Windspeaker news briefs

THE ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS IS
hopeful that Canada's recent announcement to commit $472,000 over two years to tobacco cessation programs for Inuit youth is a sign of a renewed commitment to restore similar projects for First Nations youth. The First Nations and Inuit Tobacco Control Strategy was cancelled in October 2006, and since there has been no tobacco control strategy for First Nations people, who have some of the highest rates of smoking in Canada. "More than 50 per cent of First Nations adults engage in smoking. With half of our people under the age of 25, if this trend continues unchecked, tobacco-related diseases will become an even more significant cause of death amongst First Nations and represent a future burden on Canada's health care system," said National Chief Phil Fontaine. The former tobacco control strategy was cut midway through its fifth year without a final evaluation completed on the success of the program. Evidence from the First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey, however, shows that during the first years of the program, non-traditional smoking rates among First Nations adults declined from 62 per cent in 1997 to 56.9 per cent in 2002-03.
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THE PASQUA FIRST NATION SIGNED A
treaty land settlement agreement Feb. 23 worth $8.8 million. The funds will allow the band to purchase and convert to reserve status a minimum of 6.686 acres of land and up to a maximum of 32,0504 acres. The settlement agreement requires that the nation use the money to purchase land. The agreement was ratified by the community last April.
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NEW DEMOCRAT MP DENISE SAVOIE
intends to brush off a private members bill that she introduced last year and reintroduce it. The Bill, which died on the order paper when the House was prorogued, would have the federal government ensure that Canadian laws are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Though she doesn't have much hope the Bill will even reach the debate stage, she said, if adopted, it would make the minister responsible for Aboriginal issues more accountable, with regular reporting to the House on issues like housing concerns. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, but Canada voted against it, as did the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. All countries with sizable Aboriginal populations.
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THE MAPLE RIDGE-PITT MEADOWS TIMES
is reporting that the Katzie First Nation is suing BC's Ministry of Environment, claiming the government failed to consult the band before rejecting a park boundary amendment for a run of river project in the Upper Pitt River. Katzie had a signed letter of intent with Run of River Power Inc., a company asking that 21 hectares of land be removed from the park to construct its powerline. The project was within Katzie territory. The amendment to the park boundary was opposed in what has been described as a "raucous public meeting" and Environment Minister Barry Penner pre-empted the formal process to review the park boundary by announcing he would not recommend that the park boundary be amended. Katzie First Nation alleges that the Environment Ministry "breached its constitutional and fiduciary obligations to consult with and accommodate the plaintiff in regards to the plaintiff's Aboriginal rights, including title" and "breached its obligations to comply" with a 1995 co-operative management agreement between the parties for the park.
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NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION GRAND CHIEF
Stan Beardy fears impending changes to the Navigable Waterways Protection Act (NWPA) under consideration by the Government of Canada threatens First Nations who have relied upon navigable waterways to sustain their livelihood for centuries. "It is unacceptable that NAN First Nations were not consulted and that our traditional way of life was not considered during the development of the recommended changes put forth by the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, said Beardy. "The fact that these proposed changes are being considered for implementation without proper consultation and input from the people of Nishnawbe Aski is not only wrong, but in contravention to the Crown's fiduciary duty to consult and accommodate First Nations enshrined in the Canada Constitution Act." Beardy is concerned that the proposed changes would make it easier for large scale projects to be undertaken in First Nation territories without proper environmental protections. As well, proposed changes would shift the responsibility for conducting environmental assessments from Canada to First Nation communities, many of which do not have the capacity to do so.