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Ontario government press release ...

Notice of Proposed Regulation Under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 Aboriginal Health Council

February 26, 2007

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)

On March 28, 2006, the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (LHSIA) was presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council and received Royal Assent. The Ministry is currently developing the regulations and operational policy needed to support the implementation process. Some sections of the Act are not currently in force and are expected to be proclaimed in the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007.

The draft regulation posted here relates to the Aboriginal Health Council that will advise the Minister about health and service delivery issues related to Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and priorities and strategies for the provincial strategic plan related to those peoples. The draft regulation lists the organizations from which Council members will be selected.

All proposed regulations under LHSIA will be published in The Ontario Gazette for 60 days and will be posted on the Ministry website for public review and the opportunity for feedback. Following the consultation period, the Minister reviews the comments received and reports any recommended changes to the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC). The final regulation is presented to the Legislation and Regulations Committee and Cabinet and then presented to the LGIC to sign it into law. Once the final regulations are filed with the Registrar of Regulations and posted in The Ontario Gazette, they are enforceable.

Click here for a copy of the Notice of Proposed Regulation Under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 Aboriginal Health Council 4 pages | 26k | PDF format.

Toronto Star story at http://www.thestar.com/article/186133

Planes bring books to remote reserves

Feb 27, 2007 - Louise Brown - Education Reporter

In two remote First Nations reserves, reached only by "winter roads" that have been thwarted this year by milder weather, literacy is landing by parachute this week as children wait below knee-deep in snow.

More than 7,000 children's books were dropped from a plane yesterday afternoon in tiny Fort Severn; novels and picture-books donated by families around the province as part of the second book drive for aboriginal children conducted by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor James Bartleman.

Another several thousand will be dropped today on the frozen waters of Sandy Lake, another fly-in community where poverty, low literacy levels and underfunding of federally run schools historically left bookshelves empty in both schools and homes.

While most of the 185,000 children's books collected last month from across Ontario are being driven to reserves across the province's northern woodlands by Canadian Armed Forces trucks, Fort Severn and Sandy Lake posed a problem because the winter roads were either too remote or too dangerous because of global warming, said Bartleman yesterday in a telephone interview from Fort Severn.

The vice-regal activist waited with local school children on the snowswept banks of the Severn River for the airborne book drop, and said it was a dramatic fly-by.

"It was spectacular! The sun was shining, it was 10 below and suddenly the big Hercules came swooping into view, tipped its wings from above 800 feet above us and out came eight parachutes with crates of books floating to the ground," said Bartleman from the tiny community about two hours from Hudson Bay.

"We all jumped on the back of snowmobiles and pulled sleighs out onto the ice to load up the books. Some of the children ripped open the boxes and started to read the books right there in the snow.

"It was beautiful to see; these children so excited about the books, starting to read on the river on top of four feet of ice."

Since taking office five years ago, Bartleman has championed the cause of literacy among northern native children in the province and collected more than a million books to help promote literacy and reduce the despair he sees in many of these communities.

An aboriginal Canadian himself, he believes reading is the key to confidence and opportunity for the children often forgotten by mainstream Canada.

The Canadian Armed Forces agreed to ship 110,000 of the donated books in the trucks that were heading north last week to deliver supplies and rations to the Canadian Rangers, which are special First Nations units of the reserve forces that serve in 15 remote communities, said Major Guy Ingram.

But the dilemma of delivering books to Fort Severn and Sandy Lake was solved when it was discovered the Air Force training base in Trenton had scheduled a training run to these communities.

"So we just piggy-backed His Honour's books as part of the para-drop, where the big Hercules flies by low, pops open the back and the chutes come out carrying the books in special heavy plywood boxes," said Ingram, commanding officer of the 3rd Canadian Rangers Patrol.

Other books are being delivered to less remote communities by army trucks, which annually resupply the First Nations patrols with military stores, training equipment and rations, said Ingram.

Bartleman said more books are slated to be delivered this spring to First Nations communities by the private trucking firm Manitoba Transport and the native-run Wsaya Airways, but this week's army deliveries helped get the books quickly to some of the province's most needy children.

"It took extraordinary means to get these books to the kids, but it was particularly needed in Fort Severn, where the school building was shut down two years ago because of mould contamination and the old library books were condemned.

"The kids are still going to school in portables, but at least they have books for a library again."

Bartleman also will ship some of the donated books to children in Cree communities in northern Quebec, and to Inuit children across Nunavut.

He has also started a book club across Ontario's north, where each of 5,000 schoolchildren receives a new book four times a year. Bartleman's term is slated to end this summer.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is pleased to announce:

Train-The-Trainer 2007 Workshop

March 26-30, 2007.

Sunset Inn, Sioux Lookout

• Are you a community workers seeking facilitator training?
• Are you committed to promoting healthy communities?
• Are you committed to deliver a workshop/s in your community?
• If so, this is the training for you

The main goal of the Healthy Families Healthy Nations Program is to empower community workers to begin healing within their home communities.

Equay-wuk will be hosting a Train-The-Trainer workshop to assist workers in carrying out family violence prevention activities in their communities.  It has been recognized that family violence is an issue that has negative effects on all members of a family and community.

The workshop will be carried out using the newly developed resource, "Minoyawin Dibenjigewining Minoyawin Tashekewining Natamakewin" Healthy Families Healthy Nations Program - Family Violence Prevention Kit.

This workshop will be the 1st of 3 workshops available.  Target communities are those serviced by Equay-wuk (Women's Group). 

Equay-wuk is able to cover all costs for 2 delegates per community.  The first 30 registered will be accepted.  Those registered thereafter will be placed on a waiting list and will have priority seating for the next available training (dates to be determined).

Workers who should attend:

• family violence prevention workers
• family support workers
• shelter/healing centre staff
• NNADAP workers
• mental health workers
• community health representatives (CHR's)
• Health Directors
• other front line workers

Contact Jennifer or Linda:
Phone:  (807) 737-2214
Toll Free:  1-800-261-8294

Or visit our website for more information:

www.equaywuk.ca  (registration form available on-line)

Deadline for registrations is March 16, 2007.

NETWORKING NORTH RETURNS AFTER TRIUMPHANT 1st YEAR

Wasaya Airways is doing its part to promote local and surrounding area businesses to First Nation Communities in Northwestern Ontario

Thunder Bay, Ontario -- Tuesday, February 27, 2007   Wasaya Airways LP will be hosting the 2nd Annual Networking North conference and trade show on Thursday, March 1st, 2007 at the Valhalla Inn Ballroom from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Based on the huge success last year, the event will be open to over 35 local and surrounding area exhibitors. Networking North is a significant forum that brings First Nation communities and businesses together to network.

“We gained more exposure for our store, and created awareness of the products we carry and the packages we are able to put together for First Nation communities,” said Mike Fonso of Play It Again Sports following last year’s event.

The delegate numbers have tripled this year, with delegates from 21 communities across Northwestern Ontario, all communities that Wasaya Airways services. Representatives from each community consist of a member of the Chief and Council, store owners and operators, the Economic Development Corporation, or a band manager or administrator. These are the decision makers of the First Nation communities.

Mayor Lynn Peterson will be welcoming delegates to Thunder Bay in the morning, and media are encouraged to attend. Interviews with Tom Morris, President & CEO of Wasaya Airways LP, can also be scheduled.

Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council (OFNYPC)

4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Language and Tradition

For First Nations Youth 15 to 29

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

MARCH 8th, 2007
 
(Depending on availability of space, late registrations may be accepted until March 13th, 2007)

Registrations limited to 300 participants

Check online at
www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/youth
for
Agenda & Listing of Workshops

Host Community Profile
Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Manitoulin Island

Bring your dancing regalias!    

For more information, please contact Laura Calm Wind, Youth Coordinator 1-807-626-9339 or by email at laura@coo.org

Drug and Alcohol Free Event!!

Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council
4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language

“Now is the time for our generation to learn and preserve our sacred gifts.”

REGISTRATION FORM

Name:_________________________________________________________________

Age:___________________________________________________________________

Gender:_______________________________________________________________

First Nation Community/Organization:________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________

Telephone:____________________________________________________________

Fax:___________________________________________________________________

Email:_________________________________________________________________

Are you a student?              ____YES ______NO

Academic Institution:_________________________________________________

Why do you want to attend?:__________________________________________

You may be required to share a room. Who will you share accommodations with?_______________________________________________

Are you representing a youth council?_____YES_______NO

If yes, what is the name of your council?______________________________

Mode of transportation to Wikwemikong:

_____Driving _______Airline_______  Bus _______Other

Please fax to:

Laura Calm Wind, Youth Coordinator, Chiefs of Ontario 807-626-940
For additional information, please call
807-626-9339 or email laura@coo.org

www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/youth 

FIRST AID/CPR INSTRUCTOR COURSE

An EMP Canada – Medic First Aid Core (first aid and CPR) Instructor course costing $570.00 has been scheduled:

When:  May  2, 3, 4, 2007

Where:  

Regional Training Center
15 Ocean Av., 2nd Floor
Kenora, ON
(The old St. Joseph Hospital, down the street from Lake of the Woods Dist. Hospital)

The course will include the EMP Canada College Classroom Communicator Self-Study Guide, Basic (Emergency), Basic Plus (Standard), and all levels of CPR. The Self-Study guide must be done 2 weeks in advance and returned.

Register now……

Deadline for Registration is April 14. 2007

Please complete and fax or mail this form to the address at the bottom of the application:

Name: ______________________________________________________________
Company/ Organization: _______________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________  Prov.: ______ P.C.: _____________
Tel(W): (       ) _____________   Tel (H): (       ) _________________
Fax: (       ) ______________   e-mail: _________________________

Payment ($570.00): ____________

30 year anniversary of Windigo First Nations Council

Wanted - Qualified applicants for B.Ed.Program

There are 64 days remaining before the application deadline on May 1st.  If you are a Grade 12 graduate and interested in becoming a teacher, email Brian at bhawker@nnec.on.ca with your mailing address and telephone number or leave a message at 1-877-636-0667, ext. 25.

As AFN Grand Chief Phil Fontaine filed a Human Rights complaint against the Federal Government along with the report, "The $9 Billion Myth Exposed: Why First Nations Poverty Endures", INAC Minister Prentice claims the government is already spending a lot on First Nations (see the Globe and Mail story below). 

AFN report ... The $9 Billion Myth Exposed: Why First Nations Poverty Endures

Click here to read the report (PDF)

Where is the $9.1 billion being spent?

Only $5.4 Billion of all federal “Aboriginal” spending actually ever reaches First Nations.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Department officials have confirmed that only about 82% of policy and program funds actually reach First Nations in the form of grants and contributions. Treasury Board estimates that 11% or $600 million per year is spent on INAC departmental overhead.

It is estimated that only about 53% of “aboriginal issues” funding from other federal departments actually reaches First Nations. This issue requires further study.

INAC’s budget represents only approximately 0.004% of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product. Affordability to address First Nations’ urgent needs is not under question. In the last Budget, the federal government applied the $13.2 billion surplus to the debt, and this surplus continues to grow. Meanwhile, it invested $17 billion in military spending ...

Why are First Nations still living in poverty?

The federal system of fiscal transfers to First Nations communities is broken. Quite simply, funding caps on First Nation programs and services over the last decade have made impoverished conditions much worse. First Nations communities have to provide more programs and services, to more people, with less money every year. The result is that the poverty gap has been widening further every year. ...

INAC has found that expenditures per First Nations resident on reserve is less than those in the Territories despite similar demographics, scale of operations and geographic challenges. Under the Territorial Formula Financing Agreement for 2005–06, the per capita grants to the territories were $26,633 for Nunavut, $16,604 for the Northwest Territories, and $15,709 for the Yukon.

+++++++++

From Globe and Mail ...

Minister issues warning ahead of native human-rights complaint
BILL CURRY - POSTED ON 23/02/07

OTTAWA -- Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said Ottawa already spends "an awful lot of money" on natives, delivering a sharp rebuke to the mounting calls for more aboriginal spending in next month's budget.

The minister made the comments yesterday, on the eve of today's full-court press from aboriginal leaders calling for action on native poverty. Their measures will include the formal filing of a human-rights complaint against the federal government for underfunding child and welfare programs on reserves.

Phil Fontaine, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, will announce the complaint today.

Yesterday, he spoke to the Economic Club of Toronto, where he painted a grim picture of the status quo. Describing native poverty levels as "horrific," he said federal polices are to blame for the hopelessness that leads eight-year-old girls into "survival sex" prostitution and teenage boys to die fighting in gang wars over drug money.

"This is Canada that I am talking about, Canada which has billions of dollars in surplus," Mr. Fontaine said. "I am telling you honestly and most sincerely that our communities right now are reaching a breaking point. The anger and frustration are palpable. . . . Unless that anger and frustration are addressed, I fear the consequences."

Specifically, Mr. Fontaine wants Ottawa to follow the advice of a recent Senate committee report calling for $250-million a year to be set aside for land-claim settlements so that native communities have more power to enter into business arrangements with off-reserve groups.

In response, the Indian Affairs Minister noted yesterday that the first Conservative budget boosted native funding significantly. He said more money is not necessarily the answer.

"The government of Canada spends approximately $15,100 on our first nation citizens [on reserve] if you go right across the government . . . now that's an awful lot of money. It is significantly more than the government of Canada and all other levels of government together spend on non-aboriginal Canadians, if you will. Now the question which first nation citizens and other Canadians are asking is, 'Are we getting value for the dollars?'" Mr. Prentice told reporters.

Roy Fiddler, Muskrat Dam Education Director, and Doug Beardy, IFNA Education Coordinator, are in the middle of a two day, 90 kilometre walk on the winter road from Bearskin Lake to Muskrat Dam.

They are raising funds for the 18th Annual Gospel Jamboree to be held in Muskrat Dam on March 2, 3 and 4, 2007.

They started walking yesterday morning at 9 am. They walked for 10 hours covering a total of 50 km before breaking for the day. They started again this morning to complete their walk. Roy's wife, Shirley is providing transportation support for the walkers.

This afternoon, the students at Samson Beardy Memorial School will join Roy and Doug to complete their walk as they come into Muskrat Dam.

Roy and Doug raised over $1,000 before leaving Muskrat Dam on Wednesday evening from local supporters before even the start of their walk.

Anyone interested in donating to this event can do so by calling the school at 807-471-2524 or either radio stations in Bearskin Lake and Muskrat Dam.