Media.Knet.Ca

From http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Features/2006/10/08/1978536-sun.html

Native communities our 'Third World' - Feds slammed over neglected treaty rights - By BROOKES MERRITT -- Edmonton Sun   

It's shameful that the United Nations - not the federal government - will be the group highlighting the neglect of native treaty rights in Hobbema next month, says the dean of native studies at the University of Alberta.

Ellen Bielawski says a century of ignorance has made aboriginal communities Canada's "Third World embarrassment."

"(Canada) skims along on its international reputation as a peacekeeper, a place of good social programs and all that, yet we have this great black hole that we are ignoring.

"It shouldn't take a UN visit, but the failure of our government to honour treaty rights for things like land and resources is an embarrassing bit of our history."

In November, a UN forum in Hobbema will discuss results of a multi-year study on issues facing indigenous populations around the globe.

"Everything plaguing native populations today, including drug abuse and crime, are symptoms of the marginalized communities we created," Bielawski said.

"It reflects poorly on us that our government hasn't addressed these issues, some have been outstanding for 105 years."

Mel Buffalo, head of the Indian Association of Alberta, said Canada failed its native populations by neglecting treaties and assuming aboriginals would assimilate into mainstream society.

He said what many call "the Indian problem," cannot begin to be addressed until treaty rights are recognized.

"Outstanding land claims cause disputes like Caledonia. Potable water issues make people sick like in Kashechewan.

"Native communities are Canada's Third World. For decades our governments have refused their responsibilities."

Natives continue to be marginalized, he said, because "most people would have to be more than 100 years old" to fully understand the roots of the aboriginal plight.

Buffalo expects the UN forum of up to 50 international delegates to draw at least 2,500 people. The forum will also discuss issues including health, economics, housing and education.

From http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=20097

Tribal council accuses feds of welching, job losses loom - By Carol Martin - SooToday.com - October 07, 2006

As many as 12 people could loose their jobs and 650 members of North Shore Tribal Council could be without employment counselling services within the next few weeks.

Garden River First Nation Chief Lyle Sayers announced yesterday that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is refusing to honour its agreement to fund employment counselling up to 50 percent.

As a result, Sayers said, First Nations people are being denied access to important services that other Canadians get for free.

The funding dispute is between the province and the federal government.

North Shore Tribal Council leaders had believed the province could and would top up the funds for employment counselling services to levels paid to similar Ontario Works programs across the province, while Ontario dukes it out with the federal government.

If not, Sayers says the programs cannot be delivered.

"Indian Affairs says they don't have the money to pay it," he said.

"If that's the case, I'd sure like to know where it went because the federal government set aside funds for these programs as a result of an earlier agreement."

"These programs are vital," said one service provider in attendance.

"It gives our people an opportunity to reach for a hand up instead of a hand out," the provider said.

The full text of North Shore Tribal Council's media release follows:

********************
The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs is refusing to live up to Canada's financial obligations to Ontario (and therefore to First Nations) under a federal/ provincial social services cost-sharing agreement that dates back to 1965.

The First Nations of the North Shore Tribal Council recently negotiated an agreement with Ontario to deliver the full range of social assistance services (financial and employment assistance) to persons living on reserve who are eligible for these services.

As required for federal cost-sharing by the terms of the Canada/Ontario Agreement Respecting Welfare Services for Indians (the 1965 Agreement), the NSTC Social Assistance Program (Niigaaniin) has been accepted by Ontario as meeting the requirements and standards set out in its Ontario Works Act.

In addition, the level of funding that it has been agreed is required to meet these provincial standards is consistent with the level of funding provided by Ontario to non-native organizations delivering the Ontario Works Program in similar socio-economic and geographic circumstances.

Despite provincial and First Nation adherence to the terms of the 1965 Agreement, the Department of Indian Affairs is refusing to pay its full share of the funding First Nations have negotiated with Ontario.

At this point, eight years beyond implementation of the Ontario Works program, the Department has realized a saving of as much as $120 million across Ontario by not having to cost-share services which to this point have not been provided.

Nonetheless, the department is saying it will provide only $3.9 million in additional funding per year to support First Nation service delivery of the full program.

The bottom line: the department, with little or no expertise in the area, is presuming to second-guess Ontario in an acknowledged area of provincial jurisdiction.

It is of the opinion that the First Nations can deliver the Ontario Works program in a manner that meets provincial standards with a level of funding that is half of what it takes for non-aboriginal agencies to deliver the program in similar geographic and socio-economic circumstances.

Once again, First Nations' people in Ontario are facing discrimination at the hands of a federal department that is supposed to advance their interests.

As a result, First Nations’ people continue to be denied services to which they are entitled under law, or are being denied the level of service provided to other citizens of the province of Ontario.

Since the 1965 agreement is a federal/provincial agreement, it is up to these governments to sort out their problem.

However, given that it is First Nations and their members who ultimately experience the impact of the delay in or failure to resolve the problem, the several chiefs of the North Shore Tribal Council (NSTC) are planning appropriate action to deal with the failure of the Department of Indian Affairs to fulfill Canada’s obligations under the 1965 agreement.

NSTC Options

It is our understanding that provincial and federal officials are meeting about their difference of opinion respecting funding levels.

However, if the current impasse between Canada and Ontario is not resolved in the next very few weeks, the NSTC and member First Nations will no choice but to lay off staff, curtail operations, and at least cancel the delivery of employment assistance services to their members – thus continuing to deny their members access to services to which they have a right under provincial law.

Since it is now a condition for receipt of financial assistance that recipients of financial assistance be engaged in employment assistance services, it will fall to the federal and/or provincial governments to figure out a way to provide such services on reserve in order to ensure there is compliance with the requirements of the Ontario Works Act that both governments insist apply on as well as off reserve.

Alternatively, the NSTC and member First Nations may decide to cease acting as a delivery agent for Ontario in respect to both financial and employment assistance services - leaving it to Canada and/or Ontario to figure out how to ensure people living on reserve receive the entire range of Ontario Works services they are legally entitled to under the Ontario Works Act, and at a level consistent with delivery off reserve.

Under the terms of the 1965 Agreement and the Ontario Works Act it is our view that it is possible for Ontario to flow 100 percent of the agreed level of funding while Canada/Ontario work to resolve their impasse as to cost-share obligations under their Agreement.

This alternative has been proposed, and we are hoping for a positive response from Ontario within the next week.

In the absence of a change in the position of the Department of Indian Affairs or an agreement with Ontario to fill the funding gap at least temporarily, the chiefs of the North Shore Tribal Council will take appropriate action.

From http://www.timminspress.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=220369&catname=Local+News&classif=

Governments not serving Aboriginal youth: Bartleman

Scott Paradis - October 06, 2006

Aboriginal youths in southern Ontario vent their frustrations through protest, while in the North they too often turn to suicide, said Ontario's representative to the Queen.

James Bartleman, Ontario's lieutenant-governor, spoke to a crowd of delegates attending the Boreal Conference 2006 on Wednesday at the Thomas Cheechoo Jr. Memorial Arena in Moose Factory.

He told the room of forestry officials from around the world the painful struggle facing Northern First Nation youths.

"First Nations in the south aren't doing as bad," Bartleman said. "But I saw that when I came to Northern Ontario, First Nations are the Third World."

Bartleman said the suicide rates are so high in fly-in communities that some in Ontario report a suicide nearly every week.

The problems began when Northern Aboriginal peoples, who only recently have had post-modern life pushed upon them, stepped away from traditional livelihood, he said.

Populations are too great in most of these communities for residents to live off the land, "but, you go to the store where milk costs $13 and fresh fruits and vegetables are out of the question," he said.

The state of education exacerbates the social problems caused by poverty, he said.

Schools in most fly-in First Nations are dilapidated, falling apart and full of mould, he said.

The way the federal and provincial governments are set up to handle Aboriginal affairs does little to help First Nation education, he said.

"The federal government is responsible for First Nation education, but they don't have the expertise to implement the programs," he said.

"The province has the expertise, but they don't have the responsibility," added Bartleman.

Amid the social troubles comes a program that could help curb anger, frustration and eventually suicide in remote communities, said Bartleman.

The lieutenant-governor's literacy camps ran this past summer in every Ontario fly-in First Nation.

Bartleman implemented the program after running a successful pilot project with six communities.

Now that financial commitments will likely keep the literacy camps running in the future, Bartleman said another literacy program is ready to get off the ground.

The $1-million-plus program called Club Amick for Young Readers will have selected youths receiving a new, hard-cover book of their own every second month.

Amid these hurdles, Smith said there has been success.

The program will also have a newsletter, magazine or newspaper sent to them written by some of the club's participating youths, for youths.

"The kids will get to see what they, and other kids, are writing," Bartleman said.

"It could be a story about themselves, a fictional story, a poem."

Bartleman previously announced the Literacy Camps and Club Amick programs months earlier during a visit to Timmins.

However, he gave an update on the program's progress during his visit to Moose Factory.

Club Amick will launch in as little as two weeks, noted Bartleman.

"Poverty, does not allow some children to own their own books," said Bartleman.

"Imagine these children getting a book, with their name on it, in the mail," he added.

Children living in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation territory are about three to six years behind the national average in literacy, said the lieutentant-governor.

Bartleman said he believes this statistic is connected to low self-esteem on isolated First Nations, and the suicide rates.

With the literacy programs, Bartleman said he hopes to begin the ripple effect that will curb and reverse these statistics.

Peggy Sanders received her Order of Canada insignia today "depicting a stylized, six-point snowflake, which bears at its centre a stylized maple leaf and the Order's motto of in Latin: Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (They desire a better country)."

The following piece was read when Peggy was called upon to receive her award from the Governor General.

Sioux Lookout is a more inclusive and caring community thanks to the vision of Peggy Sanders. Greatly admired for bridging cultures, she has been building relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities for decades. She is renowned throughout northern Ontario for having offered her friendship and support, on a daily basis, to pregnant First Nations women who were far from home. A founding member of the local anti-racism committee, she also played a key role in the establishment of a bicultural health centre. Moreover, she has championed literacy by founding the town’s first public library in order to encourage children to embrace the joy of reading.

From http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4868

Governor General to invest 48 recipients into the Order of Canada
October 3, 2006

OTTAWA––Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will preside at an Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday, October 6 2006, at 10:30 a.m.

The Governor General, who is Chancellor and Principal Companion of the Order, will present 48 recipients with their insignia of membership. 13 Officers and 35 Members will be invested.

The Order of Canada recognizes people who have made a difference to our country. From local citizens to national and international personalities, all Canadians are eligible for the Order of Canada, our country's highest honour for lifetime achievement. Three different levels of membership honour people whose accomplishments vary in degree and scope: Companion, Officer and Member.

The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement and service in various fields of human endeavour. Appointments are made on the recommendation of an advisory council, chaired by the Chief Justice of Canada. The motto of the Order is Desiderantes meliorem patriam–“They desire a better country.”

From http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2006/10/06/order-canada-invest.html

Gov. Gen. invests latest Order of Canada recipients - Friday, October 6, 2006

From AFN press release ...

On the occasion of First Nations Women's Day, October 5th, Assembly of First Nations National Chief denounces the high rates of poverty among First Nations women and children

OTTAWA, Oct. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - On the occasion of First Nations Women's Day, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, and AFN Women's Council Chair Kathleen McHugh, voiced their serious concerns on the recent federal cuts to a number of programs that will have devastating effects on First Nations women and children.

"Today marks a day to celebrate the daily contributions made by the true caregivers in our communities," stated National Chief Fontaine. "First Nations women are the glue that binds our families together. At the same time, we must recognize that so many First Nations women and children live in abject poverty and despair. This is the single greatest social justice issue in Canada today."

The National Chief pointed out that last week the federal government announced program cuts to women's advocacy groups, literacy programs, the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch's (FNIHB) tobacco cessation strategy, and the Law Commission of Canada. "First Nations have benefited greatly from all of these programs. This is a huge step backwards."

"A comprehensive approach to closing the gap in well-being between First Nations and other Canadian women is needed that tackles the root causes of poverty and unhealthy behaviors," noted Ms. McHugh. "Instead, the federal government is cutting programs for those populations most at risk in Canada.
80 per cent of our women are dependent on government funding sources. 60 per cent smoke, including our pregnant women. This situation should be unacceptable to all Canadians. The failure to act will only result in a greater burden to the Canadian system."

"Next month marks the tenth anniversary of the 1996 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), and the one-year anniversary of the Kelowna Accord.

We are gravely concerned that no significant progress has been made to eradicate First Nations' poverty," concluded the National Chief. "We cannot afford to lose another generation of First Nations people, including many women and children, who are suffering needlessly and trapped in a cycle of poverty and despair."

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

-30-

/For further information: Bryan Hendry, A/AFN Communications Director, (613) 241-7889, ext 229, Cell (6130 293-6106, bhendry@afn.ca/

From Aboriginal Healing Foundation announcements

Storytelling Gathering for Survivors of Residential School November 17, 18 & 19, 2006, Brantford, Ontario

(OTTAWA, Ontario, October 3, 2006) – The Legacy of Hope Foundation (http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/lhf.html) will be recording stories from Residential School Survivors across Canada. This Storytelling Gathering will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on November 17, 18 & 19, 2006 at the Best Western Brant Park Inn, 19 Holiday Drive, Brantford, Ontario. These audio/video recordings will be the basis for a national book project, entitled “ Our Stories…Our Strength”, a commemoration to Residential School Survivors. There is no cost to attend, although participants must cover their own travel costs to the event, as well as the cost of accommodations. The Legacy of Hope Foundation will provide refreshments and a lunch at no cost.

Students who attended Residential School will have a unique opportunity to record their experience. The Legacy of Hope Foundation has embarked on a landmark project to collect and compile the stories of first generation Survivors into a book, a DVD and other educational resources. The project, Our Stories … Our Strength, will use storytelling as a method to build a history of this neglected part of Canada’s past. This project is a response to an often-heard request for a book to commemorate the legacy of the residential school experience. The aim of the project is to honour and commemorate Survivors and to promote greater understanding and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

For more information or to register contact Laura Milonas at the Legacy of Hope Foundation: (613) 237-4441, ext. 331 or toll-free 1-877-553-7177.

- 30 -

From http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/local/story/3711844p-4291037c.html

Manitoba native leaders heading to Bolivia

Wed Oct 4 2006
By Carol Sanders (carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca)
 
Manitoba chiefs looking for strength in numbers are travelling to Bolivia this weekend for the Continental Gathering of Indigenous Peoples.

Dennis Meeches of Long Plain First Nation, Terry Nelson of Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, traditional dancers and drummers from Long Plain and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' political adviser, Don Clarke, leave Sunday for the five-day conference in La Paz, Bolivia.

The Continental Gathering is also a celebration of Bolivia electing its first indigenous leader, President Evo Morales. His leadership is a beacon for aboriginal people around the world who've been colonized and disenfranchised, said Clarke. It's a symbol of hope and also expected to give indigenous companies and First Nations an inside track on trade with that country, he said.

"It's creating some huge opportunities for some of our expertise to be shared," Clarke said.

Bolivia and other South American countries are mineral rich, and First Nations in Canada have experience working with industry to develop resources.

"We as First Nations have lots of experience in mining, forestry and oil and gas -- these are experiences we want to share with the Bolivian government," said Clarke. "We're interested in enhancing Canadian trade in Bolivia, which is about $50 million Canadian."
 
And countries like Bolivia can teach First Nations here a thing or two, he said.

"We're learning from their being colonized and disenfranchised -- what models can we apply here for cultural retention and preserving their languages? They're working through what the dominant society has thrust on them," said Clarke. "They're strengthening their (indigenous) languages. What low-cost, effective strategies do they have to help us maintain our culture and identity?"

Next week's conference in Bolivia draws indigenous people from throughout the Americas to join forces socially and culturally, as well as economically. The trip is being funded by the AMC, tribal organizations, First Nations and businesses, said Clarke.

At the conference in Bolivia, Nelson will be showing a video entitled Not So Gentle Neighbour (watch the video online at http://www.streamreel.com/archives/aim/aim_gentle.htm) that illustrates the strained relationship between the Canadian government and aboriginal people. His message is that indigenous people can become independent of their governments through international trade and investment.

The Manitoba chiefs have been working toward forging closer ties with Latin America.

Last month, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs announced it was opening an office in Santiago, Chile to create a permanent presence in Latin America.

In January, the Manitoba chiefs voted to set up an international relations department with a trade and investment adviser on the ground in Chile and Ecuador, said Clarke.

From http://www.timminspress.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=214225&catname=Local News&classif=

Cochrane holds global conference

Michael Peeling - Monday, October 02, 2006

A place that's home to a boreal forest will play host to a conference on the subject.

The first annual Boreal Conference began Sunday night at Cochrane's new Tim Horton Event Centre, with opening ceremonies to welcome 250 delegates from around the world and talk about the boreal forests of North America.

The three-day conference, hosted by Lake Abitibi Model Forest and the Canadian Institute of Forestry focuses on the science behind the forest as experts on the subject speak about their "real-life experiences in planning, operations and policy-making from across the North American boreal forest," according to the event's agenda. "There are a lot of dynamics in our forests; factors affecting our forests such as climate change, globalization in the marketplace and competitiveness" said Wayne Young, general manager of Lake Abitibi Model Forest.

"We see a lot of dynamic change in the boreal forest. We thought it was a great opportunity to hold a conference here in the actual boreal forest to discuss the issues around the boreal forest."

Young said conferences like this are usually held in Toronto and Montreal. The most recent he attended was the 10th annual National Forest Congress in Gatineau, Que.

Two years ago, Young sat down with an advisory panel of about nine people to develop topic ideas and discuss possible venues.

The panel grew into an organizing committee of 12, which includes Peggy Smith of the faculty of forestry at Lakehead University, Rob Galloway, regional director of the Ministry of Natural Resources in South Porcupine, and George Bruemmer, formerly of Tembec, executive director of Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Forest Service-sponsored Fibre Centre.

As one of the hosts of the event, the Canadian Institute of Forestry decided to hold its annual general meeting at Cedar Meadows to coincide with the first Boreal Conference.

Young said the conference will focus on four main themes, the first being climate change, which will be the first topic of discussion this morning with talks by experts including professor David Pearson of Laurentian University and associate professor Debra Davidson of University of Alberta.

"We see climate change as one of the biggest challenges facing the boreal forest," Young said. "Not only the forests themselves, but the communities associated with the forest."

The second set of sessions, held this afternoon, will explore globalization and community sustainability in the boreal forest with the guidance of the likes of Professor Luc Bouthillier of Laval University and Chief Tammy Cook-Searson of Lac La Ronge Indian Band in Saskatchewan.

"With a changing marketplace, we're seeing mill closures ... so how do we deal with globalization in the marketplace and the (affected) communities like Smooth Rock Falls," Young said.

Tuesday's themes will be natural disturbance-based management - meaning how should forestry experts deal with factors such as fire, wind, diseases and insects that affect the boreal forest - and balancing protection and use, which looks at whether or not we are protecting enough of the forest and if we have enough forest to produce enough commercial fibre for the mills.

"I think we're unique in this conference in that we've scheduled 45 minutes for group discussions from the floor," Young said.

"What we're hoping to do is generate some dialogue within the forest community from across Canada, not only about what the issues are, but to find out what we can do about them."

The 250 delegates attending the conference include foresters, forest managers, forest researchers from all 10 provinces, industrial forest managers from Abitibi-Consolidated and Tembec, First Nations leaders, community leaders such as Cochrane mayor Lawrence Martin and 50 forestry students from University of Toronto and Lakehead University.

"We've got a good youth contingency coming to the conference ... young people that will ultimately make the decisions in the future," Young said. "Hopefully they'll have an opportunity to learn and put that to good use in the future."

On Wednesday all of the delegates will be treated to a ride on the Polar Bear Express train from Cochrane to Moose Factory so that they "can experience a traditional First Nation community and (eat) a meal of moose and goose.

"We'll have speakers who can talk about what the delegates see out the windows of the train as it travels through a good chunk of the boreal forest."

Details about the Boreal Conference 2006 can be found at www.borealconference2006.ca

From http://www.timminspress.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=215666&catname=Local%20News&classif=

Foster-care concerns a poignant reminder of residential schools; Speaker draws the parallel at child-abuse prevention event - Scott Paradis - Tuesday, October 03, 2006

The strain residential schools put on Aboriginal communities in the past is echoed today in foster care services, a representative for an Aboriginal child and family group said Monday. Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada, was the keynote speaker at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre Monday, for this year's purple ribbon campaign.

The ribbon campaign marks the 14th annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and Awareness Month, held each year in October.

"In 1949, at the height of the government's use of residential schools, there were 9,000 children taken from their homes," Blackstock said.

"Our best estimate is there are now between 23,000 and 28,000 children away from their homes and in foster care."

Of that number, about 9,000 Aboriginal children in foster care are from First Nation communities, she said.

Blackstock has done the math and said in 2004, children "from the reserve spent collectively two million nights away from home."

There are four main reasons for children, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, being taken from their families and placed into foster care, she said.

They are: Physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Non-Aboriginal children are usually taken from their homes because of the three abuses, However, Aboriginal children are commonly taken away because of neglect, she said.

"When people think neglect, they think the parents don't have the right parenting skills," she said.

However, Blackstock said, studies her group is involved with show that parenting skills have little to do with the so-called neglect problem.

"It has more to do with poverty and a lack of access to social programs," she said.

Blackstock said she could teach parenting skills to almost any parent - but without money, they likely couldn't benefit from them. "You can give them the recipe, but they can't make anything without the groceries," she said.

Blackstock said she doesn't live in a "utopian world," and understands that some children are better off away from home.

That fact doesn't excuse the excessive numbers of children being taken away from their families, she said.

The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada developed a method for average Canadians to help improve Aboriginal child care, and Blackstock said it takes less than 15 minutes.

Details of the 15-minute program are available on the group's website, www.fncaringsociety.com

This year's purple ribbon campaign is the first time Child and Family Services Timmins and District has partnered with the Timmins Native Friendship Center.

Richard Lambert-Belanger, executive director of Child and Family Services Timmins and District, said he has high hopes for the partnership and hopes to see it continue in future campaigns.

Groups have just begun handing out the purple ribbons, and on one blitz alone auxiliary members of the OPP and Timmins Police Service handed out 3,000 of them.

"It wasn't a fundraiser," Lambert-Belanger said. "But people donated anyway and we raised more than $1,000."

As for the purple ribbon itself, he calls it "a symbolic beacon," and hopes people wear it throughout the entire month of October, not just the day they receive it.

From http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/News/257887.html

United Nations to visit Hobbema - Nick Puhjera - Monday October 02, 2006

Times Staff  —  Delegates from around the world will converge on Hobbema, spotlighting the plight of aboriginal people.

The event marks the first time the United Nations is holding a meeting on First Nations territory and comes as good news to former Wetaskiwin MP Willie Littlechild, a member of the UN permanent forum on indigenous issues.

“Canada should be leading the way (in terms of treaties). We’re going to put our heads together,” he said.

The theme of the meeting is best practices -- practical strategies and practices for the implementation of treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements between states and indigenous peoples.

Originally scheduled for September, the meeting has been postponed until November.

Questions which will be asked include: What is the indigenous understanding of treaties and what would be the Cree understanding of treaties?

The high-security meeting will feature a delegation of 40 to 50 experts, with approximately 200 attendees in all.
In the public eye, treaties are seen as a problem, Littlechild agreed.

“Treaties are a partnership (which) sadly (have) been overlooked. Treaties are seen as a problem. We have existing modern treaties, pre-Confederation treaties.”

He noted the Canadian Constitution is the document which calls the Canadian people to respect treaties.

Littlechild agreed the recent water crisis at the Kashechewan Cree First Nations community in Northern Ontario is just one example of a so-called emergency issue.

Whether in Northern Ontario or Hobbema, the problems affecting First Nations are ultimately linked with treaties.

“I’m (at Hobbema) quite a lot. Whether it’s health, housing or education, every emerging issue which has (surfaced) as an emergency issue is treaty-related.”

The Canadian response is often “reactive instead of proactive. A lot of these issues can be prevented before they become an emergency.”

The use of the meeting will also be educational. Littlechild cited the admirable treaty education program in Saskatchewan as one Alberta could emulate.

“In Saskatchewan they have a very good treaty education component. Not just indigenous peoples, but all children (must learn it).

People must not be discouraged that progress regarding First Nations may come slowly. The convention on the rights of the child took 27 years to agree upon, he said.

“It is possible for people to come together. We can respect both individual and collective rights.”

Maskwacis Cree political analyst and UN working group co-ordinator Marlene Buffalo also commented on the significance of the meeting.

“For the Muskwacis Cree, it’s the culmination of their 30 years of work on treaties. It’s really an opportunity to have their concerns addressed,” she said.

But the history goes much farther than just three decades. “It’s a follow-up on the recommendations that were made on the treaty report by special rapporteur Miguel Alfonso Martinez. He was instrumental in preparing the final work in the treaty study.”

Buffalo said the seminar will be educational as well.

“I agree it’s an opportunity to become aware of the intricacies of the work that has transpired from the treaty study to now. Our work involving human rights has been 30 years but Treaty 6 was (signed) in the 19th century. The Indian people are not going away.”

There are more than 370 million indigenous people worldwide.