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ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY Resolution no.  14/2005

July 5, 6 & 7, 2005, Yellowknife, NWT  

SUBJECT: ANNUAL FIRST NATIONS WOMEN’S DAY

MOVED BY: Chief Patricia Sparvier, Cowessess First Nation, SK

SECONDED BY: Chief Maureen Chapman, Skawahlook First Nation, BC

DECISION: Carried By Consensus

WHEREAS First Nations women have contributed to the success, livelihood and survival of our communities; and

WHEREAS it is important for people in our communities to support and recognize the need to acknowledge and honor First Nations women; and

WHEREAS AFN Resolution 111/2004 was passed at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly held on December 7-9, 2004 in Ottawa, Ontario which declared 2005 to be the Year of First Nations Women; and

WHEREAS the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Chiefs-in-Assembly passed a resolution, on June 8, 2005, to recognize 2005 as the Year of the First Nations’ Woman; and

WHEREAS the Saskatchewan First Nations Women’s Commission and their Advisory Circle has recommended that as part of the legacy of the Year of the First Nations’ Woman, October 5, 2005 be declared as the first annual First Nations Women’s Day.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AFN Chiefs-in-Assembly support October 5, 2005 to be declared the first annual First Nations Women’s Day.

INAC Press Release:  2-02712

CALSTOCK, ONTARIO (September 30, 2005) - The residents of Constance Lake First Nation, today, celebrated the grand opening of their new $13.3 million Holistic Education Centre.

Attending, on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Brent St. Denis, Member of Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, spoke at the opening of the community’s pride in its new education facility.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to be a partner with communities such as Constance Lake in creating a better life for its children,” he said. “As promised in the October 2004 Speech From the Throne, we will continue to ensure - step by step, day by day - that the gaps in life chances between Aboriginals and other Canadians are reduced. This facility, and others like it, will help us reach that goal.”

“Our children are the future of this community,” said Chief Arthur Moore. “By creating a healthy and safe learning environment, it is our hope that these children will become well-educated young adults who will preserve and enhance the well-being of this community and the region.”

Funding for the new education centre was provided through a partnership between Indian and Northern Affairs Canada ($11.9 million) and the First Nation ($1.4 million). The new 4,142m2 education centre provides approximately 400 spaces for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students and teachings in the traditional Cree language.

Designed by Don Courtnage and built by Pennco Construction Ltd of Winnipeg, Manitoba, the school’s teepee style front entrance opens to a circular foyer with a colour scheme of earth tones to emphasize the holistic philosophy of the First Nation, and highlight the importance of the Oji-Cree culture.

The Constance Lake First Nation is located 40 kilometres northwest of Hearst, with a membership of approximately 1,400 and an on-reserve population of 758.

For further information, contact:

Tony Prudori
Communications Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Ontario Region
(807) 624-1535

Stella Etherington
Director of Education
Constance Lake First Nation
(705) 463-1199