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
Tags: , , , , ,

North Spirit Lake First Nation Constructs a New School

Posted May 7, 2010 By tansi

North Spirit Lake First Nation Logo

NORTH SPIRIT LAKE FIRST NATION, ONTARIO (May 6, 2010) – Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, on behalf of the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today, with the North Spirit Lake First Nation, celebrated the start of construction of the community’s new school.

“Investments in school infrastructure projects will help ensure First Nation learners have a strong and productive educational experience,” said MP Rickford. “Today’s sod turning event moves us one step closer to fulfilling the commitment that the Government of Canada made to ensure the First Nations youth attend school in a healthy environment.”

North Spirit Lake First Nation Chief Rita Thompson said, “I am pleased to see the Government of Canada delivering on its promise to strengthen education, and to provide greater hope and opportunity for the youth in this community. The new Victoria Linklater Memorial School is important to supporting student success.”

Through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, an investment of approximately $16 million is building the new Kindergarten to Grade 9 facility that will accommodate 90 students. Construction of the school is expected to be complete in 2011.

This project is part of the $200 million for new schools and major renovations included in the $1.4 billion investment for Aboriginal peoples under Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The Government of Canada is taking action to improve the lives of First Nation peoples and stimulate economic growth in First Nation communities through targeted infrastructure investments. Investments in school infrastructure projects will help ensure First Nation students have a strong and productive educational experience, which starts with access to quality infrastructure that is conducive to learning.

News from INAC.

Categories: Education, First Nation, Youth
Tags: , ,

First Nations Languages Facing Extinction

Posted May 4, 2010 By tansi

There are only five Snuneymuxw people left who are fluent in the traditional Hul’q'umi’num’ language, elder Gary Manson estimates.

“And that’s probably pushing it.”

A report released last week on the demise of First Nations languages in B.C. says that three languages are designated as “sleeping” with no fluent speakers and 22 are nearly extinct. The Hul’q'umi’num’ language, traditionally spoken by First Nations from the Malahat to Nanoose Bay, has 278 fluent speakers and is classified as “severely endangered.”

No one will be fluent in most of B.C.’s 32 First Nations languages within six years if action isn’t taken to prevent the decline, says the report by the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council, a crown corporation created to help First Nations revitalize their languages and arts.

Read more.

Categories: Culture, Education, First Nation, Language
Tags: ,

First Nations Band Finances Under Scrutiny

By tansi
Categories: Finance, First Nation
Tags: , ,

First Nations is fighting to protect our environment yet again

Posted April 22, 2010 By móniyáw

Aboriginal leaders from across Canada say proposed changes to federal environmental law is setting a course for conflict.

The Aamjiwnaang First Nation of Sarnia, Ont., and about 20 other First Nations have written to Prime Minister Stephen Harper demanding he withdraw the amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Aamjiwnaang spokesman Ron Plain said in the letter that the proposed amendments — part of the Conservatives’ jobs and economic growth act — give the federal environment minister complete discretion on setting the focus for environmental assessments.

“It is through environmental assessment that aboriginal peoples, including ourselves and the communities we live in, learn of proposed projects that may impact our aboriginal interests,” said Plain’s letter.

. . .

Earlier this week, British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell announced his province would proceed with the steps necessary to build a third massive hydroelectric dam in northeastern B.C.

Aboriginal groups in the region have said they have not been consulted on the so-called Site C project, which must yet go through an environmental assessment.

British Columbia is not short on electricity, so why the sudden drive by Premier Gordon Campbell to encourage production of electricity? It begs the question if Premier Gordon Campbell will retire from politics to find a consulting position with an independent power producer?

Read the entire news article here.

Categories: Environment, First Nation, Water
Tags: , , , , , ,

Does your community have emergency response and recovery services?

Posted April 20, 2010 By móniyáw

The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that marks another step forward in providing emergency response and recovery services in First Nation communities in Nova Scotia.

“Our Government is pleased to be working in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia and the First Nations to provide services to their communities,” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. “When emergency situations occur, the proposed agreement will ensure that Nova Scotia First Nation communities have access to the same level of service as all communities in Nova Scotia.”

The MOU provides a framework for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia to develop a Service Agreement for the provision of emergency management services to Nova Scotia First Nations. The Service Agreement will establish the terms for the province to deliver emergency management programs to First Nation communities on behalf of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

According to the Constitution Act of 1867, the Province has exclusive jurisdiction for matters of property and civil rights and for all matters that affect the public health, safety, and environment of the province.

The entire news post is here.

Categories: First Nation, Health
Tags: , , , ,

Improving health of Aboriginal Children and Youth

Posted April 15, 2010 By móniyáw

Ontario has appointed John Beaucage as Aboriginal Advisor to the Minister of Children and Youth Services Laurel Broten. Mr. Beaucage will help improve services for Aboriginal children and youth, both on and off reserve by providing advice on Aboriginal child welfare issues for a period of one year. He will also be available as an expert resource to the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare.

A former Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation and current Chief Executive Officer of the Lake Huron Anishinabek Transmission Company, Mr. Beaucage is a strong advocate for First Nations health, environmental responsibility and child welfare.

The appointment of an Aboriginal Advisor continues Ontario’s efforts to improve supports for Aboriginal children and youth to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.

“By reaching out to Aboriginal communities and continuing to build trusting relationships, we will find solutions to strengthen services and supports for Aboriginal children and youth. I am looking forward to working with Mr. Beaucage and our Aboriginal communities to ensure we have the supports in place to help Aboriginal children and youth reach their full potential.” – Laurel Broten, Minister of Children and Youth Services

A quote from the end of this article:

QUICK FACTS
· Aboriginal children and youth account for approximately 35 per cent of the Aboriginal population in Ontario
· The Aboriginal Advisor will facilitate discussions with Aboriginal leaders on Aboriginal child welfare issues, and provide advice on Aboriginal child welfare policy matters
· Approximately 21 per cent of Ontario’s 9,000 Crown wards are Aboriginal children and youth of Indian or native heritage
· Six Aboriginal children’s aid societies (CASs) provide Aboriginal child protection services in Ontario. Aboriginal children may also be served by non-Aboriginal CASs.

The entire article is here.

Categories: First Nation, Health, Youth
Tags: , , , ,

Former Canadian Prime Minister Suppressed study that could have helped Grassy Narrows

Posted April 12, 2010 By móniyáw

A newly published book about Minamata disease has revealed, possibly for the first time to Canadians, that former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau personally interfered with the publication of one or more studies concerning the mercury problem at Grassy Narrows.

“Niigata Minimata Disease: Methyl Mercury Poisoning in Niigata, Japan” was authored by Dr. Saito Hisashi, a general practitioner who has worked with Minamata patients ever since the disease was discovered in Niigata, Japan, in 1965. The book was first published in 1996, but only now has it been translated to English.

. . .

The possibility raises some uncomfortable points, after all, “it is evidence that a Prime Minister of Canada personally interfered in the publication of scientific data concerning the mercury problem at Grassy Narrows,” ensuring that “these important studies were never published,” writes John H.W. Hummel, a pollution researcher in British Colombia. He adds, “I am not a lawyer but, this must be a breach of fiduciary duty that the government of Canada has towards First Nations communities! At the very least, it brings the honour of the crown into disrepute.” Trudeau’s actions may also constitute a criminal offense—though, it would be difficult to prove in a court of law.

Hummel continues, “Supression of Scientists and Doctors who release controversial data which could lead to court action against the Government is nothing new in Canada. We witnessed this during the fight to defend the Fraser and Nechako River salmon during the Kemano II struggle. More recently, we witnessed such activity when Dr. John O’Connor at Fort Chipewayan First Nation went public with pollution/health data. But, (this) is the First time I have ever seen a case where a Canadian Prime Minister actually engages is such activity personally!”

If the quote from the original book is accurate, it raises serious concerns for all of us. Follow the link to the original post here.

Categories: Environment, First Nation, Water
Tags: , ,

Government of Canada Supports Aboriginal Youth

By móniyáw

CALGARY, April 12, 2010 – On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament (Calgary Southeast), today announced funding for the Métis Calgary Family Services Society.

This funding will help support the Society’s Aboriginal Students Program, a year-round stay-in-school initiative for urban Aboriginal youth aged 15 to 18. The Program involves weekly workshops, recreational activities, tutoring, one-on-one counselling, and cultural activities that include traditional teachings by elders. In the summer, the Program will also offer young people the chance to participate in a media literacy project in which they will create a public service announcement.

“Our Government is committed to providing Aboriginal youth with the skills and tools they need to help them achieve their goals,” said Minister Moore. “We are proud to support an organization that helps today’s urban Aboriginal adolescents succeed in school and in life.”

“By ensuring that our young people are engaged and motivated to excel in school, we are ensuring their long-term success and giving them hope for a positive future,” said Minister Kenney. “I am proud that our Government is supporting the Métis Calgary Family Services Society in instilling confidence, pride, and strength in our youth.”

“Métis Calgary Family Services, through its Aboriginal Students Program, has been fortunate to witness first hand the unlocked potential of an entire generation of urban Aboriginal youth,” said Mark Laycock, C.E.O. Programs, Métis Calgary Family Services Society. “This contribution from the Government of Canada will allow the aspirations of these young people to grow, flourish, and contribute to our popular culture.”

The Métis Calgary Family Services Society, established in 1991, is a non-profit Aboriginal organization. It provides culturally appropriate services to urban Aboriginal families and children by providing free programs and services that address the needs of the urban Aboriginal population of Calgary and surrounding area. The Society also encourages educational completion and attainment, increases participation in a wide variety of health, cultural, and recreational activities, and increases participation in community life as a positive alternative for youth.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $167,800 through the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth initiative (formerly known as the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative) of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Aboriginal young people aged 10 to 24, living in urban settings across Canada, with programming that incorporates Aboriginal values, cultures, and traditional practices in projects and activities designed to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects and to strengthen their cultural identity.

Categories: Education, First Nation, Youth
Tags: , , ,

Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister leads delegation asking for protection

Posted April 11, 2010 By móniyáw

Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister led delegations to Toronto, as the community and their supporters continued to lobby for the protection of treaty rights.

“How can we have trust, and reconciliation when the government of Ontario walks away from their responsibility to make things right about the mercury pollution they permitted?” asked the chief in a prepared statement.

The demonstration came on the heels of yet another study, which showed the health of long-term residents was getting worse with time, rather than better, due to the cumulative effects of eating contaminated fish. Based on the results of examinations done during his 2004 visit, Japanese expert Dr. Masazumi Harada said the walleye from the Winnipeg River system near the community may also have a detrimental impact on pregnant women, who could pass on the symptoms to their fetus.

. . .

The province banned commercial fishing for all species except whitefish in 1970. The 2009-2010 edition of the Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish still contains warnings for “sensitive populations”, which include expectant mothers and children, who are eating walleye from the Winnipeg River system.

For many years now, both the federal and provincial governments have made contributions to healthy eating programs, including those for expectant mothers.

Health Canada has tried offering a substitute food program for residents, where frozen fish was sent by mail, but it was not successful. The federal government has also challenged Dr. Harada’s findings through the use of their own experts, who note some of the symptoms associated with mercury poisoning can also be caused by other sources, including alcohol and substance abuse.

It is a convenient argument for Health Canada to make — take away the ability to practice a traditional form of life by poisoning the water these people rely on for their food and livelihood, then accuse the population of alcoholism and substance abuse. Raise the specter of the “dirty drunk Indian” as the straw man in the argument; tap into prejudice and ignorance to continue the suffering of Grassy Narrows. The solution to this problem is simple: make amends by fixing the problem and stop blaming the victims. There may be alcoholism and substance abuse, but is that the cause or the effect?

Read the entire news article here. Hopefully the Canadian public and people of Ontario will recognize this as a problem that can only be solved when pressure is brought on the politicians and bureaucracy.

Categories: Crime, Environment, First Nation, Rights, Water
Tags: , , , ,