Media.Knet.Ca

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

NAN press release ...

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief urges new INAC Minister to follow through on recent commitments to NAN territory

     THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 15 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy congratulates new Indian and Northern Affairs Minister (INAC) Chuck Strahl, urging him to follow through on recent commitments by former Minister Jim Prentice to deal with unique challenges of Ontario's remote First Nation communities.

     "The Hon. Jim Prentice has recently paid more attention to the unique conditions of some of our 49 First Nation communities," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy, adding Prentice accompanied him on a trip to Fort Albany and Kashechewan just last week. "It's important now that Minister Strahl continues this commitment to not only specific NAN communities ie: Pikangikum and Kashechewan, but across NAN territory."

     Former Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Charles Straul was appointed to the Indian and Northern Affairs Ministry during Prime Minister Stephen Harper's much anticipated cabinet shuffle Tuesday.

     "I'm hopeful Minister Strahl will be receptive to NAN leadership and our work toward addressing our many challenges to improve the quality of life for our people and communities," said Beardy. "I invite him to meet with NAN leadership to hear first hand the unique challenges faced in our communities and to establish a relationship based on the need to improve conditions for First Nations across the North."

     Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political Aboriginal organization representing
49 First Nation communities across two-thirds of Ontario. 34 of these communities are accessible via airplane only.

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/For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952 OR (807) 628-3953 (mobile)/

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AFN press release ...

AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine looking forward to working with new federal Minister of Indian Affairs announced today by the Prime Minister

     OTTAWA, Aug. 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine said he is looking forward to working with the new federal Cabinet announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Among other changes, the new Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development is the honourable Chuck Strahl, who replaces former Minister Jim Prentice.

     "We welcome the honourable Chuck Strahl as the new Minister of Indian Affairs and view this as an opportunity to embark on new initiatives aimed at a better future for all Canadians," said National Chief Fontaine. "The success of the Minister of Indian Affairs is very much dependent on a positive relationship with First Nations and we are ready to work on a positive agenda aimed at lifting First Nations out of poverty. This requires a focus on two key elements: our people and our lands. We must invest in education and training for First Nations as the key improving the lives of our people, and ensuring Canada has a skilled workforce to meet the coming labour shortage. As well, lands are central to the ability of First Nations to build their economies. We must ensure our people achieve a fair share in the benefits and riches of their traditional lands, and we can do so through win-win approaches like resource revenue sharing."

     The National Chief noted that this approach was widely endorsed by provincial premiers and territorial leaders at the recent Council of the Federation meeting. The National Chief will also present detailed proposals on these initiatives as part of the upcoming federal Pre-Budget Submissions process.

     "It is increasingly clear that the future of First Nations and the future of Canada are closely intertwined," the National Chief said. "We want to continue to have a productive relationship that delivers on the legal obligations that the federal government has with First Nations. This means engaging with all Ministers and members of the government that have an impact on First Nations, including Ministers for Health, Justice, Heritage, Finance and many others. Working together for a better quality of life for First Nations will benefit all of us. The provinces and territories are on side and we need the federal government to join us in this national undertaking. We congratulate all members of the new federal Cabinet and look forward to working with them and the Prime Minister on a better future for all Canadians."

     "I want to acknowledge the efforts of the previous Minister, Jim Prentice," National Chief Fontaine said. "Working together we were able to finalize the historic settlement for survivors of Indian Residential Schools, as well as setting out a process to establish a new approach to resolving specific land claims. We look forward to working with the new Minister and the government towards a successful conclusion on both of these important matters."

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

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/For further information: Rene Pollett, Communications Specialist, (613) 241-6789, ext. 314, cell.: (613) 295-2149, rpollett@afn.ca/

Job Readiness Skills Training Program

Sponsored by Equay-wuk (Women's Group)

Equay-wuk is offering a 22 week Job Readiness Skills Training Program starting September 4, 2007 to February 1, 2008.

APPLY TODAY!

Course Outline

• Employment Skills
• Personal Life Management Skills
• Computer Skills
• Electronic Communication
• Office Procedures
• Job Shadows
• Job Placement
• Academic Upgrading

Participant Eligibility

• Aboriginal with Status (from Sioux Lookout District)
• 19 years or older
• Unemployed
• Aboriginal with Status Treaty #3
• Aboriginal meeting OGI criteria
• EI eligibility

Mail, fax or drop off your resume or letter of interest to:

Hiring Committee

Job Readiness Skills Training Program

Equay-wuk (Women's Group)

16 Fourth Avenue

P.O. Box 1781

Sioux Lookout, ON     P8T 1C4

Toll Free: 1-800-261-8294

Phone: (807) 737-2214

Fax: (807) 737-2699

Application Deadline:  August 24, 2007 at 3:00 pm

Hello:

My name is Kelli Fraser and I am the communications officer at a national charity called “The Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada”…otherwise known more simply as “SEVEC”!

For 70 years we’ve offered exchange programs for students within Canada to travel to another province or territory for one week to learn about another culture and language. All exchanges are for groups of students between the ages of 12-17 years old.

We currently have openings for groups of Aboriginal students accompanied by one adult to participate in our Aboriginal Exchange Program this school year.

The group can go on exchange anytime during the school year, but applications should be received on our Website by October 1st. If you know of any groups interested in this, please let them know. The adult taking care of the group can apply right online at www.sevec.ca. It’s not necessary to know exact names of students at this point, we just need to know approximately how many students you think you will take on exchange and what you’d like to get out of the exchange.

Another important point: SEVEC, through government funding, pays for the students’ travel. We also have bursaries to help cover other costs.

You can apply just as a group or if you know another group in Canada with whom you’d like to do a 1-week exchange you can apply together.

For more info, visit www.sevec.ca or call me (Kelli) at 1-800.38.SEVEC at extension 205.

I am also sending you an e-mail ad (see below) that you can forward to any groups you know who might want to go on an exchange.

Thanks and best wishes,

Kelli Fraser
Communications Officer / Agente des communications
SEVEC
Celebrating 70 Years of Exchanges! Célébrons 70 ans d’échanges!
( 613.72.SEVEC (613.727.3832) X 205 / 1 800 38.SEVEC   7 613.727.3831   www.sevec.ca

From the Timmins Daily Press ...

Kash plan addresses classroom shortage - New school to house all students
Scott Paradis - August 09, 2007

Kashechewan could have enough classrooms to accommodate all of its children this fall - a luxury the First Nation hasn't enjoyed in two years.

The $200-million federal government deal for Kashechewan will provide it with a new school.

In the meantime, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) intends to provide the First Nation with space to address its current classroom shortage.

"We are working with the community to provide it with portables," said Joe Young, a director of funding services for INAC.

Those portables would be serving a community that hasn't produced a high school graduate on its own soil in about two years.

INAC officials elaborated on details about the school, among other things, in Kashechewan Wednesday afternoon during a special media phone briefing.

That briefing intended to give reporters - who have long tracked the plight of Kashechewan's "historical background" - information along with any possible "next steps," said INAC representative Bob Howsam.

One of those next steps is to build an all-in-one elementary and high school for the community.

More than two years ago, Kashechewan's elementary school was condemned due to toxic mould, among other issues. Any belief that the school would be re-opened went up in smoke, literally, when a fire ripped through the building in late June.

Since the originally condemning of that school, elementary students have been sharing the high school facilities.

The students now go to school in shifts - elementary school students hit the books in the morning while high school students attend later in the afternoon and into the evening.

INAC said it is working with the community to ensure that when the school is built, it will be a size that can "accommodate" all the First Nation's children.

But INAC, while it hopes to provide the remote First Nation with portables come this fall, cannot guarantee that timeline.

"We're taking steps forward," said Young. "We're hopeful for fall." There are numerous challenges when bringing infrastructure to an isolated community, he said.

For Kashechewan, the new school can't come soon enough.

The community's school has not produced a graduate for nearly two entire years.

That fact was highlighted in a recent report, which took an in-depth look at Kashechewan, its problems and potential solutions.

Former cabinet minister Alan Pope conducted that report.

During an one-on-one interview with The Daily Press last week, Pope revealed that he had "a lot of problems" with Kashechewan's school. "The school system is $9 million-a-year of public expenditure and they haven't had a graduate in two years," he said.

"And they don't teach math or sciences. So no one coming out of there could possibly advance their education."

Pope doesn't conclude what has caused the First Nation's education system to fail so badly, however, he does suggest that the multiple community evacuations could be at play.

Three times in the span of a year Kashechewan had been partially or fully evacuated - twice because of spring-time floods and once because of concerns over the quality of the community's drinking water.

MP Charlie Angus (NDP - Timmins-James Bay) said he hopes INAC is serious not only when it says it will provide a new school, but portables in the meantime as well.

"They can't miss another year," he said.

"These years lost are years these kids can't get back."

Angus admits that he hasn't thoroughly went through the details of this promised school.

He said talk of a new school sounds promising, but he hopes the community will get it without having to fight for it.

"If the government is moving at a good speed on this, than it will be very good news," Angus said.

From National Post ...

Probe set for plan to give braces to aboriginal children - Experts question whether it is a health priority
Tom Blackwell, National Post- August 09, 2007

Health Canada has commissioned a study of its multi-million-dollar orthodontics program for Aboriginal children, as some experts question whether installing braces should be a government priority in a population afflicted by a litany of other health and dental problems.

More than 20,000 First Nations children have been approved for non-cosmetic orthodontic treatments in the past 10 years under a program that cost $5-million in 2006-07. The federal department says it is trying to find out whether the treatments, which can themselves encourage tooth decay, actually improve patients' overall oral health.

"What we want to know is are we doing more harm by keeping the braces on?" said Bonnie Tolstoy, director of benefit management for Health Canada's Aboriginal health program.
"For example ... after the braces come off, would it mean extraction of teeth due to decay and rot? Would it mean an increase in root canals?"

Independent experts say there is no question that braces can lead to "horrendous" cavity problems in some Aboriginal patients, who already are several times more likely than the general population to experience dental decay.

Public-health dentists have long debated whether the government should fund what could be considered an elective procedure when dental and gum disease is widespread, and often untreated, said Dr. Gerry Uswak, acting dean of dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan.

"If one was looking at this as public money and if one was looking at providing the best bang for the buck, personally I would like to see more money into prevention and treating the existing disease to get people out of pain and suffering."

For some Aboriginal people, who can have terrible tooth misalignments, orthodontics is an "absolutely" appropriate service for taxpayers to fund, said Dr. Doug Brothwell, head of community dentistry at the University of Manitoba.

The trouble is that many of the children who get braces do not regularly brush their teeth, and orthodontics only makes dental hygiene more difficult, he said. The result of giving them braces can be "horrendous failures," said Dr. Brothwell.

"Some are getting harmed through, I would say, poor case selection." 

As with many other areas of health, Canada's Aboriginal people suffer disproportionate teeth trouble. As many as half all First Nations preschoolers develop early childhood "carries": so many cavities they have to be put under a general anesthetic while all the bad teeth are fixed or extracted. That is about 10 times the rate in the general population, said Dr. Brothwell.

Likewise, Aboriginal people generally get three to five times as many cavities as the overall population.

Poor diet in communities that have shifted in recent decades from traditional "country" foods to more processed and packaged fare is one factor, dentists say. In places where poverty, poor housing and deficient water supplies are more pressing challenges, teeth cleaning can also be overlooked, they say. And, despite federal help, many Aboriginal people have little access to professional dental care.

Dental care of First Nations members is provided under the government's non-insured health benefits program, which also covers their medical costs.

Orthodontics services are provided for young people who have facial "anomalies" such as cleft palates and to counter severe functional defects, said Bonnie Tolstoy, director of benefit management for the program. Braces are not applied for purely aesthetic reasons, she said.

Still, the department has no clear idea of the overall result of the service, which is why it has commissioned Kathy Russell, an orthodontist and professor at the Dalhousie University school of dentistry, to study the question.

Dr. Uswak said one reason that aboriginal people end up needing braces in the first place is because they had numerous cavity-ridden teeth removed earlier in life. He advocates putting more resources into prevention - teaching people about dental hygiene, providing more professional dental care and flouridating drinking water - before the problems become serious.

NAN Press Release ...

Ontario Trillium Foundation funds NAN Women's Development Project

    THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 9 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald together with Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation Chief Connie Gray-McKay, NAN Women's Council member and spokesperson Jackie Fletcher, and Members of Provincial Parliament Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan) and Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North) this morning announced an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) contribution to the NAN Women's Development Project.

    A grant of $536,500 over three years will be utilized to develop the capacity of women as leaders to achieve healthier communities within NAN territory - an area covering two-thirds of the province of Ontario.

    "This is a monumental announcement that will prove to enhance the many accomplishments and strides of the NAN Women's Council in the past year," said NAN Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald who represents 49 First Nation communities across James Bay Treaty 9 territory and the Ontario portion of Treaty 5. "Women have always been agents of positive change and healing in their communities and by empowering and engaging women to contribute their ideas and perspectives, we're strengthening our communities."

    The NAN Women's Development Project takes a groundbreaking and strategic approach to building healthy, vibrant communities, including the development of women's circles in each of NAN's 49 communities (16/year) and a video documentary capturing the progress and impact of the project.

    "The project will develop and empower women as agents of positive social change," said NAN Women's Council member and spokesperson Jackie Fletcher. "The four main components of our approach include integrated participatory research, leadership development training, capacity building workshops, and the establishment of NAN women's circles."

    Fletcher, together with NAN Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald, accepted a plaque from OTF Board member Donna Gilhooly and MPPs Mauro and Gravelle.

    "I am pleased that the province of Ontario is supporting such a worthwhile program," said Bill Mauro, Member of Provincial Parliament (Thunder Bay-Atikokan). "Providing infrastructure to support women's leadership development not only benefits the women involved but also their families and their communities."

    "I am very pleased that we are providing significant investment in the Women's Development Project which will benefit all the NAN communities across Ontario," said Member of Provincial Parliament Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North). "Truly, community-based initiatives such as this one can have a remarkable impact, and I am looking forward to the program's success over the next few years."

    "Women are the foundation - the ones that educate our children," said Connie Gray-McKay - Chief of one of NAN's 49 First Nation communities. "This project will enhance the transfer of knowledge from women to children during the foundational years that's so very important to family and community development - it will help build a healthy foundation."

    Nishnawbe Aski Nation is an Aboriginal political organization representing 49 First Nation communities within James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario's portion of Treaty 5. The NAN Women's Council, established in 2004, ensures the on-going involvement of women in the decision making process of NAN.

    The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. For 25 years, it has supported the growth and vitality of communities across the province. OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. For more information, please visit www.trilliumfoundation.org.

For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952, (807) 628-3953 (mobile)

From CBC News ... http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/070808/n080891A.html

Premiers promise to play more active role in helping native communities
Canadian Press: CHRIS MORRIS - August 8, 2007

MONCTON, N.B. (CP) - Canada's premiers say they are staking out a greater role on aboriginal affairs now that the federal government has abandoned the $5 billion Kelowna accord to assist First Nations communities.

Aboriginal leaders and premiers attending the annual Council of the Federation conference on Wednesday plan to formalize their meetings as native people increasingly turn to the provinces for support.

Up until now, native leaders have appeared on an informal basis at the premiers' annual summer get-togethers. But Premier Shawn Graham, host of the three-day conference, said the meetings will be more organized and extensive from now on.

"We have a responsibility and we can't be hung up on the jurisdictional divide," Graham said after the private two-hour meeting with aboriginal leaders.

"We should be actively at the table advancing education, social change and other social causes in our First Nation communities. We need to take a proactive role."

However, Graham was vague on details, especially how much money the provinces would be willing to invest in improving living conditions on reserves and economic opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples.

Aboriginal affairs long have been considered the domain of the federal government.

Graham said the premiers want to get past the Kelowna accord and the federal Conservative government's opposition to the deal, which was signed with Paul Martin's Liberal government in 2005.

"We're not hung up on how the federal government wants to brand it," Graham said.

"We just want to see action and we're willing to work with the federal government in moving these issues forward."

The wide-ranging Kelowna accord would have seen $5 billion go toward native education, employment and anti-poverty initiatives.

The Conservatives had said they were committed to meeting the accord's goals, but did not support a private member's bill backed by the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois, and NDP that passed in March. As a result, the government wasn't obliged to support the accord financially.

The Tories say they are taking a more "targeted approach" to dealing with specific land claims, concluding the residential schools settlement agreement and extending human rights protection to natives living on reserves.

British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell said that while help from Ottawa is still needed, the provinces can take some actions on their own.

"We'll continue pushing the federal government to join us in closing the gaps, but I think we have to focus on what we can do," Campbell said.

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said regular, formal meetings between First Nations leaders and the premiers will help pave the way to easing poverty and chronic unemployment among Canada's Aboriginal Peoples.

Fontaine said First Nations people respect the fact that the provinces continue to support the goals of the Kelowna accord.

"There's a provincial responsibility to the accord and we expect that each jurisdiction will now proceed to give effect to the accord," Fontaine said. "That's important for us."

Fontaine said the premiers recognize that high unemployment on Canadian reserves, especially among young people, represents an enormous untapped labour resource for the country.

Fontaine said 60 per cent of the First Nations population is under 24 years of age and represents a skilled, highly mobile labour force.

"A major report by the C.D. Howe institute has identified two major sources to ease the labour shortage in this country: immigrants and our community," Fontaine said.

"We have a very young population . . . our birth rate is twice the national average. There's a ready source there."

Fontaine said he believes the premiers realize the potential from a native workforce.

"The premiers are on side," he said.

"It's clear to everyone we need to focus on labour participation to deal with high unemployment rates in First Nation communities."

Canada's 13 premiers are in Moncton for their three-day annual conference. Environmental issues are expected to dominate discussions.

© The Canadian Press, 2007