FIrst Nation leaders from across Nishnawbe Aski Nation conclude meeting in Timmins
First Nation leaders tackle tough issues
Posted By CHELSEY ROMAIN
March 13, 2009
After three days of intense debate and discussion, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy is confident First Nation communities will move forward.
Between 50 and 70 resolutions were expected to be passed by the end of the three-day annual Winter Chiefs Assembly in Timmins on Thursday afternoon.
It's a high number, but he said it's a good sign.
"In order to have a resolution, people have to be able to come together on a common objective on different issues," Beardy told The Daily Press. "We're talking about 49 chiefs from two-thirds of the province -- diversity is huge -- but the fact that they are able to agree on a direction on key issues is an achievement in itself."
The chiefs met with several guest speakers, including provincial ministers and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
In passing so many resolutions, Beardy said it was a good indication that the goal of the assembly was achieved.
"The directions the chiefs are providing NAN executives are pretty clear," said Beardy. "We've had great debate the last few days and we were able to come up with positions on how to proceed on various issues."
In the case of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, Beardy said the chiefs are saying they are willing to work with both the federal and provincial governments to improve services.
A meeting with Emergency Management Ontario ensured that First Nation communities will have input on improvements at dealing with crisis situations, such as flooding evacuations. Beardy said most communities are already practising what was presented.
"The whole focus of our discussions was developing relationships," Beardy said. "The whole idea is to reach a political understanding so that when their officials sit down with our officials, we already have a common understanding on how we will work together.
"People here today have immediate and long term needs, they have challenges and opportunities and in spite of the vast differences we have in interpretations, we still need to find a way to work together."
When Treaty No. 9 was signed more than 100 years ago, Beardy said it was decided the First Nation people and the government would co-exist peacefully. It meant sharing responsibility, natural resources and wealth.
More than a century later, the fight continues for many of the promised benefits.
"We were left on reservations for 100 years and removed from mainstream, and we're just starting to come out of that," Beardy said. "More and more of our people are being educated and we have universal rights just like everyone else."
Another Chiefs Assembly is planned for later this year.
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NAN women seek more power - Traditional roles have changed
Posted By Chesley Romain
March 12, 2009
First Nations women are working to regain their voices within their communities.
About five years ago, a women’s council was formed as part of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN). The purpose of the council is to help women find the confidence to become stronger members of their communities.
NAN Deputy Grand Chief Rose Anne Archibald may not sit on the council, but said its work has been invaluable. The 10 members from across the territory act as an advisory council to the NAN executive.
Archibald said one of the council’s biggest projects is a women’s development project, which is offered in all 49 NAN communities.
“We want to see the fruits of that project,” Archibald said. “We want to see more women running for council in their community.”
Archibald said currently about 30 per cent of leaders within NAN are women, which includes nine chiefs and a handful of deputy chiefs.
“Our goal is to have 50 per cent of leaders of NAN be women to represent that half of the population,” she said. “We want to build up women, empower them and help them move in that direction.”
Others also hope to see more women Elders.
Council spokeswoman Jackie Fletcher of Missinabie Cree First Nation said the council includes reps from both the west and east sides of the territory. Since 2004, the council has conducted week-long workshops in NAN communities to help motivate First Nation women to realize their potential.
“It’s been such an eye opener,” Fletcher said. “I’ve been to 11 communities so far, and so many women have lost their voice.
“They used to be the matriarch of the family, the hub of the wheel, but they’ve lost that and we need to try and get them back.”
Theresa Sutherland of Fort Albany said the council first tries to make the women comfortable through activities and speaking in their first language. Affirmation exercises help the women learn about all the positive things others see in them.
“We focus on goal setting within the community, and the positive aspects,” said council member Donna Orr, of Constance Lake First Nation. “We focus on their strengths because sometimes they don’t realize they had them.”
Fletcher tells of one woman in Fort Albany who was nervous about running in her community’s election. Before attending the workshop, Fletcher said she was shy and nervous. In the end, the woman was successful in her bid to become deputy chief.
“She said after the workshop she felt empowered and confident enough to run for the position,” Fletcher said.
The council has also examined why many women lost their roles in the community. Fletcher said it has to do with being placed on reservations so many years ago and the lingering effects from residential schools.
“Kids were taken away from their families and the women’s roles were gone,” she said. “The effects are still felt down the line and it’s going to take awhile for it to get better.”
She said, over the years, women have become stronger. They have realized what happened and the need for change.
Some of that change will come with the young women of the community.
Esther McKay of Bearskin Lake First Nation is the liaison between the women’s council and the youth council. A university student studying social work, McKay, and others like her, could be the link to ensure these ideas and workshops continue in the future.
“Statistics show that 68 per cent of Aboriginal people in Canada are under 29,” said McKay.
“But most of the chiefs are all older men, and youth are not represented. I want to show that you can go to school and achieve your dreams as well.”
She added that working with the women’s council has been the most exhilarating experience of her life.
Rebecca Friday is a former deputy chief of Kashechewan. She said as the council women become Elders, the younger women have to find that balance of new education and cultural history and beliefs.
The council’s third-annual women’s conference will take place in Thunder Bay from March 23-25. The theme is “Moving Forward,” with a focus on the positive happenings within the communities. Elections for the women’s council will also take place.
For more information, visit the website www.nan.on.ca or call 1-800-465-9952.