Media.Knet.Ca

Press Release ...

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice Smears and Threatens First Nations

March 29, 2007, Ottawa - Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice must immediately apologize to Canada's First Nations people and withdraw threats to audit the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs if they dare to protest against the Conservative government, Liberal Indian Affairs Critic Anita Neville said.

"It is shocking and appalling the Minister would resort to threats to quash the democratic voices of those who may choose to show their disapproval with the Conservatives' recent budget, which contained almost nothing for Aboriginal Canadians," said Ms. Neville.

In a March 29, 2007, letter to the Winnipeg Free Press, Mr. Prentice threatened to undertake forensic audits of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs if they participate in a national protest against the Conservative government. In a March 28, 2007, letter to the Globe and Mail, he also insinuated - without justification - that the Assembly of First Nations plans on using federal funds for the protest.

In his letter to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Mr. Prentice says: "I am prepared to order forensic audits of every organization that participates in blockades and civil disobedience to ensure that monies intended for children were not used to plan these activities."

"This is the act of a bully," Ms. Neville said. "It is a threat against freedom of speech, freedom of association and against democracy itself. It is unacceptable and cannot be justified.

"The Minister has no evidence whatsoever that any federal funds would be used to organize a protest, but in publishing his letters he has insinuated that is the case - again, without any justification.

"This is a tactic that is not uncommon with the Conservative Party. We see it with the Wheat Board and with women's groups funded by Status of Women Canada. But it must end.

Both Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine have declared June 29 as a national day of action to protest the government's lack of accountability when it comes to addressing the needs of Aboriginals.

The government's 2007 budget did nothing to replace the Kelowna Accord which was reached with First Nations and the previous Liberal government and which the current government has scrapped.

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Winnipeg Free Press story ...

Minister trying to silence aboriginal critics, MP says
Fri Mar 30 2007

WINNIPEG -- The federal Liberal critic in charge of First Nations issues is calling on Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice to apologize for letters he wrote to two newspapers.
Winnipeg MP Anita Neville said in a release that some of Prentice's comments in the letters are "shocking and appalling".

Prentice wrote to the Winnipeg Free Press on Thursday, saying he was "surprised" by threats made by Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to block development projects.

Chiefs from across Canada have warned native blockades may rise because young people are frustrated by the virtual exclusion of First Nations from the recent federal Tory budget.

But in the letter, Prentice said the budget contains $1 billion in new spending that targets housing, children and families, education and economic opportunities, areas of concern mentioned by Evans.

Prentice said that he hopes $50.8 million in taxpayer grants and contributions to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs isn't used "in planning illegal and disruptive blockades."

"I am prepared to order forensic audits of every organization that participates in blockades and civil disobedience to ensure that monies intended for children were not used to plan these activities," he wrote.

Neville accused Prentice of making threats to "quash the democratic voices" of aboriginals who wish to show their disapproval of the budget.

"This is the act of a bully," Neville said. "It is a threat against freedom of speech, freedom of association and against democracy itself."

She said Prentice "insinuates" in both letters that federal funds would be used to organize a protest.

Prentice also wrote to the Globe and Mail on Wednesday to comment on a column which refers to calls by Phil Fontaine, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, for a national day of action June 29.

The column says the day will be used to disrupt road, rail and port service across Canada to protest the lack of action on aboriginal issues.

Prentice wrote: "I hope none of the $27 million in grants and contributions received annually by the AFN will be used in planning illegal blockades," but does not threaten an audit.

He wrote he's committed to finding solutions to difficult issues and that progress has been made. "We look forward to that progress continuing, but not under threats of blockades and disruptions."

-- Canadian Press

Ontario First Nations Governance team members Robert Houle, Regional Manager, Geraldine King, Public Education and Communications Officer and Don Jones, First Nation Liaison met with KO Chiefs and staff on Thursday. The meeting took place at the KO Research Institute in Thunder Bay. Deer Lake's Chief Royle Meekis and North Spirit Lake's Chief Sally Kakegamic along with K-Net staff joined the meeting by video conference.

During the meeting Mr. Houle made the commitment to open an office in northern Ontario. As well, the team spoke about the possibilities of working with K-Net to utilize the network connections and video conferencing to support First Nations.

Contact information for the Ontario First Nations Governance office is:

Ontario Regional Office & Central Operations
1 Nicholas Street,
Suite 900
Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7
Phone: 613-562-9644

Click here to visit the National Centre for First Nations Governance web site ...

The immediate priority of NCFNG staff is to strengthen, build and maintain relationships with and amongst First Nation citizens of Canada.  This is being done through direct interaction with First Nations through NCFNG’s five regional offices.  Staff has already begun the ground work by getting the word out about the Centre, its service lines and opportunities for First Nation citizens to become a part of NCFNG’s growth and development which is essentially the growth and development of all First Nations and their right to self-govern.

The mandate of the Centre is to support and enhance First Nation’s ability to make operational the function of governing.  All services offered through the Centre are under the control and direction of First Nations and at their request.  These programs and services will be culturally enriched and empowered by First Nation traditions, customs, laws and inherent governing powers.  The work of the Centre is all about ensuring First Nations have all the tools they need to build sustainable governing structures.

The operations and administration of the four key business lines are conducive with the activities of the President’s Office, based in Coast Salish Territory on the Squamish Reserve in West VancouverBritish Columbia.

 “This is about the freedom of our people: freedom of our minds,” says Satsan, (Herb George) NCFNG President.

Recognition of the inherent right to self govern was a process that took years to accomplish.  And now that is legally recognized, the time has come to live the right:  the reality. 

“We have the right to govern ourselves.  That might not happen right away, but right now we can lay a foundation” states Satsan.   And that, he says, will be accomplished through the collective working partnership between NCFNG and First Nations.

For Satsan, it is all about the future:  a future that we all own and have a responsibility to strengthen for our children.

“We need to put a new memory in the minds of our children”.

We are now officially open for business ready to assist First Nation communities. We offer our services to you to help enhance your inherent right of self-governance. This is what will begin a new era of story-telling, filled with hope, promise and opportunity; opportunity to know our selves and our cultures; opportunity in the economies for personal wealth generation and opportunity in creating the governance structures that meet our needs. In all of this we must keep in mind the obligation of our present generation: to provide for the needs of our seventh generation. Please feel free to contact a Regional Manager in your area

The two following press releases highlight the challenges facing First Nations as they cope with poor housing, poverty, poor nutritional food ...

AFN press release

National Chief says Poverty and Lack of Access to Affordable, Healthy Foods the Main Reason for First Nations Childhood Obesity Epidemic

OTTAWA, March 29 - Tuesday's release of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's report on childhood obesity, "Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids", has recognized the underlying and confounding causes of poverty that have a direct outcome in terms of prevalence for obesity for First Nations children.

"The Committee's careful consideration of the evidence showing the alarming trend that more than half of First Nations children are either overweight or obese is a validation of our position that the federal government needs to honour its responsibilities to First Nations children, their families and communities," said National Chief Phil Fontaine.

"Childhood obesity among First Nations children is directly linked to overcrowding, poor access to healthy foods and lack of opportunities to be physically active in First Nations communities," said National Chief Fontaine. "Poverty among 1 in 4 First Nations children compared to 1 in 6 Canadian children is the greatest social justice issue facing this country, and is at the heart of this health crisis."

"Last week's federal budget did nothing to prevent the further impacts of health and socioeconomic disparities faced by First Nations children," commented National Chief Fontaine. "First Nations governments face the most impoverished health, social and education budgets in years. Their ability to halt escalating crises or innovate the system to create efficiencies will be more than ever stifled by this significant fiscal imbalance."

"Without a comprehensive, sustainable and long-term intervention on the part of all governments, including First Nations governments, this alarming trend will lead our children into a future of adult obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. It should be noted that AFN had recommended childhood obesity as a specific measure for the success of the 2005 Kelowna Accord.

"First Nations require improved access to a safe and inexpensive food supply, including traditional foods," added the National Chief. "They also require more opportunities for access to low cost physical activity, and supportive school environments."

Only half of First Nations schools have gym facilities. First Nations communities were excluded from the pan-Canadian Healthy Living Initiative. There is no program dealing with food security or recreation in First Nations communities.

Expansion of the Aboriginal Head Start program to all First Nations communities and investment in its nutrition and physical activity component would be a starting point proposed in the AFN Submission to the Standing Committee on Health report. To access the submission in its entirety, please visit the Health webpage at www.afn.ca. Data on First Nations childhood obesity and related conditions can be found at www.rhs-ers.ca.

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

For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communications, (613) 241-6789 ext. 229, Cell: (613) 293-6106, bhendry@afn.ca.

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INAC press release ...

Government is committed to improving Aboriginal housing: Report notes previous Government's inaction

            OTTAWA, March 29 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's New Government thanks the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development for its report on Aboriginal housing.

            The committee's report concludes in part that "the federal government's housing programs to date have failed and are failing to keep pace with the actual needs of Aboriginal Canadians for adequate, suitable, and affordable housing."

            The Hon. Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, notes however the Committee's acknowledgement of the positive steps taken in Budget 2006 to address the shortfall in off-reserve and Northern housing.

            "Considerable work remains to be done to fix a system that has been broken for years", said Minister Prentice. "The Committee's conclusion concerning the housing crisis is a sad testament to the systemic inaction and gross neglect of the previous Liberal government."

            In Budget 2007, Canada's New Government acted to begin addressing the need to remedy the significant disparities in the quantity and quality of housing available to Aboriginal people.

            "In addition, Canada's New Government has earmarked $300 million to be dedicated to the development of a housing market in First Nations communities", said the Minister.

            Unlike previous governments, this government is setting realistic, measurable targets and getting things done for First Nation Canadians on- and off-reserve and Inuit.

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/For further information: please contact: Deirdra McCracken, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice, (819) 997-0002/