Archive - 2007

November 28th

Youth writing challenge - Produce short story about a defining moment in Aboriginal history for chance to win $2000

Aboriginal Writing Challenge

Submit your story to WIN $2000!

Deadline for the 2008 Writing Challenge is March 31, 2008

November 28th

Chiefs of the Anishinabek Nation resolution to rid their First Nations of drug abuse

Anishinabek Nation press release 

Anishinabek Nation Chiefs Declare War On Drugs

OJIBWAYS OF GARDEN RIVER FN, Nov. 26 - Chiefs of the 42 member Anishinabek Nation communities have unanimously passed a resolution giving First Nation councils the authority to rid their communities of drug dealers.

Lawyers receive millions from Harper Government for Indian residential school settlement

From CBC News

Ottawa pays $45.6M to lawyers involved in residential school cases

November 26, 2007 - More than $45 million has recently been paid to residential school lawyers — one of the largest legal bills in Canadian history.

According to federal officials, a government cheque for $45.6 million has been sent to a consortium of lawyers — most of them in Alberta and Ontario — who had been involved in the Indian residential schools class action.

November 26th

Climate change resulting in melting of winter roads to First Nations, requires new infrastructure investments

From CBC News

Northern ministers seek infrastructure help to adapt to climate change

November 26, 2007 - Politicians representing northern regions of Canada say they need more infrastructure to help adapt to climate change, which they say is melting much-needed winter roads.

Canada's economy would benefit with improvements in First Nation education outcomes and systems

Press release from the Centre for the Study of Living Standards about the recently released report called “The Potential Contribution of Aboriginal Canadians to Labour Force, Employment, Productivity and Output Growth in Canada, 2001-2017” (found at http://www.csls.ca/reports/csls2007-04.pdf)

November 25th

KO team attends Sharing Our Success - Promising Practices in Aboriginal Education conference in Winnipeg

The Ontario Regional Management Organization (K-Net) for INAC's First Nations SchoolNet program worked with the other RMOs to sponsor a panel presentation on the Effective Use of Technology in First Nation Classrooms at the Sharing Our Success conference, PROMISING PRACTICES IN ABORIGINAL EDUCATION, in Winnipeg (Nov 23 and 24).

November 24th

BC and First Nations partnership results in The First Nations Education Act, 2007

NEWS RELEASE - BC Ministry of Education and First Nations Education Steering Committee

FIRST NATIONS STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM HISTORIC AGREEMENT

VICTORIA, Nov. 22, 2007  - The Province introduced historic legislation today that recognizes participating First Nations' jurisdiction over education on First Nations land in British Columbia and supports First Nations student achievement and lifelong learning.

AFN works with federal government to develop process for Resolving Specific Claims

A Communiqué from National Chief Phil Fontaine - Resolving Specific Claims: Renewed Approach Coming Soon

November 2007 - The Assembly of First Nations and the Government of Canada have been working together since June to develop a renewed approach to resolving First Nations specific land claims. The goal is to reform the specific claims resolution process to make it truly fair, fast and effective. A key objective is establishing an Independent Tribunal with authority to make binding decisions on claims, which will be available to First Nation claimants on a voluntary basis.

Special needs of First Nation children subject of AFN Request for Proposals

Assembly of First Nations 2007-2008 Special Needs Research RFP

Click here to see the entire RFP

The objective of this Request for Proposal is to identify a consultant or consulting team to undertake this second phase of research related to special needs for the AFN.

Background

Australian voters choose a Labour government over Howard, one of Harper's mentor

From TheAge.com.au

Indigenous leaders welcome Howard defeat

November 25, 2007 - Some indigenous leaders have welcomed the end of the Howard government and expressed relief that Mal Brough has been forced out of parliament.

Mr Brough - the outgoing minister for indigenous affairs - lost his Queensland seat of Longman to Labor candidate Jon Sullivan after suffering a swing of more than 10 per cent.