Chiefs from First Nations across Ontario gathered in Ottawa this week to meet with federal opposition leader Thomas Mulcair and members of his caucus, as well as Liberal critic for Aboriginal Affairs Carolyn Bennett. Chiefs pushed both parties to consider critical First Nations priorities in their upcoming election platforms including...
Pushing forward: a reflection on 2014
As 2014 winds down and comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the incredible amount of progress Indigenous peoples have made this year in several high-impact areas. From education, to child welfare, to treaty work, our communities have spent this year exercising their jurisdiction in more and more...
Aboriginal Affairs department uses infrastructure funds to keep social and education programs afloat but still underfunded
Despite the fact that Finance Minister Joe Oliver announced 5 years of federal surplus today, Canada’s Aboriginal Affairs department is deep in the red, and inequitably underfunding services to First Nations. Internal documents released from within the department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) show that the department...
Batchewana First Nation Responds to Bill C-33 Rejection
On Tuesday May 27, 2014 Batchewana leadership attended the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Special Chief’s Assembly to discuss the Federal Government’s controversial (proposed) Bill C-33.The Act titled, “First Nations Control of First Nations Education”, suggests that First Nations would be granted jurisdiction over education however, the proposed act in...
Critical dialogue needed with respect to a First Nation Education Act
The proposed First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act falls far short of the five conditions set out by the National Chiefs Assembly. We had hoped that, based on the massive rejection of the First Nations Education Act, the federal government would have collaborated with First Nations in a...
Letter to Minister Valcourt – First Nations Education
Honourable Bernard Valcourt Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H4 Minister Valcourt, Your refusal to meet with First Nations leadership to discuss Bill C-33,First Nations Control of First Nation Education Actis inconsistent with the honour of the Crown. On May 15th, 2014, the...
Stay the Course — Protect Our Children
Grand Chief Gordon Peters issued the following statement regarding the National Chief’s resignation: It is unfortunate that Mr. Atleo felt he could not carry through in his role as National Chief when there are so many critical issues facing our peoples. The announcement this afternoon does not change our responsibility...
An open letter to the Prime Minister on Bill C-33
he Right Honourable Stephen Harper Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington St. Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 Subject: Open Letter to the Prime Minister on Bill C-33 (to be published) Dear Prime Minister, Since 1867, the Government of Canada has been paternalistic and adversarial in denying our inherent rights that...