Media.Knet.Ca

Winners of the essay contest were recently announced in Sudbury. For more information about the contest visit http://northonjobs.com/ON/essay/essay.html

For job opportunities visit the Diversity Canada web site at http://diversitycanada.org and NorthONJobs - Northern Ontario's premier job site at http://northonjobs.com.

from http://www.timminspress.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentID=24566&catname=Local+News 

Writers share their view of North’s virtues for youth

By Laurel Myers - Timmins Daily Press - Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Northern Ontario is a great place to work and a beautiful place to live, according to Celia Sankar, executive director of Diversity Canada Foundation.

The foundation wants to get this message out to the youth in Northern Ontario by initiating an essay competition for youth, aged 16-30, who are living in, or are originally from, the North.

The participants were asked to write why youth should choose to live and work in Northern Ontario.

Dawn Elmore saw the contest advertised in her local paper and decided it reflected her life.

After growing up in Thunder Bay, Elmore saw a lack of job opportunities available to her and moved south.

“I loved the North, but I didn’t think there were any jobs here,” she said.

She remained in southern Ontario for 10 years before making the move back to the North.

A weekend visit to Elmore’s boyfriend’s hometown of Goulais River showed the couple job opportunities existed in the area.

“I’m glad to be here now,” Elmore said.

“We’re able to do so much more than we were in southern Ontario.”

The message behind her essay, which won first prize in the competition, was to find a way to show youth, while they’re still in the North, all the things available to them.

“I didn’t really appreciate everything I had until I realized what I was missing,” she said about moving away.

Elmore admitted finding job opportunities is a lot about who you know.

“(Northern Ontario) needs to find a way to get the message out to people who don’t know anybody, that there are jobs, there are opportunities. I think they’re just hidden,” she said.

The awards presentation took place at the Sudbury Public Library on Monday.

Osprey Media LP, which owns The Sudbury Star and was a key sponsor of the event, is responsible for getting the word out about the contest, said Sankar.

David Kilgour, the publisher and general manager of The Sudbury Star, was on-hand to present the second- and third-place prizes of $500 and $250 respectively.

“This was a no-brainer for us to become involved in when Diversity Canada presented the program to us,” Kilgour said.

“It’s a great fit for an existing program we have the Northern Ontario Youth Program.”

The Youth Program includes the Ontera Youth Achievement Awards and the Osprey Youth Development Workshops.

The awards honour youth who best demonstrate innovation, leadership, altruism and community building in the North.

The workshops create a forum for discussion on actions required to build the North’s communities from within.

“The purpose is to bring awareness to youth in our communities and to find new ways, through working with youth, to keep young people in the North,” he said.

“Encouraging youth to stay in the North is very important to us to build the types of communities that will thrive in the future.”

As well as sponsoring the Diversity Canada essay competition, Osprey Media LP contributes to youth retention in the North by providing jobs in areas such as computer programming.

“I’m looking forward to a day when we don’t have to print in our paper the discouraging stats about the number of young people who are leaving the community,” Kilgour said.

Other sponsors of the event included the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) with a $1,000 donation for first prize, and Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. of Sudbury who provided the honourable-mention winners with $50 and a membership card for Costco.

Diversity Canada is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote Northern Ontario to today’s youth.

Discussing the roots of the essay competition, Sankar said it’s important to first understand why young people leave and what they think about Northern Ontario.

“Once we understand why they are leaving, we can put our efforts together to create a place where youth would like to stay,” she said.

The essays were sent from across Northern Ontario and shared a number of common solutions to keeping the youth in the North.

Sankar listed jobs as the No. 1 thing in common.

“We need jobs for highly educated and highly skilled workers.”

The second most valuable asset, as agreed upon in the essays, was a wider variety of cultural and recreational activities, emphasizing lifestyle is as equally important as the job opportunities.

The third was a product of the first two, retaining greater numbers of an individual’s peer group.

“It’s hard for people here to not be able to socialize because everybody is down south,” Sankar said.

Educational opportunities were also on the list, stating Northern Ontario should have more post-secondary courses to choose from.

Aime Dimatteo, executive director of the NOHFC, who was also present at the awards ceremony, realizes the necessity of job opportunities for retaining youth in the North.

“Northern Ontario’s pristine wilderness and clean air won’t do it, we need the job opportunities here as well,” he said.

“We need to communicate to our youth in whatever way we can.”

Second place in the essay competition went to Mary Brohart of Massey.

The third-place winner was Taryn Reid, originally from Sault Ste. Marie.

Seven participants were honoured as runner-ups in the competition.

From http://www.siouxlookoutjobs.com/job%20fair.html ... be sure to check out the 30 registered employers that includes some who will be doing interviews at the Job Fair.

Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge deadline of May 6 only four weeks away!

With only four weeks left for writing before the May 6 deadline, this is a reminder that the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is happening again this year with even more prizes in store!
 
The Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge provides an opportunity for Aboriginal youth across the country to have their voices heard. We hope to uncover the budding creativity and talent of our youth and through these stories educate all Canadians about the moments that have shaped our country and its people.  

We are asking young Aboriginal Canadians (Status, Non-status, Métis, Inuit) ages 14-18 or 19-29 to submit a creative short story about a moment in history written from an Aboriginal perspective.  Last year’s submissions included stories on the first meeting between Europeans and First Nations peoples, residential schools, modern-day elections on reserves and the sharing of knowledge from generation to generation.  (Please see the contest website for story length guidelines - www.our-story.ca)

The first-prize winner of the 14-18 age group will receive a $500 prize and the winner of the 19-29 age group will receive $1000.  Both winners will be profiled in a Canadian Learning Television and Book Television production, published in The Beaver Magazine: Canada’s History Magazine and to travel to Ottawa to read an excerpt from his/her story at a special celebration event. Participants with a story in the top ten in either age group will receive a $200 prize. All winning essays will be published online and all participants will receive a letter of recognition for their participation. The deadline for submissions is May 6, 2006. A Committee of Aboriginal authors, including actress Tantoo Cardinal from Calgary and journalist Rachel Qitsualik from Iqualuit, will judge the submissions. 

****SPECIAL NOTE TO TEACHERS AND YOUTH GROUPS****

New this year - the first four classes or youth groups to jointly submit their stories will received a digital camcorder!

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
_____________________
Annie Lindsay
Programme Coordinator
The Dominion Institute
183 Bathurst Street, Suite 401
Toronto, ON M5T 2R7
416.368.9627 or 866.701.1867
fax 416.368.2111

from News and Updates at http://telehealth.knet.ca

Telehealth Community Engagement 
Posted by: Tina Kakepetum Schultz on Wednesday, April 12

My name is Tina Kakepetum Schultz. I have been recently hired as the KO Telehealth Community Engagement Worker.

One of my job requirements is to work with the First Nations that are connected to Telehealth on the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net). My first task was to meet with the 24 Chiefs and Council from each of these communities.

The Health Canada Primary Care Health Transition program funding that supported the KO Telehealth program ended March 31, 2006. FNIHB announced they will extend the program by an additional four months (April - July) providing bridge funding for the existing telehealth services. The next two years of funding was presented as an interim step towards developing a longer term telehealth sustainability strategy under the  First Nations Health Blueprint negotiated in Kelowna.

KO Telehealth was given two tasks to complete within the first four months of this two year interim funding period:

1. KOTH has to obtain 24 signed agreements (BCRs) from Chiefs and Councils of each partner KOTH First Nation supporting reinvestment of travel costs savings into sustaining Telehealth.
2. Build a sustainability business case for Telehealth.

If the work of obtaining the BCRs from all the First Nations is successful, then FNIHB will support an additional 20 months of funding to build a sustainability plan for Telehealth.

Since February 24, 2006, I have met with 20 First Nations to discuss future sustainability funding for Telehealth.

I would like to say thank you to the Chiefs and Councils who have made a commitment to support the ongoing operation of the KO Telehealth initiative. The following First Nations are commited to providing BCRs supporting this program:

• Bearskin Lake
• Big Trout Lake
• Cat Lake Lake
• Deer Lake
• Eabametoong
• Fort Severn
• Kasabonika
• Kingfisher
• Lac Seul
• Mishkeegogamang
• Muskrat Dam
• Neskantaga
• North Caribou Lake
• North Spirit Lake
• Pikangikum
• Poplar Hill
• Sachigo Lake
• Sandy Lake
• Webequie
• Wunnimun Lake

I will be meeting with Slate Falls, Keewaywin, Nibinamik and Wapakeka First Nations over the next two weeks.

I would like to thank each of the Chief and Council for the kindness and hospitality they showed to me during our video conference meetings as well as receiving me into their communities. I look forward to working closely  with each community in the coming years. 

MiiQuetch!!!

Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director and Peter Campbell, KO Public Works Manager met with John Tory, Leader of the Opposition and the Conservative Party in Ontario, on Tuesday evening. The meeting provided the team from Keewaytinook Okimakanak with the opportunity to provide Mr. Tory with an introduction to the KO First Nations, their organization and the work that is being undertaken to support these communities. One outcome of the meeting was an expression of interest for Mr. Tory to visit the Keewaytinook Okimakanak office in Balmertown to learn more about the member First Nations, their programs and services.

from http://www.anglicanjournal.com/extra/news.html?newsItem=2006-04-12_a.news

Church protests dropping of fast-track payments
Tories will not give advances to elderly former students

April 12, 2006 - Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has “strongly” urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reconsider the his Conservative government’s decision not to give advance payments to elderly former students of residential schools before a revised agreement is finalized.

“The Anglican Church of Canada is deeply disappointed at this failure to meet the needs of the elderly former students of residential schools,” said Archbishop Hutchison in a letter to Mr. Harper hours after Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice made the announcement on behalf of the federal government on April 11. “We expected a more humane response to the needs of former students, some of whom are faithful members of the Anglican church.”

The government’s decision reversed a provision in the revised Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement announced in November by the previous Liberal government that former students who are now 65 years of age or older are liable to apply for an advance payment of $8,000. Following the announcement of that agreement, the Anglican Church of Canada had renegotiated the terms of the 2003 residential agreement that it signed with the federal government.

“As a church we have long since acknowledged our own part in the sad history of the residential school system in Canada, through the establishment of an Anglican Healing Fund in 1991, and the issuing of a formal apology in 1993,” wrote Archbishop Hutchison in his letter. He added that the church had been “encouraged” by the appointment of former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci as special negotiator in May 2005, and had “willingly participated” in the negotiations that produced the revised Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

“While we were disappointed that the change of government resulted in some delay in implementing the agreement, we did not anticipate that your new government would fail to honour an important component, namely, the advance payments to elderly claimants,” added Archbishop Hutchison.

The Assembly of First Nations had urged Ottawa to fast-track payments to elderly claimants since a growing number of them are already ill or dying.

But Mr. Prentice said, “We clearly have an obligation to all Canadians. We have an obligation to all taxpayers.”

The revised agreement provides a $1.9 billion compensation package that will be offered to tens of thousands of aboriginal Canadians who attended Indian residential schools. It offers “every eligible” former native residential school student “living on May 30, 2005” up to $30,000 each in so-called Common Experience Payment. Each former student who applies would receive $10,000 and an additional $3,000 for each year of attendance in excess of the first year.

(The Anglican church operated 26 of 80 boarding schools attended by aboriginals from the mid-19th century into the 1970s. In recent years, hundreds of natives sued the church and the federal government, which owned the schools, alleging physical and sexual abuse.)

from http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2006/11/c8434.html

Assembly of First Nations and National Association of Friendship Centres Sign Memorandum of Understanding

OTTAWA, April 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Last night, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine and Vera Pawis Tabobondung, the President of the National Association of Friendship Centres, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The MOU is designed as a first step in NAFC participation in AFN policy development on urban issues.

"The AFN represents the rights and interests of First Nations and we recognize the important service delivery function of the NAFC. For First Nations citizens in many urban areas, Friendship Centres are a major source for culturally appropriate services," stated Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. "Our efforts to provide analysis that integrates the urban First Nations perspective will be further improved by working with the National Association of Friendship Centres."

The MOU between the AFN and NAFC commits the two organizations to developing an effective working relationship as a first step in the development of further protocol agreements. The MOU calls for:

1. Inclusion of NAFC within the AFN policy processes, in particular, participation in AFN Policy Forums to provide urban analysis;
2. Joint research projects aimed at building common evidenced-based policy positions in regards to urban First Nations peoples (e.g., citizenship);
3. Enhanced communication networks between NAFC and AFN, including constituent members, through mutual notification (as appropriate) and joint efforts where it is deemed strategically advantageous; and
4. Consideration of future relationships and inclusion within organizational structures;

"Working with the NAFC will allow us to reach First Nation citizens in urban centres in more directed ways, and will also allow us to develop policies and recommendations that reflect the urban reality, as well as the reserve reality, and which build on and respect the unique efforts to work with off reserve citizens in different regions," stated the National Chief.

"This memorandum is a first step in what I believe will be a mutually beneficial and highly productive relationship."

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

-30-

/For further information: Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789 ext. 336, cell (613) 859-4335/

from http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/03/22/1500556-cp.html

Tories rule out fast-track payments for old, sick residential school victims

By SUE BAILEY - April 10
 
OTTAWA (CP) - The Conservatives will not fast-track $8,000 payments announced by the former Liberal government for sick and elderly former students of native residential schools.

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said Monday that a final version of a draft deal outlined by the Liberals last November must be reached first - "and that will form the basis of any payments that are made." Prentice said he hopes to receive a final agreement "shortly," but could not offer a time frame.

Victims groups and critics have blasted the Conservatives for not moving sooner. They say fast-track payments announced last fall were never contingent on a final agreement that must be approved by the courts.

Those owed compensation are dying at an estimated rate of more than 15 each week, they say. Many live in poverty.

Prentice blamed "one of the law firms" for "dragging its feet" in ongoing talks aimed at finalizing a compensation deal for about 78,000 former students who attended the once-mandatory schools.

He would not name the law firm. Several are involved as part of a consortium that launched a multibillion-dollar class-action lawsuit against the government.

A final compensation deal would effectively derail such cases.

Ottawa acknowledged in 1998 that abuse in the church-run institutions was rampant. More than 13,000 plaintiffs have since sued.

The Liberals announced last fall plans to offer every validated former student $10,000 plus $3,000 for each year spent in the schools meant to "Christianize" native kids.

Claimants who are sick or over age 65 were told they could apply for fast-track cheques of $8,000.

The Liberals were toppled days later. A new Conservative government has been in talks to reach a final deal since taking power more than two months ago.

But a lawyer involved in the negotiations says the Tories could still offer early payments to those who might not see justice otherwise.

"There's nothing stopping the Conservatives to do it," says Darcy Merkur of Thomson Rogers, the Toronto-based law firm that spearheaded a national class-action lawsuit for former students.

"Our clients are very, very anxious and this is long overdue," Merkur said.

Liberal MP Anita Neville, aboriginal affairs critic, said the delay has dashed hopes and caused confusion.

"We've been hearing many stories of elders who are either calling their aboriginal leadership or the (Indian Affairs) department and saying: "When are we getting our money?"

"There's a real fear that people are going to die first."

Under the draft deal, estates will be able to collect compensation for those who died after May 30, 2005, said lawyers tracking the issue. But claimants must make their wishes known through a will to avoid having the money tied up in legal red tape, they say.

from http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/j-a2006/2-02714_e.html

News Release   Communiqué  2-02714

ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS TO SEE MORE BENEFITS FROM TRAPPING

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO (April 10, 2006) - First Nations in Ontario will now receive increased benefits from trapping activities in their traditional territories following agreements signed with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.

Today, the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Treaty No. 3 and Nishnawbe Aski Nation announced the signing of trapping harmonization agreements with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Jim Prentice, said the agreement "presents an excellent opportunity to work together through co-operative dialogue to strengthen relationships, and to build a better future for First Nations people."

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage described the agreement as "key to maintaining good working relationships with our partners in order to uphold mutual values of conservation as joint stewards of Mother Earth."

Grand Council Treaty No. 3 Ogichidaa Arnold Gardner said, "This step towards a renewed relationship based on the laws of Canada and the inherent laws of the Anishinaabe will promote better relations for the next generations of our diverse cultures."

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy called the agreement "the starting point in managing our renewable resources, creating a partnership with both levels of government so that we can continue to resolve conflicting policies and laws affecting the lives of the people in our territory."

"These agreements are good examples of how Ontario is promoting more effective relationships between First Nations, Canada and Ontario, and reflect our government's commitment to strong, prosperous Aboriginal communities," said Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, the Honourable David Ramsay.
The trapping harmonization agreements will allow these First Nations organizations to:
* issue trapping licences to members;
* address the current royalties system from the sale of furs;
* provide training to individuals who want to qualify for first-time trapping licences; and
* administer trap-line allocations in traditional territories.

Negotiations with the Government of Ontario dealing with the management and administration of trapping within traditional territories have been under way since 1993 (in the case of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Grand Council Treaty #3) and 1998 (in the case of the Anishinabek Nation).  More information about the history of the negotiations can be found in the attached Backgrounder, "Ontario Trapping Harmonization Agreements."

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provided funding for negotiations and implementation of the trapping harmonization agreements, as well as technical support and information. 

- 30 -

This release is also available at:http://www.inac.gc.ca .

For further information, please contact:

Tony Prudori
Acting Senior Information Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(807) 624-1535

Steve Payne
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Communications Services Branch
(416)-314-2103
  Maurice Switzer
Director of Communications
Union of Ontario Indians
(705) 497-9127, Ext.2272

Adolphus Cameron
Grand Council Treaty #3
(807) 548-4214

Jenna Young
Director of Communications
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625-4952
*---

Backgrounder
ONTARIO TRAPPING HARMONIZATION AGREEMENTS

Aboriginal people were involved in fur trading activities long before the first Europeans arrived on this continent. Furs were a source of clothing, shelter and ornaments.  Fur trading activities contributed to the development of Aboriginal communities. 

Upon the arrival of the explorers, beaver pelts were the first item to be traded in exchange for cooking pots and ornamental items. As the industry grew, fur trading companies were formed and took advantage of the abundance of furs available.  As trapping and fur trading activities expanded, conservation measures were undertaken in Ontario in the late 1800s, but there were no mechanisms in place to enforce these efforts.

In 1993, during tripartite meetings with the Government of Ontario, held through the Indian Commission of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Grand Council Treaty #3, both First Nations Organizations began negotiating the takeover, management, and administration of trapping within their own territories.  The Anishinabek Nation, represented by the Union of Ontario Indians, began similar negotiations in 1998.  Each of the three Provincial-Territorial Organizations, with the assistance of the Indian Commission of Ontario, conducted separate discussions with the Province of Ontario (Ministry of Natural Resources).  In 1998, former Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Ron Irwin advised that Canada would also be a party to the agreements.

Funding for the negotiations was provided through a program known as the Participation Fund, which consisted of funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Government of Ontario, and First Nations.  The Participation Fund was administered by the Indian Commission of Ontario.

The agreements, one for each of the three provincial/territorial organizations, were signed by the signatories in April and May 2005, and are effective as of April 1, 2005

As local, national and international efforts and pressures are made by corporations and governments to privatize the use and access to water; more groups are struggling to ensure that access to safe, clean drinking water is a right for all people.

from http://www.ienearth.org/declaration_tlatokan_atlahuak_en.doc

TLATOKAN ATLAHUAK DECLARATION
Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples Parallel Forum of the 4th World Water Forum
Mexico City, Mexico
March 17-18, 2006

1. We, representatives of Indigenous Peoples and organizations of Mexico, the Americas and other continents of the world participating in the Indigenous Forum parallel to the 4th World Water Forum, declare our solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico and their struggle for their ancestral territories and natural resources of which water is a primordial element. For all Indigenous Peoples of the world, water is the source of material, cultural and spiritual life.
2. We, international representatives, appreciate the welcome that has been extended to us by the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico.  We especially appreciate the opening ceremony of our forum, conducted by the traditional governor of the Yaqui tribe and our Mazahuas relatives.
3. We reaffirm the Indigenous Peoples Kyoto Water Declaration of the 3rd World Water Forum of Kyoto, Japan of March 2003.  It recognizes our relation with our Mother Earth and our responsibility to future generations. We raise our voices in solidarity and proclaim the responsibility to protect and defend water. We have been placed upon this earth, each in our own traditional sacred land and territory to care for all of creation and water.
4. We reaffirm the same Declaration to honor and respect water as a sacred being that sustains all life. Our traditional knowledge, laws and forms of life teach us to be responsible and caring for this sacred gift that connects all life.
5. We reaffirm that the relationship we have with our lands, territories and water constitute the physical, cultural and spiritual basis of our existence. The relationship with our Mother Earth obligates us to conserve our fresh water and seas for the survival of present and future generations. We assume our roles as guardians, with rights and responsibilities that defend and guarantee the protection, availability and purity of water. We unite to respect and implement our traditional knowledge and laws, and to exercise our right of self determination to preserve water and life.
6. The situation of the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico makes it even more clear that the struggle for our water is tied fundamentally with our struggle for our right of self determination. This is the case of our Yaqui relatives, the Otomí, Ñahñahú, Matlazinca, Mazahua, Tlahuica and Nahuas of the Alto Río Lerma; of our relatives of Xochipas, of Xochimilco of Tecámac, of Xoxocotla Morelos; and as with our relatives of the  Sierra de Manantlán and Ayotitlán in Jalisco; and other Indigenous Peoples of the world.
7. Mexico and countries that are accomplices of the multinational corporations, violate with impunity the human rights and fundamental freedoms that they themselves have consecrated in the Covenants, Conventions and Declarations of the United Nations and the Organization of American States.
8. We assert our right of development determined by our own laws and traditional authorities, consistent with our values and world view.
9. Our lands, territories and natural resources, particularly our water (rivers, springs, wells, lakes, groundwater) continue to be stolen or ruined with extreme pollution. The water multinationals, with the support of the international finance agencies like the World Bank and the Interamerican Development Bank are accomplices in the privatization of our territories and our water.  This creates a scarcity of water raising its economic value and furthering the view of water as an object of commerce.
10. We reject the neoliberal model of life that views water as merchandise, not as a public good, or a fundamental human right. Agencies such as the World Trade Organization promote privatization projects of our vital liquid. This destroys flora and fauna and consequently creates sicknesses like cancer, even among youth, as well as the disappearance of our cultures.
11. As Indigenous Peoples, we assert in all the national and international laws, the right of self determination and the recognition of our territories. We assert our autonomy in the use and enjoyment of our natural resources such as water, as a human right. We demand this recognition for our own customs and laws and oral traditions.
12. We demand from the national authorities and multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and Organization of American States and the governmental participants of the 4th World Water Forum, the full participation of Indigenous Peoples in any project or action of water management and development in our territories. We demand the guarantee of the right of free, prior and informed consent as is established by international law.
13. We declare our solidarity with the struggle of the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico and other parts of the world who have come to this forum to condemn authorities that don’t resolve conflict nor guarantee the supply of water, but repress those who struggle to defend water; including energy and mining companies that consume and poison our Mother Earth and water and poisoning all Life.
14. We recognize the work of the communities that promote their own peoples. We recognize communities, organizations, universities and committed academicians who protect, defend and recuperate water as a right of all beings.
15. We call upon all Indigenous Peoples to organize and form committees for the defense of water and that it be a basis of all of our struggles to obtain the full recognition and absolute enjoyment of our territories and natural resources.
16. We demand that the Mexican government and its States immediately incorporate mechanisms for recognition of the rights of its Indigenous Peoples in water and public policy as affirmed by international treaties and agreements.
17. We denounce the structure of the World Water Forum for being financially prohibitive, which excludes the very Indigenous Peoples who are impacted. We denounce the format of the World Water Forum for denying the legitimacy of the indigenous world and spiritual vision of the sacredness of water.

 México, D.F. March 18th, 2006.

Indigenous Peoples and Organizations Present at the Indigenous Forum Endorsing this Declaration:

• Tribu Yaqui, Octaviano Jecari Espinzona (Mexico)
• Indigenous Student Organization of the University of Mexico, Diana Alejandra Lopez Ramirez (Mexico)
  Red Regional de Turismo en Xochimilco (Mexico)
  Sistema de Agua Portable, Saul Rogue Morales (Mexico)
• Coordinadores de Trabajadores en Defensa del Agua, Angel Martinez (Mexico)
• Organización de Desarrollo y Ayude a los Pueblos Indígenas (Mexico)
• Confederación Nacional de Naciones Indigenas Originarios de Bolivia, Jaime Apaza Chuqimia (Bolivia)
• Internacional Indian Treaty Council, Alberto Saldamando (US & Meso America)
• Indigenous Environmental Network, Tom Goldtooth (US & Canada)
• Black Mesa Water Coalition, Enei Begaye (US)
• St'at'imc Chiefs Council, Chief Garry John (Canada)
• Winnemem Wintu Tribe, Village of Kerekmet, Headman, Mark Franco (US)

Some other online resources concerning this important issue that affects everyone, our children and our children's children ...

The Indigenous Environmental Network - http://www.ienearth.org

Tlatokan Atlahuak Declaration - 4th World Water Forum

The Tlatokan Atlahuak Declaration was prepared by the Indigenous peoples Parallel Forum and submitted to the Secretariat of the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City in March 2006. The declaration reaffirms the sacredness of water and the importance of water not to be privatized. The indigenous peoples attending the parallel forum called for the formation of an Indigenous Water Defense Committee to watchdog abuses and violations of water rights within indigenous lands and territories. 
 
Indigenous brothers and sisters gathered at the 4th World Water Forum held in Mexico City. A grassroots parallel forum was held on March 17 -18th since many Indigenous peoples from Mexico were not able to pay the high registration fees charged by the World Water Forum. An Indigenous Peoples Parallel Forum was attended by over 100 Indigenous peoples from Mexico, U.S., Canada, and South America. Indigenous participants consistently spoke to the concerns of local authorities and the government in their countries not recognizing the rights of Indigenous communities to water. In some countries, even though there is legislation that secures rights of Indigenous peoples, these rights are violated when it comes to access to water. The TLATOKAN ATLAHUAK DECLARATION was prepared by the Indigenous peoples Parallel Forum and submitted to the Secretariat of the World Water Forum. The declaration reaffirms the sacredness of water and the importance of water not to be privatized. Many Indigenous communities throughout the world are still experiencing depletion and contamination of water from mining and other toxic polluting activities, including agricultural pesticides. The Indigenous peoples attending the parallel forum are calling for the formation of an Indigenous Water Defense Committee to watchdog abuses and violations of water rights within Indigenous lands and territories.

Contacts:

• Saul Vicente Vasquez (Mexico) IITC binizaa2002@yahoo.com.mx
• Tom Goldtooth (US) Indigenous Environmental Network ien@igc.org + 1 218 751-4967
• Enei Begaye (US) Black Mesa Water Coalition enei_begaye@yahoo.com + 1 928 380 6296
• Josephine Mandamin (Canada) Water Keeper - 3 Fires Society jomandamin@shaw.ca

Pipe Dreams: The Failure of the Private Sector to Invest in Water Services in Developing Countries

from http://www.wdm.org.uk/resources/briefings/aid/pipedreamsfullreport.pdf

This Joint study undertaken by the World Development Movement (WDM) and Public Services International (PSI) provides a demonstrated and critical review about the process of privatisation in water services and its negative outcomes on disadvantaged groups. By scrutinizing the context behind the rally for privatization schemes in water management and provisions the report debunks the realities entertained by the myth, and the discrepancies accounted for in terms of financing and incentive based programs to align the private sector with community development programs. (March 2006: PDF 60 P)

http://topics.developmentgateway.org/indigenous/highlights/default/showMore.do
Water and Indigenous People: 4th World Water Forum, Mexico City, March 2006

from http://topics.developmentgateway.org/indigenous/rc/ItemDetail.do~1060201
4th World Water Forum: Is Water Alive? - Several sessions at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City in March 2006 addressed the role of water for indigenous people. This session explored indigenous spiritual understandings of water and water bodies and consider the practical implications for water management.