Media.Knet.Ca

R.D.Carson of Officially Rbbugged taped his fishing show in August 2006 at Straight Lake Camp with Asheweig River Camps of Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

The show airs tonight (Wednesday) and Saturday on Thunder Bay Television.

Please watch our show on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. and again on Saturday, November 4, 2006 at 12 Noon.

We welcome your feedback and suggestions as we head into our marketing development program for the Summer 2007 season.

For more information see: www.asheweigriver.com and www.officiallyrugged.com 

INAC Minister Prentice's cancelled meeting with Ontario's minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs is creating a lot of reactions from First Nation leaders and the press ... see below.

NAN Press Release ...

NAN Grand Chief concerned First Nation drinking water low on federal priority list

     THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy is shocked by federal snub of Ontario's actions to push agenda of safe drinking water in First Nation communities across the province.

     "If the Government of Canada can't even commit to working with the provincial minister responsible for Aboriginal issues to address the issues facing First Nations in terms of safe drinking water and land claims (Caledonia), how can we expect Minister Prentice to work directly with First Nation leadership," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy who recently demanded immediate action to implement both short-term and long-term solutions to various water emergencies in NAN territory - an area covering two-thirds of Ontario.

     "Minister Ramsay was prepared to address the issue of safe drinking water and Prentice snubbed him. It's a shame that strong support from the provincial level isn't being recognized by the feds."

     Beardy's comments come after Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice cancelled a pre-scheduled meeting with provincial Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Ramsay yesterday evening. The meeting's agenda was to include the stand-off in Caledonia and First Nation water. Ramsay was prepared to request the Government of Canada take a leadership role at Caledonia and question the status of the federal safe drinking water report that was scheduled to be released by the end of October.

     As relayed by Minister Ramsay's staff today, no alternate meeting time was given by Minister Prentice's Chief of Staff who advised Ramsay of the cancelled meeting while he waited in Prentice's Ottawa office just hours after confirming the meeting would, indeed continue.

     "You'd think Prentice would want to step up and work together with Ontario, especially considering the current state of water emergencies that have been brought to light in the past few weeks," said Beardy.

     Fearing increased risk to the health and safety of community members, Marten Falls, Pikangikum, and Attawapaskat First Nations have declared water emergencies due to lack of capacity of water treatment plants, filtration and turbidity levels, contaminated intakes, and traces of carcinogens.

     Nineteen of NAN's 49 First Nation communities are under boil water advisory. Last week marked the one year anniversary of the evacuation of over 1000 residents of Kashchewan First Nation after e-coli was found in drinking water. In the Kelowna Accord (November 2005), the former Liberal Government of Canada outlined specific commitments to the James Bay coastal community in the areas of water, health, housing, and social services.

     The Conservatives have not fulfilled that deal, nor has an alternate deal been presented or implemented.

-30-

/For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation at (807) 625-4952 or (807) 628-3953 (mobile)/

+++++++++++++++

Chiefs of Ontario Press Release ...

Ontario Regional Chief calls on Federal Government to fulfill Fiduciary Duty and Honor Treaty Obligations

     TORONTO, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief for Ontario responded today to news that Ontario's Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs David Ramsay was snubbed by the federal Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice yesterday, when federal Minister Prentice backed out of a meeting at the last minute that was set-up to discuss the situation at Six Nations/Caledonia and water issues.

     AFN Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse stated: "This Conservative government claims it is a government that takes action, but when it comes to First Nations they are completely missing in action."

     Regional Chief Toulouse called on the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities with regard to the settlement of outstanding First Nation land rights.

     "The reality is that issues related to First Nations lands are a direct and clear federal responsibility," said Regional Chief Toulouse. "This is yet another example of this governments' refusal to accept and fulfill their lawful obligations. This government needs to understand that in order for progress to be made in Caledonia - and across the country - there needs to be some semblance of political leadership at the federal level. First Nations leadership are working with all parties directly involved in the talks in a constructive manner, yet the federal government and federal Minister prefer to run away from responsibility instead of working with us on these difficult but fundamental issues. Why is the federal Minister abandoning the people of Six Nations and the people of Caledonia?"

     This meeting scheduled for October 31st was to address the cost of the land rights dispute at Six Nations, as well as water issues in First Nation communities. Regional Chief Toulouse expressed deep concern regarding the pattern that has emerged with respect to the approach of the federal government toward First Nations issues since coming into office in January 2006.

     The Regional Chief stated: "This Minister has a lot to say but little to show for it. We are still awaiting the 'urgent' report on clean drinking water for First Nations announced more than 7 months ago, which is reportedly sitting on the Minister's desk. The only action we are seeing is funding cuts in important areas like health and special education. There are 134 First Nation communities in Ontario, the largest First Nations population of any province or territory in Canada. We have made reasonable efforts to engage the federal government and we are being largely ignored. The Minister has now decided to ignore his provincial counterpart and Ontario taxpayers as well."

     The Regional Chief reiterated his expectation that the federal government accept their responsibilities to First Nations in Ontario and across the country. He pointed out that as recently as last week, Prime Minister Harper referred to the Six Nations land rights dispute as a provincial issue and a policing matter.

     "It is time for this government and this Minister to accept their responsibility" stated Regional Chief Toulouse. "The Minister himself has stated that finding more effective and efficient ways to resolve claims is of critical importance. We agree, and in fact, have many concrete recommendations and proposals we can discuss if he is seriously willing to listen. We remain ready and willing to work with all parties towards a fair, just and timely resolution to the issues at Six Nations/Caledonia and on the broader agenda of improving the quality of life for First Nations. We should all be embracing this responsibility, not hiding from it."

-30-

/For further information: Pam Hunter, Communications Advisor, office: (905)683-0322, Cell: (613) 203-3233/

+++++++++++

From http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/canada/story/3754894p-4341440c.html

McGuinty blasts feds as thin skinned - Wednesday Nov 1 2006

(CP) - Federal and provincial politicians should stop acting like children and focus on ending the nine-month aboriginal occupation in Caledonia, Ont., the town's mayor said Wednesday as Ottawa and the province traded shots about who should foot the dispute's $40-million bill.

The day after Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice refused to meet with his provincial counterpart to discuss the occupation and its costs, Haldimand County Mayor Marie Trainer said the finger-pointing is exasperating for residents who just want the ordeal to come to an end.

"They are just playing games right now," Trainer said about the escalating war of words. "We're in the middle. We're the ones suffering."

"I'd like them to stop acting like children. I wish they would quit holding Caledonia residents as hostages. It's pretty frustrating."

Although the province purchased the disputed land and is negotiating, Premier Dalton McGuinty has increasingly argued land claims are a federal responsibility, and said Tuesday that Ottawa must "step up to the plate."

That comment prompted Prentice to cancel his meeting with David Ramsay, Ontario's minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, later that evening. Prentice said Ontario is solely responsible for paying the costs of occupation - now pegged at $40 million for policing, business compensation and the purchase of the disputed land.

"The Constitution is very clear. Property and civil rights, the administration of justice and policing are all provincial responsibilities," Prentice said in an interview.

"What's missing here is the justification for the province to say this is a federal obligation to pay for this. While the federal government has responsibility for Indians, that doesn't override provincial law."

Prentice said he's been working hard to end the "oldest land claim in Canada," appointing fact finders, negotiators and meeting with key provincial and aboriginal leaders to help sort out the dispute.

"I'm prepared to discuss the issues in a serious way with (the province) any time they choose, but I'm not going to be part of a media circus and political grandstanding about the issue," he said.

McGuinty responded to the snub by calling the federal Conservative thin-skinned, and said people shouldn't get into politics if they can't take criticism. A clearly frustrated McGuinty repeated his demand that Ottawa take a lead role in negotiating an end to the dispute.

"They've got to understand, it's not going to go away," McGuinty said. "If it's not Caledonia, it's going to be land claims issues elsewhere across the country. This is an issue that's been percolating on the backburner for a long time now."

People want to see the dispute resolved, McGuinty said. "They want us to meet," he said. "And I think they want us to respect each other's constitutional responsibilities."

But no new meeting between the two levels of government has been set.

The federal government should start settling smaller side-issues with the Six Nations protesters and establish some goodwill to resolve the larger land claim issue, said Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Ramsay.

"We don't want to have these disputes," he said. "We want to get these things settled for the people of Ontario and especially the aboriginal people in that area who - for a couple hundred years - have not had justice."

Ramsay said he didn't know how long this dispute would take to resolve but "it should be sooner rather than later."

In the meantime, Caledonia residents are losing faith.

"They have really lost focus about what this whole thing is about," Trainer said of the politicians. "They're forgetting about the people who are suffering every day - their nerves are shot, they're on tranquilizers, they're on heart medication. It's not a good thing."

McGuinty's ramped-up rhetoric about Ottawa's role in the Caledonia dispute is the latest tough talk about how Ontario is getting short-changed under the federal Conservatives.

That Liberal tactic has backfired, critics said. Conservative Leader John Tory said Caledonia residents were looking for progress on the standoff and are seeing "a jousting match instead." NDP Leader Howard Hampton said the Liberal government is paralyzed and is falling back on the "tired old politics of blame and squabble."

Six Nations protesters have occupied the former housing development site in Caledonia, Ont., since February. Their occupation has been marred by violent clashes with town residents and barricades that cut the town in half.

The aboriginals say they are prepared to stay on the land - which they say was taken illegally from them 200 years ago - until it is returned to them.

++++++++++

Ontario government press release ...

Statement from Minister David Ramsay - Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs

TORONTO, Oct. 31 - Ontario families - particularly those in the Caledonia area - find themselves caught in a dispute between the federal government and Six Nations.

Ontario taxpayers have paid, and continue to pay, a hefty price for the ongoing occupation in Caledonia.

The Ontario government has been working hard to bring all parties together at the negotiating table. We have achieved some progress, but not nearly enough.

Over the past 26 years, 29 land claims have been filed by Six Nations in that area of Canada. Only one has been settled by the federal government.

That pace is too slow.

The federal government must take the lead and bring vigour to the negotiating table and a will to resolve these outstanding disputes.

I am disappointed that Minister Prentice chose not to attend a scheduled meeting tonight with me to discuss the situation in Caledonia.

This is another example of the federal government failing to live up to its obligations to the people of Ontario.

We are determined to work toward a peaceful resolution to the Caledonia situation and look forward to working with the federal government as it assumes its rightful role in resolving this dispute.

www.aboriginalaffairs.osaa.gov.on.ca

For further information: Anne-Marie Flanagan, Minister Ramsay's Office, (416) 268-3690

+++++++++++

From http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1162335012375

Caledonia costs set at $40M - Province delivers bill to Ottawa - Feds snub Ontario's Ramsay

Nov. 1, 2006 - ROB FERGUSON - QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU

The native standoff at Caledonia has cost Ontario taxpayers almost $40 million — a tab that will keep rising until the federal government "steps up to the plate" to settle the land claim, Premier Dalton McGuinty warned yesterday.

A bill for handling the eight-month dispute at a housing development was to be delivered to Ottawa last night by David Ramsay, Ontario's minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, but federal Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice refused to meet with him as scheduled.

A spokesman for Prentice said he objected to the way McGuinty and Ramsay had been posturing in the media earlier in the day about the meeting, which saw Ramsay fly to Ottawa with his deputy minister and an aide to attend.

"Mr. Prentice was disturbed by the kind of political grandstanding that went on," Bill Rodgers told the Toronto Star in a telephone interview from Ottawa.

"He wasn't interested in having a meeting in that kind of atmosphere. We expect we'll continue to negotiate when things have cooled off in terms of the politics of this."

Ramsay said he was "disappointed" at being rebuffed because federal progress on land claims in southern Ontario has been too slow. "This is another example of the federal government failing to live up to its obligations to the people of Ontario," he said in a statement.

"Over the past 26 years, 29 land claims have been filed by the Six Nations in that area of Canada. Only one has been settled by the federal government."

Ramsay said before heading to Ottawa yesterday that the bill he was about to present to Prentice was "a work in progress" because the Ontario government has "ongoing costs" at the site in the town south of Hamilton.

On the weekend, McGuinty criticized federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and other cabinet ministers who used to be Ontario MPPs about the unfairness of federal funding to the province. But Ramsay insisted those remarks would not have soured the meeting.

"Mr. Prentice and I have a great relationship," Ramsay told reporters at Queen's Park.

The bill Ramsay had hoped to present includes:

• $15 million for increased Ontario Provincial Police presence to keep an eye on sometimes violent confrontations between natives and locals.
• $15.8 million to buy the occupied land, a fledgling subdivision called Douglas Creek Estates, from its developer, Henco.
• $1.1 million to Henco for out-of-pocket and other costs, and $5.8 million to buy out other nearby builders and cover out-of-pocket costs.
• $1.4 million in financial assistance to Caledonia businesses that have lost revenue in the turmoil caused by the occupation.
• $200,000 to Haldimand County for marketing efforts to boost the area's economy because of decreased tourism.

The invoice is about $15 million less than the tally previously estimated by Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory, who yesterday called McGuinty a "world champion buck passer" and said he would call an inquiry into what went wrong at Caledonia if elected premier in next October's provincial election.

At Queen's Park yesterday, McGuinty said the costly occupation will drag on as long as the federal government remains largely "missing in action."

It marked the second time in two weeks that McGuinty, whose government appears mired in the dispute despite the fact Ottawa is constitutionally responsible for land claims, has taken the federal government to task.

"Until they step up to the plate and become much more determined in their effort to resolve this, we are going to be kept in this situation..."

From www.serviceontario.ca

ServiceOntario partnering with public libraries in Ontario to service communities better

The North Caribou Lake First Nation and Sachigo Lake First Nation public libraries are partnering with ServiceOntario to make it easier for area residents to access Ontario government services in their communities.

The partnership with ServiceOntario partnering with public libraries in Ontario to service communities better ServiceOntario permits Ontarians to access a range of services from applying for a birth certificate to registering their business online right at their local library.

The North Caribou Lake and Sachigo public libraries are two of 55 public and First Nations libraries across the province that are partnering with ServiceOntario to provide increased access to government information through the ServiceOntario website (www.serviceontario.ca) at public computer terminals.

The initiative is a joint effort between the participating libraries, ServiceOntario, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and the Ministry of Culture.

Library staff at any of the 55 locations can help visitors navigate the ServiceOntario website to find a full range of services.

To learn more about ServiceOntario or to find the location of a ServiceOntario centre in your community, visit www.serviceontario.ca or call 1-800-267-8097.

The North Caribou Lake public library is located in the Wahsa Resource Center in Round Lake. The Sachigo Lake public library is located in the Martin McKay Memorial School in Sachigo.

From http://www.knowledgeontario.ca/

Knowledge Ontario (formerly the Ontario Digital Library) ­ is a province-wide collaboration of libraries (public, school, college and university), archives, museums, heritage organizations, educational institutions, and community groups to create an integrated, and interactive digital environment about, and for, Ontarians.

Knowledge Ontario is an innovative venture designed to support the information and learning needs of Ontarians. The suite of programs and services currently includes six components: Resources Ontario, Our Ontario, Ask Ontario, Video Ontario, Teach Ontario, and Connect Ontario. Knowledge Ontario supports four main objectives:

• Access and Research
• Collaboration
• Creating Critical Content
• Literacy and Learning

Our vision

• Establishing equity in the availability of, and access to, digital information resources in Ontario
• Maximizing Ontarians’ potential to develop their information, learning and thinking skills
• Enabling Ontarians to be more connected and competitive in the knowledge economy
• Promoting excellence and innovation by delivering high-quality learning resources and services
• Providing trusted (“better than the Internet”) access to information products and services

Check the Background and the Mission and Objectives links for more information about Knowledge Ontario as a whole. Our Programs and Services page provides an overview of all of the KO components.

The Knowledge Ontario initiative is supported by the Government of Ontario.

Wasaya press release ...

WASAYA AIRWAYS LP EXPANDS FLEET TO 21 AIRCRAFT

Thunder Bay, Ontario -- Monday, October 30, 2006

Wasaya Airways LP is proud to announce the purchase of another Raytheon Beech 1900D. The aircraft will be arriving in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, November 1st at the Wasaya Airways Hangar at the Thunder Bay airport.

As part of Wasaya Airways’ ongoing commitment to provide modern, state-of-the-art aircraft, we are very pleased with this acquisition of a new Beech 1900 to be utilized in our Passenger Service routes,” said Tom Morris, President & CEO of Wasaya Airways LP

The Raytheon Beech 1900D is a modern, twin-turbine, pressurized passenger aircraft which is configured for spacious airline-line style seating, accommodating 1 to 18 passengers. The 1900D is an exceptional aircraft for business travel and is a popular choice for many of Wasaya Airways' private and public sector customers

The Beech 1900D translates from pavement to gravel easily, due to the on-board, anti-skid modifications which allows for commercial operation into areas that would not normally be served by other aircraft in its class.

Wasaya relies on this option in order to provide an economical means of air service to our diverse customer base, without compromising our high standards for safety.

Dean Woloschuk, the Director of Passenger Services explained that the addition of this aircraft will add over 600 seats weekly to Wasaya’s capacity, and will be focused on the airline’s highest demand markets - allowing the Sioux Lookout base to offer additional charter availability and service.

“This acquisition will also add to the launch of our enhanced schedule, being implemented in early November,” said Morris. “We have always listened to our customers to help serve them better, and we always try to be first in addressing the concerns of our passengers.”

Wasaya’s passenger fleet is the most modern of any air carrier in Northwestern Ontario, and all of our aircraft offer two key features: they are suited to operate in northern climates and on shorter gravel runways.

From http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=fae3f60c-a422-4860-8ebd-5d98fd199fc5&k=69213&p=1

First Nations grandparents increasingly taking charge of grandchildren

Michelle McQuigge, Canadian Press - Sunday, October 29, 2006

TORONTO -- On Feb. 12, 2005, Connie Johnson sent her husband out to cruise Ottawa's downtown streets in search of her five-year-old granddaughter.

She had just gotten word that Maggie was in the care of her drug-addicted mother, in direct violation of orders from the Children's Aid Society.

Hours later, Johnson's husband found Maggie at a Salvation Army shelter and opened a new chapter in the Inuk girl's life.

Maggie became one of thousands of First Nations children to permanently fall under the care of grandparents who had previously thought their child-rearing days were behind them.

"I had thought all this was in my past," said Johnson, a 70-year-old mother of three. "I never expected to have to do this again."

Johnson's situation is far from unique, according to research conducted at the University of Toronto.

One study states the number of Canadian grandparents raising children under the age of 18 jumped 20 per cent between 1991 and 2001.

While the trend is evident across all ethnic groups, research shows that Canada's First Nations population is most affected by the trend.

Esme Fuller-Thompson, an associate professor of social work at the University of Toronto, said 17 per cent of all caregiving grandparents are of First Nations origin.

"This was easily more than five times the numbers you'd expect to find given the population," she said.

While Fuller-Thompson said it's difficult to pinpoint why aboriginals are so over-represented in the study, she said cultural beliefs and history play a key role.

"There's certainly a strong sense that the First Nations population is very committed to passing on their cultural heritage," she said, adding that residential school experiences strengthened the desire to preserve aboriginal values.

Fuller-Thompson also cited the long-held tradition of deferring to elders for wisdom and guidance, saying that grandparents have historically cared for younger children while their parents tried to support the family.

Today, however, Fuller-Thompson and other researchers found children are usually driven into their grandparents' homes when their parents succumb to substance abuse Johnson said Maggie's mother, who grew up in an Inuit community, began using drugs when the child was only six-months-old.

Maggie lived with her father but frequently spent weekends with her grandparents when Dad did not want to watch over her.

By the age of five, Maggie had become the subject of two separate investigations by the Children's Aid Society after both her kindergarten teacher and staff at her school began to suspect abuse.

Johnson herself became concerned about the way Maggie's father was raising his only child, eventually growing to fear his violent temper, and finally deciding to report her own son to the Children's Aid Society.

"I knew if he came to the door, I wouldn't be able to let him in because of fear, which is very painful," she said.

Maggie has not seen either of her parents since last year, and among the many struggles Johnson now copes with is the emotional strain of watching her granddaughter mourn parents who have abandoned her.

"She would cry, and almost sort of wail ... for her mother and father," she said.

"She would usually go hide somewhere, and you couldn't approach her. ... It was really, really heartbreaking to hear her and know there was nothing you could do."

Another of Johnson's major challenges is coming up with enough money to raise a child.

The Ontario government provides caregiving grandparents with $221 a month plus two $50 handouts with which to buy school supplies and winter clothes.

In contrast, foster parents receive $50 a day to raise their children.

While research shows most provinces have begun to endorse kinship care, only British Columbia offers equal financial support for grandparents and foster parents.

Some provinces, such as Ontario and Alberta, are revisiting their kinship care policies and may provide additional support to struggling grandparents.

"We recognize that in many cases, the best option for the child may be to be placed with an extended family member like a grandparent, but we also realize that those options need to be viable," said Chris Carson, a spokesman from the Ontario Ministry of Children's Services.

"We have policy work underway to make sure that we provide the support that grandparents need to make those options as viable as possible."

While Johnson would welcome financial relief, she said the emotional toll that comes with raising Maggie is her most demanding problem.

She starts many days in tears fearing she is no longer up to the challenge of raising a child with serious behavioural issues, and laments the loss of quality time with her husband, children, and other grandchildren.

She fears that at age 70, her good health may give out at any time, leaving her incapable of raising a girl who needs love and stability above all else.

And she lives in dread of the day when her granddaughter will be able to fully understand the degree to which her parents rejected her.

Press Release ...

Thunder Bay, ON:  How do local businesses maintain a healthy and resilient workforce while faced with the challenges of increased economic pressures? These and other issues will be confronted at the Northwestern Ontario Work and Wellness Conference, unveiled today by Family Services Thunder Bay. The theme of the conference is “Survive and Thrive: Promoting Resiliency in your Workplace” and will feature key note speakers Nora Spinks and Dr. Louise Hartley at the Valhalla Inn on March 6th and 7th 2007.

It was also announced that Family Services Thunder Bay will unveil its own new organizational image at the conference; the result of a re-branding and marketing strategy currently being developed thanks to Ontario Trillium Foundation funding.

Says Nancy Chamberlain, Executive Director of Family Services Thunder Bay: “Maintaining a high level of organizational wellness is directly linked to workplace productivity, yet is becoming less of a priority in today’s economic climate for employers. Employers and employees participating in the conference will gain practical strategies on how to reduce incidents of stress and sick leave within the workplace and how to create more healthy working environments. It is proven that healthy workplaces make for more prosperous businesses, happier families and as a result, stronger communities.” 

Areas for discussion at the 2007 Work and Wellness Conference include topics such as: substance use in the workplace, the use of workplace computers, bringing nutrition to work, leadership and management styles, managing work and balancing family time, amongst other organizational work wellness practices.   

Continues Nancy Chamberlain: “We are also excited about revealing our new Family Services brand and moving forward with an image that better represents our wide range of programs, which includes community counseling as well as corporate development services.

For more registration information contact: Family Services Thunder Bay at: 807-684-1880, email: conference@fstb.net or visit:  www.fstb.net.

-30-

Keynote speaker Nora Spinks is President of Work-Life Harmony Enterprises, an international consulting and training firm based in Toronto.  For more than 20 years, Nora has been providing leadership to leading corporations, governments, labour and community groups on work-life issues by focusing on creating supportive work environments, strengthening families and building healthy communities.

Keynote speaker Dr. Louise Hartley is Vice President of Employee and Organizational Health at Family Services Employee Assistance Programs in Toronto.  FSEAP pioneered Employee Assistance Programming in Canada in 1975 and now provides services to more than 400,000 employees across the continent. Over the past 29 years, Dr. Hartley has developed expertise in the field of organizational development that includes both individual and team interventions designed to build healthy work environments.

Media Contact: 

Lisa Kokanie, Firedog Communications
Tel: 807-767-4443, Fax: 807-767-4479, Cell: 807-624-7868 Email: lisa@firedogpr.com

From The Globe and Mail 30/10/06 Commentary

The Native Fiscal Imbalance - PHIL FONTAINE

The recent report of the federal ombudsman for inmates reveals the shocking overrepresentation of First Nations peoples in Canada's justice system, and the systemic discrimination against them in that system. The Sapers report testifies to the urgent need to address Canada's greatest social injustice: poverty among First Nations peoples.

The justice system is but one area where First Nations are suffering disproportionately. More than 27,000 First Nations children are in the care of child-welfare agencies: Indian and Northern Affairs reported a 70 per cent increase in child welfare cases from 1995-2003. The key reason for taking children into care is physical neglect due to poverty. A direct link exists between the number of First Nations youth (40 per cent) who are incarcerated and those in the child-welfare system.

Despite the strong evidence showing the continuum between poverty and these social conditions, the federal government has no comprehensive plan to effect change. Correctional Services' own statistics confirm that, despite years of task-force reports, internal reviews, national strategies and partnerships, there has been no measurable improvement in the overall situation of aboriginal offenders over the past 20 years. This is much the same finding that the Auditor-General of Canada reported in her five-year review of programming for First Nations released in May.

Next month will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Canada has failed to respond to that commission's report. The only meaningful follow-up was the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the first ministers accord on aboriginal issues reached last November in Kelowna, B.C. And yet the Conservative government claims that the $5.1-billion accord was not secured and could not be included in the 2006 budget. Recently, a majority of members of Parliament voted in favour of implementing the accord, testifying that it was indeed an agreement between the Ottawa, provinces, territories and First Nations governments.

The federal government says it is acting on a more concrete plan, such as safe drinking water. But the 21 remedial action plans promised for high-risk First Nations communities have not been completed since the spring announcement.

Instead, the Conservative government recently announced the $13.2-billion federal surplus will be applied to the federal debt, with no opportunity for debate. The funds for the first ministers accord could have been found in this surplus, and $12-billion could still have been applied to the debt.

Meanwhile, Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has publicly said that $9.1-billion is spent on aboriginals. But this figure relates to all aboriginal peoples in Canada (1.4 million), compared to 750,000 First Nations peoples. The $9.1-billion, if broken down according to the First Nations population, shows a serious fiscal imbalance. Per capita spending on First Nations is half the amount for average Canadians.

Spending on First Nations through core federal programs is capped annually at rates lower than inflation and population growth. The Auditor-General has reported that, from 1999-2004, funding increased by only 1.6 per cent, excluding inflation, while the population increased by 11.2 per cent.

This contrasts dramatically with Canada Health and Social Transfers, which are growing at 6.6 per cent annually and will increase by 33 per cent from 2004 to 2009. Even though First Nations population figures are included in calculating CHST amounts, provinces and territories are not accountable for spending on First Nations, and some explicitly exclude, through legislation or policy, First Nations living on-reserve.

So how can this injustice be remedied?

To ensure a productive and competitive Canada, First Nations must have equal opportunities, a fair fiscal framework and real self-government for real self-sufficiency.

Only through a comprehensive plan supported by real investments can First Nations finally and forever break free from the prison of poverty.

Phil Fontaine is national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

From http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=ce3a74ed-0606-4c0b-9e34-e7e806fea891

Artists hailed as First Nations changemakers 

Grania Litwin, Times Colonist - Sunday, October 29, 2006

The role of the indigenous artist is that of a warrior, says Victoria writer and First Nation's philosopher Taiaiake Alfred.

"The definition of a warrior is one who struggles to make change in life, but also maintain the visual connection to our selves," said the eloquent orator.

The Mohawk, who moved here from Montreal, spoke at the Victoria International Arts Symposium yesterday, and gave the Indigenous art session keynote address.

He said "warrior artists" battle the culture of dependence, victimization and path of self destruction that many First Nations people are on and are, in some cases, "better leaders than the leaders."

The academic said that thanks to colonialism, having been taken from their land and having others' will, religion and beliefs imposed on them, "we have not been given the freedom to live life as our ancestors did, in relation to the world and each other."

But painters, filmmakers, singers, writers, dancers, carvers and artists of other kinds are helping "us recover our true selves."

Alfred, who is director of Indigenous Governance Programs and the Indigenous People's Research Chair at the University of Victoria, said disconnection is the greatest crisis facing First Nations and results in psychological discord, anger and aggression. The value of the artist today is in helping us reconnect to self, to each other, to the land, traditional stories and our ancestors' teachings.

"I'm not talking about buckskin, beads and feathers, but our authentic selves. I'm talking about people who keep us strong and vibrant . . . by offering wisdom and guidance."

The discussion panel included local carver Tony Hunt, storyteller Tim Tingle, from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and Vancouver filmmaker Loretta Todd, who were asked: How do we navigate in a world that is increasingly conservative, celebrity driven, and assaulting us with information?

"By finding a way to integrate the constant downloads that stop us being attentive," Todd answered.

Artists, like warriors, can make sense of knowledge and make space for silence," Todd said. "This does not mean emptiness, but implies being in the moment when you bring all your experience to bear."

She noted the best hunter-gatherers today are those who can assemble and analyze knowledge.

Master carver and hereditary Kwakiutl nation chief Tony Hunt, whose totems stand in dozens of cities around the world from Mexico to Japan, said artists are those who record history. He was taught to carve by Mungo Martin at Thunderbird Park from 1952 to 1962 and passed on his knowledge to 150 others.

"The legacy of poles is stories, and being an artist-warrior means to spread a form of friendship and peace . . . history and understanding.

"The tradition we carry on today is more than 10,000 years old, but how weak it was in the 1950s. How dangerous it would have been if Mungo Martin had not taught me."

Tingle sees this as a strong and powerful time, during which virtues of listening and hard work are critical. "Through art you can tell everything," he said, noting any external journey is a journey of introspection.

Community Arts Centre Gallery curator Paul Scrivener said the cultural resurgence among First Nations people is a wonder to behold. "It's the return of the sacred."

The Eel Ground students and school staff invite everyone to contribute and participate in this Nation-wide discussion on "Teenage Stress" via videoconferencing on Tuesday, November 21.

We are soliciting presentations from First Nation schools and organizations and hope to have national input and discussions. In short, interesting presentations are in special demand! Please contact Peter MacDonald (macdonal@nbnet.nb.ca.), principal of Eel Ground School, to notify him of any content that you would like to share.

Testing of all content (powerpoint, digital video, songs) and participating sites will be done 24 hours in advance, on Monday the 20th.

• Download Announcement and Videoconference Schedule Poster
• Eel Ground School