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Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan and the federal government have signed a Framework Agreement to negotiate self-government. “The signing of this agreement is an important milestone along a path of renewal and reconciliation,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan. “Self-government agreements give Aboriginal groups greater control over the decisions that affect their communities, laying the foundation for sound governance and an improved quality of life for their members,” Chief Darcy Bear said. “A self-government agreement will recognize the Whitecap Dakota First Nation as a government with the ability to create laws, authorities and empower our community members to break the cycle of dependence created by the Indian Act.” This Framework Agreement marks the start of a process for determining Whitecap Dakota law-making powers, including how they will manage their resources, preserve their culture and build on their successes in economic development.

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Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Mary Simon wants to set up a meeting similar to the Crown/First Nations Gathering Prime Minister Stephen Harper, reports Nunatsiaq News. “We want our own Inuit-specific meeting to focus on Inuit and Arctic issues,” she said. “We need to talk about some of the critical issues facing Inuit today.” Education and mental health services would be high on her agenda of discussion points if such a gathering were to take place, said Simon. Inuit have a distinct identity so ITK was not a participant at the Crown/First Nations Gathering on Jan. 24 in Ottawa. Inuit are constitutionally recognized as a distinct group through their culture and jurisdictions, Simon has explained. “From where I was sitting, it sounds like (the gathering) was about the renewal of the Aboriginal relationship with the Crown,” she said. “As first peoples, Inuit also want to have a very strong relationship with the government.”

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Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo expressed his support for the construction of all-weather roads to improve accessibility to and from remote First Nation communities, urging all levels of government to work with First Nations to ensure appropriate measures are taken when ice roads are not available.  “Northern First Nation communities that rely on ice roads for supplies over the winter months only become more vulnerable with mild winter weather,” said Atleo. “We support calls by First Nation leadership in Manitoba and Ontario for the construction of all-weather roads and other approaches that work for First Nations that better ensure transportation of food, fuel and other essential supplies and services year round.” Chiefs from Manitoba declared a state of emergency when above normal temperatures over a few weeks delayed winter road construction in the region. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc.

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The federal government announced an investment of about $700,000 to Miawpukek First Nation for water infrastructure upgrades and emergency management activities. Miawpukek First Nation was established as a reserve in 1987 and is located on the Island of Newfoundland. The community has 2,780 members, with an on-reserve population of 830 members. “The Government of Canada believes that by investing in infrastructure, we are building stronger First Nation communities and substantially improving the health and safety of residents,” said Parliamentary Secretary Greg Rickford on behalf of Aboriginal Affairs Canada. “The projects will enable Miawpukek First Nation to meet its growing needs by providing quality water services and improving access to a major road within the community.” As a result of this funding, two major projects will be completed. The East Brook Bridge, which was seriously damaged by flooding, will be replaced,and the existing water pumphouse will be upgraded.

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A State of Emergency was declared by Cat Lake First Nation in northern Ontario which estimates seven out of 10 adults and youth there are abusing prescription medication. Cat Lake is looking for help in dealing with a pandemic of oxycodone use. “Cat Lake First Nation can no longer deal with the situation of prescription drug abuse alone. This affects all of our community, not only the users,” said Chief Matthew Keewaykapow. “Our Elders are impacted when they have to worry about providing for their grandchildren as money for food disappears to purchase drugs. We also have general security concerns as vandalism and thefts have increased across the community.” The community is working with police to expedite search warrants. Cat Lake even developed its own search and seizure law, but it was challenged in court and found to be unconstitutional. There have been a series of drug busts in the territory but the community complains that the dealers are soon out on the streets again.

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A high-end, privately funded healthcare facility is slated for development on Westbank First Nation territory in Kelowna B.C., band Chief Robert Louie has announced.
“Yes. It is our intention [to build a health centre]. We’ve been working on this for almost two years now,” Louie said. “We’ve put a lot of thinking into this. It’s the first of its kind in Canada.” Louie said the facility, still in its planning and preparation stages, promises to offer first-rate medical care.

“It will be equivalent to a private hospital,” he explained. The centre will provide all the services of a typical healthcare institution without the emergency department, obstetrics unit and psychiatric ward.

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The House of Commons Finance Committee has recommended the privatization of reserve lands. The suggestion was made when the committee presented its pre-budget report before the holiday break. The committee thinks a policy such as this would help reduce poverty on First Nations.

The idea is not a new one, and has been kicked around for a decade or more and, to some, it hasn’t been well thought out.

The idea was widely presented to the country by Prime Minister Stephen Harpher’s former advisor, Tom Flanagan, in two of his books, ‘First Nations? Second Thoughts’ and ‘Beyond the Indian Act.’ The idea was not very popular in Flanagan’s first book, but he amended the idea to make it more palatable in his second.

And still there are big questions left to answer.

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Newfoundland and Labrador residential school survivors who were excluded from the initial Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) have been given the go-ahead by that province’s Court of Appeal to launch a lawsuit against the federal government.
The ruling was delivered Dec. 21, 2011.

“It’s good news for people who have been waiting for such a long time for a response from the court on this issue,” said Dan Pottle, minister of finance with the Nunatsiavut government, which was established in 2005 as a regional Inuit government within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Pottle explained that when the IRSSA was signed in 2007, the Nunatsiavut government approached the federal government twice to lobby for the inclusion of the five residential schools that operated in the province.

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Certification from the First Nation Financial Management Board will allow the Osoyoos Indian Band to undertake development at a faster pace than if it had to solely rely on government funding.

“We can get funding from the open market at interest rates below what banks can give us,” said Brian Titus, chief operating officer for the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corp.

OIB, along with Songhees and Tzeachten, are the first First Nations to receive the certification. Although all three are located in British Columbia, Harold Calla, chair of the management board, said First Nations from across the country are coming on board.

Membertou First Nation in Atlantic Canada is one of the next five First Nations who will receive certification in the next month or so. Calla anticipates 15 or 20 more First Nations to meet the criteria established by the board by the end of the year and another 20 the following year.

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DEAR AUNTIE
By J’net AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh

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DEAR AUNTIE
By J’net AyAy Qwa Yak Sheelth Cavanagh

Dear Auntie:
I was recently elected to council, and while I feel very proud to serve my community, I am having regrets about putting my name forward in the first place. Every council meeting is a screaming match. Nothing gets done without tensions boiling over. This is not how I was taught to behave. I was taught to listen more than talk, and speak quietly and deliberately, knowing that each word has the power to help or do harm. I feel sick to my stomach every time I walk into the band office. I’m thinking I’m not cut out for a political position.

Signed,
Not Up For The Challenge

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THE URBANE INDIAN

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Artist—Garry Oker
Song—Ride
Album—Ride (2011)
Label—Independent

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