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In announcing the upcoming AFN Special Chiefs' Assembly, National Chief Phil Fontaine invited the chiefs "to look at some of the options and recommendations that stem from the Renewal report and to discuss how we can make our strong organization even stronger." Click here to learn more about the AFN Renewal report

Click here for AFN Special Chiefs Assembly registration and meeting information 

Message from the AFN National Chief on the Special Chiefs Assembly

Greetings!

The Assembly of First Nations is convening a Special Chiefs Assembly on March 27-29 to engage in a discussion on AFN Renewal.  The AFN Renewal Commission issued its report - “A Treaty Among Ourselves” - on December 7, 2005.  It is now time for Chiefs and First Nations representatives to look at some of the options and recommendations that stem from the Renewal report and to discuss how we can make our strong organization even stronger.

Some central themes emerged during the Renewal Commission’s public hearings. Our people want to ensure the AFN is rooted in First Nations values, principles, customs and traditions; representative of the First Nations and their citizens; responsive to the diverse circumstances, needs and priorities of First Nations; and respected and effective in Confederation and in the international community.

The purpose of the SCA is to focus discussion and dialogue around five key areas based on the Renewal Commission’s report. Those areas are: accountability; universal vote; structures; relationship; and administrative efficiencies. We will be providing you with brief discussion papers for each of these areas.  As well, the Special Chiefs Assembly will also be an opportunity to discuss some of the other matters that require attention prior to the upcoming AGA, including our agenda and approach with the new federal government.

I look forward to your participation in this important and exciting discussion about our national organization. As First Nations grow and evolve, so too will the AFN. Your ideas and your input will be essential in these efforts.

Meegwetch/Thank you!

Phil Fontaine
National Chief

From MacLeans Online - February 28, 2006

Grassy Narrows warns Weyerhaeuser, Abitibi against 'destruction of homeland?

GRASSY NARROWS, Ont. (CP) - Frustrated by what they see as an industrial invasion of their territory, aboriginal people in northwestern Ontario are warning two forestry giants to stop logging the area or face an international protest.

In a letter sent to Weyerhaeuser Co. Ltd. and Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. on Tuesday, the Grassy Narrows First Nation accused the companies of cultural and environmental devastation.

"This letter is your final official notice that you are taking part in the destruction of our homeland," the letter states.

"Know that you face a fierce campaign against you on all fronts - in the woods, in the streets, in the marketplace, in your boardrooms and in the media."

The 700-member community of Grassy Narrows has long complained that decades of unsustainable logging have poisoned area waters with mercury and other toxins and all but destroyed their aboriginal way of life.

Negotiations, lawsuits, requests for environmental assessments, public protests and a three-year blockade in the forest have all failed to win an improvement in the situation, the letter states.

"The Earth is suffering and we as human beings are suffering," said Judy Da Silva, a member of the Grassy Narrows environmental committee.

"The water is really polluted, there's a lot of erosion on the land, and . . . we're still finding high levels of mercury in animals."

Denis Leclerc, Abitibi's director of corporate affairs, said Grassy Narrow's demands recently changed to include recognition of their traditional land-use area, something the company has no control over.

"It's almost impossible for a forest and paper company to contribute concretely to a resolution when the demands from Grassy Narrows are directly related to government decisions," Leclerc said.

Bonny Skene, Ontario public affairs manager for Weyerhaeuser Canada, said Montreal-based Abitibi-Consolidated is responsible for managing the forest and does so according to plans sanctioned by the provincial government.

Weyerhaeuser, which uses hardwood from forests in the area to feed its mill in nearby Kenora, Ont., takes the concerns stated in the letter seriously, she said.

"Weyerhaeuser is committed to building mutually beneficial relationships with aboriginal communities," Skene said from the company's regional offices in Dryden, Ont.

"We understand the demands on forests today and meeting the demands requires all of us to work together."

David Sone, an organizer with the Rainforest Action Network based in San Francisco, said the forest companies have "run amok" in Grassy Narrows and need to be stopped.

"This letter signals the beginning of a serious escalation of the struggle to protect Grassy Narrows," Sone said.

"It makes very clear their wishes and interests aren't being respected and they don't intend to sit back and watch that happen."

Last fall, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society issued a report that denounced Abitibi for clear cutting huge tracts land in the region and replanting it with ecologically barren tree plantations.

"The clear cutting of the land and the destruction of the forest is an attack on our people," said Roberta Kessik, a Grassy Narrows grandmother and trapper.

"The land is the basis of who we are."

The First Nations also worry that irreversible damage will be done to eco-tourism in the area, further damaging the longer-term economic prospects in the region.

Groundwork needed on Kelowna Accord: Prentice

Mon. Feb. 27 2006 - Canadian Press

OTTAWA — Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice says "overwhelming'' groundwork must be laid before $5 billion promised for native people can be well spent.

Until that's achieved, survival of the landmark Kelowna accord reached just before the Liberals were toppled last fall is in doubt.

Conservatives want to help ease crippling rates of aboriginal poverty, Prentice stressed in an interview.

But throwing money at dilapidated housing and dysfunctional education systems isn't enough, he said.

"It's not just about someone writing a cheque.

"We take Kelowna seriously. We'll be moving forward on some sort of a rational, sustainable finance plan built around it. But I've also discovered in the time since I've become the minister that there's an awful lot of implementation -- an overwhelming amount -- that needs to be addressed to make this all work.

"And a lot of that stuff needs to be done ... before the money flows. Otherwise, we'll just be doing business the way we used to do business. And everyone has agreed that doesn't work.''

Prentice wouldn't say whether Kelowna funding will be withheld from the first Tory budget expected this spring.

"All I can say is, stay tuned. I'm working on it.''

Financial details were never worked out or approved for Kelowna, he added.

It's not the first time a Conservative has pointed that out. Indeed, former finance critic Monte Solberg -- now immigration minister -- made headlines during the election campaign in January when he accused the Liberals of crafting the Kelowna deal "on the back of a napkin on the eve of an election. We're not going to honour that.''

Prentice later tried to backpedal, but his latest comments are "astounding,'' says Liberal native affairs critic Anita Neville.

"Kelowna was the result of 18 months of meetings between the government of Canada and all the aboriginal stakeholders.

"It was signed by (Ottawa), the first ministers and aboriginal leaders with a 19-page implementation plan of clear targets and accountability measures.''

Its dilution or loss would be a tragic step in the wrong direction, Neville said.

Kelowna promises include:

• $1.8 billion to close the education gap by 2016 so that native high school and post-secondary graduation rates are closer to the non-native norm.
• $1.6 billion for housing and infrastructure, including a new focus on native home ownership and $400 million to improve water quality on reserves.
• $1.3 billion to help reduce infant mortality rates, youth suicide, childhood obesity and diabetes while doubling the number of health workers by 2016.

While Prentice stressed Tory commitment to such goals, the Conservative election platform was virtually silent on related funding commitments.

Instead, it promises "opportunity and respect for aboriginals'' through an ambitious plan to revamp legislation and settle land claims. Conservatives also hope to scrap the Indian Act -- a dicey prospect that has stymied successive governments who've retreated from widespread native protest.

Some native leaders were outspoken during the election about their fears for Kelowna.

Metis National Council president Clement Chartier said Solberg's comments were proof "that the Conservatives have little to no respect or appreciation for aboriginal peoples.''

But Patrick Brazeau, the new head of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, says his group had lingering concerns about the Kelowna deal. The congress officially endorsed the Tories and has long battled with the national Assembly of First Nations (AFN) for influence in Ottawa.

"There was a lot of hard work going into the process,'' Brazeau said. "But our issue was: Where will the money be taken from to support these commitments and where will it go?''

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the AFN, met Monday for two hours with Prentice.

He emerged optimistic that the minister will support the goals of Kelowna, but he urged Prentice to take action.

"The minister stated in the media recently that `aboriginal Canadians are not going to live with risk' as long as (he) is minister.'''

Prentice can prove his resolve "by working immediately to implement the commitments from the (Kelowna agreement),'' Fontaine said.

The mining exploration company that was searching for minerals without the support of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aski, have pulled up stakes and left the K.I. traditional territory. Click here to check out the pictures of the protest.

The peaceful weekend protest by community members and their supporters from other First Nations proved successful. By Sunday, the mining company had completed taking down their camp and leaving the area.

Chief Donny Morris made the following statement to the supporters of the K.I. traditional territory ...

"The protest at this phase(on site) has ended with success. We thank the support of Chiefs, members from other First Nations and K.I  members who supported and reaffirmed our Sovereignty Title to the land we call home. However we will continue to guard the land as custodians of  Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aski."

Visit http://bigtroutlake.firstnation.ca for links to the media coverage of this struggle to defend the traditional territory of K.I.

from http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/story.php?id=215194

Sport and recreational council to offer more help to aboriginal students

By Mike Aiken - Miner and News - February 24, 2006

Grade 9 students have enough trouble making it through the year. Imagine if you were a First Nation student from a small community.

Beaver Brae principal Sean Monteith announced Wednesday he will be working with the St. Thomas Aquinas, the city, Treaty 3 and a number of community groups on a new athletic program which will help encourage aboriginal youth to stay in school.

Known as the Kenora Aboriginal Sport and Recreational Council, it’s modeled on its Winnipeg counterpart, and sponsors are hoping to build role models with leadership potential.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a more exciting time,” Monteith said, referring to a number of new initiatives.

They include the province’s Learn to 18 policy, which is meant to help ensure all young people across Ontario graduate, as well as new supports for literacy and skills development.

Locally, there is also the urban aboriginal program operating in partnership with the NeChee Friendship Centre and the Fellowship Centre, where First Nations teens who have dropped out can get a chance to rejoin their peers through independent learning.

As it stands, Monteith remembered speaking with a young woman from Wabaseemoong (Whitedog), who was new to the school.

“She was just thrown in and away she goes,” he said, noting the lack of structured supports for new students.

In an effort to address these issues, the school is hoping to run a course for new Grade 9 and 10 students where they will get help with the organizational skills and coping techniques.

“I would say that we’re probably losing a lot of kids, and that’s unacceptable,” he said.

In an effort to better track their aboriginal students and their progress, both school boards have started asking parents to self-identify. While the numbers and the data are still being collected, some trends are already clear.

In recent years, First Nation students have comprised 30 per cent of Beaver Brae’s population of 950, but less than half were expected to complete their year.

By 2010, the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is expecting its population to be 50 per cent aboriginal.

Through the added supports in the school’s proposal, Monteith is hoping to see a two per cent increase in graduation rates, as well as a five per cent increase in participation rates in extra-curricular athletics.

Two letters from the mining exploration company president to Chief Donny Morris of KI were shared with community members last night (see below). Threats that the government, the police and the mining community interests take precedence over access to First Nation traditional lands is made clear in the following letters to the community.

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is involved in a mining exploration dispute with Platinex Inc. concerning the use of their tradtional territories. Follow the story and view the pictures of the mining camp site on the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug web site at http://bigtroutlake.firstnation.ca

from the Globe and Mail, February 22, 2006 ... click here to see the story

Stakes are high as miners and natives square off
Remote site's platinum riches touch off fight over land rights
JULIUS STRAUSS

BIG TROUT LAKE, ONT. -- It may not look like much: a white canvas tent, a five-kilowatt diesel generator throbbing on the frozen muskeg and two miners puffing in the winter air. In fact, the setup was so small that the men and their equipment had fit into the belly of a Twin Otter plane that landed on a nearby frozen lake the day before.

But this tiny wilderness camp in a forgotten corner of Northern Ontario is the scene of a dispute that may have an impact across the country.

The outcome may prove pivotal for the welfare of native communities in Northern Ontario and may set a precedent that could alter the way Canada manages its natural resources.

At stake is the notion dating back to the days of the Yukon gold rush and beyond -- the idea that anybody can stake a claim on Crown land, buy a licence and begin digging or drilling for valuable resources.

But while the miners who arrived at the site last week believe they have the right to dig, the Big Trout Lake band is arguing that aboriginals never signed away ownership of the land to the European settlers in early 20th century treaties.

Big Trout Lake, along with six other native communities in Northern Ontario, and several environmental organizations, has called for a moratorium on all mining and logging in the region until a proper land-use survey is done and a deal on resource sharing is agreed upon.

At stake is a huge amount of money. According to Platinex Inc., the Southern Ontario company that has staked and leased the remote drilling site, the Big Trout Lake claim alone could prove to be the largest deposit of platinum in North America.

The nub of the argument put forward by Big Trout Lake is that although the land is outside the reserve it is theirs, at least in part, by inheritance.

"They think they can ride roughshod over us like in the old days," said Chief Donny Morris of Big Trout Lake (the reserve has recently renamed itself the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation).

"But this is our birthright, our God-given right. The community wants to be involved."

The seeds of the current conflict were sown eight years ago when Platinex was incorporated and began seeking rights from provincial authorities to drill near Big Trout Lake.

Platinex president and chief executive officer James Trusler said he tried many times to win the approval of the band for the drilling but was rebuffed. The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in several cases that natives must be consulted in such situations.

"Some members of the band were happy with us, others were not. They just tried to get us off so they could get the land," Mr. Trusler said.

The company has spent $600,000 on the claim and expects to spend $1.5-million by the end of winter, he added.

The company has decided to push ahead without the title dispute being settled. But Big Trout members cite examples from Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Atlantic Canada in which courts have ruled that the native communities must be allowed to benefit from the resources of the land.

The band says that under the Treaty of Adhesion in 1929, when Big Trout Lake reached a deal with the Crown, it agreed to share the land with the settlers -- not forgo its rights to it.

The land staked by Platinex is also subject to a treaty land entitlement claim by the Big Trout Lake band.

This land redistribution process, which has been going on for years, stems from recognition by the federal government in the 1980s that it cheated the natives out of some of the land it promised them in treaties.

Based on experience, native groups fear that if mining and logging is allowed to go ahead willy-nilly, the environment will be ruined.

The last company to drill near Big Trout Lake, for example, dumped large boxes of core samples on the fragile muskeg when it packed up and left several years ago.

"About 20 years ago, mining exploration destroyed an important area for hunting and fishing sturgeon. We have no assurances that new exploration will not bring similar problems," Allan Beardy, an elder with the nearby Muskrat Dam First Nation, said in a letter signed by seven native groups, calling for a moratorium on mining exploration and forestry in Northern Ontario.

"First nations are not anti-development. They are anti-development that is destructive and doesn't benefit them," said Francis Thatcher, a Thunder Bay lawyer who represents many native communities.

"Northern Ontario is a generation behind in terms of the government response. The first nations were getting more respect in the 1980s."

Frank Beardy, a former chief of Muskrat Dam, explained the native opposition to such ventures as drilling, mining and logging. "There are millions of dollars out there and we live in islands of poverty. We're not against development. We just want a piece of the action. And we want some environmental protection," he said.

"We've been after revenue-sharing for countless numbers of years. Now we need to evict the intruders until the matter is resolved," Mr. Beardy said.

Environmental groups have also weighed in, criticizing Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty for his failure to live up to promises he made while in opposition to institute comprehensive land-use planning.

The Wildlands League has called on the Premier to protect Ontario's huge boreal forest, which is home to woodland caribou, wolverine and many other species of wildlife at risk.

Last week, native leaders who had been watching the winter road for signs that Platinex might try to truck in a drilling team against their wishes were caught unawares when the company flew a team in.

By the time Big Trout Lake members reached the remote spot the next day -- a draining journey by truck and snowmobile in temperatures of -30 -- the first two-man Platinex construction team was in place.

David Sainnawap, 46, who works for the band, was one of the scouts. "I've always had a deep feeling that this is ours. They shouldn't just come and take something that doesn't belong to them," he said.

Platinex has refused to call off drilling operations and the band leadership has become increasingly frustrated.

The Ontario Provincial Police flew in an extra man, Inspector Darrell Smiley, to try to smooth over the differences, but he met with little success and left late last week.

Mr. Trusler said this week that his workers had been threatened but that he was planning to proceed regardless.

"We've informed police and government we've received threats but we're proceeding. I hope to start drilling soon," he said.

The tactics of both sides will be dictated by climate and geography as much as any legal considerations.

Band officials say that mounting a protest at the site in current frigid temperatures is not workable, but they may try to block the winter road to prevent a heavy drill from arriving.

Members of Big Trout Lake say that they eschew violence but are determined to resist the drilling.

"Our people have already given up a lot. We've already lost a lot," said John Cutfeet, who is in charge of environmental issues on the Big Trout reserve.

"The whole idea of the treaties was that we live in peaceful co-existence and share resources. That never happened."

Click here to see Platinex's response to this Globe and Mail article dated February 22.

The Canadian Cancer Society's 2006 "Driven to Quit Challenge" is offering a top prize of a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid or 1 or 7 Sony 32" Widescreen LCD HDTVs for smokers who want to quit and are able to go smoke-free for the month of April. Visit the contest web site at http://www.quitsmokingontario.ca/english/home for more information.

Deadline for entries is March 31,  2006 ... check out the steps to enter this contest ...

• Find a buddy who will support you as you go smoke-free.
• Buddies can win too! To be eligible for a prize valued at $250, buddies must be 19 years of age or older and a non-smoker.
• Get tips on how your buddy can help.

• Register free of charge by March 31, 2006.
• Only one entry per person is permitted.

• Quit smoking by April 1, 2006 and remain smoke-free until May 1, 2006.
• Call the Canadian Cancer Society Smokers' Helpline to increase your chances of quitting at 1 877 513-5333 (optional).
• Names will be randomly drawn on May 1, 2006.
• If selected, both you and your buddy will be contacted and asked to answer a skill-testing question.
• Buddies will be asked to confirm that you have remained smoke-free for April.
• To verify smoke-free status, the potential winner will be asked to take a urine test.
• Smoke-free means no use of tobacco products of any kind. You are allowed, however, to use nicotine replacement therapies (e.g. patch, gum or inhaler) and a doctor's prescription to help you quit.
• Winners will be announced in May 2006.

Asheweig River Camps, a Kasabonika Lake First Nation owned business, launched their new website for its' remote outpost camp on Straight Lake.

http://www.asheweigriver.com offers a glimpse into the Aboriginal Tourism industry for Kasabonika Lake First Nation and the Kasabonika Community Development Corporation.  Since its' first full season in 2005, this operation on Straight Lake, part of the Asheweig River system, strives to offer anglers a remote treat.  Based on a Community Tourism Strategy, KLFN expects to build a tourism sector in its' traditional territory with additional modern amenities on several lakes over the next 5 years for fishing, hunting and ecotourism.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is hosting:

2006 Violence Awareness & Prevention and Cultural Awareness for Caregivers Forum

March 21-22, 2006

Forest Inn & Conference Centre

Sioux Lookout, ON

Are you a

• Community Health Representative (C.H.R.)?
• Addictions Counsellor/N.N.A.D.A.P worker?
• Mental Health Worker?
• Health Director?
• Any other health & wellness field worker?

If so, Equay-wuk (Women's Group) invites you to participate in the 2006 Violence Awareness and Cultural Awareness for Caregivers Forum.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is able to provide travel, accommodations, and meals for one community representative to attend the forum.  Register today!!

For a registration form and more information, view

http://www.equaywuk.ca/poster.htm

Contact:

Chris Angeconeb     or     Jennifer Derosier
Phone:         807-737-2214
Toll Free:   1-800-261-8294
Fax:           807-737-2699
Email:         equaywuk@nwconx.net
Website:     www.equaywuk.ca