Government invests in Universities
More funds for organizations
Favel speaks out on rights
P.A. Friendship Centre in lawsuit
Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training Minister Bob Mitchell said the province will invest $9.8 million in new funding to Saskatchewan's universities to alleviate recent federal cuts to education.
"Through our funding, we're preserving and enhancing their excellent programs, and helping ensure that university education is affordable and accessible for students," Mitchell said.
In addition to this new money, universities and affiliated federated colleges will see their operating grants maintained at the current level of $168 million for both 1997 to 1998 and 1998 to 1999. Previously announced provincial cuts will not be implemented.
"Our universities have made considerable progress toward increased efficiencies and greater cooperation and communication between themselves and with government," Mitchell said.
Lorne Calvert, the provincial Social Services minister, announced on Mar. 24 that community-based organizations, which are contracted to provide services for departmental clients, will receive more than $7.5 million in funding increases over the next three years.
These agencies include child care centres, youth programs, mobile crisis services, group homes, transition houses, friendship centres and many more agencies that provide important services to children and families across the province.
More than 200 organizations and 1,500 agency staff across the province will benefit from the funding increase.
"Community-based organizations provide important, often crucial services to vulnerable children and adults in our communities. With these increases we are helping those who help others in Saskatchewan," Calvert said.
Chief of the FSIN, Blaine Favel, spoke out about fighting for the rights of the intellectually disabled at the 41st annual general meeting and conference of the Saskatchewan Association of Community Living held in Prince Albert.
Favel cited some disturbing facts concerning the rate of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome amongst the First Nation community in Saskatchewan. In some communities, he said, nearly one out of four children suffer from the syndrome because of women consuming alcohol while pregnant.
It is hoped that the association and the federation can join forces in the near future to fight for the rights of the intellectually disabled, said Dale Ebert, president of the Prince Albert branch of the association.
Six former directors of the Prince Albert Indian Métis Friendship Centre are launching a legal challenge to the current board's legitimacy. Bernice Sayese, June Anderson, Pat Dreaver, Garnet Oberkirsch, Caroline Sinclair and Brian Robillard, who all resigned from the centre's board last fall, are asking the court to remove the current board. They're also hoping that the court will appoint a neutral third-party to run the centre and conduct a new election.
The lawsuit was launched on Tuesday, Mar. 25. Court was adjourned until Apr. 8 so that the centre can prepare documents for its defense.
By R John Hayes
Sage Writer
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT
Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister and Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie Ron Irwin announced on April 4 that he will not be seeking re-election in the next federal election. It is widely speculated that the federal Liberals will call an election early this summer, with June 2 or 9 the most likely dates.
"This is a personal choice that I have made and I am looking forward to being able to enjoy more time with my family and friends," Irwin said. "It has been an honor for me to serve the government of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and the residents of Sault Ste. Marie.
"I wish to thank my wife Margaret and our children for their wonderful support and confidence, which over the years has made this challenging experience so fulfilling," he continued. "I would also like to thank the people of Sault Ste. Marie whom I have had the pleasure of representing as both their mayor and member of Parliament."
Irwin was first elected to the House of Commons in 1980, where he served one term. He was re-elected in the general election of October 1993, and he was appointed to the cabinet on Nov. 4, 1993, as the 14th minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
"I would like to thank the prime minister for his friendship and his guidance," Irwin said. "I would also like to thank my colleagues in the House of Commons who have encouraged me and supported the work I have done. To the Elders, chiefs, Aboriginal, Métis and Inuit peoples who have befriended me and taught me, meegwetch."
By Kenneth Williams
Sage Writer
A friend of mine was feeling a little depressed lately because of the intentions of a certain political party, that will remain unnamed, wanting to make Aboriginal people just like "everybody else."
This is for anyone who thinks that assimilation is a good thing for Aboriginal people: No thanks!
You've already tried that for about 200 years. Isn't the fact that we don't want to be assimilated sunk in yet? Yeah, we like some of the trappings of Western-European culture and we'll borrow them as we like. But don't thrust the whole thing down our throats again like we're students at a residential school. At least one church has already recognized the insidiousness of that and apologized for it.
I guess I get a little angry about this issue more than anything else. People throw the word assimilation around like it's a good and progressive thing. It's as if they think we haven't joined the 20th century or something. But assimilation means destruction; and the destruction of what's left of our culture only means one thing: Genocide.
Anyone here want to volunteer for that? I didn't think so.
I guess I'm feeling a little incensed because of some incidents that occurred on the University of Saskatchewan campus early this month. Some hero thought it wise to write "white power" and draw a swastika on the chalk board in the Aboriginal students' lounge.
I must remind that hero about Aboriginal power. Like I said, 200 years of attempted assimilation may have gone unnoticed by you, but they haven't by me. We have endured warfare, disease and residential schools. We have inherited a legacy of substance abuse, broken families and suicide.
But guess what? We're still here.
There are still Aboriginal people in Canada, despite your best efforts.
We have taken the best that you, Mr. White Power, have thrown at us and we're still standing and growing and getting stronger.
Pathetic little scribblings won't stop us from fulfilling the wishes of our Elders to get an education and contribute to this world. You can sting us with your racism but we've grown immune to your poison. It will no longer stop us.
We'll get over it. It won't even leave a scar.
What's more, you've embarrassed non-Aboriginal people by this act. You've embarrassed the University of Saskatchewan by this act.
You can't stop progress and we're progressing. We're not going to disappear and cower because of some words on a chalk board.
I've just come back from the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College's powwow in Regina and there I saw thousands of people celebrating the very fact they were Aboriginal.
So to you, Mr. White Power, I say this: Aboriginal people aren't going anywhere but where they want to! So get used to the idea.
Right now, I feel sad and angry at what you've done. Sad because people like you still wish to remain ignorant when the opportunity to learn is right in front of you.
I'll get over my anger.Will you get over your ignorance?
I hope you do.
Oh, by the way, Happy Easter.
By Kenneth Williams
Sage Writer
OTTAWA
A Regional Bilateral Agreement that will allow the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan to design and deliver labor force development programs and services to the Métis people in Saskatchewan was signed on Feb. 20. Under the agreement, Human Resources Development Canada will provide up to $8.2 million to the MNS for each of the two years. The employment of the MNS, Métis Employment and Training of Saskatchewan Inc., will support local Métis labor market boards in the administration of labor force development activities, which include employment services, counseling, in-class and workplace training and income support during training for Métis people.
"Métis have always wanted programs and services decentralized to the grassroots level," said Jim Durocher, president of the MNS. "This agreement allows the community the ability to determine their needs and develop programs to best meet those needs."
"I am pleased to be part of a process which builds on strengths within the Métis Nation," said Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary of State for Training and Youth. "You are demonstrating your commitment to support a stronger future for Métis people by delivering needed employment services and training at the community level."
The funding for the agreement was provided by the March 1996 budget, which is built into the existing fiscal situation. This is a continuation of the Pathways to Success initiative, which was an undertaking that gave planning and decision-making control to local and regional Aboriginal boards for training programs and services while HRDC retained the contracting responsibilities. The RBA between the MNS and HRDC includes commitments to address the issues of regional and national interest such as equitable access by Métis individuals on the basis of self-identification, women's issues, consistency with HRDC mandate and urban training concerns.
"This has been in the works for about a year," said Durocher. "But there are still a number sticking points."
Durocher isn't happy with the funding split between the First Nations of Saskatchewan and the MNS. This problem is worsened because the Métis people of Saskatchewan haven't been enumerated and there is no number that everyone agrees with.
"I was concerned with the allocation part of the agreement," he said. "I wanted a 50/50 split."
Tina Eberts, a spokesperson for HRDC in Regina, said that there were steps taken to make sure that a population that was agreeable to everyone was used as a basis for the funding allocation.
"We've been having those discussions since the beginning of the Pathways program. It was difficult to find numbers that were acceptable to everyone," she said. "We got the StatsCan population. We have agreed that we're very interested in seeing the new numbers, but we can't really make a commitment until we see what the results are."
If the numbers are different, there is a clause for increased funding for the MNS. The sooner the enumeration is held the better, as far as Durocher is concerned. For him, enumeration is necessary for building a Métis nation.
"As Métis people we really don't have those numbers. And every time we look at a program, we're getting the short end of the stick because we don't have those hard numbers," he said. "We're one of the Aboriginal people in section 35 in the constitution and I wonder why we're treated differently."
But he's not completely sour about the RBA and is happy about a couple of points in it.
"It's Métis specific," he said. "That's important regarding jurisdiction. We keep getting caught between the federal and provincial governments. When the HRDC gave us the funding, it was based on two principles: it was Métis specific and it was a devolution of funds.
"We're able to handle this money ourselves. We have to be accountable for it," he continued. "Ethel [Blondin-Andrew] fought hard so that the Métis people had devolution and Métis specific programs. That gives us an opportunity to work towards self-government."
After the enumeration, which is still in the works as the province hasn't
come forward with the funding necessary, Durocher feels that the Métis
will make up to 50 per cent of Saskatchewan's Aboriginal population.
By Debora Lockyer
Sage Writer
REGINA
Moved by what he described as the haunting voices of the children, Blaine Favel, Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, announced the organization's intention to hold an inquiry into the abuses suffered by those who attended residential schools in the province.
"The voices of the children have too many times spoken with pain," said Favel as he addressed the chiefs gathered on opening day at the winter meeting of the legislative assembly held in Regina Feb. 26 and 27.
Favel asked the chiefs to support a resolution that would mandate the FSIN to take the necessary steps for the establishment of a formal inquiry into residential schools. Favel said the inquiry would last only about six months and would focus on the healing of victims and the role of the church and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs played in the abuse.
He said the greatest outrage being faced in 1997 is not that the schools were allowed to exist and violate the children housed there, but that today's government is perpetuating the abuse through its ill-treatment of these same victims.
Favel was particularly concerned with the "confidentiality agreements" the government is forcing the victims to sign in order to receive a "pittance" in compensation. He also said these victim were being cut off of welfare as a result of the compensation.
"The mystery to me is why the people of the province or nation have not dealt with the greatest shame of the nation." This inaction, said Favel, cannot go unchecked.
In his opening address, Favel also spoke of the need to deal more effectively with the issue of suicide. He said the FSIN was looking at a healing strategy to deal with suicide prevention, intervention and post-vention
"Too often, and I was guilty of this in my time as chief, we did pay attention to this issue when the community experienced it and we did not properly respond when it happened," said Favel.
He told the assembly that they would be talking about providing training packages and a manual to the communities on what to look for, what could happen and what to do as leaders when suicide happens in the community and what to do afterwards.
Favel also mentioned a conference that would be held March 24 through to the 27 at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon. Participants at the Washing of Tears Conference will try to develop strategies, both regional and local, to deal with the issues of suicide.
"We are also haunted as we sit here, as we talk and we debate over the next few days, by our children again when we look to the future," Favel told the chiefs. The children look to the group for hope - hope that the chiefs will achieve something for them, he said.
Favel said the chiefs have made a start in the way of job creation with gaming. That industry has already created 1,000 jobs, but the real hope for the future lies with the creation of the First Nations Bank of Canada.
On Feb. 24, the bank received its licence to operate and is open for business in a temporary location on the eight floor at Saskatoon Square. They are offering deposit accounts, both personal and business, plus Guaranteed Investment Certificates and term deposits.
Where the casinos have generated $5 million in profits for First Nations, Favel is promising those profits will pale in comparison by what will be made by the bank.
"A bank has not been started in this country from scratch in decades," said Favel. He announced that the official opening of the bank will be held in the Yellowquill First Nation office tower in Saskatoon in May of this year. Shares in the bank will be offered first to Saskatchewan First Nations' individuals and organizations prior to national and international investment.
"We have had a great deal of interest, from the Micmacs to the east to the Nisga'a of the west," said Favel. The Council of Yukon Indians traveled to Saskatoon and tried to buy-out the FSIN's interest in the bank two months ago, he said.
Other news announced by Favel at the assembly was the intention to hold a special assembly on the issue of the reorganization of the FSIN. This assembly will be held in late April or early May and will deal "for two days exclusively" for the renewal of the organization, said Favel.
"The greatest test that we have as leaders is to be able to look
our children in the face and say 'We are trying our best. We are trying
to build a better future for you'," said Favel in closing.
By Kenneth Williams
Sage Writer
REGINA
For three days in March, Premier Ray Romanow's NDP government was questioned by the opposition concerning the collection of taxes from Saskatchewan's First Nations.
This issue first came to light during debate in the legislature on March 17. Ben Heppner, the Progressive Conservative member of the legislative assembly from Rosthern questioned Finance Minister Janice MacKinnon over the issue of some First Nations not remitting taxes.
"A number of reserves have not been submitting provincial taxes for some time now. The Cowessess reserve has admitted it has been withholding [provincial sales tax] for over a year. There's also a report that the Bear Claw Casino on White Bear reserve is not paying the liquor consumption tax," said Heppner.
"First of all, as you will understand, I can't comment on specific tax cases because tax information is amongst the most confidential information that a government has," replied MacKinnon. "What I will say is that this government's policy is clear. We collect taxes all across the province wherever the taxes are due. The bottom line is simple: this government collects its taxes all across the province in a fair and equitable manner."
This comment did cause some concern amongst the First Nations leadership. Blaine Favel, chief of the FSIN, did comment that collection action against any First Nation would make civil negotiations with the province on this issue difficult. But he did stress that he felt that the provincial government didn't have much legal strength for their case.
The next day in the legislature, the issue of taxing First Nations was raised again. This time, Jack Hillson, the Liberal member for North Battleford, attacked the government for proceeding with negotiations without first determining the tax obligations of the First Nations.
"This issue is poisoning community relations in Saskatchewan and must be resolved quickly and harmoniously. It cannot be resolved by threats and raves. Nor can it be resolved by negotiation as long as the parties have such a vastly different understanding of their respective rights and obligations," he said. "The only thing that will resolve it is a constitutional reference to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in order to determine the tax obligations of First Nations people. Only then will negotiations be able to go forward."
Premier Roy Romanow responded that it was the policy of his government to negotiate a resolution. Hillson, however, pressed on and continued his attack that "until we have a constitutional reference as a framework for negotiations, negotiations are unlikely to go anywhere."
Romanow was insistent that such a tactic would only slow things down and seemed to agree with Favel that negotiation was the best route for resolving this issue.
"All the parties say, let's just wait until the court decides on this issue; what's the sense of talking and what's the sense of compromising, or what's the sense of negotiating? You cannot say, logically, go to court and then carry out the discussions at the same time. That will freeze-frame the discussions," Romanow said.
The very next day, however, Hillson continued his assault on the government's tactic of resolving this issue through negotiation and once again stressed that the solution lay in getting a constitutional reference through the Court of Appeal.
Romanow stood his ground suggesting that trying to use the courts to straighten out this issue would only inflame it. He stressed again that negotiating this issue was the best tactic.
The First Nations leaders "want to talk this out. They don't believe
that judges, no matter how wellintentioned, how well educated, how
wellmeaning, are the body best suited to solve this very complicated
social, economic and cultural and historic and constitutional issue,"
he said.
By Jane Brown
Sage Writer
PRINCE ALBERT
The Prince Albert Grand Council, host of the 1997 Saskatchewan Indian Winter Games, scored the most points during the four-day event. In his welcome to the athletes, Grand Chief Alphonse Bird said the games represent a great challenge and opportunity for the people of the region.
"The Winter Games is a wonderful opportunity to share with one another our culture and our accomplishments," he said. "Most important of all, the Winter Games is a time to celebrate our young people."
The young athletes, with their colorful team jackets and jerseys, were in full force throughout the city. Local school boards and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology made their classrooms and gyms available for the athlete villages and competitions. The Prince Albert Communiplex, Dave Steuart and Kinsmen Rinks were provided by the city of Prince Albert along with the Margo Fournier Centre.
Support was provided by private business as well. The Winter Games Office at Gateway Mall, the Prince Albert Curling Club and the Minto Bowling Centre were facilities that were donated, and the Prince Albert Indian Education Centre provided facilities for entertainment and social activities.
In all, approximately 2,400 competitors and coaches were expected, as well as 5,000 additional visitors. However, when the buses started to arrive, it was evident that there were more than even the most optimistic organizers had hoped for.
"We had prepared 2,400 name tags but we soon realized that wasn't going to do us," said Todd Isbister, the committee member in charge of posting results. "We printed another 400 and that just did us."
In addition to the regular sports, there were demonstration sports for fun and entertainment. Curling, boxing, martial arts and bowling attracted many participants and fans. The most popular, however, was Hand Games, with players from the Athabasca region demonstrated one of the oldest games played by First Nation communities.
"This is all very new to me," said Gertie Braun of Saskatoon, who had the only Aboriginal crafts booth. Situated in the Gateway Mall just outside the entrance to the demonstration, she was fascinated by the different cultural aspects of the events.
"I was brought up with drums and music, but this sounds completely different. The whole sound is something I haven't heard before and the young people are so enthusiastic," she said.
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