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AN OPEN LETTER TO CANDIDATES IN 2006 FEDERAL ELECTION

As the Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political territorial organization that represents 49 First Nations, covering an area of 2/3rds of the province of Ontario, I have been requested to seek further clarification on your position on a number of issues of importance to the people in the NAN territory. This is notwithstanding and in addition to the clarification your party/riding has already provided to the Assembly of First Nations on over-arching national issues.

As you are aware, there are number of ridings in the NAN territory in which First Nations represent a large population. More and more, First Nation voters are expressing the need for a government that will be in tune with their needs. This is in light of the fact that there exists such a large disparity between them and the larger Canadian population.

There are many issues facing the people of NAN (many of which that are comparable or surpass those of other First Nations in Canada). The two most critical for the people of NAN are as follows:

Alarming Rate of Youth Suicide:

In 2005 there were 24 completed youth suicides. We are only weeks into the new year and we have already lost 3 youth to suicide.

In the fall of 2004, Health Canada announced a $65 million to address the issue with First Nations across Canada. The program framework has since been developed by Health Canada, but the consultation process to roll out funding in Ontario is just beginning.

This has been frustrating as our need is very, very urgent. We are also concerned that the Health Canada funding will probably be distributed across the First Nations generally, while our experience is that major targeted community development investment to high risk communities is the only approach that works.

In addition, protocol hurdles currently enforced at the regional level are hindering time sensitive interventions needed in the communities when this kind of crisis occurs. Flexible, timely, targeted community based suicide prevention funding must be a priority with the new federal government.

NAN has put a proactive suicide prevention program in place called the NAN Decade for Youth and Development which the Chiefs mandated in 2000. The youth are asking for opportunities economically, socially, politically and culturally, but, again, funding for this type of programming has been very minimal.

Discussions to address the issue with the Province of Ontario have been favourable yet, the federal government continues to lack interest. This is unacceptable given that we are dealing with the lives of human beings and families.

We are interested in determining how you view role in this issue as leader of your party/riding.

The Need to Develop Approaches to End a Dependant Economy

As part of our unique approach to address socio-economic conditions, based on the abundance of lands rich in untouched natural resources (found mostly north of the 50th parallel), NAN has a made it known that we have a vested interest in developing a region specific framework based on building a natural-resources driven economy and on rights as affirmed in s. 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada, 1982.

Over the years, we have been working with your provincial counterparts to move this forward.

We are interested in determining how you view your role as the leader of your party/ riding.

To assist you in determining your views on these issues, I have enclosed a questionnaire for which I would like your response by January 18, 2006. I will be sharing an analysis of the responses of all parties as they are provided to me so that the people in NAN are prepared to make an informed decision on election day.

I would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation and I look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

Stan Beardy, Grand Chief
Nishnawbe Aski Nation

1. If elected, would your party/riding be committed to ensuring that targeted funds be made available for community development/suicide programming in communities that are facing multiple youth suicides (over and above the $65 million already provided regionally)? If elected, is your party/riding committed to discussing with NAN methods for more meaningful. federal participation in the issue of NAN youth suicide? What specifically do you propose?

2. Does your party/riding support the principle that the ability to control the natural resources on the lands is directly linked to the vitality, autonomy and future of NAN First Nations? If not, why or what other methods would you propose?

3. If elected, is your party/riding committed to participating in a NAN specific tripartite process/forum on lands and resources as currently being discussed between NAN and the Ontario government and committed to pending cost-sharing arrangements involved? Within this process, is your party/riding committed to developing and endorsing a Joint (Tripartite) Treaty Statement in commemoration of 100 years of Treaty No. 9?

4. What is the position of your party/riding specifically with respect to developing northern transportation and infrastructure, developing an economy in the north through intergovernmental collaboration and other procurement strategies. If elected, what would your party/riding commit to doing to support these? (detail a response for each). In addition, is your party/riding willing to support the negotiation of a resource revenue sharing agreement for the NAN territory between Canada and Ontario?

Jamie Ray, K-Net's Network Technician, flew into Koocheching on Saturday to install a KA-band satellite dish so the local school can once again get back online. This new satellite service is replacing the more expensive providing less capacity KU-band, two way system that was being used for the past three years. Poor weather conditions forced the cancellation of the charter throughout this past week.

The original plan was to fly in early in the morning and return that afternoon on the charter. But once there, Jamie decided that he would stay overnight and get all the units up and operating, as well as provide some training for Thomas Harper on using the system. This decision means an hour and a half snowmobile ride from Koocheching to Sandy Lake for Jamie to catch the only flight out on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday evening, after getting the dish operational, Jamie got the IP phone connected and started making calls to different people over the KA satellite system. Before this system was installed there was only one radio phone serving the entire community. The K-Net team will use this site as a test site to see how IP phones and web-based phone services (such as Skype at http://skype.com work on this new system).

Jamie and Thomas are also working together to expand the local service via a wireless system to reach several of the other homes in the community.

As the Ontario Regional Management Organization (RMO), Keewaytinook Okimakanak is working with First Nation schools across Ontario to provide connectivity and ICT resources using funding for this work from Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program. In addition to getting the KA-Band unit installed, the Koocheching school will be receiving three new computers, a printer and scanner under this program.

The wireless equipment and IP telephone equipment is being provided to Koocheching under Industry Canada FedNor's E-Community project that Keewaytinook Okimakanak is delivering.

Click here to see the pictures of the KA-Band earthstation and local wireless loop set up and operation of this new service in Koocheching First Nation.

An open letter from Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine to Conservative Party of Canada leader Stephen Harper

OTTAWA, Jan. 14 /CNW Telbec/ -

Dear Mr. Harper:

I am writing you to raise several critically important issues which require your immediate attention and response. Because these issues are matters of important public policy for all Canadians you should know that I will be releasing this letter publicly.

Over the past several days you have sought through the media to clarify your party's position on the Kelowna First Ministers Meeting agreement and, secondly, on the residential school settlement agreement.

Your responses to both issues are of great concern. Should your party form the next government, we believe that your actions on these two important matters will indicate how the Conservative party will deal with our people in the years to come. Therefore your response to this letter will be weighed carefully by our people when they make their decision of who to vote for on January 23rd.

With respect to the residential schools Settlement Agreement, The Globe and Mail reported on Friday, January 13, that: "The Conservative Leader said, however, that he would follow through with the agreement to compensate victims of residential school abuse, although he may make slight adjustments". We would like to know precisely what you mean by "slight adjustments". Given the complexity of the Settlement Agreement, the great difficulty in achieving it, and the terms of the abeyance agreements of the class actions, even the slightest of changes will legally undo the Agreement and send thousands of cases and numerous class actions back into the courts. This will result in severe legal and financial consequences for Canada and untold social and personal consequences for First Nations communities and individual survivors. We believe the Settlement Agreement is an important and historic milestone in the relationship between Canada and its first peoples. Any retreat will be seen as a fundamental betrayal and will result is a massive lost of trust and even greater harm than has already been inflicted on the survivors and their families.

If the Agreement is destroyed, the likelihood of resolving the residential school legacy or restoring trust will be next to none, at least in my lifetime or yours. Most cruelly, destruction of the Agreement will deny elderly residential school survivors their promised early payment which was due to be received by them in a few weeks time. Many of them will die in the ensuing months without experiencing the satisfaction or comfort the symbolic early payment and a settlement agreement would provide. They will never have the chance to reconcile with Canada or the churches. These will be the unintended but unconscionable results of tinkering with the Settlement Agreement. I am sure that you or any other leader or party would not want this to happen.

We would also like to know your party's position on an apology for the residential schools tragedy. The Political Agreement we signed with Canada on May 30, 2005 recognized the need for an apology and although the apology was not a part of the Settlement Agreement, (for constitutional reasons only) it was and is understood by all parties to the Agreement to be an integral and component of the full, fair, and just settlement we seek with Canada. We have been engaged in discussions with the government regarding an apology and fully expect that it will be given by the Prime Minister in a significant ceremony.

Of equal concern is your published party platform, which is silent on the comprehensive residential school Settlement Agreement of November 20, 2005 and merely makes reference to the much more limited March, 2005 recommendations of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee. We hope this is an oversight on your part and that it will be will be corrected as soon as possible. If it is not an oversight and your party's commitment to the resolution of the residential schools legacy is solely to the Committee's recommendations, we must strongly protest. Not only would such a commitment mean that you intend to do much more than make "slight adjustments" to the settlement package, it would fundamentally alter the agreement by taking away its central component, the lump sum payment. It would also violate the terms of the Political Agreement signed by the AFN and Canada on May 30, 2005, which formed the basis of the negotiations process and the ultimate settlement package. Any attempt to dismantle or diminish the either the Political Agreement or the Settlement Agreement will be vigorously opposed by every First Nation in Canada and by millions of Canadians who have come to understand the need to bring closure to this tragic chapter in our history. I urge you to clarify both of your statements, your party platform on this matter, and your position with respect to an apology from the Prime Minister for he residential schools experiment era, and to do so today.

Our other key concern is your party's lack of commitment to the outcomes from the Fist Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues. Your response, as reported by the media and highlighted on the Conservative party website, is not only deeply troubling; it is based on errors of fact. I believe it is important for you to be aware of the correct facts in order for you to better determine an appropriate response to questions about the Kelowna agreement.

The agreement reached included a carefully considered implementation plan. All governments agreed on a process of regional tripartite agreements to elaborate on the direction set ensuring relevance to each particular region. The commitments also guaranteed a follow-up process with a First Nation Multilateral Forum and future First Minister Meeting, as well as a set of indicators for monitoring progress. Federal, Provincial, Territorial and First Nations governments' accountability processes were therefore firmly established in Kelowna.

The Conservative Party press release also says that there was no agreement about how monies would be divided between on and off-reserve or between provinces. These statements reveal a fundamental lack of understanding of the Kelowna agreement. The division between on and off-reserve was made explicit on each subject matter, assigning specific allocations for specific programs or activities. In addition, it was also clear that the monies would not be "divided up among provinces" but rather the First Nation portion, for example, would directly facilitate First Nation government capacity development in coordination with other governments.

Finally, the Conservative statement says that the Liberals have not budgeted for this expenditure. In fact, the full expenditure is budgeted within the Liberal plan as can be referenced in their platform released on Jan.11, 2006. Likewise, the New Democratic Party has identified how this money would be allocated within their plan. In contrast, when we examine the Conservative spending promises, there is not a single reference to spending for the implementation of the Kelowna agreement. This demonstrates to us that the only way the Conservatives could respect the Kelowna agreement would be to run a deficit.

First Nations have waited a very long time and have worked very hard on this agreement. It represents years of dedicated effort and waiting through expenditure and program review processes and at least three federal budgets until, finally, the First Nation agenda has made it onto Canada's agenda. Now it would appear that the Conservatives are saying that, if elected, First Nations would be at best sidelined and at worst, ignored. From reading your platform it appears that the Conservatives know what is best for us and will develop their own plan without our involvement. We had truly hoped that this approach - emblematic of Canada's disgraceful past colonial relationship with our peoples - was behind us. No one can design solutions for us.

It has never worked in the past and never will. Indeed, we continue to suffer the consequences of similar wrong- headed actions of the past. Solutions to our problems must be driven by our people, for our people. Real solutions must not only accept these fundamental principles of equality and respect, they must also embrace the moral, political and legal responsibilities of Canada to work with us to close the poverty gap between First Nations and Canadians. I urge you to reconsider your position with respect to First Nation issues and the fiscal plan articulated in your party platform.

At this time, we continue to review the entire Conservative platform. As other issues arise in reading and analyzing the platform, I will communicate these concerns to you directly.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Yours Truly,

Phil Fontaine
National Chief

-30-

For further information:
Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director,
(613) 241-6789 ext. 320 or cell (613) 292-2787;
Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer,
(613) 241-6789 ext. 336 or cell (613) 859-4335;
Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief,
(613) 241-6789 ext. 243 or cell (613) 298-6382

During the November, 2005 ICT training workshop at the Fort William First Nation community learning centre (click here to read the KNews story), six youth shared their stories about their community, their work and their experiences on camera. Cal Kenny, K-Net's Multi-media Coordinator, has now posted these online for others to watch and learn how these youth are making a difference in their communities.

Click on the person's name to watch the video clip (in Windows Media format - broadband connection recommended):

• Denise McKay from Deer Lake First Nation - 8 min
   
• Ashley Kowtiash from Rocky Bay First Nation - 8 min
   
• Jeff Mayers from Walpole Island First Nation - 7 min
   
• Ben Sabourin from Pic Mobert First Nation - 7 min
   
• Darren Nadjiwon-Elliott from Cape Croker First Nation - 7 min
   
• Duane Moonias from Neskantaga First Nation - 12:40 min

Angie Fiddler, who lives in the remote First Nation of Sandy Lake, is working with Keewaytinook Okimakanak is a the Coordinator of this youth employment and training project. This project is funded by Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program. Twenty-four youth, each located in their home First Nation across Ontario, are participating in this employment and training project.

As part of the training project, the ITE1 course from the Cisco Academy of Learning Training is being taught online by Angus Miles who lives in the remote First Nation of Sachigo Lake, with assistance from Aaaron Hardy, Fort William First Nation. Jesse Fiddler, who lives in Sandy Lake First Nation, is teaching the web site development portion of the training program with assistance from Cal Kenny (Lac Seul First Nation).

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority

“IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRST NATIONS TO DEVELOP FUTURE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS”

The Sioux Lookout Anishinabe District Health Plan:  What we have done and need to do ...

What is the District Health Plan?

The District Health Plan is a planning project funded by the Province of Ontario and Health Canada through March 31, 2006. The goal is to provide better access to coordinated health services.

What we have done

• Eighteen communities were visited between August and December 16, 2005. Each visit included a formal presentation about the District Health Plan, and a live radio show. 
• The Health Directors met in October 2005 to learn more about community health planning, and start the process for building the reinvestment plan.
• The Primary Healthcare Working Group is developing a system that enhances the access and services to everyone in our communities. The system is being built on our   traditions and culture, with a balance between supportive, promotive, preventive, and curative, and rehabilitative services. The plan is including what services are provided and where.
• Community leaders are receiving information as we complete each phase.

What needs to be done

A tight timeline lies ahead to complete the design and implementation plan. The work includes:

• Bringing the Health Directors and Primary Healthcare Working Group together, January 24, 25 & 26, 2006, to further develop the reinvestment plan, and review the first draft of the primary healthcare system.
   
• Chiefs Committee on Health meeting to review the plan and options for governance.
   
• Determining the financial and human resource requirements to make the system work.
   
• Meeting of the Chiefs in February to review the District Health Plan which includes the reinvestment plan.
   
• District Health Plan which will include the negotiation plan to be completed March 2006.

For more information contact the SLFNHA at 1-800-842-0681 and ask for the Communication Coordinators: Anna Mckay or Joe Beardy or email: anna.mckay@nodin.on.ca or joe.beardy@nodin.on.ca

Let's get EVERYONE out to vote this year!!

ALL voters in the KENORA RIDING can go to any of the ADVANCE POLLS today (January 13), Saturday (January 14) or Monday (January 16) in any of the following centres

• Sioux Lookout - the Recreation Centre
• Red Lake - the Heritage Centre
• Ear Falls - the Legion
• Ignace - Public Library
• Kenora - B.D.C. Building, 227 Second Street
• Dryden - 52 Van Horne Avenue

Advance polls are open from noon to 8 pm. If you are not presently on the voters list, you will need proof of identity - a photo id with your address will work (ie. a driver's licence).

Anyone can walk into either of the two ELECTIONS CANADA offices for this riding in Kenora (B.D.C. Building - 227 Second Street) and in Dryden at 52 Van Horne Avenue when they are open and vote, with proof of identity.

Click here to visit the Elections Canada web site for this riding.

Click here for more information about voting in this election.

Make sure you and everyone you know votes!

To find out how each of the federal political parties are promising to address each of the issues concerning Aboriginal people as presented by the Assembly of First Nations, visit the AFN web site at http://afn.ca/article.asp?id=2025

Other political updates from the AFN include:

• Assembly of First Nations National Chief Responds to Conflicting Statements by Conservative MPs Regarding First Ministers Meeting Agreements: Calls on Leader to Clarify Party Position
  January 11, 2006
   
• Assembly of First Nations National Chief Seeks Answers to Seven “Key Questions” from Federal Political Party Leaders: Seeking Response by Friday, January 6
  January 5, 2006

OTTAWA, Jan. 12 /CNW/ - Thirty-three national organizations today released a two-page declaration calling on the Federal government to preserve and promote basic telecommunications goals.

"Telecommunications performs an essential role in the maintenance of Canada's identity, sovereignty, social cohesion and economic health," the declaration reads.

The Declaration identifies specific principles and protections in the Telecommunications Act to be defended and promoted by the government, including consumer protection and improved access for rural communities and persons with disabilities.

"Regulating the telecommunications industry in Canada is essential to the economic health of many communities including rural communities which companies may feel are too expensive to service and to lower income people who can't afford access," says Michael Janigan, Executive Director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).

"The Declaration affirms grassroots support for these principles - which are under direct attack by large telecommunications companies. The Declaration is a direct response to the government's Telecommunications Policy Review presently underway," adds John Lawford, Counsel for PIAC.

"Canadians want to defend and strengthen the public interest in telecommunications, not weaken it."

The Declaration has been submitted to Hon. David Emerson, Minister of Industry and to the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC).

A pdf copy of the Declaration is at: http://www.piac.ca/TPRP_Declaration_Signed.pdf

For further information:
John Lawford, Counsel, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, (613) 562-4002 x25;
Michael Janigan, Executive Director and General Counsel, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, (613) 562-4002 x26

2nd Annual Mishkeegogamang Ladies Broomball Tournament.

Originally scheduled for February 4, 5 2006 has been rescheduled and will now take place on February 11 and 12, 2006

Entry Fee $1500.00

1st $10,000 Trophy

2nd $1500.00

3rd $500.00

For More Information

Contact Michael Bottle (807)928-2490

Destani Skunk   (807) 928-2881

Geordi Kakepetum, KO Executive Director, met with other members of his management team to review 2006 work plans, budgets and organization requirements. The January 11 meeting took place at the Best Western in Dryden.

In attendance at this meeting were:

• Cheryl Bechard, Executive Assistant, Balmertown
• Peter Campbell, Public Works Manager, Balmertown
• Brian Walmark, KORI Manager, Thunder Bay office
• Kevin Houghton, Acting Finance Manager and KOTH Manager, Balmertown
• Darrin Potter, KIHS Principal, Balmertown
• Jeannie Carpenter, K-Net Operations Manager, Sioux Lookout
• Brian Beaton, K-Net Coordinator, Sioux Lookout

Chief Raymond Mason from Keewaywin First Nation joined the meeting later in the afternoon.