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AFN Communiqué from National Chief Shawn Atleo

MARCH 2011

The Assembly of First Nations issues regular updates on the National Chief’s activities and work underway at the national office. More information can be found on the AFN’s website at www.afn.ca

2011 Federal Budget

The 2011 federal budget, issued March 22, was a huge disappointment for First Nations. Despite significant efforts by First Nations at advocating and working with the federal government on education,water, infrastructure, housing, health care, the environment and so many other areas, the federal government virtually ignored the needs of First Nations in this budget.

First Nations are not satisfied simply because our funding was not cut further. First Nations are among the most vulnerable populations in Canada – the status quo is not acceptable. First Nations are a vital part of Canada's future and, to realize the full potential of our contributions, future investments are required. Budget 2011 underscores the important need to fundamentally transform the relationship. For decades,we have advocated strongly and effectively. Even with allocations like the $900 million in the previous 2010 budget, these short-term investments are fleeting and do not create a sustainable future for ourpeople.

What is required is a renewed relationship. True vision is required to achieve true change.

This failure was not ours. The fact that all three opposition parties are voting against the budget is evidence that the federal government needs to recalibrate its priorities so they reflect the priorities of Canadians and First Nations. We face a number of pressing needs. Education, clean water, infrastructure and community safety are just a few of our immediate priorities. A renewed relationship between the federal government and First Nations is the first critical step to address these challenges.

The renewed relationship must be based on our original relationships and our rights. Treaties we reentered into as enduring agreements to make both parties stronger, and they had a clear economic dimension. This is the basis of a new vision needed right now from our counterparts in the federal government and from all of Canada. Just as our “Call to Action” on First Nation education was a call to everyone, this too is a call to all Canadians - to the public and private sectors and to institutions and organizations.

Canadians are consistently told that First Nation communities receive ample resources in this country, butthe reality is that in 2010 First Nation communities received less than half the funding given to non-First Nations communities to provide basic services for their citizens ($8,754 compared to $18,724 - see chartbelow). This budget will increase, not decrease, this gap as sustainable, fiscal guarantees continue to be available for the rest of Canada, but not to our people. This cuts against the basic principles of fairness and equity, to say nothing of violations to our inherent rights and Treaty rights.

The outcomes from this chronic lack of funding are real; they continue to be harmful and unacceptable.Canadians have an 87% high school completion rate compared to only 49% for First Nations. National rates of tuberculosis among First Nation peoples are 31 times higher than the Canadian average, a shocking figure for a developed country. We see dramatically increasing rates of incarceration among our people, including an increase of 74% over five years for First Nations women. Approximately 114 First Nation communities are under Boil Water Advisories. The First Nations infant mortality rate is twice as high as the Canadian average and underscores that this is indeed a matter of life and death. This list goes on and on, and we have been pointing to these startling statistics for decades. We will continue to strengthen our voice and demand action for fundamental change.

First Nations are well aware that money alone will not solve all of these challenges but, at the same time,it is certain that the chronic underfunding of First Nations has led to these conditions.

A federal election provides us all with an opportunity to make our case, explain our agenda, shine a light on the urgent needs of First Nations, and hear the political parties describe how they will partner and support First Nations as we move forward together in this journey.

The Assembly of First Nations will work actively to seek specific commitments from all federal parties.We will prepare a survey for every party to complete with clear questions – please forward your ideas and suggestions. First Nations across Canada need to unite to ensure the urgent and pressing needs of our communities and citizens are heard, understood and addressed.

Kleco, Kleco!