Issue #442

BCMedia Monitor IRST ATIONS April 17, 2015 FTwice monthly summary of news reports fromN throughout on First Nations, rights & title issues, and Aboriginal communities. Edition

Five First Nations Sign Treaty Agreement-in-Principle (Treaty Page 8) First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCedia Monitor M AROUND THE PROVINCE

INSIDE Tsilhqot’in and B.C. Set Date for Final Protocol Agreement Around the Province 3 B.C. First Nations The Tsilhqot’in National Government (TNG) and the provincial government Leaders Address UN have set June 26, 2015 as the date to finalize a government-to-government Representative agreement that will outline the next steps for reconciliation. Following the June 2014 Supreme Court of Canada’s decision granting the Tsilhqot’in Treaties Aboriginal title to approximately 1,700 square kilometres of land, the 7 B.C. Treaty Commission two parties signed a letter of understanding (LOU) to make best efforts to Clarifies Treaty Investment negotiate a protocol agreement by March 31, 2015. The additional three months is to enable them to ensure the protocols for a lasting reconciliation Local Government are completed. Issues in the LOU that have already been addressed include 8 Penticton Band and City an apology from the province for the wrongful hanging of six Tsilhqot’in Reach Fire Service Deal chiefs in the late 1800s, and an interim agreement reached last month that would enable guide outfitters to continue operations on title lands for 2015. Health & Community The remaining focus will be on matters related to governance, culture and 9 Alberta Chiefs Say language, long-term economic development, health, justice, education, Murdered Aboriginal and land and resource management. TNG represents six communities Women Statistic is Flawed (Tl’etinqox, ?Esdilagh, Yunesit’in, Tl’esqox, Tsi Del Del and Xeni Gwet’in), with a total of approximately 3,300 members. Education (B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – News Release, April 2) 10 TRU and School District Look at NITEP

Culture 10 Squamish Legacy Project Underway 11 Editorials 13 Location Map Cornerstone DISCLAIMER Editor: JOHN KAFKA, Partner The BC Media Monitor relays what [email protected] is being reported in newspapers throughout B.C. and is compiled Story Editor, Production & Design: LINDA ZACEK directly from those news articles. Cornerstone makes no editorial [email protected] judgment on the articles summarized in the BC Media Monitor and is not 202 - 9780 Second Street, Sidney, BC V8L 3Y8 responsible for the content of the original articles. Phone: (250) 655-9191

~ 2 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015

BCedia B.C. Approves Gold Mine Monitor M B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak and Energy Aboriginal Conference Builds Business and Mines Minister Bill Bennett recently released the provincial decision to grant Pretium Resources’ Opportunities Brucejack gold mine project an environmental assessment certificate. The ministers noted that the The 2015 National Aboriginal Business Opportunities company would note need a tailings storage facility Conference, organized by the 2G Group, will take or dam because it will store a portion of its waste place April 29 – 30 in Prince Rupert with a wide tailings underground and the rest will be deposited range of speakers on a variety of topics of interest in Brucejack Lake, which does not contain fish. The to both industry and First Nations. The first day’s ministers said they were satisfied that certificate keynote speaker is Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Chief conditions would mitigate any social and other Roger William, who will take about the Tsilhqot’in effects on the Nisga’a, Tahltan, and Skii km Lax Ha Decision, and panel discussions will be focused First Nations, and they also stated that the Nisga’a on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, local Lisims Government and other local Aboriginal First Nations, and economic progress and capacity groups had been involved in the project planning and building. Mitacs Strategic Enterprises vice-president have approved the proposal. The project, which still Duncan Phillips will be the keynote speaker on the requires federal environmental approval, is expected second day of the conference to talk about a holistic to result in 500 jobs during construction and 300 program for engaging Aboriginal communities. The during operation of the mine. second day will also include workshops on connecting (Northern Connector, April 3) business with LNG opportunities, health and safety requirements, project financing, and leasing. Industry Should Not Use Site C Power, Conference agenda can be viewed at: http://www.theeventpros.ca/conferences/2015-NABOC- to Show Respect for First Nations PrinceRupert.html (Northern View, April 1) Lawyer Rob Botterell, who has represented First Nations in various cases, recently sent an open B.C. First Nations Leaders Address UN

AROUND THE PROVINCE letter calling on natural gas producers to commit Representative to not using power generated from the proposed Site C dam as a show of respect for First Nations During a recent gathering of B.C. First Nations opposition to the project. “True reconciliation… leaders and United Nations special rapporteur Victoria requires further respect for and accommodation Tauli-Corpuz, Okanagan Nation Alliance Grand Chief of, First Nations’ constitutionally protected treaty Stewart Phillip said that the rights of Aboriginal people rights, title and interests,” Botterell wrote. Botterell across Canada have worsened under Prime Minister suggested that companies include the commitment Stephen Harper’s government. It will only get worse to not buy energy from BC Hydro within the text until a new government that respects the rights of of impact benefit agreements with First Nations. First Nations is elected, said Phillip. Westbank First Treaty 8 First Nation chiefs’ position on this measure Nation Chief Robert Louie agreed saying equality is is not yet known, but Blueberry River First Nations needed along with a push to be self-sufficient and self- Chief Marvin Yahey said he would bring the letter governing. Louie pointed to the success of his band to his council for discussion. However, Ministry as an example of how First Nations can thrive if given of Energy and Mines spokesperson David Haslam the equality they deserve. Tauli-Corpuz was there to noted that BC Hydro’s electrical system does not listen to the concerns and issues facing Canada’s First pinpoint a single resource, such as Site C, to a single Nations. industry. (Kelowna Capital News, April 1) (Alaska Highway News, April 1) ~ 3 ~ BC First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 Media COMMUNITY ELECTIONS Monitor Okanagan Band Controversial Chief Re- Lil’wat Votes Down Land Re-elects Chief Elected Code

Members of the Okanagan Indian Ron Giesbrecht was re-elected On March 21, under the new Band recently re-elected Byron as chief of the Kwikwetlem First Election Code, members of the Louis as chief. Louis received 275 Nation, receiving nearly twice Lil’wat Nation elected Dean Nelson votes, followed by Daniel Anthony as many votes as his opponent, as the band’s political chief and Wilson with 163 votes, and former George Chaffee. Giesbrecht was Leonard Andrew as cultural chief. chief Fabian Alexis with 130 the centre of controversy last year Elected to the 11 council seats were: votes. Of the 25 people running for when it was revealed that he earned Alphonse Byron Wallace, Felicity councillor positions, the 10 elected almost $1-million dollars in the Nelson, Joshua Ryan Anderson, were: Homer Alexis, Lyle Brewer, 2013-14 fiscal year, which included Rosemary Stager, Maxine Joseph- Barbara Cole, Tim Isaac, Allan an $800,000 land deal bonus. The Bruce, Vaughn Gabriel, Lois Brent Louis, Coo-la Cachoot Louis, controversy involved a single Mamaya7 Joseph, Carl Wallace, Raymond Joseph Marchand, Russel transaction with the provincial Helena Edmonds, Luke Johnny, Williams, Daniel Anthony Wilson, government in which Giesbrecht, and Martina Pierre. The election and Leland V. Wilson. as economic development officer, also included a vote for a new (Westside Weekly, April 8) received a 10 per cent bonus, on top Land Code, which was defeated of his salary. Following the release with 399 “no” to 202 “yes” votes. of the information under the First Unsuccessfully seeking re-election Tatoosh Elected for Third Nations Financial Transparency as political chief was Lucinda Term as Hupacasath Act, several band members filed Phillips, whose political platform Chief a lawsuit alleging Giesbrecht included pushing the Land Code breached his duty to obtain consent forward. Those supporting the land The Hupacasath First Nation has from band members, but the code deals see them as an expedited AROUND THE PROVINCE voted in Steven Tatoosh for his third lawsuit was later quietly dropped. way to economic opportunities that consecutive two-year term as chief. Giesbrecht’s contract entitled him will help provide independence and Tatoosh said his priorities for this to the bonus, but since then the self-governance in a short period of new term are to continue paying bonus provision was removed from time. Those against, believe they off Hupacasath debt, housing, and the position’s contract. Councillors allow the government to take away economic development. Elected as Fred Hubert and Ed Hall were also First Nations inherent sovereign councillors are incumbents Warren re-elected for another four-year right to govern their traditional land Lauder and Jim Tatoosh, and term in council. in unceded territories. newcomer Jolleen Dick. (Tri-City News, April 3; (Whistler Question, April 7) Vancouver Sun, April 4) (Alberni Valley News, April 9)

~ 4 ~ BC First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 Media Binche Prepare for Judge Orders Tribes Monitor Separation from Tl’azt’en to Pay for Firing Ex- Employee Without Cause Federal Government Binche First Nation is currently Won’t Appeal Kitselas entering into the third step of a four- B.C. Supreme Court Justice Land Claim step process to separating from the Ronald Skolrood has ruled that Tl’azt’en Nation and becoming a self- ’ May 2013 Last year, the federal court determined band. In 1959, the Binche, dismissal of Jennifer George as upheld an earlier Specific Tache, Dzit’ainli, and Yekooche First associate director of the band’s Claims Tribunal decision, Nations were amalgamated as the Lalum’utal’ Smun’eem Child which ruled that the Stewart Trembleur Band, which later and Family Services was without federal government owed changed its name to Tl’azt’en. The cause and a breach of her contract compensation to the Kitselas Yekooche de-amalgamated in the of employment. The band First Nation for land wrongly 1990s. The Binche first talked about dismissed George with inaccurate excluded from the original separating in 2011, passed a resolution and incomplete information Kitselas reserve allotment in to become independent soon after, and without the opportunity to 1891. The federal government and are now working with Tl’azt’en explain or respond, said Skolrood. has decided to not file an on finalizing terms-of-division for Cowichan Tribes has been ordered appeal with the Supreme splitting assets, liabilities and reserve to pay George $123,580 in general Court of Canada on this lands. Joshua Hallman, chair of the damages and $35,000 in aggravated decision. The government Binche Operations Committee, said damages, but declined to award argued that it should not be the negotiated terms-of-division were any punitive damages. The band obligated to compensate for submitted to Aboriginal Affairs and investigator’s report submitted as lands wrongly excluded from Northern Development Canada, which evidence accused George of being original reserve allotments, were reviewed and returned with intoxicated, verbally harassing and if there is an obligation legal formatting suggestions. Binche another member (Anita Seymour), that it should be shared with expects to have the de-amalgamation and threatening to take away her the province. However, the within a year, said Hallman. Tl’azt’en children. Skolrood said what was AROUND THE PROVINCE federal court judge noted Chief Justa Monk said it’s “not a done established is that while at a pub, that the tribunal stated the deal yet” as they still have to finalize George was intoxicated and warned question of compensation assets, followed by a referendum for Seymour not to interfere with visits was to be decided after the both Tache and Binche, and then wait between her grandchildren and their issue of the claim’s validity for a final decision from the ministry. father, but that Cowichan Tribes was established. With the However, Binche has already started failed to prove the allegations appeals process now over, the preparing for separating and are of physical assault and threats. issue of compensation can currently working on establishing Skolrood also criticized several be addressed. As much as their own government structure and Cowichan band members, including $150-million in federal funds elections code, as well as putting Seymour’s sister, the band’s human can be awarded by the tribunal, financial and human resource policies resources manager who helped draft which was set up in 2008 to in place. Once established as a the letter of complaint, saying that hear cases involving First separate First Nation, Binche will have she repeatedly lied under oath about Nations’ claims to specific to pay for their own administration key documents that eventually led parcels of land outside the costs such as public works, education, to the dismissal. treaty process. and health. (The Province, April 9) (Terrace Standard, April 8) (Omineca Express/Bugle, April 8)

~ 5 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCMedia onitor Tanker Ban Bill Defeated Protesters Rally Against M Trans Mountain Pipeline Squamish Members A private member’s bill initiated by March to Protest LNG Skeena-Bulkey Valley MP Nathan On March 11, protesters marched Project Cullan, An Act to Defend the through downtown Fort Langley Pacific Northwest – Bill C-628, was to show their opposition to defeated in the House of Commons Hundreds of people marched from Kinder Morgan’s proposed Trans on April 1. The proposed bill Nexen Beach to the Woodfibre Mountain Pipeline Expansion was intended to ban supertankers LNG office in downtown Squamish project. from transporting oil on the North to declare that they don’t want (KFN) member Brandon Gabriel Coast, and more specifically to liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the organized the This Is Our Home halt Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Howe Sound or the LNG plant protest in collaboration with project. Over 130 First Nations, the in town. The Skwomesh Action Pipe Up Network, Kwantlen Union of B.C. Municipalities, the Group and My Sea to Sky organized Polytechnic University students, B.C. government, environmental the event, with the goal of letting and local residents. The march groups, and two thirds of British everyone know where the Squamish and rally started at the KFN sports Columbians agree that the Northern Nation people stand on the issue. park on MacMillan Island, with a Gateway pipeline and tanker One of the main concerns protesters procession to the Fort Community project poses unacceptable risks, have is the effect the LNG plant Hall. Kinder Morgan is proposing said Cullen. would have on local marine life. to almost triple the capacity of its Although two Squamish municipal (Northern View, April 8) existing pipeline and is looking at councillors attended the gathering, moving the route in several areas, no councillors which could include changes Idea Fair Generates were present. Three members were near Fort Langley. Protesters are expected to attend, but cancelled Aboriginal Business concerned about spills near the for different reasons. “Our council numerous creeks and rivers the needs to know our people will fight The Skwin’ang’eth Se’las pipeline crosses, and Gabriel hopes Development Company recently that protests will help educate AROUND THE PROVINCE this regardless of what they decide,” said band members Khelsilem hosted the Idea Fair, an event people of the impact of pipelines. Rivers and Charlene Williams, to generate ideas and create The National Energy Board is two of the organizers. Squamish strategic plans to stimulate First currently hearing evidence from Nation council is conducting its Nations business and economic interveners about the pipeline, own environmental assessment on development. Invitations were including Kwantlen and other First the project, which is expected to sent to all First Nations in the Nations. be completed by the end of April. region, including (Langley Advance News, April 9) Williams noted that a petition with the and Songhees over 100 signatures was presented First Nations, as well as to to the chief and council, who are local businesses, government anticipated to make a final decision agencies, non-profit organizations, within the next few weeks. educational facilities, and the Aboriginal Tourism Association of (Coast Reporter, April 10) B.C. (Times Colonist, April 9; Victoria News, April 10)

~ 6 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCedia Monitor M TREATIES

B.C. Treaty Commission Clarifies Treaty Investment LNG Project Partners The B.C. Treaty Commission (BCTC) clarified recent incorrect reports Seek Public Input about the number of First Nations currently in the treaty negotiations process. The province stated there were 50 First Nations out of 200 Steelhead LNG, in partnership currently in treaty negotiations and the media has said that $600-million with the Huu-ay-aht First has been spent by taxpayers so far, with only four treaties completed. Nation, recently held a “town BCTC said the facts are that there are 65 First Nations, representing hall” meeting to inform the Port 105 Indian Act Bands out of a total of 199, participating or have Alberni community about their completed treaties through the B.C. treaty process. There are 47 First proposed liquefied natural gas Nations, representing 83 Indian Act Bands, currently actively engaged (LNG) plant in Sarita Bay. In or completed negotiations, with eight treaties completed. Since 1993, January, members of Huu-ay- $627-million in negotiation funding has been allocated to 65 First aht voted 121 to 77 in favour of Nations, of which approximately $493-million is in the form of a loan approving leasing their lands from the federal government and repayable by the First Nations. There for the project, and the focus is has been $134-million in non- now on assessing the viability repayable contributions, of the LNG facility through approximately $80.4-million environmental and socio- from the federal government, and economic studies. Engagement $53.6-million from the provincial to date has been with the Huu- government. ay-aht, and collecting public (Nation Talk, April 8) input is a necessary element, said Steelhead’s manager of AROUND THE PROVINCE community relations. Hereditary Chiefs Say (Alberni Valley Times, March 31) Treaty Commission Does Not Affect Them

Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs (GHC) negotiator Beverley Clifton Percival and Office of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief John Ridsdale said the uncertainty of the future of the B.C. Treaty Commission does not impact their negotiations with government. Both groups said they Subscription Copying have deliberately avoided the treaty process. Percival agreed that the Rights: treaty process is not working and that is why GHC is working with the provincial and federal governments to reach legal agreements in areas This BC Media Monitor - First Nations Edition copy, whether such as resource and land development, which acknowledge their in digital, fax or hardcopy, has Aboriginal rights and title. Ridsdale said his group has avoided the been purchased exclusively for treaty process because it signs land away and “we’ve never given up that the subscriber. Emailing, faxing or copying to unauthorized persons is jurisdictional authority.” The Office of the Wet’suwet’en will work with restricted without the prior consent the province on governance issues but would not take part in discussions of Cornerstone Planning Group. to allocate land, said Ridsdale. If you require additional copies please contact John Kafka at (Interior News, April 8) [email protected].

~ 7 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCedia Monitor M LOCAL Vancouver Island First Nations Sign AIP GOVERNMENT On April 9, southern Vancouver Island’s Songhees, Beecher Bay, Malahat, T’Sou-ke, and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations – members of the Te’mexw Treaty Association (TTA) – have signed an Penticton Band and City Agreement in Principle (AIP) with the provincial and federal governments. The tentative deal involves a transfer of about Reach Fire Service Deal 1,565 hectares of Crown land and $142-million when a final treaty agreement is reached. The AIP is not legally binding, but will The Penticton Indian Band (PIB) set the stage for talks leading to final agreements with each First and the City of Penticton have Nation. TTA has been negotiating a treaty for almost 21 years, and reached a new agreement for fire will now move into the final agreement stage of the treaty process. protection, which will expand service to the reserve to include (Globe and Mail, April 9; Times Colonist, April 10) Greenwood Forest Products, P&E Lumber, SuperSave, the fish Nazko Taking Time Out from Treaty Process hatchery, Barefoot Beach Resort, Sun Leisure Trailer Park, Riva The Nazko First Nation recently advised the B.C. Treaty Ridge, Skaha Hills, and PIB’s Commission and the federal and provincial governments that they school. The band will maintain would be taking time out from active treaty negotiations. Even its volunteer fire department to though Nazko has been in active negotiations for over a decade, all respond to fires at homes on the TREATIES parties remain apart on the contents of an acceptable agreement. reserve and will also be available to Chief Stuart Alec said certainty that Aboriginal title is recognized assist the Penticton Fire Department and not extinguished, control of development within traditional (PFD). The costs of services will be territory, and economic self-sufficiency are key in a successful shared by the Regional District of treaty, and the governments’ unwillingness to update mandates Okanagan-Similkameen, PIB, and to reflect the Tsilhqot’in decision remains a concern. Alec noted the city. PIB’s current annual fee is that Nazko is not formally withdrawing from the process and about $225,000, which will increase looks forward to resuming negotiations with revised government as more homes and businesses mandates and refreshed commitment from all three parties. The are built on reserve lands. Under First Nation is urging the governments to find ways to expedite the new agreement, PFD will negotiations, and to find ways to reduce the burden of debt felt by do inspections of buildings that Nazko and other First Nations in the treaty process. Nazko also will provide a new level of fire wants the governments to adopt the 43 recommendations in federal prevention and safety, which will in government Ministerial Special Representative Doug Eyford’s turn lower insurance prices. Chief recently released report, A New Direction: Advancing Aboriginal Jonathan Kruger said the band is Treaty Rights. B.C. Assembly of First Nations board member also working on updating their Chief Maureen Chapman said the recommendations speak directly emergency plan and expanding the to the need for a new cross-government reconciliation framework, base of their volunteer department. developed jointly with First Nations. Eyford’s report also notes the (Penticton Herald, April 10) need for more options outside of the current B.C. treaty process. (Nation Talk, April 2; Quesnel Cariboo Observer, April 10)

~ 8 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCedia Monitor M HEALTH & COMMUNITY

Survey Helps Identify Living Alberta Chiefs Say Murdered Aboriginal Conditions on Reserves Women Statistic is Flawed

Jasmine Thomas, crew lead for the First Nations In a March 20 private meeting with First Nations chiefs Health Authority, recently visited Skidegate in Alberta, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt to complete the First Nations Regional Early suggested that 70 per cent of the perpetrators in Canada’s Childhood Education and Employment missing or murdered Aboriginal women were indigenous. Surveys, which are being conducted in 250 In May 2014, the RCMP released a report that reviewed First Nations communities in 10 regions across 1,181 police-recorded incidents of murdered and unresolved Canada. Skidegate was one of 39 randomly missing Aboriginal women from 1980 to 2012. The report selected communities in B.C. Participants are stated that of the 1,017 homicide cases, close to 90 per cent randomly selected in 10 different age and gender were solved and 62 per cent of the victims were killed by a categories. The goal of the survey is to identify spouse, family member, or someone they were intimate with. gaps in areas of early childhood learning and Bernice Martial, Grand Chief of the Confederacy of Treaty employment, and the information gathered will Six Nations and chief of the Cold Lake First Nation, believes assist with community planning initiatives, the information is “inaccurate and untrue” and wants to negotiations, and proposals for funding. see the RCMP’s (Haida Gwaii, March 27) methodology and data. RCMP Commissioner Bob Harper’s 2008 Apology Supports Paulson confirmed Day Scholars Valcourt’s statistics in a letter to Sechelt (shíshálh) First Nation Hereditary Chief Martial, and noted Garry Feschuk said the class action lawsuit on that they did not behalf of day scholars would not be necessary previously disclose if Prime Minister Stephen Harper had lived up the ethnicity of the to his word. Day scholars were not directly offenders because acknowledged in Harper’s 2008 apology to the ethnicity is Indian Residential School students and were not relevant, but rather it’s the “relationship between the denied compensation under the Common victim and offender that guides our focus with respect to Experience Payment to former students. prevention.” The statistic was not released earlier because However, Feschuk said a section of the apology of its potential to “stigmatize and marginalize vulnerable that summarized the whole residential school era populations,” said Paulson. Martial and five other Alberta clearly applied to day scholars, and it made no First Nations said even though they believe the statistic may sense to arbitrarily exclude them. The shíshálh be flawed, they would rather have known about it when and Tk’emlups First Nations are currently the report was released, and they are calling for Valcourt’s seeking federal court certification for the class resignation. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry action lawsuit that was launched in 2012. Bellegarde said now that the information is out, people (Coast Reporter, April 10) need to find a way to move forward and start working on strategies to end violence in Aboriginal communities. (Vancouver Sun, April 10 and 11) ~ 9 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCedia Monitor M EDUCATION Aboriginal Organizations Receive Civil Forfeiture TRU and School District Look at NITEP Grants The Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and School District Several organizations are receiving 27 (SD27) are working on a joint proposal to establish funding from the province’s civil a NITEP Field Centre at TRU’s Williams Lake campus. forfeiture program, which this year NITEP is the Indigenous Teacher Education Program at the is providing grants to initiatives that University of British Columbia that provides teacher training address violence against women and opportunities for Aboriginal people. If the application is support the Violence Free B.C. strategy. successful, TRU would host the training centre from 2016 The Xaxli’p First Nation is receiving to 2020, and SD27 would offer educational placements and $19,920 for their Youth Empowerment practicum opportunities. The school district is also working Project. The 30-week program for at- with TRU and First Nations communities and organizations to risk Aboriginal youth includes a 10- recruit the required 12 students for the program, who would day Rediscovery Cultural Camp with take their teacher training through a blended face-to-face and traditional activities such as hunting, online learning system. tanning hides, berry picking, learning (Tribune Weekend, April 3) about traditional medicine plants, and stories from elders. Also included are sports and recreational activities, youth nights, and employment preparation workshops. Métis Community Services Society of B.C. has been granted $20,000 for its Releasing CULTURE

HEALTH & COMMUNITY Integrating Soaring Equality Healing Group, and an additional $20,000 Squamish Legacy Project Underway for its Aboriginal Fathers Program’s Regenerating Aboriginal Identity and Work has begun on the Legacy Project Canoe Restoration Healing workshops. The Ki-Low-Na Shed, which will sit on the waterfront in downtown Squamish Friendship Society will receive $19,377 in an area that was once a Squamish Nation village. The for its Standing Strong project, which shed will be a traditional-looking shed that will provides holistic healing services to showcase the warrior (racing) canoes, and will also be used urban Aboriginal people in Central to restore Squamish canoes or build new ones. Storytelling Okanagan. The Okanagan Métis and boards describing the Squamish Nation’s connection to the Aboriginal Housing Society’s Sen’kllp site could also be part of the project, which is a collaboration Den project is getting $15,800 to help between the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement provide a safe structured environment Association, the district, and the Squamish Nation. A Heritage for at-risk Aboriginal youth. Canada Grant is providing for half of project’s $100,000 costs. (Okanagan Saturday, March 21; (Squamish Chief, April 2) Bridge River-Lillooet News, April 8)

~ 10 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCedia Monitor M EDITORIAL Vancouver Sun, April 6 – Vancouver Sun, April 8 – Times Colonist, April 8 Nick Allen wrote, in part: Sophie Pierre wrote, in part: – Les Leyne wrote, in part: “In times gone by, Navajo Indians ate “The B.C. government has recently whatever Mother Nature was generous made it clear that it has misgivings “The federal special adviser’s enough to bestow, their existence about the treaty negotiations process, report on the abysmal rate of intimately and spiritually bound up while leaving the impression that it is progress in negotiating First with the land on which they lived. a mere spectator and not a party to the Nations treaties considered Today, life is very different in the process. the idea of matching the B.C. Navajo Nation, the largest American It’s necessary to bring some Treaty Commission with a Indian reservation in the U.S. It covers perspective to this discussion, respond national one as a way to spur an area in Arizona, New Mexico and to mischaracterizations that have been some action. Utah that is the size of New Brunswick bandied about, and suggest a way Although judges continually and has a tribal population of 300,000. forward. urge good-faith negotiations, According to the Navajo Area Indian Canada has taken two of the most Eyford said litigation Health Service, around 25,000 people important issues in B.C. treaty continues to dominate Crown- in the region have type 2 diabetes and negotiations – fisheries and the fiscal Aboriginal relations. The 75,000 are pre-diabetic. relationship – off the table for years at federal department is party to 452 proceedings involving Tribal politicians have been forced into a time, while it tried to work out a new Aboriginal rights and spends action and this week the reservation policy approach. B.C. and Canada $100-million a year on became the first place in the United have regularly and repeatedly delayed, litigation. States to begin taxing junk food, sometimes for years, one of the key despite opposition from some cash- milestones in the process – their land While the Tsilhqot’in Nation strapped Navajo themselves. and cash offer to First Nations. got a historic declaration of title, Eyford said The Healthy Dine Nation Act covers B.C. also significantly undermined implementing that decision food and drink with ‘minimal-to-no trust and contributed to delays will require negotiations with nutritional value’ and makes it subject with its 2002 referendum on treaty the Crown. The inference is to a two per cent tax. As well as negotiations. that it will take years more to predictable items like ice cream and So, where are we now? negotiate the details. sweets, it includes fruit juice, sugar-free Canada and B.C. need to take stock Eyford said many other Jell-O, diet sodas, and energy drinks. of their own responsibility for delays, Aboriginal groups now A survey found that up to 90 per cent of costs and outcomes and refocus their presume they have title as the food sold in Navajo grocery shops attention on how they can become well, and that First Nations qualified for the tax. Meanwhile, an more effective negotiating partners. consent is now required for existing tax of five per cent on fruit and Now is the time for the principals to resource development. It’s vegetables has been scrapped. The new the B.C. treaty negotiations process – been 10 months since the tax will bring in an estimated $1-million the First Nations Summit, Canada and decision was handed down and U.S. a year which will pay for projects B.C. – to re-energize, not walk away the federal government still including farmers’ markets, community from, treaty negotiations.” hasn’t formally responded.” vegetable gardens, greenhouses, and Sophie Pierre is the former chief commissioner of the exercise equipment.” B.C. Treaty Commission, who retired April 1, 2015

~ 11 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCedia M Coast Reporter, April 10 – John Gleeson Monitor wrote, in part:

Vancouver Sun, April 10 – “Almost seven years ago, Prime Minister Stephen Harper Editorial, in part: apologized to Canada’s First Nations for the abuses they suffered under the residential school system. “A reluctance to discuss the ethnicity However, when it came to compensating individuals, some of of those behind the disproportionately the survivors were deemed unworthy, as they were abused at large number of Aboriginal women being school only by day. In Harper’s world, apparently real abuse murdered in Canada can only thwart requires a sleepover. those searching for solutions to the tragic Which is why next week Sechelt and Kamloops First Nations situation. will be in federal court in Vancouver in an attempt to certify a It appears political correctness has been class action lawsuit against the federal government on behalf behind an RCMP decision, up to the present, of their surviving day scholars. not to make reference to the ethnicity of It’s truly shameful. possible perpetrators. For the former students, the final insult was to receive, As the RCMP prepares to release next decades later, a ‘full apology’ from the prime minister only month a followup report on murdered and to be told that it really wasn’t about them, or their families, or missing Aboriginal women, it has come their language, or their culture. The childhoods stolen from to light that some 17 per cent of the 1,182 them didn’t’ count. Aboriginal female victims counted by the force between 1980 and 2012 were killed There is no honour in the government’s position. by Aboriginal males. I really do hope the First Nations kick Canada’s butt on this EDITORIAL According to a news report last week, a one.” transcript of a March 20 conversation in a Calgary hotel room has the Aboriginal Affairs Minister confiding to several native Times Colonist, April 11 – Editorial, in part: chiefs: ‘I will tell you – because there is no media in the room – that the RCMP report “Five southern Vancouver Island First Nations signed a states that up to 70 per cent of the murdered tentative agreement Thursday for land and cash from the and missing indigenous women issue stems federal and provincial governments. It’s an important step from their own communities.’ toward the final agreement that would see the Songhees, It is high time government sat down with Beecher Bay, Malahat, T’Sou-ke and Snaw-Naw-As First the Aboriginal communities and considered Nations – members of the Te’mexw Treaty Association – ways to address the violence. This is receive $142-million and about 1,565 hectares of Crown not the only avenue to be taken, given land. that the numbers suggest 30 per cent of The spirit of optimism and cooperation that characterized this the women may have been murdered by week’s meeting is in contrast to the confusion and dismay that non-Aboriginals. But it certainly is an surrounded the cancelled appointment last month of George important one, and suggests the Aboriginal Abbott as head of the B.C. Treaty Commission. communities themselves must take greater It’s to everyone’s advantage that the treaty process make ownership of the issue. Not all problems meaningful progress. The tentative agreement signed this can or should be solved by governments week is an encouraging sign that progress can and will taking a paternalistic role.” happen.”

~ 12 ~ First Nations Edition April 17, 2015 BCMedia Monitor

Need Research? Need to Research Background Informationon First Nations, Individuals or Agencies? Cornerstone Planning Group can provide past media reported interactions between First Nations and government or industry based on a word-specific search through back-issues of the B.C. Media Monitor. BC Media Monitor Contact John Kafka for details: john@

cornerplan.com / Ph: 250-655-9191 Subscription Service First Nations Edition Each issue of the BC Media Monitor ~ First Nations Edition (BCMM) is built with diverse interests in mind to keep all of our subscribers informed. More than 160 publications, including Aboriginal publications, are reviewed for Monitor production. BCMM provides a concise overview of the previous two weeks’ First Nations events and issues in B.C. - in just one reading. Back copies of the GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTOR Monitor can be keyword searched to provide the detail and background on a name, MAP: location or concern. Every second Friday our subscribers receive BCMM via email. A subscription Highlighting locations related to stories to BC Media Monitor ~ First Nations Edition includes a ‘email-scan’ service for in this edition. one original source article per issue.

1 year $699 (+$34.95 GST) 6 months $405 (+$20.25 GST)

#202 - 9780 Second Street, Sidney, B.C. V8L 3Y8 phone: (250) 655-9191

email: TO SUBSCRIBE [email protected]

www.cornerplan.com ~ 13 ~