Community News

Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre hosts special residential school exhibition

Today, the Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre hosted a special preview for residential school survivors and guests of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation's "Where are the Children" traveling exhibition that complemented a local presentation called "Residential Schools: the Red Lake Story". The official opening of these two powerful exhibitions is Wednesday, February 1. The exhibition will be at the Heritage Centre in Red Lake until March 31.

The "Where Are the Children" web site at http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/home.html provides a virtual tour with many of the pictures from the exhibition along with detailed information about the work of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the residential school legacy.

The Red Lake Residential School Exhibit Committee included:

  • Kaaren Dannenmann
  • Suzette Hunter
  • Helen Yutzy
  • Shelly McKenzie
  • Patricia Hunter
  • Tina Kakepetum-Schultz
  • Louis Simard
  • Kim Tennant
  • Sara Petko (curator of the Red Lake Story)
  • Michele Alderton

A special message from the Heritage Centre Board of Directors highlights the importance of this exhibition as an opportunity to "bring more understanding about this dark time in Canada's history. It is a time that should not be ignored, brushed aside or forgotten. To fully understand our community, we have to understand our collective history."

Support for "Youth to Leadership" National Radio Program on 962 on Bell Expressvu

Listen and call in your comments and views toll free 1-800-661-5171 this Saturday, Feb 4th on 89.9 fm or 962 Bell Expressvu. Local calls 737-4040 Also participte in this week poll question of the week on www.wawatay.on.ca

Young aboriginal youth are encourage to listen and participate in the Y2L (youth to leadership) national radio program. This week will feature invited guests to talk about their experience at the NAN Decade for Youth Conference "Seven Sacred Teachings Youth Suicide Awareness" which was held at the Norwester hotel in Thunder Bay. Updates on the Indian Residential School Settlement and community calendar to be broadcasted. Young people can request your favourite music.

This national radio program is seeking corporate sponsorships to support the continued programming for the Y2L national radio program.

Young aboriginal people and leaders fully support the idea of this special program which connects youth with their leaders. A successful launch in December with national leaders including  National Chief Phil Fontaine and role model John Kim Bell has promoted the goals and objectives of the radio program across this country. Aired on Bell Expressvu 962, communities now have accessibility with technology to participate in lively discussions, call-in to provide their views and opinions on historical and contemporary issues. However, without sponsorships and funding, the future of this program is not expected to run past March. For more informationa about this sponsorship campaign and how you can help support the future of the Y2L program, please contact Jerry Sawanas at Wawatay 737-2951 or email jerrys@wawatay.on.ca.

AHF releases Final Report Summary document at regional gathering in Winnipeg

The Aboriginal Healing Foundation board of directors presented their final report summary, "A Healing Journey", at their Winnipeg meeting for residential school survivors (click here to see the press release about these regional gatherings). From the "Final Report - Summary Points" document that was distributed at the gathering ...

Description of the Final Report ...

The report is published in three volumes that record the formation and accomplishments of the AHF between 1998 and 2005.

Volume I: A Healing Journey: Reclaiming Wellness

    • places the work of the AHF in the wider Aboriginal healing movement, summarizes what the AHF has learned from research and evaluation, and recommends upon the future healing needs of residential school Survivors and their families.

Volume II: Measuring Progress: Program Evaluation

    • synthesizes the data collected through the 3 national surveys (2000, 2002, 2004), 5 focus groups, 13 case studies, 1,479 individual participant questionnaires (IPQs), and file review of 36 AHF-funded projects.

Volume III: Promising Healing Practices in Aboriginal Communities

    • reports on AHF-funded healing programs with practices and interventions that are working well for Aboriginal communities or communities of interest based on questionnaires, file review, survey data and focus groups.

AHF Recommends ...

  • The Government of Canada renew the mandate of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to enable it to continue its mission for a period of 30 years.
  • The renewed mandate address the legacy of abuse, and social, psychological, cultural and spiritual injuries, inlcuding intergenerational impacts.
  • The mandate be designed to complement and advance the interrelated goals of acknowledgement, redress, healing and reconciliation.
  • The AHF be funded to support a public education role to conduct research and share knowledge related to the legacy of abuse in residential schools and promote healing and reconciliation.
  • $600 million as a one-time grant be invested to generate income and be expended over 30 years to fulfill a renewed mandate of the AHF.

A New Healing Fund ...

  • An endowment of $600 million will support a 30-year healing strategy
  • $28.4 million per year will be available for community-based projects, based on a 2.5% inflation rate and a 5% return on investment
  • By year 30, the AHF will have invested $1.2 billion in community-based healing

AHF Funding Priorities ...

  • Continue outreach to underserved or special needs of Aboriginal communities to provide for an opportunity to begin healing
  • Continue support in Aboriginal communities and communities of interest for AHF-funded projects for an average of 10 years
  • Continue to document and evaluate effective healing practices to share with stakeholders
  • Support self-determination and self-reliance in Aboriginal communities through culturally appropriate healing services, training and networks.

Province works with Muskegowuk to begin plans for all-season road to James Bay

From Timmins Daily Press

North gets all-season road funds

Trevor Terfloth - Thursday, January 26, 2006

Northern Native leaders are praising a provincial commitment to get the ball rolling on an all-season road to the James Bay Coast.

The Ontario government has promised to invest $38,800 for the first phase of the Mushkegowuk Council’s transportation study, which will obtain input from various communities as to the feasibility and logistics of such an endeavour.

Grand Chief Stan Louttit said the lack of road access has always been an issue and he’s pleased to finally see some action.

“It’s something that has been long outstanding being able to do the work that is required to get the facts,” he said.

“Now we’re able to do that late, mind you but better late than never.”

The partnership for the project includes the First Nation communities of Moose Factory, Fort Albany, Kashechewan and Attawapiskat, as well as the Town of Moosonee.

These areas are connected via a winter road for approximately three months of the year, with air service the only other transportation method the remaining nine months.

The winter road that normally connects coastal communities along the James Bay has only been able to withstand light traffic because of this year’s unseasonably warm weather

Louttit believes the warm weather’s effect on the winter road and various businesses, such as De Beers, may have expedited the government’s announcement.

“That may be a factor,” he said. “They’re not able to get to the site to do the work that they require. What are the options? The options are limited.

“You can’t take things in by air, it’s just too costly. And the summer barge season is just not feasible.”

Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci made the announcement Wednesday in Sudbury on behalf of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

He said James Bay communities face unique transportation issues that are amplified by remoteness and prohibitive costs.

However, Bartolucci, who is also the NOHFC chair, doesn’t believe it to be an insurmountable challenge.

“There are many building blocks, including cost-effective transportation, to be put in place for sustainable development in the Far North,” he said.

“Our government believes in working together to strengthen communication and understanding around development opportunities for the benefit of Far North residents.”

MPP Gilles Bisson (NDP Timmins James Bay) called the funding a token gesture, although he admitted it is a good start.

He said he’s been working for a long time with the Mushkegowuk Council and MP Charlie Angus (NDP Timmins-James Bay) to raise awareness for the cause.

“(The funding) is not a bad thing,” said Bisson.

“But basically if the (provincial) government is really serious about ponying up, they should not only provide dollars for the feasibility study, they should be an active participant with both the Mushkegowuk Council and the federal government.”

Bisson feels Ottawa and Queen’s Park need to commit to a timeline for the project, saying that will ensure the wheels stay in motion.

Like Louttit, Bisson feels the mild temperatures played a role in capturing the government’s attention.

“It’s a blessing in disguise, in a funny way,” he said.

“It’s making the rationale for a road that much more important.”

However, Bisson said it isn’t just First Nations who stand to benefit from increased access.

He said the province’s entire economy could see a dramatic boost.

“What we have learned in the history of Ontario is that whenever we have built roads or railways into areas that we have not done so before, it has led to the ability of people to go up and do mining exploration and take a look at other business opportunities that have basically paid the province back big time,” he said.

“When they built the Ontario Northland Railway, it was because of that we found the silver mines of Cobalt and the gold mines of Timmins and Kirkland Lake.”

AFN National Chief issues statement on the 2006 election results

From http://afn.ca/article.asp?id=2153

January 24, 2006

Statement by Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine on Election Results

“I would like to congratulate the new Prime Minister-Elect, Stephen Harper, and his party's success in this election. As well, I want to congratulate all candidates and all parties on their dedication.  We look forward to working with the new government to ensure a better quality of life for First Nations and a stronger country for all Canadians.

With the election of a new minority government and a strong opposition slate, it is time for Parliament to work together and with First Nations to ensure we maintain the momentum achieved over the past 18 months. The commitments from the First Ministers Meeting, the Residential Schools Agreement in Principle and the continued high-level engagement between the Government of Canada and First Nations must be honoured and supported by this new Parliament. Closing the gap in quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians within ten years must remain our shared legacy project. Our population is young and growing.  It is in all our interests to reach out to this important demographic. Our future is Canada's future.

The AFN remained non-partisan during the election and did not endorse any party, although we did seek clear commitments on our agenda and our priorities. We were consistently re-assured that the Conservative Party would respect the objectives and targets of the First Ministers Meeting and would implement the Residential Schools Agreement. We will seek a meeting as soon as possible to discuss how we move forward on these commitments. We also expect that the Liberal, New Democratic and Bloc Québecois parties will continue to support these commitments and work to ensure progress, as they have in the past.

I congratulate Stephen Harper on his success. He stated that he is seeking to give provinces and territories more say in decision-making on national priorities, as well as more access and control to resources in their regions. In many ways, this is what First Nations are seeking. A Prime Minister from a Western province is no doubt aware of the issues that face our people. This includes the pressing labour market needs, and that tapping the potential of our young and growing population is essential to Canada's continued success and productivity. There are many win-win approaches to our mutual issues and we want to work on an agenda aimed at getting results that honours the Conservative legacy of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples by honouring its recommendations.

To outgoing Prime Minister Martin, I want to personally acknowledge your commitment and your efforts to improve the lives of First Nations and all Canadians. Your approach of constructive and cooperative engagement has led to establishing of a template for future relations between our people and Canada. Your long career as a Parliamentarian is to be acknowledged with great respect.

To Mister Duceppe and Mister Layton, and the members of the opposition, it is clear that the influence you hold will be vitally important in this minority government. I look forward to seeing the continued support of your parties for the issues that matter to First Nations. You have stood with us before. We hope you will stand with us again.  To all Canadians, we say that now is the time for action on our long-standing issues so we can build a better Canada for all.” 

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

Contacts:

Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787

Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335

Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief
613-241-6789 ext. 243 or cell 613-298-6382

Aborginal leaders win seats for the Liberal party in the new Parliament

Well known Aboriginal leaders were elected in their northern ridings in Canada's federal election on January 23, 2006.

Some of these winners include:

  • Gary Merasty, former Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council, won the Northern Saskatchewan seat of Desnethé-Missinippi Churchill River by 106 votes.
  • Tina Keeper, a well-known actress from the North of 60 program, won the Churchill seat in Northern Manitoba.
  • Nancy Karetak-Lindell was re-elected to represent the Nunavut region for a fourth time.
  • Todd Russell, former president of the Labrador Metis Nation, was re-elected to represent the people in the Labrador riding.

As well, Ethel Blondin-Andrew, a well-known champion for Aboriginal rights and former cabinet minister, lost her seat in the Northwest Territories after six terms when another Aboriginal leader from the region ran against her for the Conservative party. In the end, the NDP candidate was able to capture that seat with the split Aboriginal vote across the region.

CBC online news reports highlighted some of the other challenges to the election results that these candidates faced in these ridings ...

From http://www.cbc.ca/sask/story/harrison-appeal060124.html

Seat was 'stolen,' defeated MP says - Jan 24 2006

A Conservative who lost his seat in northern Saskatchewan last night is claiming the riding was stolen.

Jeremy Harrison says he will ask for an examination of the results in Desnethé-Missinippi Churchill River.

Harrison, who was elected to the northern riding in the 2004 election, lost to Liberal Gary Merasty Monday by 106 votes.

However, Harrison is alleging various irregularities. He said he's received reports that the Liberals were threatening native voters, telling them if they didn't vote Liberal they wouldn't be getting their cheques and other benefits.

The Harrison camp also had reports from individuals about plans to stuff ballot boxes at the end of the night, he said. It's also alleged there were Liberal pamphlets and signs and in polling stations and even inside polling booths, he said.

"We feel the election was stolen," he said.

"We're going to be appealing. We're asking for an investigation to be launched into what happened. There are many things that were concerning but I think the thing we're most concerned about is what happened on some of the Indian reserves."

Harrison said he has also heard accounts that voter turnout in some places was higher than 100 per cent of eligible voters.

He's now at work collecting formal statements, or affidavits, on alleged irregularities.

Harrison said his campaign did not have enough people to have scrutineers at all voting places.

Merasty said he has not heard any details of the allegations and will not be able to comment until he knows more.

According to the rules, a candidate can apply to the courts for a supervised recount if he or she believes the tally was not correct.

People can also ask Elections Canada officials to conduct a formal inquiry of how a vote took place.

from http://www.cbc.ca/north/story/nunavut-fax-24012006.html

Snafu delays Nunavut election results - Jan 24 2006

Some sloppy fax work by local election officials led to a sleepless night for Nunavut's chief returning officer.

Ranbir Hundal says polling in most locations went smoothly, though he had some problems with Sanikiluaq and Taloyoak.

Hundal says deputy returning officers in both communities tried to fax their poll results in, but the fax didn't come through to his office in Iqaluit.

"The poll was closed right on time, everything went on very well," he says. "The counting was done, the only thing they didn't do was fax the result. So we tried to get hold of the people but it was pretty late, because the poll closed at 9:30 and the people went home. So that's why there was a gap."

That "gap" resulted in Nunavut being one of the last ridings to report results in the country.

Despite not having the final results, Elections Canada declared Liberal Nancy Karetak-Lindell the winner in the early hours of Tuesday morning, because the votes from the two polls wouldn't have changed the results.

Karetak-Lindell won the riding with 3,683 votes, while David Aglukark Sr. of the Conservatives came in second with 2,692.

from http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/story/mb_churchill-20060124.html

Actress Tina Keeper wins Churchill for Liberals - Jan 24 2006

Liberal Tina Keeper sprinted across the finish line in first place in Churchill Monday night, ending a long, three-way race for the northern riding's seat.

The fight between Keeper and rookie NDP candidate Niki Ashton was too close to call for several hours as polling numbers rolled in, but in the end, a final push saw Keeper take the seat by just over 3,000 votes.

The incumbent in the riding, Bev Desjarlais, was elected as a New Democrat in 2004 but quit the party this fall. She ran as an Independent this time around, finishing in third place about 2,800 votes behind Ashton.

Early in the evening, Ashton appeared to have a strong lead in the race, but as the night wore on, Keeper gradually caught up and then passed Ashton as the vote counts came in from remote aboriginal communities.

Keeper, a Gemini Award-winning actress who played a police officer in the 1990s television show North of 60, said she tried not to let the early results get her down, recalling the 1993 race in which Elijah Harper became the riding's Liberal MP.

"I think that when Elijah ran that another candidate had been declared, and in fact when those last polls came in, that's where Elijah won the riding. So I knew that in this riding … not to get too excited," she said.

Keeper, a member of the Norway House First Nation, said that as an aboriginal MP, she'll work hard to ensure Ottawa doesn't forget about aboriginal issues such as treaty rights.

Ashton, 23, was buoyed by the hard work of her supporters. She said she may one day try to run again for the NDP.

"So many people worked very, very hard, gave up so much time, so many sacrifices and so many people came out in support," said Ashton, daughter of Manitoba MLA Steve Ashton.

"We've taken the high road from beginning to end, and that's the way I'm going to keep it."

Unseated incumbent Bev Desjarlais didn't let her loss get her down, even visiting Keeper's campaign headquarters to give her rival a hug and a congratulatory message.

"There's nothing wrong with being a good sport when there's been a good, clean fight in place," Desjarlais said. "We were up-front and honest with each other through the whole election process."

Desjarlais, who represented the area for eight years, said she felt she had accomplished a lot for the NDP in the province's largest riding. Desjarlais left the party shortly after rejecting the party line in the House of Commons by voting against same-sex marriage.

Desjarlais said she's planning to spend more time with her family, and she has not yet considered taking another run at politics.

People Making Changes - Mary Carpenter Award seeking nominations

The Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee is calling for nominations for its Annual People Making Changes - Mary Carpenter Award.  If you know of someone who has contributed to the community in exceptional ways to create positive changes in race relations, please request a nomination form at the SLARC office 737-1501. 

Past recipients included the late Marcel Angeconeb, Garnet Angeconeb and Monika Orzechowska. 

All nominations must be received by March 10, 2006 and the award recipient will be announced at the Multi-Cultural Potluck as part of Race Relations Week March 19-26, 2006. 

For more information visit www.slarc.ca or contact Pierre at 737-1501.

Planning for Race Relations Week March 19-26, 2006 begins

Plans are underway for a week of activities to be hosted during Race Relations Week, March 19-26/06 in Sioux Lookout.

A planning committee will be meeting over the next couple of months to plan a week of different events as part of Race Relations Week to celebrate the cultural diversity of this community.  Activities for children, youth and the whole community will focus on a theme that will be determined by the planning committee. 

On Sunday, March 26/06, the Multi-Cultural Potluck will once again bring many ethnic groups and their food to the same table. 

For more information, please contact the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism committee at 737-1501, email slarc@bellnet.ca or visit www.slarc.ca

Post Election Discussion on Wawatay's National Youth to Leadership Radio Program

Young People are encouraged to talk about our new government in power .... What did the Conservatives Promise First Nations?

Tune in to Bell Expressvu 962 to hear this National Live Broadbast from Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout.  Listeners across Canada can listen can call in to the national toll free line 1-800-661-5171 to participate in the discussions or provide their feedback and views on the topics.  Local listeners within Sioux Lookout can also call in to the WRN studio at 737-4040.  The broadcast will start at 11 am central time or 10 am EST until 1:00 pm.  Post secondary students and Native leaders will talk about post elections results and issues. 

For more information visit the wawatay website www.wawatay.on.ca or contact Jerry Sawanas jsawanas@wawatay.on.ca at 807-737-2951.

Residential school survivors warned by RCMP to be cautious about crooks

From CBC News Online

Look out for crooks, Mounties tell natives awaiting cheques - Mon, 23 Jan 2006 

The RCMP are warning former native residential school students who stand to receive compensation cheques to watch out for scam artists trying to take the money away from them.

Some 12,000 former students have filed claims against the federal government and churches, alleging abuse and the loss of language and culture.

Last November, Ottawa signed a deal to pay each former student a minimum of $10,000 in compensation, plus $3,000 for each year spent in the schools, which operated for much of the last century. It's expected the payments will be made in the next several months.

Across Canada, the program is worth about $2 billion, money the police say will be a magnet for unscrupulous people.

"It's just a matter of time I guess before someone is going to be approached," said Sgt. Clayton Lerat, who works with the RCMP's aboriginal policing division in Regina.

"If I was coming into a large settlement of money as a result of residential schools, I would just be prepared."

In the past, some people awaiting compensation have been offered vehicles in exchange for part of a settlement, Lerat said.

He is worried about older people, noting that they are often targets of charity and home-repair scams.

Lerat has also encountered cases where family members take advantage of seniors. He urges recipients to try to find someone in the family they can trust.

Morley Watson, a vice chief with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, said his organization shares the concern and is including police presentations in informational sessions for former residential school students.

"We want to make sure that we offer some assistance in that area so that the elderly aren't taken advantage of through financial schemes," he said.

Saskatchewan is home to one of the largest groups of former students in Canada, with more than 3,000 people filing claims.