apparently harper met with some chiefs yesterday - and will give a 15 minute speech today at this meeting.
some of these native peoples have come to ottawa from far away and it seems once again their government is going to ignore them.
if you've seen any clips of the life they have, you would be disgusted/
startled/ashamed that our gov't/ourselves - we have allowed this to happen.
Infrastructure problems affect more than buildings and pipes. They can cause health problems, like this boy's rash from a mould infestation in a home in the northern Ontario First Nations community of Fort Albany.Courtesy of Charlie Angus
A house in the First Nations community of Pikangikum in northwestern Ontario. More than 40 per cent of homes on reserves need major repairs, compared with seven per cent outside reserves. The image is from a report by Coleen Rajotte for the CBC web series 8th Fire, which will launch in December. A documentary series of the same name will begin airing Jan. 12 on CBC television and Radio-Canada. (Coleen Rajotte /CBC)
I am hoping that before any further agreements are made, that issues dealing with accountability and misappropriation of funds are dealt with.
Watched part of the opening ceremonies this morning, very moving and interesting.
Hoping their meetings are fruitful and peaceful, that The Creator guides them - along with the wisdom of the Elders and Grandmothers.
Tue, Jan 24th, 2012, 01:46 PM
Andit
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. It is not a case of simply increasing funding. The Canadian govt does not govern First Nations.
It's more like the following. A country in crisis gets funding from the Canadian govt (ie $ sent to help starving peoples in Somalia). Canada cannot dictate how the money is to be spent, even if on the surface that was the money is to be used for.
Tue, Jan 24th, 2012, 07:33 PM
abbasgirl
I feel the same way as Natalka and Andit.
Tue, Jan 24th, 2012, 09:19 PM
Natalka
Agree, Andi - at the band level is where things need to be tightened up, for sure.
I know that I'm most aware of the situation here in our own province; I know it's varied throughout the country.
The Government of Canada and First Nations have an enduring historic relationship based on mutual respect, friendship and support. In June 2011, the Government of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations launched the Joint Action Plan. One of the outcomes of the Joint Action Plan was the planning of today’s historic event. The Government of Canada and First Nations remain committed to the completion of the Joint Action Plan and the principles therein, including:
Improving relationships and strong partnerships between Canada and First Nations respectful of Aboriginal and Treaty rights as recognized and affirmed in the Constitution Act, 1982;
Building effective, appropriate, transparent and fully accountable governance structures;
Empowering success of individuals through access to education and opportunity;
Enabling strong, sustainable, and self-sufficient communities;
Creating conditions to accelerate economic development opportunities and maximize benefits for all Canadians;
Respecting the role of First Nations’ culture and language in our history and future.
But we want to take the opportunity of this historic occasion to declare our mutual intention to go beyond the Joint Action Plan and set the context for change. Fundamental change requires that we redouble our collaboration with First Nations to develop the elements upon which our renewed relationship will be based.
This will include:
IMMEDIATE STEPS FOR ACTION:
1. RENEWED RELATIONSHIP:
As a tangible first step, Canada and First Nations will work on a renewed relationship that is based on :
Movement toward a single, multi-year Government of Canada financial arrangement for First Nations with high-performing governance systems
Improved accountability provisions for all parties
Financial self-sufficiency of First Nations as the end-goal
A working group with First Nations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, FinanceCanadaand other relevant departments will be established to review the structure of financial arrangements between the federal government and First Nations.
2. REMOVING BARRIERS TO FIRST NATIONS GOVERNANCE:
The Government of Canada and First Nations will work to develop solutions to remove barriers that hinder First Nations governance. The Indian Act cannot be replaced overnight, but through the use of existing tools and the development of new mechanisms, both parties can create the conditions to enable sustainable and successful First Nations.
3. ADVANCING CLAIMS RESOLUTION and TREATY IMPLEMENTATION:
The Government of Canada and First Nations commit to respect and honour our treaty relationship and advance approaches to find common ground on Treaty implementation. The parties also commit to ensuring federal negotiation policies reflect the principles of recognition and affirmation mandated by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and advance certainty, expeditious resolution, and self-sufficiency.
4. EDUCATION REFORM:
The Joint Action Plan launched a collaborative engagement process to make recommendations on quality K-12 education for First Nation children living on reserve. Upon mutual review of the National Panel’s report, First Nations and the Government of Canada will work to implement agreed-upon recommendations as quickly as practicable and establish a process to work constructively through any areas of disagreement.
5. CAPITALIZING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
Within three months,Canada and First Nations will launch an economic task force as set out in the Joint Action Plan that will report back with recommendations to further unlock the economic potential of First Nations. This work will be completed in a timely fashion. Work has already been underway to define the scope of this task force.
As partners in the Crown - First Nations Gathering, we will maintain the relationship through an ongoing dialogue that outlines clear goals and measures of progress and success. To help ensure momentum continues coming out of this event, we commit to work together and release a progress report by no later than January 24, 2013.
Tue, Jan 24th, 2012, 09:38 PM
Patty Smyth
I am sorry but I do not want to pay for this forever. Sorry.
