First Nation leaders react with cautious optimism to government's speech from the throne
AFN press release ...
AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine expresses optimism about commitments to First Nations in Speech from the Throne
OTTAWA, Nov. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - National Chief Phil Fontaine expressed optimism about the federal government's commitments in yesterday's Speech from the Throne to ensure that First Nations will "fully share in economic opportunities" and that it will work with First Nations to improve education as an important priority.
"We heard yesterday that the Government of Canada will be fiscally responsible, but that it will not make families bear the cost of its restraint measures. This is significant to First Nations families because they will suffer the most from the severe economic global downturn, unless comprehensive plans are developed to sustain and improve First Nations economies and employment opportunities."
"It is projected there will be more than $200 billion worth of investments in new projects over the next ten years, with most of them occurring on First Nations lands and traditional territories. We are concerned that these projects could be at risk due to the current economic crisis. Nevertheless, we maintain that when government works with First Nations to support economic development and invest in our young and growing labour force, it will benefit our own communities and help sustain the Canadian economy through difficult times."
"We were also pleased to hear a strong commitment from Canada to work in partnership with First Nations to improve education for our children. This will require fair and equitable investments and substantive structural improvements to the education system. It is important for all children in Canada to get a fair start in life and our children deserve no less. We view the commitment made today by the federal government as another important step towards reconciling our relationship with Canada; a wish that was expressed in the moving Apology made by Prime Minister Harper to Survivors of Indian Residential Schools on June 11, 2008."
"While First Nations were only mentioned specifically once in the Speech from the Throne, there were a number of other areas mentioned that also impact First Nations, such as: health care, mental wellness, homelessness, the environment, public infrastructure and energy resource development. We look forward to further shaping and enhancing the policies of the federal government in these and other relevant areas."
"First Nations are eager to work with First Ministers to assist in the development of economic policies that will benefit Canada and First Nations and we want to fully participate at the next First Ministers Meeting in January. We will continue to work cooperatively with First Ministers to develop concrete action plans to address First Nations education and economic opportunities as we move towards the next First Ministers Meeting."
"In response to the call from the Council of the Federation meeting in July 2008, we also call on Prime Minister Harper to announce a date for the next First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues, which will address children, education, lifelong learning and closing the gap in quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians."
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.
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/For further information: Karyn Pugliese, A/Communications Director, Assembly of First Nations, Cell: (613) 292-1877/
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NAN press release ...
NAN urges government of Canada to work with First Nations to strengthen economy
THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 19 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy is urging the Government of Canada to work with First Nations to strengthen the Canadian economy after Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, delivered the Government's Speech from the Throne today.
"The downturn in the economy during this global economic crisis gives us a window of opportunity to work together to develop the capacity of NAN First Nations so we can build and enhance partnerships with resource industries such as mining and forestry that will allow us to share in share in economic opportunities in the future," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "The quality of life for First Nations is well below the mainstream, and the best way to resolve this is to take advantage of this economic slowdown and strengthen the ability of our communities to take advantage of opportunities that will arise as the economy recovers."
Major issues facing NAN communities include the high cost of living, high rates of unemployment, low educational outcomes, poor policing services, a housing and infrastructure crisis and a lack of access to quality health care.
Beardy was disappointed that no firm commitments were made in the throne speech to address these issues, but said NAN is ready to move forward with government-to-government relationships that will lay the foundation for a strong, healthy, and prosperous future for all Canadians.
"First Nations must be included in the recovery of the Canadian economy, and it is imperative that the glaring disparity between the standard of living in NAN communities and the rest of Canada is addressed," said Beardy. "We are hopeful we can make progress with the Government of Canada to implement rights for First Nations as guaranteed under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution."
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities within James Bay Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 territory - an area covering two-thirds of the province of Ontario.
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/For further information: Michael Heintzman, Media Relations Officer - Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 621-2790/