November index

What’s up across the country…

PRINCE GEORGE, BC

Premier Gordon Campbell was in Prince George on October 30th to initial the first Aboriginal treaty worked out under the BC Treaty Commission.

He was joined by the federal Indian Affairs minister and Chief Dominic Frederick of the 320-member Lheidli T'enneh (CLAY-CLAY-tehn-AY') First Nation.

The treaty will require a tribal referendum and votes by the BC and federal governments.

The final negotiation process could take up to two years.

HAY RIVER, NT

A potential strike at the Northwest Territories' only drug and alcohol treatment facility has resulted in patients being sent to Alberta.

A vice-president of the Public Service Alliance of Canada said workers at the Nats'ejee K'eh Treatment Centre voted October 20th to take job action to back up their demands for a new contract.

EDMONTON, AB

A group of Aboriginal leaders have announced their support for Jim Dinning in the race for the leadership of Alberta's Tories. About 50 people gathered at a rally October 28th at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre to express their support of Dinning.

NANAIMO, BC

Members of more than 40 First Nations are demanding the federal and provincial governments fix and finish land-claim treaties. Chiefs, Elders and other representatives signed a protocol in Nanaimo October 28th in an effort to overcome an impasse with treaty negotiations.

Chief Robert Louis of Westbank says if demands aren't met, the issue could lead to further action. He says blockades are a potential way of getting their message across to the public. Key areas the groups hope to improve on are taxation and fisheries. 

REGINA, SK

Despite disagreements, Premier Lorne Calvert says he's looked forward to working with the new chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

Calvert says he hasn't had a chance to speak with Lawrence Joseph since he was elected October 25th. Potential disagreements between the NDP government and Joseph centre around his stance on the justice system Joseph has called for a separate justice system for First Nations people, something Calvert's government has rejected in the past.

BRANDON, MB

An official with the Manitoba Metis Federation says his agency doesn't have the resources to make sure its members following hunting rules. Allan Benoit was testifying at the trial of a man charged with illegally shooting a duck. Outside court, Benoit said that Metis hunting rules are more stringent than provincial rules. But during cross- examination in court, he admitted that the federation relies on education and good faith to make sure the rules are adhered to. 

ORILLIA, ON

Sixty-four new auxiliary officers graduated at an OPP graduation ceremony October 27th, at ODAS Park in Orillia, and will proudly serve alongside regular OPP officers throughout Ontario's communities. Among the graduates are nine First Nations officers. 

KUUJJUAQ, PQ

Quebec Inuit have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a massive land claim agreement that gives them ownership of 80 per cent of the small islands in the waters off their northern shore. It also guarantees them a share of offshore resource royalties.

The Nunavik Inuit Land Claim Agreement will also see $86 million transferred to Inuit coffers over nine years.

Once ratified by Parliament, the deal gives Nunavik Inuit rights to 51-hundred square kilometres in Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait and Ungava Bay. 

MASHTEUIATSH, PQ

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, reiterated the commitment made to advance the goals of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in Quebec and Labrador by Canada's New Government at the First Nations Socioeconomic Forum, which ended October 27th.

During the conference, the federal government announced more than $88 million in initiatives and investments to benefit First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in these regions.

ST. PETER’S, NS

Tensions appear to be easing between Native and non-Native fishermen over the fall Aboriginal lobster fishery in Cape Breton. Both sides in the dispute are now talking, the federal Fisheries Department said October 23rd.

``I think there is a willingness on both sides to discuss a framework for next year that will allow a harmonious fishery between the First Nations and the non-Native fishermen,'' said Gus van Helvoort, regional director for DFO.

Van Helvoort said DFO is committed to sitting down in the coming weeks, well before the spring fishery, and put together a plan that works for both groups.

Commercial fishermen say the 250 traps allocated to the native food fishery has the potential to trap a significant number of lobsters. Fishermen from the Chapel Island reserve argue they have 250 traps distributed among the community and have the right to fish it responsibly in a way that it meets the food requirement.

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