The Aboriginal Newspaper of Saskatchewan
Act almost law
Goulet releases report
Centre election planned
Municipal Government Minister Carol Teichrob said on April 10, during second reading debate on The Multiculturalism Act, 1997, that the diversity of Saskatchewan people is a fundamental characteristic of Saskatchewan society.
"The new multiculturalism act will continue to support cultural retention, heritage languages and intercultural understanding," Teichrob said. "This legislation brings us one step closer toward recognizing the diversity of Saskatchewan people and promotes the full, free and equal participation of all individuals in the province."
This legislation affirms Saskatchewan's historical commitment to the promotion of multiculturalism policy and will reinforce the provincial motto: "from many peoples, strength."
"The new act fosters a climate for harmonious relations among people of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds without sacrificing their distinctive cultural and ethnic identities," Teichrob said. "The new act is based on extensive consultation. A Minister's Advisory Committee developed a vision for provincial legislation and this is based in large part on the excellent contribution of many Saskatchewan citizens."
Saskatchewan was the first province to adopt legislation on multiculturalism.
The Multiculturalism Act, 1997 replaces the 1974 act. This legislation is
complementary to the Human Rights Code and to the federal Charter of Rights
and Freedoms.
cooperation and communication between themselves and with government,"
Mitchell said.
Keith Goulet, minister of northern affairs, released his report on his October 1996 trip to the Europe. The minister was part of a delegation of Aboriginal people who were presenting arguments to the European Union against the then proposed import ban on furs harvested with leg hold traps. The delegation included Vice Chief Allan Adam of the FSIN; President Phillip Ratt and Pierre Robillard of the Treaty Harvesters Association; Métis representative William Carriere; veterans Grand Chief Howard Anderson, Gordon Ahenakew, John James Daniels, Philip Favel and Gilbert McLeod; Emile Highway and some provincial staff.
The report was released in April. In it, Goulet outlines the positions and arguments that were made to the Europeans such as support for all trappers, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal; keeping the regulations consistent so that all animals, not just North American ones were included; ensuring that traditional Aboriginal culture is sustained; and making sure that the European Union understood it was subject to internationally agreed upon standards and that action might be taken to the World Trade Organization if the ban was implemented.
An election has been called for the first week of June to settle the issue of board of directors' membership for Prince Albert's Indian Métis Friendship Centre. Six of the 12 directors, Bernice Sayese, June Anderson, Pat Dreaver, Garnet Oberkirsch, Caroline Sinclair and Brian Robillard, resigned last fall over issues on how the centre was being run. They then launched a lawsuit last March, wanting the court to dissolve the remaining board, and call in a third neutral party to oversee a new election.
An agreement was worked out between the parties by their lawyers, Marty Popescul, who represented the six who resigned, and Henry Kloppenburg, who represented the centre. The date, place and whom to appoint as electoral officer are some of the details that need to be agreed upon. What is known is that the six directors who earn the most votes will serve for two year terms, while the remaining six will serve the following year.
The cost of the election will be covered by the Friendship Centre.
By Kenneth Williams
Sage Writer
MONTREAL LAKE
Roy Bird, 45, the Liberal Party candidate for the new Churchill River riding is a former chief of the Montreal Lake First Nation. Being involved in politics at the national level just seems like a natural progression for a man who's been a councillor and chief of his own band for 15 years, and then a vice chief with the FSIN for three.
"The key reason I'm running is to make a difference in the standard of living for the people in Churchill River and to assist them in building a better future for our young generation," said Bird.
Bird feels that the Liberals are going to win the next election and his membership in the Liberal Party would guarantee better representation for the people of northern Saskatchewan.
"The Liberals are going to form a majority government," he said. "We felt having a Liberal member of parliament in the Churchill riding would be in the best interests of the constituents."
The key issues he's heard from the constituents are employment and healthcare. Bird feels with the Liberal Party's record as a "compassionate, caring party" would ensure that such issues would be addressed in the next government.
"There's commitments to put money into programs such as the Aboriginal Health Institute, the Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative. . . [the] National AIDS Strategy - money that's going to be used properly, money that's required for our social programs," he said. "The other thing that makes a difference is looking at youth unemployment - it's a major issue. After the election is over [the Liberals] are going to work on youth employment throughout the nation and assist them in terms of jobs and business strategies."
He also says that the Liberals will continue to tackle the "inherited debt" and get the deficit under control. But Bird is clear that Aboriginal issues will never be far from his mind.
"I'll be first to stand up and defend Aboriginal people and treaty rights," he said. "There's been a lot of erosion in terms of treaties and treaty rights. My job is to reverse that. I'll get the government to respect the obligations made during treaty signing time.
"In terms of the Métis, I want to work with them towards
their goals of self government and a defined land base," he continued.
"I will work with both groups in terms of housing, education and health
care."
By Kenneth Williams
Sage Writer
Firstly, I'd like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Etheline Blind. I know I don't say it enough but I love you Mom!
You don't need May 11th to remind your mother that you love her. Do it any time you feel like it, but whatever you do, don't forget on that day.
*****
The election is coming, the election is coming!
I have to raise the issue about the Liberal party's inaction concerning a great many Aboriginal concerns. They promised a lot in the first Red Book, particularly speeding up the land claims process and implementing self government. Some land claims were indeed settled, but how many are still outstanding, or have been ignored by the justice department?
You see, there's a fundamental problem with the land claims process: the Canadian government is both defender and judge. It can claim impartiality all it wants but this type of system does not ensure justice. If there isn't even the appearance of fairness then how can we proceed with any sense of justice.
The Indian Claims Commission, which recently reported that the government was in the wrong on two land claims in Saskatchewan can only advise the government. They have no real power.
The real power is in the Justice Department, who are the first federal department to read any claim submitted and who decide if the First Nation has a case or not.
As a former land claims researcher myself, I always felt that the Justice Department looked over the claim to see if the feds were in any trouble of having to settle. I never got the sense that the department was interested what was fair for the First Nations involved in the land claims.
*****
Deciding to vote is a personal decision but one that for treaty Indian people can have all sorts of implications. Can our participation in government elections be used as proof that we're no longer soveriegn people? If we don't participate in elections are we abdicating responsibility for our own affairs to non-Aboriginal people?
Aboriginal people, treaty, Métis, non-Status or Inuit have a far greater stake in the outcome of any federal election than any other group of people. We only represent at most 2.5 million people, which is less than 10 per cent of Canada's population. Regardless of what taxpayer organizations might want others to think, federal governments directly affect the livelihood of all Aboriginal in a more intrusive manner than anybody else.
We are regulated by the Indian Act, the Natural Resources Transfer Act, as well as any other piece of legislation for other Canadians.
The question arises then, if we don't vote are we willing to put that much legislative authority into the hands of non-Aboriginal people.
Personally, I will vote in the election. I want to participate in the process because it does affect me on all these levels. My reason is simple, we need to put more people into parliament who are sensitive to the needs of Aboriginal people. One vote does make a difference.
Aboriginal people have become more and more politically aware and active.
Even if you don't vote, at least make yourself aware of the platforms of
each party. There are reasons for voting or not, but there is no excuse
for ignoring of the issues.
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
The Saskatchewan government is growing more and more concerned over the trend by the federal government to off load its responsibilities to Aboriginal people onto the provinces. Joanne Crofford, the Saskatchewan minister for Aboriginal affairs, is even to the point of threatening court action against the federal government if this continues.
Her comments came from a joint meeting of her counterparts from the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and the Northwest Territories, as well as representatives from the Métis National Council of Women, the National Association Friendship Centres, the Pauktuutit Inuit Women's Association of Canada and the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada on April 18 in Regina. It was a summit called by Crofford that would deal with the issues of the ministerial council on social policy renewal and the federal off loading of services for Aboriginal people.
"For the federal government to take a long-standing responsibility and relationship like that and change it arbitrarily to another level of government without the substantive involvement of the people affected is jut not acceptable," Crofford was quoted as saying.
The option of taking the federal government to court, however, would only be exercised after they exhausted other measures such as political pressure and negotiations.
Even though several Aboriginal groups were invited to this meeting, much of the decision making had already been made behind closed doors without the input of the Aboriginal groups.
"The morning session was strictly a ministerial meeting," said Wenda Watteyne, a spokesperson for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. "They discusses self government and co-management issues. In the afternoon, we were invited for a very brief meeting. We were given an option paper on federal off loading."
The reason that the Aboriginal groups weren't involved in this part of the meeting was that the provinces wanted to talk to one another about what the federal government was doing in their areas, said Rob Cunningham, a spokesman with the Saskatchewan Indian and Métis Secretariat.
"To an extent, this isn't an appropriate forum for these issues," he said. "It won't be the responsibility of the provincial and territorial Aboriginal affairs [ministers] to negotiate or consult with national Aboriginal organizations."
The Aboriginal groups had very little time to prepare for the meeting or even to respond to the option paper that had been prepared by the Aboriginal affairs minister from Manitoba. Cunningham pointed out that the logistics of trying to get all these ministers together with the national Aboriginal organizations made it difficult to give anyone any advance warning about the conference.
Watteyne, however, felt that some advance notice wouldn't have made the Aboriginal groups feel like they were an afterthought.
"We should have had a seat at that table," said Watteyne. "From ITC's point of view, we contemplated not going because of the expense and our shortage of resources."
The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada did decide to go because they felt that they had no alternative, she continued.
"We wanted to put forth some very concrete concerns and issues on social policy. We wanted to put for the Inuit perspective. Unfortunately, we were short of time," Watteyne said.
The Ministerial Council on Social Policy Renewal was something that the provincial ministers Aboriginal and Métis affairs thought was needed after their annual 1995 meeting. The ministers wanted to address changes in federal social policy that were affected by fiscal restraint. Some of the issues that concerned the ministers were: the negative fiscal impact on provinces from reduced federal transfer payments for social programming and cuts to federal programs; insufficient and inconsistent consultation between the federal and provincial governments; the future of national standards, principles and objectives in social programs and the need to clarify the federal role in areas of provincial jurisdiction; lack of a coherent national vision for Canadian social policy; and the need for a clear delineation and coordination of the respective roles and responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments.
A report was completed and forwarded to the premiers in December 1995. Among the report's recommendations were a delineation of federal and provincial roles and responsibilities and other measures to reduce the overlap of federal and provincial services, improve efficiency and enhance accountability.
At the Annual Premiers' Conference in August 1996, the Provincial-Territorial
Ministerial Council on Social Policy Renewal was established to advance
social policy renewal and to facilitate federal and provincial deliberations.
At this conference, Alberta's premier, Ralph Klein, committed to consulting
with National Aboriginal Organizations on the matter of social policy reform.
By Kenneth Williams
Sage Writer
BEAUVAL
Rick Laliberte won the Chruchill River nomination for the New Democratic Party on Monday, April 30, just two days after the election call was made official.
"I'm just overwhelmed with the response from the membership," said Laliberte after hearing he'd won the nomination.
It was a long nomination process because of the size of the riding, which covers about half of the province of Saskatchewan. The candidates agreed to go with a "most votes win" process because there wouldn't be an opportunity to gather all of the NDP members together in one spot for an extended period of time. After all the votes were tallied, Laliberte got the nod.
Laliberte, who was born and raised in Beauval, sought the nomination only after considering the platfoms and philosophies of all the parties. He found that the NDP's philosophy neatly meshed with his.
"People must come first, that's what attracted me to the party," he said. "People are a priority."
He also discovered that the NDP's philosophy of government reflected the traditional practices of Aboriginal people.
"Democracy is a key word, I guess, practiced in a lot of our traditional communites," he said. "When you choose the desiny of your people it's done with consensus and understanding.
"I've met a lot of people who have been loyal to this party because of its caring spirit in hard times," continued Laliberte. "This party created medicare and the social safety net. That's what really drawn me as an Aboriginal person. Our traditional governments have always treated people equally and fairly."
Laliberte feels that this traditional way of governing is a model that can unite all of Canada because relationships have to be built between all the parties before decisions are made. This consensus will be evolve because it requires mutual respect from all parties for each other.
"The main mesage is 'let's get to work,'" he said. "Let's
focus on the youth. It's doesn't matter if you're living on a southern farm
or a northern trapline, your children are the most important part of your
life. Let's work together on our common goals and the rest will fall into
place."
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