First Nation chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation discusss land use with Aboriginal Affairs minister
Land use tops NAN talks in Timmins; New Aboriginal affairs minister in attendance for discussions
Michael Peeling - Nov 13, 2007
Ontario's first dedicated Minister of Aboriginal Affairs meets with the community leaders of Nishnawbe Aski Nation today in Timmins at an annual gathering to discuss the future of Native issues in Northern Ontario.
Michael Bryant will be in attendance for the Northern Table, a three-day series of meetings of First Nations, provincial government and federal government leaders. He was invited by NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy on the occasion of his swearing in as minister.
NAN's lands make up about two-thirds of the province, all of which is in the North, and is home to 49 First Nations.
The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs was presided over by David Ramsay, who took on the responsibility in addition to the Ministry of Natural Resources, for a brief time until the Oct. 10 provincial election. However, he was excluded in Premier Dalton McGuinty's newest cabinet.
NDP leader Howard Hampton criticized Ramsay's dual role because he believed it presented a conflict of interest. Bryant said the real motivation for the creation of a stand-alone ministry was one of the many recommendations made in the report from the Ipperwash Inquiry, a proceeding which sought answers for why a southwestern Ontario land claim dispute resulted in the death of Native protester Dudley George.
Bryant is very familiar with the report because he commissioned it in his former role as Minister of the Attorney General.
"The idea of having a member of the cabinet solely responsible for Aboriginal affairs has been around for some time," Bryant told The Daily Press.
"It was in the Ipperwash report and I totally agree with the recommendation. Aboriginal affairs need full-time attention. Premier McGuinty has put Aboriginal affairs on the front burner.
"That shows me there is political will to resolve Aboriginal issues."
Being so new to the job, Bryant didn't go into detail about the issues he plans on addressing at the meetings. He said he plans on doing more learning about the issues and listening to the leaders' concerns than talking.
Beardy said many of the issues up for discussion have origins in James Bay Treaty 9 and 5, signed more than100 years ago. The focus of the agreements was to live peacefully and share the lands' natural resources.
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McGuinty Government Seeks Practical Solutions in Meeting with Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs
November 13, 2007
New Aboriginal Affairs Minister Goes To Northern Ontario For First Meeting
TIMMINS – Michael Bryant, Ontario’s new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, says seeking practical solutions to long-standing problems are his focus as he met with Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) chiefs at his first meeting with Aboriginal leaders since his appointment October 30.
“I’m here to listen, to learn and to seek practical solutions,” said Bryant. “I’m meeting old friends and making new friends. I couldn’t be more pleased to be here.”
Bryant said Grand Chief Stan Beardy personally congratulated him on his appointment minutes after the cabinet swearing-in ceremony at Queen's Park on October 30 and at the same time invited him to visit the NAN chiefs meeting.
“I was honoured by Grand Chief Beardy’s invitation and I accepted on the spot,” Bryant said. “I am looking forward to working closely with Grand Chief Beardy and the NAN chiefs of the Northern Table and finding practical solutions that benefit everyone.”
Nishnawbe Aski Nation chiefs, in partnership with the Ontario government, established the Northern Table in April 2007. The aim is to bring about greater environmentally sustainable socio-economic benefits for all residents of Northern Ontario.
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Contacts:
Michah Rynor
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
Communications Branch
(416) 314-7417
Greg Crone
Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs
Minister’s Office
(416) 606-8562