Media.Knet.Ca

The following LU Press release indicates their new Honours Bachelor of Education in Aboriginal Education but the team at NNEC working with Brock U. is starting a similar program in the fall of 2007 in Sioux Lookout.

Lakehead University: New Program in Aboriginal Education Focuses on Aboriginal Learner; Program First in Ontario

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(April 2, 2007) - Lakehead University's Faculty of Education has established a four-year Honours Bachelor of Education in Aboriginal Education to start in January 2008. The proposal was overwhelmingly approved by Lakehead University's Senate on March 23, 2007.

The HBEd (Aboriginal Education) will be the first 4-year honours degree program offered by an Ontario university and the first to focus on critical foundations in Aboriginal education and Aboriginal pedagogy. The program prepares people of Aboriginal ancestry to become teachers with particular expertise to meet the needs of Aboriginal learners.

"This is a giant step forward for teacher education, especially Aboriginal teacher education in Ontario," says Dr. Julia O'Sullivan, Dean, Lakehead University Faculty of Education. "Graduates of this program will be highly qualified to teach primary and junior children using culturally relevant approaches and resources, and will have special expertise in early literacy and early numeracy education."

"For the past two years, we have worked in consultation with Aboriginal communities to design a program which will reflect the needs of these communities," says Dr. Ethel Gardner, Chair of Aboriginal Education at Lakehead University. "Aboriginal communities want their children to find academic success in education that is culturally relevant to them and responds to their learning needs. Several new courses have been created for the HBEd (Aboriginal Education) which address the issues brought up through our consultation process."

"This program provides graduates who will be well-rounded individuals who can teach in a context that is culturally relevant to Aboriginal students," says Goyce Kakegamic, recently retired Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. "This program ensures that there will be First Nation teachers available for our schools, and this will help with the success of First Nations students. We are delighted with this development and thank all those who have put much effort and support into this initiative."

Students who graduate from this program will have an understanding of culturally appropriate education grounded in Aboriginal philosophies. The graduates will have a thorough understanding of the needs of Aboriginal learners at the primary/junior level, and will utilize knowledge of Native language and culture in lessons and unit-planning.

Members of the Media: Dr. O'Sullivan and Dr. Gardner are available for interview by calling Eleanor Abaya at 807-343-8372. Goyce Kakegamic is available by calling 807-627-8070.

Lakehead University's main campus is located in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Superior. With a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a worldwide reputation for innovative programs and research. Lakehead has over 7,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006 Lakehead University was named Canada's Research University of the Year 2005 in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Media Contact:
Lakehead University
Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications
(807) 343-8372
Mobile (807) 472-9110
Website: www.lakeheadu.ca

• NAPS is one of the largest and most progressive First Nation police services in North America
• Our jurisdiction is approximately the size of France with communities spread across almost 2/3 of Ontario, from the Manitoba border up the Coast of James Bay over to the Quebec Border.
• The organization began more than 12 years ago serving 7 first nation communities; today, we are providing service for 35 northern communities,  with 2 regional support offices and a main headquarters.
• Since 2003 our service has grown from a compliment of 92 uniform positions to the current complement of 132 uniform positions, an increase of 40 new officers in 4 years
• We are able to skilled jobs for both civilians and officers, with training provided through a number of qualified institutions.

Looking for a challenging and unique career?

Are you interested in living in a remote location with nature at your doorstep? 

Come see the possibilities@

www.naps-net.org

We welcome all applicants and encourage members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation to apply

From Monday's Globe and Mail -

Natives hold key to Ontario power - A proposed east-west energy grid can't proceed without their support
KAREN HOWLETT - Posted ON 02/04/07

Native leaders are sharply divided over a proposed transmission link that would import electricity from Manitoba to power-hungry Ontario, potentially throwing a wrench into the Harper government's green plan.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has earmarked $586-million of the $1.5-billion Canada EcoTrust Fund to help Ontario reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and fight climate change by building the so-called east-west link. Manitoba has an abundance of hydroelectric power, so the grid could supply Ontario with a clean source of power and help the province phase out its pollution-spewing coal plants. But the link cannot go ahead without the support of native communities in Northern Ontario because it would run through their traditional territories.

Native leaders in 19 of the 49 Northern Ontario reserves represented by the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation agreed late Thursday night to have their communities push ahead with the project and seek an ownership interest in it. But leaders of the remaining 30 communities said they could not throw their support behind the project until the Ontario government outlines its stand on broader economic development issues.

They want a revenue-sharing agreement with the government and a commitment on how the grid can become a springboard for other economic development initiatives.

"I don't think the chiefs are saying outright 'no,' " deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said in an interview. "We need to know exactly what the full picture is before we can even begin to reach a decision."

Steve Erwin, a spokesman for Ontario Energy Minister Dwight Duncan, said the government is encouraged by the first nations' interest in the proposed project. But some of the NAN leaders are anxious to move faster.

The Wabun and Matawa tribal councils, which represent communities near Timmins and Thunder Bay, set up the First Nations Energy Alliance last week to explore having the reserves' own equity in the transmission line, said Harvey Yesno, head of the NAN steering committee for the project.

"They said, 'Enough is enough. We want to create jobs and business opportunities,' " he said.

A source close to the federal government said Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice is equally keen to get the project up and running. Not only is it a key part of the Harper government's newfound commitment to cleaning up the environment. The project has the added advantage of potentially doing something positive for aboriginals, who have felt slighted by the Harper government, the source said.

"Minister Prentice has been clear that he encourages economic development for aboriginals," said Deirdre McCracken, a spokeswoman for the minister. "But as for anything related to the east-west power grid, for the time being it's very much up in the air."

The project would involve spending about $10-billion to develop a 1,250-megawatt hydro dam known as Conawapa on the Nelson River in northeastern Manitoba. A high- voltage transmission line from the dam to James Bay in Northern Ontario and south to Timmins and Sudbury would cost another $1.5-billion.

The megaproject would take at least a decade to complete. But it is expected to run into stiff opposition from environmentalists, who will see the transmission line as a significant threat to the boreal forest. The project will not proceed until the Ontario government signs a long-term agreement with Manitoba to purchase the electricity produced at Conawapa. Talks are under way between the two provinces.

The Ontario government is counting on the project to help address the province's looming electricity shortage. By 2015, demand is forecast to exceed supply.

For their part, native leaders are trying to find a way to work together on the project rather than split off into different groups. NAN leaders signed a resolution at 10:30 Thursday night endorsing the continuation of discussions with the provincial government.

Hydro power megaproposal

The Conawapa Generating Station would be capable of producing 1,340 megawatts of electricity on the Lower Nelson River, 28 kilometres downstream from the existing Limestone Generating Station. Conawapa would require no significant water storage upstream, since flooding would be contained almost entirely within the natural banks of the Nelson River.

Ontario's existing installed generation capacity

includes nuclear, coal, oil, gas, hydroelectric, wood and waste-fuelled generation, which results in a total installed capacity of approximately 30,000 MW.

Coal: 21.4%
Oil and gas: 16.5%
Hydro: 25.8%
Nuclear: 36.1%
Other: 0.2%

A massive new east-west power grid could both help burnish the Harper government's image as environmentally friendly and help Ontario address its looming electricity crisis. But the proposed Conawapa project -- a $10-billion dam on the Nelson River and a $1.5-billion transmission line that would take 10 years to build -- faces numerous hurdles.

The four routes

The location of the transmission line is an open question. The Ontario government is studying four route options, all of which would affect a number of native communities.

DIRECT ROUTE: 1,750 kilometres from the proposed Conawapa dam to Sudbury. In a 2006 study for the Ontario government, favoured "from a technical, economic and environmental perspective" by consultants SNC-Lavalin Inc. and McLeod Wood Associates.

THUNDER BAY ROUTE: 1,750 kilometres from Conawapa southeast to Thunder Bay and then east to Sudbury.

WINNIPEG ROUTE: 2,400 kilometres from Conawapa to the Winnipeg area, then through the Thunder Bay area to Sudbury.

FAR NORTH ROUTE: 1,750 kilometres from Conawapa toward James Bay, then south through Kapuskasing to Timmins and Sudbury. Favoured by consultant's report from an environmental perspective.

Native bands Manitoba

The provincial government is promoting a partnership with native bands that would see these communities borrow a third of the project's financing costs in return for a share of the revenue from the project. The government also signed an agreement with Fox Lake Cree Nation in Gilliam to bring the community in as a partner. In addition, it paid the Cree group restitution for earlier projects that flooded the Fox Lake territory.

Ontario

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, which represents 49 communities in Northern Ontario, will not throw their support behind the transmission line until the provincial government outlines its position on broader economic development issues. NAN also wants a revenue-sharing agreement with the province and an ownership stake in the project.

Press release ...

Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls In Sport Call for Program Proposals

NOTE: Priority Areas Expanded AND Deadline Extended

Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls in Sport is a national project designed to increase community sport opportunities for Aboriginal girls and young women (ages 9-18). Team Spirit is a partnership between the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and the Aboriginal Sport Circle, and has received Sport Participation Development Program funding from Heritage Canada, Sport Canada.

CAAWS and the Aboriginal Sport Circle are now seeking proposals from organizations across Canada to develop and deliver a community sport program for Aboriginal girls and young women. Proposals from Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Yukon will be prioritized for this funding. Four programs will be selected to receive $3,000 in funding for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. Proposals are due April 23, 2007.

To download the Call for Proposals and proposal template visit: http://caaws.ca/onthemove/e/aboriginal/communication.htm

Ontario government press release ...

McGuinty Government Invests Over $1.6 Million For Aboriginal Health - Multi-Year Commitment Addresses Disease Prevention And Health Promotion

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is providing $1,685,737 over two years for thirteen initiatives that address the disease prevention and health promotion needs of Ontario’s Aboriginal communities, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson announced today.

The funding will go to Aboriginal organizations and agencies to implement culturally appropriate initiatives that will best address particular challenges facing the Aboriginal population.

“The McGuinty government appreciates that Aboriginal communities experience particular challenges with respect to healthy and active living and tobacco misuse, which is why we are pleased to invest in these 13 necessary programs,” said Watson. “We asked organizations and agencies that service these communities to tell us how best to address these challenges in their communities and these initiatives are as a result of this healthy partnership."

"This funding is very important to Aboriginal communities across Ontario," said David Martin, President of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. “These programs will help us to address incidents of chronic disease, such as diabetes and cancer which are many times higher that the provincial average. Most important, we will empower our youth to lead efforts to reduce commercial tobacco use in our communities. We very much appreciate this opportunity to work with the Ontario government toward improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people."

The thirteen programs that have received funding are:

• The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, Kanonkwa’Tesheio:oi Health Centre in Cornwall ($96,146)
• The Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Thunder Bay. ($166,250)
• The De dwa da dehs ney's Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Hamilton. ($209,870)
• The Ganaan De We O Dis ^Yethi Yenahwahse Aboriginal Health Access Centre in London. ($6,042)
• The Gizhewaadiziwin Access Centre in Fort Frances. ($131,600)
• Nishnawbe Aski Nation in Thunder Bay. ($35,800)
• The N'Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Centre (North Shore Tribal Council) in Cutler. ($175,000)
• The Noojmowin Teg Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Little Current. ($131,250)
• The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. ($346,630)
• The Ontario Native Women's Association in Thunder Bay. ($84,435)
• The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa. ($146,828)
• The Wassay-Gezhig Na-Nahn-Dah-We-Igamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Keewatin. ($128,888)
• The Union of Ontario Indians in North Bay. ($25,000)

The McGuinty government also recently introduced the province’s first Aboriginal-specific mass media campaign to raise awareness of the harmful effects of commercial tobacco.

Smoking kills an average of 16,000 people in Ontario each year. Tobacco-related diseases cost the Ontario health care system at least $1.7 billion a year, result in more than $2.6 billion in productivity losses, and account for at least 500,000 hospital days each year.

Ontario’s tobacco consumption has fallen by 18.7 per cent or more than 2.6 billion cigarettes since 2003. During that time, the government has increased its investments in tobacco control six-fold to a total of $60 million, including a $10 million increase in 2006 over the previous year.

-30-

-------------------
BACKGROUNDER March 30, 2007

Improving The Quality Of Life For Aboriginal People

As part of Ontario’s Action Plan on Healthy Eating and Active Living and the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, the McGuinty Government is committed to the prevention of chronic disease and the promotion of healthy eating and active living.

The Ministry of Health promotion is funding Aboriginal organizations and agencies in 2006/07 and 2007/08 to carry out projects supporting Aboriginal-specific prevention, education and cessation activities, as well as tobacco control resources in Aboriginal communities and culturally appropriate healthy eating and active living projects.

Funding recipients include:

The Akwesasne, Mohawks of Kanonkwa’Tesheio:oi Health Centre in Cornwall is working with local school boards to provide smoking cessation education to high school students and the Boys and Girls club as an extra-curricular activity. ($96,146)

The De dwa da dehs ney>s Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Hamilton working in partnership with YMCAs will educate Aboriginal youth to live and promote tobacco-wise lifestyles. ($209,870)

The Gizhewaadiziwin Access Centre in Fort Frances developed a smoking cessation video to discourage Aboriginal youth from smoking and to help those who are smoking quit. As well support groups for Aboriginals and their families to lead healthy eating and active living initiatives including community kitchens, baby food making workshops, and sport and recreation activities were established. ($131,600)

NAN - Nishnawbe Aski Nation in Thunder Bay developed a conference and traditional land-based learning camp for Aboriginal youth that encourages cessation of commercial tobacco use and promote active living. ($35,800)

The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is providing a train-the-trainer program to staff at its 28 friendship centres across Ontario. The training will promote physical activity, healthy eating and smoke-free living to women and youth. ($346,630)

The Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa developed a project entitled “Walking the Healthy Journey Throughout the Life Cycle”. The project will focus on prevention and cessation of commercial tobacco use, healthy food choices that are available on a limited budget and increasing physical activities that reflect Aboriginal traditions. ($146,828)

The Union of Ontario Indians, headquartered in North Bay, received support to begin development of an “Anishinabek Nation Smoke-Free Strategy” to address the health and economic burden of commercial tobacco use in 43 member First Nations. ($25,000)

The Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Thunder Bay was funded to work with the Thunder Bay Urban Aboriginal Strategy and the Lakehead School Board to develop active living and healthy eating initiatives in five schools and neighbourhoods. Monthly active living activities and children’s community kitchens will be held at each site. As well, the Centre will develop a 12 week life skills training session on the causes of tobacco abuse, smoking myths and realities, helping participants move towards quitting or harm reduction approaches ($166,250)

The Ganaan De We O Dis ^Yethi Yenahwahse Aboriginal Health Access Centre in London received funding to support healthy living training for 30 health care workers from London Urban Aboriginal agencies, as well as from the seven surrounding area reserves. ($6,042)

The Noojmowin Teg Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Little Current received support for community workers to participate in the “Community Nutrition Advisory Program” being facilitated by the Sudbury and District Health Unit. These newly trained community staff will then coordinate two Take Five programs within the seven local First Nations areas targeted towards First Nation parents and their children and focused on reducing health problems including obesity, diabetes, heart problems and other health issues. ($131,250)

The N'Mninoeyaa Aboriginal Health Access Centre (North Shore Tribal Council) in Cutler received support to develop the “Grow Healthy Families” project. This initiative fosters families taking responsibility for their health by providing them with tools, support and infrastructure to be successful and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. ($175,000)

The Ontario Native Women's Association in Thunder Bay will develop community health gatherings in Kenora and Sudbury. The gatherings will include speakers on diabetes awareness, physical activity, nutrition and overall healthy living. ($84,435)

The Wassay-Gezhig Na-Nahn-Dah-We-Igamig Aboriginal Health Access Centre in Keewatin received funding to hire a health promotion coordinator. The coordinator will carry out community-based activities designed to promote traditional healthy nutrition and active lifestyles that focus on issues including asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and other nutrition topics. ($128,888)

-30-

For further information:

Adam Grachnik
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497

Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833

Chief Terence Nelson of Roseau River First Nation letter is followed by the Ottawa Sun newspaper story about the National Day of Protest ...

Grand Chief Chris Henderson
Southern Chiefs Organization
225-530 Century Street
Winnipeg, MB
R3H 0Y4

March 31st 2007

Dear Grand Chief

Re: Emergency Treaty 1-11 Gathering, April 10th

As Chairman I thank you for attending the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Chiefs meeting yesterday. DOTC will convene an emergency Treaty 1-11 gathering in Winnipeg on April 10th 2007. We thank SCO for agreeing to help coordinate that meeting.

The National Day of Protest set for June 29th 2007 was passed by resolution of the Chiefs at the December 2006 Assembly of First Nations Ottawa summit. AFN represents over 600 First Nations in Canada. The response from the Conservative government of Canada to this planned national day of protest is to threaten the First Nations.

Our national Assembly of First Nations and our provincial organization, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and regional political organizations are funded by the government and vulnerable to cuts.

The reality however is that the federal and provincial governments receive far more benefits, literally hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars from the resource sales from the traditional territories of Treaties 1-11. Immigrant Canadians get hundreds of billions of dollars each year from the sale of resources taken from our lands.

At this gathering, we as First Nations will respond to the Federal Government threats.

We ask that each Treaty First Nation bring its written list of grievances and treaty violations to put into a document to be presented to Canada.

We will invite the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway companies to listen to the Treaty First Nations. We will present the railway companies with those treaty violations. The railway companies have already each written to the Conservative government asking for Canada to resolve the issues with First Nations so that business is not interrupted by protest. The reason we would present these lists of treaty violations to the railway companies is to legally warn them that their right to benefit and use of our traditional treaty territory is in jeopardy.

Canadian National Railway tried to get injunctive relief from the courts last year and testified that they stand to lose at least 27 million dollars a day in revenue from a 24 hour railway blockade. That estimate from CN is only for a Manitoba blockade and is only the losses to CN, it does not include the losses to CP or the companies that both rail companies transport goods and services for.

A national day of protest that includes shutting down railway lines across Canada even for one day is an economic disaster of huge consequences for all Canadians. Last year although we did not do the one-day railway blockade as planned, the courts did however refuse to grant CN the injunctive relief it was seeking. Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice asked for more time, we gave him that time.

If the Treaty terms and conditions have not been fulfilled, we as Treaty First Nations are the only indigenous people capable legally to deny the right of immigrants to our lands, the right to use and benefit from our treaty traditional territory. That obligation, the lawful obligation (as recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada) for the treaties rests entirely with the Crown as represented by the federal government of Canada. In my response letter to CN’s letter to Prentice which I attach for you, I stated to CN.

While I thank you for your letter, I of course don’t agree with CN’s position that they are “an innocent third party” because we see clearly the billions and billions of dollars of resource wealth that CN transports every year from lands that the indigenous people have never relinquished or only gave conditional access to.

In order to legally block railway lines, Treaty First Nations must first declare the Treaties to be in jeopardy as a direct result of the failure of the Crown in fulfilling the lawful obligations that the immigrant government has to the treaty terms and conditions. We must have those written violations from each Treaty 1-11 First Nations in a document on April 10th 2007.

My personal goal is to have the Treaty 1-11 First Nations jointly demand that CN and CP voluntarily cease operations for 24 hours on June 29 or face the threat of month long roving blockades across our treaty territories.

Canadian Industry, such as CN, CP, Enbridge and most of the oil companies have all sent letters or voiced concerns to the federal government of Canada to take seriously the legal responsibility to sit down with the First Nations and resolve these matters. So far, all the Conservatives have done is threaten the First Nations.

On April 10th, I will bring to the attention of the Treaty 1-11 First Nations other options including some very serious legal help from south of the border. We all know that the courts in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada have clearly decided in numerous cases the explicit responsibility, the duty of the Crown to negotiate, to consult and come to agreement with the indigenous people on developments within the traditional territories of the original owners of the land.

The effect of development within the Tar Sands, the environmental devastation is cause for indigenous people to sue the Crown for those losses. This legal action can occur not only in Canada but the indigenous people can follow the sales of their property into the states.

Oil companies and lumber companies operating in Canada need to take serious attention to this.

Please send this letter to the technical working group of Treaty 1-11 at the scheduled meeting in Saskatoon next week. The techs must prepare the documents needed for each Treaty First Nation that attends the emergency summit on April 10th.

I attach for you, the letter I sent to CN. I will draft a Roseau River’s list of treaty violations. This will be Roseau River’s version, it will only be a draft, one that other First Nations may use or disregard when they make their own list of treaty violations.

It is sad, that the current government of Canada has set a course for confrontation with the indigenous people. I had hoped that the Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice had heard the frustration we voiced at the July 4th 2006 meeting in Calgary.

The Globe and Mail just reported that Radical natives are included on the same list as the Tamil Tigers and Hezbollah in a new counterinsurgency manual being prepared for the Canadian army. The manual is in the final stages of preparation, but The Globe and Mail has obtained an early version of the document.

The draft outlines tactics, including ambush, deception and killing, which the military could use both at home and abroad against military opponents.

If Americans don’t take this situation seriously, they face heavy losses in Canada. American companies, especially those who are financed in publicly traded stocks from the stock market will be hit very hard even greater than what happened in Mexico in 1994.

We need to ensure that the treaty First Nations realize that the April 10th meeting is an emergency meeting, one we must be prepared for.

Mii-gwetch! You can contact me on my cell at 204-782-4827.

Sincerely

Chief Terrance Nelson
Chairman for DOTC Council of Chiefs
ROSEAU RIVER ANISHINABE FIRST NATION GOVERNMENT
P.O. Box 30, GINEW, Manitoba R0A 2R0
Phone (204) 427-2312 Fax: (204) 427-2584

++++++++++

The Ottawa Sun story ...

Natives plan rail blockade - First Nations groups call for day of action
By JORGE BARRERA, NATIONAL BUREAU - Mon, April 2, 2007

Parliament Hill -- Unbowed by federal government threats to cut funding, First Nations across the country continue to make plans for a one-day shutdown of the railway system that could spread into weeks.

Relations with the government have soured significantly since Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's budget completely ignored demands to make First Nations poverty a priority.

Things weren't helped on the weekend after it was revealed that the Canadian military labelled the Mohawk Warrior Society and radical Native groups as "insurgents" in a draft anti-guerrilla field manual obtained by Sun Media.

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice's aggressive stance on First Nations demands has also pushed relations to a level of acrimony last seen under the Liberals, when former Indian Affairs minister Bob Nault was pushing unpopular reform legislation.

"The Conservatives have united First Nations across the country," said Terrance Nelson, chairman of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Chiefs, which represents nine Manitoba First Nations. "They have pissed off one hell of a lot of chiefs."

Anticipating the actions of the Conservative government, the Assembly of First Nations overwhelmingly passed a resolution in December calling for a day of action on June 29.

Prentice reacted by sending open letters last week to the Globe and Mail and the Winnipeg Free Press threatening to cut federal funding to First Nations groups if the actions went ahead.

The minister's actions were interpreted, in the words of AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine, as a "direct threat" and stoked an already roaring fire.

During a planned April 10 Winnipeg emergency meeting of treaty-holding First Nations, which cover western Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and parts of British Columbia, attendees are to compile of a list of treaty violations that will then be presented to Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway.

"My personal goal is to have the Treaty 1-11 First Nations jointly demand that CN and CP voluntarily cease operations for 24 hours on June 29 or face the threat of a month-long roving blockade across our treaty territories."

TAKE NATIVES SERIOUSLY

Nelson said the Conservatives need to take First Nations seriously.

"We want a share of our resources and we want to sit down and clearly talk about our treaties that said we would share in the resources of our own wealth," said Nelson, in an interview with Sun Media.

"If the federal government wants a fight with First Nations it is a very stupid thing to do and we will prove it."

Fort Frances Times news online ...

Ottawa promises to help pay for occupation cost
March 30, 2007 - (CP)

    TORONTO —Ottawa is ponying up $26.4 million to help the Ontario government cover the cost of a year-long aboriginal occupation in the southwestern Ontario town of Caledonia, and giving federal negotiators leave to settle additional land claims in the region.

    Indian Affairs minister Jim Prentice said yesterday the federal government recognizes the province is shouldering high costs for policing and buying the half-finished housing development that sits on the disputed tract of land.

    “Because of what happened in Caledonia, the government of Ontario had to incur additional expenses,” Prentice told a news conference in Ottawa.

    “The payment of $26.4 million includes $15.8 million towards the acquisition . . . of the Douglas Creek Estates property and $10.6 million to offset Ontario’s extraordinary policing costs.”

    Ontario calculates the cost of the dispute at more than $46 million, with almost half that sum going to round-the-clock staffing by provincial police.

    After loudly calling for a federal contribution to offset the rising cost of the occupation, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said the government is happy to hear Ottawa acknowledge the province’s financial burden.

    “It’s an important symbol that the federal government does understand it has a valuable role to play,” McGuinty said during a stop in London, Ont.

    “The other thing that’s really important here to note . . . is that the prime minister is granting an expanded mandate to his negotiators and hopefully that will lead to an accelerated process so that we can resolve this in a peaceful manner,” he added.

    David Ramsay, Ontario’s minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, said the expanded mandate for federal negotiator Barbara McDougall—currently at the table with the province and Six Nations representatives—now has the authority to attack up to 26 outstanding Six Nations land claims in the region.

    Rather than slow the pace of negotiations, Ramsay said it actually might help resolve the dispute more quickly since it addresses the real reason the occupation began in the first place over a year ago.

    Six Nations protesters aren’t counting on that yet. The federal announcement came as a complete surprise to most.

    “There appears to be a lot of money changing hands but nothing has changed hands with Six Nations,” Cayuga subchief Leroy Hill said in a statement.

    Janie Jamieson, who speaks for the occupiers, said the announcement seemed more designed to placate taxpayers than Six Nations.

    Six Nations protesters moved into the 40-hectare development last February, saying it was taken from them by the Crown 200 years ago.