News for the week of Nov, 20th
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Attention News Editors:
Government wrong to cut $160 million for Aboriginal languages
OTTAWA, Nov. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - The Federal Government is wrong to
eliminate a $160 million commitment to support Aboriginal languages.
"We are puzzled and disappointed with the cut in languages funds because
the Federal Government says its priority is to support the improvement of the
lives of First Nations children, youth and families," said Chief Keith
Matthew, President of the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Centres
(FNCCEC). "Language is at the core of First Nations peoples' identities.
Reversing the positive trend of the last few years toward enhanced language
programs is inconsistent with the Government's statements." added Chief
Matthew.
The FNCCEC is reacting to the Federal Government's announcement on
November 2, 2006 that it will not follow through with its commitment made in
2002 to allocate $172.5 million to Aboriginal languages programming. The
commitment to significant new funds was made after many years of studies, a
task force report and lobbying by FNCCEC - all of which pointed to the urgent
need for a significant amount of new and additional First Nations language
funds. Only $12.5 million of that commitment was ever made available leaving
$160 million on hold.
The FNCCEC promoted its 87 cultural centres across Canada as the delivery
mechanism for the new funds. The First Nations Cultural Centres and the FNCCEC
have been developing and delivering language and cultural materials since
their inception in 1971.
"The $160 million set-back also undermines the Federal Government's
often-stated commitment to improving First Nations education," added Chief
Matthew. "We were told in 2002 that finally there would be more funds for our
endangered languages - languages that are an integral part of First Nations
education curriculum and now, it's just another broken promise from the
Federal Government," said Chief Matthew. The Cultural Centres are the main
suppliers of language materials for First Nations and provincial schools.
The FNCCEC acknowledges that at least the pre-existing Aboriginal
Languages Initiative funding is being renewed at $40 million. The renewed
program, however, is a far cry from the major infusion that the FNCCEC had
fought for years to attain. "There is no way the Federal Government can spin
this as a positive outcome or that it has a more effective means to retain
First Nations languages with much less funding," said Chief Matthew. "It is
obvious to anyone that we might have had a better chance to reverse the trend
toward the loss of our languages with the initial $160 million commitment
rather than the more modest $40 million," added Chief Matthew.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage, Bev Oda, says the Federal Government
is committed to work with Aboriginal peoples and groups to find an
"appropriate way" to further promote and support Aboriginal languages. "The
FNCCEC and its Cultural Centres have a long and positive track record on
language program administration and we must be at the forefront of any
discussions with the Federal Government on First Nations languages," said
Chief Matthew.
The FNCCEC will continue to press on behalf of its 87 member Cultural
Centres for enhanced language and cultural retention program funds. The FNCCEC
receives $5 million per year from the Department of Indian Affairs, most of
which it distributes to its member Cultural Centres for language and cultural
programs.
14.11.2006 18:44:28 write comment
Tyendinaga: 1st round knockout
The following update was submitted by Kanonhsyonni of Tyendinaga, a Mohawk community near Belleville, Ontario. We are objecting to 8.5 hectares of our land in Deseronto (Mohawk land) being turned into a housing project for non-natives without any right and without our knowledge or consent. We are glad to see that the Ontario government told developer, Tim Letch, to put his shovel away. As some Mohawks said, "What's ours is ours! What they think is theirs is ours!" MNN Ed.
MNN Nov. 13, 2006
KweKwe,
Today it was confirmed that no development is to take place tomorrow (15th) on the land claim area of the Mohawks. It was decided to postpone the housing development to discourage any further discussions on outside development of the land and to assert our ownership. The women of Tyendinaga will be meeting in the next few days to discuss the next steps. After that we will call a national women's meeting. We will keep you informed. We appreciate the many calls of support. We think that we currently have the situation under control. We will not be having any rally or protest for the time being.
The proposed development on the Culbertson Tract Land Claim takes in most of the town of Deseronto. The Kanienkehaka/Mohawk never surrendered this land. In 2003 Indian Affairs acknowledged that no legal surrender had taken place and were willing to negotiate a settlement for the land. The land has been in dispute since 1837.
There have been three meetings of the community of Tyendinaga. The initial meeting held on Saturday November 11th was attended by the Longhouse people; the band council; and other members of the community. It was decided that it was in our best interests to put aside any personal differences and work together. We all agreed that the Culbertson Tract is our land and we will not surrender it. We also agreed that there would be no further development on this land -- not one more shovel of dirt. It was an historic day. The first time we had sat down together at the same table in agreement and working for one common cause.
The band council representatives reported on their meetings with the federal government; their push to widen the scope of the negotiations process so that it suits the needs of our people. To calm the situation Indian Affairs appointed two people to do some investigative work with the band council, the town of Deseronto and the land developer. They felt confident that no development would take place on the 15th. According to the county land office no building permits had been applied for or granted. The town of Deseronto had a few years earlier enacted a by-law to allow development, which has since expired. The developer has no legal stance from their system nor from the Mohawks to begin any work. The town has been put on notice. If development were to begin, all bets are off. The community of Tyendinaga would not tolerate it.
The Longhouse people reminded everyone that the land is the responsibility of the women and that the treaty was made with the Haudenosaunee. This is not Mohawk land, but Haudenosaunee land, in our care. It is our responsibility to let everyone know what is happening with the land and that we would continue to do that.
Three areas need to be addressed: Research & Negotiations; Communications; and, Frontline. Several people, representing all groups, volunteered to help with the work in each area. Each would keep the other informed of any new information that becomes available. There is a need for public education within both Tyendinaga and the town of Deseronto on the Land Claim, the historical background, the process and the history of the Haudenosaunee.
On Sunday, November 12th, a men's meeting was called by Seth Lefort. He Opened and said that he called the meeting because (he thought) nothing was being done about the Culbertson Land Tract. The men who had been at the meeting on Saturday (Shawn Brant, Band councilor Blaine Loft and others) informed him of all that has been done. We are all working together and have taken on different duties. The men there were told that only the return of theland is acceptable. No pay off will be accepted. Men attended from Akwesasne also.
On Monday, November 13th, a general community meeting was called in Tyendinaga. More than 200 people attended. This is more than we have seen at a community meeting. It was apparent that everyone agreed that we will accept only the repossession of our land. A report was made on the Saturday meeting on the band council perspective, the Longhouse people, community groups and members. Akwesasne members were supportive and offered suggestions. They reminded everyone they had to make a choice -- to be Haudenosaunee or to be Canadians and follow the elected band council. There was a committment to meet regularly for updates and to select persons for the negotiation team.
Winnipeg urban group has funding cut off
November 20, 2006 - by Joseph Quesnel
The Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg has had its federal funding cut off after it was determined that the organization is mired in debt and owes more than $14,000 in federal taxes and penalties.
It is also reported that the group representing Winnipeg’s urban Aboriginal community has spent its $20,000 line of credit as well.
This is not the first time the non-profit organization has been surrounded in controversy. Recently, some members of the association had contested recent election results alleging voting improprieties. A Manitoba judge, however, overruled the decision by the group’s annual general meeting and allowed the election to stand.
Speaking to the Winnipeg Free Press, treasurer Marileen Bartlett said that the council receives about $200,000 in government funding annually, of which $100,000 comes from the province and $100,000 from the federal government.
Wayne Helgason, a newly elected member of the council’s board who had served in the past, said that at the present time the Aboriginal Council is not able to spend anything in its financial state.
Helgason, in an interview, placed the blame for the financial situation on outgoing president Larry Wucherer who responded that he is being made a scapegoat.
Canada tries to buy African states at UN to delay UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights
November 17, 2006 - by Joseph Quesnel
Canadian representatives at the United Nations are attempting to bribe African member states in order to buy their support for a motion to delay final passage of the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights at the General Assembly in New York, alleged the chief of a prominent Manitoba Aboriginal organization.
"We heard of this at a recent international treaties summit. It is unsubstantiated," said Grand Chief Chris Henderson of the Southern Chiefs Organization, at a press conference held in the group’s Winnipeg office.
Henderson went on to elaborate saying he was informed that African states were told that their lucrative commercial arrangements with Canada would be “expedited” if they were to support a procedural delay to prevent passage of the declaration. According to the chief, if the motion is delayed it would effectively kill the declaration’s passage.
"This is economic blackmail."
The federal government opposed the Declaration when it was before the United Nations Human Rights Council, on the grounds that the international document left the term "right of national self-determination" largely undefined and conflicted with domestic Canadian law.
Henderson said Aboriginal organizations are already on the ground in New York attempting to drum up support for the declaration as it approaches a final vote, which could come as early as next week.
Mohawks occupy Ontario housing development
November 16, 2006 - by Joseph Quesnel
A housing development project in southern Ontario has been put on hold after a group of Mohawks took control of the land in protest.
The occupation took place in the town of Deseronto, a small community about 80 kilometres west of Kingston. One media account said that close to 20 Mohawks from the Tyendinaga Territory particapted in the demonstration as a means to show the government that they were not backing down from their claim that the land was never surrendered.
While some feared a situation similar to that of Caledonia, local police sources reassured locals that peace would be maintained.
A developer from Kingston had originally planned to begin construction yesterday, but was prevented by the occupation. The businessman has said he will stop work on the land in order to allow the territorial chief to negotiate with the federal minister of Indian affairs.
In a CBC news report, the mayor of Deseronto said he hoped negotiations would proceed quickly and development would resume, citing fears that the stoppage will prevent the community’s ability to raise taxes.
Federal money now available to pay part of Caledonia bill, Ontario claims
November 15, 2006 - by Joseph Quesnel
Despite some initial resistance, the federal government has indicated it may end up shouldering some of the cost associated with the Caledonia standoff in southern Ontario.
The confirmation came from David Ramsay, Ontario’s minister responsible for Aboriginal affairs, who has been engaged in private discussions with his federal counterpart, Jim Prentice, minister of Indian Affairs.
Currently, the province estimated the land claims dispute has cost Ontario taxpayers about $40 million, which includes policing costs as well as salaries for negotiators.
"They've agreed to pursue the cost-sharing aspect of managing the dispute to date and in the future and we're very pleased about that," Ramsay told reporters at a recent press conference.
"They've agreed in principle that they will talk to us about that rather than saying no. I think what that means is they're prepared to enter into some cost sharing. What that will be will be decided by our officials."
A spokesperson for Minister Prentice, however, declined to confirm any details and insisted that the discussions remain private.
Feds must play larger role in Caledonia says Ontario premier
November 14, 2006 - by Joseph Quesnel
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said recently that the federal government has agreed with the province that it must play a larger role in ensuring that the standoff in Caledonia ends through negotiation, although both are still unsure when the dispute will really end.
McGuinty said he received this commitment after he had met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and discussed the Caledonia issue.
David Ramsay, the Ontario minister responsible for Aboriginal affairs, said that the negotiations should move faster now that the province and Ottawa agree more on the need to resolve the issue.
The federal government, however, has not shown any indication that it will pick up the estimated $40 million tab for the policing of the situation.
McGuinty had said to the media that the province will end up paying "indefinitely" for policing costs as long as the underlying federal land claim dispute remains unresolved.
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