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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Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo Speaks: Canada Falls Short of Standards in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

Posted April 23, 2010 By tansi

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo presented today at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the UN Headquarters in New York.  The National Chief spoke to key areas that require action by First Nations and the Government of Canada, including First Nations Treaties, citizenship, comprehensive land claims, border rights, water rights and highlighted the issue of missing and murdered women. The National Chief setout an approach to resolve these issues based on the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

“The UN Declaration is the way to move forward on the issues that continue to hold back First Nations and Canada in achieving our full potential,” said National Chief Atleo. “The Declaration sets out principles and processes based on mutual respect and partnership. Adhering to these principles will ensure we get results that will work in everyone’s best interests.”

The presentation, part of the North American Panel, was delivered by the National Chief with representatives from the Governments of Canada and the United States, an Indigenous representative from the United States and UNPFII member Ms. Tonya Gonella-Frichner.

“There are many pressing issues facing Canada and First Nations and, while there is movement in some areas, we are focusing our presentation on those areas that require action either because there is no movement or because current approaches threaten or breach our inherent Aboriginal and Treaty rights,” said National Chief Atleo.

The National Chief stated that proposed federal legislation on First Nations membership and water are two examples of federal approaches that are inconsistent with First Nations rights and fall short of the standards in the UN Declaration.  The National Chief also called on the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples to visit Canada to specifically monitor the critical issue of violence against women.

The National Chief identified relevant standards from the UN Declaration that would act as shared objectives and a process to achieve those objectives.

The National Chief stated: “Our goal is to be constructive and to that end we are putting forward initiatives, plans and approaches that set us on the right course using the guiding principles of the UN Declaration. Canada is now joining the international community by adopting the Declaration and we are seeking a positive and substantive response to our presentation.”

The Assembly of First Nations presentation is available on the AFN website at www.afn.ca or upon request.

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Editor’s note: Canada is one of only four nations in the world who voted against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Categories: Justice, Land Claims, Rights, Treaty
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Walter Rudnicki, 1925-2010

Posted March 14, 2010 By móniyáw

OTTAWA — For a time in the 1970s, Walter Rudnicki was a household name in Ottawa.

It wasn’t because of his accomplishments in improving the lives of Canada’s aboriginal people — although he is still a legendary figure among native leaders.

Instead, Rudnicki got famous for his firing from the public service, his successful suit for wrongful dismissal and, only later, the revelation that he had been on an RCMP blacklist of 21 civil servants suspected of being members of a New Left seeking to “organize and radicalize the ‘underclasses’ of society and mould them into a revolutionary force.”

. . .

In the months after the trial, news about the existence of the black list started to trickle out. (more…)

Categories: Justice, Rights
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Native artist defined by his culture and past

Posted February 26, 2010 By móniyáw

Photograph by: Arlen Redekop , PNG

VANCOUVER — Native artist and dancer Andy Everson is deeply involved with his culture, but his path wasn’t an easy one because of a past law in Canada that stigmatized aboriginal women who married non-aboriginal men.

Everson, who is from the Comox Band, at one time wasn’t even allowed to live on reserve after his mother married a Norwegian man.

By doing so, she and her children lost their Indian status. According to Canadian federal law at the time if an aboriginal man married a non-aboriginal woman she gained Indian status. After the Indian Act was amended in 1985, Everson’s mother was able to regain her status, as were her children.

“It defines who I am now,” said Everson, who gives no hint of malice about the injustice.

In order to gain some appreciation for the relationship between Aboriginal people in Canada, it is crucial to acquire an understanding of the history of the Indian Act. You can read the full article here.

Categories: Culture, Justice
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Four Host First Nations: A Sell-out or a Celebration?

Posted February 12, 2010 By tansi

Organizers of this year’s Winter Olympics have made a big deal about including Canada’s Indians, or natives, as they’re called there, in preparations for the games. The four native bands closest to Vancouver and Whistler are official co-hosts, and native art is the basis for a lot of this year’s Olympic merchandizing.

But some native people aren’t so happy about the partnership, and they are accusing their leaders of selling out.

Last week, a small crowd of Canadian natives gathered in Vancouver to watch the dome of the “Aboriginal Pavilion” inflate. The structure will house a native arts and culture showcase and is situated on prime Olympic real estate, just a couple of blocks from the hockey arena.

Tewanee Joseph is a member of the Squamish nation, which has land in and around the host city of Vancouver. From the start, he says, they’ve insisted on being full partners in the Vancouver Games.

“Our chief said, ‘We’re not going to be just brought out for beads and feathers,’ ” Joseph says. ‘This has to be real participation.’ ”

Joseph is CEO of the “Four Host First Nations Society,” an entity created by nearby native governments to participate in the Olympic planning. He says the partnership has resulted in real participation.

“We were part of all the discussions,” Joseph says, “from governance to venues. Now you have the Aboriginal Pavilion.”

Not All Are Happy About Native Cooperation

But just a few blocks from the Aboriginal Pavilion, it is easy to find natives who feel a lot less included.

Rick Lavalle is upset over what he says is increasing police roughness with native panhandlers ahead of the Olympics. It’s something he plans to protest Friday, during demonstrations before the opening ceremony.

Read the rest of the article here.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies tonight, I was proud to be First Nations and to have our cultures showcased to the world. However, two questions were going through my mind. First, without context, and as part of a grand spectacle such as the ceremonies, do we perpetuate stereotypes instead of raising awareness about our rich an diverse cultures as Aboriginals in Canada? Second, given that Canada is one of only countries in the world that has not signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, how do the government and the Olympic organizers hope to white wash the longstanding multifaceted effects of colonization by including the four host First Nations in the Olympics?

For more on the conflicting view points on this complex topic:

http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/3139

http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Olympics2010/2010/01/28/four-host-first-nations-vanoc/

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/84234697.html?c=y&curSection=/vancouver_island_south/victorianews&curTitle=BC%20News

Categories: Arts, Culture, Entertainment, First Nation, Justice, Rights, Sports

Complaint against authorities for handling of Caledonia becomes class-action lawsuit

Posted February 8, 2010 By móniyáw

HAMILTON — An Ontario Superior Court judge said Monday a class-action lawsuit against the provincial police over the 2006 Caledonia, Ont. native dispute can go forward.

More than 400 businesses and contractors and as many residents have been identified as potentially joining the lawsuit to complain how authorities handled the protest. Attorney John Findlay, said claims could reach tens of millions of dollars.

The shutting down of a major street and highway during the crisis for more than five weeks “had tremendous effect on the businesses,” Findlay said.

[...]

“Did the defendants allow a state of lawlessness to exist? Did the defendants respond reasonably to circumstances that required a balances approach?”

“It is my view that the goal of access to justice could not be served by individual actions in the circumstances of this case.”

The crisis in Caledonia, about 110 kilometres southwest of Toronto, led to a flurry of court cases and lawsuits.

[...]

This case could answer some questions about what, if any, political decisions were occurring in the background. Read the entire news story here.

Categories: Justice
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Peace Dam Settlement provides closure to Tsay Keh Dene

Posted February 3, 2010 By móniyáw

Four decades after construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam created the largest body of water in B.C., the people displaced by the flooding of the Peace River valley have made their own peace with the province.Aboriginal Relations Minister George Abbott joined a delegation of BC Hydro officials Friday at the Tsay Keh Dene First Nation village at the north end of the vast reservoir, to mark the end of a dark chapter in B.C.’s history.

…

BC Hydro and the province have paid $20.9 million to a managed trust fund for the community, and will continue to pay $3 million a year adjusted for inflation as long as the dam produces electricity. The agreement was ratified last year by 80 per cent of Tsay Keh Dene members who voted, settling a lawsuit launched in 1999 and waiving any further legal action for the effects of the dam.

…

Considering that the Tsay Keh Dene’s way of life was almost completely destroyed and they fought over 40 years for justice, I think BC Hydro and British Columbia’s tax payers got pretty lucky. Read the full story here.

Categories: Justice, Land Rights
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19th Annual Womens Memorial March in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Posted January 31, 2010 By tansi

The 19th Annual Feb 14th Womens Memorial March takes place on Sunday, February 14 2010 and begins at 12pm.

At noon, we gather at the Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Street (corner Hastings, Vancouver) where family members speak in remembrance. At 1 pm, the march takes to the streets and proceeds through the Downtown Eastside, with stops to commemorate where women were last seen or found; speeches by community activists at the police station; a healing circle at Oppenheimer Park around 3 pm; and finally a community feast at the Japanese Language Hall….

This event is organized and led by women in the DTES because women, especially Indigenous women, face physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual violence on a daily basis.  This is a memorial not a protest; it is a deeply emotional time for family members and women affected especially in Vancouver’s DTES…

Read more here.

Categories: Events, Justice, Women
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First Nation wants better service from RCMP

Posted January 28, 2010 By móniyáw

The Moosomin First Nation was mentioned in another article, but that story had very different content. There seems to be a lot happening in this tiny community.

Upset with how the search for an attempted murder suspect was handled, leaders on a First Nation near North Battleford, Sask., say they need better service from the RCMP.

…

The band council wants the RCMP to contact them directly when issuing news releases, so they can ensure the right information gets out to band members, Kahpeaysewat said.

The band also says it wants an increased police presence on the reserve, saying members are struggling with drugs, alcohol and violence.

Responding to the issues raised by the band, RCMP Sgt. Carole Raymond said the force is still working out the practical details of the 2001 policing agreement.

…

Struggling with the details of an agreement from 2001? It sounds like the RCMP, First Nation, or both parties are not really trying to help the community. Read the full article here.

Categories: First Nation, Justice
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Banning alcohol in First Nation community

By móniyáw

Officials with a First Nation in Saskatchewan say they’re getting tough on crime, with plans to ban alcohol and to cut financial and housing support for anyone involved in drug dealing or other serious illegal activities. Following a rash of violence, the Moosomin First Nation band council agreed this month to establish a “no alcohol bylaw,” says a joint news release issued on Tuesday by the band and local RCMP.

It is about time. See the full article here.

Categories: First Nation, Justice
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