FSIN Weekly Executive Communique-November 10, 2010
Office of the Chief- Guy Lonechild
Saluting Our Veterans – Remembrance Day
On behalf of the 74 First Nations of Saskatchewan, the FSIN Executive salutes our First Nation veterans. It is a well-known fact that during both World Wars and the Korean conflict, First Nations and Métis enlisted in great numbers, with many distinguishing themselves in combat. They fought exceptionally well, suffering heavy casualties and earning the lasting respect of their comrades. First Nations men and women continue to serve in conflict-ridden missions overseas. In Saskatchewan, there are 232 surviving First Nations veterans.Remembrance Day Ceremonies:
9:30am- Gold Eagle Casino, North Battleford, SK
10am- Gordon Band Office, George Gordon’s First Nation SK, Monument Unveiling
11am- Painted Hand Casino, Yorkton SK
11am- Lumsden Hall, Lumsden, SK, Memorial Ceremony
11am- Mistawasis First Nation, Memorial Feast and Round Dance
11am- Prince Albert Armouries, Prince Albert SK, Wreath Laying Ceremony
11am- Kawacatoose First Nation, Feast and Pow wow
AFN Planning & Dialogue Conference
On November 7-8 2010, Saskatchewan First Nations were well represented at the AFN Planning and Dialogue Conference: Building and Rebuilding our Nations, held in Montreal.
Chief Austin Bear of Muskoday First Nation presented on the Land Tenure Panel and Headwoman Evelyn Poitras of the Peepeekisis First Nation presented on Leadership Selection. Chief Wallace Fox and Chief Lynne Acoose actively participated in the sessions, along with FSIN staff from the Justice and Education Secretariats.
Chief Lonechild presented on the mandate, structure and accountability framework of the FSIN as well as contributed to the discussion on the Treaty right to resources and current activities in the mining sector. Dan Bellegarde, Executive Director of the Treaty Governance Office, presented on the state of governance developments in Saskatchewan.
Valuable information was collected on a range of issues. Tentative plans have been made to meet in the near future with representatives of the Atlantic Policy Congress, the Nisga’a and the Yukon First Nations to share information on various sectors of their self-government agreements, including jurisdiction, law-making and resource revenue sharing. A full report on the conference will be made to the Chiefs’ Advisory Committee in December and the AFN will be distributing a full report to all First Nations.
Treaty Governance Office
Work is underway between the Treaty Governance Office and Vice-Chief Watson’s office to move the fiscal relations file forward. There will be preliminary discussions next week with officials from the INAC Regional Office to discuss possible funding to review previous work of the Fiscal Relations Table and to develop a work plan for the short and medium term.
Ongoing Consultations on Education
As per the direction of the Chiefs-in-Assembly, Chief Lonechild and the Education Secretariat will be continuing consultations with Tribal Councils to discuss the subject matter of a proposed task force on education with the federal and provincial governments. Included in these consultations will be discussion on the parameters that must be put in place to ensure the task force serves the interests of First Nations students. The intent of this task force is to address the chronic under funding of First Nations schools, and the lack of accountability, reporting and poor educational outcomes of provincial schools attended by First Nations students.
Assembly of First Nations Update
National Chief Shawn Atleo issued a special update on his meetings with INAC Minister John Duncan and Prime Minister Harper, which occurred on Monday, November 8th. Chief Atleo reported the following:
“These meetings enabled me to take forward the direction of the Chiefs on a range of issues. I am pleased to report that the Government of Canada shares and supports our priority on First Nation education and there is an opportunity to shape an important effort here that we can take to the Chiefs at SCA. I also raised the imperative of advancing Treaty strategy, comprehensive claims reform and addressing the current legislative agenda to ensure consistency with our rights and enabling First Nations government to move forward based on our jurisdiction and capacity.
Finally, there is openness to a First Nations Crown gathering which could be a central event for us in the spring / summer 2011. We have much work to do but I am confident that we have the space and momentum that can enable real and meaningful change.”
International Centre on Northern Governance and Development
On Friday, Chief Lonechild, along with Chief Tammy Cook-Searson and Chief Guy Lariviere, will be attending the launch of a new northern education initiative, spearheaded by the International Centre on Northern Governance and Development at the University of Saskatchewan. This centre consists of leading researchers, community partners, and industry focused on northern economic development and governance that have a track record of excellence in community level engagement in the North and international circumpolar partnerships. The Centre is committed to developing a sustained, long-term program of research, training, and capacity building in Northern Saskatchewan through global partnership.
Office of the 3rd Vice Chief- E. Dutch Lerat
Meeting with AFN Manitoba Regional Chief
On November 6, 2010, Vice Chief E.Dutch Lerat met with the AFN Regional Chief Bill Traverse. Issues of mutual interest were discussed with respect to our Treaty Territories. Accordingly, future dialogue will continue and potential partnerships may be developed. Presently, FSIN and Manitoba are involved with the project Coalition Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP) initiative.
Indian Resource Council
On November 8 and 9, 2010, Vice Chief Lerat and a delegation of Saskatchewan First Nation Chiefs attended the Indian Resource Council (IRC) Board meeting in Edmonton.
The IRC was founded in 1987 following the recommendation of a task force that was established to study the role of the Crown in the management of First Nations oil and natural gas resources. The IRC works to represent First Nations collective oil and gas interests with both government and industry. Current membership exceeds 130 First Nations from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories.
The work of the IRC is guided by basic principles of:
• Supporting member First Nations in their efforts to attain full management and control of their oil and gas resources
• Ensuring the preservation of federal responsibilities established under Treaties with First Nations
• Coordinating the promotion of initiatives with the federal and provincial governments with industry and other groups associated with oil, natural gas and related activities to enhance economic benefits realized by First Nations from resource development
• Encouraging greater development and utilization of First Nations human resources
Diabetic Foot Care Workshop
FSIN staff attended a Diabetic Foot Care Workshop at the Saskatoon Indian Métis Friendship Center. The Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative is providing diabetic information during November Diabetes Awareness Month. Remember, proper foot care is essential for all age groups; prevention of diabetes means better self care and self education. For people who don’t have diabetes, proper foot care is essential for prevention.
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
On Nov 10, 2010 Vice Chief Lerat attended a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Dakota Whitecap First Nation. The agenda included a morning Pipe Ceremony followed by the Remembrance Day Services.
Vice Chief Lerat was happy that several Veterans were able to be in attendance, along with Chief Darcy Bear and the Whitecap Dakota First Nation Band Council, Member of Parliament Lynne Yellich, Saskatoon Tribal Council Vice Chief Geraldine Arcand, Senator Mel Littlecrow, Wahpeton Dakota singers and approximately 200 members of the public.
Vice Chief Lerat paid tribute to fallen soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice and thanked all veterans for the freedoms we presently enjoy. “We are currently developing a list of all the Saskatchewan First Nations persons who have served in the military. We must remember these exceptional individuals, as well as the spouses who raised the families and sustained our communities in their stead”. Thank you! The service concluded with performances from the kindergartens to grade six students.
Office of the 4th Vice Chief- Lyle Whitefish
Specific Claims Action Plan
The Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Branch (EPMRB) of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) are undertaking a formative evaluation of the Specific Claims Action Plan. The Specific Claims Action Plan was initiated in 2006 and designed to accelerate the settlement of specific claims, dedicate specific funding for the settlement of claims and establish an independent body to render binding decisions if negotiated settlements cannot be achieved. The evaluation is being conducted in order to meet regular government requirements and to inform future programming and policy development. It will address issues of relevance and performance, including effectiveness, efficiency and economy. The FSIN will participate in the evaluation and will inform the Lands and Resources Commission on the outcome.
TLE Strategic Planning Session
A Treaty Land Entitlement Strategic Planning Session will be held on November 18, 2010 at the Dakota Dunes Casino, Tatanka Tipi Room. The purpose is to provide a venue for information sharing, technical advice and assistance to the entitlement First Nations through a strategic planning session. Topics will include: strategic planning, sale of Crown land, third party interests, mineral rights, partnership opportunities, and urban reserve creation. A dialogue will take place regarding the TLE implementation issues along with a review of the draft strategy document. A presentation will also be provided on the First Nations Natural Resources Centre of Excellence and a lunch presentation on the duty to consult and accommodate. This first session will include technicians and those working in the field. The last session to be held in January 2011 will include leadership and decision makers.
Upcoming Ministers’ Meetings
A meeting has been scheduled for November 30, 2010 with Minister Cheveldayoff (Minister of First Nations and Métis Relations) to discuss Treaty Land Entitlement issues, on the same date a separate meeting has been scheduled with Minister Hutchinson (Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture, and Sport) to discuss sacred sites. The Province of Saskatchewan has identified more than 20,000 archaeological sites of which more than 90% are attributed to First Nations people. Although some of the sites have been identified as sites of a special nature by the Heritage Resource Branch, a majority of the recorded sites in the inventory are considered sacred to First Nations people. First Nations have identified and hold vast knowledge of unmarked burial grounds throughout all Treaty territories. First Nations want their burial sites recorded and protected, in the wake of over-exploitation and detrimental resource development in all Treaty territories. But First Nations do not know where to address their concerns or who to contact for the acquired expertise to record and protect these First Nations sites. Many are uncomfortable going directly to the Heritage Resources Branch due to the lack of any proper communication and coordination with First Nations. Many First Nations have been making inquires and requests to the FSIN Lands and Resources Secretariat to assist with their heritage matters. Concerns with respect to burial sites have been coming to the Secretariat from First Nations communities and non-First Nations land owners. Vice Chief Lyle Whitefish is looking forward to the discussion with the Minister on building the capacity to address sacred sites.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
November 17-18, 2010- SFNVA Fundraising Banquet and Annual Assembly- Dakota Dunes Casino, Whitecap Dakota Nation, SK
November 17-18, 2010- Knowledge Exchange Forum, Wanuskewin Heritage Park SK
November 17, 2010- FSIN and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer are co-hosting a national meeting of all Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP), Wanuskewin Heritage Park, SK
November 18, 2010- Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention Community, Delta Bessborough, SK
November 24, 2010- Nation Building (National Center on First Nations Governance), Saskatoon SK.
November 30-December 1, 2010- Treaty Four Chiefs Meeting- Treaty Four Governance Centre- Fort Qu’Appelle, SK
December 7, 2010- TGO Chiefs Advisory Committee, Saskatoon SK
December 14-16, 2010- 2010 AFN Special Chiefs Assembly: Securing Our Rightful Place, Strengthening Our Future, Gatinuau, Quebec
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