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Ontario government press release ...

Anishinabek/Ontario Agreements Pledge Cooperation

Commit To Work Together On Implementation Of Great Lakes Agreement

TORONTO, March 27 - Anishinabek Nation leaders and Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources today signed three memoranda of understanding that will help strengthen cooperation and collaboration on issues related to natural resource management.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement was signed by Minister of Natural Resources David Ramsay, and Grand Council Chief John Beaucage on behalf of 42 Anishinabek Nation communities.

"Our First Nations are dedicated to the principles of co-management," said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. "We acknowledge Ontario's jurisdiction in managing the Great Lakes on behalf of their citizens, while we will be asserting traditional management principles on behalf of our citizens."

"I am pleased to join Grand Council Chief Beaucage in signing the memorandum on Great Lakes Basin waters, which will help build our relationship with the Anishinabek Nation," said Ramsay. "By working together cooperatively, we can move forward, seeking mutually agreeable solutions on our common priority of protecting and conserving the waters of the Great Lakes Basin."

The memorandum of understanding related to the Great Lakes commits Ontario and the Anishinabek Nation to:

• Hold an annual meeting between the Anishinabek Grand Council Chief and the Minister of Natural Resources
• Establish a joint Great Lakes Charter Annex Agreement Implementation Committee, and
• Help build Anishinabek Nation advisory and technical capacity through the Union of Ontario Indians retaining a technical advisor, as well as other measures.

Ontario is committing $300,000 over three years to this effort.

Ontario and the Anishinabek Nation also signed a memorandum of understanding committing to a "collaborative approach" that would revitalize the Anishinabek/Ontario Resource Management Council process that was established seven years ago. Continuing the work of the council will help foster a positive working relationship and ensure greater coordination on issues related to natural resource management.

In addition, an agreement was signed establishing a protocol on the transfer of Eagle remains to Anishinabek First Nations. The Eagle is of particular social, cultural and religious importance to Aboriginal people.

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

http://ontario.ca/mnr

For further information: Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister's Office, Ministry of Natural Resources, (416) 327-0654; Bob Goulais, Anishinabek Nation, info@anishinabek.ca,. (705) 497-9127, (705) 498-5250 (Cell)

NAN press release ...

NAN urges formal apology for residential schools

            THUNDER BAY, ON, March 27 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy says regardless of whether or not a formal apology was part of the Residential School Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations, the formal recognition of wrong-doing by Canada should warrant more than compensation packages for First Nation people impacted by the residential school system.

            "What better way to reach closure than to issue a formal apology?" said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy who represents 49 First Nation communities across Ontario.

            "Regardless of whether or not a formal apology is in the text of the agreement or was understood to take place following the agreement, it's vital to the healing process for not only NAN members affected by the residential school system, but First Nations across the province and country."

            Beardy's comments come after yesterday's statement by Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice that the deal worth at least $1.9 billion in compensation packages will not include an apology from the Prime Minister of Canada, despite the Minister's comments that the door needs to close on various parts of Canadian history.

            Assembly of First Nations has been negotiating with the Government of Canada since December 2004 to reach a deal that will compensate more than 12,000 Aboriginals currently participating in law suits seeking compensation for the effects of the residential school system that uprooted Aboriginals children across Canada from their home communities.

            An Agreement-in-Principle was reached with the former Liberal government November 2005 and subsequently a final agreement with the Conservative Harper Government April 2006.

            Since 2005, NAN has publicly urged for a formal apology by the Prime Minister of Canada and continuation of programs focused on individual and community healing for approximately 90 per cent of NAN members impacted by the residential school system.

            Approximately 5,000 NAN members attended residential schools.

-30-

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

OHQC press release ...

Managing Chronic Disease Huge Challenge For Ontario - Report Says Health System Slowly Improving But Gaps Need Attention

TORONTO, March 26 - Ontario is facing a huge challenge to reduce and better manage chronic diseases, the Ontario Health Quality Council (OHQC - http://www.ohqc.ca) said today in releasing its second annual report.

Click here for a PDF copy of the report

"The way we handle chronic diseases is at the top of our `needs improvement' list," said OHQC Chair Ray Hession. "The number of people living with chronic disease, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart failure is increasing as our population ages - and yet many of these cases could be prevented or better treated. Ontario needs a coordinated, system-wide, long-term strategy for reducing and better managing chronic diseases. People will be healthier and it will ease a large pressure on our health system."
 
Highlights of the OHQC's findings on chronic diseases in Ontario included:

- 1-in-3 Ontarians has one or more chronic diseases. Of those, almost 4-of-5 over the age of 65 have one chronic disease, and of those, about 70 percent suffer from two or more.

- At least 60 percent of Ontario's health care costs are due to chronic diseases.

- Obesity increases the likelihood of developing many chronic diseases. One in three Ontarians over the age of 18 is overweight and 15 percent are obese.

- South Asians and Latin Americans are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Aboriginal Ontarians also are three to five times more likely to develop this disease.

- Over 80 percent of cases of coronary heart disease, such as heart attacks, and type 2 diabetes, and over 85 percent of cases of lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease such as emphysema could be prevented through healthier lifestyles - including nutritious food, physical fitness, clean environment and meaningful, safe work.

Despite the chronic disease challenge, the OHQC reported that, overall, there are positive signs that Ontario is making slow but steady progress in improving its health system:

- Ontario's Wait Time Strategy has reduced wait times in the targeted areas of cancer and cardiac care, hip and knee replacements, diagnostic imaging and cataract surgery. Success was achieved through a targeted strategy and supplementary funding. The model could be applied more broadly in the health system.

- Ontario has opened 359 telemedicine centres in 190 communities, many of them in rural and remote locations. These centres enable patients to use computer links and video equipment for long-distance "virtual appointments" with specialists who may not exist in their communities.

- Since 2003, an additional half-million people reported that they have a regular doctor, which means we are keeping pace with population growth. The overall supply of health-care providers is growing and will continue to grow in the future because of the increases in seats in education programs.

- Between 2000 and 2005, the number of 12-19 year olds who smoke daily dropped by half, from 11 percent to 6 percent.

- The percentage of heart attack patients admitted to hospital who survive the critical 30-day post-attack period, has grown from 85.5 percent to 88.9 percent over six years.

The OHQC report emphasized that Ontario must work to continually improve the quality of its publicly funded health care.

"Ontarians want independent third bodies to regularly rate, measure and publicly report on their health system," Hession said. "The OHQC does this on a province-wide level, but we also need this to be done at the regional level and for each local health care organization. Practices such as accreditation drive improvements in quality by measuring how well individual institutions stack up against proven best practices and by spotlighting where there are problems, so that improvements can be made."

For the second year in a row, the OHQC reported that a major barrier to accountability and quality improvement is a lack of information about what is taking place in the health system. "If we can't measure quality, we can't manage it effectively, it's that simple," Hession said.

About the OHQC

The Ontario Health Quality Council is an independent agency funded by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care. The Council reports directly to Ontarians on access to publicly funded health services, human resources in health care, consumer and population health status, outcomes of the health system and ways of improving it. The Council is made up of 10 appointed members from across the province who have a diverse range of expertise, including hospital governance, medicine, academic and research work, business, public and health policy, ethics and aboriginal and community leadership.

For further information: Ania Basiukiewicz, Communications Assistant, Tel: (416) 323-6868 x221

Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge
By The Dominion Istitute, Toronto, ON (Mar 23, 2007)

Are You An Aspiring Young Aboriginal Writer? Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge receives submissions from across the country

Media Release ...

March 23, 2007 – Calling all young Aboriginal writers interested in winning cash prizes and receiving national recognition.

The Dominion Institute is pleased to announce the launch of the 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge.

Building on the success of previous years, young Aboriginal writers will submit stories that interpret defining moments in the history of this country and its Aboriginal people. The Institute is expected to receive submissions from across Canada showcasing the talents and creativity of young Aboriginal authors.

The winners of the 2006 Challenge, Sable Sweetgrass from Calgary, Alberta, and Alicia Elliott from Ohsweken, Ontario, were presented with an award and cash prize by Chief Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations at ceremony in Ottawa. Alicia’s winning essay, entitled Across the Barricade, described the land dispute in Caledonia from the point of view of a Native protestor and Caledonia resident. Sable’s winning essay, entitled Maternal Ties, told the tale of a young woman’s display of a baby cord amulet and elk tooth dress at her graduation ceremony as a way of honouring her family and heritage.

Sponsored by Enbridge Inc. and organized by the Dominion Institute, Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is a national initiative for Aboriginal youth. Winners are selected from two age categories - ages 14-18 and 19-29.

The first place winners in each age category receive a cash prize and a trip to Ottawa. Each story will also be published in The Beaver: Canada’s History Magazine. Students who have a story in the top ten, as selected by an expert Advisory Committee of Aboriginals authors and leaders (see below), receive a cash prize. All winning essays are published online and all participants receive a certificate of recognition for their participation.

The deadline for this year’s contest is June 29, 2007.

Students and educators interested in learning more about the contest should visit www.our-story.ca or call 1-866-701-1867.

The Dominion Institute is a national charitable organization dedicated to promoting Canadian history and civic culture (www.dominion.ca)

Advisory Committee:

• Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada - Honorary Patron
• Chief Patrick Brazeau - National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
• Tantoo Cardinal (Actress and Author) - Committee Member
• Tomson Highway (Playwright and Author) - Committee Member
• Brian Maracle (Journalist and Author) - Committee Member
• Lee Maracle (Writer) - Committee Member
• Rachel Qitsualik (Journalist and Author) - Committee Member
• Drew Hayden Taylor (Playwright and Author) - Committee Member
• Tresley Tourond – Committee Member
• Marilyn Dumont (Theytus Books) – Committee Member

For Further Information Contact:
Jeremy Diamond
Dominion Institute
Tel: 416-368-9627
Mobile: 416-722-9754
Email: jeremy@dominion.ca

From CBC News ...

Arctic survey looks at aboriginal well-being
Last Updated: Friday, March 23, 2007 - CBC News

Indigenous people across the Arctic feel their well-being is linked to balancing hunting and fishing with wage-earning jobs, as well as having more control over local decision-making, according to a circumpolar survey of more than 7,000 people.

The $9-million Survey of Living Conditions in the Arctic, produced by the Arctic Council, was a collaboration involving researchers, the Inuit of northern Canada and indigenous peoples in Greenland, Alaska and Chutkotka, Russia.

The results showed indigenous people across the Arctic share common experiences such as being sent to boarding schools and being prevented from using their native languages — experiences that have led to common social problems, project lead Birger Poppel of Greenland said Thursday.

"They define suicide, alcohol problems, drug problems, domestic violence as major problems," he said. "There's a general agreement across borders."

At the same time, survey respondents said that the more involved they feel in decisions affecting their communities, the more satisfied they are overall with life. In Canada, social ties with informal support among Inuit are generally very strong, the report found.

"Some of the striking findings though were a sense of local control was very strongly related to satisfaction with your life as a whole," said Jack Kruse, a researcher with the Institute of Social and Economic Research in Anchorage, Alaska.

"There were variations in that sense of local control across the north; in Alaska it was particularly higher, which was surprising."

Kruse also found people's well-being is strongly related to how they can balance subsistence activity such as hunting and fishing with wage-earning jobs.

"We found a strong relationship between levels of subsistence activity and overall satisfaction with life," he said. "You could imagine then that efforts to improve traditional education could pay off in the long run with satisfaction and less depression and less suicide."

The survey found that the Inupiat respondents on the north slope of Alaska had the highest sense of control over their affairs, using revenues from oil development to create jobs in the area.

By contrast, health, employment and other living conditions were much poorer in Chukotka, Russia, than in the rest of the Arctic. Respondents there reported very low satisfaction levels.

Kruse said the team hopes to complete the survey with the Saami peoples in parts of Scandinavia next year. In the meantime, the Arctic Council will use the current survey results to look at sustainable development in the North. Indigenous groups can also use the results to form policies.

• Click here for the Survey website
   
• Click here for a PDF of the Survey Overview

From the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples web site ...

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples has the honour to table its SIXTH REPORT

Your Committee, which was authorized by the Senate on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, to examine and report on the involvement of Aboriginal communities and businesses in economic development activities in Canada, now tables its final report entitled Sharing Canada’s Prosperity – A Hand Up, Not A Handout.

Click here for a PDF copy of the report

Respectfully submitted,

Original signed by

GERRY ST. GERMAIN, P.C.
Chair

From CBC News ...

Business key to aboriginal success: report
Last Updated: Thursday, March 22, 2007- CBC News

Aboriginal communities must establish successful economies if they ever hope to conquer poverty and social problems, according to new report by a Senate committee — but they'll need a lot of help to make that happen.

Members of the standing Senate committee on aboriginal peoples were in Winnipeg Thursday to promote the committee's new report, tabled Tuesday.

The report, entitled Sharing Canada's Prosperity — A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out, calls for changes to the Indian Act and increased government support for aboriginal business development.

The committee spent more than two years examining what helps First Nations achieve business success in Ontario, the Prairie provinces, British Columbia, northern Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

In dozens of communities, the committee found "involvement in economic development activities has done more to change the lives of aboriginal people in the last decade than any number of government programs," the report said.

Manitoba-born senator Gerry St. Germain said a huge roadblock for First Nations that want to go into business is the snail's pace at which governments are settling land claims.

"I've worked with … some various chiefs here in Manitoba, and I know if these treaty land entitlements, additions to reserves and specific claims are resolved, they will have economic generators in their community that would create tremendous opportunities for their people," he said.

Business a relatively new concept

Nick Sibbeston, the committee's deputy chair, said the committee acknowledged that building strong economies on First Nations can be difficult, especially on remote reserves,"where there's apathy, where people are simply not organized and in a position to do business."

"Business requires a higher level of commitment and organization. I would have to say that in some of the bigger centres, they are more apt to have had this training and business culture."

Canadians may not realize how new business is to First Nations, he said.

"I can speak mostly from the North, because we just come from a cultural background of hunting and trapping, the last 30, 40, 50 years, and that was a simpler way of making a living," said Sibbeston, an aboriginal senator from the Northwest Territories.

"When you enter the business world, it's more complicated and it's different. You really need to be organized, work at the speed of businesses and so forth. It takes some time to acquire that."

Governments need to create more educational and financial support for aboriginal businesses, the committee recommends.

The report also calls for a radical overhaul to the Indian Act, especially where land ownership is concerned, saying that because of the act, "market forces do not operate properly on Indian lands," deterring or raising the cost of doing business on reserves.

From the government's official Residential School Website at http://www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca/english_index.html

The residential schools settlement has been approved.  The healing continues.

This is the official Court website for the settlement of the In re Residential Schools Class Action Litigation.

The Indian residential schools settlement has been approved by the Courts. Now, former students and their families must decide whether to stay in the settlement or remove themselves (opt out). 

Click the links below to read the Court-ordered notices, the Settlement Agreement, or to contact the administrator. Check this website periodically for updates.  The opt out deadline is August 20, 2007.  Claim forms will be available after August 20, 2007.

• Main
• Summary Notice 
• Detailed Notice  
• Opt Out Form 
• Send Me a Claim Form 
• Settlement Agreement  
• List of Residential Schools  
• Independent Assessment Process 
• The Lawyers  
• Updates 
• Court Documents 
• Contact the Administrator 

If you have questions click here or call 1-866-879-4913.

KAIROS press release ...

Thousands of Canadians Demand Ottawa Endorse Water as a Human Right on World Water Day 2007-KAIROS and Other Groups Spearhead Cross Country Events

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 22, 2007) -

Canadians across the country are taking to the streets, hosting public forums and writing politicians this week to draw attention to a range of water justice issues, including Canada's refusal to ensure that access to clean water is a human right. They're also concerned about problems created by bottled water consumption.

The events are being held in communities from Saint John to Salt Spring Island to mark World Water Day (WWD) 2007 on March 22nd and many have been organized jointly by KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the Council of Canadians and CUPE, building on the huge success of WWD events last year. KAIROS is a faith-based social justice organization that works in Canada, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Over one billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water - including Canadian communities that are constantly under boil water orders. Aboriginal communities in Canada have been particularly disadvantaged, with more than 80 communities currently under long term boil water orders.

In the face of a deepening global water crisis, the United Nations (UN) has recognised water as a right but, in 2002 Canada was the only country to take a position against the right to water at the UN. Backed by thousands of supporters across the country, many organizations such as KAIROS, the Council of Canadians and CUPE have been advocating that the federal government change its position and make the right to water a fundamental principle in a comprehensive Canadian water policy.

Meanwhile KAIROS and others have taken a stand against the use of bottled water when safe drinking water is readily available. They are concerned that bottled water consumption is bad for the environment and undermines water as a human right. In Canada, expensive bottled water buoys corporate profits as people pay up to 5000 times the cost of safe tap water, while filling dumps with unnecessary waste. Bottled water operations can reduce clean groundwater that would otherwise be available to communities and farmers.

"Water is a necessity of life and, therefore, must be considered a fundamental human right. And access to clean drinking water must remain in public or municipal control," says Sara Stratton, KAIROS Campaigns Coordinator. "The very notion of buying bottled water, when a safe and publicly-funded utility provides drinking water, undermines the collective understanding of water as something which we all need to live".

Citizens, faith groups, labour, and other social justice activists have for years called on the federal government to establish a Canadian policy that preserves water as a public trust. In Canada, such a policy would ensure national standards and provide an investment strategy for communities with crumbling infrastructure, such as Kashechewan, Ontario.

Over 180 municipalities across Canada have signed declarations supporting water as a public trust. Hundreds of thousands of individual Canadians have called on the federal government to say 'no' to privatization and 'yes' to water as a public good. They want their politicians to act against privatization in Canada's domestic and global water policies. They're making special efforts to have this message heard on World Water Day and throughout the coming year.

CONTACT INFORMATION

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Adiat Junaid
(416) 463-5312 ext. 223
Email: ajunaid@kairoscanada.org.
Website: www.kairoscanada.org

Thunder Bay, Ontario – Friday, March 23, 2006    Wasaya Airways LP is proud to announce their pledge of $50,000, to be paid over 5 years, to the ‘Save a Heart – Phase II’ Campaign. Tom Morris, President & CEO of Wasaya Airways and Dean Cromarty, Chair of Wasaya Group Inc., will be presenting a cheque to Georgie Hari, President & CEO of the Foundation, and Board member Ken Bittle in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre main lobby on Monday, March 26th at 2:00 p.m.

“Our pledge to this campaign fits within our mandate to provide benefits and services to our membership communities and other First Nation Communities throughout the province,” says Morris.

“We are pleased to make this pledge that will help meet the equipment needs of the Health Sciences Centre and the residents in Northwestern Ontario.”

The ‘Save a Heart’ Campaign was launched to support the purchase of new cardiac equipment for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Wasaya Airways has been welcomed as a member of the Chairs’ Council level of giving that will help ensure that quality cardiac healthcare is accessible to the community and region.

Morris said that Wasaya’s philosophy is to not only work with Aboriginal groups, but to also work with organizations like the Health Sciences Centre Foundation that service First Nation communities.

“Our company has been built on partnerships, and we would not be where we are today without unique partnership agreements and strategic business decisions made to benefit our First Nations.”

Wasaya’s investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to the Health Sciences Centre as well as the residents of northern communities.

Ontario government press release ...

Budget 2007 - Aboriginal Highlights

The government is working on initiatives to close the socioeconomic gap between Aboriginal Peoples and other Ontarians.

- In June 2006, the government released draft guidelines for ministries on consultation with Aboriginal Peoples related to rights and treaty. This Budget includes $7 million to support the government’s capacity to engage in productive consultations with Aboriginal Peoples.

- The government launched the Aboriginal Education Strategy, investing $13 million to improve achievement by First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.

- The government is allocating $80 million to housing for Aboriginal Peoples living off reserve; see Section A: Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families.

- The Province is investing $2 million to support the implementation of “Keeping the Land, a Land Use Strategy” for the Whitefeather Forest in Ontario’s Far North, in collaboration with the Pikangikum community. Keeping the Land has been created in good faith between Pikangikum First Nation and the Government of Ontario. Rooted in mutual respect for the aspirations of both partners, this strategy provides guidance for future land use activities in the Whitefeather Forest and adjacent areas.

The First Nation community of Attawapiskat will benefit from the construction of Ontario’s first diamond mine and from the creation of 375 full-time jobs once the facility begins operations in the spring of 2008.

Section A: Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families

New Housing Initiatives

With the $392 million federal Affordable Housing Trust and Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust, the Ontario Government proposes to launch three new housing initiatives to assist low-income families in Ontario. The first will immediately provide $127 million to municipalities for new affordable housing or to rehabilitate existing housing.

To help low-income working families with children pay rent, the government’s second new initiative would create a new provincial housing allowance program that would provide up to $100 per month, for a maximum of five years, to eligible families.

This five-year, $185 million program would begin in January 2008 and create more than 27,000 new housing allowances for low-income working families. This would bring the total number of new housing allowances to 35,000.

Full details, including information about the application process, will be provided by the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing later this spring.

The third new housing initiative would provide $80 million in funding for up to 1,100 off-reserve housing units for aboriginal families that the government would allocate in partnership with aboriginal communities. This would enable Aboriginal Peoples to participate in the determination of how affordable housing is delivered in their communities, building a sustainable future and better quality of life.