Improved Information Technology in NWT… In Other News – Funding to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation Has Ended

Posted May 10, 2010 By tansi

The Federal Government likes to toot its own horn as far as funding for projects such as these, which are needed; however, how can over a century of systematic abuse and racism be healed in only 12 years? http://nikiashton.ndp.ca/node/138

Yellowknife (Northwest Territories), May 10, 2010 – The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is supporting improved information technology in the Northwest Territories with funding to the Katlodeeche (KFN) and Yellowknives Dene First Nations (YKDFN).

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of CanNor, made the announcement today.

CanNor will provide a total of $265,000 for two projects which will enhance Internet connectivity in Northwest Territories communities.

“Better Broadband and Internet service has the potential to improve the way communities conduct business, communicate with their families, and even receive health and social services,” said Minister Strahl, who is also the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. “This funding will provide a number of Northwest Territories communities with lasting technological infrastructure.”

“Funding to improve the Katlodeeche First Nation’s broadband service will provide immediate cost savings and administrative improvements for the band council, as well as training and employment opportunities for local residents,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health. “The Yellowknives Dene First Nation will also benefit from CanNor’s funding, as it explores ways to build its information technology capacity.”

“CanNor’s funding has enabled us to build our existing infrastructure into a more robust and streamlined system, lowering administration costs and ensuring more accountability and transparency. The video-conferencing capabilities also gives our Chief and Council more time to spend at home and on the land, instead of travelling for meetings. We can connect anywhere in Canada,” said Lyle Fabian, KFN Band Councillor and project head. “In our culture, communication has always been very important. This is another way of communicating, to link our community through technology.”

“With CanNor funding, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation was able to assess its IT infrastructure, networking, security and connectivity upgrade requirements and develop viable options to realize these upgrades,” said Stephan Folkers, YKDFN Housing Manager. “CanNor funding also allowed the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to assess its IT-support capacity building needs.”

Funding for this project was provided through the Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan. SINED is delivered by CanNor in the three territories.
CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering federal economic development activities in the territories, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.

Categories: Education, Finance, First Nation, History, Justice
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First Nations Band Finances Under Scrutiny

Posted May 4, 2010 By tansi
Categories: Finance, First Nation
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Poverty shoved under the rug, why?

Posted April 8, 2010 By móniyáw

FREDERICTON (CUP) — Apparently, the issues of poverty and income for First Nations in New Brunswick are somebody else’s problem.

After attempting to contact numerous provincial, federal and First Nations sources over the course of a week, the Canadian University Press found that almost no one was willing to address what numbers show to be severe poverty in the province’s First Nations communities.

Chad Skelton, a *Vancouver Sun* reporter, recently found that Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside was not, as commonly claimed, the “poorest postal code” in Canada. Instead, he found that many of the country’s poorest “forward sorting areas” — that is, regions encompassed by the first three digits of a postal code — are in New Brunswick, in terms of median income.

Six of the ten poorest forward sorting areas, including the poorest, were in New Brunswick, and five of them, including the poorest, were First Nations communities.

These communities are, in order: Burnt Church First Nation (1), Red Bank Reserve (3), Elsipogtog First Nation (4), Tobique First Nation (5), Eel Ground (6), Kingsclear First Nation (7) and Adamsville (9).

I would like to know what potential exists within each community; for example do any of these reserves sit on mining resources, or is there a potential to build an air strip and encourage tourism? The dilemma seems to be that the government provides for basic infrastructure and the basic needs of the community, but the community can develop itself. The reason for development seems to vary, but I think the solution should come from the government — the current laws and practices in how the government “manages” First Nations communities needs to be overhauled.

You can read the entire article here.

Categories: Finance
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Balancing rights, culture, and economics in British Columbia

Posted January 19, 2010 By móniyáw

The 1,170-kilometre pipeline will connect an oilsands processing hub near Edmonton to the port city of Kitimat, B.C., on the northern British Columbia coast.

It’s an opportunity for oilsands producers to sell their product in lucrative Asian markets and reduce their reliance on the United States, where climate change regulations will likely become more stringent.

A parallel pipeline will transport refined products imported into Kitimat eastward toward Alberta.

The Wet’suwet’en First Nation in northwestern British Columbia has been among the fiercest opponents of the project.

David deWit, natural resource manager for the group, said the project would threaten his people’s traditional way of life and economic well-being, which is largely centred around fishing for salmon.

“It’s not if the pipeline is going to leak, it’s when it’s going to leak,” he said.

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Read the full article here.

Categories: Finance, First Nation
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Federal and Provincial governments work together for First Nations

Posted January 15, 2010 By móniyáw

Resolve land claims and assist First Nations to establish a local sustainable economy and you have taken significant steps towards healing. If you consider how often the various governments support business in general, it is in the governments best interest to support the efforts of First Nations communities to develop a sustainable economic environment.

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Jan. 15, 2010) – First Nations government and economic development leaders gathered together this week with the governments of Canada and Ontario on a coordinated approach to build more sustainable economies in First Nations across Ontario. Productive partnerships, thriving businesses and good jobs are crucial to improving the quality of life in First Nations communities.

The two days of discussions and working sessions focussed participants on the three areas considered most important to First Nations economic development: resource development, socio-economic development and relationships and partnerships between First Nations and Ontario business and industry. Participants focussed on developing practical tools and sharing information that will directly support the First Nation economy.

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You can read the full article here.

Categories: Finance
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Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations speaks about economic future

Posted January 14, 2010 By móniyáw

Self-sustainability is the only way First Nations communities can ensure their economic futures are sound, says the regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Angus Toulouse on Thursday said the time for talk is over, but he’s encouraged that the federal and provincial governments are finally aware that action is needed to make it happen.

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Settling land claims would encourage economic growth and provide First Nations communities with the tools to build their own economic future.

He said there are two areas that need improvement: education and economic development. One thing’s for sure, change is necessary and the feedback garnered from the two-day conference must be taken seriously.

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See the full article here.

Categories: Finance
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Federal government favours non-aboriginal financial institutions?

Posted January 6, 2010 By móniyáw

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“In a sudden and secretive move, Ottawa has given loan guarantees to a select group of non-Aboriginal banks and credit unions while withholding them from (aboriginal financial institutions). Neither the AFIs nor the industry association were consulted as required under the Constitution Act, Section. 35, ” says a statement from the corporation.

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Read the full story here.

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Lots of money to be made…at the cost of those who need help

Posted January 4, 2010 By móniyáw

Niki Ashton, the New Democratic MP for Churchill, has organized a petition calling for an extension of the government funding for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF). The AHF was formally created in 1998 to address the legacy of sexual and physical abuse endured at residential schools. Eliminating its funding (in March 2010) is opposed because the “healing … is far from complete after 10 years.”

The lingering pace of the “healing” process, however, is not the only argument given for continuing the AHF’s funding. Ashton also points out that 950 jobs will be lost if this funding is cut. But what do these “jobs” consist of, and how effective have they been in addressing the psychological problems plaguing aboriginal communities? The only “evaluation” of AHF programs has come from the organization itself, which asks people to rate “healing activities” such as “Elder” and “ceremony” to determine if vague goals and unspecified criteria are met. The designation of “healer” is even defined as being “bestowed or created through the recognition and respect of others who believe in their healing ability.” In other words, believing in the healing process will result, after many years, in being “healed” (if the funds keep flowing).

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I have witnessed first-hand people who claim to be exercising their authority in the best interest of a reserve, when in fact they are lining their own pockets at the cost of those they claim to support. In one case, individuals on a reserve lacked clean running water and electricity while the individuals working in the band office were making salaries equal to top-level managers at private companies. See the full article here.

Categories: Finance
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