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From The Globe and Mail 30/10/06 Commentary

The Native Fiscal Imbalance - PHIL FONTAINE

The recent report of the federal ombudsman for inmates reveals the shocking overrepresentation of First Nations peoples in Canada's justice system, and the systemic discrimination against them in that system. The Sapers report testifies to the urgent need to address Canada's greatest social injustice: poverty among First Nations peoples.

The justice system is but one area where First Nations are suffering disproportionately. More than 27,000 First Nations children are in the care of child-welfare agencies: Indian and Northern Affairs reported a 70 per cent increase in child welfare cases from 1995-2003. The key reason for taking children into care is physical neglect due to poverty. A direct link exists between the number of First Nations youth (40 per cent) who are incarcerated and those in the child-welfare system.

Despite the strong evidence showing the continuum between poverty and these social conditions, the federal government has no comprehensive plan to effect change. Correctional Services' own statistics confirm that, despite years of task-force reports, internal reviews, national strategies and partnerships, there has been no measurable improvement in the overall situation of aboriginal offenders over the past 20 years. This is much the same finding that the Auditor-General of Canada reported in her five-year review of programming for First Nations released in May.

Next month will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Canada has failed to respond to that commission's report. The only meaningful follow-up was the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the first ministers accord on aboriginal issues reached last November in Kelowna, B.C. And yet the Conservative government claims that the $5.1-billion accord was not secured and could not be included in the 2006 budget. Recently, a majority of members of Parliament voted in favour of implementing the accord, testifying that it was indeed an agreement between the Ottawa, provinces, territories and First Nations governments.

The federal government says it is acting on a more concrete plan, such as safe drinking water. But the 21 remedial action plans promised for high-risk First Nations communities have not been completed since the spring announcement.

Instead, the Conservative government recently announced the $13.2-billion federal surplus will be applied to the federal debt, with no opportunity for debate. The funds for the first ministers accord could have been found in this surplus, and $12-billion could still have been applied to the debt.

Meanwhile, Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has publicly said that $9.1-billion is spent on aboriginals. But this figure relates to all aboriginal peoples in Canada (1.4 million), compared to 750,000 First Nations peoples. The $9.1-billion, if broken down according to the First Nations population, shows a serious fiscal imbalance. Per capita spending on First Nations is half the amount for average Canadians.

Spending on First Nations through core federal programs is capped annually at rates lower than inflation and population growth. The Auditor-General has reported that, from 1999-2004, funding increased by only 1.6 per cent, excluding inflation, while the population increased by 11.2 per cent.

This contrasts dramatically with Canada Health and Social Transfers, which are growing at 6.6 per cent annually and will increase by 33 per cent from 2004 to 2009. Even though First Nations population figures are included in calculating CHST amounts, provinces and territories are not accountable for spending on First Nations, and some explicitly exclude, through legislation or policy, First Nations living on-reserve.

So how can this injustice be remedied?

To ensure a productive and competitive Canada, First Nations must have equal opportunities, a fair fiscal framework and real self-government for real self-sufficiency.

Only through a comprehensive plan supported by real investments can First Nations finally and forever break free from the prison of poverty.

Phil Fontaine is national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

From http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=ce3a74ed-0606-4c0b-9e34-e7e806fea891

Artists hailed as First Nations changemakers 

Grania Litwin, Times Colonist - Sunday, October 29, 2006

The role of the indigenous artist is that of a warrior, says Victoria writer and First Nation's philosopher Taiaiake Alfred.

"The definition of a warrior is one who struggles to make change in life, but also maintain the visual connection to our selves," said the eloquent orator.

The Mohawk, who moved here from Montreal, spoke at the Victoria International Arts Symposium yesterday, and gave the Indigenous art session keynote address.

He said "warrior artists" battle the culture of dependence, victimization and path of self destruction that many First Nations people are on and are, in some cases, "better leaders than the leaders."

The academic said that thanks to colonialism, having been taken from their land and having others' will, religion and beliefs imposed on them, "we have not been given the freedom to live life as our ancestors did, in relation to the world and each other."

But painters, filmmakers, singers, writers, dancers, carvers and artists of other kinds are helping "us recover our true selves."

Alfred, who is director of Indigenous Governance Programs and the Indigenous People's Research Chair at the University of Victoria, said disconnection is the greatest crisis facing First Nations and results in psychological discord, anger and aggression. The value of the artist today is in helping us reconnect to self, to each other, to the land, traditional stories and our ancestors' teachings.

"I'm not talking about buckskin, beads and feathers, but our authentic selves. I'm talking about people who keep us strong and vibrant . . . by offering wisdom and guidance."

The discussion panel included local carver Tony Hunt, storyteller Tim Tingle, from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Vancouver filmmaker Loretta Todd, who were asked: How do we navigate in a world that is increasingly conservative, celebrity driven, and assaulting us with information?

"By finding a way to integrate the constant downloads that stop us being attentive," Todd answered.

Artists, like warriors, can make sense of knowledge and make space for silence," Todd said. "This does not mean emptiness, but implies being in the moment when you bring all your experience to bear."

She noted the best hunter-gatherers today are those who can assemble and analyze knowledge.

Master carver and hereditary Kwakiutl nation chief Tony Hunt, whose totems stand in dozens of cities around the world from Mexico to Japan, said artists are those who record history. He was taught to carve by Mungo Martin at Thunderbird Park from 1952 to 1962 and passed on his knowledge to 150 others.

"The legacy of poles is stories, and being an artist-warrior means to spread a form of friendship and peace . . . history and understanding.

"The tradition we carry on today is more than 10,000 years old, but how weak it was in the 1950s. How dangerous it would have been if Mungo Martin had not taught me."

Tingle sees this as a strong and powerful time, during which virtues of listening and hard work are critical. "Through art you can tell everything," he said, noting any external journey is a journey of introspection.

Community Arts Centre Gallery curator Paul Scrivener said the cultural resurgence among First Nations people is a wonder to behold. "It's the return of the sacred."