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The "Leaders of the First Peoples of the Great Lakes Watershed" are hosting their inaugural meeting in Niagara Falls at the Niagare Fallsview Casino and Resort on April 11 and 12. The meeting will be web cast.

Click here for the agenda.

Click here for the link to the webcast (Windows Media Player required)

On the second day starting at 1 pm EST, the Ontario ministry of Natural Resources will be doing a presentation entitled "No Diversion: The Position of the Government of Ontario."

85 schools kick off Lieutenant Governor's twinning initiative    

TORONTO, April 7 /CNW/ - Eighty-five public schools throughout Ontario have been twinned with a Native school in the first phase of an initiative established by Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable James Bartleman.

Today at an event held at Jarvis Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Mr. Bartleman was joined by Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation; Sheila Ward, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Toronto District School Board; Doug Acton, President of the Ontario Principals' Council; and Andrew Gold, Principal of Jarvis Collegiate Institute in announcing the initiative.

"This twinning initiative will encourage Native and non-Native students to build bridges between their communities," said Mr Bartleman. "I am delighted that so many Ontario schools want to get involved."

The 85 schools, from 24 public school boards across Ontario, will launch the initiative aimed at promoting literacy among aboriginal youth. While all of the Native schools announced today are located in Ontario, Mr. Bartleman has also received requests from schools in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, and is in ongoing discussions to include Native schools from these Territories in the next phase of the program.

Over the course of the next few months, the public schools will:

• Establish a non-Native pen pal for each participating aboriginal student,
• Hold annual drives to collect used books, reference materials and musical instruments for First Nations children and young adults, and
• Host an aboriginal awareness week in participating non-Native schools each June.

"When we put our call out asking schools to take part in this program, we were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from principals across Ontario," said Doug Acton, President of the Ontario Principals' Council. "Students are really excited to connect with others from another cultural background. It's the kind of learning opportunity that enhances the ongoing curriculum in schools."

In addition to the 85 public schools taking part in the program's first phase, another 50 public schools have expressed their interest in participating, and will be twinned with Territorial schools once those schools have been finalized.

"Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) is extremely pleased to be part of the Lieutenant Governor's twinning initiative. It not only focuses on the awareness and understanding at the institutional or school level, but also makes a difference by pairing and involving students at the individual level," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "This interaction and communication will go a long way in helping to sensitize young people in urban and northern communities."

"In addition," he continued, "the replenishing of books and the annual Aboriginal days will encourage involvement among young people. Promoting literacy will lead to increased educational aspirations, and an improvement in the quality of life for our community members."

The Ontario Principals' Council is a voluntary professional association representing 5,000 principals and vice-principals in Ontario's public elementary and secondary schools. Established in 1998, OPC advocates on behalf of public education and provides professional supports to its Members. 

Note - a list of all participating First Nation schools follows.

Lieutenant Governor's Twinning Initiative

The following schools will participate in the first phase of the twinning initiative:

• JR Nakogee Elementary School
• Michikan Lake School
• White Pine Ridge School
• Titotay Memorial School
• Dokis Indian Day School
• Aglace Chapman Education Centre
• Gabbius Goodman Memorial Learning Ctre
• Vezina Secondary School and Vezina Adult Education
• Lydia Lois Beardy Memorial School
• Biinjiti-waabik Zaaging School
• Kettle & Stoney Point Hillside School
• Migisi Sahgaigun School
• Missabay Community School
• S.G.E.I. School
• Delores D. Echum Composite School
• Wiiji Nimbawiyaang
• Walpole Island Elementary School
• Eenchokay Birchstick School
• Standing Stone School
• Moravian Town Kindergarten
• Standing Stone School
• Pelican Falls High School
• Wasse Abin High School
• Pontiac Elementary School
• David Kejick School
• Simon Jacob Memorial School
• Beedaban School
• Netamisakomik Centre for Education
• Pic Mobert Private High School
• John C. Yesno Education Centre
• Shawanowsowe School
• Thomas Fiddler Memorial High School
• Adults in Motion
• Chief Simeon Mckay Education Centre
• St. Andrews School
• The Georgina Island Indian Day School
• Niimki Miigizi Secondary School
• Miigizi Wazisin Elementary School
• Pic River Elementary School
• Baibombeh School
• Nibinimik Education Centre
• Bimaychikamah School
• Beausoleil Adult Learning Centre
• Keewaywin First Nation School
• Kinomaugew-gamik Elementary School
• Constance Lake Day School
• Kenjewin Teg High School
• M'Chigeeng Literacy and Basic Skills Program (Adult Learning Centre)
• Kenjewin Teg Alternative
• Laura Mckenzie Learning Centre
• Victoria Linklater Memorial School
• Rev. Eleazar Winter Memorial School
• Pegamigaabo School
• Samson Beardy Memorial School
• Neskantaga Education Centre
• Native Sena School
• Wapshki Penasi School
• Northern Eagle High School
• Peetabeck Academy - Elementary 
• Oliver M. Smith- Kawenni: IO Elementary School
• Mary Ann Aganash Memorial School
• Sakatcheway Anishinaabe School
• Lakeview Public School
• Tsi Snaihne Davey School
• Batchewana Learning Centre
• Francine J Wesley Secondary School
• Lloyd S. King Elementary School
• Waninitawa-gang (Chief Cornerstone Christian School)
• Wasauksing Kinomaugew-gamik Elementary School
• Big Island School
• Thomas Fiddler Memorial Elementary School
• Akwesasne Mohawk School
• Nbiising Secondary School
• Ma-tah-ha-mao Public School
• Constance Lake Alternative School
• Morris Thomas Memorial Christian School
• Henry Coaster Memorial School
• Constance Lake Christian School
• I L Thomas Odadrihonya-ni'ta' School
• Kana:Takon School
• Chippewas of Nawash First Nation Elementary School
• Lac La Croix High School
• Lac La Croix Elementary School
• A.Scatch Memorial School
• Martin Mckay Memorial School

For further information: please contact:
Peggy Sweeney, Ontario Principals' Council, (416) 322-6600;
Nanda Casucci-Byrne, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, (416) 325-7781;
Jenna Young, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952, (807) 628 3953 (cellular)

From the new National Centre for First Nations Governance web site at http://www.fngovernance.org ...

The National Centre for First Nations Governance will develop programs and services that are culturally enriched and empowered by First Nations traditions, customs, laws and inherent governing powers.

The Centre has a two-pronged mandate. First, it is designed to support First Nations as they seek to implement their inherent rights of self-government and second, it will assist First Nations in the further development of their day-to-day government operations.

This means the Centre will support First Nations in their efforts to implement and put into practice their jurisdictional authorities and to achieve the well-designed characteristics of good government.

The Centre is based upon the principle of choice. First Nations may draw upon its services as they see fit and will not be required to do so by legislation or any other means. The Centre will operate under the control and direction of First Nations and is designed to be completely independent from the Government of Canada and our own political organizations.

The organizational structure of the Centre will consist of six corporate units and five regional units co-located in five offices across the country. This reflects an important principle underlying the Centre – that of having a strong regional presence across Canada.

Check out the videos from presentations at a Centre-sponsored Youth Think Tank.

• The Challenge - Patricia Monture uses her own experience to discuss good governance as it promotes healthier social, cultural, community and economic development for First Nations
• The Research - The University of Arizona's Stephen Cornell and Osgoode Professor Kent McNeil talk about current legal and economic research in First Nations governance
• The Centre - NCFNG Interim President Herb George discusses the launch and future role of the Centre, and the "role of our people in determining what the Centre will be and what it will do."

Four stories in today's Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal highlight the importance of consultation with First Nations as plans are made that affect lands, resources, lifestyles and culture. The Supreme Court ruling that requires corporations and governments to work with First Nations before developments and plans move ahead is finally being respected. Unfortunately, the tone of the stories tend to reflect a rather biase media system.

The front page headline reads "Ear Falls hydro project on hold". It describes the frustrations of the Ear Falls reeve and how the "Ontario Power Generation plans to expand its hydro-power station at Ear Falls have been put on hold while the company “negotiates” with the Lac Seul First Nation and other area parties." Of course the story misses the important point that the people of Lac Seul have been trying to negotiate a settlement without any success to their flooded lands since  the dam was first constructed in the 1930's. Click here to read the entire story.

Another story entitled "Resource sharing talks continue" highlights the discussions about "how resources from traditional aboriginal hunting grounds should be accessed and shared". Click here to read this story.

Then the last story that is posted on-line is called, "First Nations get development help", covering the announcement from this past Thursday for the water and waste treatment plants in remote First Nations. The story is introduced with the statement "The federal government has earmarked almost $11 million for capital and economic development projects at five First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario." Click here to read this story.

A fourth story is a copy of a commentary by a Toronto Star reporter James Travers and is called "Martin's chance to atone for native abuse". It talks about how the federal government is once again ignoring calls from First Nation groups from across the country as well as the Canadian Bar Association for the prime minister and his team to abandon their offensive Alternative Dispute Resolution process. Travers calls on the government to settle this "dark part of Canadian history" by working with First Nation leaders to identify a solution that addresses everyone's needs.

Hi, I'm Rob Wesley, I am very pleased to officially announce that Aboriginal Connections is back online (Sunday April 3, 2005) after a hiatus that was unfortunately unavoidable.

Web Directory - The Aboriginal Connections Web Directory has undergone an extensive upgrade and has been reorganized to better reflect all Indigenous groups worldwide.

http://directory.aboriginalconnections.com/

Forums - Also, I am pleased to provide you with a new addition to the site, the Aboriginal Connections Forums. An online venue to discuss various topics relating to all Indigenous peoples.

http://forums.aboriginalconnections.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi

Sincerely,

Rob Wesley
Aboriginal Connections
http://www.aboriginalconnections.com/

From Turtle Island Native Network ... Click here for the complete story

The Hupacasath First Nation on Vancouver Island is working with a number of partners to develop this environmentally friendly power plant. Read more from the various press releases and project background information ...

Nothing quite demonstrates sustainability like developing your own renewable energy resource. That's the path being taken by the Hupacasath First Nation. The small community in Port Alberni, BC, is developing a mini-hydroelectricity plant on China Creek that will produce 6.5 MW of 'green' electricity — enough to meet their own needs and sell the remaining to BC Hydro.

"What's really important for our community is finding diverse economic development projects that fit within our traditional values, such as sustainability," says Chief Judith Sayers.

The China Creek development is projected to offset greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10,000 tonnes each year. It's a small but important contribution to a bigger picture.

Contact: Judith Sayers, Chief Councillor , Hupacasath First Nation
Primary Phone: 250-720-9328
E-mail: judith@hupacasath.ca

Hupacasath First Nation . . .
http://www.hupacasath.ca/

INAC press release: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORTS FIRST NATION HYDRO PROJECT

PORT ALBERNI, BRITISH COLUMBIA (April 1, 2005) - The Government of Canada today announced $2 million in federal funding to assist the Hupacasath and Ucluelet First Nations and their partners construct and run an environmentally-friendly, 6.5 Megawatt run-of-the-river hydro power facility at China Creek. The announcement was made on site during a groundbreaking ceremony for the facility’s powerhouse generator by the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

The Hupacasath First Nation and its joint venture partners, which include the Ucluelet First Nation, the City of Port Alberni and Synex Energy, have formed the Upnit Power Corporation. Upnit has a 20-year contract to supply power to BC Hydro.

This green power initiative will enable the Hupacasath First Nation as well as the Ucluelet First Nation to generate annual revenues that can be reinvested back into their communities to support other economic ventures. Other economic benefits include training and employment opportunities. Regional benefits include creating a new reliable and steady power source that will help to ease the increasing heavy demand by Vancouver Island users on the hydro grid.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations to support community economic development in British Columbia,” said Minister Scott. “The initiative shown by the Hupacasath First Nation is a testament to their commitment to build a strong economy for their members while creating opportunities that provide benefits for their neighbours and the region.”

“Once complete, this unique facility will assist in reinvigorating a region hard-hit by the softwood lumber dispute,” said Minister Owen. “Western Economic Diversification Canada’s involvement in this initiative is reflective of the Government of Canada’s commitment to helping communities build long-term sustainability.”

“Having representatives from all levels of government here at the groundbreaking signifies the importance of progressive community development projects like China Creek that help Canada meet its Kyoto commitments in reducing greenhouse gases (GHG),” said Upnit Power Corporation president Chief Councillor Judith Sayers. “The project removes the equivalent of 8,000 cars off the road in reduction of GHG’s.”

An additional $925,000 in a repayable loan for this initiative was provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada through its Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative. The $110-million initiative is a national program designed to address the adjustment and transition needs of forest-dependent communities across Canada. In B.C., over 2,500 jobs have been created or maintained in more than 140 communities.

An additional $250,000 for planning and development was provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada through its Aboriginal and Northern Community Action Program. The program, which promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, is focused on engaging Aboriginal and northern communities to become partners in taking action to address climate change.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, through its economic development programs, is helping to foster strong First Nation communities and economies by facilitating partnerships with the private sector, reducing obstacles and increasing access to economic opportunities.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that promote and assist Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Communities.

-----------------
Project Background

PWGSC was instrumental in helping the Hupacasath First Nation set up an advisory group to identify renewable energy projects of economic, environmental and social benefits to Vancouver Island First Nations. It also found funding to assess the environmental impacts of the China Creek plan and helped the band council make contact with financers, such as a credit union, to pay for the $16 million project.

As a Pacific Region representative for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), PWGSC is taking a lead role in carrying out the mandate of the national Aboriginal and Northern Community Action Program (ANCAP) — working with First Nations communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop sustainable energy resources.

Many isolated BC First Nations communities want alternatives to costly and environmentally harmful energy sources such as diesel generators. PWGSC's role, for INAC, is to reduce the isolation and help generate solutions.

"We are working as a team with First Nations to create strategic linkages — to work with other partners that can help them develop solutions for alternative energy sources," says Biren Juttun, PWGSC's representative for INAC.

"These projects build capacity, skills and create jobs," says Mr. Juttun. "But this work is also very important because we are working with First Nations to help the Government of Canada fulfil its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases."

"We are really excited about creating sustainable electricity,” says Chief Sayers. "We want to be part of the solution."

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by teaming up with First Nations and other Government of Canada departments is another example of PWGSC reaching out to create partnerships for a better future.

For more information on the Pacific Region ANCAP strategy, please contact Biren Juttun at (604) 666-9747 or biren.juttun@pwgsc.gc.ca

- - - - - - -
BUSINESS BACKGROUND

Synex International invests in China Creek Project
TSE : SXI

VANCOUVER, Dec. 16, 2004
Synex International Inc. announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Synex Energy Resources Ltd. has invested $500,000 for a 12.5% share of the Upnit Power Limited Partnership (the "Limited Partnership") which includes a 12.5% share of the General Partner of the Limited Partnership. The other limited partners are the Hupacasath First Nation, the Ucluelet First Nation and the City of Port Alberni. The Hupacasath First Nation holds the majority of the shares of the Limited Partnership and the General Partner.

The Limited Partnership was formed to develop, own and operate the 6.5 MW China Creek Hydroelectric Project to be located near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The China Creek project is currently under construction and is scheduled to be in commercial operation in the fall of 2005.

The electrical output is to be sold to BC Hydro under a 20 year electricity purchase agreement that was executed November 5, 2003. Sigma Engineering Ltd, an affiliated company to Synex Energy Resources Ltd., has been providing engineering services during the development of the project and anticipates providing engineering services during the construction and operation phases.

Synex International Inc. is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange with businesses that cover the development, ownership and operation of electrical generation facilities and the provision of consulting engineering services in water resources, particularly hydroelectric facilities.
----------------------
Greg Sunell, President
For further information: Greg Sunell, President, 400 - 1444 Alberni Street, Vancouver BC, V6G 2Z4, Phone (604) 688-8271 Ext. 309, Fax (604) 688-1286, E-mail: sunell@synex.com
Web Site: www.synex.com

The "Where Are The Children" exhibition was created by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, the National Archives and the Legacy of Hope Foundation. It is one of the many ways the Healing Foundation has achieved its goal of educating Canadians about the federal government's residential schools and their effects on Aboriginal people and communities. The exhibit is now touring Canada and is scheduled to be in Thunder Bay Victoriaville mall starting April 1.

A new web site located at  http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/home.html provides a wealth of information about this part of Canada's history.

Native land policy faces overhaul

By BILL CURRY
Tuesday, March 29, 2005 Updated at 1:57 AM EST
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Ottawa ... Breaking with the traditional communal approach to first nations' lands, the federal government will endorse private ownership of land and housing on reserves as part of a package of new aboriginal policies to be unveiled this spring

Federal and aboriginal officials are also expected to announce an overhaul of native education, including support for a national system of school boards and greater links between native schools and provincial education ministries.

The new land policy likely will include rules barring non-natives from buying on-reserve properties.

Introducing private housing markets for reserves would mark a significant policy change for the federal government.

Ottawa intends to set up a new entity, expected to be called a first nations housing authority, that would handle mortgages and assist band councils in creating real estate markets on reserves.

Advocates argue that property ownership would allow aboriginals to accumulate personal equity that could then be used to help finance business ventures or higher education. It is also expected it would encourage individuals to voluntarily make repairs to their on-reserve houses, rather than rely on band councils or Ottawa for such work.

The Auditor-General has warned the lack of quality housing on reserves has reached "crisis" levels.

Some of Canada's 633 reserves allow private ownership of property, but most continue to operate on a communal system in which the federal government owns the land and the band council manages the housing supply with money from Ottawa.

Former Indian affairs minister Andy Mitchell rejected private ownership last year as contrary to aboriginal tradition, but his successor, Andy Scott, has embraced the notion.

The Assembly of First Nations has recently come to support the move as long as some form of first nations' housing authority run by aboriginals will make the rules and mortgage decisions.

The AFN also wants the federal government to continue funding social housing for aboriginals, both on reserves and off.

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the AFN, said chiefs had traditionally opposed private ownership because they saw it as undermining Ottawa's treaty obligations to provide shelter for aboriginals.

"People have been conditioned to consider [communal ownership] as the only option," he said.

"Private ownership is not something that was ever central to the government's housing strategy as it relates to first nations. That can be achieved, in our view, without alienating first nations' [concepts of] land."

Mr. Fontaine said he is urging the government to set up a native-run agency that would replace existing federal housing programs and oversee a move toward private ownership and improved social housing.

Private ownership would diminish divisions on reserves over housing, he added. "We need to de-politicize this as much as we can. Chief and council are expected to determine who gets a house, and that's not something chiefs and councils ever wanted."

The private ownership idea is currently included in discussions and draft documents by senior officials working on a series of announcements for a special cabinet retreat on aboriginal issues, sources say.

At the retreat, set for May 31, federal officials and aboriginal groups are also expected to outline their plans for native education. Further details involving links with the provinces would be announced in the fall at a special first ministers' meeting on aboriginal issues between Prime Minister Paul Martin and the premiers.

Currently, the more than 500 on-reserve schools operate in a legal vacuum with no national standards or curriculum. While some reserves have bodies similar to school boards and links with provincial education ministries, most do not.

But, privately, government officials are confirming that no new money will be announced at the retreat to go along with the new policies.

Instead, aboriginals will be asked to wait until the fall first ministers meeting or even the next budget for funding commitments.

Still, Mr. Fontaine said he has taken recent comments by federal officials to mean money would be announced at the cabinet retreat.

"We're pressing very hard to have some spending announcements, because that was the understanding . . . that we were to expect positive decisions would be taken at the cabinet retreat and then further positive decisions at the first ministers' meeting," he said.

Until recently, mainly conservative groups, such as the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, had advocated private ownership on reserves.

Tanis Fiss, director of the CTF's centre for aboriginal policy change, praised the news that the government is open to promoting market forces on reserves.

"We'd really like to see them go down that path, because, obviously, it gives native Canadians more control within their community," she said, pointing to Ontario's Six Nations reserve west of Toronto as having successfully created its own real estate market.

"It provides far more options and flexibility within the communities as well as more stability, because under the current system, it's often the chief and council who decides who lives where and who gets the home renovations."

Government insiders say issues to be discussed at the cabinet retreat have been complicated by the AFN's insistence that the retreat also include a final resolution to the question of residential schools compensation. Mr. Fontaine has put blanket compensation for all former students of residential schools at the top of his priority list, a plan that would cost nearly $6-billion.

House of Commons Aboriginal Affairs Committee calls on federal government to scrap the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process for claims by survivors of abuse at Indian Residential Schools. Click here to read the entire article on-line at Turtle Island Native Network. Some of the reasons stated in their recommendation include:

• "It is strikingly disconnected from the so-called pilot projects that preceded it.
• The consultative mechanisms that informed its development did not include a sufficiently broad range of participation by former residential school students and other relevant professionals - legal, cultural, psychological and healing
• It is failing to provide impartial and even-handed due process - It is not attracting former students to apply in credible numbers
• It is structured to compensate too narrow a population of former students
• It provides grossly inadequate compensation when it grudgingly does so - It excludes too many of the +/- 87,000 remaining former students from eligibility
• It is proceeding too slowly, allowing too many former students to die uncompensated
• It is using a model of dispute resolution that is disrespectful, humiliating, unfeeling and re-victimizes former students, who are now elderly and vulnerable
• It is an arbitrary administrative solution that is vulnerable to political whim
• Its high structural costs are fixed and will always be disproportionate to the size of compensation granted
• Its so-called verification process imposes an egregious burden of proof on the applicants that programs failure into the resolutions process, requires irrelevant data and imposes a cost on the applicant that can exceed the size of an award
• Former students do not trust the process
• There is no satisfactory evidence in the numbers that the program is working."

The AFN's press release dated March 24 in response to the Aboriginal Affairs Committee recommendation is also available on-line. Click here to read the AFN press release

Excerpts from recent testimony (February 2005) by survivors who provided input into the study by the House of Commons Aboriginal Affairs Committee of the federal government's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process to deal with claims of abuse are also available on-line (click here to read stories from residential school survivors as presented to this committee).

May 17, 18, 19, 2005

Golden Eagle Entertainment Centre

Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation

Kenora, Ontario