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Assembly of First Nations National Chief States Expected Outcomes from the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable Follow-up Discussions

OTTAWA, Jan. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - January 26th marked the close of the final follow-up session to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable. The Roundtable, convened by Prime Minister Paul Martin o­n April 19, 2004, was an opportunity for the Assembly of First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations to engage directly o­n a new agenda and a new relationship with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. In follow-up, six "sectoral sessions" were held over the past months to deal with priority issues that emerged from the Roundtable: Health, Lifelong Learning (Education), Housing, Economic Opportunities, Negotiations and Accountability (which wrapped-up yesterday).

Click here to read the entire AFN press release

Click here to read the AFN background and position papers for each of the roundtable discussion forums

SUMMARY OF AFN'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SIX CANADA-ABORIGINAL PEOPLES ROUNDTABLE SECTORAL SESSIONS
        ------------------------------------------------------------

At the Health session, First Nations called for a clear commitment to facilitate sustainable, accountable and culturally sensitive First Nation health systems. Specific recommendations included the implementation of commitments made at 2004 First Ministers Meeting o­n Health with Aboriginal leaders:

    - critical investments upstream in key areas such as diabetes; and
    - a reasonable rate of growth based o­n real cost drivers to ensure the sustainability of all First Nation health programming.

    In addition, AFN brought forward the need for First Nations public health infrastructure to promote prevention and supportive programming as an integral aspect of transforming health outcomes of First Nation peoples.

    In Lifelong Learning, First Nations participants carried the message that First Nation control of universal, holistic and sustainable First Nation learning systems is required. Specific targeted outcomes are expected in several areas including:

    - Ensuring comparability with the general population in all aspects of K-12 education for First Nation students
    - Developing First Nation education authorities to provide critical supportive infrastructure
    - Addressing gaps and needs as they relate to early childhood education and child welfare

    AFN also recommended a thorough review of federal and provincial skills training programming to ensure that the young First Nation population is equipped to take their rightful place in the Canadian economy.

    In Housing, the AFN advocated for:

    - urgent action to eliminate the backlog of housing and shelter needs confronting First Nations people;
    - the longer term goal of implementing First Nations control of housing through new entities that will govern, maintain and manage First Nations housing systems in a sustainable, secure manner.

    In Economic Opportunities, the AFN advocated:

    - the need to position First Nations as integral players in the Canadian economy through recognizing First Nations' rightful place in resource development, environmental stewardship, job training and business development.

    An initial concrete action in this regard would be updating Canada's Aboriginal Economic Development strategy to ensure it is serving the economic interests and requirements of First Nations.
    In the Negotiations session, National Chief Fontaine stated he was particularly pleased with the dialogue that converged with focused recommendations, including the Minister of Indian Affairs' public instructions to his departmental negotiators to be flexible and creative in their discussions with First Nations. The AFN stated that:

    - a new approach is required for First Nation negotiations which reflects court rulings over the last decade and is inclusive of self-government, land claims and treaty implementation;
    - reconciliation must become the common goal of negotiations, which can be achieved through new, multi-dimensional, multi-jurisdictional approaches.

    At the Accountability session that wrapped up this week, First Nations challenged the government to:

    - commit to reciprocal accountability from the federal government to First Nations and not simply more reporting by First Nations to the federal government, based o­n principles of a government-to-government relationship
    - a broad First Nation accountability framework that will provide meaningful assessments, equipping First Nations and the Governments of Canada to track real progress in addressing the shameful conditions facing the majority of First Nations communities;
    - ensuring accountability to First Nation citizens first and foremost; and
    - developing supportive institutions such as a First Nations Auditor-General.

On Wednesday morning, three members of the Wahsa teaching team (Doug LeConte, Al Morrison and Marvin Osmond) meet at K-Net to get a tour of some of the e-learning tools being utilized by members of Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet team. Some of the potential program and course delivery strategies being explored and developed for students enrolled in the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council include:

• using video conferencing to share high school courses between Wahsa Distance Education Centres located in First Nations across the north, Pelican Falls First Nations High School in Sioux Lookout, Dennis Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay and Eagle Nest High School in Ear Falls;
• developing content and delivering programs and courses using the macromedia Breeze platform;
• integrating and complementing these different delivery tools with an e-learning platform that meets their needs, for example the moodle environment.

On Thursday morning, four members of the Wawatay team met at K-Net to discuss possible program and service delivery strategies for their organization that would support a stronger o­n-line presence in all their operations (newspaper, radio and television). Martin Tuesday, Alvin Fiddler, Leroy Fiddler and George Witham (via telephone) discussed various strategies for developing their infrastructure to support a variety of o­n-line applications that would see and support local First Nations being able to develop and deliver a wider range of community radio programming by linking radio stations o­n-line. Wawatay's web presence is now delivering current news stories and radio programming with the directions lead by Alvin and Leroy.

Four positions with the new Northern o­ntario School of Medicine (NOSM) are being advertised. Three of the positions as the Aboriginal Community Coordinator will be spread across Northern O­ntario with offices located in Timmins, Sault Ste Marie and Sioux Lookout. The fourth position, Program Coordinator – Aboriginal Affairs will be located in Thunder Bay. See below for the complete job advertisements ...

JOB POSTING

Competition Number	2004-100-KG
Position Title	Aboriginal Community Coordinator (3 positions available)
Salary Grade	To Be Determined
Unit	UME
Location	1 position located in Timmins 1 position located in Sioux Lookout 1 position located in Sault Ste. Marie
Category	One (1) year contract (Full time)
Internal Control Report
Competition Closing Date	February 11, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.

PRINCIPLES:

The Northern o­ntario School of Medicine (NOSM) is a joint venture of Laurentian University and Lakehead University.With main campuses in Sudbury and Thunder Bay, the School will have multiple teaching and research sites distributed across Northern o­ntario, including large and small communities.

As an organization, the School is committed to achieving its vision, mission and values through a strategic plan articulated through a series of strategy documents which provide the context for specific operational plans of Medical School groups, units and teams and position descriptions of individual team members.This position’s contribution will be measured by its ability to contribute to the achievement of the goals, vision and mission of the Northern o­ntario School of Medicine.

Reporting directly to the Associate Dean – Undergraduate Medical Education (UME), or his/her designate, this position will be responsible for assisting the Distributed Sites Office in annual preparation of and arranging for first-year medical student placements within Aboriginal communities.The Coordinators will be responsible to coordinate within their region the details of ensuring the distributed sites are o­n board and ready for students.These positions will also act as ambassadors for the School to champion local collaboration between communities and the School.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tasks may include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordination of the detailed operational logistics of first-year student placements in Aboriginal communities that meet the program needs and also meet the remote placement guidelines.
• To liaise with community leaders, medical and health care staff to coordinate the details of student placements and establish local working groups.
• Identify issues with placements and coordinate the development of solutions within the community.
• To make formal and informal presentations to community groups about the School and Aboriginal placements
• To coordinate meetings with local community groups such as Chief and Council and Health Centres, Nursing Stations which may include other Medical School staff participating.
• To identify living accommodation options for students.
• Act as a role model for the organization within the northern communities.
• Significant travel o­n behalf of the organization to and from various Northern communities.
• Participate in remote site program evaluation
• To support the formalization of the commitment between communities and the Medical School to host students long –term through a variety of agreements such asMemorandums of Understanding, Band Council Resolutions and Affiliation Agreements

Key Results Required

• Evidence of community engagement (information distribution, coordinating information sessions etc.).
• Evidence of contribution towards community commitments (Memorandums of Understanding, Band Council Resolutions, Affiliation Agreements, etc).
• Evidence of the School’s accountability to communities (concerns notes and directed, suggestions forwarded to appropriate staff etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Post-secondary education in a related field (Business Administration, Social Sciences, Health Administration, Indigenous Studies) or its equivalent in knowledge and experience.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in community development
• Demonstrated familiarity with various computer software applications.
• Demonstrated experience working in Aboriginal communities

Knowledge of:

• Various health programs, regulations, and procedures of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and other Federal/Provincial Governments as they relate to health care and funding arrangements with the First Nation
• Aboriginal culture and traditions
• Cultural diversity of Northern o­ntario
• Rural and remote community living experiences
• Medical resources in rural and remote communities
• Socio-economic conditions of the First Nations of Northern o­ntario
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations that apply to the work being performed

Ability to:

• Respond to a variety of information requests in a timely manner
• Prepare and deliver presentations to both small and large groups
• Communicate at a high level of expertise.Strong verbal and written skills will be essential in completing a variety of communication tasks, such as report writing.
• Deliver high quality work
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Travel (by car or plane) o­n behalf of the organization as needed

Personal Suitability:

• Familiarity with northern health services
• Mental and physical fitness to perform essential job functions including travel
• High tolerance for change and ambiguity
• Balanced life-style
• Confidence; enthusiasm
• Interpersonal skills

Language:

• Must be able to communicate effectively in English (verbally, written and comprehension).
• Aboriginal language skills would be a considerable asset.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume along with the Competition Number 2004-100-KG to:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 JOB POSTING

Competition Number	2004-134-BH
Position Title	Program Coordinator – Aboriginal Affairs
Salary Grade	To Be Determined
Unit	Aboriginal Affairs
Location	Thunder Bay campus
Category	One (1) year contract
Internal Control Report
Competition Closing Date	February 11, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.

PRINCIPLES:

The Northern o­ntario School of Medicine is a joint venture of Laurentian University and Lakehead University.With main campuses in Sudbury and Thunder Bay, the Medical School will have multiple teaching and research sites distributed across Northern o­ntario, including large and small communities.

As an organization, the Medical School is committed to achieving its vision, mission and values through a strategic plan articulated through a series of strategy documents which provide the context for specific operational plans of Medical School groups, units and teams and position descriptions of individual team members.This position’s contribution will be measured by its ability to contribute to the achievement of the goals, vision and mission of the Northern o­ntario School of Medicine.

Reporting to the Director of Aboriginal Affairs, this position’s primary purpose is to provide assistance in the development of initiatives and programs which will be aimed toward the successful partnership of the Medical School and the Aboriginal groups as stated in the Report of the Aboriginal Workshop.This position will also serve as a resource person for the development of curriculum and Aboriginal initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tasks may include but are not limited to the following:

• To assist in the development of culturally appropriate community engagement activities that will bring Aboriginal communities o­n board for the Year 1 Aboriginal Placement
• To assist in the coordination and development of initiatives recommended in the Report of the Aboriginal Workshop and as mandated by the Aboriginal Groups
• To participate in the preparation and setting of agendas for workshops and meetings related to Aboriginal initiatives
• To research Aboriginal learning materials that will complement the oral teachings of Aboriginal culture and traditions
• To assist in development of protocols/policies that are sensitive and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people and communities
• To assist with the establishment of a mechanism or process for o­ngoing communication with Aboriginal groups
• To represent the Director and Unit at meetings, conferences etc. when appropriate
• To prepare briefing notes/updates o­n activities as required by Director.
• To coordinate the day to day activities of other Aboriginal Affairs Unit staff in the absence of the Director
• To maintain a contact database of the various stakeholders in the Aboriginal communities across the North
• To work collaboratively with the Admissions and Student Affairs Unit to identify opportunities to increase the awareness and participation of Aboriginal people in the development of the Medical School, including outreach activities and services for potential students and medical students
• To ensure, in consultation with the Director, that the curriculum developed within the Aboriginal medical education programs is appropriate and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people
• To act as a role model of the organization’s values in daily activities
• To perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

A diploma in Aboriginal Studies, Business Administration, Nursing or Health or Human Sciences from a recognized institution with Canadian accreditation or its equivalent in knowledge and experience.

Experience:

Three years related experience

• Experience in the development of community-based health or education initiatives is essential
• Experience in the health care, social work or related fields particularly in Northern o­ntario
• Experience working with or strong understanding of Aboriginal communities, political structures, and healthcare systems within remote and Northern communities

Knowledge of:

• Computer office software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, internet)
• Office practices and procedures
• University administration policies and procedures is an asset
• Aboriginal health care systems, o­n and off reserves
• Federal and Provincial legislation pertaining to Aboriginal peoples
• The Occupational Health & Safety Act and Regulations that apply to the work being performed

Ability to:

Multi-task in a high volume work environment

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Effectively communicate: face-to-face, phone, fax, email
• Understand and follow instructions and work with minimal supervision
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Operate a PC and work comfortably in a computerized office environment
• Gather and analyze data, compile information and draft reports
• Plan, organize and prioritize work
• Analyze and solve problems typically associated with responsibilities
• Use discretion and maintain confidentiality
• Exercise initiative and judgment and make decisions within position’s scope of authority
• Identify with the Northern o­ntario experience and/or issues common with rural and northern communities
• Work effectively under pressure
• Work evening and/or weekend hours when needed
• Work within established organizational practices, protocols and policies
• Work in a consultative and collaborative fashion with a variety of other units to further overall school strategic objectives
• Work with a variety of diverse groups and individuals while being sensitive to cultural differences

Personal Suitability:

• Mental and physical fitness to perform essential job functions
• High tolerance for change and ambiguity
• Balanced life-style
• Confidence; enthusiasm
• Interpersonal skills

Language:

• Must be able to communicate effectively in English (verbally, written and comprehension)
• Ability to communicate in o­ne of the Aboriginal languages of Northern o­ntario (Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree) is an asset

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume along with the Competition Number 2004-134-BH to:

Kasabonika Men's

Hockey Tournament 2005

(Revised Dates)
February 9-12, 2005

Championship $10,000.00
Finalists $6000.00
Consolation $3500.00
Runners Up $1500.00

Entry Fee:
Local Teams $1500.00
Outside Teams $1400.00
- First 9 outside & 3 local teams accepted.
- Open Ice Contact
- Meals & Accommodations provided.



For more info or to enter contact:
   Arena Staff @ (807) 535-2556
   Tom Semple @ (807) 535-1151 (home)
   Raymond Morris @ (807) 535-2737 (work)
   Chris P. Anderson @ (807) 535-9164 (home)
   Gordon Mckay @ (807) 535-2775 (home)

Cal Kenny, K-Net's Graphic and Website Designer, joined seven Pelican Falls First Nations High School students o­n a two day dog sledding trip 15km south of Vermillon Bay. Cal, as part of his contract work with Industry Canada First Nations SchoolNet, was video taping the trip so it could be posted o­n the Pelican Falls' web site.

Darren Lentz and Donna Chief, teachers at Pelican, organized the trip. They worked with Burton Penner, a Vermillon Bay dog sledder and trapper, to provide the youth with a wilderness adventure that they will remember for a long time to come.

Click here to view the pictures from this trip

Watch for the upcoming video clips from the trip

From the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines web site o­n January 24, 2005 ...

The McGuinty government today released details and application guidelines for six new Northern o­ntario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) programs that will revitalize Northern o­ntario. Northern Development and Mines Minister and NOHFC Chair Rick Bartolucci announced the new programs in the company of Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Oriazetti from Roberta Bondar Place in Sault Ste. Marie.

The six new programs, developed under the refocused NOHFC mandate, will provide new opportunities to northern o­ntario youth, young entrepreneurs, business owners, communities, public-private partnerships and others across the North. They will complement other government initiatives such as the Northern o­ntario Grow Bonds pilot project and the GO North Investor Program.

Click here to learn more about these new programs

Everyone is invited to contribute their thoughts about the new Social Economy program that FedNor will be delivering over the next two years. The o­n-line consultation documents provides a great opportunity for everyone to lobby for more contributions towards addressing the needs of small, remote and rural communities as they struggle to maintain their place in the Canadian economy!

Below is a message distributed by FedNor encouraging everyone's contributions to this process before Wednesday, January 26.

"You may recall that the February 2004 Speech from the Throne identified the "social economy" as a new priority for the Government of Canada. The March 2004 Budget underlined this commitment with a specific reference to social economy enterprises. A National Roundtable o­n the Social Economy has been established to advise broadly o­n this sector and provide input to the development of a federal policy framework regarding these initiatives.

I am pleased to report that FedNor has been asked to convene an o­ntario regional roundtable composed of key community economic development and social economy stakeholders o­n Wednesday, January 26th, 2005 in Toronto. I  will be attending with a small team of FedNor officers.In addition to this roundtable, FedNor has set up a web-based  consultation process, to allow those not at the meeting next week to share their views o­n priorities, program design, program delivery approaches, and evaluation.

You are more than welcome to visit this site by clicking o­n the What's New section o­n the FedNor home page or linking directly to:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/infednor-fednor.nsf/en/h_fn02091e.html

We expect the web-based and roundtable consultation process to be completed o­n January 26th. 

Greg Smith
Associate Director General

Industry Canada’s Peter Czerny and KO’s Brian Walmark are talking to people in Fort Severn about the impact that C-Band is having o­n their community... The two are meeting with Deputy Chief Brian Crowe this morning and with KiHS students this afternoon... More details to come...

Help requested for family of sick teenager from Aroland First Nation.

The parents of a young 16 years old girl from Aroland, Mirabele Medowegan, are appealing for public support and donations from their daughter’s bedside at The Sick Kid’s Hospital in Toronto, to help them pay for the extra-ordinary expenses needed to remain in the city with their sick child.  

Mirabele Medowegan, who is described by her attending surgeons as a very young 16 years old, is currently in critical condition as a result of serious congenital heart disease. Mirabele was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and an obstruction to the flow of her blood through her heart chambers at a very young age. She has undergone numerous surgeries and in 1998, Mirabele had a mechanical valve implanted into her heart and is dependent o­n blood thinners to maintain the correct flow of blood through her heart.

Recent dental abstractions have caused severe and uncontrollable post-operative bleeding for the teenager, who was admitted to Sick Kid’s over 9 days ago. Following numerous blood transfusions, doctors indicate that their o­nly option may be to take Mirabele off her prescribed blood thinners, which could cause a potentially fatal blood clot of her heart.

Says family friend, Chief Sam Kaskeesh: “We have watched Mirabele struggle to survive since she was born. She is an incredibly strong girl who is a constant inspiration to all of us. I have no doubt that she will continue to put up the fight of her life and I o­nly hope that the public shows as much generous support for her fight as they have for others in need recently, who are further away.”

Aside from the highly emotional trauma of nursing a sick child, the parents of Mirabele are facing the unwarranted predicament that has faced many others from this community; the high price of being able to be at their sick child’s bedside that is not paid by Health Canada.The family is asking the public for any donations that may help them to stay in Toronto with their daughter.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Matawa First Nations Management: 807 344 4575 or 767 4443.

Self-governance is the key to crucial economic strides made by tribal governments in the last ten years, according to a report issued by the Harvard Project o­n American Indian Economic Development at the Kennedy School of Government. The report, American Indians o­n Reservations: A Databook of Socioeconomic Change Between the 1990 and 2000 Censuses, compiled data and marked the positive changes in Indian Country over the last ten years. The report reflects the tremendous changes experienced by individual Indians living o­n reservations during a time of increasing political self-determination by tribes and the unprecedented expansion in gaming activities under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.  Although this report is about American tribes and communities, there are some valuable lessons to be found from their efforts to achieve economic independence ....

Click here to download the entire report

"The data reflects that when tribes are truly empowered to govern, our communities grow," said Jacqueline Johnson, Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians. "There has been a ripple of positive change in tribal communities, as tribes make their own sound decisions o­n what is best for their citizens. Strong, healthy tribal self-governance is not just good for the health of tribal nations, but for the health of the United States as a whole."

Highlights of the report include:

• Having started the 1990s with incomes lagging far behind those for the general U.S. population, American Indians in Indian Country experienced substantial growth in income per capita. Even with this Indian population rising by more than 20% between 1990 and 2000, real (inflation-adjusted) per capita Indian income rose by about o­ne-third. For both gaming and non-gaming tribes, the overall rate of income growth substantially outstripped the 11% increase in real per capita income for the U.S. as a whole. However, the average income in Indian Country is still less than half the national U.S. average.
• From 1990 to 2000, Indian family poverty rates dropped by seven percentage points or more in non-gaming areas, and by about ten percentage points in gaming areas. For the U.S. as a whole, family poverty dropped eight-tenths of a percentage point. Indian unemployment rates dropped by about two-and-a-half percentage points in non-gaming areas and by more than five percentage points in gaming areas. U.S. unemployment dropped by half a percentage point.
• Housing overcrowding in Indian Country decreased during the decade, particularly in Indian areas without gaming. The percentage of American Indians living in homes with plumbing increased markedly in both gaming and non-gaming areas. The proportion of adult Indians o­n reservations with less than a 9th grade education declined substantially. In Indian areas with gaming this put adult Indians at about par with U.S. levels. The proportion of Indian adults with college degrees rose substantially, though not enough to keep pace with the very substantial gains in overall U.S. college attainment.

Johnson said the data reflects positive change, but there is still a long way to go to bridge the socioeconomic gap with mainstream America.

"Our economies will continue this upswing in socioeconomic standing as long as tribal governments are recognized as viable governments making good decisions for the health of their communities," Johnson said. "Indian leaders know what is best for protecting Indian communities. This report is a strong statement of the powers of tribal self-determination."

The report's co-author Jonathan Taylor, a research fellow at The Harvard Project o­n American Indian Economic Development, said "the data shows solid improvement in the lives of Indians living o­n reservations with and without gaming. What's more, these gains came despite the fact that federal Indian funding levels have been losing ground against non-Indian domestic spending. Considering that reservation incomes fell by eight percent in the 1980s, the strides tribes have made in the 1990s are quite remarkable."

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates o­n behalf of more than 250 tribal governments, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights.