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The Cowichan Tribes (http://cowichantribes.com) will receive up to $3.5 million from the federal government towards the 2008 North American Indigenous Games to be held August 2 - 10, 2008 (see http://cowichantribes.com/contribution/Partnership%20Projects%20And%20Initiatives/2008%20North%20American%20Indigenous%20Games).

For more information, see ...

• Cowichan wins bid to host 2008 North American Indigenous Games 
• Backgrounder - 2008 North American Indigenous Games

From http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/newsroom/index_e.cfm?fuseaction=displayDocument&DocIDCd=CMC060962

Federal Government Supports 2008 North American Indigenous Games

DUNCAN, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Nov. 3, 2006) - The Honourable Michael D. Chong, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister for Sport, today announced Canada's support for the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games. Minister Chong made the announcement during a celebration at the Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre in Duncan, hosted by the 2008 Games Society.

"The North American Indigenous Games will help develop Aboriginal athletes within the Canadian sport system and play a positive role in encouraging the participation of Aboriginal peoples in sport all across the country," said Minister Chong.

Under the funding framework for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games, the Government of Canada will contribute as much as 35 percent of the total cost for the Games, up to a maximum of $3.5 million.

Hosting this international sport event will bring direct and significant sport, economic, cultural, and social benefits to the Cowichan Valley, the province of British Columbia, and Canada as a whole.

"Canada has been a longtime supporter of the North American Indigenous Games movement," said Calvin Swustus, chair of the Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games Society's board of directors. "The funding framework and federal commitment of $3.5 million reflects a strong spirit of cooperation between the Games Society and the Government of Canada and provides the foundation for success in 2008."

The 2008 North American Indigenous Games will be held from August 2 to 10, 2008. They will involve 5000 junior athletes (aged 13-19) competing in 16 sports, 2000 cultural performers, and more than 3000 volunteers. The Games will include opening and closing ceremonies with over 20 000 participants and spectators expected to attend.

The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system. A total of $140 million is provided annually for initiatives to support our high-performance athletes and to promote sport participation among Canadians.

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council
for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
and Minister for Sport
Gary Toft, Director of Communications
613-943-1833

or

Canadian Heritage
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
819-994-9101

See complete list of award winners at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards web site at  http://aboriginalpeopleschoice.com/cim/3200C13_2T1T3T861.dhtm

From http://winnipegsun.com/Entertainment/Music/2006/11/04/2230908-sun.html

Locals nab Aboriginal People's Choice Music awards - Nov 4, 2006

The people have spoken.

The first Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards were handed out during the last two nights and a number of local musicians came up winners.

Winners at the ceremonies -- part of the first Manito Ahbee Manitoba Aboriginal Festival -- were determined by online voters between Sept. 1 and Oct. 13.

The First Night ceremony, held Thursday and hosted by Cheryl McKenzie and Madeliene Allakariallak of APTN, honoured nominees in nine categories, including Manitoba residents Dezmond Mentuck and D.J. St. Germain (best producer /engineer for C-Weed), Tracy Bone (best album cover design), Billy Joe Green (best blues CD), J.J. Lavallee & the Freebird Band (best fiddle CD and best instrumental CD), and Sierra Noble (best aboriginal music by non-aboriginal artist).

During last night's ceremony, hosted by Lorne Cardinal of Corner Gas and singer-songwriter Katherine St. Germain, local winners included Hank Horton (best songwriter and best country CD), and Eagle and Hawk (best group or duo and best rock CD). 

The show also featured performances by Bone, Shane Yellowbird, Eagle and Hawk, Andrea Menard, and Digging Roots, among others.

Manito Ahbee continues for the next two days with an International Competition Pow Wow and Indigenous Marketplace & Tradeshow at MTS Centre, a number of live showcases at various downtown venues, and the premiere of a new documentary on legendary songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie at MTS Centre tomorrow.

The full list of winners:

• GROUP / DUO: Eagle & Hawk
• NEW ARTIST: Shane Yellowbird
• SINGLE: Shane Yellowbird, Beautiful Concept
• MUSIC VIDEO: Shane Yellowbird, Beautiful Concept
• ROCK CD: Eagle & Hawk, Life is
• RAP OR HIP-HOP CD: Reddnation, Now or Never
• COUNTRY CD: Hank Horton, Honky Tonk Heartache Blues
• FOLK / ACOUSTIC CD: Keith Secola, Native Americana
• BLUES CD: Billy Joe Green, Muskrat Blues and Rock & Roll
• FIDDLE CD: J.J. Lavallee & Freebird, Jimmy's Breakdown
• INSTRUMENTAL CD: J.J. Lavallee & Freebird, Jimmy's Breakdown
• TRADITIONAL POW WOW CD: Red Bull, Enter the Circle
• CONTEMPORARY POW WOW CD: Grey Buffalo, Just Trying To Get There
• SONGWRITER: Hank Horton
• PRODUCER / ENGINEER: Dezmond Mentuck and D.J. St. Germain, C-Weed
• ALBUM COVER DESIGN: Tracy Bone, No Lies
• ABORIGINAL MUSIC BY NON-ABORIGINAL ARTIST: Sierra Noble, Orange

Union of Ontario Indians Press Release

Anishinabek Endorse New Status Card - Updating earlier version: Anishinabek developing own identity cards

NIPISSING FIRST NATION, ONTARIO--(Nov. 2, 2006) - Anishinabek leaders have endorsed the development of a new security-compatible Certificate of Indian Status card for use by citizens of their 42 member First Nations.

Grand Council Chief John Beaucage confirmed that Chiefs attending this week's Special Assembly in Garden River First Nation endorsed the development of a new, more secure Certificate of Indian Status to replace existing federal status cards and provincial Certificates of Tax Exemption used for purchases of gasoline and tobacco.

"This new status card would also allow our citizens to go back and forth across the border without a passport," said Beaucage, referring to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - an anti-terrorist requirement that all travellers to the U.S. - including Canadians - have a valid passport by Jan. 1, 2008.

"We're negotiating with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to be the delivery agent for this new multi-purpose status card," said Beaucage. The new cards will require final approval by the Government of Canada, which the Grand Council Chief hopes to secure in time for a spring, 2007 implementation.

The new status card will incorporate high-technology security features, such as a holographic photo, designed to put an end to the practice of forging Status Cards.

"People without any rights are using forged cards to purchase eye glasses and prescription drugs," said Beaucage. "They are stealing from our communities by doing that. We want to put these forgers out of business."

The Grand Council Chief also stressed the new card's implications for cross-border travel by Anishinabek Nation citizens.

"It will ratify our treaty rights," he said, "especially the 1794 Jay Treaty which provides for unrestricted travel for First Nations people between Canada and the United States."

The Chiefs-in-Assembly also endorsed the Anishinabek Nation proposal for a mobile unit to travel to Anishinabek Nation communities to distribute the new cards. He added that the Anishinabek Nation would be willing to share any new technologies with other treaty organizations across Ontario.

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The UOI 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Bob Goulais, Executive Assistant to the Grand Council Chief
Primary Phone: 705-497-9127 ext. 2245
Secondary Phone: 705-498-5250
E-mail: goubob@anishinabek.ca

From http://www.tbsource.com/localnews/index.asp?cid=88587

Cromarty entrepreneur program

Tb News Source - 11/2/2006

A former prime minister helped launch a major new initiative Thursday to guide aboriginal students into the business community.

Paul Martin was in Thunder Bay to usher in the new program which among other things, aims to combat the high levels of aboriginal student drop-out rates. If the student business initiative is successful here it could also serve as a blueprint for a Canada-wide effort.

As the former prime minister looked on Thursday afternoon, the 15 students taking part in the entrepreneur pilot program he sponsors, were introduced at Denis Franklin Cromarty High School. Its the first of what Paul Martin hopes will be many business successes from the aboriginal community.

The students will be taking part starting January in a new business-based curriculum at the school learning how to be successful entrepreneurs. Through the program they will make partnerships with the business community laying the groundwork for their future.

Martin says he chose the Northwest to test his new personally-funded program because of the high aboriginal population.

If this new initiative proves itself, there are plans to expand it across the country, building on the Thunder Bay model. Martin hopes that in the long run they are able to lower the high drop out rates plaguing the aboriginal population with this program and in turn improve the overall quality of life for many of the country's First Nation's people.

So the task falls on the shoulders of these 15 students to do all they can to be a success and be the role models the former Prime Minister hopes and believes they can be.

Assembly of First Nations press releases ...

AFN Chiefs Committee on Languages shocked at funding cuts announced by Minister of Canadian Heritage

     OTTAWA, Nov. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - The Assembly of First Nations' Chiefs Committee on Languages (CCOL), comprised of First Nations leaders from across Canada, learned today that there will be significant changes to Aboriginal Languages funding.

     In today's Conservative government's written response to a Question on the Order Paper by Member of Parliament Charlie Angus, Minister of Heritage and Status of Women Bev Oda states that monies once set aside in 2002 for Aboriginal languages in the amount of $172.5 million will not be disbursed as originally planned and, in fact, is being removed from the fiscal framework.

     While $12.5 million has been disbursed to date, the remaining $160 million remains outstanding. Minister Oda affirms that $5 million of new permanent funding will be allocated to "Aboriginal languages while they are considered in the wider context of the new government's approach to meeting the needs of Aboriginal peoples."

     Minister Oda informed CCOL Chair Chief Bill Cranmer of her unilateral decision that the languages funding is expected to be renewed for the next ten years at $5 million per year for a total of $50 million. This represents a significant reduction from the original $172.5 million originally set aside.

     This unilateral decision flies in the face of Federal Government-First Nations Political Accord. This decision demonstrates the lack of good faith on behalf of Canadian Heritage as the Chiefs Committee has been in negotiations with Canadian Heritage officials on the rollout of the remaining $160 million.

     The Chiefs Committee want guarantees that the $160 M is in fact still on the table and that the Department of Canadian Heritage is willing to work with the Chiefs Committee to ensure that the funds are used to revitalize, preserve and maintain of First Nations Languages.

     Chief Bill Cranmer indicated his grave concern for languages today. "We need to act on this immediately. First Nations languages are dying everyday with the passing of our elders and speakers. For government to delay the funding once again is not only shameful and disrespectful but it also hurts First Nations to the core of our existence."

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

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/For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communications, (613) 241-6789, ext. 229, Cell.: (613) 293-6106, bhendry@afn.ca/

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First Nations seek clarification on status of $160 million in Aboriginal language funding

     OTTAWA, Nov. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine calls upon Heritage Minister Bev Oda to assure First Nations that $160 million in Aboriginal language funding will still be available for First Nations languages. In a conversation with the Minister, the National Chief was led to believe the funding is no longer on the table. Conflicting messages from officials at Canadian Heritage have created even more uncertainty.

     "Preserving our languages, our way of life, is a sacred trust that must never be broken," said AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine. "We consider the loss of any language funding as a direct attack on First Nations. Language is the very foundation of our cultures and traditions, and it is the key to our identity as First Nations peoples."

     "Based on the 2002 allocation of $172.5 million, many First Nations communities have been preparing proposals and work plans so they can enhance their activities around preserving and teaching their languages and culture," noted the National Chief. "We are, therefore, very surprised by the Minister's comments."

     "First Nations languages are indigenous to this country and they must be preserved to ensure that they can flourish for current and future generations," commented the National Chief. "Many of our people suffer from the intergenerational effects of the federal government's decades-long policies concerning residential schools. Studies by BC Professors Michael Chandler and Chris Lalonde have shown that where our languages and cultures are thriving, so are the communities. People are happier and healthier -- there are few or no suicides.

     "We sincerely hope that this "re-allocation" of $160 million in funding will result in even more than the original amount in order to further strengthen and preserve our languages," commented the National Chief. "From the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, a decade ago, to last year's First Ministers Meeting in Kelowna, to Conservative party policy, recommendations and commitments were made to preserving and teaching First Nations language for future generations. The federal government should demonstrate the honour of the Crown and fulfill its obligations to help preserve and revitalize First Nations languages and cultures. It is important to Canada's identity."

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

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/For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communications, (613) 241-6789, ext. 229, Cell (613) 293-6106, bhendry@afn.ca/

Mobile Jam Fest - www.mobilejamfest.com

Mobile Jam Fest (MJF) is the world's first international mobile film festival to celebrate the creative potential of today's youth. This movement towards the mobility of ideas signifies a revolution in both borderless communities and connectivity where creativity, thoughts, ideas, values, and expression can be shared. Youth (age 14-17, 18-24) will participate by producing, directing, acting and interacting in their own films.

2 min films win you Tuition! - 2-Minute Interactive Films

Youth will produce 2-minute films in many different categories. Audiences for the first time ever will be able to view, vote and interact with festival films on their mobile phones, online, and at the National Film Board Mediatheque theatre in Toronto, Canada. These films are sure to be irreverent, aware, raw and edgy. Each entrant has an opportunity to submit a film in each of the 12 categories. That's 12 opportunities to win the Grand Prize.

The Motivation

A total of $10,000 is available to be won towards tuition to any recognized university or college in the world. That's $5,000 in tuition for ages 14-17 and $5,000 in tuition for ages 18-24. Youth will also compete for prizes in individual categories TBD. Youth will upload their films to www.mobilejamfest.com and the audience will vote to decide which film is the best.

Education – MJF Online Film School

Presented by MTV MJF will be creating the first ever online film school where anyone will be able to access video tutorials from directing and guerrilla filmmaking, to learning the fundamentals of lighting, editing, sound, working with actors and much more. The MJF Online Film School will include appearances by some of today's top filmmakers. You can also share your own techniques with everyone by uploading them directly to the website.

The Music

ccandco is excited to announce their collaboration with ANR Lounge, Sound Dogs Toronto, and thousands of other music labels which will collect music from independent record labels from around the world for youth to use as the 'scores' for their films. Sound Dogs Toronto has also provided thousands of free sound effects for youth to use in their films. During the closing party, the most downloaded independent band will play live.

The Judging Process

The audience is the judge, that's you!

Why it's cool!

Here's why portable video is so cool: It changes us, but more importantly, we can change it. Don't like what you're watching on your mobile phone? Grab your digital camcorder and make your own show. Companies called 'aggregators' are gathering as much video as they can to get airtime on mobile phone networks. They are striking deals with independent producers, sharing in any revenue without taking away any rights. 'The same people who dismiss this 'democratization' of video [also] misunderstood the power of blogs and podcasts to blur the lines between spectator and creator.'

Festival Schedule

September 4, 2006 - 9 am: Festival begins accepting submissions begins.

November 30, 2006 - 12 am: Festival stops taking submissions and voting ends for Mobile Jam Fest 2006.

November 30, 2006 - 12 am: Top three films in each of the 12 categories are available to be voted upon. As well these film will be availble to be viewed and voted on over video enabled mobile phones.

December 1, 2006 - 12 am: Top three films in each category will be available to be streamed, downloaded, viewed and voted upon over your mobile phone. Canadian residents only. Available on Telus, Rogers and Bell platforms.

December 2006 - Mobile Jam Fest Awards and concert series. TBD

Tuition and Prizes

MJF will award one filmaker from each of the age categories (14-17, 18-24) $5,000 in Tuition to any recognized educational institution in the world!

Each category winner will receive an Xbox 360 Entertainment Console.

Winners can only win once.

December 2006 - MJF grand prize and category winners will be announced and screened during the MJF Awards and Concert Series.

R.D.Carson of Officially Rbbugged taped his fishing show in August 2006 at Straight Lake Camp with Asheweig River Camps of Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

The show airs tonight (Wednesday) and Saturday on Thunder Bay Television.

Please watch our show on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. and again on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 12 Noon.

We welcome your feedback and suggestions as we head into our marketing development program for the Summer 2007 season.

For more information see: www.asheweigriver.com and www.officiallyrugged.com 

INAC Minister Prentice's cancelled meeting with Ontario's minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs is creating a lot of reactions from First Nation leaders and the press ... see below.

NAN Press Release ...

NAN Grand Chief concerned First Nation drinking water low on federal priority list

     THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy is shocked by federal snub of Ontario's actions to push agenda of safe drinking water in First Nation communities across the province.

     "If the Government of Canada can't even commit to working with the provincial minister responsible for Aboriginal issues to address the issues facing First Nations in terms of safe drinking water and land claims (Caledonia), how can we expect Minister Prentice to work directly with First Nation leadership," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy who recently demanded immediate action to implement both short-term and long-term solutions to various water emergencies in NAN territory - an area covering two-thirds of Ontario.

     "Minister Ramsay was prepared to address the issue of safe drinking water and Prentice snubbed him. It's a shame that strong support from the provincial level isn't being recognized by the feds."

     Beardy's comments come after Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice cancelled a pre-scheduled meeting with provincial Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Ramsay yesterday evening. The meeting's agenda was to include the stand-off in Caledonia and First Nation water. Ramsay was prepared to request the Government of Canada take a leadership role at Caledonia and question the status of the federal safe drinking water report that was scheduled to be released by the end of October.

     As relayed by Minister Ramsay's staff today, no alternate meeting time was given by Minister Prentice's Chief of Staff who advised Ramsay of the cancelled meeting while he waited in Prentice's Ottawa office just hours after confirming the meeting would, indeed continue.

     "You'd think Prentice would want to step up and work together with Ontario, especially considering the current state of water emergencies that have been brought to light in the past few weeks," said Beardy.

     Fearing increased risk to the health and safety of community members, Marten Falls, Pikangikum, and Attawapaskat First Nations have declared water emergencies due to lack of capacity of water treatment plants, filtration and turbidity levels, contaminated intakes, and traces of carcinogens.

     Nineteen of NAN's 49 First Nation communities are under boil water advisory. Last week marked the one year anniversary of the evacuation of over 1000 residents of Kashchewan First Nation after e-coli was found in drinking water. In the Kelowna Accord (November 2005), the former Liberal Government of Canada outlined specific commitments to the James Bay coastal community in the areas of water, health, housing, and social services.

     The Conservatives have not fulfilled that deal, nor has an alternate deal been presented or implemented.

-30-

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

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Chiefs of Ontario Press Release ...

Ontario Regional Chief calls on Federal Government to fulfill Fiduciary Duty and Honor Treaty Obligations

     TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief for Ontario responded today to news that Ontario's Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs David Ramsay was snubbed by the federal Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice yesterday, when federal Minister Prentice backed out of a meeting at the last minute that was set-up to discuss the situation at Six Nations/Caledonia and water issues.

     AFN Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse stated: "This Conservative government claims it is a government that takes action, but when it comes to First Nations they are completely missing in action."

     Regional Chief Toulouse called on the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities with regard to the settlement of outstanding First Nation land rights.

     "The reality is that issues related to First Nations lands are a direct and clear federal responsibility," said Regional Chief Toulouse. "This is yet another example of this governments' refusal to accept and fulfill their lawful obligations. This government needs to understand that in order for progress to be made in Caledonia - and across the country - there needs to be some semblance of political leadership at the federal level. First Nations leadership are working with all parties directly involved in the talks in a constructive manner, yet the federal government and federal Minister prefer to run away from responsibility instead of working with us on these difficult but fundamental issues. Why is the federal Minister abandoning the people of Six Nations and the people of Caledonia?"

     This meeting scheduled for October 31st was to address the cost of the land rights dispute at Six Nations, as well as water issues in First Nation communities. Regional Chief Toulouse expressed deep concern regarding the pattern that has emerged with respect to the approach of the federal government toward First Nations issues since coming into office in January 2006.

     The Regional Chief stated: "This Minister has a lot to say but little to show for it. We are still awaiting the 'urgent' report on clean drinking water for First Nations announced more than 7 months ago, which is reportedly sitting on the Minister's desk. The only action we are seeing is funding cuts in important areas like health and special education. There are 134 First Nation communities in Ontario, the largest First Nations population of any province or territory in Canada. We have made reasonable efforts to engage the federal government and we are being largely ignored. The Minister has now decided to ignore his provincial counterpart and Ontario taxpayers as well."

     The Regional Chief reiterated his expectation that the federal government accept their responsibilities to First Nations in Ontario and across the country. He pointed out that as recently as last week, Prime Minister Harper referred to the Six Nations land rights dispute as a provincial issue and a policing matter.

     "It is time for this government and this Minister to accept their responsibility" stated Regional Chief Toulouse. "The Minister himself has stated that finding more effective and efficient ways to resolve claims is of critical importance. We agree, and in fact, have many concrete recommendations and proposals we can discuss if he is seriously willing to listen. We remain ready and willing to work with all parties towards a fair, just and timely resolution to the issues at Six Nations/Caledonia and on the broader agenda of improving the quality of life for First Nations. We should all be embracing this responsibility, not hiding from it."

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/For further information: Pam Hunter, Communications Advisor, office: (905)683-0322, Cell: (613) 203-3233/

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From http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/canada/story/3754894p-4341440c.html

McGuinty blasts feds as thin skinned - Wednesday Nov 1 2006

(CP) - Federal and provincial politicians should stop acting like children and focus on ending the nine-month aboriginal occupation in Caledonia, Ont., the town's mayor said Wednesday as Ottawa and the province traded shots about who should foot the dispute's $40-million bill.

The day after Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice refused to meet with his provincial counterpart to discuss the occupation and its costs, Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer said the finger-pointing is exasperating for residents who just want the ordeal to come to an end.

"They are just playing games right now," Trainer said about the escalating war of words. "We're in the middle. We're the ones suffering."

"I'd like them to stop acting like children. I wish they would quit holding Caledonia residents as hostages. It's pretty frustrating."

Although the province purchased the disputed land and is negotiating, Premier Dalton McGuinty has increasingly argued land claims are a federal responsibility, and said Tuesday that Ottawa must "step up to the plate."

That comment prompted Prentice to cancel his meeting with David Ramsay, Ontario's minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, later that evening. Prentice said Ontario is solely responsible for paying the costs of occupation - now pegged at $40 million for policing, business compensation and the purchase of the disputed land.

"The Constitution is very clear. Property and civil rights, the administration of justice and policing are all provincial responsibilities," Prentice said in an interview.

"What's missing here is the justification for the province to say this is a federal obligation to pay for this. While the federal government has responsibility for Indians, that doesn't override provincial law."

Prentice said he's been working hard to end the "oldest land claim in Canada," appointing fact finders, negotiators and meeting with key provincial and aboriginal leaders to help sort out the dispute.

"I'm prepared to discuss the issues in a serious way with (the province) any time they choose, but I'm not going to be part of a media circus and political grandstanding about the issue," he said.

McGuinty responded to the snub by calling the federal Conservative thin-skinned, and said people shouldn't get into politics if they can't take criticism. A clearly frustrated McGuinty repeated his demand that Ottawa take a lead role in negotiating an end to the dispute.

"They've got to understand, it's not going to go away," McGuinty said. "If it's not Caledonia, it's going to be land claims issues elsewhere across the country. This is an issue that's been percolating on the backburner for a long time now."

People want to see the dispute resolved, McGuinty said. "They want us to meet," he said. "And I think they want us to respect each other's constitutional responsibilities."

But no new meeting between the two levels of government has been set.

The federal government should start settling smaller side-issues with the Six Nations protesters and establish some goodwill to resolve the larger land claim issue, said Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Ramsay.

"We don't want to have these disputes," he said. "We want to get these things settled for the people of Ontario and especially the aboriginal people in that area who - for a couple hundred years - have not had justice."

Ramsay said he didn't know how long this dispute would take to resolve but "it should be sooner rather than later."

In the meantime, Caledonia residents are losing faith.

"They have really lost focus about what this whole thing is about," Trainer said of the politicians. "They're forgetting about the people who are suffering every day - their nerves are shot, they're on tranquilizers, they're on heart medication. It's not a good thing."

McGuinty's ramped-up rhetoric about Ottawa's role in the Caledonia dispute is the latest tough talk about how Ontario is getting short-changed under the federal Conservatives.

That Liberal tactic has backfired, critics said. Conservative Leader John Tory said Caledonia residents were looking for progress on the standoff and are seeing "a jousting match instead." NDP Leader Howard Hampton said the Liberal government is paralyzed and is falling back on the "tired old politics of blame and squabble."

Six Nations protesters have occupied the former housing development site in Caledonia, Ont., since February. Their occupation has been marred by violent clashes with town residents and barricades that cut the town in half.

The aboriginals say they are prepared to stay on the land - which they say was taken illegally from them 200 years ago - until it is returned to them.

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Ontario government press release ...

Statement from Minister David Ramsay - Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs

TORONTO, Oct. 31 - Ontario families - particularly those in the Caledonia area - find themselves caught in a dispute between the federal government and Six Nations.

Ontario taxpayers have paid, and continue to pay, a hefty price for the ongoing occupation in Caledonia.

The Ontario government has been working hard to bring all parties together at the negotiating table. We have achieved some progress, but not nearly enough.

Over the past 26 years, 29 land claims have been filed by Six Nations in that area of Canada. Only one has been settled by the federal government.

That pace is too slow.

The federal government must take the lead and bring vigour to the negotiating table and a will to resolve these outstanding disputes.

I am disappointed that Minister Prentice chose not to attend a scheduled meeting tonight with me to discuss the situation in Caledonia.

This is another example of the federal government failing to live up to its obligations to the people of Ontario.

We are determined to work toward a peaceful resolution to the Caledonia situation and look forward to working with the federal government as it assumes its rightful role in resolving this dispute.

www.aboriginalaffairs.osaa.gov.on.ca

For further information: Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister Ramsay's Office, (416) 268-3690

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From http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1162335012375

Caledonia costs set at $40M - Province delivers bill to Ottawa - Feds snub Ontario's Ramsay

Nov. 1, 2006 - ROB FERGUSON - QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU

The native standoff at Caledonia has cost Ontario taxpayers almost $40 million — a tab that will keep rising until the federal government "steps up to the plate" to settle the land claim, Premier Dalton McGuinty warned yesterday.

A bill for handling the eight-month dispute at a housing development was to be delivered to Ottawa last night by David Ramsay, Ontario's minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, but federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice refused to meet with him as scheduled.

A spokesman for Prentice said he objected to the way McGuinty and Ramsay had been posturing in the media earlier in the day about the meeting, which saw Ramsay fly to Ottawa with his deputy minister and an aide to attend.

"Mr. Prentice was disturbed by the kind of political grandstanding that went on," Bill Rodgers told the Toronto Star in a telephone interview from Ottawa.

"He wasn't interested in having a meeting in that kind of atmosphere. We expect we'll continue to negotiate when things have cooled off in terms of the politics of this."

Ramsay said he was "disappointed" at being rebuffed because federal progress on land claims in southern Ontario has been too slow. "This is another example of the federal government failing to live up to its obligations to the people of Ontario," he said in a statement.

"Over the past 26 years, 29 land claims have been filed by the Six Nations in that area of Canada. Only one has been settled by the federal government."

Ramsay said before heading to Ottawa yesterday that the bill he was about to present to Prentice was "a work in progress" because the Ontario government has "ongoing costs" at the site in the town south of Hamilton.

On the weekend, McGuinty criticized federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and other cabinet ministers who used to be Ontario MPPs about the unfairness of federal funding to the province. But Ramsay insisted those remarks would not have soured the meeting.

"Mr. Prentice and I have a great relationship," Ramsay told reporters at Queen's Park.

The bill Ramsay had hoped to present includes:

• $15 million for increased Ontario Provincial Police presence to keep an eye on sometimes violent confrontations between natives and locals.
• $15.8 million to buy the occupied land, a fledgling subdivision called Douglas Creek Estates, from its developer, Henco.
• $1.1 million to Henco for out-of-pocket and other costs, and $5.8 million to buy out other nearby builders and cover out-of-pocket costs.
• $1.4 million in financial assistance to Caledonia businesses that have lost revenue in the turmoil caused by the occupation.
• $200,000 to Haldimand County for marketing efforts to boost the area's economy because of decreased tourism.

The invoice is about $15 million less than the tally previously estimated by Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory, who yesterday called McGuinty a "world champion buck passer" and said he would call an inquiry into what went wrong at Caledonia if elected premier in next October's provincial election.

At Queen's Park yesterday, McGuinty said the costly occupation will drag on as long as the federal government remains largely "missing in action."

It marked the second time in two weeks that McGuinty, whose government appears mired in the dispute despite the fact Ottawa is constitutionally responsible for land claims, has taken the federal government to task.

"Until they step up to the plate and become much more determined in their effort to resolve this, we are going to be kept in this situation..."

From www.serviceontario.ca

ServiceOntario partnering with public libraries in Ontario to service communities better

The North Caribou Lake First Nation and Sachigo Lake First Nation public libraries are partnering with ServiceOntario to make it easier for area residents to access Ontario government services in their communities.

The partnership with ServiceOntario partnering with public libraries in Ontario to service communities better ServiceOntario permits Ontarians to access a range of services from applying for a birth certificate to registering their business online right at their local library.

The North Caribou Lake and Sachigo public libraries are two of 55 public and First Nations libraries across the province that are partnering with ServiceOntario to provide increased access to government information through the ServiceOntario website (www.serviceontario.ca) at public computer terminals.

The initiative is a joint effort between the participating libraries, ServiceOntario, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and the Ministry of Culture.

Library staff at any of the 55 locations can help visitors navigate the ServiceOntario website to find a full range of services.

To learn more about ServiceOntario or to find the location of a ServiceOntario centre in your community, visit www.serviceontario.ca or call 1-800-267-8097.

The North Caribou Lake public library is located in the Wahsa Resource Center in Round Lake. The Sachigo Lake public library is located in the Martin McKay Memorial School in Sachigo.

From http://www.knowledgeontario.ca/

Knowledge Ontario (formerly the Ontario Digital Library) ­ is a province-wide collaboration of libraries (public, school, college and university), archives, museums, heritage organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to create an integrated, and interactive digital environment about, and for, Ontarians.

Knowledge Ontario is an innovative venture designed to support the information and learning needs of Ontarians. The suite of programs and services currently includes six components: Resources Ontario, Our Ontario, Ask Ontario, Video Ontario, Teach Ontario, and Connect Ontario. Knowledge Ontario supports four main objectives:

• Access and Research
• Collaboration
• Creating Critical Content
• Literacy and Learning

Our vision

• Establishing equity in the availability of, and access to, digital information resources in Ontario
• Maximizing Ontarians’ potential to develop their information, learning and thinking skills
• Enabling Ontarians to be more connected and competitive in the knowledge economy
• Promoting excellence and innovation by delivering high-quality learning resources and services
• Providing trusted (“better than the Internet”) access to information products and services

Check the Background and the Mission and Objectives links for more information about Knowledge Ontario as a whole. Our Programs and Services page provides an overview of all of the KO components.

The Knowledge Ontario initiative is supported by the Government of Ontario.