AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo gives an impressive and emotional opening address to the chiefs at their annual assembly .... 

WATCH IT HERE ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5ThyvYtkLs

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From the Montreal Gazette

First Nations demand a role in education reform, energy development 

 BY MARK KENNEDY, POSTMEDIA NEWS DECEMBER 10, 2013 

OTTAWA - Canada's First Nations chiefs vowed Tuesday to stand firm against government laws and policies - from education reform to energy sector development - unless the changes are properly designed to reflect the views of indigenous peoples.

The message came at a special meeting of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), where chiefs are discussing a range of key issues that face their communities.

Among their concerns are the lack of treaty implementation, a federal plan to reform First Nations education, west-coast oil pipeline proposals, and the federal government's refusal to strike a public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Throughout the day, chiefs spoke of how they want to work with governments to make progress in all of those areas, but will not accept changes that are imposed on First Nations.

AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo, who was in South Africa to attend the memorial for Nelson Mandela, delivered those key messages in a pre-taped video speech played to the gathering.

"We are piercing the nation's consciousness and making governments, industry and citizens realize that we are a force to be reckoned with," said Atleo.

"We will resist and fight damaging policies and damaging laws that threaten our people, our rights and our way of life.

"And real leadership means not only pushing back but also pressing forward. We must lead the way, articulate our solutions and drive the change we want to see."

Atleo said there is a growing recognition, "sometimes fear," that First Nations are key players in the country's economy. He drew chiefs' attention to the recent report by Douglas Eyford, the prime minister's envoy to First Nations on western energy projects, who concluded there has not been sufficient "dialogue" with aboriginal communities.

"We are at critical juncture in our relationship with Canada," said Atleo.

"We have been very clear in all areas: We are not anti-development, but we are not for development at any cost. Any development must be responsible, sustainable, and we must be key partners."

Another flash point on the aboriginal agenda is a planned federal bill to improve First Nations education. It would set standards and promise stable funding - but only through regulation at a later date, once the reforms are under way.

First Nations want improvement to their schools, but Atleo has said the government's plan is "unacceptable" because it fails to, in part, protect indigenous language and culture and guarantee sufficient funding.

Two weeks ago, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt suggested the government might walk away from its plan if it can't get First Nations support.

In a written statement Tuesday, he said the reforms are "long overdue."

"While we have an enormous challenge ahead of us, it is not insurmountable," said Valcourt. "But we will not be able to advance legislation without support from First Nations."

He promised more consultations to develop a system that "guarantees" minimum standards, "respects" First Nation language and culture, provides "stable, predictable and sustainable funding", and gives First Nations control of their education.

Once that is done, the government will make a decision on "whether to introduce legislation," said Valcourt.

Also Tuesday, Atleo urged chiefs to stay united. In the past year, cracks have formed.

In January, at the height of the Idle No More protests, some chiefs refused to join Atleo in a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Later, some, such as Manitoba Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, explored the possibility of establishing a National Treaty Alliance as an alternative to the AFN to deal with the  government on treaties.

Atleo said First Nations leaders don't need to "march in lockstep" on every issue, and supports different approaches on how to advance treaty rights.

But he stressed the chiefs must pull together on common objectives.

"I don't believe in fighting with each other. Division allows governments to ignore us. The elders remind us that the colonizer loves nothing more than when we fight amongst ourselves. "