Media.Knet.Ca

http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/June2006/20/c5074.html

"Save culture, Save Lives," First Nations youth tell Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services in meeting and report on suicide, marking June 21st, National Aboriginal Day.

    TORONTO, June 20 /CNW/ - On the tenth anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, youth representatives from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Decade Youth Council will be meeting with the Hon. Mary Anne Chambers, Ontario's Minister of Children and Youth Services, to present their own report on the suicide epidemic in the 49 NAN communities in northwestern Ontario.

    The statistics reported by NAN are shocking:

• For over 20 years, suicide rates in NAN communities have remained from three to forty times the national average.
• In 2005, there were 24 completed suicides in NAN territory. This was one of the highest rates of suicide in Canada.
• Since January 2006, there have been 14 completed suicides. Of the 14, 13 people were under 29 years of age and eight of those were between 15 and 20 years of age.

    At the hour-long roundtable discussion with the minister, six young people will present a clear picture of suicide in their communities; what they feel are some of the contributing factors; and how they have been working to prevent it.

    One of the most important strategies in the NAN Decade Youth Council's prevention efforts is a "Save culture, Save lives" approach that emphasizes the documented "protective" and positive effects that a strong cultural identity has on Aboriginal youth. Members of the NAN Decade Youth Council have created several youth-driven programs that incorporate practices such as healing ceremonies and the teaching of traditional hand drumming.

    The minister will also be presented with a report, The Seventh Generation Helping to Heal: Nishnawbe Aski Youth and the Suicide Epidemic. This report was written by several members of the youth council and is both a compelling message of hope and an urgent call to action.

    The meeting with the minister is part of a larger initiative to raise awareness about suicide and the current state of mental health in Northwestern First Nations communities. This project, spearheaded by Voices for Children, focuses on involving youth; linking efforts of researchers, mental health providers and community members; and developing a communications plan to drive action-oriented recommendations.

    For more information, read the full report, The Seventh Generation Helping to Heal: Nishnawbe Aski Youth and the Suicide Epidemic at http://www.voicesforchildren.ca/report-Jun2006-1.htm

    Voices for Children is an independent organization dedicated to turning knowledge into action for the well-being of Ontario's young people. www.voicesforchildren.ca

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For further information: To arrange an interview with members of the NAN Decade Youth Council (www.nandecade.ca) on Tuesday, June 20 after 3:00 p.m. or Wednesday, June 21, please contact: Fiona Irvine-Goulet, Editor, Voices for Children, Phone: (416) 482-6694, Mobile: (647) 226-6694, fiona@voicesforchildren.ca; Patty Chabbert, Project Coordinator, Voices for Children, Phone: (416) 544-0941, Mobile: (416) 606-0941, patty@voicesforchildren.ca

What is it going to take to help young people to choose to stay or return to Northern Ontario to live and work?

NOW there is an opportunity for young people to be heard! Complete the survey located at http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/ndc/youth_e.asp and send in your thoughts before July 28, 2006.

The Northern Development Councils (NDCs - www.ndc.gov.on.ca) are working with the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to bring forward recommendations to create opportunities for youth that will address the issue of youth out-migration in Northern Ontario.

NDC members worked with northern youth to develop a series of proposed strategies to engage youth in their communities and improve education, training and employment opportunities in Northern Ontario. The NDCs would now like to hear from everyone on on the proposed strategies developed so far. These strategies are contained in a discussion paper that can be found at http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/ndc/documents/ndc_youth_document_e.pdf

In summary, these strategies include three main goals ...

Engaging Youth in Their Communities

The proposed strategies are designed to create young leaders and involve them in decision-making. NDCs saw opportunities for young northerners, including the growing Aboriginal youth population, to contribute new ideas and perspectives that are key to diversifying the northern economy and building stronger northern communities.

Objective 1) Northern Ontario youth are involved in leadership and development opportunities.

Objective 2) Northern Ontario youth have a voice in community and government decisions that affect them.

Objective 3) Northern youth can find affordable housing, transportation and recreational opportunities in their communities.

Improving Training and Education Opportunities

The proposed strategies are aimed at increasing the awareness and availability of training and education opportunities in the North for current and future employment opportunities. New and/or expanded programs, use of technology and strategic promotion of northern employment or career opportunities are expected to increase the number of youth (particularly at-risk youth or new northerners) who will seek training and education in Northern Ontario.

Objective 4) Northern Ontario youth are trained to meet the current and future needs of northern employers.

Objective 5) Young people view training and education in Northern Ontario as an attractive choice.

Objective 6) Northern Ontario youth have access to more distance education programs in their communities.

Enhancing Employment Opportunities

The creation of new jobs is a priority shared by almost every northern community. There is a growing sense that Northern Ontario’s future prosperity rests on taking greater advantage of opportunities in the new economy, in such activities as research, innovation, technology, information technology and communication, green energy and education. The NDCs propose strategies that would encourage young people to pursue or create their own new opportunities in existing or key growth areas.

Objective 7) New economy jobs are created in Northern Ontario.

Objective 8) Northern Ontario youth are successfully starting their own businesses.

REMEMBER to complete the survey located at http://www.mndm.gov.on.ca/ndc/youth_e.asp and send in your thoughts before July 28, 2006.

BE SURE to help other young people in your community to complete this survey!

NAN Press Release

Far North First Nation Walkers End 2000 km Walk for Justice at Queen's Park

     THUNDER BAY, ON, June 19 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy will attend a news conference where a group of four walkers from Kitchnuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) will arrive at the Ontario Legislature as they conclude their over 2000 km walking journey raising awareness of land protection issues and the $10 billion lawsuit against the James Bay Treaty 9 community by Platinex mining company.

     DATE:        Wednesday June 21, 2006
     TIME:        10:30 a.m.
     LOCATION:    Media Studio, 1st Floor - West Entrance
                  Ontario Legislature
                  Queen's Park, Toronto, ON

     Mark T. Anderson, Darryl Sainnawap, Wallace Mosquito, and Dylan Morris along with supporters from KI and Toronto area will begin their last leg to Queen's Park outside Upper Canada College 8:30 a.m. June 21, 2006.

     The group of walkers - all from KI - are hoping to raise awareness of the failure of the Government of Ontario to update the Mining Act to include recent Supreme Court rulings, including Mikisew (November 2005), that resulted in a $10 billion lawsuit against KI for protecting traditional territory during a peaceful protest that stopped Platinex mining late February 2006.

     Despite a community declared moratorium on resource development since 1998 and Supreme Court rulings to consult and accommodate, Platinex received permission from the Government of Ontario to start drilling February 2006.

     The walkers left Pickle Lake, ON Tuesday May 9, 2006. Wednesday June 21st is National Aboriginal Day.

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For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625 4952, or (807) 628 3953 mobile; John Cutfeet, Spokesperson, Kitchnuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, (807) 627-9062

MONTREAL (CP) - Canada has teamed with the United States and Australia to stop the United Nations from passing a declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, says Amnesty International.

The human rights group, along with opposition parties, accused the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Monday of stalling the declaration along with these other nations. It's been twenty years that the international community has been working on a declaration on aboriginal rights, said Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada.

"It's difficult to imagine an important issue of human rights that the governments of the world have taken more time to resolve," Neve said Monday.

"The problem of the human rights of indigenous peoples is urgent," said Angus Toulouse, president of the Assembly of First Nations.

"It's not necessary for the rights of these people to come in second place in order to please the United States, New Zealand and Australia."

Last month, representatives of those three countries sent out a joint statement calling the declaration "profoundly imperfect."

The UN declaration would guarantee "auto-determination" for indigenous peoples, giving them the right to reclaim traditional territory and refuse military activity upon traditional lands.

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said the declaration contravenes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, when it comes to aboriginal land claims, as well federal laws on national defence.

"The text is clearly in need of work," Prentice said.

But "we support the adoption of a declaration on the rights of aboriginal peoples and we're working on that."

The UN's new council on human rights will consider the declaration at a meeting that began Monday and will last through to June 30.

First Nations and Amnesty International hope the council adopts the declaration. If they do, the text could be put to the general assembly of the United Nations at their next meeting in September.

If Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand succeed in convincing the council not to adopt the law this time around, First Nations groups said they fear it will never happen.

At the beginning of the month, a House of Commons committee adopted a Bloc Quebecois motion demanding Ottawa support the declaration.

On Monday, Liberal MP Anita Neville chided the Conservatives for abandoning the leadership shown by the Liberals, who she said supported the motion.

Prentice responded by saying that "no Canadian government ever supported" the declaration.

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The following two news stories describes Canada's latest efforts to undermine indigenous rights ...

FROM: CBC NEWS ONLINE at http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/06/20/aboriginal-declaration.html

Canada Opposes UN Aboriginal Treaty - Tuesday, 20 Jun 2006

Canada is threatening to scuttle a United Nations declaration that would enshrine the rights of aboriginal people worldwide.

The United Nation's Human Rights Council in Geneva is expected to hold a vote on the treaty before the end of the month, but the Conservative government is one of several that feels the language is too all-encompassing.

Other nations opposing the declaration also have significant aboriginal populations — for example, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

"It contains provisions that are inconsistent with the Canadian Charter," said Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Jim Prentice said of the deal. "It contains provisions that are inconsistent with the Constitution Act of 1982. It's quite inconsistent with land-claims policies under which Canada negotiates claims."

Prentice said the document would hinder land-claims talks with some aboriginal bands on handing over rights to exploit resources. He said Canada would vote against the document if it remained unchanged.

The Assembly of First Nations and Amnesty International were quick to criticize the government for delaying a document they said has already taken 20 years to craft.

"We feel that there's been sufficient discussion, and let's get on with the declaration and let's have the international community acknowledge the rights of the indigenous peoples," said Agnes Toulouse, Ontario Regional Chief.

The declaration is not legally binding, but rather, would be a symbolic gesture that shows countries support the sovereign rights of aboriginal people.

In a joint statement last month, the United States, Australia and New Zealand rejected the assertion that aboriginal people have the right to "self-determination," saying it was inconsistent with international law.

External Links
United Nations Human Rights Council

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FROM http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1150753811308&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467
 
UN Declaration On Natives Stalled
 
Canadian Press - June 20, 2006

MONTREAL—Canada has teamed with the United States and Australia to stop the United Nations from passing a declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, says Amnesty International.

The human rights group, along with opposition parties, accused the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday of stalling the declaration along with these other nations. Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said the text needed work.

The international community has been working on a declaration on aboriginal rights for 20 years, said Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada.

"It's difficult to imagine an important issue of human rights that the governments of the world have taken more time to resolve," Neve said yesterday.

"The problem of the human rights of indigenous peoples is urgent," said Angus Toulouse, president of the Assembly of First Nations.

"It's not necessary for the rights of these people to come in second place in order to please the United States, New Zealand and Australia."

The work goes on… Almost hundred First Nations people and public officials gathered in Toronto and on-line to participate in the “Gii-Kaan-Dann” Ontario First Nations Telehealth Conference, a two-day forum to brief First Nations community health champions across Ontario.  To learn more, see the website at http://meeting.knet.ca (select the HEALTH - CONFERENCES zone. 

To see photos from the gathering click here.

“We want to understand better what First Nations want to do with telehealth and this conference is an incredible first step in achieving that and we are here to support that,” said Ed Brown, MD, the Chief Operating Officer of the Ontario Telehealth Network (OTN).

Keewaytinook Okimakanak was under contract from the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) to facilitate this conference.  KO staff and KO community members including Community Telehealth Coordinators (CTCs) conducted presentations during the conference.

From June 15 of CNEWS at http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/06/15/1634849-cp.html

Aboriginal congress blames 'witch hunt' audit - By SUE BAILEY

OTTAWA (CP) - Federal funding to the only native group that endorsed the Conservatives has been frozen amid concerns about how public cash was spent.

But Patrick Brazeau, head of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, accuses bureaucrats of punishing his group for its support of the Tories.

He confirmed that $127,310 must be repaid as the result of an audit that led to a full-blown spending review.

About $5 million from eight departments has been on hold since at least mid-March while auditors continue their work, he said.

Brazeau doesn't dispute that money was misallocated, but he blames an administrative error and said his organization has not been accused of fraud.

"It's an accounting issue," he said.

Cash that should have been spent in 2004-05 - to help Metis groups after Canada's top court confirmed certain rights - was mistakenly carried over and used for related research and a general meeting the next fiscal year, Brazeau said.

He cited what he suspects is a kind of bureaucratic payback for his group's high-profile nod to the Tories during the last election.

"We feel that the officials are punishing CAP for having supported the Conservative party - an audit that takes four and a half months is simply unacceptable.

"We are dealing with peoples' livelihoods. It's just beyond the scope of imagination how federal officials can do this to an organization."

An Indian Affairs official had little to say about how much cash is being assessed and whether legal action has been taken.

"The audit is still underway, so it is too early to provide specific details to that question," said spokeswoman Margot Geduld.

"We understand that (Brazeau) has already introduced changes to the organization's management practices and has co-operated fully with the auditors."

The congress officially endorsed the Tories after receiving assurances the party would work to better serve off-reserve residents represented by the group.

The congress has long been at odds with the Assembly of First Nations and the Metis National Council which claim some of the same constituents.

Rumours of financial troubles swirled when Dwight Dorey, former head of the congress, suddenly resigned in late February.

Dorey vigorously denied then and now that his surprise departure had anything to do with money troubles.

"When I left, as far as I understood, there were no financial difficulties at CAP," he said this week.

Dorey said he didn't oversee the programs that were initially reviewed and didn't hear about the wider audit until after he left to pursue a consulting career.

Brazeau accused "political enemies" of spreading innuendo about the congress that he believes spurred federal auditors.

"In my opinion it was a witch hunt to try and verify that those rumours were indeed true, which they found out were indeed not.

"I strongly feel we're being punished for being accountable, and perhaps they're punishing us for not having found anything to corroborate the rumours."

The Conservatives have made clean government a clarion call since their campaign and ascension to power.

A letter dated March 14 to Brazeau from Fred Caron, assistant deputy minister responsible for Metis and non-Status Indians, said the wider audits would be wrapped up "within approximately three weeks."

Before funding is restored, "we must be in a position to give our minister the highest level of assurance with respect to the accountability of your organization," Caron said in the letter released under Access to Information.

Brazeau noted that Caron offered to work with the congress "should the time it takes to complete our work present CAP with untenable financial pressures."

So far, the only federal cash flowing to the group totals about $473,000 from Health Canada, Brazeau said.

The Congress employs 12 full-time staff and disburses funding to several affiliate groups - work that is threatened as the spending review continues, he added.

"We're basically down to the wire here."

From http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/06/14/manitoba-rail-blockade-wed.html

First Nations to blockade railways on Manitoba reserves - June 14, 2006

First Nations leaders in Manitoba are planning to blockade rail lines this summer to pressure the federal government to settle outstanding land claims.

During a general assembly of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, 50 representatives of First Nations voted unanimously in favour of blocking rail traffic on reserves this summer, executive director Lorne Cochrane told CBC Manitoba's Radio Noon on Wednesday.

The bands involved plan to block the rail lines for 24 hours later in June.

At least seven of the province's 64 reserves have expressed interest in taking part in the protest, although details on which bands or rail lines will be involved have not yet been finalized, Cochrane said.

The group has not discussed their plans with the rail companies, but said they expected to give advance notice of their final strategies.

"We're not out to put anybody's lives in danger or to jeopardize anything that's going to hurt any one individual, or organization or First Nation," Cochrane said.

First Nations need 'a seat at the table'

He acknowledged the rail companies do not have the power to deal with land claims, but said the proposed protest is also seen as an opportunity to inform the public.

"Our objective is to inform the general public of the First Nations issues and that we want to become meaningful partners in developing this province, this country. We're tired of being left out," he said.

Cochrane said poverty and a lack of economic opportunities have held back aboriginal people, adding that they want "a seat at the table" to determine their own futures.

"It gives Canada an opportunity to come forth with a plan of action on how we move forward in addressing the concerns of First Nations," he said.

The assembly did not say whether the proposed blockade had anything to do with the uncertain status of the Kelowna agreement.

Former prime minister Paul Martin agreed to the five-year, $5-billion plan to improve health, education, housing and economic development for aboriginals three days before his minority Liberal government fell in November 2005.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper didn't mention the agreement in his May 2 budget. He has said his Conservative government "supports the principles and objectives" of the Kelowna agreement, but won't be bound by the price tag negotiated by the Liberals.

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS - SIX NATIONS CONFEDERACY HAUDENOSAUNEE Press Release - June 13, 2006

Last barricades removed

            OTTAWA, June 13 /CNW Telbec/ - Six Nations Grand River Territory: The Chiefs and Clan Mothers of the Haudenosaunee/Six Nations Confederacy recognize that public safety is a significant concern and that continued tensions over barricades is not conducive to negotiations with Canada and the Province of Ontario. They are adamant that these negotiations towards resolution to outstanding matters, including Haudenosaunee/Six Nations land rights and the recognition and reconciliation of Haudenosaunee/Six Nations governance must continue. These matters have been unresolved for way too long.

            Early this morning, at the request of the Chiefs and Clan Mothers, the last barricades have been removed from public roads surrounding the disputed lands at Douglas Creek.

            Mohawk Chief Allen McNaughton has said, "We have a mutual concern that the rule of law has been threatened by a few individuals on both sides of the barricades - our law constituted by the Great Law of Peace as well as the laws of the Province of Ontario have not been upheld. Violence by any individuals will not help us to achieve our mutual goals. We hope that the removal of the last barricades will reduce the possibilities of future incidents."

            The Haudenosaunee has legally binding treaties with the Crown. The Two Row Wampum belt and the Silver Covenant Chain affirm the nation to nation relationship between the Haudenosaunee and the Crown. These treaties acknowledge Haudenosaunee Sovereignty and recognize that each of our respective governments will continue to operate under its own laws and will not interfere with the affairs of each other's governments.

            The Silver Covenant Chain speaks of a relationship between two governments based upon Respect, Peace and Friendship. There needs to be a commitment by all to exercise "Kanikonriio" (having a "Good Mind") which means ensuring equality, justice, and the commitment to help each other in times of need.

            The issue of barricades are no longer an issue to contend with. Cayuga Sub-Chief Leroy Hill states that, "We look forward to continued negotiations to address the deeper and underlying issues of Six Nations land rights, and our relations with the Crown. With good will, innovation and pragmatic thinking, we are confident we can make that progress."

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