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from  the Canadian Press ... JUDY MONCHUK

CALGARY (CP) - Canada's premiers agreed Tuesday to support a 10-year plan that aims to eliminate aboriginal poverty and right historic wrongs.

"The gap that exists between aboriginal Canadians, First Nations and the general public is something we should all be ashamed of", B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said Tuesday after the premiers met with aboriginal leaders. Campbell, who will help draft the agenda for a first ministers meeting on native issues in the fall, said the changes will not come overnight.

"That plan should be created by the aboriginal leadership to lay out a plan for us that we can commit to and act on," he said. "The federal government will have to be part of that solution as provinces are already."

Native leaders wanted the leaders of the provinces and territories to support the ambitious plan, which was presented to Ottawa in June. It will address health care, housing, economic development and forging a new relationship between Canada's aboriginal peoples and the different levels of government.

The premiers met with aboriginal leaders in Calgary before their annual gathering, which begins in Banff on Wednesday.

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was thrilled with the endorsement.

"We'd like to see those changes happen yesterday, but if we can keep what we agreed to (Tuesday) as the starting point of this new relationship and a commitment to closing the gap, we'll be happy," said Fontaine.

"When we meet again in the fall, we won't spend our time debating the utility of such a commitment."

Living conditions in Canada's aboriginal communities ranked 63rd in a recent United Nations report, while Canada overall ranked third.

"I don't think we're going to get much argument that too many First Nations communities live in Third-World conditions," said Fontaine.

Ontario's Dalton McGuinty said it's important that the deal calls for concrete steps to change those conditions.

"We've decided collectively we want to move the yardstick forward," said McGuinty. "It talks about a 10-year timeline where we establish indicators to show Canadians that things are getting better, not in some academic, esoteric manner."

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said there are critical health issues that must be addressed, noting that in his province, six aboriginal people each day are diagnosed with diabetes. That's three times higher than the rest of the population.

Doer said it's time to focus on prevention and getting treatment for aboriginals in their own communities as much as possible.

Numerous studies have shown that aboriginals are at higher risk for various diseases and that their overall health is poorer than other Canadians.

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who is hosting the premiers meeting, said it's also important for the federal government to live up to its commitment to cover aboriginal health for those who live off reserve.

And while no price tag has been assessed for reforms, Ottawa's projected surplus of $8 billion means there is money available.

"We're not suggesting the entire surplus be directed to our issues, we just want a fair share of the resources," said Fontaine.

P.E.I. Premier Pat Binns said improving the situation for aboriginals will benefit the entire country.

"In Atlantic Canada, we know that a rising tide raises all boats," said Binns. "If we can raise the prosperity level of native people, we'll all be better off."

Click here to read the CBC on-line coverage of this story

Click here for the AFN press release and position on this issue.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Calls on Premiers to Work With First Nations to “Close the Gap” in Quality of Life During Council of the Federation Discussions

Today in Calgary, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine called on provincial and territorial leaders to address First Nations issues as part of an effort to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and the rest of Canada. He issued the call at a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers and national Aboriginal leaders prior to the Council of the Federation meeting in Banff, Alberta.

“We have had a very positive and constructive dialogue with the Premiers and territorial leaders. They are recognizing that our approach is one of constructive engagement: we are presenting concrete proposals and options to address the issues that we raise,” stated the National Chief. “Simply put, we want to close the gap between ourselves and other Canadians and to enjoy the same quality of life and opportunity.”

The National Chief reiterated his calls to set a 10 year goal to “close the gap” in the quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians; establish an ongoing political relationship by convening a series of First Ministers’ Meetings to adequately address all health determinants, which includes housing, education and economic development and self-determination; and adding economic development to the First Ministers’ Meetings agenda, given its importance in improving socio-economic outcomes. He first issued the challenge at a meeting with federal, provincial and territorial ministers of Aboriginal affairs in June.

The National Chief also called for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to address First Nations priorities by integrating or coordinating government programming and services under increased First Nation control, with comprehensive models for financing services to First Nations people, including those living away from their communities.

“Focusing exclusively on 3 or 4 health determinants will not be sufficient to close the gap,” said the National Chief. “In our model, we have identified 14 key determinants that affect our overall health and well-being, including education, employment, justice, language and lands, in addition to the ones I have already mentioned. Here in Western Canada, we are already seeing pressure on the skilled and educated workforce. The First Nations population is young and growing and represents the workforce of Canada’s future. Here is an example of a shared priority that benefits both First Nations and Canada.”

The National Chief proclaimed his commitment to working with provincial and territorial premiers and governments to find solutions that will benefit First Nations and all Canadians.

“Provincial and territorial roles and agreements are especially important now, given that federal discussions are already underway,” said the National Chief. “We are keen to work with the provinces and territories to develop better relationships in order to work strategically with other governments. We enter this new millennium with a view of one another not as obstacles to progress, but as allies in partnership. We can work towards a new future and a new era of productivity and prosperity.”

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

Contacts:

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