Media.Knet.Ca

Monitoring tools for observing the northern polar regions is now available online at http://www.polarview.org (at the top select one of the SERVICES available)

Federal government press release ...

Unique Canadian Satellite Project Contributes to International Polar Year

OTTAWA, Feb. 20 - As International Polar Year (IPY) kicks off on March 1, 2007, a new Canadian project will make a significant contribution to the IPY objective of better understanding polar regions. Polar View, funded in part by the Canadian Space Agency, offers a unique satellite-based service designed to help Canadians identify the impacts of environmental/ human pressures and guide appropriate responses.

Using remote sensing technology, data about ice and snow conditions is gathered and analyzed by an experienced network of experts. Detailed information is then delivered, around-the-clock, to a diverse group of over 40 international users. These include government agencies, research institutes, commercial interests and northern residents.

Polar View's ice information service is being particularly well received in communities such as Pond Inlet on Baffin Island. Inuit hunters and travelers are able to go into the local Parks Canada office and view the latest ice and snow conditions. They can easily locate the changing ice edge and thin ice.

The mayor of Pond Inlet, David Qamaniq, says that that the Polar View information is critical for making travel plans in the north. "Polar View information is very important to us. The elders tell us that it's much harder to predict the ice conditions as well as the weather," said Qamaniq. "There have been a couple of accidents, a couple of hunters went through the ice because they didn't know where the thin ice was."

Polar View services are currently offered free of charge. Most are available in near-real time and easily accessible via the Internet.

"Having this sort of monitoring system is essential if we are going to be able to make the right decisions about environment, security and climate in the future," said Thomas Puestow, Polar View's manager.

Earth observation technologies have long been used to monitor the earth's weather conditions. But this is the first time services have been offered comprehensively by a network of the world's leading cryospheric remote-sensing experts. Polar View service providers are located in nine countries with a management team in each significant polar region - North America, Antarctic, Euro-Arctic and the Baltic. Services can be customized to meet user's needs.

Polar View's contribution to IPY is in collaboration with the world's national ice services. The project, called Polar View: Polar Information Centre (IPY Activity ID 372) will build on the Polar View network and infrastructure. A dedicated web portal will be developed in conjunction with the International Ice Charting Working Group to distribute sea ice information to IPY investigators. Polar View will also offer its integrated monitoring and forecasting services to support scientific expeditions and national science programs operating in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Detailed information, a full list of team members, high-resolution photos and video clips are available for download at www.polarview.org

For further information: Thomas Puestow, Project Manager, St. John's, NFLD, (709) 737-2586, Thomas.Puestow@polarview.org;. International Organization Enquiries: David Arthurs, Ottawa, ON, (613) 237-2220 ext 331, David.Arthurs@polarview.org;. General Enquiries: Christine Havey, Ottawa,ON, (613) 237-2220 ext 321, info@polarview.org.

A workshop, hosted by the Sioux Lookout Ministry of Northern Development and Mines team on February 21 brought together funding program representatives from across the region. Presentations about each of their programs that described their priorities and requirements gave Sioux Lookout organizations the information they required to determine how to access these resources. Informal networking between the organizations and the funding program representatives was an important component of the workshop.

A proposal writing presentation was given on Tuesday evening before the funding program presentations on Wednesday.

Economic Development Program Funders' Forum Presentations included:

• Florence Bailey (Sioux Lookout), Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Regional Economic Development Branch / Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation
• Mike Dunlop (Thunder Bay), Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Northern Communities Investment Readiness
• Bob Sandgren (Sioux Lookout), Service Ontario - Government Information Services
• Maureen Brophy (Thunder Bay), Trillum Foundation
• John Gillon (Dryden), Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, Employment Ontario
• Diane Martin (Sioux Lookout), Sioux-Hudson Employment Services
• Laurie Moyer (Sioux Lookout), Regional Services Branch, Ministries of Citizenship & Immigration, Culture, Sports and Recreation
• Kathryn Marino (Thunder Bay), FedNor
• Doug Pronger (Dryden), Patricia Area Community Endeavours (PACE), Community Development Programs
• Shannon McKee (Dryden), PACE, Business Development Coordinator
• Jim Dayman (Dryden), PACE, Self Employment Benefits (PACE)
• Abby McKenzie (Sioux Lookout), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

From the Toronto Star - http://www.thestar.com/article/184016

Poor called key to filling jobs - New labour pools urged in Canada to fill tomorrow's jobs, and support boomers: Report - Feb 21, 2007 - Louise Brown, Education Reporter

They are the Canadians most often forgotten – aboriginal youth, the poor, the uneducated – yet a new report says they hold the key to this country's economic future and could even provide a surprise labour pool to support baby boomers in their old age.

From carpenters to climate experts, Canada needs more educated workers to fuel our economy and compete in the world, concludes the report by The Canada Millenium Scholarship Foundation, to be released today. But given a falling birth rate, sweeping retirements and the fact two-thirds of middle-income kids already flock to college and university, Canada must tap a new source of educated workers from among those least likely to pursue higher learning: low-income students, aboriginal teens and youth whose parents never went beyond high school, said the report by the federally funded research body.

For the complex jobs of the future, these groups hold the key – despite the often staggering roadblocks they face to learning, said policy analyst Joseph Berger, co-author of the study, called "Why Access Matters."

"Nearly 70 per cent of all new jobs will require some level of post-secondary education. But only 53 per cent of Canadians graduate from college or university, so we've got a gap that needs to be addressed," said Berger.

That's exactly the problem Canada's business gurus tackled yesterday as Microsoft chair Bill Gates addressed the annual Can?Win conference in Ottawa on the topic, "Competing to Win in the Global Economy – Creating a Skilled Workforce to drive Economic Prosperity."

"This is the whole theme everyone's facing – how to move from an economy which didn't have enough jobs for everyone, to one in which we will not have enough people to do all the jobs," said David Stewart-Patterson, executive vice-president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. The council represents the heads of Canada's 150 largest firms.

"We know access to education is a huge part of the answer, not only for the economy, but for social equity. We can't afford to waste a single mind we have in this country."

The report noted that more workers will be needed to support those on pension as Canada's working-age population shrinks and the ranks of seniors grow.

Yet while Canada has led most developed nations for years with our level of post-secondary education, today's report cautions this growth rate has stalled at about 4 per cent per year over the past decade. Other nations are catching up, including Australia (which has grown by 28 per cent), Korea (up 59 per cent), Great Britain (24 per cent) and even tiny Iceland, where post-secondary enrolment has almost doubled.

"Canada needs to grow more people with higher education to remain competitive. But in order to do this, we have to encourage more of those people who are under-represented – and they're the hardest ones to encourage because of the barriers they face," said Berger in an interview.

The report echoes business leaders' growing alarm about Canada's looming shortage of qualified workers, from auditors to auto mechanics – a shortage acknowledged by federal finance minister Jim Flaherty in his last financial statement.

Canada is a leader in overall post-secondary education. But this is driven largely by our robust college systems and not by university achievement, where we stand sixth among developed countries.

Moreover, as Canada's young aboriginal population grows faster than any other group in the country, there is growing pressure to reduce their dropout rate and encourage post-secondary learning, said the report.

Provinces such as Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, with their booming ranks of aboriginal children, must improve levels of native education, not only for the students' benefit, but also for the good of the provincial economies and ultimately, Canada's prosperity.

Only about 28 per cent of Canada's aboriginal youth enrol in college or university by age 20, compared to 60 per cent of non-aboriginal youth, said the report. By age 24, about 40 per cent have enrolled in some form of higher education, compared to 68 per cent of non-aboriginal adults at the same age.

But before boosting the number of First Nations students going to college and university, you must help more of them graduate from high school by tackling the estimated 58 per cent dropout rate on First Nations reserves – a dropout rate twice that of the population at large.

Similarly, a recent Statistics Canada study released earlier this month showed low-income students are less likely to go to university partly because they do worse on their high school report cards and literacy tests. This suggests it's a longer-term problem to resolve.

Chiefs of Ontario press release ...

First Nations in Ontario not participating in the federal government consultation process on Matrimonial Real Property on reserves

    TORONTO, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - "There is no doubt that Matrimonial Real
Property on reserves is an important issue that needs to be addressed," stated
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. He further acknowledged there is a
legislative gap that exists creating unfair situations that must be remedied.

    Regional Chief Toulouse stated that "we have made it clear to the federal
government that First Nations in Ontario have not, and will not, participate
in the current consultation process being imposed by the federal government as
it is too rushed and is not reflective of the time required to address the
complex issues related to MRP on reserves, nor is it proper consultation
according to the law." In November 2006, the Chiefs in Ontario passed a
resolution indicating their opposition to the current consultation process.
This resolution also called for the process to be "stopped and restructured."

    "First Nations have expressed their concerns that the issue of MRP on
reserves is complex and will impact on First Nations collective rights,
including land rights. This is not an issue that can be addressed without a
thorough examination of the many issues, including a review of the potential
implications of each option," stated Grand Chief Denise Stonefish, who is
chairing a working group for the First Nations in Ontario with regards to MRP.

    "I want to be as clear as I possibly can on this matter - First Nations
leaders in Ontario support addressing this issue but are seeking to enter into
discussions with Minister Prentice, on behalf of the government of Canada, to
develop a fair and meaningful consultation process." The Regional Chief
indicated that to date, the Minister has refused to meet with First Nations
leadership in Ontario with regard to MRP.

    The Regional Chief pointed out that there are First Nations in Ontario
that have developed their own MRP by-laws but that these are not recognized by
the federal government. "First Nations must have the autonomy and jurisdiction
to develop their own laws. This is a principle tenet of the right of
self-government," said Regional Chief Toulouse.

    By opposing the current consultation process, "First Nations leadership
are being unfairly characterized as opposing human rights for their citizens,
when what they are trying to do, and in fact mandated to do, is protect
against the further erosion of First Nation collective rights," said the
Regional Chief. He added that First Nations in Ontario will continue to seek a
meeting with Minister Prentice in an effort to establish a process that is
reflective of the concerns and priorities of First Nations, while at the same
time ensuring that the mechanisms are in place to enhance the protection of
human rights for every First Nation citizen.

For further information: Kathleen Pilcher, Chiefs of Ontario Political
Office, (807) 626-9339

Members of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak team, lead by Darlene Rae, worked with Manitoba's First Nations SchoolNet team to host a two hour video conference with First Nation youth from across Ontario and Manitoba.

The video conference was held yesterday afternoon, February 20. The gathering was web streamed and archived and is available for viewing online at http://webcast.knet.ca/events (on Page 4 under FNS Ont_Man Youth Conference). Please Note: viewers do require the codec for displaying these videos that will pop-up when you click on the video.

Youth presenters spoke about their work in their First Nations in supporting the introduction and development of local ICT networks and applications. Some of the presentations included:

• Jesse Fiddler / Curtis Drake – Sandy Lake First Nation – Demonstration on line training
• Ryan Kemash (Manitoba FNS Helpdesk) - Online support using Messenger
• Christopher Foltz / Lisabeth Boissoneau – Garden River First Nation - the importance of ICTs in their community
• Andrew Wavey – Fox Lake - Former Youth Intern Success Story
• Derek Kanate – North Caribou Lake First Nation – Nov 2006 Youth Training session in Sioux Lookout
• Richard Debassige - M'Chigeeng First Nation - A video tour of my community
• Shauna Spence / Angeline Nelson - Orientation and Training Session June/July 2006 for Manitoba youth
• Terry Moreau (Lac Seul) / Franz Seibel – Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute Youth Employment placement
• Beverly Endanawas – Sheshegwaning First Nation - setting up and using the video conferencing equipment
• Chris Guimond – Sagkeeng & Andrew Wavey – Fox Lake - Broadband Connectivity and the Community
• Cal Kenny – Lac Seul First Nation – Video Production and online multi-media training
• Jason Bruyere, Desmond Blacksmith - Community Contribution, Employment Enhancement and Opportunities

The Canadian government is responding to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) concerning their treatment of First Nation land claims and other discrimination issues affecting Aboriginal people across the country. Several First Nation groups are also involved in these hearings.

First Nations Leadership Council press release ...

Canada Violating International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

First Nations Leadership Council Joins Other Indigenous Peoples in Accusing Canada of Violating the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination - February 20, 2007

Coast Salish Traditional Territory/Vancouver, BC – The First Nations Leadership Council has sent a submission in response to Canada’s report to the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Canada’s report will be heard by CERD in Geneva, Switzerland on February 20-21, 2007.

Indigenous Peoples' submissions will be considered along with the Canadian Government's report when CERD begins its review of Canada on Tuesday February 20th, 2007.

The First Nations Leadership Council submission takes exception with Canada’s assertions that it is a champion of human rights in Canada and elsewhere in the world.

“Indigenous peoples in Canada know the true story. Canada has a long history of denial of Aboriginal Title and Rights in this country”, said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit Political Executive and the First Nations Leadership Council.

“We have clearly illustrated in our submission to CERD that Canada has a longstanding policy of denying the existence of Aboriginal Title and Rights which has continually forced Aboriginal people in this country to resort to judicial processes to have the recognition and implementation of their rights legally affirmed”, added Chief John.

“Despite the fact that Section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act (1982) recognizes and affirms aboriginal and treaty rights, Canada as a matter of policy, systematically and continuously denies and rejects the very existence of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous rights to lands, territories and resources as well as Indigenous rights and authorities to self government,” stated Shawn Atleo, Regional Chief for the BC Assembly of First Nations and a member of the First Nations Leadership Council.

“We are utterly astounded at Canada's shameless hypocrisy as its officials appear before CERD. We fail to see how they can present Canada as a true defender of human rights whether here or elsewhere in the world given the federal government’s recent and shameful denial of Indigenous rights. It is truly disgraceful that Canada was one of only two countries on the UN Human Rights Council to vote against the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in June 2006”, stated Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and a member of the First Nations Leadership Council.

The Joint Unity Protocol Initiative of Chief Negotiators from BC First Nations also made its own submission to CERD. Robert Morales, the Chair of the Chief Negotiators forum stated “Canada has not significantly changed its approach on extinguishment and refusal to recognize aboriginal rights and title. Canada refuses to negotiate treaties based on recognition of aboriginal rights and title. Instead it brings a long list of fixed bottom line positions to the table. We ask how that can be considered negotiating”.

The reports submitted by these organizations as well as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC), and the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) and the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations (CT6FN) address a range of policies and practices violating Indigenous Peoples' human rights both in and outside of Canada.

-30-

The First Nations Leadership Council is comprised of the political executives of the First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations. The Council works together to politically represent the interests of First Nations in British Columbia and develop strategies and actions to bring about significant and substantive changes to government policy that will benefit all First Nations in British Columbia.

Background information on the submissions from the First Nations Leadership Council and the Joint Initiative of Chief Negotiators from BC First Nations is attached.

For more information:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC, (250) 490-5314
Colin Braker, First Nations Summit, (604) 926-9903
Heather Gillies, BC Assembly of First Nations, (604) 922-7733

=======================================

Background Information

British Columbia First Nations Leadership Council’s Issues List
Summary Points from February 14, 2007 Letter to CERD

• The British Columbia First Nations Leadership Council takes exception to the manner, tone and content of paragraphs 27 - 42 and 306 - 311 in CERD/C/CAN/18 (5 April 2006), Reports Submitted by States Parties under Article 9 of the Convention.
• Canada purports to champion human rights elsewhere in the world and condemns those who violate international human rights standards, but Indigenous peoples have had to resort to the judicial processes in Canada for the recognition and implementation of their rights. Canada was also one of only two countries on the Human Rights Council to vote against the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on June 29, 2006.
• Despite the fact that section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act (1982) recognizes and affirms aboriginal and treaty rights Canada as a matter of policy, systematically and continuously denies and rejects the very existence of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous rights to lands, territories and resources as well as Indigenous rights and authorities to self government. Current case law in Canada further defines and supports these section 35 rights but Canada continues to maintain policies consistent with the denial of those rights.
• Despite the many positive decisions by the Supreme Court of Canada in favour of Indigenous peoples and rights, Canada falls back to its historic position, advocating "terra nullius" arguments and that there is "considerable uncertainty about the existence, content and scope of specific aboriginal rights of ownership and use of lands and resources, as well as uncertainty about who are the specific holders of such rights." In other words, Canada argues, it does not know if there are Indigenous peoples or the rights they may have unless these matters are dealt with through expensive and often inaccessible legal processes through Canada's judicial system.
• Crown denials of Aboriginal title and rights are evidenced in litigation with First Nations in British Columbia as well as in land and governance treaty negotiations mandates. This information is provided in greater detail in the First Nations Summit’s document entitled Implementation of National Legislation and Jurisprudence concerning Indigenous Peoples' Rights: Experiences from the Americas which have been provided to CERD on a CD and by email.
• In 2005 there were approximately 15 cases before the courts in British Columbia that involved Aboriginal peoples and the federal Crown, provincial Crown, or both and involved Aboriginal rights and title. In 14 of those 15 cases involving Aboriginal rights and title, the federal and provincial Crown advanced various defences that denied the existence of the Aboriginal title in question, asserted that such title remains unproved, or alleged that the Aboriginal title in question was extinguished.
• In 2007 those types of denial arguments are still raised by the federal and provincial Crown.

=======================================

Submission to CERD by
First Nations in the British Columbia Treaty Process
Joint Unity Protocol Chief Negotiators Initiative

Re: Canada’s Approach to Treaty Negotiations with First Nations in B.C.

1. Canada has not significantly changed its approach on extinguishment and refusal to recognize aboriginal rights and title.

a) Canada refuses to negotiate Treaties based on recognition of aboriginal rights and title. Instead it brings a long list of fixed bottom line positions to the Table. If First Nations want a Treaty, they have to agree. Canada refuses to allow First Nations to hold Treaty lands as aboriginal title lands. The lands must be held as private fee simple lands under provincial government jurisdiction. There is no room to negotiate.
b) The recent report from the federal Auditor General states that Treaty negotiations are one of the “most controlled and inflexible processes in the federal government” and that federal Treaty negotiators act “as if the main risk faced by the federal government in treaty negotiations is that of deviating from existing mandates, rather than that of not signing treaties”.

2. Canada refuses to commit in Treaties to improve vast gap between the high level of employment, education, health, and social conditions enjoyed by non-aboriginal Canadians and the crushing poverty, unemployment and poor health and living conditions suffered by aboriginal Canadians.

a) In fact, Canada potentially makes the situation worse by forcing First Nations to hand over 50% of revenues they generate post Treaty (including property tax revenues from former Reserve lands) to the federal government and by imposing discriminatory double taxation of First Nation corporations that pass on a portion of their profits to the First Nation government.

Ogemawahj Tribal Council press release ...

Decline of the Status Indian Motivates Ogemawahj Tribal Council to Host National First Nation Citizenship and Status Conference

Rama, ON, Feb. 21 - Enfranchisement and the intermarriage of Indian women with non-Indian men allowed Status Indians to acquire full Canadian citizenship by relinquishing their ties to the community, giving up the culture and traditions and giving up any rights they had as Indians. Indian women who married non-Indian men also lost their “Status” as Indians and the rights that accompanied that status.

The plan to assimilate Indians into society, however, has not worked, and the “temporary” nature of the Indian Act has led to many problems with the governance and lives of Indian people. It has also led to many constitutional challenges within Canada’s court system. This era of change and the need for a solution to the declining number of status Indians within their member First Nations have motivated the member communities of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council to coordinate and host a national information exchange on the topic.

The Ogemawahj Tribal Council invites you to participate in their First Nation Citizenship and Status Conference: “E-DBENDAAGZIJIG: Those Who Belong” on April 16th and 17th, 2007. This two day conference will examine the issues and cause for concern over First Nation citizenship, and in particular, the declining number of status Indians across the country. Why is it important, how will it affect you, and what are the options for the future? Join us to listen to the professionals and those who have already been seriously affected by this issue.

The event will take place at the Toronto Downtown Marriott Eaton Centre in the heart of Ontario’s Capital. Registration is limited to the first 400 paid participants. For additional information or to register for this event, please go to the website:

www.firstnationstatusconference.ca

or contact the following:

Media Contact: Marc Manatch
Ogemawahj Tribal Council
P.O. Box 46,
7410 Benson Side Road
Mnjikaning First Nation, Ontario
L0K 1T0
Phone: (705) 329-2511
Fax: (705) 329-2509
admin@ogemawahj.on.ca

ON THE MOVE

Increasing the participation of girls and young women
in physical activity and sport

WORKSHOP INVITATION

On the Move is a national initiative to increase opportunities for inactive girls and young women (ages 9-18) to participate in sport and physical activity. On the Move is coordinated by CAAWS, the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (http://www.caaws.ca/e/).

This interactive, issue-based session will provide an overview of the initiative, share best practices from across Canada, and provide “how-to” tips to increase the participation of girls and young women. Lessons learned and evaluation findings from Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls in Sport, a national project to increase community sport opportunities for Aboriginal girls and young women, will also be discussed. Appropriate for everyone from practitioners to policy makers, the workshop will also provide an opportunity for participants to network and discuss collaboration and local action to make a difference in the lives of girls and young women in our communities.

Complimentary On the Move Handbooks will be given to each participant, and information about other resources and initiatives provided by CAAWS will be available.

About the Workshop Facilitator
Sydney Millar (B.Kin, MA) is CAAWS’ On the Move National Coordinator and Team Spirit Project Manager. Sydney has traveled across Canada promoting On the Move and talking to practitioners and policy makers across sectors and jurisdictions about how to increase the participation of girls and young women. She lives in Vancouver BC.

When:  

Wednesday, March 7, 2007
10 am to 2 pm – lunch will be provided

Where:       Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre
                     84 King Street
 
Cost: Participation is FREE

R.S.V.P. to:  Alan Howie, Manager of Community Services
 alhowie@siouxlookout.ca  807-737-1994

Registration deadline is Monday March 5, 2007

Click here to see the report, Survey of First Nations People Living Off-Reserve, Métis and Inuit FINAL REPORT (PDF, 1Mb)

From Canwest News Service ...

Urban natives report "disturbing" increase in racism

Jack Aubry, CanWest News Service; Ottawa Citizen - February 19, 2007
  
OTTAWA - Urban natives say they are facing an increase in racism from businesses, schools, police and employers, with an "astounding" four out of 10 Indians, Inuit and Metis reporting discrimination in Canadian cities and towns, a newly released government report reveals.

In a national poll for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, 74 per cent of the Aboriginal Peoples who had experienced racism said it was at the hands of non-aboriginal people, an increase of 10 per cent from the last survey in 2003.

Forty-two per cent said they experienced discrimination by businesses, basically doubling the previous 20-per-cent finding in the earlier poll, while about one-quarter cited people at work, including their employer.

The report's conclusion said the finding was "disappointing" and "disturbing" and included the fact that aboriginal renters "often or always" experience discrimination from landlords.

Government was found to be a source of their experience of racism by two of 10 Aboriginal People, a slight rise from 2003.

There were also some positive findings, including the fact that in general, most Aboriginal People living outside of a reserve perceive their overall quality of life to be good and improving over time. However, the report pointed out the economic and social conditions experienced by natives is still not as high as might be found in the broader Canadian population.

Also one in four respondents said relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal People are improving with time, with a quarter of respondents believing it is because non-natives are better educated than in the past.

"Conversely, of those who believe that the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people is deteriorating, roughly one-quarter blame this decline on racism or intolerance, while two in 10 say it comes from a sense of neglect or mistreatment by government," said the report.

Conducted by Ekos and Anishinabek Consultants Inc., the telephone survey of 1,000 Aboriginal People carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2.1 per cent 19 times out of 20. The final report was completed in October, with the questions developed by Indian Affairs along with Canadian Heritage, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Office of the Federal Interlocator.

The poll cost $300,000 and was conducted by interviewers at Ekos' call centres in Ottawa and Edmonton.

The survey also revealed negative views generally outweighed positive ones when it came to the overall quality of government service delivered to Aboriginal People living off-reserve. City or town governments came out ahead, with one-quarter of individuals rating their local government on the positive side while provincial governments only rated positive notices from two out of 10.

And it was the federal government, which is directly responsible for Aboriginal People in the Constitution, who received the worst rating, with only 12 per cent, down from 17 in 2003, giving it the thumbs up when it came to the services it offered.

INAC press release ...

Minister Prentice and Anishinabek Nation Sign Governance Agreement-in-Principle

NIPISSING FIRST NATION, ON, Feb. 16 - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, today signed a Governance Agreement-in-Principle (AIP). The AIP establishes a framework for the Anishinabek Nation, represented in the negotiations by the Union of Ontario Indians, to assume greater control over its own institutions of government.

"Canada's New Government is committed to working with First Nations to support stronger First Nation governments as a key step in improving the lives of First Nation people," said Minister Prentice. "This important agreement sets the groundwork for participating First Nations to adopt new governance institutions and structures that are more responsive and more accountable to their communities."

"The AIP on Governance is one step toward eliminating the Indian Act, re-asserting our jurisdiction, and re-establishing our own Anishinaabe forms of government," said Grand Council Chief Beaucage, who represents the forty-plus member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation. "We look forward to completing these negotiations and forging new relationships with Canada that provide practical and effective ways to implement our inherent right to self-government and improve living conditions for our people."

The Agreement provides the framework for the establishment of the Anishinabek Nation government and for the recognition of First Nation governments with law-making authority in four core governance areas: leadership selection, citizenship, culture and language, and management and operations of government.

The Agreement also reflects the Government of Canada's support for replacing outdated provisions of the Indian Act with a modern legislative framework for First Nations governance. It provides a practical approach for supporting First Nations to strengthen their internal governance and solidify the political and financial accountability of First Nation governments to their citizens, while operating within the Canadian Constitutional framework.

The Agreement-in-Principle concludes the second of a three-stage negotiation process, and is not legally binding. A Final Agreement becomes legally binding on the parties only once it has been approved by the participating First Nations' citizens and brought into force through federal legislation. An Anishinabek Nation Framework Agreement on Governance was signed by the parties on November 26, 1998. As negotiations proceeded, the Province of Ontario has been kept apprised of developments.

The Anishinabek Nation and the Government of Canada have also been negotiating toward a "Final Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of Education Jurisdiction." An Agreement-in-Principal on education was signed by the parties in 2002.

The UOI is the oldest First Nation political organization in Ontario. It was incorporated as the secretariat arm of the Anishinabek Nation in 1949 and traces its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires which existed long before European contact. The Anishinabek Nation has a population of approximately 50,000 citizens, and comprises one-third of all First Nation communities in Ontario.

For further information: Deirdra McCracken, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice, (819) 997-0002; INAC Media Relations, (819) 953-1160; Monica Lister, Executive Liaison Officer, Union of Ontario Indians/Anishinabek Nation, (705) 498-5552; Mary Laronde, Communications Coordinator, Union of Ontario Indians/Anishinabek Nation, (705) 497-9127; This press release is also available on the Internet at http://www.inac-ainc.gc.ca and www.anishinabek.ca

Backgrounder - Anishinabek Nation Agreement-In-Principle With Respect to Governance