National Aboriginal Health Organization's funding cut

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The federal government, through Health Canada, has cut all funding for the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO).

“We got a call last Wednesday and they told us that our funding of $4.4 million was cut, that what they were doing was protecting the monies that go to regions, to First Nations and Inuit – direct services was being protected and that funding for indirect services like ours was being cut,” said Simon Brascoupé, NAHO’s chief executive officer.

To read the full article, please click the link below:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2012/04/09/north-naho-funding-cut.html

APC JOB OPPORTUNITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – HUMAN RESOURCES/OPERATIONS

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Description:
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC) is seeking to hire an Administrative Assistant to support the Human Resources/Operations Dept. The position will work out of the APC Head Office Complex located at 153 Willowdale Drive, Dartmouth, NS.

The position is responsible to assist in coordination of meetings, workshops and seminars. In addition, the position relies heavily on confidentiality, good organizational, communication and interpersonal skills. The candidate must demonstrate an ability to work independently when required, however; is also easily adaptable to coordinate with others on projects.

Who can apply?
• The successful candidate must possess a recognized diploma or certificate in office/administrative management/assistance (an acceptable combination of recent related work experience and education will be also considered);
• 1-3 years recent experience working as an Administrative or Office Assistant;
• 1-3 years’ experience working for a First Nation government, business or organization;

Abilities & Skills:
• The candidate must demonstrate an ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
• Highly organized, able to work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills;
• Build effective relationships and represent APC in a professional manner at meetings or
gatherings;
• Must have an extensive knowledge of Mi’kmaq and Maliseet communities, organizations,
culture and traditions.

Essential Functions and Duties:
• Provide administrative support to the Director of Operations, Executive Assistant, Director of
Finance and Legal Advisor;
• Provide confidential HR support to Staff as directed by Director of Operations;
• Prepare purchase orders and follow recommendation and approval process;

Act as a back-up for the Receptionist when required;
Distribute and collect biweekly payroll forms; track all employees’ leave – sick, vacation,
personal etc. and report to staff regularly on leave updates; ensure that all employee leave
information (forms, approvals, etc) are received and included in hard copy HR records;
regularly review all employee HR files to ensure all appropriate documents, policies (signed) are included and kept up to date; Photocopying, filing, faxing, payable mail-outs; Classifies, sorts, files and retrieves correspondence, records and other documents as requested; Coordinate calendars, book travel itineraries and maintains associated records for staff; Initiates, composes and accurately types correspondence and administrative documents according to established guidelines; Edits for content, context, accuracy, consistency and the use of proper spelling, grammar and punctuation; Send out notices for Personnel and Audit and Finance Committee meetings, prepare meeting agenda, prepare meeting packages, take minutes, circulate draft minutes to members (amend if necessary) and include final signed versions of minutes in minute book; set up interview board for job competitions – contact interviewees, prepare interview board packages, conduct reference checks (if required); Maintains good rapport within the organization, First Nations communities and the general public by being courteous, cooperative and conscientious;
Assess filing needs and maintain well organized and accessible filing and record keeping systems;provide input into development and implementation of central filing system;
Ensure that Sharepoint and webpage are up to date as requested by supervisor;
Assist in creating performance review templates as directed by Director of Operations;
Ensuring Job Descriptions are updated to reconcile with the Performance Reviews;
Assist in developing job postings & advertisements for employment opportunities.

•Start date, salary & location:
The position starts May 1st, 2012. Salary to be determined based on qualifications and experience. The location of this position will be at our Cole Harbour Reserve Office (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) office.

If you are qualified and want to become part of the APC team, please email, your cover letter, resume and three (3) professional references (in Word or PDF format) in confidence by 12:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time, Friday, April 20th, 2012 to the attention of Rhonda Wiley, Executive Assistant (please quote APC competition # 2012-03- 03 in cover letter.)

Email: rhonda.wiley@apcfnc.ca

No applications accepted beyond the closing deadline. If all qualifications are equal, preference will be given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. No interview or relocation costs will be provided. Position is dependent upon funding.

Click here to view  (pdf)

Economic Action Plan 2012

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EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLES  TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMY

Economic Action Plan 2012- page 18

The Government recognizes the contribution that Aboriginal peoples can make to the labour force as the youngest and fastest-growing segment of the nation’s population. Equipping First Nations people with the skills and opportunities they need to fully participate in the economy is a priority both for this Government and for First Nations people.
Economic Action Plan 2012 will:

Invest in First Nations education on reserve, including early literacy programming and other supports and services to First Nations schools and students.

• Build and renovate schools on reserve, providing First Nations youth with better learning environments.
•Commit to introduce a First Nation Education Act and work with willing partners to establish the structures and standards needed to support strong and accountable education systems on reserve.
•Improve the incentives of the on-reserve Income Assistance Program while encouraging those who can work to access training that will improve their prospects for employment.
•Renew the Urban Aboriginal Strategy to improve economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples living in urban centres…

Click here to view Economic Action Plan 2012 (pdf)

 

2012 FULL BUDGET PLAN

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CHAPTER 3 – SUPPORTING JOBS & GROWTH

3.2 IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT

Major Projects Management Office Initiative

Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes $54 million over two years to renew the Major Projects Management Office initiative.

The Major Projects Management Office initiative has helped to transform the approvals process for major natural resource projects by shortening the average review times from 4 years to just 22 months, and improving accountability by monitoring the performance of federal regulatory departments. More than 70 major projects are currently benefitting from the system-wide improvements made possible by the initiative (see map). To continue to support effective project approvals through the Major Projects Management Office initiative, Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes $54 million over two years.

Consultation Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
Economic Action Plan 2012 proposes $13.6 million over two years to support consultations with Aboriginal peoples…

Click here to view 2012 FULL BUDGET PLAN (pdf)

Federal Budget 2012

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Initial summary & considerations

Key elements:

Economic Action Plan 2012 commits the Government to introduce legislation and explore new funding mechanisms for First Nations elementary and secondary education and invests 275M over three years to support First Nation education Working together can produce results. And this is the momentum we need to see across the board in all of the areas of the Crown First Nation Gathering. “The Government will also work to explore mechanisms to ensure stable, predictable, and sustainable funding”.

The budget further notes: “The recent Crown-First Nations Gathering underscored the Government’s commitment to work with First Nations on shared priorities. Economic Action Plan 2012 supports this commitment by introducing initiatives to enhance economic potential on First Nations lands, improve water quality in First Nations communities, and address family violence on reserves.”

Highlights of investments include:

• $275 million over three years to support First Nation education, which includes $100 million for early literacy and $175 million to build and renovate schools

• $33.5 million for this fiscal year supporting First Nations commercial fishing

• $27 million over two years renewal of Urban Aboriginal Strategy

• $331 million over two years First Nations water infrastructure which is a continuation of ongoing levels

• $12 million for this fiscal year for family violence on-reserve

• $88 million over two years to Provinces and Territories to address flooding

Other areas without specific investments

• Committing to work with willing partners toward passage of legislation that will establish the structures and standards to support strong and accountable education systems on reserve.

• Commitment to improve the incentives in the on-reserve Income Assistance Program while encouraging those who can work to access training so they are better equipped for employment

• Commitment to work with First Nations on shared priorities and enhance economic potential on First Nations lands.

• The Government will continue to work with First Nations to address barriers to economic development on reserve.

• Will explore with interested First Nations the option of moving forward with legislation that would allow private property ownership within current reserve boundaries.

Better aligning its on-reserve Income Assistance Program with provincial systems through improved compliance with program requirements.

Commits to working with Aboriginal communities and organizations, provinces and territories to improve the mental health and well-being of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

•Regulatory, Review and Development Processes with Potential Impacts on First Nations The following commitments have implications for on First Nations and additional assessment will be required:

$13.6 million over two years to support consultations with Aboriginal peoples to ensure that their rights and interests are respected.

 

•$54 million over two years to renew the Major Projects Management Office initiative to support effective project approvals.

•$1 million over two years to expand Metal Mining Effluent Regulations to non-metal diamond and coal mines.

•$13.5 million over two years to strengthen pipeline safety.

•$47 million over two years to the Northern Pipeline Agency to support federal regulatory responsibilities related to the Alaska Pipeline Project.

•$12.3 million over two years to continue to assess diamonds in the North.

•Planned Reductions in Departmental Spending

• There are numerous planned reductions to departmental spending across government, and it will take time to assess their short-term and ongoing impacts.

Planned reductions to the department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Portfolio are found below:

•Funding for the First Nations Statistical Institute has been eliminated past this fiscal year. Also, the broadband initiative in rural communities will not continue.

First nations members have right to sell fish

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[pullquote]In an apparent victory for native fishing rights, the Supreme Court of Canada has refused to re-examine a B.C. court ruling that members of five first nations have the right to make a living selling the fish they catch in their traditional territory.[/pullquote]

By Vancouver Sun March 30, 2012

The Supreme Court of Canada said Thursday it won’t review the case, which has been seen as a rebuke to the current federal fisheries regime. The lower courts have ruled that members of the five communities – which are scattered along the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island – have fished in those waters for centuries.

As a result, the Nuu-chah-nulth people have inherent rights to fish “for any species within certain defined territories,” and to sell the fish for profit, the B.C. courts found.

John Rich, counsel for the communities, said Canada’s current fisheries regime on the west coast – which began to develop in the 1950s – has pushed first nations out of the fisheries business because regulations are too cumbersome. He also said the government should negotiate with the Nuu-chah-nulth people to find a way forward.

The B.C. trial judge ruled that Canada has a duty to consult and negotiate with the Nuu-chah-nulth people in order to ensure that their rights are being accommodated and freely exercised.

The first nations involved include Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo’s home community of Ahousaht.

Rich said the Nuu-chah-nulth people have sold fish “from tribe to tribe well before contact with Europeans.”

As proof, he points to stories from 18th-century Spanish explorer Juan Perez, who, upon his arrival on the west coast of the New World, wrote of the people who sold him fish from their canoes.

“They could fish, they were fishing, and the government is making it difficult for them,” said Rich.

He said federal fishing regulations – which have been growing with the industry since the 1950s, governing everything from the number of licences and boats allowed in each operation to acceptable gear and fishing locations – made the process too expensive for small operations.

Rich said, ideally, the government would change the regulatory scheme to allow first nations to fish from their community to their chosen capacity.

Jamie James, fisheries manager for the Mowa-chaht/Muchalaht Indian Band, said negotiations with the government are already underway.

Since the original 2009 B.C. court decision, he said, his community has been working with the department of fisheries and oceans to implement a “mutually agreeable fishing plan.”

But, 60 years on from the demise of their traditional fisheries, jobs are scarce in the region, he said.

“It’s every man for himself looking around for jobs,” he said, adding that, since the pulp mill in nearby Gold River closed, there are “not many job opportunities” available to the 300 band members who still live on-reserve.

As is its custom, the Supreme Court gave no reason for its decision not to review the case.

Judge halts First Nations welfare cuts in Maritimes

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The former chief of Elsipogtog First Nation says the cuts would mean hundreds of dollars less every month for many families.(CBC)

A federal court judge has issued an injunction that will temporarily prevent the federal government from reducing social assistance rates for First Nations in the Maritimes.
Ottawa wants to implement provincial rates and standards on First Nation reserves in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, which would mean less money for recipients.

But Justice Sandra Simpson granted the interlocutory injunction on March 30 until the matter can be heard in court.

In her 30-page decision, Simpson cited the absence of any consultation with First Nations communities about the policy or its implementation.

‘In my view, the estimated decline in income assistance rates under the policy and the potential for ineligibility will cause emotional and psychological stress amounting to irreparable harm for some recipients.’—Justice Sandra Simpson

She also noted the potential harm it could cause.

“In my view, the estimated decline in income assistance rates under the policy and the potential for ineligibility will cause emotional and psychological stress amounting to irreparable harm for some recipients,” she wrote.

“Individuals who are reliant on income assistance are especially vulnerable even to small changes in the resources available to meet their basic needs and, for this reason, I have concluded that the applicants have demonstrated irreparable harm.”

Decision ‘a miracle’

The former chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick, who led the fight, calls the decision a miracle.

“Well first of all, I wanted to go to the regional office in Amherst and dance in front of the office — just, you know, flip them the bird for trying to impose this ridiculous program on us,” said Jesse Simon.
Federal Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan planned to harmonize welfare rates for First Nations in the Maritimes with provincial rates for non-First Nations welfare recipients, which are among the lowest in the country.
The proposed changes, which were set to take effect on April 1, would have meant about $300 less a month for a single parent with two children, said Simon.
He said he has watched many of his people fight poverty, unemployment and substance abuse. When he heard about the planned welfare changes, he got angry and decided to fight.
Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick’s largest aboriginal community with a population of more than 3,000, filed an application to challenge the government’s decision on behalf of First Nations across the province.
Lawyers argued the cuts would be devastating for the poorest members of the affected communities and needed to be challenged in Federal Court. The judge agreed.
“It was such great, great news,” Simon said of the injunction. “Here we were, backed into a corner with almost no or little resources, almost no finances, almost no nothing, and we were smart enough to get our information together and fight what we knew we were talking about,” he said.
“I mean this is just standing up to a bully and once you stand up to a bully and slap them in the face they back off real soon.”

Many already struggling

Lawyer Kelly Lamrock says the lack of consultation on the changes could be a legal reason to overturn Ottawa’s decision. (CBC)

Simon said he agrees the welfare system in his community needs changing, but not the way Ottawa has proposed. Many families are already struggling with the current welfare amounts, he said.
“I think even the non-native population continues to struggle with their welfare rates, which are the lowest in the country and then add that, minus another two or three hundred on a reserve, which is even worse.
“I mean, New Brunswick lives in what has the one of the top seven poorest postal codes in the country, Elsipogtog being one of them. And to take 200, 300 bucks away from a single mom — is that going to help the situation any? No. They’re just not thinking straight.”
Simon contends the changes would have a huge impact on families.
“The First Nations people wouldn’t have access to all the programming that the people in the province did so basically it was just a matter of trying to squeeze the people off the reserves so they’ll slowly make us all urban Indians and just get us lost in the general public.”
People in the community agree.
“If the government would step in and create jobs for the people on all the reserves, sure they could take the welfare away from us,” said Robert Julian. “But if they ain’t going to support that economic development on every reserve, you know we’re going to be in poverty.”
Kelly Lamrock, one of lawyers representing the First Nations, is pleased with the judge’s decision.
“There really has been a lack of care and consultation that could very well be a legal reason to overturn the decision,” he said.
“And maybe more importantly that the harm they’ve been saying will happen to their communities is real.
“When you take very poor people and make them even more desperate, the effect is rarely that suddenly people get up and become college graduates tomorrow and go to work. The effect is that people simply become more and more desperate.”

Government weighs right to appeal

The government will be reviewing the court’s decision in the coming days to determine any next steps, Michelle Perron, spokeswoman for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada stated in an email.
Meanwhile, the government abide by the court’s decision to grant interim relief, subject to its right to appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal, she said.
“The Government of Canada has always stated that income assistance rates should be consistent for all Canadians in each province,” Perron said.
“As outlined last week in Economic Action Plan 2012, our government is committed to better aligning its on-reserve Income Assistance Program with provincial systems through improved compliance with program requirements.
“This is consistent with our commitment to fairness and transparency across the country,” she said.
Related File: Simpson-J-Reasons.pdf

PLANS TO PROTECT SALMON

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The LMG is reviewing the way it governs and manages the Listuguj salmon fishery. In terms of governance, the LMG will review the laws, policies, regulations, and vision for the Listuguj salmon fishery. For the management of the fishery, the LMG will look at the specific Mi’gmaq harvesting practices (fishing season, harvesting techniques, and where Lis- tuguj members fish). There is a need to understand the fishery from our perspective as Mi’gmaq, including the cultural, spiritual, ceremonial and economic aspects.

The Salmon Management Project has been underway since December 2011. The LMG has held a total of three public meetings, as well as meetings with the Elders’ Council and fishers. These meetings were held so that LMG could share information about the project, and also receive guidance from community members about the work. Dr. Fred Metallic was hired to lead this work. At this stage, the goal is to update the harvesting component of the Salmon Fishery in time for the June 2012 salmon season.

Recently, on March 28, Chief and Council passed an Order-In-Council, approving the creation of a volun- teer Salmon Fishery Advisory Committee, which will advise on the development of an updated salmon man- agement plan for the Listuguj river system. This com- mittee brings together community members, technical advisors, resource people, Elders, youth and leadership. Working collaboratively, this committee will act in the capacity of advisors to the Chief and Council.

In 1995, Listuguj enacted the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation Law on Fisheries and Fishing. Through this law, we asserted our inherent right to harvest and manage the salmon fishery within our territorial waters.

Today we are updating our plans for the salmon fishery, we need to recognize and respect our Aboriginal and Treaty Rights to harvest and manage the salmon. As stated by the Elders at a community meeting, “We need to be aware of what the community’s vision is for the fishery. We need to take into account the health of the salmon – so that future generations will continue to benefit from the salmon fishery.”

Members of the Salmon Fishery Advisory Committee

  • Chief Allison Metallic
  • Brenda Gideon Miller, LMG Council Liaison
  • Dean Vicaire, LMG Council Liaison
  • Kevin Methot, LMG Council Liaison/ Active Fisherman
  • Delphine Metallic,  LMG Council Liaison
  • Loni Vicaire, LMG Administrative Assist.
  • Joe Wilmot, LMG Education
  • William Moffat, Listuguj Police Department
  • Isaac Metallic, Elder/Active Fisher
  • Madeleine G. Dovauo, Elder
  • Peter Metallic, Listuguj Rangers
  • Pamela Isaac, LMG Scientific Research
  • Harvey Martin, LMG Police/Active Fisher
  • Serge Gray, Youth/Active Fisher
  • Francis Sorbey, LMG Scientific Research/ Active Fisher
  • Tim Dedam, LMG Technical Advisor/ Active Fisherman

For more information contact: Loni Vicaire, Administrative Support, Tel.: 418 788-2136

Click here to view the order in council (pdf)

Le Chef national de l'APN accueille favorablement le jugement de la Cour suprême au sujet des principes de détermination de la peine pour les Premières Nations

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OTTAWA, le 23 mars 2012 /CNW/ – Le Chef national de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations (APN), Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, a salué aujourd’hui le jugement rendu par la Cour suprême du Canada dans l’affaire Ipeelee, lequel confirme l’arrêt Gladue de 1998 en matière de détermination des peines à l’égard des délinquants autochtones.

« Nous félicitons la Cour suprême du Canada pour ce jugement qui enjoint les juges de déterminer des “peines justes et équilibrées” à titre d’élément central de notre système juridique », a déclaré le Chef national Atleo. « Le jugement reconnaît le profond traumatisme dont souffrent encore aujourd’hui nos peuples après avoir traversé des décennies de politique et de pratiques, telles que les pensionnats indiens, qui ont dénigré nos langues, nos cultures et nos familles. Cette décision confirme les principes de justice et de proportionnalité de la détermination des peines. »

Le jugement de l’affaire Ipeelee rendu par la Cour suprême qui a été publié aujourd’hui, stipule que les juges doivent tenir compte de « questions telles que l’histoire de la colonisation, des déplacements de populations et des pensionnats, et la façon dont ces événements se traduisent encore aujourd’hui chez les peuples autochtones par un faible taux de scolarisation, des revenus peu élevés, un taux de chômage important, des abus graves d’alcool ou d’autres drogues, un taux élevé de suicide et, bien entendu, un taux élevé d’incarcération ».

Le Chef national a déclaré ceci : « Les Premières Nations constituent la population la plus jeune et celle qui connaît la croissance la plus rapide du Canada, elle est l’avenir de ce pays. Pourtant, ses jeunes ont actuellement plus de chance d’aller en prison que d’obtenir un diplôme d’études secondaires. Cette situation exige un engagement national de réconciliation incluant un traitement plus équilibré et plus juste des peuples autochtones par le système juridique. »

L’arrêt Gladue de 1998, objet de la décision d’aujourd’hui, exhortait les juges à envisager des approches créatives et sensibles de la détermination des peines, autres que l’incarcération, pour contribuer à la réhabilitation des délinquants autochtones et à réduire la forte surreprésentation des Autochtones dans les prisons. L’arrêt Gladue a fourni aux tribunaux la latitude nécessaire pour rechercher les causes de cette surreprésentation et trouver des solutions à ce problème. La Cour suprême du Canada souligne avec regret que la surreprésentation des Autochtones dans le système de justice pénale canadien s’est aggravée depuis l’arrêt Gladue.

Le Chef national Atleo a réitéré l’importance de cette décision dans le contexte de la récente adoption du projet de loi C-10, la Loi sur la sécurité des rues et des communautés.

« Le régime de détermination des peines prévu par le projet de loi C-10 signifie qu’un plus grand nombre de citoyens des Premières Nations pourraient bien être placés sous garde obligatoire pendant des périodes importantes, sans possibilité de traitement ou de réhabilitation », a souligné le Chef national Atleo.

Nous avons écrit au ministre de la Justice et nous nous sommes présentés devant le Comité sénatorial permanent des Affaires juridiques et constitutionnelles pour souligner les conséquences du projet de loi C-10 sur les citoyens des Premières Nations. Nous avons également demandé que des solutions de remplacement aux incarcérations soient envisagées. Nous continuons d’espérer que le jugement rendu aujourd’hui par la Cour suprême sera pleinement appliqué aux délinquants des Premières Nations dans toutes les affaires pénales, et nous militerons avec vigueur pour que ce jugement de la plus haute cour de justice du Canada soit respecté. »

L’Assemblée des Premières Nations est l’organisme national qui représente les citoyens des Premières Nations au Canada. Suivez l’APN sur Twitter@NCAtleo, @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

Renseignements :

Alain Garon, agent de communications bilingue, Assemblée des Premières Nations 613-241-6789, poste 382, cell. : 613-292-0857 ou agaron@afn.ca