3rd Annual Northern Housing Conference

Assembly of First Nations National Chief States Expected Outcomes from the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable Follow-up Discussions

OTTAWA, Jan. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - January 26th marked the close of the final follow-up session to the Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable. The Roundtable, convened by Prime Minister Paul Martin o­n April 19, 2004, was an opportunity for the Assembly of First Nations and other Aboriginal organizations to engage directly o­n a new agenda and a new relationship with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. In follow-up, six "sectoral sessions" were held over the past months to deal with priority issues that emerged from the Roundtable: Health, Lifelong Learning (Education), Housing, Economic Opportunities, Negotiations and Accountability (which wrapped-up yesterday).

Click here to read the entire AFN press release

Click here to read the AFN background and position papers for each of the roundtable discussion forums

SUMMARY OF AFN'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SIX CANADA-ABORIGINAL PEOPLES ROUNDTABLE SECTORAL SESSIONS
        ------------------------------------------------------------

At the Health session, First Nations called for a clear commitment to facilitate sustainable, accountable and culturally sensitive First Nation health systems. Specific recommendations included the implementation of commitments made at 2004 First Ministers Meeting o­n Health with Aboriginal leaders:

    - critical investments upstream in key areas such as diabetes; and
    - a reasonable rate of growth based o­n real cost drivers to ensure the sustainability of all First Nation health programming.

    In addition, AFN brought forward the need for First Nations public health infrastructure to promote prevention and supportive programming as an integral aspect of transforming health outcomes of First Nation peoples.

    In Lifelong Learning, First Nations participants carried the message that First Nation control of universal, holistic and sustainable First Nation learning systems is required. Specific targeted outcomes are expected in several areas including:

    - Ensuring comparability with the general population in all aspects of K-12 education for First Nation students
    - Developing First Nation education authorities to provide critical supportive infrastructure
    - Addressing gaps and needs as they relate to early childhood education and child welfare

    AFN also recommended a thorough review of federal and provincial skills training programming to ensure that the young First Nation population is equipped to take their rightful place in the Canadian economy.

    In Housing, the AFN advocated for:

    - urgent action to eliminate the backlog of housing and shelter needs confronting First Nations people;
    - the longer term goal of implementing First Nations control of housing through new entities that will govern, maintain and manage First Nations housing systems in a sustainable, secure manner.

    In Economic Opportunities, the AFN advocated:

    - the need to position First Nations as integral players in the Canadian economy through recognizing First Nations' rightful place in resource development, environmental stewardship, job training and business development.

    An initial concrete action in this regard would be updating Canada's Aboriginal Economic Development strategy to ensure it is serving the economic interests and requirements of First Nations.
    In the Negotiations session, National Chief Fontaine stated he was particularly pleased with the dialogue that converged with focused recommendations, including the Minister of Indian Affairs' public instructions to his departmental negotiators to be flexible and creative in their discussions with First Nations. The AFN stated that:

    - a new approach is required for First Nation negotiations which reflects court rulings over the last decade and is inclusive of self-government, land claims and treaty implementation;
    - reconciliation must become the common goal of negotiations, which can be achieved through new, multi-dimensional, multi-jurisdictional approaches.

    At the Accountability session that wrapped up this week, First Nations challenged the government to:

    - commit to reciprocal accountability from the federal government to First Nations and not simply more reporting by First Nations to the federal government, based o­n principles of a government-to-government relationship
    - a broad First Nation accountability framework that will provide meaningful assessments, equipping First Nations and the Governments of Canada to track real progress in addressing the shameful conditions facing the majority of First Nations communities;
    - ensuring accountability to First Nation citizens first and foremost; and
    - developing supportive institutions such as a First Nations Auditor-General.

From the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines web site o­n January 24, 2005 ...

The McGuinty government today released details and application guidelines for six new Northern o­ntario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) programs that will revitalize Northern o­ntario. Northern Development and Mines Minister and NOHFC Chair Rick Bartolucci announced the new programs in the company of Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Oriazetti from Roberta Bondar Place in Sault Ste. Marie.

The six new programs, developed under the refocused NOHFC mandate, will provide new opportunities to northern o­ntario youth, young entrepreneurs, business owners, communities, public-private partnerships and others across the North. They will complement other government initiatives such as the Northern o­ntario Grow Bonds pilot project and the GO North Investor Program.

Click here to learn more about these new programs

Everyone is invited to contribute their thoughts about the new Social Economy program that FedNor will be delivering over the next two years. The o­n-line consultation documents provides a great opportunity for everyone to lobby for more contributions towards addressing the needs of small, remote and rural communities as they struggle to maintain their place in the Canadian economy!

Below is a message distributed by FedNor encouraging everyone's contributions to this process before Wednesday, January 26.

"You may recall that the February 2004 Speech from the Throne identified the "social economy" as a new priority for the Government of Canada. The March 2004 Budget underlined this commitment with a specific reference to social economy enterprises. A National Roundtable o­n the Social Economy has been established to advise broadly o­n this sector and provide input to the development of a federal policy framework regarding these initiatives.

I am pleased to report that FedNor has been asked to convene an o­ntario regional roundtable composed of key community economic development and social economy stakeholders o­n Wednesday, January 26th, 2005 in Toronto. I  will be attending with a small team of FedNor officers.In addition to this roundtable, FedNor has set up a web-based  consultation process, to allow those not at the meeting next week to share their views o­n priorities, program design, program delivery approaches, and evaluation.

You are more than welcome to visit this site by clicking o­n the What's New section o­n the FedNor home page or linking directly to:

http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/infednor-fednor.nsf/en/h_fn02091e.html

We expect the web-based and roundtable consultation process to be completed o­n January 26th. 

Greg Smith
Associate Director General

Help requested for family of sick teenager from Aroland First Nation.

The parents of a young 16 years old girl from Aroland, Mirabele Medowegan, are appealing for public support and donations from their daughter’s bedside at The Sick Kid’s Hospital in Toronto, to help them pay for the extra-ordinary expenses needed to remain in the city with their sick child.  

Mirabele Medowegan, who is described by her attending surgeons as a very young 16 years old, is currently in critical condition as a result of serious congenital heart disease. Mirabele was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and an obstruction to the flow of her blood through her heart chambers at a very young age. She has undergone numerous surgeries and in 1998, Mirabele had a mechanical valve implanted into her heart and is dependent o­n blood thinners to maintain the correct flow of blood through her heart.

Recent dental abstractions have caused severe and uncontrollable post-operative bleeding for the teenager, who was admitted to Sick Kid’s over 9 days ago. Following numerous blood transfusions, doctors indicate that their o­nly option may be to take Mirabele off her prescribed blood thinners, which could cause a potentially fatal blood clot of her heart.

Says family friend, Chief Sam Kaskeesh: “We have watched Mirabele struggle to survive since she was born. She is an incredibly strong girl who is a constant inspiration to all of us. I have no doubt that she will continue to put up the fight of her life and I o­nly hope that the public shows as much generous support for her fight as they have for others in need recently, who are further away.”

Aside from the highly emotional trauma of nursing a sick child, the parents of Mirabele are facing the unwarranted predicament that has faced many others from this community; the high price of being able to be at their sick child’s bedside that is not paid by Health Canada.The family is asking the public for any donations that may help them to stay in Toronto with their daughter.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Matawa First Nations Management: 807 344 4575 or 767 4443.

From Turtle Island Native Network - Federal Government Expands Urban Aboriginal Strategy - an additional $25 million added to the $50 million for cities to support Aboriginal populations living in those environments.

REGINA, Jan. 13, 2005

The Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, announced today the expansion of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) pilot projects.

As a result of the $25 million, one-year expansion, four new cities will
be added to the UAS: Prince George, British Columbia; Lethbridge, Alberta; Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and Thompson, Manitoba. In addition, current pilot projects with promising results may be expanded.

"The UAS is about breaking down barriers to create synergy - combining
our forces so that our effect is greater than the sum of our individual
efforts," said Minister Scott, lead minister for the UAS. "This helps our
resources to stretch further, be more effective and will help deliver on the
Government of Canada's commitment to close the gaps that separate Aboriginal people from other Canadians."

The expansion of the UAS pilot projects will help the Government of
Canada continue its work with provincial and municipal governments, local
Aboriginal organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector to develop innovative solutions to address local priorities. In addition to the four new pilot cities, work is already underway in the eight original cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto and Thunder Bay. In total, the expansion represents a doubling of the UAS pilot projects budget to $50 million and an one year extension of the projects to 2006-2007.

"The UAS is an important initiative for Regina. One in ten of our citizens identify themselves as Aboriginal," said Minister Scott. "That is why I am pleased to announce $134,897 in original UAS funding for The Peyakowak
(They Are Alone) Committee Inc.'s Reaching for Success Life Skills Program.

This promising program will help Aboriginal families to better their social
and life skills, creating a stronger community."

The UAS approach recognizes that local communities are best placed to
develop solutions that meet their unique opportunities and challenges. It also recognizes that all governments, and the communities they serve, need to work together to address urban Aboriginal issues. It is with this in mind that the Government of Canada hopes to continue building strong and lasting partnerships. The lessons learned from these projects will help the Government of Canada determine how to address urban Aboriginal issues in the longer-term.

The UAS is a Government of Canada initiative that involves a number of
departments, including: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canadian Heritage, Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Justice Canada, the National Secretariat on Homelessness, Industry Canada, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and others.

Aanii, Boozhoo, Hello,

Once again March 30th – April 3rd , 2005, we will be holding our annual Anishinaabemowin Language gathering with the theme being, “Mnaajtoodaa Eyaawying” “Honoring our Cultural Identity” at the Kewadin Casino and Convention Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Attached is a link to our website www.anishinabek.ca/uoi/LC/index.htm, please share it amongst your peers.

Miigwech,

Maheengun Shawanda
Anishinaabemowin Teg
2005 Language Conference Coordinator
Sault Ste. Marie, o­n
Voice / Fax 705.942.9909

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) Parent Support Program
is pleased to announce:

"Positive Parenting Workshop Curriculum"

Train-The-Trainer Workshop

February 7-11, 2005. - Sunset Suites

Sioux Lookout, o­n

Register Today!!

A certified instructor will conduct the training session.  This will be a session that will allow those involved to conduct Parenting workshops in their community.

Who should attend:

• H.B.H.C workers
• Early Childhood Development Coordinators
• Mental Health Workers
• Community Health Representatives
• N.N.A.D.A.P. workers
• any other community workers

Contact Equay-wuk for more information:

Jennifer Derosier       Liza Angeconeb          Felicia Waboose

Equay-wuk (Women's Group)
16 Fourth Avenue North P.O.Box 1781
Sioux Lookout, o­n P8T 1C4
Phone: (807)737-2214       Fax: (807)737-2699
Toll Free: 1-800-261-8294
email equaywuk@nwconx.net

Neskantaga First Nation

4th Annual

"World Youth Day"

Gospel Jamboree

February 18th - 21st, 2005

8:00pm - 1:00am nightly

• Accommodations Provided upon arrival
• Live Broadcast on WRN.
• Everyone is Welcome.

For more information, please contact:

Duane Moonias  (807) 479 2663 or e-mail: duane_moonias@hotmail.com

Kelvin Moonias  (807) 479 2570 or e-mail: moondawg932@yahoo.ca

Edward Moonias (807) 479 2570 or e-mail: edward_moonias@yahoo.ca

Or visit: http://mooniasbrothers.myknet.org

"We look forward to see you all"

NAN WOMEN'S GATHERING

Tune in to the Wawatay Radio Network

for the

Radio Broadcast of this event

When: Jan. 10-14, 2005

Each day from 9am-12 & 1-4pm

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The NAN Women's Gathering was the first ever gathering of women from 49 Nishnawbe Aski Nation Communities. It took place November 22 - 26, 2004 in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

There were Updates, Workshops & Presentations on:

Residential Schools ° Self Government Family violence ° Parenting

Home/Small Business ° Diabetes

FAS/FAE (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/ Fetal Alcohol Effects)

Women in Leadership (Running in First Nations Elections)

NAN Decade Youth Council ° Health ° Gambling

AFN Nuclear Waster Dialogue ° Youth & Bullying ° Organ Donation

....and many more topics....

(Event was co-sponsored by Equay-wuk and Nishnawbe Aski Nation)

For More Info, Contact Equay-wuk (Women's Group):

Telephone: (807) 737-2214 or toll free (800) 261-8294 Fax: (807) 737-2699

Email: equaywuk@nwconx.net