Media.Knet.Ca

From Winnipeg Free Press -

First aboriginal female judge appointed in Manitoba
Thu Apr 5 16:47:00 CDT 2007
 
A lawyer from northern Manitoba has become the first aboriginal woman to be appointed a judge in this province.
Doreen Redhead was appointed to the provincial court of Manitoba, effective immediately. A swearing in ceremony will be scheduled as soon as possible.

Redhead graduated from the University of Manitoba Law School in 1996. She has practiced law on behalf of the Fox Lake First Nation in Gillam, and the Keewatin Tribal Council in Thompson.

“It’s a huge step forward for women and for First Nations people,” said Attorney General Dave Chomiak. “It was actually very moving for me this morning to phone her and tell her what an honour it was for me to do that.”

Chomiak said having a female aboriginal judge gives the courts a better reflection of the population of Manitoba.

Redhead was selected by Chomiak from a list of candidates recommended by an independent judicial nominating committee, chaired by chief provincial court judge Raymond E. Wyant. Representatives of the Law Society of Manitoba and the Canadian Bar Association were also on the committee.

Press Release ...

Children's Aid Societies are Addressing the Auditor General's Recommendations

TORONTO, April 4, 2007 – Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies have developed policies and measures to address each of the 20 recommendations made by Ontario’s Auditor General in his first-ever value-for-money audit of four of the province’s 53 Children’s Aid Societies, the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) announced today.

“Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies have acted in a responsible and accountable manner to address the Auditor’s recommendations,” said Dennis Nolan, President of the OACAS. “Our member agencies are working hard to change their administration practices without compromising the quality of service offered to thousands of vulnerable families and children.”

When the report was released last fall, Children’s Aid Societies (CASs) formed working groups to review each recommendation and develop solutions. CASs are currently updating their policies in the areas of purchasing, procurement, fleet management, travel and hospitality expenses. These policies are being implemented concurrently with other directives, standards, guidelines and reporting requirements from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services as part of the Transformation Agenda.

“The field has worked hard to identify and disseminate best practices for delivery of high-quality child welfare services, for prudent management of resources, and for public accountability,” said Jeanette Lewis, Executive Director of the OACAS. “However, too many layers of administration and standards may compromise the amount of time workers spend trying to help children and families.”

The Transformation Agenda is a massive change in child welfare service delivery, supported throughout the children’s service system in Ontario. Major changes are being implemented beginning in April 2007 in the areas of differential response (a more child-family-centered approach: the right service at the right time), better permanency planning (including kinship and foster care, adoption, custody arrangements), and alternatives to court processes (mediation, talking circles). This approach will be supported by research, information systems and an outcomes approach to accountability. The Transformation Agenda also includes special Aboriginal provisions for Aboriginal and First Nations children to be served by their own communities.

“Our member agencies are embracing these changes, but need public support and confidence in the work they do to protect our children,” said Lewis. “Child protection workers play a vital role in our society. Much like police officers, firefighters and doctors, they protect and save lives by helping vulnerable children.”

Children’s Aid Societies rely on professionals and members of the community to report child abuse or neglect. It is important that the public trusts CASs and have faith in their ability to help children and families – this could be hard to achieve in the face of frequent and inaccurate messaging and lack of support.

About Children’s Aid Societies

CASs provide critical services and are legislated to exclusively perform certain functions under the provisions of Section 15 of the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA). Their mandate includes the following: to investigate allegations that children are in need of protection; to protect children; to provide guidance for protecting children and for the prevention of circumstances requiring the protection of children; and to provide care for children assigned to its care under this Act.

The legislation, regulations, directives and standards prescribe very specific and detailed requirements for what CASs must do for children and families, how they must provide services, including French language services, and the timelines in which critical services must be provided. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services oversees CASs’ operations in detail and Local Boards of Directors have oversight responsibility for agencies to ensure that services provided are tailored to the community’s needs.

In 2005/006 Children’s Aid Societies completed 82,346 investigations and cared for 29,385 children.

About the OACAS

OACAS is a membership organization representing 52 of the 53 Children’s Aid Societies in Ontario. The Association has served its members, the community, the public and the government in a variety of ways since 1912. These services have included the promotion of child welfare issues, member services, government liaison and policy development, research and special projects, quality assurance in child welfare practice and training for all protection workers throughout the province.

-30-

For more information:
Marcelo Gomez -Wiuckstern
Communications Manager
Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies
(416) 987-9648
www.oacas.org

Click here to see the AUDITOR GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLAN

The Sioux Lookout Aboriginal Area Management Board (SLAAMB - http://slaamb.on.ca) is establishing a new three year Centre for Aboriginal Apprenticeship Research project in Sioux Lookout. The cente is seeking three candidates to fill the new positions that appear in this week's Sioux Bulletin. The three positions include:

• Project Manager/Employment Counsellor
• Employment Counsellor/Coach Mentor
• e-Learning Coordinator

The job advertisements follow ...

Project Manager/Employment Counsellor

Reporting to the CAAR Management Team, the Project Manager/Employment Counsellor leads the CAAR project team. S/he works with the team members (Coach Mentor and e-Learning Coordinator) to plan, implement and document the apprenticeship development services and supports developed for the Centre for Aboriginal Apprenticeship Research project.

The Project Manager/Employment Counsellor designs and implements outreach strategies to engage potential and eligible apprentices from remote First Nations to participate in the project. In addition, working/liaising with the MTCU representative, s/he provides assistance, counseling and information to project participants and community members on all aspects of career advancement and, in particular, on apprenticeship development. S/he works proactively with participants to identify and overcome barriers to achieving success in the apprenticeship/upgrading/employment path they are following. S/he liaises with employers and potential employers to increase employment and good employer/employee relations including the design and delivery of cultural sensitivity and other relevant training modules.

The Project Manager/Employment Counsellor reports quarterly to the Management Committee and over sees the financial and administrative requirements of the project.

Employment Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree or college diploma in social services or management or equivalent experience. A minimum of five years in employment and/or career counseling with proven project management experience. Experience in trades and/or trade experience knowledge an asset. Excellent communication skills are required to liaise with community participants, project team members, First Nation communities, and other partners. The Project Manager/Employment Counsellor exhibits excellent judgment and demonstrates problem solving, consultative, persuasive and conflict resolution skills. Well-developed computer skills, telecommunications, and a demonstrated knowledge of human resources development programs and strategies. Report-writing techniques are required to document activities, produce required documentation and inform senior management of issues and progress.

Ability to speak Oji-Cree, Ojibway or Cree is an asset.

MUST be willing to travel to the First Nation remote communities.

SALARY – negotiable up to $ 54,000/annual D.O.E.

+++++++++++

Employment Counsellor/Coach Mentor

Reporting to the Project Manager, the Employment Counsellor/Coach Mentor is part of the Project Team. The Project Team works together to plan, implement and document the apprentice and training support and services developed throughout the project.

The Employment Counsellor/Coach Mentor designs and implements outreach strategies to engage potential and eligible apprentices from remote First Nations to participate in the project. In addition, working/liaising with the MTCU representative, s/he provides assistance, counseling and information to project participants and community members on all aspects of career advancement and, in particular, on apprenticeship development. S/he works proactively with participants to identify and overcome barriers to achieving success in the apprenticeship/upgrading/employment path they are following.

The Employment Counsellor/Coach Mentor provides one-on-one support, information and assistance to project participants both in the community and while on the job site. Working in an online or distance environment and face-to-face, the Mentor is the content helper for apprentices, pre-apprentices and students: clarifying problems, identifying solutions, and providing training and support.

Using the resources of the MTCU, the Coach Mentor is responsible for developing and delivering appropriate learning interfaces for participants, e.g. online chat to verify progress of participants; delivering video seminars on topics geared to small groups; information bulletins on available work, upcoming courses and fact sheets; and a variety of life skills and pre-employment workshops and seminars.

The Mentor liaises between the employee and employer to clarify job responsibilities, expectations and behaviour norms. S/he ensures project participants are properly oriented to new jobs and training programs and meets with individuals frequently and regularly online or in person. The Mentor and worker co-identify the appropriate strategy or tool to assist the employee in their successful integration to the workplace and/or training program.

In addition, the Employment Counsellor/Mentor acts as a “coach” who encourages people to achieve their goals and helps them believe they are capable of achieving success through the development of self-esteem, skills and job-related confidence.

Counsellor/Mentors are also advocates for project participants, working with them to remove barriers that may impede success.

Employment Counsellor/Coach Mentor Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree or college diploma in a related field such as social services, education or psychology or equivalent experience. A minimum of five years in employment and/or career counseling or in a helping profession. Experience in trades and/or trade experience knowledge an asset. Ability to speak Oji-Cree or Ojibway an asset. Demonstrated ability to animate and co-manage community-based initiatives and strong oral and written communications skills. Must
have knowledge and proven experience in use and basic understanding of computer hardware and software and interest in learning online pedagogical techniques. Ability to speak Oji-Cree, Ojibway or Cree is an asset. MUST be willing to travel to the First Nation remote communities.

SALARY – negotiable up to $ 44,500/annual D.O.E.

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

e-Learning Coordinator

Reporting to the Project Manager the e-Learning Coordinator is part of the CAAR Project Team. The Project Team works together to plan, implement and document the apprentice/employment support services model they develop throughout the project.

In consultation with the Project Team, the e-Learning Coordinator identifies relevant information – pre-employment/apprenticeship seminars, life skills issues and problems, upcoming course opportunities, testimonials and success stories, Elders’ guidance and advice, employment forms, protocols and templates, etc - and produces them in appropriate web-based platforms to be posted online. The Coordinator also produces online content for the SLAAMB Apprenticeship website as well as assisting the members of the CAAR Team with a variety of production and computer services.

The e-Learning Coordinator is also responsible for identifying, designing and coordinating video learning sessions for the preemployment phase of the project. Included in these are public information and briefings, course material, employment seminars, sessions with experts and with members of the CAAR team.

e-Learning Coordinator Employment Requirements

Web development/programming background with experience in planning and managing web projects, organizing resources, and building web-based applications. Experience in curriculum and course design in an e-Learning environment. Comfortable with production tools and a good understanding of website components, including architecture, design, programming, and usability. Able to manage a variety of tasks and concurrent projects. Must exhibit strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills and have a positive attitude. Ability to work in a team environment. Ability to speak Oji-Cree, Ojibway or Cree is an asset.

SALARY – negotiable up to $ 44,500/annual D.O.E.

Contract position up to 3 years.
Location: Sioux Lookout, Ontario

Please submit resume with a cover letter and three most recent references must be attached to:
Bob Bruyere, Coordinator
Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Manage Board (SLAAMB)
P.O. Box 56, Sioux Lookout, ON. P8T 1A1
807 – 737 – 4047
Fax: 807 – 737 - 4048
Mark envelope “ Private and Confidential”.
Closing date: Friday, April 13, 2006

Only Those Individuals Selected For An Interview Will Be Contacted!!

Federal gov't press release ...

Government Supports Wawatay Native Communications Society and Equay-Wuk Women's Group

SIOUX LOOKOUT, Ontario, April 3, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, today announced funding of $48,898 for the Wawatay Native Communications Society and $24,999 for the Equay-Wuk Women's Group.

"Canada's New Government is pleased to participate in projects that allow First Nations people to promote their cultural traditions," said Minister Oda. "These initiatives will help increase knowledge of Aboriginal cultures and assist women in becoming leaders in their community."

"The Wawatay First Nations Cultural Multimedia Production Project will enable members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, especially young people, to learn more about their peers in other communities throughout Northern Ontario," said Minister Clement. "Both projects announced today will benefit not only First Nations communities, but also the economy of Northern Ontario."

"Wawatay has been blending First Nations traditions with modern communications technology for more than 30 years," said Bryan Phelan, Publisher of Wawatay News. "This project brings our cultural content fully into the digital age, and makes it more accessible to a younger, wider audience."

The funds for the Wawatay Native Communications Society will be used for equipment and training for First Nations staff to create digital cultural content for Northern Ontario First Nations' website portals and for the regional Wawatay website hub.

The Equay-Wuk Women's Group will use its funds to help Aboriginal women increase their participation in First Nations governance structures in three communities in Northwestern Ontario including Mishkeegogamang, Neskantanga, and Wunnumin First Nations.

The Wataway Native Communications Society provides content for print media, radio, and television and also produces Wataway News Online. It broadcasts in Cree and Oji-Cree to 45 Aboriginal communities and is heard throughout Canada via satellite. It also provides weekly national programming through the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN).

The Equay-Wuk Women's Group has extensive experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating community projects, and its particular strength involves Aboriginal women in the management of their communities, especially in the field of Aboriginal self-government.

Canada's New Government is providing this financial assistance through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Canadian Culture Online strategy and the Aboriginal Women's Community Initiative.

Information:
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women
819 997-7788

Erik Waddell
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Health and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario
613 957-0200

Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101

Thunder Bay, Ontario – Tuesday, April 03, 2007  Wasaya Group Inc. hosted a Reception and Press Event today at the Travelodge Airlane to make three important announcements.

1.      Pledges in the amount of $505,000 from Wasaya Group Inc., Wasaya Airways LP, Wasaya WeeCheeWayWin, and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation (K.I.) to Sioux Lookout’s Meno Ya Win Health Foundation. The money will go towards a CT Scanner for the new Regional Health Centre in honour of the late Grace Tesky, a community member of K.I.

2.        Wasaya Group Inc. and its ownership communities signed a wholesale agreement with TruServ Canada Inc., Pratts Wholesale Ltd., and Triple 4 Advertising Ltd., for First Nations Stores.

3.      Wasaya Airways LP welcomed Keewaywin First Nation as the 10th ownership community to join the 100% First Nation owned partnership.

About Wasaya Group Inc.Wasaya Group Inc. is a partnership of nine northern First Nations. It was originally founded as a First Nation business enterprise in 1989 and is comprised of Bearskin Lake First Nation, Kasabonika Lake First Nation, Kingfisher Lake First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, Nibinamik First Nation, Wapekeka First Nation, Wunnumin Lake First Nation, Muskrat Dam First Nation and Pikangikum First Nation.

- JOINT NEWS RELEASE -

• ONTARIO SUPERIOR, COURT OF JUSTICE
• ALBERTA COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH
• SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
• MANITOBA COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH
• SUPREME COURT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
• QUEBEC SUPERIOR COURT
• SUPREME COURT OF THE YUKON TERRITORY
• NUNAVUT COURT OF JUSTICE
• COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH FOR SASKATCHEWAN

**************************
Courts to issue further notice to former students of Canada's Indian residential schools and their families

The settlement has been approved by the courts, and now former students must decide whether to opt out

OTTAWA, March 29 - The second phase of a national notification programme has begun, on behalf of courts across Canada, to alert former students of the Indian residential school system and their families that they must decide whether to stay in the settlement or remove themselves (opt out) from it by August 20, 2007.

Notices will be distributed, published, mailed, and broadcast throughout Canada, describing the settlement benefits and how to get them for those who stay in, and explaining what it means to opt out and how to opt out.

This is the continuation of a notification programme that began in June of last year, when former students and their families learned how to give their views about the fairness of the settlement.

Then, nine courts across Canada held public hearings.

All of the courts approved the settlement after those hearings.

The opt out period formally began immediately following a court hearing on March 22, 2007, and notices were placed on the court website (http://www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca/).

Community outreach coordinators will begin informing former students across Canada, and phone calls will be placed to those who previously came forward.

The settlement provides:

- At least $1.9 billion for "common experience" payments to former students who lived at one of the schools. Payments will be $10,000 for the first school year (or part of a school year), plus $3,000 for each school year (or part of a school year) after that.

- A process to allow those who suffered sexual or serious physical abuses, or other abuses that caused serious psychological effects, to get between $5,000 and $275,000 each. Those students could get more money if they also show a loss of income.

- Money for programmes for former students and their families for healing, truth, reconciliation, and commemoration of the residential schools and the abuses suffered: $125 million to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation; $60 million to research, document, and preserve the experiences of the survivors; and $20 million for national and community commemorative projects.

Family members who were not students will not get payments.

Former students who opt out will not get any payment from the settlement.

However, former students or family members who opt out will keep any right they may have to sue the Government of Canada, the churches that joined in the settlement, or any of the defendants in the class action lawsuits, over residential schools.

The opt out deadline is August 20, 2007.

Those who wish to opt out must complete, sign, and mail an opt out form postmarked by August 20, 2007.

The opt out form is available at http://www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca/EXC2-ENG.pdf, by calling 1-866-879-4913, or by writing to:

Residential Schools
Suite 3-505
133 Weber St. North
Waterloo, Ontario
N2J 3G9.

Eligible former students who stay in the settlement can get a payment from it.

However, former students - and family members - who stay in the settlement will never again be able to sue the Government of Canada, the churches who joined in the settlement, or any other defendant in the class actions, over residential schools.

Those who want to stay in the settlement and ask for a payment, may write, call 1-866-879-4913, or go to the website.

Claim forms will be mailed after August 20, 2007.

A toll-free telephone call center at 1-866-879-4913 has been set up to handle inquiries, with a link to crisis line services.

Also, a website displays the detailed notice, settlement agreement, list of recognized schools and hostels, and other information here: (http://www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca).

• NAPS is one of the largest and most progressive First Nation police services in North America
• Our jurisdiction is approximately the size of France with communities spread across almost 2/3 of Ontario, from the Manitoba border up the Coast of James Bay over to the Quebec Border.
• The organization began more than 12 years ago serving 7 first nation communities; today, we are providing service for 35 northern communities,  with 2 regional support offices and a main headquarters.
• Since 2003 our service has grown from a compliment of 92 uniform positions to the current complement of 132 uniform positions, an increase of 40 new officers in 4 years
• We are able to skilled jobs for both civilians and officers, with training provided through a number of qualified institutions.

Looking for a challenging and unique career?

Are you interested in living in a remote location with nature at your doorstep? 

Come see the possibilities@

www.naps-net.org

We welcome all applicants and encourage members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation to apply

From Monday's Globe and Mail -

Natives hold key to Ontario power - A proposed east-west energy grid can't proceed without their support
KAREN HOWLETT - Posted ON 02/04/07

Native leaders are sharply divided over a proposed transmission link that would import electricity from Manitoba to power-hungry Ontario, potentially throwing a wrench into the Harper government's green plan.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has earmarked $586-million of the $1.5-billion Canada EcoTrust Fund to help Ontario reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and fight climate change by building the so-called east-west link. Manitoba has an abundance of hydroelectric power, so the grid could supply Ontario with a clean source of power and help the province phase out its pollution-spewing coal plants. But the link cannot go ahead without the support of native communities in Northern Ontario because it would run through their traditional territories.

Native leaders in 19 of the 49 Northern Ontario reserves represented by the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation agreed late Thursday night to have their communities push ahead with the project and seek an ownership interest in it. But leaders of the remaining 30 communities said they could not throw their support behind the project until the Ontario government outlines its stand on broader economic development issues.

They want a revenue-sharing agreement with the government and a commitment on how the grid can become a springboard for other economic development initiatives.

"I don't think the chiefs are saying outright 'no,' " deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said in an interview. "We need to know exactly what the full picture is before we can even begin to reach a decision."

Steve Erwin, a spokesman for Ontario Energy Minister Dwight Duncan, said the government is encouraged by the first nations' interest in the proposed project. But some of the NAN leaders are anxious to move faster.

The Wabun and Matawa tribal councils, which represent communities near Timmins and Thunder Bay, set up the First Nations Energy Alliance last week to explore having the reserves' own equity in the transmission line, said Harvey Yesno, head of the NAN steering committee for the project.

"They said, 'Enough is enough. We want to create jobs and business opportunities,' " he said.

A source close to the federal government said Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice is equally keen to get the project up and running. Not only is it a key part of the Harper government's newfound commitment to cleaning up the environment. The project has the added advantage of potentially doing something positive for aboriginals, who have felt slighted by the Harper government, the source said.

"Minister Prentice has been clear that he encourages economic development for aboriginals," said Deirdre McCracken, a spokeswoman for the minister. "But as for anything related to the east-west power grid, for the time being it's very much up in the air."

The project would involve spending about $10-billion to develop a 1,250-megawatt hydro dam known as Conawapa on the Nelson River in northeastern Manitoba. A high- voltage transmission line from the dam to James Bay in Northern Ontario and south to Timmins and Sudbury would cost another $1.5-billion.

The megaproject would take at least a decade to complete. But it is expected to run into stiff opposition from environmentalists, who will see the transmission line as a significant threat to the boreal forest. The project will not proceed until the Ontario government signs a long-term agreement with Manitoba to purchase the electricity produced at Conawapa. Talks are under way between the two provinces.

The Ontario government is counting on the project to help address the province's looming electricity shortage. By 2015, demand is forecast to exceed supply.

For their part, native leaders are trying to find a way to work together on the project rather than split off into different groups. NAN leaders signed a resolution at 10:30 Thursday night endorsing the continuation of discussions with the provincial government.

Hydro power megaproposal

The Conawapa Generating Station would be capable of producing 1,340 megawatts of electricity on the Lower Nelson River, 28 kilometres downstream from the existing Limestone Generating Station. Conawapa would require no significant water storage upstream, since flooding would be contained almost entirely within the natural banks of the Nelson River.

Ontario's existing installed generation capacity

includes nuclear, coal, oil, gas, hydroelectric, wood and waste-fuelled generation, which results in a total installed capacity of approximately 30,000 MW.

Coal: 21.4%
Oil and gas: 16.5%
Hydro: 25.8%
Nuclear: 36.1%
Other: 0.2%

A massive new east-west power grid could both help burnish the Harper government's image as environmentally friendly and help Ontario address its looming electricity crisis. But the proposed Conawapa project -- a $10-billion dam on the Nelson River and a $1.5-billion transmission line that would take 10 years to build -- faces numerous hurdles.

The four routes

The location of the transmission line is an open question. The Ontario government is studying four route options, all of which would affect a number of native communities.

DIRECT ROUTE: 1,750 kilometres from the proposed Conawapa dam to Sudbury. In a 2006 study for the Ontario government, favoured "from a technical, economic and environmental perspective" by consultants SNC-Lavalin Inc. and McLeod Wood Associates.

THUNDER BAY ROUTE: 1,750 kilometres from Conawapa southeast to Thunder Bay and then east to Sudbury.

WINNIPEG ROUTE: 2,400 kilometres from Conawapa to the Winnipeg area, then through the Thunder Bay area to Sudbury.

FAR NORTH ROUTE: 1,750 kilometres from Conawapa toward James Bay, then south through Kapuskasing to Timmins and Sudbury. Favoured by consultant's report from an environmental perspective.

Native bands Manitoba

The provincial government is promoting a partnership with native bands that would see these communities borrow a third of the project's financing costs in return for a share of the revenue from the project. The government also signed an agreement with Fox Lake Cree Nation in Gilliam to bring the community in as a partner. In addition, it paid the Cree group restitution for earlier projects that flooded the Fox Lake territory.

Ontario

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, which represents 49 communities in Northern Ontario, will not throw their support behind the transmission line until the provincial government outlines its position on broader economic development issues. NAN also wants a revenue-sharing agreement with the province and an ownership stake in the project.

Chief Terence Nelson of Roseau River First Nation letter is followed by the Ottawa Sun newspaper story about the National Day of Protest ...

Grand Chief Chris Henderson
Southern Chiefs Organization
225-530 Century Street
Winnipeg, MB
R3H 0Y4

March 31st 2007

Dear Grand Chief

Re: Emergency Treaty 1-11 Gathering, April 10th

As Chairman I thank you for attending the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Chiefs meeting yesterday. DOTC will convene an emergency Treaty 1-11 gathering in Winnipeg on April 10th 2007. We thank SCO for agreeing to help coordinate that meeting.

The National Day of Protest set for June 29th 2007 was passed by resolution of the Chiefs at the December 2006 Assembly of First Nations Ottawa summit. AFN represents over 600 First Nations in Canada. The response from the Conservative government of Canada to this planned national day of protest is to threaten the First Nations.

Our national Assembly of First Nations and our provincial organization, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and regional political organizations are funded by the government and vulnerable to cuts.

The reality however is that the federal and provincial governments receive far more benefits, literally hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars from the resource sales from the traditional territories of Treaties 1-11. Immigrant Canadians get hundreds of billions of dollars each year from the sale of resources taken from our lands.

At this gathering, we as First Nations will respond to the Federal Government threats.

We ask that each Treaty First Nation bring its written list of grievances and treaty violations to put into a document to be presented to Canada.

We will invite the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railway companies to listen to the Treaty First Nations. We will present the railway companies with those treaty violations. The railway companies have already each written to the Conservative government asking for Canada to resolve the issues with First Nations so that business is not interrupted by protest. The reason we would present these lists of treaty violations to the railway companies is to legally warn them that their right to benefit and use of our traditional treaty territory is in jeopardy.

Canadian National Railway tried to get injunctive relief from the courts last year and testified that they stand to lose at least 27 million dollars a day in revenue from a 24 hour railway blockade. That estimate from CN is only for a Manitoba blockade and is only the losses to CN, it does not include the losses to CP or the companies that both rail companies transport goods and services for.

A national day of protest that includes shutting down railway lines across Canada even for one day is an economic disaster of huge consequences for all Canadians. Last year although we did not do the one-day railway blockade as planned, the courts did however refuse to grant CN the injunctive relief it was seeking. Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice asked for more time, we gave him that time.

If the Treaty terms and conditions have not been fulfilled, we as Treaty First Nations are the only indigenous people capable legally to deny the right of immigrants to our lands, the right to use and benefit from our treaty traditional territory. That obligation, the lawful obligation (as recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada) for the treaties rests entirely with the Crown as represented by the federal government of Canada. In my response letter to CN’s letter to Prentice which I attach for you, I stated to CN.

While I thank you for your letter, I of course don’t agree with CN’s position that they are “an innocent third party” because we see clearly the billions and billions of dollars of resource wealth that CN transports every year from lands that the indigenous people have never relinquished or only gave conditional access to.

In order to legally block railway lines, Treaty First Nations must first declare the Treaties to be in jeopardy as a direct result of the failure of the Crown in fulfilling the lawful obligations that the immigrant government has to the treaty terms and conditions. We must have those written violations from each Treaty 1-11 First Nations in a document on April 10th 2007.

My personal goal is to have the Treaty 1-11 First Nations jointly demand that CN and CP voluntarily cease operations for 24 hours on June 29 or face the threat of month long roving blockades across our treaty territories.

Canadian Industry, such as CN, CP, Enbridge and most of the oil companies have all sent letters or voiced concerns to the federal government of Canada to take seriously the legal responsibility to sit down with the First Nations and resolve these matters. So far, all the Conservatives have done is threaten the First Nations.

On April 10th, I will bring to the attention of the Treaty 1-11 First Nations other options including some very serious legal help from south of the border. We all know that the courts in Canada, including the Supreme Court of Canada have clearly decided in numerous cases the explicit responsibility, the duty of the Crown to negotiate, to consult and come to agreement with the indigenous people on developments within the traditional territories of the original owners of the land.

The effect of development within the Tar Sands, the environmental devastation is cause for indigenous people to sue the Crown for those losses. This legal action can occur not only in Canada but the indigenous people can follow the sales of their property into the states.

Oil companies and lumber companies operating in Canada need to take serious attention to this.

Please send this letter to the technical working group of Treaty 1-11 at the scheduled meeting in Saskatoon next week. The techs must prepare the documents needed for each Treaty First Nation that attends the emergency summit on April 10th.

I attach for you, the letter I sent to CN. I will draft a Roseau River’s list of treaty violations. This will be Roseau River’s version, it will only be a draft, one that other First Nations may use or disregard when they make their own list of treaty violations.

It is sad, that the current government of Canada has set a course for confrontation with the indigenous people. I had hoped that the Minister of Indian Affairs Jim Prentice had heard the frustration we voiced at the July 4th 2006 meeting in Calgary.

The Globe and Mail just reported that Radical natives are included on the same list as the Tamil Tigers and Hezbollah in a new counterinsurgency manual being prepared for the Canadian army. The manual is in the final stages of preparation, but The Globe and Mail has obtained an early version of the document.

The draft outlines tactics, including ambush, deception and killing, which the military could use both at home and abroad against military opponents.

If Americans don’t take this situation seriously, they face heavy losses in Canada. American companies, especially those who are financed in publicly traded stocks from the stock market will be hit very hard even greater than what happened in Mexico in 1994.

We need to ensure that the treaty First Nations realize that the April 10th meeting is an emergency meeting, one we must be prepared for.

Mii-gwetch! You can contact me on my cell at 204-782-4827.

Sincerely

Chief Terrance Nelson
Chairman for DOTC Council of Chiefs
ROSEAU RIVER ANISHINABE FIRST NATION GOVERNMENT
P.O. Box 30, GINEW, Manitoba R0A 2R0
Phone (204) 427-2312 Fax: (204) 427-2584

++++++++++

The Ottawa Sun story ...

Natives plan rail blockade - First Nations groups call for day of action
By JORGE BARRERA, NATIONAL BUREAU - Mon, April 2, 2007

Parliament Hill -- Unbowed by federal government threats to cut funding, First Nations across the country continue to make plans for a one-day shutdown of the railway system that could spread into weeks.

Relations with the government have soured significantly since Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's budget completely ignored demands to make First Nations poverty a priority.

Things weren't helped on the weekend after it was revealed that the Canadian military labelled the Mohawk Warrior Society and radical Native groups as "insurgents" in a draft anti-guerrilla field manual obtained by Sun Media.

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice's aggressive stance on First Nations demands has also pushed relations to a level of acrimony last seen under the Liberals, when former Indian Affairs minister Bob Nault was pushing unpopular reform legislation.

"The Conservatives have united First Nations across the country," said Terrance Nelson, chairman of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council Chiefs, which represents nine Manitoba First Nations. "They have pissed off one hell of a lot of chiefs."

Anticipating the actions of the Conservative government, the Assembly of First Nations overwhelmingly passed a resolution in December calling for a day of action on June 29.

Prentice reacted by sending open letters last week to the Globe and Mail and the Winnipeg Free Press threatening to cut federal funding to First Nations groups if the actions went ahead.

The minister's actions were interpreted, in the words of AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine, as a "direct threat" and stoked an already roaring fire.

During a planned April 10 Winnipeg emergency meeting of treaty-holding First Nations, which cover western Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and parts of British Columbia, attendees are to compile of a list of treaty violations that will then be presented to Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway.

"My personal goal is to have the Treaty 1-11 First Nations jointly demand that CN and CP voluntarily cease operations for 24 hours on June 29 or face the threat of a month-long roving blockade across our treaty territories."

TAKE NATIVES SERIOUSLY

Nelson said the Conservatives need to take First Nations seriously.

"We want a share of our resources and we want to sit down and clearly talk about our treaties that said we would share in the resources of our own wealth," said Nelson, in an interview with Sun Media.

"If the federal government wants a fight with First Nations it is a very stupid thing to do and we will prove it."

Fort Frances Times news online ...

Ottawa promises to help pay for occupation cost
March 30, 2007 - (CP)

    TORONTO —Ottawa is ponying up $26.4 million to help the Ontario government cover the cost of a year-long aboriginal occupation in the southwestern Ontario town of Caledonia, and giving federal negotiators leave to settle additional land claims in the region.

    Indian Affairs minister Jim Prentice said yesterday the federal government recognizes the province is shouldering high costs for policing and buying the half-finished housing development that sits on the disputed tract of land.

    “Because of what happened in Caledonia, the government of Ontario had to incur additional expenses,” Prentice told a news conference in Ottawa.

    “The payment of $26.4 million includes $15.8 million towards the acquisition . . . of the Douglas Creek Estates property and $10.6 million to offset Ontario’s extraordinary policing costs.”

    Ontario calculates the cost of the dispute at more than $46 million, with almost half that sum going to round-the-clock staffing by provincial police.

    After loudly calling for a federal contribution to offset the rising cost of the occupation, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said the government is happy to hear Ottawa acknowledge the province’s financial burden.

    “It’s an important symbol that the federal government does understand it has a valuable role to play,” McGuinty said during a stop in London, Ont.

    “The other thing that’s really important here to note . . . is that the prime minister is granting an expanded mandate to his negotiators and hopefully that will lead to an accelerated process so that we can resolve this in a peaceful manner,” he added.

    David Ramsay, Ontario’s minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, said the expanded mandate for federal negotiator Barbara McDougall—currently at the table with the province and Six Nations representatives—now has the authority to attack up to 26 outstanding Six Nations land claims in the region.

    Rather than slow the pace of negotiations, Ramsay said it actually might help resolve the dispute more quickly since it addresses the real reason the occupation began in the first place over a year ago.

    Six Nations protesters aren’t counting on that yet. The federal announcement came as a complete surprise to most.

    “There appears to be a lot of money changing hands but nothing has changed hands with Six Nations,” Cayuga subchief Leroy Hill said in a statement.

    Janie Jamieson, who speaks for the occupiers, said the announcement seemed more designed to placate taxpayers than Six Nations.

    Six Nations protesters moved into the 40-hectare development last February, saying it was taken from them by the Crown 200 years ago.