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From the Backgrounder of the Press Release (see below) ... THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Sadly and invariably whenever UN human rights bodies review Canada’s record of compliance with its international obligations, safeguarding the rights of Indigenous peoples readily emerges as a very serious area of concern. Amnesty International’s Human Rights Agenda has consistently stressed that improving the protection of Indigenous peoples’ rights is one of the most pressing human rights challenges that Canada faces.

In 2005, the Human Rights Committee laid out seven recommendations regarding the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada, including two areas highlighted in Amnesty International’s Human Rights Agenda: violence against Indigenous women, and the plight of the Lubicon Cree.

i)Violence against Indigenous Women

Amnesty International’s October 2004 report, Stolen Sisters, outlined alarmingly high levels of violence and discrimination faced by Indigenous women in Canada. Indigenous women’s groups across Canada have been pressing the government to recognize and respond to this serious human rights concern for many years, such as through the Native Women Association of Canada’s Sisters in Spirit Campaign. Over the past year a number of important initiatives have been announced by both federal and provincial government departments, including substantial funding for NWAC. Indigenous women’s organizations have a central role to play in stopping violence against Indigenous women and need adequate, sustained funding to do so. But other institutions, including the police, also have a crucial role to play.

The Human Rights Committee notes that Aboriginal women are far more likely to experience a violent death than other Canadian women and calls on Canada to:

… gather accurate statistical data throughout the country on violence against Aboriginal women, fully address the root causes of this phenomenom, including the economic and social marginalization of Aboriginal women, and ensure their effective access to the justice system. [Canada] should also ensure that prompt and adequate response is provided by the police in such cases, through training and regulations.

It is time to ensure safety for all Indigenous women in Canada. The government should act immediately to put in place consistent approaches to gathering and analyzing statistics about the level and nature of violence experienced by Indigenous women in Canada. The government should also ensure that effective action protocols are adopted by police forces across the country, so that all police recognize the heightened vulnerability of Indigenous women to violence and take appropriate steps to respond to that violence.

ii)Lubicon Cree

One of the most glaring failures to implement UN level human rights recommendations is the situation of the Lubicon Cree in Alberta. In 1990, the Human Rights Committee issued a detailed report documenting serious violations of the rights of the Lubicon, stemming from a decades-old failure to enter into an agreement with the Lubicon regarding their land rights. The Committee called on the government to ensure a prompt and just settlement of the dispute. Fifteen years later the dispute remains unresolved, the ability of the Lubicon to provide for themselves remains under threat, and there have been no negotiations between the government and the Lubicon for over two years.

Fifteen years on, the Human Rights Committee has called on Canada to:

… make every effort to resume negotiations with the Lubicon Lake Band, with a view to finding a solution which respects the rights of the Band under the Covenant, as already found by the Committee. It should consult with the Band before granting licenses for economic exploitation of the disputed land, and ensure that in no case such exploitation jeopardizes the rights recognized under the Covenant.

It is time, far past time, for a just resolution of the land rights dispute with the Lubicon Cree. Canada must make negotiation of a just settlement a high priority, and ensure that its negotiators are given a clear mandate to reach a settlement that ensures full respect and protection of the rights of the Lubicon Cree under national and international law.

http://www.amnesty.ca/themes/resources/unchr_ip_rights_booklet.pdf

Advancing the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples - A Critical Challenge for the International Community Voices from a forum at the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights - 13 April 2005

Presented by Amnesty International, la Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH), the Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV), Friends World Committee for Consultation (Quakers), and Rights and Democracy  - October 2005

Amnesty International Canada
312 Laurier Avenue East
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1N 1H9
http://www.amnesty.ca

Quaker Aboriginal Affairs Committee
Canadian Friends Service Committee
60 Lowther Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5R 1C7
http://www.quaker.ca

Rights and Democracy
1001 de Maisonneuve Blvd. East
Suite 1100
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
H2L 4P9
http://www.dd-rd.ca

PRESS RELEASE - AMR 20/C11/2005 - 19 December 2005

http://www.amnesty.ca/resource_centre/news/view.php?load=arcview&article=3129&c=Resource+Centre+News

Putting human rights on the agenda: It Is Time To Comply with UN recommendations, says Amnesty International Canada

Canada’s commitment to human rights has been weakened but it is not beyond repair, says Amnesty International Canada. The challenge for all the political leaders is to make human rights issues a priority in the next Parliament with a commitment to implement recommendations for Canada by United Nations human rights bodies this past year and years previous. The problems have been identified, now It Is Time To Comply, says Amnesty International Canada in an update released today.

“The rights of Indigenous people, the maintenance of security through human rights, and justice and oversight mechanisms for refugees, torture survivors and prisoners are all areas that require serious attention”, says Alex Neve, Secretary General of the English branch of Amnesty International Canada.

The UN Human Rights Committee’s call for compliance by Canada must be met with federal, provincial and territorial cooperation in a new coordinated public approach that ensures Canada meets its international human rights obligations, says the organization.

In the critical area of Indigenous peoples, the right to safety of all Indigenous women must be ensured. Effective action protocols for all police, that reflect the particular vulnerability of Indigenous women are critical, as the UN Human Rights Committee has asserted. Canada must also make a high priority the negotiation of a just settlement of the land rights of the Lubicon Cree in Alberta. In 1990 the UN Human Rights Committee called for a “prompt and just settlement of the dispute”. It is now long past time for Canada to comply, says Amnesty International Canada.

In December 2004 Amnesty International’s Human Rights Agenda outlined the importance of security grounded in respect for human rights. Without respect for these rights there is only greater injustice and insecurity, notes the organization.

The UN Human Rights Committee and the Committee against Torture have both called on Canada to uphold the absolute prohibition against deporting individuals to torture. Amnesty International Canada says is it time for Canada to enact legislation to ensure that no one will ever be sent from Canada to a place where they face the possibility of torture. And the government must refrain from seeking ineffective diplomatic assurances that allow transfers to countries where there is a grave risk of torture.

The troubling use of security certificates under immigration law to detain non-Canadians has received scrutiny from the UN Human Rights Committee and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, for failing to meet international fair trial standards. Amnesty International Canada is calling for the process to be brought into line with international law and allow those accused of involvement or support for terrorism to have a fair hearing that meets international standards.

In the last two years there have been a number of cases - Maher Arar, Abdullah Almalki, Ahmed El Maati, Muayyed Nureddin - of arrest, detentions and torture abroad, where questions have been raised about the involvement of Canadian officials. The government cannot play a role in the rendition and torture of Canadians in other countries. The UN Human Rights Committee made it clear in their report this year that a public and independent inquiry must review all the suspected cases and determine direct or indirect involvement of Canadian officials. All cases of Canadian citizens detained and tortured abroad in the context of national security investigations must be subject to a fair, independent and comprehensive public review, says the organization.

In the area of justice and oversight Canada is also failing to meet recommendations set out by the UN human rights committees. Canada must change the State Immunity Act to allow individuals to seek redress in Canadian Courts for torture and other serious human rights violations suffered abroad, says Amnesty International Canada.

Canadians cannot seek redress for torture in other countries and rejected refugees who may face the danger of torture, as the Committee against Torture has noted, are being denied a judicial review on the merits of their cases. The Committee has called for this type of review. Canada must meet this recommendation, says Amnesty International Canada, and live up to the requirement of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and establish the refugee appeal process.

In the oversight area there are two critical issues that need attention to bring Canada into compliance with the recommendations of the UN committees. The UN Human Rights Committee has noted the need for an independent external redress body for federally sentenced women prisoners. This independent oversight body is critical says Amnesty International Canada. And Canada must adhere to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture that provides for national and international inspection of detention centres to help identify conditions that are conducive to torture. Intergovernmental wrangling cannot be allowed to stall Canada’s commitment to a crucial mechanism to ensure that the conditions that lead to torture do not exist in prisons in Canada and around the world.

This year the UN committees reviewing human rights issues have made it clear what Canada must do to meet its international human rights obligations.

“Amnesty International says it is time for Canada to comply with the UN recommendations,”, says Michel Frenette, the executive director of the francophone branch of Amnesty International Canada. “We are challenging all the political leaders to make a commitment during this election that action on these human rights issues will be a priority in the next Parliament. Canada’s international human rights reputation depends on it.”

For further information, please contact:

John Tackaberry
Media Relations
(613) 744-7667 #236

Elizabeth Berton-Hunter
Media Relations (Toronto)
(416)363-9933 x32

From the Heritage Canada web site at
http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/march-21-mars/hands-mains/index_e.cfm

Entry Deadline - January 16, 2006

2006 marks the 10th anniversary of the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition. The Competition involves thousands of young Canadians in every province and territory. It requires little or no acting experience but requires one to have fun. It also allows individuals to move beyond the recognition of the problem and take action to Stop It!

All members who enter the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition receive participation certificates. The 10 winning videos are selected by a tiered process in which entries are judged for originality, audio/visual quality and, most important, the effectiveness of the Racism. Stop It! message. The winners are invited to an award ceremony to commemorate March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

In 1966, the United Nations declared March 21 the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and, in 1989, Canada began the March 21 Campaign to promote racial harmony. The Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition is part of our country’s Campaign against racial discrimination and every year we encourage youth to participate.

How To Enter

If you are between 12 and 18 years of age inclusive (must be under 19 as of March 21), you are eligible to enter the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition. Produce a 60 to 90 second video that represents your team's thoughts on eliminating racial discrimination. Use your personal filmmaking style: experimental, narrative, animated, high-tech, or documentary. Whatever helps get your message across. You can feature as many people as you like in your video - include your whole school or members of your community if they have something to say about eliminating racial discrimination. However, your production team can consist of only five people! You and your team can get help, but it must be your own creative efforts.

You can enter the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition by filling out the Entry form and sending it to the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition Co-ordinator, c/o The Students Commission, 23 Isabella St., Toronto, ON M4Y 1M7, as indicated on the entry form.

Deadline

The entry deadline for the Racism. Stop It! National Video Competition is January 16, 2006. Videos must be postmarked by that date. For further information please call 1-888-77MULTI/1-888-776-8584.

14th annual “Learning To Walk Together” Traditional Pow Wow

March 18 & 19, 2006

Vandament Arena - Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan

Ph:  906-227-1397

Fx:  906-227-1396

www.nmu.edu/nativeamericans

Everyone has until December 25 (Christmas Day) to submit letters to the Ontario Energy Board and Hydro One Remote Communities to have either "observer" or "intervenor" status in the proceedings to change electricity rates in remote communities served by Hydro One. The Notice of Application was published in the Dec 15 issue of Wawatay and states that "Your request must made by letter received no later than 10 days from the publication date of this notice." Click here for a PDF copy of the Notice as it appears in Wawatay.

The notice also states "Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. is seeking approval of $35.552 million as the revenue it requires." It then goes on to say that some customers who are able to conserve electricity and maintain lower kilowatt per month usage will have their cost decease. But what is not stated is the penalties that will be charged to those users who might need more electricity to heat their poorly insultated homes or operate their businesses and organizations in these communities. There are many unanswered questions in this Notice of Application, so hopefully different organizations and communities will establish intervention status with these proceedings to protect the interest of the people who live and work in the far north.

Further information on how to participate in these proceedings can be found at http://www.oeb.gov.on.ca or by calling the Consumer Relations Centre at 1-877-632-2727

The Bolivian population which Indigenous people make up two-thirds of the total population of 8.5 million, has elected their first ever Indigenous president.

From http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/12/18/bolivia-election051218.html

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 00:02:29 EST

A leftist candidate appears set to win an election and become Bolivia's first indigenous president, after his main rival conceded defeat amid reports that he was trailing far behind.

Evo Morales, a former coca farmer and union leader, has raised hackles in Washington with promises to fully legalize coca leaf production and nationalize the country's oil and gas industry.

Presidential candidate Evo Morales waves to supporters after voting during general elections at Villa 14 de Septiembre, some 170 km from Cochabamba, Bolivia. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Unofficial results tabulated by four local television stations gave between 47 per cent and 50 per cent of the votes in Sunday's election to Morales, who heads the Movimiento al Socialismo (Movement Toward Socialism or MAS) party.

Two independent surveys released after polling stations closed also indicated that Morales held the lead, with between 44 per cent and 45 per cent of the ballots.

His closest contender, conservative Jorge Quiroga, appeared to be trailing at between 33 per cent and 34 per cent, according to the exit polls.

Morales, 46, thanked a crowd of supporters in Cochabamba for his "great triumph," while warning them to wait for the official results.

"I am very content, very emotional about this," he said.

Quiroga conceded defeat Sunday night.

"I congratulate the candidates of MAS that have carried out a good campaign," said Quiroga, a former president who has strong support in areas that are rich in oil and gas production.

Morales support higher than expected

Morales appears to have won much more support than pre-election polls had predicted.

If he captures more than half the votes, he will be able to declare an outright victory. Otherwise, he will have to wait for the country's legislators to declare a winner in January.

Bolivians, who live in South America's poorest country, were also voting to choose a new parliament and regional governors.

Pledge to legalize coca worries U.S.

Morales, an Aymara Indian, has alarmed Washington with his pledge to fully legalize the production of coca.

Coca has traditionally been used by the country's indigenous population, including as tea.

However, it's also used to make cocaine and Bolivia is the third biggest producer of the drug, after Colombia and Peru.

Morales has never said he plans to legalize cocaine, but that hasn't reassured U.S. politicians who regard him as an enemy in their anti-drug campaign.

He's also antagonized Washington by flaunting ties to Venezuela's outspoken leftist President Hugo Chavez and Cuba's Fidel Castro.

"If [the U.S.] wants relations, welcome," said Morales, who waved a coca branch as he went to vote on Sunday. "But no to a relationship of submission."

Morales appeals to disenfranchised native population

Morales' promise to nationalize Bolivia's energy industry has raised alarm among the wealthy, largely white elite in Bolivia.

But it has won him widespread support in a country where about half the population of 8.5 million people is considered to live in extreme poverty.

Even though two-thirds of the population is indigenous, Morales is the first native leader to come within striking distance of the presidency.

Many of the country's natives feel the free-market economic policies of recent years have enriched the white elite at their expense.

Quiroga poses a stark contrast

His closest political rival couldn't be more different. A fair-skinned engineer educated in the United States who has already served in a previous government, Quiroga is pushing for closer ties with the United States and inviting more foreign investment.

Quiroga, who served as president from 2001 to 2002 after then-president Hugo Banzer became sick, has promised to continue a hard-line stand against coca production.

Bolivia has seen five presidents in four years, with street protests forcing out two presidents in the past two years.

Eduardo Rodriguez has acted as caretaker president since largely indigenous street protests ousted Carlos Mesa after only 18 months in office.

Press Release from http://www.ahf.ca

THE ABORIGINAL HEALING FOUNDATION’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO CONVENE 2006 REGIONAL GATHERINGS

(OTTAWA, Ontario, November 29, 2005) – The Aboriginal Healing Foundation’s Board of Directors have today announced that they will be gathering in six cities across Canada to engage in dialogue with Aboriginal people and to present a summary of the forthcoming AHF Final Report. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation last held Regional Gatherings in early 2004.

The 2006 AHF Regional Gatherings will take place in the following locations:

• Winnipeg, Manitoba: January 26, 2006
• Vancouver, British Columbia : February 20, 2006
• Iqaluit, Nunavut : March 9, 2006
• Yellowknife, NWT: To Be Announced
• Quebec City, Quebec: To Be Announced
• Halifax, Nova Scotia : To Be Announced

The first Regional Gathering will occur from 2 PM to 8:00 PM, on Thursday,
January 26, 2006, at the Children of the Earth School, 100 Salter Street, in
Winnipeg.

The public is welcome to attend each gathering. There is no cost to attend, but participants must cover their own travel costs to the event, as well as the cost of accomodations. The Foundation will provide refreshment and a meal at no cost.

Details for the upcoming Regional Gatherings will be posted at http://www.ahf.ca.

For more information or to register (encouraged, but not necessary):

(613) 237-4441 or toll-free (888) 725-8886
To register by email: programs@ahf.ca

The Aboriginal Healing Foundation supports community-based initiatives which address the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in Canada’s Indian Residential School System, including intergenerational impacts.

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Joe Meekis, former chief and councillor of Keewaywin First Nation, made a passionate appeal for support to help his family through the ongoing crisis facing his son-in-law, Cameron Harper. Joe's presentation was made during the Keewaytinook Okimakanak board of directors' meeting in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Dec 13 with Grand Chief Phil Fontaine in attendance. Afterwards, Chief Raymond Mason passed his hat around and everyone contributed what they could to support Joe and his family during this crisis.

Cameron has been in hospital in Winnipeg for some time. He was the school bus driver in Keewaywin until he was diagnosed with tuberculosis this fall. His treatment for TB has now created further complications with several of his organs failing. His family is trying to support him in Winnipeg but the financial burden and the stress on everyone is creating many challenges for the family. It now looks like everyone has to now spend the Christmas season in Winnipeg and at the hospital.

The community of Keewaywin has rallied about Cameron and his family, raising money and doing all they can to support everyone involved in this crisis. If anyone is able to offer any assistance to Cameron Harper and his extended family, please contact Chief Raymond Mason or his staff at the Keewaywin First Nation band office at 807-771-1210 or raymondmason@knet.ca

Volunteers Sought for Matawa Regional Crisis Task Force

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Government Improves Access Into Far North Community - December 14, 2005

Funds Will Help Fort Severn First Nation Build New Harbour And Road

SUDBURY – The Ontario government is helping Fort Severn First Nation on Hudson Bay improve transportation infrastructure essential for the community’s well-being and growth, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

“Our government is working with James Bay communities to help them achieve real progress on shared goals that will improve quality of life,” said Bartolucci. “It is vital that Far North communities maintain and improve transportation options.”
 
The Fort Severn First Nation is using a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) investment of $590,320 to build a new harbour and seven-kilometre road to the community. The new facility replaces a deteriorating dock, and is being built in deeper water to better ensure safe navigation of the annual barge from Moosonee. Fort Severn, near the mouth of the Severn River on Hudson Bay, is Ontario’s northernmost community. It is accessible year-round only by air; however, the summer barge and a winter road provide less expensive ways to travel and ship fuel, building material, food and other goods and services.

“Many First Nation communities, including Fort Severn, are experiencing population growth,” said David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. “An important aspect of our government’s commitment to improving Aboriginal communities is to ensure they have the opportunities and the means to deliver efficient and cost-effective services to their families, children and youth.”
 
“Today’s announcement supports our government’s commitment to work with Ontario’s Aboriginal communities to build northern prosperity in a way that respects heritage and cultural values,” said Bartolucci, who also chairs the NOHFC. “We recognize that infrastructure development is key to supporting the northern economy.”

This NOHFC contribution is part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

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Contacts:

Laura Blondeau
Minister’s Office – Sudbury
(705) 564-7454

Michel Lavoie
MNDM/NOHFC – Sudbury
(705) 564-7125

www.nohfc.com      www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca