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National Chief Phil Fontaine challenged participants attending the AFN Special Chiefs Meeting in Ottawa this week to judge the work done and ignore the innuendo and conjecture that some people have been spreading about the First Nations meeting with the First Nations on Aboriginal Issues last month in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Fontaine described the settlement as “just”, “comprehensive”, “wholistic” and will “finally bring closure” for Residential School Survivors. It allows for payment for general damages immediately and still leaves the door open for legal cases for specific damages such as physical and sexual abuse.

Fontaine said there are three specific goals for the Residential School Schools settlement; healing, reconciliation and investment and development.

“Any deal,” he said, “must deal with the legacy of the past.” He told the Chiefs that this process is quicker and fairer for the victims than putting them through the court system.

Under the terms of the agreement, each residential school survivor will receive a flat fee of $10,000 and additional $3,000 for year of attendance. “The settlement is only for lost of language and culture,” he said. “Claims of abuse are beyond the lump sum payment.”

Fontaine said the proposed truth and reconciliation commission will provide a vehicle for residential school survivors to talk about their experiences. “More importantly, it will ensure that all Canadians understand the past and the present,” he said.

He said that this is a court-ordered agreement and not will not change if a new political party forms the government after the next federal election in January.

Key Elements of the Settlement:

• Age 65 and over as of May 30 2005 – advance payment of $8000 for “common experience” will be issued in a matter of 6-8 weeks or less
• All residential school survivors are eligible for the”common experience” lump sum payment of $10,000 for loss of language and culture.
• There will be no legal fees for lump sum payment.
• A simplified one-and-a- half page application form will be introduced.
• Lawyers are not to charge for advice or assistance to complete this form.
• These cheques will be issued in November of 2006 (except elderly) as there is a 6 month period for the 15,000 individual claims presently in court, and the 21 class action law suits to be collapsed before proceeding – the 6 month period will allow survivors to accept or reject the settlement package. Survivors previously compensated under the old package are now also entitled to the lump sum payment.
• Residential School survivors who accept the “common experience” payment will be required to sign a form releasing the government and church from further liability. Severe abuse harms are an exception. Survivors are advised to retain the services of a lawyer for these severe harm issues.
• There is approximately $275,000 compensation available for severe harm abuses, plus $250,000 for loss of income.
• The Federal government has agreed to pay 15% of the legal fees in these severe abuse settlements.
• Also available is a $3000 additional payment for each year spent in residential school

The AFN estimates survivors spent an average of 5.2 years in the residential school system therefore this would equal a payout of $28,000. There is an estimated 79,000 living survivors of which 80% are estimated to apply, while the remaining 20% will not pursue. The $1.9 million available for this payout is in an interest bearing account and the interest will go to the survivors through an additional $3000 for individual survivor healing strategies and the remaining dollars will go to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. This will be in addition to the $125 million being directed to the AHF.

Catholic schools are now part of this process. Therefore if individuals received only 70% of their settlement they may now go back and apply for the remaining 30%.

This new process includes:

• One grid system for all provinces
• Unique harms experienced by women (pregnancy, abortions) recognized
• Student-on-student abuse recognized
• Student abuse by non-employees is recognized
• Psychological abuse/harms are recognized
• Compensation for injuries is recognized

A further $60 million is available for a “Truth & Reconciliation Process”. This will include the recording, sharing, education and informing Canadians of the Residential School Experience. This is a 5 year project and includes 3 commissioners and an advisory body consisting of former students and regional representatives. The project will include two initiatives; community based initiatives, and a 2 year national component.

A National Archive and Research Center will be established. School records from governments and churches will be open in this archive while respecting privacy legislation.

In addition, $125 million is being allocated for Aboriginal Healing Foundation activities. Since the AHF is administered by survivors rather than government, the AHF mandate will reflect the change of ownership.

The total funds available in this settlement are $4 billion.

Items not part of the package include:

• An apology. No court can address the crown or government to apologize however negotiations are underway regarding the “tune and substance” of this apology.
• The deceased are not part of this settlement.
• Intergenerational Harms are not directly compensatable however these harms are addressed through the Aboriginal Healing Foundation programming and the “Truth & Reconciliation Commission”.

A question was presented regarding eligible schools in the compensation package. Chief Fontaine responded that the schools are listed on the AFN website but this is not a finalized list – claims should still be filed and can still be paid.

For more information go the AFN website at http://afn.ca. To see the AFN, questions and answers link about the residential school settlement.

Watch for more stories about the Special Chiefs meeting in Ottawa this week by Cheryl Klassen and Brian Walmark

During the Chiefs briefing on the First Ministers Meeting Health Blueprint, there were plenty of questions and few answers for now.

Bill Erasmus, the co-chair on Health and Regional Chief O’Brien, and Saga Williams from the AFN promised to return on Wednesday with the answers.

The “Blueprint on Aboriginal Health: A 10 year transformative plan” was accepted by the Federal, Provincial governments and National Aboriginal Leaders.  There was initial concern from the provinces regarding off-loading by the federal government however, it was stressed that this was an “exercise of governance and recognizing jurisdictions of First Nations”.  The blueprint deals with new and existing federal initiatives.  It is a framework with guidelines – intended to be flexible to recognize regional differences.

The First Nation Framework includes several commitments:

• Recognition of First Nation jurisdiction in health
• Investing in First Nation health system
• Joint comprehensive review of First Nation health programs & services
• Strengthening the role and capacity of First Nation governments in delivering health services
• Addressing gaps in services.

5-year funding

• $870M – stabilize First Nation and Inuit Health System
• $445 M – Promote transformation/building capacity.  Bill Erasmus reports that there is no clear priorities for this pocket of funding.

Following this brief presentation a myriad of questions arose regarding priorities and assurance as the Federal government has not honoured the political accord.  Concerns regarding “The One Window Concept”, “Pan Aboriginal Approach”, or “Horizontal Aboriginal Framework” were expressed.  While questions regarding moving this forward to achieve policy were also presented.

The “recognition of regional differences” statement generated the following comment “a common approach is better than regional as it is divisive and causes AFN to act as the police”.

Generally participants expressed difficulty with understanding the Blueprint’s benefit to First Nations.  In addition, it is a difficult framework to implement.  Further discussions and meetings are planned.  The AFN has declared that it is responsible for membership wherever they reside including off-reserve.

No link available at this time for the Blueprint document.

Peter Garrow has not been the AFN Director of Education for very long, only four months, but he is already making waves.

Called out of retirement as the head of the Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education and taken away from his research to write a book about this grandmother who went to the American Supreme Court to fight for cross border commercial rights, Peter is once again fighting for better educational opportunities for First Nations children and youth in Canada.  “There is no room for empire building in education,” he told participants at the education workshop at the Special Chiefs Meeting in Ottawa this week.  “It must all start and remain at the community level,” he said.  He told the participants that communities need to regain control over jurisdiction and they need adequate resources.  He says the goal of the First Nations meeting on Aboriginal Affairs in Kamloops was designed to move towards those goals.

During the education briefing, he said that we need to support the teachers at First Nations schools.  He said at Akwesasne, sixty per cent of the teachers are community members.  The board has a good professional development policy and each teacher, Native or Non-Native, has a career plan.  “A good teacher is a good teacher,” he said.  “When you get a good one, you keep him.”

He says we need to encourage First Nations schools to partner with universities to provide science camps and create “back to the land” camping experiences with the communities.

He says communities need to feel a sense of ownership and pride in the local school.  “To do that, they need to control the jurisdiction of education.

Chief Natham Matthews, the co-chair of the AFN’s Chiefs Committee on Education, told the participants that First Nations are feeling pressure from the provinces.  “The provinces are providing education to off-reserve First Nations and Metis youth and they want a piece of the promised 1.8 Billion for education renewal.  Provincial schools are not doing a good job of educating our youth but many First Nations schools are doing worse.  We need to work together if we are going to get to a better place.”

David Paul Anepineskum, the Executive Director of Nishnawbe Aski Nation told the briefing that First Nations must do a better job of supporting our own institutions.  First Nations post secondary institutes need more resources and more students.  “We need to make our institutions a priority for future growth,” he said.

Peter wants more young people, women and Elders to participate in the various education tables that are currently under discussion including: band operated funding, special education and post secondary education.

Peter is a strong supporter of the proposed Keewaytinook Okimakanak Regional Digital Library.  He introduced Geordi Kakepetum, the Executive Director of KO to Chief David General, Grand Chief of the Six Nations Council who offered to move the library motion on behalf of KO.

While he was Director of Education with the Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education, Peter used IP videoconferencing supported by First Nations Schoolnet to connect his students with other First Nations students in Ontario.  He wants to work with Keewaytinook Okimakanak, the Regional Management Organization for Industry Canada in Ontario to create IP videoconferencing links with the AFN.  He says its an ideal alternative for effective meetings and cost and time reduction in travel.  “I saw what videoconferencing could do when I was in Akwesasne.”  While he was education director, Akwesasne participated in a number of meetings with other First Nations communities and universities including the founding meeting of Researching ICTs with Aboriginal Communities.

He is a strong support of ICTs in the classroom.  “If computers and access to the Internet means students coming to school on time and energized, I am all for it,” he said.

To see the AFN education action plan, click here.

Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak, announced that Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations will attend the Christmas KO Chiefs meeting in Winnipeg next week. Additional details to follow.

AFN Special Chiefs meeting covered in K-Net News ...

Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Cheryl Klassen, Education Facilitator of KO Telehealth (KOTH) and Brian Walmark of the KO Research Institute (KORI) will be in Ottawa this week to participate in the Special Chiefs Meeting of the Assembly of First Nations. The meeting will provide Chiefs from across Canada with a briefing on the First Ministers meeting with Aboriginal leaders last month.

KO is also seeking AFN support on a number of issues including connectivity, telehealth, the satellite initiative, improved library services in remote and isolated communities and other issues. If you would like sponsor one of these support resolutions or you would like additional information, please email brianwalmark@knet.ca for more details.

Brian and Cheryl will be filing stories throout the meeting with K-Net News. Watch www.knet.ca for updates. To ask questions or to comment, email brianwalmark@knet.ca

Dan Pellerin, K-Net's Network Manager, is travelling to Montreal to attend a gathering of First Nation health leaders and present information about the Kuhkenah Network and the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telehealth initiative. First Nations across Quebec are now getting connected through their First Nations Education Council's video conferencing network (visit http://cepn-fnec.com/videoconference/eng/index.html for more information). As the local capacity increases in each community, new applications for these communication tools are identified and developed by the communities. Telehealth is quickly becoming a key application that supports the ongoing operation of the community networks.

Brian Beaton, K-Net Coordinator, is in Thunder Bay for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Education Conference. He is presenting information about the First Nations SchoolNet program and the various e-learning opportunities that are available for First Nation schools. As new needs and opportunities are identified and developed to use Information and Communication Technologies in First Nation classrooms, the First Nations SchoolNet program is another resource to support this work. Visit http://firstnationschools.ca for more information about some of these opportunities. Click here to see the powerpoint presentation.

A faculty Bell circuit caused a network outage for Sioux Lookout from 5:30AM Saturday until 1:01AM Sunday. Everyone in Sioux Lookout and in the thirty satellite served communities could access K-Net but were unable to get to other locations on the internet. All other K-Net users from other points on the internet were unable access the servers located in Sioux Lookout.

K-Net's technical team spent the day in constant contact with Bell Canada staff trying to locate the problem. Saturday evening, a Bell technician was dispatched from Fort Frances or Dryden to come to Sioux Lookout to change some equipment.

The Honourable Joe Comuzzi Announces Funding to Matawa First Nations Management Organization to bring Broadband Internet Service to Additional Aboriginal, Northern and Rural Communities

THUNDER BAY, Ontario, November 23, 2005 -- The Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, is pleased to announce that up to $973 592 in program savings from Industry Canada's Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program is available to be invested toward the Matawa First Nations Management organization to deploy broadband, or high-capacity Internet, to local communities that are currently not served by broadband. This project represents an estimated eight communities, as defined by the participant and originally submitted in the project's business proposal.

The Broadband Pilot Program's implementation funding was made available to 58 successful recipients based on their initial estimated project costs, and funding was subject to successful negotiations among all parties. During these negotiations some recipients were able to identify savings in areas such as equipment and service costs. In some cases, recipients were able to secure additional funding partners, thereby reducing the amount of funding required from the Broadband Pilot Program. This resulted in additional funds becoming available to be invested toward four broadband implementation projects, which includes the Matawa First Nations Management.

"Broadband puts more resources within reach of First Nations communities," said Mr. Comuzzi. "Apart from greater access to online learning and telehealth services, broadband access will help people in these communities to communicate with each other, and with the rest of the world, more easily."

The funding announced today is subject to successful negotiations among all parties through a formal contribution agreement. There is also the potential for additional projects to be considered, contingent upon available program savings.

Broadband is defined as a high-capacity Internet connection, capable of supporting full-motion, real-time audio and video applications. It serves as a pipeline for delivering innovative applications, putting services in areas such as health, education and business within easy reach of all Canadians.

To date, the Broadband Pilot Program has reached out to 884 communities, including 116 First Nations Reserves. The Broadband Pilot Program complements the $155-million National Satellite Initiative. In the October 2004 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its commitment to regional development across Canada. Broadband service to rural and remote communities will ultimately provide Aboriginal, northern and rural communities with more opportunities to move forward socially and economically.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal Budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

More information on the Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program is available at http://www.broadband.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502

Vytas Mickevicius, Executive Lead, Telemedicine, e-Health Office with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care arrived in Sioux Lookout on Thursday, Nov 24. He met with Robert Thomas, KO Health Director and Brian Beaton, K-Net Coordinator to discuss First Nation e-health strategies. The meeting was arranged by Robert Vigneault of Canada Health Infoway who ended up missing his connections to Sioux Lookout and joined the discussions by telephone.

Vytas is  working with the three provincially funded telehealth networks developing the Ontario Health Transformation Strategy. Plans are being developed to integrate these three network into one by April 1, 2006. Ensuring that First Nations and the KO Telehealth service will be able to access these provincial services is an important component of their plans.

Tours of the network, teleradiology at Menoyawin, meetings with KO Telehealth, SSHA and FedNor were part of these discussions.