CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT for AFN EXECUTIVE Internal Summary
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CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT for AFN EXECUTIVE Internal Summary Notesprepared by AFN staff Meeting with the Prime Minister, Friday January 11, 2013 First Nation representatives National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo BC Regional Chief Wilson Raybould AFNQL Regional Chief Ghislain Picard Yukon Regional Chief Mike Smith New Brunswick / PEI Regional Chief Augustine Grand Council of the Crees Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come Treaty 6 Grand Chief Craig Mackinaw, Ermineskin Cree Nation, AB Treaty 7 Grand Chief Charles Weaselhead, Blood Tribe Treaty 8 Grand Chief Roland Twinn, Sawridge First Nation, AB Chief Norma Johnstone, Mistawasis Cree Nation, SK Chief George Ginnish, Eel Ground First Nation, NB Chief Deborah Robinson, Acadia First Nation, NS Chief Marcel Head, Shoal Lake Cree Nation, SK Chief Terrance Paul, Membertou First Nation, NS Chief Leo Omani, Wahpeton Dakota Nation, SK Chief Douglas White, Snuneymuxw First Nation, BC Chief Eric Fairclough, Little Salmon Carmacks, Yukon AFN National Youth Council,Sasha Maracle Elder Bertha Commonda, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper Minister John Duncan, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (AANDC) Minister Tony Clement, Secretary of the Treasury Board Minister Leona Aglukkaq, Health Canada Parliamentary Secretary Greg Rickford Deputy Minister AANDC Michael Wernick Associate Secretary to the Cabinet and Deputy Minister Intergovernmental Affairs, Janice Charette A/Deputy Secretary, Social Affairs, PCO, Meena Ballantyne Deputy Minister Natural Resources Canada, Serge Dupont Deputy Minister Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Ian Shugart National Chief Atleo x Outlined the eight points agreed to by First Nations leadership – these points to form the agenda for this meeting. x Noted the strong voices of community leaders and First Nation citizens seizing this moment for change ... that this determination will not be silenced x Asked the PM to stay and hear directly from leadership. CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT SUMMARY NOTES TO AFN EXECUTIVE Page 1 of 9 Prime Minister Harper x Understands that as the head of government, leaders want him to hear the dialogue directly x The Crown-First Nations Gathering was a product of Canada and First Nations’ mutual interest to work towards progressive, long-term change x Partners in strengthening Canada’s economy x Real possibilities for economic development in rural and remote communities where opportunities haven’t existed before x Personally wants to see Aboriginal people get full access to these opportunities x Noted commemorations – 1812 / Indian Residential School apology x The recognition of history is not an end in itself but a way to lead to a better future x Commitment to the five areas of the joint action plan – this represents an ambitious and difficult agenda x Our relationship lies at the heart of this country x Requires sustained effort, good will and frank dialogue x Need to find the common ground x Noted importance government places on Treaties – conclusion of record number of self-government agreements and agreements-in-principle and resolution of over 80 specific claims x Noted progress with tripartite agreements x Confirmed Government is ready for dialogue on these important matters x Agreed to stay as long as possible to hear directly from leadership x River analogy: moving down the river together – respectfully paddling in the same direction but must watch we do not get caught in the eddies Matthew Coon Come x Spoke about expectations for meeting – want to close the gap in disparity between Nations and others x Need commitment to a process and next steps to move forward – immediately on a Nation to Nation relationship – commit to achieving this over one year x New Royal Proclamation x Need for a Nation-to-Nation Crown process – renewed and just implementation of Treaties; social and economic justice; peaceful coexistence x Strong support for Chief Spence – GCC has supported financially and worked to assist in capacity around housing and governance x “I care for Chief Spence. I do not want her to die. But she doesn’t get to tell me who I meet with and what we are asking for” Minister John Duncan x Has heard issues with treaty negotiations – why looking to reform process x Both parties must commit to enhance x Committed to open and productive discussion on issues of mutual concerns x First Nations need to be active participants when Canada is ready to discuss mutual priorities CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT SUMMARY NOTES TO AFN EXECUTIVE Page 2 of 9 Jody Wilson-Raybould x Anxiety in being at meeting today – made a conscious decision to work on solutions here x Outside, people are calling for change – have elevated this to a new level x Discussions were challenging this week – conclusion is that First Nations are committed to working together but have very specific demands that need to be met x There has been very little if any movement on CFNG outcomes x Discussion today needs to focus on fundamental issues of the relationship – economic development is then a product of tackling those fundamental issues x Need to support First Nations in their nation building and rebuilding efforts – currently few options for FNs to walk through post-colonial door x Other than interminable negotiations, no mechanism to support First Nations’ efforts x Legislation needs to be jointly developed so that it responds to First Nation needs – not imposed or on other agenda x All legislation must comply with s. 35 x There is no mechanism to recognize and support Nation-building Grand Chief Roland Twinn x Sent by people to table a proposal for a Treaty 8 negotiation table x Hard work to be done – homework needs to be done by First Nations to fulfill their section 35 rights and develop their own constitutions x Sawridge has done this work – Order in Council has taken it out of the Indian Act x To overcome key challenges and address section 35, need to work together and reconcile jurisdictions x Government and options need to come from First Nations not the Government of Canada – otherwise this is a fundamental breach of Treaty and s. 35 x Here to talk about Treaty, not programs and funding x I invite you to our Territory to have dialogue about that partnership Grand Chief Ed John x Noted long political involvement and international role x BC economic development tied closely to mines, gas and oil x Provisions of Bill C-38 and C-45 run roughshod over Treaties and inherent rights x First Nations initially encouraged by the outcomes from CFNG but then very disappointed with follow-up– officials still say they have no mandate on comprehensive claims x Need for annual meetings between the Crown and First Nation leaders – direct involvement in setting policy direction and budget priorities, like occurs with President Obama and US Tribes Regional Chief Augustine x National Chief delivered key points and has full support x This meeting is not to have a programmatic discussion but to have a high level conversation CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT SUMMARY NOTES TO AFN EXECUTIVE Page 3 of 9 x Underlined the importance of resource revenue sharing – need to take a serious look at the structure of revenues and fiscal arrangements/equalization to move forward Grand Chief Charles Weaselhead x Idle No More and our grassroots peoples forces both of us to take heed and address these issues x Need answers to take home to his people OR cannot be a part of this discussion today x #1 priority is the renewed relationship and full implementation of treaties x Other areas – economic development, education, legislation need to follow this look at the relationship x when you leave Prime Minister, I leave. I am not here to have a conversation with your ministers and officials Minister Duncan x Believe we’re here because as a government we have made unprecedented progress x On Jan 21 will launch intensive conversation on education x Concurrence on the need for a steering committee on Treaty Implementation and comprehensive claims National Chief x Conversation up to now – exchange epitomizes what is wrong with interaction between FNs and government x Separation of executive branch and other functions x Ministers’ claims of progress in the face of First Nations expressing real concerns x Our people are posed and economic challenges will result for everyone x Solutions must be political and outside of realm of programmatic responses x Minister has responsibility through the Indian Act – but First Nations have a relationship with the whole Crown x Dichotomy is continuing to try to pull into a programmatic conversation when having a treaty conversation x Potential for the PM to mandate a high level treaty table – these need to be monitored at a political level in the PMO x Conversation is at cross-purposes – have limited time here and need to get into issues now x Extremely political in nature – DOJ manages 100s of title and rights cases a year. Takes positions that we do not exist as a peoples. Advice is not in the interests of First Nations x We need to answer among ourselves – is this the time - do we try to work with this PM or wait until the next one to achieve our goals x There needs to be a political decision to break the impasse Minister Clement x Meeting in good faith with a group of “at risk Canadians who deserve better” CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT SUMMARY NOTES TO AFN EXECUTIVE Page 4 of 9 x Economic development is a means to an end – revenue sharing, equity and participation x Admittedly not understanding entire relationship with Treaty – or why that discussion needs to occur before Economic