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The Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) renewed their commitment to developing and operating successful First Nation owned and managed broadband networks at the Annual Keewaywin Conference that took place in Aroland First Nation on August 14, 15 & 16, 2007.

The resolution calls for government programs and services as well as all organizations doing business in NAN First Nations to contribute to the ongoing operation of these networks, the same way they pay for these services for their own operation centres.

The Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) renewed their commitment to developing and operating successful First Nation owned and managed broadband networks at the Annual Keewaywin Conference that took place in Aroland First Nation on August 14, 15 & 16, 2007.

In February 2003, the NAN Chiefs in Assembly passed Resolution 03/49: SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NAN BROADBAND REGIONAL NETWORK FOR FIRST NATIONS which among other things directed government programs and services along with other agencies to utilize local community networks. This August resolution calls for government programs and services as well as all organizations doing business in NAN First Nations to contribute to the ongoing operation of these networks, the same way they pay for these services for their own operation centres.

The following is the draft text of the resolution that was presented to the NAN chiefs for their consideration.

SUBJECT: SUPPORT FOR THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY OF FIRST NATION OWNED BROADBAND REGIONAL AND LOCAL NETWORKS

MOVED BY: Chief Arthur Moore, Constance Lake First Nation

SECONDED BY: Chief Pardamus Anishinabie, Sandy Lake First Nation

DECISION: Passed without revisions

WHEREAS the Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) demonstrated their support for the development of community-based broadband networks that work with Nishnawbe Aski Nation and other First Nation regional networks;

WHEREAS  universal access and quality of broadband services are integral to renewed economic, health, education, social and cultural benefits and opportunities for Nishnawbe Aski Nation First Nations, and a generally improved quality of life for Nishnawbe Aski Nation citizens and Nishnawbe Aski Nation;

WHEREAS  broadband community networks and information and communication technologies (ICTs) are a key tool in Nation building and support for healthy communities, involving all First Nations, tribal councils and regional organizations in the development and maintenance of a sustainable and shared broadband communications infrastructure for the Nishnawbe Aski people;

WHEREAS  broadband infrastructure and ICT hardware and software continue to evolve, requiring continuous upgrades, maintenance and management; and

WHEREAS  organizations and institutions delivering online services are pressuring First Nations to provide facilities, staffing, equipment and support for their programs and services, without paying for these local services; and

WHEREAS operational funding to support community-owned broadband networks, services, facilities, staffing and equipment require contributions by every organization, institution and government program to ensure the sustainability of these local resources and services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs-in- Assembly support the development of local First Nation community networks and regional First Nation broadband networks and all levels of government are urged to support these networks by identifying strategies for developing and delivering innovative services and delivery models;

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Executive Council is mandated to ensure all federal and provincial government programs and services, as well as all institution and corporations doing business Nishnawbe Aski Nation are encouraged to work cooperatively with and employ the existing regional and community broadband networks, to ensure their sustainability; and

FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED that the federal and provincial governments must develop equitable and affordable broadband infrastructure in all Nishnawbe Aski First Nations is capable of supporting video, voice and data traffic, and must provide funding for the further development of the community and regional networks and infrastructure.

Aime Dimatteo, Executive Director from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation office in Sault Ste Marie visited Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Sioux Lookout office on Wednesday, August 15. Accompanying him were Diane Martin, NOHFC board member from Sioux Lookout and Florence Bailey, NDM staff in Sioux Lookout.

A tour of the K-Net Network Operations centre and of the different network facilities provided Mr. Dimatteo with an opportunity to learn about how the Kuhkenah Network is managed and supported.

Along with the tour, discussions included:

• an update on the recently NOHFC funded $2.8 million local community infrastructure development initiative and satellite bandwidth purchase; and
• the Keewaytinook Okimakanak proposal to establish a cellular/mobile phone pilot project service in Keewaywin and North Caribou Lake First Nations.

From the Ottawa Citizen ...

Expert questions independence of plan to address native claims
Juliet O'Neill - CanWest News Service - August 15, 2007

OTTAWA - The federal government's promise of an independent and speedy process to clear a backlog of unfulfilled and breached Indian treaty obligations may not be so independent or speedy after all, says a longtime advocate of reforms.

Rolland Pangowish said Wednesday that the government plan for "specific claims" legislation contains potentially fatal flaws that will leave the main promises of independence and speed unfulfilled. As it stands, the plan is "not the significant transformation" the government has claimed.

Pangowish co-chaired the 1997-98 First Nations-Canada Task Force on Specific Claims Policy Reform, directed the Assembly of First Nations lands and treaties unit 1990-2003, and is currently technical adviser to Ontario First Nations chiefs on claims.

He says that while the government may have left the impression a proposed independent tribunal is going to take charge of the claims process, clear a backlog of 800 claims for land or compensation and get cracking on new incoming claims, the reality appears quite different.

The government will remain "judge and jury" of itself, deciding whether to accept, reject or negotiate a claim, and the tribunal only kicks in later - as many as three years later - if negotiations fail, a claim is rejected or all parties agree to a referral to the tribunal.
The fate of the 800 or so claims already in the system has not been made clear by the government, he said.

The legislation is being developed by an eight-member team, equally portioned among government and First Nations representatives, as Chuck Strahl replaces Jim Prentice as minister of Indian and northern affairs. A bill is supposed to be drafted for the fall session of Parliament.

"The long-standing objective of First Nations to eliminate the government's conflict of interest in judging claims against itself by establishing an independent claims body is not achieved," Pangowish wrote in a recent analysis for the chiefs of the plan announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in June.

A truly independent process would establish an arm's-length body to receive claims, decide on their validity and determine whether the government is legally obligated to provide land or compensation, he said.

As it now stands, the government decides all that. Public servants at Indian and Northern Affairs and lawyers at the Justice Department screen the claims and assess whether the government has a legal obligation to fulfil, whether to accept, reject or negotiate.

It is at this stage that the existing claims are bogged down - 30 per cent of them for six to 10 years and some for more than 20 years, partly because more resources and personnel are required.

Pangowish says the little there is in the government plan to address that.

The government says all new claims will receive a preliminary assessment within six months and similar claims will be bundled to speed decisions. It doesn't take legislation to improve internal management of claims, Pangowish noted.

He questioned whether a government-appointed tribunal, open to political patronage appointments, will be perceived as independent.

"In fact the appointment of judges hostile to First Nation rights is highly likely when governments opposed to First Nation aspirations are in office," he wrote.

The "specific claims" process involves cases where the federal government failed to provide land owed under historic treaties, or took land or other assets without providing agreed compensation. This process differs from the comprehensive treaty process under which First Nations and governments negotiate terms and conditions of land title and jurisdiction.

CMHC press release ...

Ontario's First On-reserve Housing Trust Agreement Signed Today by CMHC and Wikwemikong Indian Band
 
OTTAWA, Aug. 15 - Ontario's first trust agreement under Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) On-Reserve Homeownership Loan Insurance Pilot was signed today by the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve and CMHC, on behalf of the Government of Canada.

This agreement provides enhanced access to homeownership loan insurance to First Nation members of the Manitoulin Island reserve.

"Today's agreement will improve the availability of market housing for this First Nation community. It will expand access to homeownership financing by further facilitating the flow of private-sector lending for housing purposes," said the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Minister Responsible for CMHC. "This agreement will help expand the benefits of market housing to the Wikwemikong and can serve as a model for other First Nations communities across the country who are looking for new ways to help their members enjoy greater access to homeownership."

CMHC's On-Reserve Homeownership Loan Insurance Pilot supports the Government of Canada's commitment to work with Aboriginal peoples on a comprehensive and transformative approach that will allow them to meet their housing needs over the long term.

"Our community believes that this agreement broadens our housing options. This pilot project allows qualifying Band members to apply for independent financing so that they can realize their housing goals," said Chief Robert Corbiere.

Wikwemikong has been taking advantage of various CMHC programs for more than 15 years to help address their housing needs. For example, they have built more than 300 units of assisted housing, and they are breaking ground on a 30-unit assisted housing apartment building - the largest multi-unit project ever under CMHC's On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing Program in Ontario. They have successfully used training programs on mold remediation to address problems on the reserve and shared that knowledge with other bands to help them manage their mold issues.

The Pilot product is just one of a number of tools available to help First Nations pursue market housing objectives. Earlier this year, Canada's New Government announced the First Nations Market Housing Fund to provide additional financing options to First Nation communities. These are two ways in which this government is working to provide First Nations on-reserve with the same housing opportunities and responsibilities as other Canadians.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been Canada's national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes, while making vibrant, healthy communities and cities a reality across the country.

Additional information about the operation of the On-Reserve Homeownership Loan Insurance Pilot is available on CMHC's website at http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/ab/onre/onre_009.cfm

For further information: Kristen Scheel, CMHC Media Relations, (613) 748-4632