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APTN press release ...

APTN To Host National Aboriginal Solidarity Day Celebration

Aboriginal Day Live, the first annual Aboriginal Solidarity Day celebration hosted by Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), will broadcast live across the nation from the network’s Winnipeg headquarters June 21st, 2007. Aboriginal Day Live will begin at 1 pm ET (12 pm CST Manitoba, 11 am CST Saskatchewan, 11 am MT, 10 am PT) and will repeat at 7 pm ET/PT.

Ray St. Germain, Native Communications Incorporated (NCI) radio personality, and APTN National News: Daytime host Cheryl McKenzie will emcee the hour-long concert featuring high-profile Canadian Aboriginal talent, including “Fiddle Master” Donny Parenteau, the Asham Stompers, champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig, Juno award winner Leela Gilday, Nunavut’s own Lucy Idlout, Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award nominees Dead Indians and the internationally renowned band CWeed.

The celebration is open to the public. A special children’s tent will be set up introducing the new APTN Kids on-air host, with free giveaways for the younger attendees.

“APTN is proud to showcase some of the finest Aboriginal talent in the country for all to enjoy on this very special day,” says Jean LaRose, APTN Chief Executive Officer. “As Canada’s only national Aboriginal broadcaster, it is our honour and privilege to host Aboriginal Day Live, through which we join the nation in celebrating the uniqueness and diversity of our Peoples.”

Aboriginal Solidarity Day was first called for in 1982 by the National Indian Brotherhood (Assembly of First Nations). The date of June 21st was chosen due to the cultural significance of the summer solstice, the first day of summer and longest day of the year. National Aboriginal Day, now in its 11th year, was designated by the federal government in 1996 as a special day for all Canadians to celebrate the unique heritage, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada.

After the live broadcast, APTN will air encore presentations of the 2006 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards and back-to-back broadcasts of the Hillerman Trilogy, starring critically acclaimed actor Adam Beach.

About APTN:
September 1, 2006 marked the seven-year anniversary of the launch of the first national Aboriginal television network in the world with programming by, for and about Aboriginal Peoples to share with all Canadians and viewers around the world. APTN is available in over 10 million Canadian households and commercial establishments with cable, direct-to-home satellite (DTH), telco-delivered and fixed wireless television service providers.

APTN does not receive government funding for operations but generates revenue through subscriber fees, advertising sales and strategic partnerships. APTN broadcasts programming with 56% offered in English, 16% in French and 28% in Aboriginal languages. For program schedule or for more information, please contact APTN at (204) 947-9331 or toll-free at 1-888-278-8862, or visit the website at www.aptn.ca.

On May 29, INAC minister presented the Main Estimates of his department to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. He stated, "The current 2007–2008 Main Estimates includes $6.3 billion for my department." This figure includes the dollars required to support on and off reserve programs, Metis, Inuit and Northern programs (click here for his presentation). As well, the Assembly of First Nations published a report last year called The $9 Billion Myth Exposed: Why First Nations Poverty Endures. Still the conservatives continue to spread what has now become their 10 billion dollar myth. A more appropriate question that Chief Maracle asks at the end of the following articles is, "how much is spent per capita on non-native Canadians?" (federal, provincial and municipal government combined)?

From the Belleville Intelligencer ...

NDP's aboriginal critic calls Kramp's figures 'a disinformation campaign'
Samantha Craggs - June 02, 2007

An aboriginal affairs critic for the New Democratic Party is using words like "irresponsible" and "disinformation" to describe a recent mail-out by MP Daryl Kramp about funding for native communities.

The Prince Edward-Hasting MP's recent mail-out to constituents bears the heading "Getting things done for aboriginal people" and says the Conservatives will spend $7.4 billion for First Nations citizens on reserves.

But the NDP's Jean Crowder said the flyer is oversimplified to the point of being misleading.

"Several people faxed or e-mailed it to me because they were so concerned about it," said Crowder, who represents a British Columbia riding. "When people put out simplistic pieces of information that say people are getting plenty of money, it really is a disinformation campaign."

Kramp's mail-out says the federal government will spend about $10.2 billion in 2007-08 to fund programs directed toward aboriginal people. It says $7.4 billion will go to programs and services on reserves, an increase of $600 million the year before. That translates to $16,465 per person, said Kramp's flyer.

It also says $850 million is forecast for claims resolution and implementation and $2 billion will go to Metis, Inuit and First Nations people living off reserve.

Crowder disputes those figures, which she said include bureaucratic costs such as the minister's salary for Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) rather than direct service. Programs funded by that money include dollars spent on any program with the word "aboriginal" in it, rather than money transferred to band councils, she said. Those figures also include lawyer salaries in land claim negotiations, and 15 per cent fees paid to third-party managers, she said.

Kramp was said he was surprised by the allegations and baffled at how Crowder could dispute the statements, saying he has budget information to back up all three of the dollar figures on his mailing. Administration costs account for four per cent of the $7.4 billion program and services costs, and INAC's total administration costs are $250 million, which includes management, human resources and legal costs, he said. The INAC budget has increased $1.1 billion since last year.

"Regretfully, maybe she takes offence to what we put out, but it's factual data," he said. "I'm certainly not here to mislead anyone. I'm disappointed with the fact that she considers it a disinformation campaign. This is department information and she should have access to it. That's why it confuses me ... If there's a reason, I'll take my knocks, but in this case, there really isn't." Wording on the mailing is concise and spare, deliberately devoid of complexities of the issues, he said, in order to make it clear to those reading it. The mailing included a poll style question: "Do you think Canada's government is getting things done for aboriginal people?" with check boxes for "yes! I think the government's efforts are a good start" and "no! the government is not on the right track." The question is included so the general consensus of those in the riding can be gauged, which is imperative to better understanding how future policy decisions can be made, Kramp said.

Meanwhile Crowder said the NDP and her counterparts in the Liberal party believe the only real way to properly fund First Nations is to follow through on the Kelowna Accord, a deal signed between First Nations and the federal Liberals in 2005. The accord had full support from the New Democrats and it would have added $5 billion to funding for First Nations over five years. In March, the majority of MPs voted in favour of it, with most of the governing Conservatives voting against. The Conservatives dismissed the accord as having been too vague about specific application of federal funds.

Chief R. Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ) said Kramp's government should honour Kelowna. The accord, he said, was signed after months of discussions with government and native officials and the MBQ want to see it enacted.

"The question that should be asked is if people believe that the honour of the Crown should be upheld between the government and the First Nations people?" he said. "That's really what's at issue."

Maracle said Kramp's mail-out statements also raise questions, such as how many land claims $850 million will settle, and how much is spent per capita on non-native Canadians?