13th their strong opposition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's comments on July 7 characterizing First Nations fisheries as "race-based" fisheries.
"These are not race-based fisheries. These are rights-based fisheries," said AFN British Columbia Regional Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. "Our right to our own fisheries stems from our prior and inherent rights as citizens of Nations - the First Nations of Canada. These comments are a very serious concern to First Nations here and across Canada."
In a letter to the Calgary Herald last Friday, Prime Minister Harper stated "let me (also) be clear - in the coming months, we will strike a judicial inquiry into the collapse of the Fraser River salmon fishery and oppose racially divided fisheries programs." His statements have been met with widespread opposition from Chiefs at the AFN's Annual General Assembly in Vancouver, British Columbia.
AFN Regional Chief for Nova Scotia/Newfoundland, Rick Simon, stated: "First Nations in the Atlantic have won recognition of their right to make a livelihood from the fishery in the Marshall decisions and I can guarantee that First Nations will stand up for their rights. The Marshall programs that have been implemented in Atlantic Canada have resolved the vast majority of the tensions around the fishery. Opposing or ending First Nations fisheries programs such as Marshall will send us backwards."
Grand Chief Doug Kelly of the Sto:lo Tribal Council also expressed his dismay that the Prime Minister has done exactly what his government had cautioned First Nations not to do.
"The Minister of Indian Affairs is urging First Nations not to speak through the media," stated Grand Chief Kelly. "Why is he announcing a major policy change in a letter to the editor?"
Newly re-elected AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine stated: "It is one thing to try and deny a right exists. But if we take the Prime Minister at his word he is actively trying to take away a right that is recognized in Canada's Constitution and by the Supreme Court of Canada. This should be of concern to all Canadians, not just First Nations."
The National Chief said that he and the AFN are seeking an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Minister of Indian Affairs to clarify the Prime Minister's comments and the position of the Conservative Party, and to ensure that they understand and will uphold First Nations rights and Canadian law.
"We are also seeking a commitment from the government of Canada that any actions that affect First Nations will only occur following full and informed discussions and agreement with First Nations, as required under Canadian law," stated the National Chief.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
NAN supports re-election of National Chief Phil Fontaine
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy supports the re-election of Phil Fontaine as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) by Canadian First Nation leaders during the AFN Annual General Assembly in Vancouver in July.
"We're definitely happy to see the re-election of Mr. Fontaine, as he's been successful in delivering on his previous campaign platform," said NAN Grand Stan Beardy, adding examples including the residential schools settlement agreement, Kelowna Accord, Health Blueprint, and recognition and support of First Nation Veterans.
"At this point in time we need consistency, especially on pursuing the November 2005 Kelowna Accord previously committed to by the Liberals and I believe through his experience in negotiating, Fontaine is capable of doing this."
Fontaine, who is Anishinabe from Manitoba's Sagkeeng First Nation, is entering his second consecutive term as National Chief for the organization representing First Nations across the country. He was also AFN National Chief 1997 through 2000.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities across two-thirds of Ontario.
First Nations prepare to fight for rights during Vancouver Native convention
By Terri Theodore - CP
A song used by Natives who went to England 100 years ago to seek land rights opened the annual gathering Tuesday of the Assembly of First Nations.
Squamish Chief Ian Campbell told the crowd they will continue to sing those war songs as long as necessary.
The first song played at the convention was also used when a Squamish delegation went to England in 1906 ``to fight for the very same issues we're fighting today, equality, our land, our children,'' Campbell told the group of chiefs representing more than 630 First Nations across Canada.
``One hundred years later we continue to sing that song to the Crown. Where is the integrity? We'll continue to question that.''
Preparing for battle or making peace seemed to be themes in the opening speeches of the convention Tuesday.
Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, called on all Native leaders to join in the fight to convince the Canadian government to agree on the United Nations Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Canada and Russian were the only two of 30 voting states who opposed the declaration that recognizes the rights of Native people around the world.
Fontaine told the crowd it's an important document ``because it speaks about our undeniable right of self-determination and it speaks about those issues that Canada says it believes in, the principles of human rights, democratic society and good government.''
He urged Native leaders to dig in their heels and press the federal government to adopt the document.
``So it's a complete mystery why Canada has decided to oppose this draft declaration,'' Fontaine said. ``It's a very, very important document. It's obvious we have big fight before us.''
In contrast, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell was welcomed to the convention. Ernie Campbell, the chief of the Musqueam Native band in Vancouver, even called the premier ``cousin'' as he introduced him to the crowd. Campbell talked about reconciliation with First Nations and creating a new relationship.
``We must turn our back on the denial of the past. For 139 years we have not recognized the true contribution of First Nations and Aboriginal people across our country,''
The premier said he has a decade-long goal of closing the gap between Natives and non-Natives on the issue of health, housing and communities and education.
``It is not acceptable to me, nor to you...that there is a 400 per cent greater incidence of Type 2 diabetes. It is not acceptable that life expectancy is seven and a half years shorter,'' he said. He admitted that changes have been necessary for a long time.
``We take small steps. And I can imagine the frustration that is felt by many who have worked so long to get us to our destination,'' Campbell said.
No mention was made of the Kelowna Accord, the $5-billion agreement the Liberal government signed last year with premiers before it was voted out of office.
It was meant to fight poverty, improve living conditions and increase education and health standards for First Nations.
In an interview later, Campbell wouldn't say if he too was frustrated with the federal government's refusal to adopt the accord.
``The greatest concern I have is that we remain committed to closing the gap in education, health care, in economic development in communities and building a new relationship,'' he said.
Movement toward self government could collapse
The movement toward self-government is in danger of collapsing unless the federal and territorial governments work out a practical financial agreement with First Nations, Yukon chiefs said July 26.
``We continue to face issues of inadequate funding sources for the implementation of our self-government agreements,'' Vuntut Gwitchin Chief Joe Linklater told delegates of the Council of Yukon First Nations' general assembly.
The discussion included Roy Bird, the regional director general of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
"Canada cannot walk away from its obligations,'' Linklater said.
``If this thing (self-government) fails, and it's in danger of failing, what is Canada going to do?"
Money directed to self-governing First Nations, as part of agreements with the federal government, is still being directed to various levels of government before ever reaching the First Nation for program delivery.
Tr'ondek Hwech'in Chief Darren Taylor said he agrees with Linklater.
``What's happening is people in Ottawa are deciding how money is to be used in the communities .... unfortunately very little of the money trickles down to the communities,'' Taylor said.
``We have to get away from delivering First Nation dollars to non-government organizations and other governments. Legislation and policy should reflect the agreements so we can implement them.''
Program funding is also a problem, Taylor added, because it was allocated on a per-status-Indian basis, leaving First Nations delivering under-funded programs to status and non-status Aboriginals alike.
``We have to look after status and non-status Indians,'' he said.
``It's in our agreement.''
Champagne and Aishihik Chief James Allen said the only way self-government will become a reality is if Ottawa creates a new department to deal with self-governing First Nations.
``This is an agreement between Canada and the First Nations,'' Allen said. ``It isn't an agreement with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.''
Responding to the chiefs' concerns, Bird, recently appointed to the position, said he would like to work with the First Nations on their self-government issues and relay their positions clearly to the federal government.
``Our first act is to establish relationships,'' he said. ``We want to bring your concerns to Ottawa.''
Yukon First Nations are blazing a trail in terms of First Nations self-government, Bird said, adding he is willing to make changes in his department to accommodate the self-governing process.
``If we have to make some changes in our department, then we'll do that. We'll be pursuing all of the resources available and speaking on behalf of the First Nations to get funding.''
Survivors want apology
Former students who suffered in Native residential schools want to hear an apology from the prime minister.
The lack of any formal apology is just one of the cracks appearing in a two billion dollar federal deal to compensate those who attended the now defunct federal schools.
The Assembly of First Nations touts the proposed agreement as a landmark victory. However, critics say Prime Minister Harper's official regrets are worth at least as much as cash payouts.
The deal being reviewed this summer by courts in several provinces includes no such apology.
There are also complaints about relatively small amounts of individual compensation, and the extent to which former students were consulted. Mike Benson is executive director of the National Residential School Survivors Society.
He says, above all, survivors of widespread abuse want to hear the prime minister offer an unconditional apology. The Ontario-based group represents about 11-thousand members.
Conservative Government must heed support for Kelowna Accord, says Liberal Indian Affairs critic
Prime Minister Stephen Harper must not ignore Canada's premiers and territorial leaders, who have unanimously voiced their support for the Kelowna Accord, Liberal Indian Affairs Critic Anita Neville said July 26th.
"The collective support of the premiers and territorial leaders is proof of the significance and merit of the Kelowna Accord. The Prime Minister would be remiss to just ignore the strong support for the principles and objectives of the Accord that we saw at the First Minister's Meeting in Newfoundland," said Ms. Neville.
The 10-year Accord was signed by Aboriginal Leaders, First Ministers and the previous Liberal government on November 25th 2005, after 18 months of negotiations.
The Accord is a landmark document that was designed to close the prosperity gap between Canada's Aboriginal peoples and the rest of Canadians. It committed more than $5 billion over 10 years to upgrade health care, housing and education.
The strength of the Accord, which the premiers and territorial leaders recognize, was not just the funding commitments but the entire process that it took to reach the agreement; a process marked by a stronger relationship between governments and First Nations leadership. It represented a way forward, said Ms. Neville.
"Honouring the agreement should be a priority for this government," Ms. Neville added.
"Instead all that we have seen from the Conservatives is a range of mixed messages denying the significance of the Accord and even outright denials that the Accord ever existed.
"The premiers and territorial leaders understand that a deal was reached last November and further, that we owe it to the Aboriginal people of this country to follow through on the Accord. It's time for the Prime Minister to do what is right and just, and honour the Kelowna Accord."
Aboriginal leaders seek premiers help to revive $5 billion Kelowna Accord
Canada's Aboriginal leaders are asking the provinces and territories for help to revive the $5-billion Kelowna Accord reached with the previous Liberal government.
Closing the financial gap between Aboriginal people and other Canadians is the only topic of discussion during the first day of the annual premiers' meeting in western Newfoundland.
The premiers will meet with five First Nations leaders who are trying to persuade Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government to live up to the terms of the accord.
The Conservatives say the 10-year plan to address the poverty faced by many Aboriginal Canadians was announced in the dying days of the Liberal government just before the federal election, with no cash committed in a budget.
The Tories say they'll improve housing, education and water standards for First Nations people with their own approach.
Assembly of First Nations leader Phil Fontaine says his top priority is to make sure the Kelowna Accord is revived, warning that without it, Aboriginal poverty will continue to have a devastating impact on the country.
The Conservative's budget committed $450 million over two years for Kelowna-type programs. It also earmarked $600-million in one-time housing and territorial funding, but that money was contingent on there being at least $2 billion left in surplus cash when the numbers are finalized in coming months.