AFN National Chief looking forward to working with new federal Minister of Indian Affairs
Government announces $1 million to support Aboriginal Nursing
Minister Strahl attends cultural celebration with BC First Nation
Harper announces navy port to bolster Canada’s Arctic claim
Another Aboriginal joint venture for PTI
Canada and Québec consolidate future with Inuit
Friendship Centres from across Canada meet in BC
Canada signs agreement with Safeway to increase Aboriginal employment
AFN National Chief looking forward to working with new federal Minister of Indian Affairs
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine said he is looking forward to working with the new federal Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Among other changes, the new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is the honourable Chuck Strahl, who replaces former Minister Jim Prentice.
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Chuck Strahl
“We welcome the honourable Chuck Strahl as the new Minister of Indian Affairs and view this as an opportunity to embark on new initiatives aimed at a better future for all Canadians,” said National Chief Fontaine. “The success of the Minister of Indian Affairs is very much dependent on a positive relationship with First Nations and we are ready to work on a positive agenda aimed at lifting First Nations out of poverty. This requires a focus on two key elements: our people and our lands. We must invest in education and training for First Nations as the key improving the lives of our people, and ensuring Canada has a skilled workforce to meet the coming labour shortage. As well, lands are central to the ability of First Nations to build their economies. We must ensure our people achieve a fair share in the benefits and riches of their traditional lands, and we can do so through win-win approaches like resource revenue sharing.”
AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine
The National Chief noted that this approach was widely endorsed by provincial premiers and territorial leaders at the recent Council of the Federation meeting. The National Chief will also present detailed proposals on these initiatives as part of the upcoming federal Pre-Budget Submissions pro-cess.
“It is increasingly clear that the future of First Nations and the future of Canada are closely intertwined,” the National Chief said. “We want to continue to have a productive relationship that delivers on the legal obligations that the federal government has with First Nations. This means engaging with all Ministers and members of the government that have an impact on First Nations, including Ministers for Health, Justice, Heritage, Finance and many others. Working together for a better quality of life for First Nations will benefit all of us. The provinces and territories are on side and we need the federal government to join us in this national undertaking. We congratulate all members of the new federal Cabinet and look forward to working with them and the Prime Minister on a better future for all Canadians.”
“I want to acknowledge the efforts of the previous Minister, Jim Prentice,” National Chief Fontaine said. “Working together we were able to finalize the historic settlement for survivors of Indian Residential Schools, as well as setting out a process to establish a new approach to resolving specific land claims. We look forward to working with the new Minister and the government toward a successful conclusion on both of these important matters.”
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations in Canada.
Government announces $1 million to support Aboriginal Nursing
Rick Casson, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of Federal Minister of Health, the Honourable Tony Clement, announced August 28th $1 million over three years under the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative to help increase the number of Aboriginal nurses working in Canada’s health care system, particularly in First Nations communities.
“Canada’s New Government understands the importance of ensuring that there are enough health care workers in Canada who can provide communities with the best health care possible,” said Mr. Casson. “That’s why we’re introducing new programs like the Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative, which will focus on recruiting and retaining Aboriginal nurses to First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.”
Funding for this project is spread over three years and will receive $360,000 for 2007 and $320,000 for each subsequent year. This investment will be used to support students who are interested in entering a nursing program or pursuing a career in the health care field. It is expected that outside funding will be secured for the fourth year of the initiative and ongoing funding thereafter.
“The School of Health Sciences, with generous support from Health Canada, is delighted to introduce this Support Program for Aboriginal Nursing Students,” said Dr. Christopher Hosgood, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. “The program will create an academic support network that will incorporate existing nursing education with science education that is respectful of Blackfoot traditions.”
The program will improve access to training, create a culturally appropriate context for learning, and provide tools to help students reach their academic goals. In addition, the University of Lethbridge has established a partnership with the Blood Tribe Health Centre where students can take their clinical practicum. Through a pre-nursing program, a buddy system, a social network and a bridge between the academic curriculum and the student's traditional culture, the University expects to have 70 Aboriginal students who have completed, or are in the process of completing, the Bachelor of Nursing program.
“This is an excellent opportunity for First Nations students to further their education in a way that respects and maintains our culture,” said Chief Charles Weaselhead. “The program is an important step to help our communities recruit the nurses they need and improve the health of our people.”
In the longer term, Health Canada will continue to work with the First Nations, provinces, and territories, to identify the best options and approaches for improving the health outcomes of all Aboriginal peoples through these and other innovative initiatives such as the Aboriginal Health Transition Fund.
The funding for this Program is provided under Health Canada’s Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative, which aims to increase the long-term supply of First Nations, Inuit and Metis health care providers.
Minister Strahl attends cultural celebration with BC First Nation
The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-status Indians, ended his first full week in his new portfolio by joining In-SHUCK-ch Nation in a celebration of its culture and achievements at the first annual In-SHUCK-ch Days in Skatin, British Columbia.
“It’s a privilege to join friends and neighbours in my constituency of Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development,” said Minister Strahl following a tour of In-SHUCK-ch exhibits and demonstrations on August 25th.
During his visit, Minister Strahl signed the Agreement in Principle (AIP) negotiated under the BC treaty process by In-SHUCK-ch, British Columbia and Canada. Canada’s formal approval of the AIP concludes Stage 4 of In-SHUCK-ch Nation negotiations. Negotiators are now working toward a Final Agreement.
Minister Strahl congratulated the In-SHUCK-ch leaders and all treaty negotiators for their commitment, vision and perseverance. “This is an important milestone in negotiations with In-SHUCK-ch Nation as the AIP sets out the basis for a Final Agreement which will provide In-SHUCK-ch with tools and resources to support a strong and vibrant community,” stated Minister Strahl. “A treaty will also bring certainty with regard to In-SHUCK-ch Nation’s rights and title throughout their traditional territory. Benefits of the treaty will be felt by all area residents and throughout British Columbia as a whole.”
Upon his appointment as Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and Non-status Indians, Minister Strahl immediately embarked on a far-reaching tour that included destinations in BC, Manitoba and Quebec. His very first act was to meet with former residential school students, while in Winnipeg.
“My intent with each of my initial meetings this early in my tenure was to listen,” stated Minister Strahl.
“Canada’s New Government has made progress on key Aboriginal and Northern issues and I am committed to continuing the work to speed up the resolution of land claims, complete self-government negotiations and honour treaties. We must also remain focussed on improving educational outcomes, addressing housing and infrastructure concerns and ensuring safe drinking water. Finally, I look forward to delivering on our commitment to provide access to human rights protection for First Nations people living on reserve - access denied for far too long, and to putting in place legislation to deal with matrimonial real property on reserve.
“I commend each and every individual leader with whom I met for their vision and dedication to build stronger communities and better lives for their members. With the momentum built this last week, I look forward to continuing the dialogue and continuing to deliver real results for First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Northern people to the benefit of all Canadians,” said the Minister.
Harper announces navy port to bolster Canada’s Arctic claim
By Alexander Panetta
Canada will build two new military facilities within contested Arctic waters to bolster its sovereign claim over the fabled Northwest Passage, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced August 10th.
He said the Canadian Forces will install a new army training centre and a deepwater port at distant points of the Arctic archipelago that has been coveted for centuries as a possible trade route to Asia.
“Protecting national sovereignty, the integrity of our borders, is the first and foremost responsibility of a national government, a responsibility which has too often been neglected,” Harper said, citing what he called the “first principle of Arctic sovereignty: use it or lose it.”
The prime minister made the announcement barely 600 kilometres from the magnetic North Pole in one of the coldest settlements on Earth.
The frigid hamlet of Resolute Bay – with a mid-summer temperature of two degrees when Harper spoke – will be home to a new army training centre for cold-weather fighting that houses up to 100 military personnel.
The prime minister also announced that a new deepsea port will be built for navy and civilian purposes on the north end of Baffin Island, in the abandoned old zinc-mining village of Nanisivik.
Harper said both installations will help back up Canada’s ownership claim to the waters and natural resources of the Northwest Passage – a claim disputed by countries including the United States, Japan, and the entire European Union.
Speaking in a storage shed protecting him against howling winds on a barren, rock-strewn highland, Harper said the announcements tell the world that Canada has a “real, growing, long-term presence in the Arctic.”
The multimillion-dollar announcements stem from Conservative campaign commitments in the last election, and Harper’s northern trip had been planned for months.
But they happen to coincide with Russia’s dramatic move to place a flag underneath the North Pole while claiming the area’s resources as its own.
And as he spoke, Danish scientists were preparing to head for the Arctic ice pack on Sunday seeking evidence to position Denmark in the race to claim the potentially vast oil and other resources of the North Pole region.
Harper also announced that the 4,100-member Canadian Rangers patrol will be increased by another 900 members.
He stood alongside Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor, who has since been appointed Minister of Natural Revenue. A group of Rangers – the rifle-toting, Inuit volunteer force – were also on hand.
The prime minister flew in for the announcement as planned, even though the strong Arctic winds had kept his military aircraft grounded in Yellowknife overnight.
He cited the early 20th century novelist John Buchan – a future governor general, Lord Tweedsmuir – who wrote that Canada is a place where men face the primeval forces of nature and are made vigorous by a place so beautiful that it readily inspires one of the most priceless assets of a people: romantic patriotism.
Harper said Buchan’s words ring just as true today in Canada’s North.
“This remains a place where the principal forces of nature still hold sway, a place where men and women are braced into vigour by the huge trackless landscapes and the often harsh elements,” he said.
“And a place so stunningly beautiful that no Canadian can experience it without feeling an overwhelming sense of romantic patriotism for our country.”
He said even Canadians who have never been north of the 60th parallel feel it.
“It’s embedded in our history, our literature, our art, our music and our Canadian soul,” Harper said.
Canada’s ownership claim to the waters has been all but ignored by other countries, due largely to the harshness of the barren, frigid climate in which maritime transportation remains impractical.
But with warming temperatures raising the prospect of increased resource exploitation and maritime traffic, the area has attracted renewed attention.
It’s not known just how much mineral wealth and other resources lie beneath the archipelago’s 36,500 islands and 1.4 million square kilometres – but Canada is eager to claim those riches as its own.
Harper was drawn into a verbal spat immediately after taking office last year after U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins restated his country’s traditional view that Canada can have the islands, but the water is international territory.
The federal government also announced:
- It will cost $4 million to refurbish existing federal buildings for the new army training school at Resolute Bay, and another $2 million a year to operate the centre. It will employ 12 full-time staff, and be used as a command centre and training facility for several dozen soldiers at a time. The government says it chose the site because of its location in the gateway to the High Arctic, and because it already houses some Defence and Natural Resources Canada facilities.
- The expanded Rangers program will cost $240 million over 20 years at an average of $12 million annually. The 60-year-old Rangers program will take on new patrol routes and modernize its equipment, which includes trademark red uniforms and antique rifles.
- The deepwater port will extend the range of military ships in the Arctic through the navigable season, which is roughly June to October.
The new port location, more than 1,000 nautical miles from the Arctic hub of Iqaluit, was chosen for its strategic location at the eastern entrance to the Northwest Passage.
Environmental studies are slated to begin next year and construction is expected to begin in 2010. The port is expected to become partly operational in 2012 and fully operational by 2015.
The initial construction cost for the port is pegged at up to $100 million, and operating and maintenance costs are projected to be $200 million over 20 years.
Another Aboriginal joint venture for PTI
PTI Group, a North American leader in the provision of modular workforce accommodations and catering services announced recently a joint venture agreement with Bear Dog Enterprises. Operating under the name Spectrum Catering Ltd., the joint venture will provide remote location catering services to operators undertaking mining, construction, and other development projects in the Tahltan Nation traditional territory.
PTI Beaver River Properties is all about quality of life for guests working in Alberta's oil sands. It has truly set the new standard in workforce accommodations and amenities in remote areas.
The Tahltan Nation, located in northeastern British Columbia near Dease Lake and surroundings, holds inherent Aboriginal title, rights and interests in respect of its territory. Industry projects operating in the region understand the importance of supporting local business in the territory, often contracting support services to locally-owned Tahltan businesses that will provide tangible economic and social returns to the community.
Bear Dog Enterprises is a Tahltan business promoting and developing commercial enterprise within the Tahltan Nation traditional territory. Bear Dog’s shareholders are members of the Etzenlee Family who form part of the Tahltan Nation. As a Tahltan business, they have favoured contract status for the region by way of certain Economic Development Agreements. The company holds a majority ownership position in Spectrum Catering, which enables the new venture to bid on catering contracts for industry projects planned for the region.
Allen Edzerza, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bear Dog comments, “We are very pleased to be in partnership with PTI and look forward to working with their team to build capacity within Spectrum Catering Ltd. to become a leading provider of quality camp and catering services in our territory.”
PTI Group also has an equity position in the company and will leverage its 30 years of industry experience to manage day-to-day operations and sales.
PTI Group has formed several successful joint ventures with Aboriginal communities in western Canada and the north and takes a principled approach to ensuring the relationships meet the needs of all involved.
“Joint ventures are formed with the intent of being in place for the long term,” says PTI President and CEO Ron Green. “For a venture such as this to be successful, there needs to be an equal commitment from both partners and the community to realize a positive return that goes far beyond the financial success of the company.”
The joint venture will add value to the community by creating employment opportunities and apprenticeship training for those interested in pursuing a career in the culinary arts and hospitality industry. “In Bear Dog, we believe we have found a partner with a commitment to building a successful company with strong ties to the local community,” says Green.
With over 30 years experience, PTI Group is one of North America’s largest fully integrated suppliers of remote site services providing temporary and permanent workforce accommodations, food services, facility management, and other value-add services to resource industries worldwide.
Canada and Québec consolidate future with Inuit
Thirty years after the signing of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement, the historic Katimajiit meeting, which was held in Kuujjuaq on August 23rd and 24th, has made it possible to mobilize decision-makers at all levels of government and Inuit leaders with a view to opening new horizons in the development of Nunavik.
The meeting, co-chaired by Pita Aatami, President of Makivik Corporation, Maggie Emudluk, Chairperson of the Kativik Regional Government, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Québec Premier Jean Charest, also gave rise to tangible commitments that will promote, like never before, the socioeconomic development of the Inuit communities.
“Over the last few days, we have paved the way for our common future. My government intends to accompany the Inuit in their socioeconomic development. We will achieve this development together for the benefit of our communities and of Québec as a whole,” indicated Québec’s Premier.
Concerned about the situation of young people in Nunavik, the Government of Québec has agreed to take whatever steps are necessary to protect youth and to significantly improve the living conditions of Inuit communities. The efforts and the sums devoted in such fields as housing, education and culture as well as the sharing of the expertise of professionals working in the health and social services network will also contribute to offering young Inuit and their community better conditions to learn, to develop and to find self-fulfillment.
“I am confident that by working together, we will succeed in building a better Nunavik particularly by eradicating the distress felt by our children. Today, I call upon all the Inuit of Nunavik: we need to act quickly to give our children the means to realize their ambitions,” stated Pita Aatami, President of Makivik Corporation.
The Government of Québec has also undertaken to make sure that progress is achieved when it comes to the region’s priorities. With this goal in mind, investments totaling $27.5 million will make it possible to offer tangible support to economic development projects initiated by the Inuit communities. To protect the environment and ensure the sustainable development of Québec’s Far North, the government will support the cleaning up of abandoned mining sites.
Canada’s New Government has announced the allocation of close to $21 million to expand access to broadband services for the 43 communities of Northern Manitoba, Northern Ontario and Northern Québec. While the responsibilities of the Federal Government in Nunavik are governed by the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement, the Federal Government has agreed to take an active part in improving the living conditions of the residents of Nunavik.
“Real day-to-day quality of life issues like education, economic development, culture and infrastructure, are the foundations for prosperous sustainable communities. Canada's new Government will continue to work to improve quality of life of Inuit as it is in the best interest of all Canadians to ensure that all Inuit, from children to seniors, not only have access to, but benefit from better living conditions,” said Minister Chuck Strahl.
“The discussions of the last two days have been important and productive. They have underscored a clear message: all partners must work together if we wish to achieve progress on important issues for the Inuit, whether individually or collectively,” declared Minister Lawrence Cannon.
The parties have also agreed to set up a tripartite follow-up mechanism made up of political representatives of all levels of government. “The Katimajiit Round Table will see to the follow-up on the implementation of the measures that we have agreed upon together at the conference and will help ensure that the spirit of this conference guides the future development of Nunavik,” stated Maggie Emudluk, Chairperson of the Kativik Regional Government.
“Beyond the discussions, beyond the commitments and beyond the sums invested, the objective must be to take control of development, to mobilize and to assume responsibility, both individually and collectively, in order to build a better future here and now. We have many challenges to take up and projects to carry out. We must work together with the Inuit to offer our young people and our children an open, partnership-oriented society in which they can grow, blossom and find self-fulfillment,” recalled Premier Charest.
Friendship Centres from across Canada meet in BC
By Terry Lusty
Close to 300 Friendship Centre delegates from throughout Canada and the Territories converged on Victoria, B.C. July 10-13 this summer for the 36th annual general meeting of the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC). Conducted at the luxurious Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Hotel, across the harbour from downtown Victoria, the setting could hardly have been any more picturesque. The occasion was co-hosted by the Victoria Native Friendship Centre with temperatures soaring into the mid-30s. Still, most visitors seemed content to cope with the unseasonably hot weather rather than rain and many took advantage of the conditions to shop and sight-see as well.
Drum group at the local Victoria Native Friendship Centre welcome and entertain delegates from across Canada as part of their center-sponsored sumptuous feast that included many traditional foods.
Delegates were welcomed by the President, Vera Pawis Tabobondung, who opened the meeting and was followed by welcoming remarks from the youth representative, Sean Vanderklis, and Ron Rice from the Victoria Native Friendship Centre and Grace Nielsen of the B.C. Association of Friendship Centres.
As is the norm at most organization’s AGMs, reports were presented from the executive director in addition to the previous year’s minutes, the audited financial statements, the Senate and youth reports, committee reports and so forth.
Special mention was given to the late Walter Schoental, a war veteran from Saskatchewan who was a co-founder of both the Saskatchewan and the national associations. Similar recognition further acknowledged the late Georgina Donald and Delia Gray from Edmonton, Alberta. Needless to say, all three of the aforementioned contributed many, many hours and so much of their wisdom and themselves to help make the NAFC a viable component of the community at large. And, special recognition of one of the living recipients of note was extended to Elder Marge White who is said to now have 50 years of involvement with the center movement behind her.
Voting delegates at the NAFC annual general meeting in Victoria, B.C.
The second day of conference included a feast/ banquet at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, replete with traditional foods such as salmon, clams, lobster, wild rice, bannock and more. And there was no shortage of entertainment - it encompassed local traditional drum songs, a fashion show and a young, contemporary band that featured a trio of female harmonizing vocalists.
The friendship centers have been around since the 1950s with Winnipeg, Vancouver and Edmonton being some of the very first. By 1968, there were 26 centres in Canada, 43 by 1972 – the year the NAFC was incorporated - and 80 core-funded ones by 1983. Today, there are 117 centres across the country. As for funding, by 1996, administrative transfer of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program changed hands, going from the federal government’s Dept. of Canadian Heritage to the NAFC. The NAFC initially became permanently funded by the Dept. of Secretary of State in 1988.
Next year’s annual meeting of the NAFC is slated for Quebec City and will, like this year, occur in the month of July. The national president, Tabobondung, has two years in office remaining. The executive director is Peter Dinsdale while the president of the Aboriginal Youth Council is Alexis Wawandoath.
The NAFC is available on your website at www.nafc.ca.
Canada signs agreement with Safeway to increase Aboriginal employment
Canada’s New Government and Canada Safeway Limited has signed a national partnership agreement to promote career and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.
The agreement was signed by the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Chuck Mulvenna, President and Chief Operating Officer of Canada Safeway Limited.
“Canada's New Government is proud to be partnering with one of Canada's leading companies to promote the meaningful participation of Aboriginal people in the workforce," said Minister Solberg. "We are working to ensure that employers can recruit, retain and promote Aboriginal employees, which results in a win-win situation."
Safeway is a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. In support of its stores, Safeway has an extensive network of distribution, manufacturing and food processing facilities. It has over 35,000 employees in nine plants, four distribution centres and 213 retail stores located from British Columbia to Ontario.
The agreement commits the federal government and Safeway to develop a partnership for Aboriginal employment which recognizes personal worth and unique contributions, respects diverse traditions and perspectives, and provides for fair treatment, mutual respect and dignity in the work place.
"Canada Safeway recognizes the importance of workplace diversity and the desirability of reflecting the ethnic make-up of the communities we serve. As a group, Aboriginal people are one of the fastest growing segments of the population in Canada and are eager to assume a more active role in the country's economy," said Chuck Mulvenna, President and Chief Operating Officer of Canada Safeway.
The parties will work with the Aboriginal community and employees to facilitate constructive cross cultural relationships, identify employment and career opportunities for Aboriginal people and identify business opportunities of mutual benefit.
The agreement is part of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada's Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI), a program that promotes the participation of all Aboriginal peoples – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – in the labour market.