From http://www.siouxlookoutjobs.com/job%20fair.html ... be sure to check out the 30 registered employers that includes some who will be doing interviews at the Job Fair.
Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge deadline of May 6 only four weeks away!
With only four weeks left for writing before the May 6 deadline, this is a reminder that the Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge is happening again this year with even more prizes in store!
The Canadian Aboriginal Writing Challenge provides an opportunity for Aboriginal youth across the country to have their voices heard. We hope to uncover the budding creativity and talent of our youth and through these stories educate all Canadians about the moments that have shaped our country and its people.
We are asking young Aboriginal Canadians (Status, Non-status, Métis, Inuit) ages 14-18 or 19-29 to submit a creative short story about a moment in history written from an Aboriginal perspective. Last year’s submissions included stories on the first meeting between Europeans and First Nations peoples, residential schools, modern-day elections on reserves and the sharing of knowledge from generation to generation. (Please see the contest website for story length guidelines - www.our-story.ca)
The first-prize winner of the 14-18 age group will receive a $500 prize and the winner of the 19-29 age group will receive $1000. Both winners will be profiled in a Canadian Learning Television and Book Television production, published in The Beaver Magazine: Canada’s History Magazine and to travel to Ottawa to read an excerpt from his/her story at a special celebration event. Participants with a story in the top ten in either age group will receive a $200 prize. All winning essays will be published online and all participants will receive a letter of recognition for their participation. The deadline for submissions is May 6, 2006. A Committee of Aboriginal authors, including actress Tantoo Cardinal from Calgary and journalist Rachel Qitsualik from Iqualuit, will judge the submissions.
****SPECIAL NOTE TO TEACHERS AND YOUTH GROUPS****
New this year - the first four classes or youth groups to jointly submit their stories will received a digital camcorder!
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
_____________________
Annie Lindsay
Programme Coordinator
The Dominion Institute
183 Bathurst Street, Suite 401
Toronto, ON M5T 2R7
416.368.9627 or 866.701.1867
fax 416.368.2111
from News and Updates at http://telehealth.knet.ca
Telehealth Community Engagement
Posted by: Tina Kakepetum Schultz on Wednesday, April 12
My name is Tina Kakepetum Schultz. I have been recently hired as the KO Telehealth Community Engagement Worker.
One of my job requirements is to work with the First Nations that are connected to Telehealth on the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net). My first task was to meet with the 24 Chiefs and Council from each of these communities.
The Health Canada Primary Care Health Transition program funding that supported the KO Telehealth program ended March 31, 2006. FNIHB announced they will extend the program by an additional four months (April - July) providing bridge funding for the existing telehealth services. The next two years of funding was presented as an interim step towards developing a longer term telehealth sustainability strategy under the First Nations Health Blueprint negotiated in Kelowna.
KO Telehealth was given two tasks to complete within the first four months of this two year interim funding period:
If the work of obtaining the BCRs from all the First Nations is successful, then FNIHB will support an additional 20 months of funding to build a sustainability plan for Telehealth.
Since February 24, 2006, I have met with 20 First Nations to discuss future sustainability funding for Telehealth.
I would like to say thank you to the Chiefs and Councils who have made a commitment to support the ongoing operation of the KO Telehealth initiative. The following First Nations are commited to providing BCRs supporting this program:
I will be meeting with Slate Falls, Keewaywin, Nibinamik and Wapakeka First Nations over the next two weeks.
I would like to thank each of the Chief and Council for the kindness and hospitality they showed to me during our video conference meetings as well as receiving me into their communities. I look forward to working closely with each community in the coming years.
MiiQuetch!!!
Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director and Peter Campbell, KO Public Works Manager met with John Tory, Leader of the Opposition and the Conservative Party in Ontario, on Tuesday evening. The meeting provided the team from Keewaytinook Okimakanak with the opportunity to provide Mr. Tory with an introduction to the KO First Nations, their organization and the work that is being undertaken to support these communities. One outcome of the meeting was an expression of interest for Mr. Tory to visit the Keewaytinook Okimakanak office in Balmertown to learn more about the member First Nations, their programs and services.
from http://www.anglicanjournal.com/extra/news.html?newsItem=2006-04-12_a.news
Church protests dropping of fast-track payments
Tories will not give advances to elderly former students
April 12, 2006 - Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has “strongly” urged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reconsider the his Conservative government’s decision not to give advance payments to elderly former students of residential schools before a revised agreement is finalized.
“The Anglican Church of Canada is deeply disappointed at this failure to meet the needs of the elderly former students of residential schools,” said Archbishop Hutchison in a letter to Mr. Harper hours after Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice made the announcement on behalf of the federal government on April 11. “We expected a more humane response to the needs of former students, some of whom are faithful members of the Anglican church.”
The government’s decision reversed a provision in the revised Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement announced in November by the previous Liberal government that former students who are now 65 years of age or older are liable to apply for an advance payment of $8,000. Following the announcement of that agreement, the Anglican Church of Canada had renegotiated the terms of the 2003 residential agreement that it signed with the federal government.
“As a church we have long since acknowledged our own part in the sad history of the residential school system in Canada, through the establishment of an Anglican Healing Fund in 1991, and the issuing of a formal apology in 1993,” wrote Archbishop Hutchison in his letter. He added that the church had been “encouraged” by the appointment of former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci as special negotiator in May 2005, and had “willingly participated” in the negotiations that produced the revised Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
“While we were disappointed that the change of government resulted in some delay in implementing the agreement, we did not anticipate that your new government would fail to honour an important component, namely, the advance payments to elderly claimants,” added Archbishop Hutchison.
The Assembly of First Nations had urged Ottawa to fast-track payments to elderly claimants since a growing number of them are already ill or dying.
But Mr. Prentice said, “We clearly have an obligation to all Canadians. We have an obligation to all taxpayers.”
The revised agreement provides a $1.9 billion compensation package that will be offered to tens of thousands of aboriginal Canadians who attended Indian residential schools. It offers “every eligible” former native residential school student “living on May 30, 2005” up to $30,000 each in so-called Common Experience Payment. Each former student who applies would receive $10,000 and an additional $3,000 for each year of attendance in excess of the first year.
(The Anglican church operated 26 of 80 boarding schools attended by aboriginals from the mid-19th century into the 1970s. In recent years, hundreds of natives sued the church and the federal government, which owned the schools, alleging physical and sexual abuse.)
from http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2006/11/c8434.html
Assembly of First Nations and National Association of Friendship Centres Sign Memorandum of Understanding
OTTAWA, April 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Last night, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine and Vera Pawis Tabobondung, the President of the National Association of Friendship Centres, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The MOU is designed as a first step in NAFC participation in AFN policy development on urban issues.
"The AFN represents the rights and interests of First Nations and we recognize the important service delivery function of the NAFC. For First Nations citizens in many urban areas, Friendship Centres are a major source for culturally appropriate services," stated Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine. "Our efforts to provide analysis that integrates the urban First Nations perspective will be further improved by working with the National Association of Friendship Centres."
The MOU between the AFN and NAFC commits the two organizations to developing an effective working relationship as a first step in the development of further protocol agreements. The MOU calls for:
"Working with the NAFC will allow us to reach First Nation citizens in urban centres in more directed ways, and will also allow us to develop policies and recommendations that reflect the urban reality, as well as the reserve reality, and which build on and respect the unique efforts to work with off reserve citizens in different regions," stated the National Chief.
"This memorandum is a first step in what I believe will be a mutually beneficial and highly productive relationship."
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
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/For further information: Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789 ext. 336, cell (613) 859-4335/
from http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/03/22/1500556-cp.html
Tories rule out fast-track payments for old, sick residential school victims
By SUE BAILEY - April 10
OTTAWA (CP) - The Conservatives will not fast-track $8,000 payments announced by the former Liberal government for sick and elderly former students of native residential schools.
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice said Monday that a final version of a draft deal outlined by the Liberals last November must be reached first - "and that will form the basis of any payments that are made." Prentice said he hopes to receive a final agreement "shortly," but could not offer a time frame.
Victims groups and critics have blasted the Conservatives for not moving sooner. They say fast-track payments announced last fall were never contingent on a final agreement that must be approved by the courts.
Those owed compensation are dying at an estimated rate of more than 15 each week, they say. Many live in poverty.
Prentice blamed "one of the law firms" for "dragging its feet" in ongoing talks aimed at finalizing a compensation deal for about 78,000 former students who attended the once-mandatory schools.
He would not name the law firm. Several are involved as part of a consortium that launched a multibillion-dollar class-action lawsuit against the government.
A final compensation deal would effectively derail such cases.
Ottawa acknowledged in 1998 that abuse in the church-run institutions was rampant. More than 13,000 plaintiffs have since sued.
The Liberals announced last fall plans to offer every validated former student $10,000 plus $3,000 for each year spent in the schools meant to "Christianize" native kids.
Claimants who are sick or over age 65 were told they could apply for fast-track cheques of $8,000.
The Liberals were toppled days later. A new Conservative government has been in talks to reach a final deal since taking power more than two months ago.
But a lawyer involved in the negotiations says the Tories could still offer early payments to those who might not see justice otherwise.
"There's nothing stopping the Conservatives to do it," says Darcy Merkur of Thomson Rogers, the Toronto-based law firm that spearheaded a national class-action lawsuit for former students.
"Our clients are very, very anxious and this is long overdue," Merkur said.
Liberal MP Anita Neville, aboriginal affairs critic, said the delay has dashed hopes and caused confusion.
"We've been hearing many stories of elders who are either calling their aboriginal leadership or the (Indian Affairs) department and saying: "When are we getting our money?"
"There's a real fear that people are going to die first."
Under the draft deal, estates will be able to collect compensation for those who died after May 30, 2005, said lawyers tracking the issue. But claimants must make their wishes known through a will to avoid having the money tied up in legal red tape, they say.
from http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/j-a2006/2-02714_e.html
News Release Communiqué 2-02714
ONTARIO FIRST NATIONS TO SEE MORE BENEFITS FROM TRAPPING
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO (April 10, 2006) - First Nations in Ontario will now receive increased benefits from trapping activities in their traditional territories following agreements signed with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario.
Today, the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Treaty No. 3 and Nishnawbe Aski Nation announced the signing of trapping harmonization agreements with the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Jim Prentice, said the agreement "presents an excellent opportunity to work together through co-operative dialogue to strengthen relationships, and to build a better future for First Nations people."
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage described the agreement as "key to maintaining good working relationships with our partners in order to uphold mutual values of conservation as joint stewards of Mother Earth."
Grand Council Treaty No. 3 Ogichidaa Arnold Gardner said, "This step towards a renewed relationship based on the laws of Canada and the inherent laws of the Anishinaabe will promote better relations for the next generations of our diverse cultures."
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy called the agreement "the starting point in managing our renewable resources, creating a partnership with both levels of government so that we can continue to resolve conflicting policies and laws affecting the lives of the people in our territory."
"These agreements are good examples of how Ontario is promoting more effective relationships between First Nations, Canada and Ontario, and reflect our government's commitment to strong, prosperous Aboriginal communities," said Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, the Honourable David Ramsay.
The trapping harmonization agreements will allow these First Nations organizations to:
* issue trapping licences to members;
* address the current royalties system from the sale of furs;
* provide training to individuals who want to qualify for first-time trapping licences; and
* administer trap-line allocations in traditional territories.
Negotiations with the Government of Ontario dealing with the management and administration of trapping within traditional territories have been under way since 1993 (in the case of Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Grand Council Treaty #3) and 1998 (in the case of the Anishinabek Nation). More information about the history of the negotiations can be found in the attached Backgrounder, "Ontario Trapping Harmonization Agreements."
The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada provided funding for negotiations and implementation of the trapping harmonization agreements, as well as technical support and information.
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This release is also available at:http://www.inac.gc.ca .
For further information, please contact:
Tony Prudori
Acting Senior Information Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(807) 624-1535
Steve Payne
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Communications Services Branch
(416)-314-2103
Maurice Switzer
Director of Communications
Union of Ontario Indians
(705) 497-9127, Ext.2272
Adolphus Cameron
Grand Council Treaty #3
(807) 548-4214
Jenna Young
Director of Communications
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625-4952
*---
Backgrounder
ONTARIO TRAPPING HARMONIZATION AGREEMENTS
Aboriginal people were involved in fur trading activities long before the first Europeans arrived on this continent. Furs were a source of clothing, shelter and ornaments. Fur trading activities contributed to the development of Aboriginal communities.
Upon the arrival of the explorers, beaver pelts were the first item to be traded in exchange for cooking pots and ornamental items. As the industry grew, fur trading companies were formed and took advantage of the abundance of furs available. As trapping and fur trading activities expanded, conservation measures were undertaken in Ontario in the late 1800s, but there were no mechanisms in place to enforce these efforts.
In 1993, during tripartite meetings with the Government of Ontario, held through the Indian Commission of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Grand Council Treaty #3, both First Nations Organizations began negotiating the takeover, management, and administration of trapping within their own territories. The Anishinabek Nation, represented by the Union of Ontario Indians, began similar negotiations in 1998. Each of the three Provincial-Territorial Organizations, with the assistance of the Indian Commission of Ontario, conducted separate discussions with the Province of Ontario (Ministry of Natural Resources). In 1998, former Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable Ron Irwin advised that Canada would also be a party to the agreements.
Funding for the negotiations was provided through a program known as the Participation Fund, which consisted of funding from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Government of Ontario, and First Nations. The Participation Fund was administered by the Indian Commission of Ontario.
The agreements, one for each of the three provincial/territorial organizations, were signed by the signatories in April and May 2005, and are effective as of April 1, 2005
As local, national and international efforts and pressures are made by corporations and governments to privatize the use and access to water; more groups are struggling to ensure that access to safe, clean drinking water is a right for all people.
from http://www.ienearth.org/declaration_tlatokan_atlahuak_en.doc
TLATOKAN ATLAHUAK DECLARATION
Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples Parallel Forum of the 4th World Water Forum
Mexico City, Mexico
March 17-18, 2006
México, D.F. March 18th, 2006.
Indigenous Peoples and Organizations Present at the Indigenous Forum Endorsing this Declaration:
Some other online resources concerning this important issue that affects everyone, our children and our children's children ...
The Indigenous Environmental Network - http://www.ienearth.org
Tlatokan Atlahuak Declaration - 4th World Water Forum
The Tlatokan Atlahuak Declaration was prepared by the Indigenous peoples Parallel Forum and submitted to the Secretariat of the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City in March 2006. The declaration reaffirms the sacredness of water and the importance of water not to be privatized. The indigenous peoples attending the parallel forum called for the formation of an Indigenous Water Defense Committee to watchdog abuses and violations of water rights within indigenous lands and territories.
Indigenous brothers and sisters gathered at the 4th World Water Forum held in Mexico City. A grassroots parallel forum was held on March 17 -18th since many Indigenous peoples from Mexico were not able to pay the high registration fees charged by the World Water Forum. An Indigenous Peoples Parallel Forum was attended by over 100 Indigenous peoples from Mexico, U.S., Canada, and South America. Indigenous participants consistently spoke to the concerns of local authorities and the government in their countries not recognizing the rights of Indigenous communities to water. In some countries, even though there is legislation that secures rights of Indigenous peoples, these rights are violated when it comes to access to water. The TLATOKAN ATLAHUAK DECLARATION was prepared by the Indigenous peoples Parallel Forum and submitted to the Secretariat of the World Water Forum. The declaration reaffirms the sacredness of water and the importance of water not to be privatized. Many Indigenous communities throughout the world are still experiencing depletion and contamination of water from mining and other toxic polluting activities, including agricultural pesticides. The Indigenous peoples attending the parallel forum are calling for the formation of an Indigenous Water Defense Committee to watchdog abuses and violations of water rights within Indigenous lands and territories.
Contacts:
Pipe Dreams: The Failure of the Private Sector to Invest in Water Services in Developing Countries
from http://www.wdm.org.uk/resources/briefings/aid/pipedreamsfullreport.pdf
This Joint study undertaken by the World Development Movement (WDM) and Public Services International (PSI) provides a demonstrated and critical review about the process of privatisation in water services and its negative outcomes on disadvantaged groups. By scrutinizing the context behind the rally for privatization schemes in water management and provisions the report debunks the realities entertained by the myth, and the discrepancies accounted for in terms of financing and incentive based programs to align the private sector with community development programs. (March 2006: PDF 60 P)
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/indigenous/highlights/default/showMore.do
Water and Indigenous People: 4th World Water Forum, Mexico City, March 2006
from http://topics.developmentgateway.org/indigenous/rc/ItemDetail.do~1060201
4th World Water Forum: Is Water Alive? - Several sessions at the 4th World Water Forum in Mexico City in March 2006 addressed the role of water for indigenous people. This session explored indigenous spiritual understandings of water and water bodies and consider the practical implications for water management.
The public has until April 19 to provide the new Conservative government with their feedback about priorities and strategies for implementing them. Visit www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult/prebud_e.html for more information and send your suggestions and feedback to budget2006consult@fin.gc.ca
Key Consultations Issues
Without restricting other comments you make, we would appreciate your views on the following questions:
From Wawatay News online at http://www.wawatay.on.ca
Web-based national pre-budget consultations launched
Posted by Joyce Hunter, Friday, April 7
For the first time ever, the federal government is encouraging Canadians to participate in the budget process online.
Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty has launched an online consultation process on the department’s website to give Canadians an opportunity to provide their views to the Government during the pre-budget consultation period.
"This approach opens the pre-budget consultations up to all Canadians, giving taxpayers in every corner of this vast country an opportunity to share their views," he said.
Flaherty is seeking views and advice from all Canadians on how best to implement the Government’s five priorities. Those include:
He is also asking people to identify areas where the Government can spend less or deliver programs in a more efficient and effective way.
"I hope to gather innovative ideas not just for this year’s budget, but for future budgets," Flaherty said. "We have set priorities that are reasonable and affordable, and with help from Canadian families we will stick by them."
The Web consultation page, including a background document, can be found on the Department of Finance Canada website at www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult_e.html.
Submissions can be made by e-mail at budget2006consult@fin.gc.ca or by fax at (613) 992-0938.
As is customary in the traditional face-to-face pre-budget consultations, views submitted via the Web will be provided to the Minister and held confidential.
The pre-budget consultation process ends April 19.