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NAN press release ...

NAN response to federal budget

     THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 27 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy expressed cautious optimism that federal funding for infrastructure improvements will begin to address the growing crisis faced by NAN First Nation communities following today's release of the Government of Canada's budget by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

     "We are encouraged by the Government of Canada's pledge to include First Nations in the recovery of the Canadian economy, and we hope that a good portion of the infrastructure funding will be directed to improving the quality of life in NAN First Nations," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy of budget's multi-billion-dollar economic stimulus package. "First Nations must be included in the recovery of the Canadian economy. We hope this brings immediate action on infrastructure improvements that will create jobs, build safer, healthier communities, and help NAN First Nations increase their access to quality education while strengthening local economies."

     Critical 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. Many people in NAN communities live in third world conditions, with unemployment soaring to around 85 per cent and the high cost of living causing never-before-seen levels of poverty and declining health.

     "Across the country, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginals alike are struggling with the effects of this economic downturn. The success of this budget will be determined not only by how it ensures economic security and personal health and safety, but by whether or not that security is equally distributed to all Canadians," said Beardy. "We hope this federal economic stimulus package will allow NAN First Nations to strengthen their ability to take advantage of economic opportunities that will arise as the economy recovers."

     Beardy remains hopeful that NAN can make progress with the Government of Canada to implement rights for First Nations as guaranteed under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution, and 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.

     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: Joyce Hunter, A/Director of Communications - Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 472-5638/

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AFN Press Release ...

AFN National Chief Says Federal Budget Fair on Infrastructure - But Needs to Do More for First Nations

     OTTAWA, Jan. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine stated that today's federal budget includes some positive measures for First Nations but needs to do much more to strengthen First Nations economies which, in turn, benefits all Canadians.

     "Today's federal budget provides a fair and helpful response in terms of First Nations infrastructure because we need to build houses and schools," National Chief Fontaine said. "But we also need to build First Nations skills and First Nations economies. This is where the budget falls far short. Without those investments, First Nations will fall further behind and be forever in need of fiscal stimulus. Building schools is not an end in itself. We want our students to graduate from those schools. We want our students to have the opportunities to fully participate in the economy and society."

     The National Chief stated that First Nations want to work with government on a comprehensive plan that lifts First Nations out of poverty and begins to level the playing field for First Nations. In the weeks leading up to the budget, the AFN set out a practical and reasonable First Nations economic stimulus plan that targeted investments in First Nations infrastructure, education and skills and a repayable loan fund for First Nations economic development and partnerships. The proposal received wide support at the January 15 meeting between Aboriginal leaders and First Ministers.

     "The infrastructure investments are welcome and necessary, as are the investments in health and child and family services. We also need to be assured that resources targeted for northern housing will be available for First Nations in those regions," the National Chief said. "We are disappointed, however, that there is no response to our calls for investments in education and the repayable loan fund. Investments in education would get more of our people working and help eliminate poverty. As well, our governments should have access to credit to spark their economies and develop partnerships with the private sector. Our request for the loan fund amounts to 0.5 percent of the $200 billion that this budget puts into the credit system. We believe our request was reasonable and we will continue to pursue it because it will benefit both First Nations and Canada."

     The National Chief noted that the AFN will continue to advocate with the political parties and all Canadians for a more comprehensive response to the First Nations economic stimulus package, and will continue to press for a long-term plan that addresses systemic problems that impede progress.

     "We will be working with all parties and all Canadians to obtain the adjustments needed to make this an effective budget for First Nations and Canada," the National Chief stated. "This is not a partisan issue. This is a Canadian issue."

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

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/For further information: Don Kelly, A/Communications Director, Assembly of First Nations, (613) 241-6789 ext. 334, cell: (613) 292-2787, dkelly@afn.ca; Gina Cosentino, Government Relations, National Chief's Office, Assembly of First Nations, (613) 241-6789 ext 356, gcosentino@afn.ca/

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From The Globe and Mail

Aboriginal spending tops $1.4-billion

January 27, 2009

OTTAWA — The federal Conservatives will spend an extra $1.4-billion on aboriginal issues – mostly to help Canada's impoverished reserves – as native concerns are addressed in a wide range of budget items covering everything from seaports to railways.

Aboriginal leaders, accustomed over many years to budget-day disappointment, were hopeful that a summit this month with Prime Minister Stephen Harper would see their issues addressed.

They welcomed the new spending Tuesday, but expressed concern about the details.

The list of new aboriginal spending includes:

* $200-million to support aboriginal skills and training;

* $400-million to address native housing on reserves;

* $515-million to support urgent infrastructure projects on reserves, such as school construction, drinking water and policing;

* $325-million for partnerships with aboriginal organizations and provincial and territorial governments to deliver First Nations and Inuit Health programs and Child and Family Services;

* $250-million for all Canadians living in the North, which will benefit aboriginals ($200-million over two years for the territories for new housing and $50-million for a new regional economic development agency for the North);

* $7.9-million for two native railways: the Keewatin Railway Co. in Manitoba and Tshiuetin Rail Transportation in Quebec and Labrador.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine praised the new money for schools, housing and health but said his ultimate reaction to the budget is mixed.

“This is going to help a number of communities, and education is a major priority for us,” he said. “We're in crisis and it appears we're going to be able to build some badly needed houses.”

Mr. Fontaine expressed disappointment that Ottawa did not support a proposal to help native businesses access loans with a $1-billion repayable fund.

The president of Canada's Inuit organization, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, also offered a mixed reaction.

Mary Simon said the Inuit welcome money to consult aboriginals on the Mackenzie Valley pipeline and funding toward harbour improvements in the Baffin Island community of Pangnirtung. However, Ms. Simon said, the budget for a new northern development region is “modest” and will not help all regions where Inuit live.

The Conservative government was heavily criticized for refusing to commit to the 2005 Kelowna accord signed by Liberal prime minister Paul Martin, which promised $5-billion over five years in new aboriginal spending.

But according to a line in Budget 2009, the government now suggests it has exceeded the targets outlined in Kelowna: “These investments bring the amount of new funding that this government has announced for Aboriginal Canadians since 2006 to almost $6.3-billion.”

Officials confirmed the $6.3-billion figure includes the roughly $2-billion Common Experience Payment for former students of Indian residential schools, which was not contemplated as part of the Kelowna accord.