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Four recent newspaper articles highlight the struggle, protests and blockade established nearly a month ago on Six Nation traditional territory. The blockade has the support of the Six Nations Confederacy Council and the clan mothers (see first story) ...

Confederacy chiefs call for talks on land claims
By Michael-Allan Marion, The Brantford Expositor
Tuesday, March 28, 2006

The Six Nations Confederacy Council has thrown its support behind protesters in their fourth week of occupying a residential development project under construction near Caledonia.

Five chiefs and four clan mothers held a news conference in front of the Onondaga Longhouse on Monday afternoon to state their support for the action.

They also responded to a move by the federal government to send University of Western Ontario Prof. Michael Coyle as a special representative -- or “runner” -- on a fact-finding mission of the ongoing occupation, which natives are calling a “land reclamation.”

“The federal government’s runner is a positive first step but the federal government needs to take further steps and send a delegate with a stronger mandate,” said Leroy Hill, who called himself a sub-chief of the Cayuga Bear Clan.

Hill, who was the main spokesman, added that the action “has insulting overtones when the federal government continues to recognize only the elected band council and continues its talks on our lands and funds with Canada’s Indian Act band council and province while sending Mr. Coyle here on his fact-finding mission.”

Reading a statement first in the Cayuga language and then in English, Hill said that the chiefs at Monday's new conference find Coyle’s mandate unsatisfactory. Ottawa needs to send someone with authority to straighten out claims and do more than just investigate, he said.

Hill also said it’s time for the federal government to open discussions on Six Nations Confederacy land rights to most of southern Ontario, and an estimated $400 billion in what the chiefs say are outstanding leases, illegal sales and loss of money held in trust by Ottawa.

The land in question in Caledonia, the chiefs say, was taken by the Crown in 1848 and sold off.

The gathering of leaders did not represent the full expression of the Confederacy, but many were chiefs of various Mohawk, Cayuga and Onondaga clans.

Chief Allen MacNaughton of the Mohawk Turtle Clan said the occupiers, who were joined last Wednesday by scores of other natives from Ontario and New York State in a blockade at the entrance to the Douglas Creek Estates subdivision off Highway 6, had the full support of the chiefs and clan mothers gathered.

“They have endured many hardships,” he said of the original protesters. “We, the chiefs, support this. We believe the federal government has the power to end this dispute today. We believe there is a solution that is in Canada’s power to iron out.”

MacNaughton made it clear that the assembled chiefs and clan mothers intend to support the occupation to the end.

Asked for his thoughts on a solution, MacNaughton said: “We want all development to stop in Caledonia."

Development is taking place all through the area, said Hill.

“There is prosperity all around us. There is an explosion of land all around us, yet we are running out of land for ourselves.”

The chiefs want Coyle to tell Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice that the protest will end if the government puts in writing a moratorium on construction and freezes further development of disputed lands while "meaningul talks" are held, Hill said.

"Then the people would leave."

Developer Henco Industries has obtained an injunction to remove the occupiers, and an Ontario Superior Court judge ruled that they had until 2 p.m. last Wednesday to leave before facing contempt of court charges.

But, so far, OPP officers have been content to monitor the area from a cruiser parked a short distance down the highway from the development.

Hill said that police have shown restraint in its handling of the standoff

“They should be commended. They’ve been respectful,” said Hill, remarking that the OPP is in a difficult situation between peaceful protesters and the government.

“Those people down there are not criminal and the police know this. We hope the federal government orders the police to disengage.”

He said that clan mothers who showed up last Wednesday, the day the police were empowered to go in to break up the occupation, have kept the situation in control.

“It’s a tough job that they have been asked to do. Our people don’t want to see violence. We don’t want this thing to escalate any further,” he said.

“If Ottawa committed to a moratorium on construction, those people would be happy to leave.”

Clan mother Bernice Johnson said she and others in her position went to the site only to keep the peace. But she added they are prepared to support the action “until we have a solution to what is going on.”

The clan mothers are also prepared to meet with Coyle.

Spokeswoman Janie Jamieson, one of the original organizers, insisted that the rank and file at the site remain unified.

“This reclamation will continue to be peaceful,” she added.

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THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR NEWSPAPER -
http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1143846637146&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1112876262536

The power of dialogue
By Aize Smit, Hamilton - Apr 1, 2006 - OPINION SECTION / LETTERS TO EDITOR SECTION

Re: 'Ottawa mediator quickly rejected; Native protesters give law professor 'his walking papers' in dispute over title to subdivision site' (March 30)

My Grade 9 students who live near the Grand River assured me that the "native protest" had not been discussed in any of their classes.

I think it's ironic that we discuss global issues and condemn faraway regimes, while we fail to have an honest talk about local issues about which we may disagree.

One morning before school, I stopped at the Caledonia barricade for a chat.

After a few general comments, I asked if the issue was one of native government; if the band council had approved development, why barricade the land?

The spokesperson explained that they, the protesters, should be seen as the legitimate representatives of the native people in their efforts to protect the well-being of the land.

He mentioned blacktop and cars as serious threats to nature, yet he agreed that blacktop was used on the reserve, and then we had to move over to allow access to other protesters just arriving in a brand new SUV.

I asked the spokesperson, a resident of the Six Nations reserve, if land ownership was the issue.

He denied this: In traditional native thinking land cannot be owned; it must be cared for as our mother. Apparently, the spokesperson saw the protesters as representatives, not of the native people, but of the native spirit. They should be seen as guardians of the earth.

In the end we agreed that the issue is a conflict in world views.

I confessed that in our schools there is often little dialogue between differing world views. We are afraid of fighting, and so we ignore the differences.

We teach science without addressing the underlying philosophies.

We teach geography without explaining how world views or religions to a large extent determine what information we select to propagate.

After half an hour we shook hands as friends who had taken some time to listen to and learn from each other.

Perhaps we should have more open, respectful dialogues about different world views.

We might be able to get the protesters from the barricade into the classroom to improve relationships and avoid dangerous confrontation with people who see new subdivisions as a sign of progress, whether for their pocketbooks or for the planet.

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http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1143846637155&call_pageid=1020420665036&col=1112188062581

Standoff Needs A Time-Out
By Robert Howard - Apr 1, 2006

Things have rapidly turned nasty at the protest in Caledonia where a group of natives are staging a sit-in at a subdivision construction site.

A week ago, there was a relatively constructive and mutually respecting attitude between the protesters -- many of them women and children -- and the Ontario Provincial Police who, sooner or later, were likely to be ordered to remove them. Both "sides" were showing restraint.

The overarching objective of the protest seemed to be heard - to force a dialogue with Ottawa over land claims that move, if at all, at a snail's pace. But that constructive attitude has changed to belligerence, antagonism and a heightened hostility that seem just a heartbeat, or a momentary flash of temper, away from violence.

Consider Sheriff John Dawson, who was legally required to read a court order to the protesters. He was spat on, insulted in the foulest language, shouted down and drowned out.

The protesters have the right to risk the legal consequences of ignoring the court order. But the contempt and disrespect for someone simply, and peacefully, doing his job was utterly out of line. Another protester's earlier rhetoric that "They want the OPP to 'get over there and shoot the hell of dem bad Injuns'" is reckless and inflammatory.

The atmosphere at the protest site seems to be one of spoiling for a fight and anyone who remembers the toll of land-claim protests at Oka, Que., and Ipperwash, Ont., should be worried about that.

Caledonia is not Oka or Ipperwash. At press time, this was still a peaceful protest, with neither side forcing a confrontation.

But there is an escalation happening here. A federal mediator was sent packing after just two days, and a protest led by clan mothers increasingly appears to have been inherited by people with a more radical agenda.

This looks like theatre staged for maximum impact in the media, with some of the actors determined to have the high drama of a confrontation as the final act.

But confrontation will create more problems than it solves.

What if the government, courts and police refuse to follow the script, or even take part? This protest would not last if the government offered interim compensation for the developer and inconvenienced home-buyers, and simply walked away until cooler heads prevailed.

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060329.CALEDONIA29/TPStory/National

Pressure mounts on Mohawk protesters at construction site - Developers expect police action, lawyer says
KATE HARRIES - POSTED ON 29/03/06

CALEDONIA -- Mohawk protesters who have held up construction of a subdivision for more than a month say they have no plans to leave, despite two injunctions and an envoy from Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice.

"It's our land. It has been our land since 1784; we never did sell it," said Jeff Hawk, one of about 20 protesters gathered at the entrance to the Douglas Creek Estates site on the outskirts of this community 20 kilometres south of Hamilton.

But yesterday, after a Superior Court judge amended the terms of a court order to address concerns that have prevented police from arresting the occupiers, a lawyer for the developers said his clients expect speedy action from the Ontario Provincial Police.

"We expect them to exercise their discretion and execute the arrest warrants -- as soon as reasonably practicable," Michael Bruder said.

Brothers John and Don Henning attended the brief hearing at the Cayuga courthouse yesterday afternoon, but refused comment. They have owned the 52-hectare property at the southeastern boundary of the Six Nations reserve for 15 years and obtained all required approvals, Mr. Bruder said. Work started this year on phase one, a 10-hectare, 72-lot residential development. Ten lots have houses in various stages of construction.

There are parallels with the 1995 Ipperwash standoff in which an aboriginal activist was killed by a police sniper on the third day of an occupation: a newly elected Conservative government -- provincial in 1995, federal today -- a lack of support by the elected band council; and aboriginal claims of decades-long efforts to address injustices that have been ignored.

In this case, police have included aboriginal officers in talks and monitoring of the protest and have been praised for their restraint.

"They've been respectful," said Leroy Hill, one of the Six Nations Confederacy chiefs who held a news conference Monday to back the protest and call for a freeze on development in Caledonia until the land ownership issue is resolved.

Mr. Hill said he's concerned about major developments proposed in Haldimand County on disputed land. He said Mr. Prentice's appointment of law professor Michael Coyle as a fact-finder is a positive step, but expressed regret that the minister plans to deal with the elected band council on the matter.

The confederacy chiefs represent the traditional government of the six nations that in 1784 were granted the 360,000-hectare Haldimand tract, a 32-km strip on either side of the Grand River, in recognition of their allegiance during the American War of Independence. Their supporters reject the elected band council that administers the reserve, now 18,000 hectares, and are pursuing land claims in the courts.

The protesters moved onto the site Feb. 28. Mr. Bruder obtained a civil injunction and then returned to court to obtain a criminal injunction that police could enforce.

Mr. Justice David Marshall set a March 22 deadline for the protesters to leave or be found in contempt of court. Yesterday, Judge Marshall agreed to a wording change to address a concern about fingerprinting and photographing protesters who are arrested.

from Toronto Star article

Reneging on pledge to natives
CAMERON SMITH - Apr. 1, 2006

In the run-up to the last provincial election, Premier Dalton McGuinty made a promise in writing that was important not only to Ontarians, but to the entire country — and now he's letting Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay break it.

McGuinty said in a letter to a coalition of environmental groups: "We will institute meaningful, broad-based land-use planning for Ontario's northern boreal forest before any new major development, including ensuring full participation by native communities. Land-use planning must protect the ecological integrity of this national treasure and help to provide a sustainable future for native people in northern communities."

First Nations treaty lands cover everything north of latitude 50 degrees in Ontario, from the Quebec border and Hudson Bay to the Manitoba border. There are about 4,000 mining claims in the area, one of which has become a lightning rod of dissent against Queen's Park policies, and Ramsay's stance in particular.

The claim is at Big Trout Lake, about 580 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, home to the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (KI). Platinex Inc. of Toronto had been working on a site for mining platinum, but KI declared a moratorium against further work until Queen's Park reached an agreement with it on how development should proceed.

Faced with an impasse, Platinex pulled out to await a resolution. Ramsay has now invited all First Nations to a "Northern Table" to discuss development across the north.

However, he says development should continue while the talks go on. "It would be very disruptive (to allow moratoriums) because ... we want to continue ... the wealth generation that (development) brings ... and as we do that we can discuss how we are going to share that wealth."

He also says there is "no legal right" for First Nations to impose moratoriums, adding that Ontario's Mining Act is a powerful piece of legislation that allows companies to stake claims on almost any piece of land in Northern Ontario.

What Ramsay is saying directly contradicts the Premier's promise. He's saying development can continue in the absence of official plans and in the absence of an assured sustainable future for First Nations.

Ramsay is also blatantly thumbing his nose at the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled in November that the Crown has a duty to consult with, and accommodate, First Nations concerns before allowing development that might affect their treaty rights with regard to lands where they continue their tradition of hunting, fishing and trapping.

The court was unanimous in saying the Crown must act honourably and "in good faith, and with the intention of substantially addressing the concerns of the aboriginal peoples whose lands are at issue."

By saying development can continue while talks are held, Ramsay is not acting honourably, and it is no answer to say that the Mining Act binds his hands. The Supreme Court decision (Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada) deals with a constitutional issue, and constitutional law always trumps local laws, such as the Mining Act.

First Nations in Ontario's north have a justified and long-held grievance over the lack of a sustainable future while mining and lumbering proceeds on their lands. And all Canadians have a right to expect enlightened land use planning in the northern boreal.

McGuinty should call Ramsay on the carpet and instruct him to act honourably.

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Cameron Smith can be reached at camsmith@kingston.net.

Voices for Children works in partnership with diverse groups and organizations to raise awareness about how children and youth are faring in Ontario.

Since 2002, we have published 35 reports on a range of issues like child abuse, resiliency, environmental contaminants, and many more. Their e-Bulletins and reports (www.voicesforchildren.ca) reach nearly 5,000 subscribers.

Their most successful report, written entirely by youth from across the province, "Just Listen to Me: Youth Voices on Violence" was presented to the Ontario Government, attracted extensive media attention, and drew 20,000 visits to their website in just one month.

With short-term funding from the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Children's Mental Health at CHEO, they hope to draw similar attention to the mental health and suicide issues affecting youth in the north. They will endeavour to increase the visibility of these issues affecting Aboriginal youth with the media and with provincial and federal governments. 

In order to learn from the voices of those most closely involved, Voices for Children is currently organizing an information session (see poster below) for key educators, researchers, counsellors, political officials, community leaders, youth and concerned citizens.

We hope that you will be able to join us at the Nishnawbe-Gamik Friendship Center on April 11th from 9:00-12:00.  A light lunch will be served at noon.

We encourage you to share the poster with those who are interested in these issues. We also encourage you to post this notice at work.

Please RSVP to Don via email (degedon@sympatico.ca) or 737-7492.

Don DeGenova
Consultant
Sioux Lookout  807-737-7492
Ottawa 819-595-8572
Cell 613-298-0551

NADF staff support local children's charity!

Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) joined in the ‘Clowning For Kids Day’ fundraising initiative with incredible gusto on Friday 31st March 2006! Management and staff at NADF have raised over $1,000 to ensure that the organization’s President, Harvey Yesno and his management team, wore red clown noses to work. But the organization’s fun-loving efforts didn’t stop there.

 President of NADF, Harvey Yesno appeared at the NAN regional Chiefs Meeting last week wearing a red nose, where he collected hundreds of dollars in donations from regional Chiefs representing northern Ontario’s First Nations. And today, the organization’s staff is taking their clowning around seriously! Staff will be painting their entire faces as clowns and collecting donations from shoppers at the Victoriaville Centre.

Clowning For Kids Day is a fundraising initiative for the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation Capital Campaign. The centre provides treatment to children with physical and developmental disabilities that help them to crawl, walk and talk over time. Approximately 25% of the Centre’s children come from the regional First Nation communities serviced by NADF. A new building is needed to help the centre service the more than 450 children who are currently on its waiting list from the region.

To see photos of the staff visit: www.georgejeffreyfoundation.com

Congratulations to the 2006 - 2008 Chief & Council installed for this next 2-year term:

• Chief Gordon Anderson
• Deputy Chief Eno H. Anderson
• Head Councillor Nellie Semple
• Councillor Josie Anderson, Sr.
• Councillor Ralph Begg
• Councillor Danny Wabasse
• Councillor Gordon Morris

Many thanks to all the candidates, nominators, and election committee, and voters for all your hard work.

From http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060329.NATS29-1/TPStory/National
 
Native chiefs to delay reforms, ask for debate
BILL CURRY - March 29, 2006

Ottawa -- Final sign-off from native chiefs on reforms such as an aboriginal auditor-general and a one-person-one-vote system for electing the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations will have to wait until at least July, as chiefs opted to strike a new panel to hammer out the details.

Chiefs from across the country wrapped up a three-day meeting in Gatineau a day early by giving full consensus to a general motion stating that the details of the proposals should be debated in the regions before a possible decision at the next meeting of chiefs in Vancouver in July.

from http://telehealth.knet.ca

National Telehealth Working Group Meets to Discuss Telehealth Strategy

The Assembly of First Nations have identified Telehealth as a tool that can be utilized to address quality of life issues for First Nations people. 

At the National Telehealth Strategy meeting held in Ottawa March 22 and 23, First Nations involved in Telehealth programs from across the country met to discuss how to support the AFN in delivering this message to governments and communities. 

The importance of validating Telehealth's health benefits is required to ensure long term funding and sustainability of Telehealth programs.  Priorites identified for research include:  How is Telehealth impacting wait times?  How is Telehealth impacting social outcomes and determinants of health issues?  Quality of life issues as well as access and equity were discussed as health needs that are directly addressed through community based, First Nations directed Telehealth Programs. 

KOTH presented an overview of the communtiy based model and told the stories of how the region is utilizing Telehealth to address disparities in health access for First Nations communities.

Future Initiatives include:

• Identify role for FNIHB, Province in sustaining Telehealth
• Develop Governance models for Telehealth (as opposed to having these parameters defined for us)
• Engaging provinces a priority – each province has an E Health strategy that looks at connectivity, e health and Telehealth - ensure First Nations included in these plans
• Facilitate National Implementation and Sustainability plan for Telehealth
• Identify research priorities to support sustainability

from http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com./story.php?id=221965

The parents of Max Kakegamic, who was killed on the streets of Kenora more than five years ago, are appealing to the chief coroner’s office for an inquest.

By Mike Aiken
Miner and News
Thursday March 30, 2006

The parents of Max Kakegamic, who was killed on the streets of Kenora more than five years ago, are appealing to the chief coroner’s office for an inquest.
Margaret and Isaac Kakegamic sat down with the chief coroner Monday in Thunder Bay, where they talked about the need for further investigation.
The family has also retained the services of the executive director for Aboriginal Legal Services in Toronto, Kimberley Murray, in order to assist them with their case.
“The criminal justice system has failed the family of Max Kakegamic and they now turn to the coroner’s system to help them find answers to some questions surrounding Max’s death,” said Murray Wednesday in a prepared statement.
Max Kakegamic was found dead at the corner of Third Street South and Matheson Street on Oct. 4, 2000. The manslaughter case against Justin Carambetsos, who was charged with the murder hours after Kakegamic’s body was discovered, was stayed in Kenora court in February 2004 by Justice Peter Hambly, who cited police misconduct during their investigation in his ruling.
“The family is grateful to Dr. McLellan for hearing their concerns and is hopeful that an inquest will be called, so that recommendations can be made to ensure that no other aboriginal person is left on the streets of Kenora and victimized in the manner that Max was,” Murray continued in her statement.
The chief coroner’s office is waiting for a written submission from the family, which is expected within a month’s time. Once received, the chief coroner will review it, then make a decision within four to six weeks whether or not to grant the appeal, said Kathy Kerr, executive officer for inquests and special projects.
Treaty 9 Deputy Chief Alvin Fiddler accompanied the family during Monday’s meeting with the chief coroner, noting it was a great opportunity for the parents to appeal in person.
Police chief trying to build bridges
Kenora’s new police chief Dan Jorgensen said he has attended numerous meetings and events, in an effort to build bridges between the police and aboriginal people.
These have included one-on-one meetings with First Nation leaders as part of the ongoing Common Land, Common Ground process, which began around the time of the death in the fall of 2000.
Jorgensen has acknowledged the low levels of trust that exists between aboriginal people and police, and he is reviewing the complaints process in an attempt to ensure those who have the courage to bring their concerns forward are satisfied that their message has been properly heard. Along these lines, he has suggested inserting a mediator, who may assist complainants with both the formulation of their complaint and an explanation of the end results.
Last year, Ontario Justice Patrick Lesage recommended the formation of an independent public oversight committee to investigate public complaints about police. Currently, under the Police Services Act in Ontario, the chief of police is given the responsibility of adjudicating any public complaint. However, an individual can ask the Ontario Civilian Commission to review decisions made by local police.

The Native Law Centre of Canada at the University of Saskatchewan is currently seeking ten (10) post-secondary candidates to live and work overseas.  The Young Professionals International project implemented by the Native Law Centre is undertaken within the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, with a contribution from Foreign Affairs Canada.  This is an exciting opportunity for young Aboriginal people to enhance their career prospects while contributing to international organizations that foster empowerment and development strategies for Indigenous peoples.

Given your knowledge and expertise in the area of international and indigenous issues and the extensive network you have within the community, we are asking your assistance in forwarding the attached poster to those who may be interested in the opportunities.  Moreover, please feel free to post the information at your office.  Further information can also be found at: http://www.usask.ca/nativelaw/programs/internship/index.html

Thank you for your time and effort in assisting in this worthy opportunity for our youth.  If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Selina Mackie, BSW, BEd  or Wanda McCaslin, B.A., LL.B.
Native Law Centre of Canada
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B8
Email: nlc_ypi@usask.ca
Tel: (306) 966-6193 Fax: (306) 966-6207

from http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2006/29/c0076.html

Province And First Nations Create New Partnership With Signing Of An Agreement-In-Principle On Gaming Revenue - Increased Revenue To Enable Key Investments In First Nation Communities

    QUEEN'S PARK, ON, March 29 /CNW/ - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today signed an agreement-in-principle with the Ontario First Nations Limited Partnership (OFNLP) that sets out a new partnership for sharing the economic benefits of gaming with First Nations.

    "Our government is committed to building opportunity and this agreement-in-principle is an important step forward in meeting the needs of First Nations communities," said Premier McGuinty. "It provides the foundation for a stronger partnership with First Nations as we work together to invest in their communities in a number of areas such as the education, skills and health of First Nations peoples."

    "This agreement is designed to provide over 130 Ontario First Nations with greater financial stability," said David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and Minister Responsible for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC). "This is a historic day and we want to acknowledge the invaluable leadership of the negotiators."

    In February 2005, the McGuinty Liberal government appointed former Premier David Peterson to lead discussions with First Nations on a new agreement for distributing gaming revenue to Ontario First Nations.

    Under a pre-existing contract that runs until 2011, Ontario First Nations receive provincial gaming revenue from a single gaming site - Casino Rama. The terms set out in today's agreement-in-principle would add to this arrangement by providing First Nations with 1.6 per cent of gross revenue from all provincial gaming, starting in 2011. Ontario First Nations would also receive approximately $155 million over the next six years.

    "This First Nations Gaming and Revenue Sharing Agreement-in-Principle represents a new relationship between First Nations within Ontario and the Province. It is an opportunity for our partners to build upon existing successes as well as address their community growth and development. We look forward to finalizing the agreements required to move forward," said Harvey Yesno, President of the OFNLP.

    "Today's announcement demonstrates Ontario's commitment to developing a true partnership with First Nations peoples," said David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. "We are taking a big step forward on the New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs by working with First Nations to increase economic opportunities."

    The agreement-in-principle was signed by Premier McGuinty on behalf of the Ontario government and by the OLGC and the OFNLP. It provides that the parties will seek to negotiate binding legal agreements to give effect to the terms of the agreement-in-principle by December 31, 2006.

    Premier McGuinty thanked David Peterson for leading this effort on behalf of the Province. He also thanked the OFNLP negotiating team - Gord Peters, Joe Miskokomon, Linda Commandant, Don Morrison, Mike Mitchell, Ernest Sutherland and George Kakeway - for their vision and commitment.

    "This agreement will make a lasting difference in the lives of First Nations people throughout the province," said Premier McGuinty. "The increased revenue will allow First Nations to make key investments to build a brighter future for their communities and a stronger Ontario for all."

From http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20060328/casino_deal_060328/20060328?hub=TorontoHome

Ont. to renew casino revenue deal with natives - Canadian Press

TORONTO — An agreement that distributes net revenues from Casino Rama to Ontario's aboriginal communities is being extended through a new deal that could also give natives a bigger slice of the total provincial gaming pie.

Sources say the province will sign an agreement Wednesday that extends a five-year deal reached in 2001, which would have expired this summer.

The new deal could also allow aboriginal communities to share in revenues from other casinos around the province. Former premier David Peterson was appointed as Ontario's representative last year in talks to give First Nations a share of all provincial gaming sites.

Currently, Ontario's aboriginal communities share provincial gaming revenue only from Casino Rama.

The previous deal ensured net revenues from Casino Rama, located on aboriginal land, are distributed to 134 First Nations communities around Ontario.

The casino - located near Orillia, north of Toronto - has collected roughly $1 billion in net revenues since it opened in 1996.

The Ontario government's previous deal on the casino's revenues, signed in 2001, was meant to provide aboriginals with a stable source of funding for community, economic and cultural development, health and education.

It has been the subject of litigation in recent years, with the Mnjikaning First Nation saying it should retain 35 per cent of net revenues since the casino is on the band's land. That money has been held in escrow for years, pending results of the litigation.

The government calls Casino Rama central Ontario's most popular tourist attraction, hosting 12,000 patrons daily.

It is also one of the largest employers of First Nations people in Canada, with 2,300 slot machines and 120 table games.