January 2007, the Union of Ontario Indians Began Conducting Regional Consultation Sessions on Matrimonial Real Property (MRP)
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Volume 19 Issue 1 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 January/February 2007 IN THE NEWS Chiefs predict year of defi ance TORONTO (CP) – Canada should police tried to evict the protesters. aboriginal observers say. There are 1,000 outstanding brace for more dramatic displays of They succeeded only in fanning the Already this year police and land claims across Canada, and Little NHL aboriginal defi ance in 2007, warn fl ames of rebellion: reinforcements armed forces have been keeping “any one of them could trigger Native leaders who say the First descended en masse from the a careful eye on developments the same reaction,’’ said Ontario coming soon Nations frustrations that boiled neighbouring reserve, the most at the eastern Ontario town of regional chief Angus Toulouse. SUDBURY – The Ojibwe Cultural over in a small Ontario town may populous in Deseronto, where activists from “That’s the unfortunate thing Foundation is the host of this year’s well be a tipping point for decades Canada. nearby Tyendinaga Mohawk – we’re going to see much more Little Native Hockey League of simmering aboriginal anger. Since then, Territory are threatening to block of that. There is a sense nationally Tournament It was in the bedroom the Caledonia a developer’s plans to construct a and regionally that there is this being held March 11-15 in community of Caledonia, Ont., dispute has 140-home waterfront subdivision frustration.’’ Sudbury. This which borders the massive Six become a on disputed land. The land claim, Aboriginals have lost their tournament is Nations reserve in southwestern lightning which was fi led in 1995 and never land over the years, Toulouse expected to draw Ontario, where that anger seeped rod for resolved, essentially bisects the said, making it more diffi cult for entries from 100 quietly into a nondescript, half- deep-seated town of Deseronto. The so-called them to earn a living and mount teams, involve fi nished housing development on aboriginal Angus Toulouse Culbertson Tract is a 375-acre a credible campaign to regain the 2700 players, and attract some land the protesters claimed as their resentment over everything from parcel fronting on the Bay of Quinte land through offi cial channels. 7,000 spectators. own. residential schools to the deplorable which granted to the Mohawks for For those still camped out in Two months later, that living conditions on reserves like their loyalty to Britain during the Caledonia, there is more at stake Bartleman simmering cauldron boiled over as Pikangikum and Kashechewan, American Revolutionary War. than the deed to a former housing seeks books development. When a dozen people walked TORONTO – The Hon. James on to the half-fi nished Douglas K. Bartleman has had his term as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario Creek Estates subdivision in the extended to early hours of Feb. 28 and hung a July by the banner proclaiming it Six Nations government of land, they were reclaiming stolen Canada. pride, said Janie Jamieson, a He began spokesperson for the protesters. his last year “At some point, any reasonable as the Queen’s representative person would say, ‘Enough is in Ontario James K. enough,” Jamieson said. “At some by launching Bartleman point, we have no choice but to another stand up and defend ourselves, province-wide appeal for donations because nobody else is going to do of new or gently-used books for that for us.’’ aboriginal children. Books can be Aborginals were only granted dropped off at any OPP Detachment the right to vote and leave their across Ontario or at the 17 Toronto Police Services Stations across the reserves within the last 50 years, Greater Toronto Area. Jamieson said. Many are living in Third World conditions without Martin pledges adequate housing or clean water, Palestinians ‘go Native’ to make point and suffer higher rates of diabetes Native role Over 100 Palestinian peace activists and residents held a peaceful protest at Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus and other health problems, she WINNIPEG (CP) – Former in the northern part of the West Bank, dressing like Native Americans to send a message to visiting U.S. said. Liberal Prime Minister Paul Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Posters written in English included one that read “The Indian wars are “All around us, you see Martin says not over, Ms. Rice, We are still here too”, and others comparing the theft of land from Native Americans to the prosperity,’’ Jamieson said. “When he will devote plight of the Palestinians. – Photo by Agence France-Presse you look into our own communities the rest of his . everything is hanging on by a life to solving Border-crossing cards expected by spring thread. It’s a very fragile time for Canada’s us right now. We are in a do-or-die aboriginal NIPISSING FN – Anishinabek Nation leadership Chief John Beaucage wrote in a Jan. 16 letter to situation now.’’ problems. is confi dent that its citizens will be issued a more the 42 Anishinabek Chiefs. “At present, Indian “All First Nations people are “This is secure Certifi cate of Indian Status Card sometime and Northern Affairs are in discussions with the the Canadian frustrated over incursion into Paul Martin this spring to facilitate border crossings into the Canada Border Security Agency and U.S. Dept. traditional lands,’’ says Tyendinaga issue,’’ said United States. of Homeland Security to recognize the new, more Martin “They are suffering Chief Donald Maracle. “There are as compared to the rest of the Effective Jan. 23 this year, air travelers from secure, Certifi cate of Indian Status (the “Status going to be more protests. First country. In a country as wealthy Canada required valid passports for entry into the Card”) for offi cial border crossing purposes.” Nations people are becoming more as Canada, there is no excuse United States, and a Jan. 2008 deadline has been set The new-look Status Card is expected to be one of and more aware of how serious if any child is unable to achieve for water and land visitors. fi ve forms of ID that will be accepted at the Canada- the injustices that our nation has their potential.’’ “If all goes as expected, First Nations people in US Border, and would be second in security ranking suffered over the years. People Canada may not require a passport after all, Grand only to the Canadian passport. want it redressed.’’ ANCU Banner 10.25” x 2” Page 2 Anishinabek News January/February 2007 Anishinabek Consultations underway for matrimonial property law What is On-Reserve Matrimonial The Anishinabek Nation Anishinabek Nation. Upcoming sessions are scheduled need further information, please Real Property? recognizes and supports the What has the Union of Ontario for the Ojibways of Garden River, contact Rhonda Couchie, Special Matrimonial real property refers development of a legislative process Indians done so far? February 6, 2007 and Whitefi sh Lake Projects Coordinator via email at to the ‘family home and property,’ and to fairly and effectively address On December 14, 2006, the Union First Nation, February 8, 2007 1-4 [email protected] or by phone is a signifi cant issue affecting First how matrimonial real property shall of Ontario Indians hosted its fi rst session p.m. at (705) 497-9127 ext. 2221 or toll Nations across Canada as currently be addressed upon a breakdown of on the topic entitled “Respecting If you have any questions or free at (877) 702-5200 ext. 2221. there is no legislative or legal process marriage, but does not support the Matrimonial Real Property Summit.” in place governing how matrimonial unilateral approach that Indian and This session was attended by the real property on First Nations will be Northern Affairs Canada has taken Grand Chief, Anishinabek-Kwewuk distributed fairly and effectively upon in its approach to this matter and has Council, Elders, Anishinabek Chiefs, a breakdown of marriage. strong concerns with the limited time community members and technicians. Recently, Indian and Northern and resources being allocated to the To support the Anishinabek Affairs Canada has announced that consultation process that is occurring. Nation’s vision to “assert their own it will be undertaking a process to As such, at the Anishinabek Nation jurisdiction and to move forward” in introduce legislative solutions in the Special Chiefs Assembly in Garden this area, the participants in session House of Commons in Spring 2007 River First Nation on October 31- recommended the development of Bidahbaan Healing regarding On-Reserve Matrimonial November 1, 2006, the Anishinabek an Anishinabek Declaration and Real Property (MRP) for First Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly Framework which will identify the Nations. Part of the process consists overwhelmingly directed the Union key principles, values, and issues to be of consultations conducted by the of Ontario Indians to facilitate the addressed in the Anishinabek Nation Centre Assembly of First Nations and the development of an Anishinabek Nation Law on Matrimonial Real Property. Native Women’s Association of Law on Matrimonial Real Property In addition, the session also identifi ed Canada, which are currently being that truly represents and respects the that it was crucial that the Anishinabek 4” x 4.5” held across the country. values, beliefs, and positions of the Youth Council be involved in the process. What are the next steps? Regional Consultation Sessions -- Starting January 2007, the Union of Ontario Indians began conducting Regional Consultation Sessions on Matrimonial Real Property (MRP). All Anishinabek members, leaders, Women, Youth and Elders are welcome and encouraged to participate to assist in the creation of Anishinabek Laws that will work to protect the most Little Feather basic needs of shelter for our most precious asset, our children, following Learning Products a marriage breakdown.