Chiefs Blasting Tories for Voting No at United Nations
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Volume 19 Issue 7 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 September 2007 Chiefs blasting Tories for voting No at United Nations NEW YORK – (CP) – Aboriginal Toulouse pointed out that the UN treaty negotiations and obligations,’’ one’s quite sure, and that’s the trouble leaders, human rights groups and the Declaration sets out new minimum Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl with language like that.’’ opposition blasted the Conservative standards with respect to the survival said from Ottawa. Strahl, who was Strahl’s critics argued the UN government after Canada voted and dignity of Indigenous people and named to replace Jim Prentice in declaration is not binding on any Sept. 13 against a United Nations encourages all First Nation leaders and an August cabinet shuffl e, had country, and is more of a symbolic declaration on aboriginal rights. citizens to use the Declaration in their already come under fi re for negative commitment to aboriginal rights. They accused the government of advocacy and negotiations, adding: comments about aboriginal peoples “It’s an aspirational document ... trying to sweep aside an important “There is signifi cant disappointment earlier in his political career. it wouldn’t contravene laws that are show of support for aboriginals that that Canada so strongly opposed the Among the many problems with in place,’’ NDP Indian affairs critic took 20 years of negotiations among Declaration, especially given that the document, Strahl said, are sections Jean Crowder said from Nanaimo, UN countries. Canada is a country that promotes that say laws that affect aboriginals B.C. “I think (Canada’s vote) is a Canada has passed up a itself as a leader in human rights should only be passed with the prior very cowardly and, I would say, un- golden opportunity to be seen as a within the international community. consent of First Nations. Canadian approach to human rights.’’ global leader in the advancement Their opposition is certainly contrary “We’d have to consult with 650 Aboriginal leaders, however, felt the of indigenous rights, said John to a reputation that many Canadians First Nations to do that. I mean, it’s document was more than just a vague Beaucage, Grand Council Chief of hold dear.” simply not doable,’’ he said. expression of support. the Anishinabek Nation. National Chief Phil Fontaine of Another section of the UN “It recognizes who we are, that “As delighted as we are to see the Assembly of First Nations called declaration says aboriginals “have the we have these fundamental rights,’’ the world community recognize the the Canadian vote ``a stain on the right to maintain and strengthen their said John Paul, executive director fundamental rights of First Peoples, country’s international reputation.” distinct political, legal, economic, of the Atlantic Policy Congress, I think that many Canadians will be Liberal Leader Stephane Dion social and cultural institutions.’’ which represents 35 aboriginal ashamed that their government has said that by opposing the declaration That is also unworkable, communities. made this country one of only four “the Conservative government has according to Strahl. “Some people ... “To us it’s like the U.S. Declaration nations in the world to vote against signalled to aboriginal Canadians that say that means we can have our own of Independence, because it lays out the United Nations Declaration on their rights aren’t worth defending.” legislatures, our own council in our a number of inalienable truths about the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” The United Nations Declaration own language,’’ Strahl said. “But no us.” said Beaucage. on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples “For three decades, First Nations passed easily, 143-4. Canada, New leaders and delegates have collaborated Zealand, Australia and the United with Canadian governments of States voted against and 11 countries various political stripes to provide abstained. Three Fires input into the document approved Canada said it could not support Sam George was an Eagle Staff Thursday. The vote is a stain on the document because its broad Canada’s international reputation as a wording appeared to give native Carrier for Kettle and Stony Point leading advocate for the advancement communities sweeping powers that during August’s Three Fires of human rights, especially since could contravene existing law. Gathering in Garden River FN. Canada is a current member of the “It’s inconsistent with the Details on Page 17. U.N. Human Rights Council..” Canadian Constitution, with Supreme – Photo by Maurice Switzer Ontario Regional Chief Angus Court decisions and with our own Algonquins suing Ontario OTTAWA – Two First Nations bands have launched a Kingston, Ont. The Algonquin argue they were never $1-billion lawsuit against Ontario and a $10-million consulted. counter-suit against a mining exploration company in Frontenac’s plans to drill for core samples on an escalating battle over drilling rights on a site near the Sharbot Lake site was halted June 28, when the Sharbot Lake, Ont. Algonquin set up a blockade, vowing to stay all The Ardoch and Sharbot Obaadjiwan Algonquin winter, if necessary. Frontenac then took the matter to First Nations allege the province breached their court and launched a $77-million lawsuit against the aboriginal rights and failed to consult them before Ardoch and Sharbot Obaadjiwan. Coaching fi rst granting mining company Frontenac Ventures drilling Last month, a Kingston judge issued an injunction John Chabot, left, was hired as an assistant in the National Hockey rights to land they say belongs to them. demanding the protesters remove the blockade and League off-season by New York Islanders head coach Ted Nolan. An The mining company says it has approval from vacate the property. The judge ruled Frontenac be exhibition game in North Bay Sept. 17 marked the fi rst time two coaches Ontario’s Northern Development and Mines ministry given “unfettered and unobstructed access” but left of First Nation heritage were behind the bench of an NHL team. to test drill on the site, about 60 kilometres north of the question of arrests to police discretion. Story on page 4. – Photo by Maurice Switzer See pages 13, 18, 19 Page 2 Anishinabek News September 2007 Intergovernmental Affairs MahngMahng LOONLOON CHIEF’S CORNER Chief: Isadore Day Anishninabek Name: Wiiskwe Migisi Nini – Screaming Eagle Man. Clan: Pike First Nation: Serpent River First Nation, located in the North Channel of Lake Huron. Up until the 1900’s the lands were pristine and untouched by big industries; mining had affected the territory in the 1950’s. Chief Years of Service: He has been Chief since being elected in 2005. Isadore Day Formal Education: Chief Day has an accumulation of 8 years of post- secondary and distance education that consists of Social Work, Business Administration, Public Administration and Governance. Political Career: Chief Day is in his second term as Vice Chair of the MNR-UOI North Shore Tribal Council. He is an Ontario Representative on the AFN National Fisheries Committee, a member of the Anishinabek/ Ontario Resource Management Council and a member of the leadership forum, as well as a Lake Huron Representative. He was recently Chief Isadore Day, Serpent River FN, and Elliot Lake Mayor Rick Hamilton following signing of memorandum appointed to the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, of agreement for a Joint Relations Committee between their two communities, believed to be a fi rst in Ontario. Goals/Objectives for Community: Chief Day would like to see a They exchanged gifts of artwork, both coincidentally depicting scenes involving water. strong fi nancial position, strong emerging economy that is relevant to the community, access to treaty and traditional lands, environmental integrity in the development of SRFN lands, strong Youth leadership and the respect of other governments that SRFN is legitimate in all processes Serpent River joining forces that affect the people. Political Ambition: To work towards the creation of a strong leadership mandate that our youth can be proud of and can embrace with hope for the with city of Elliot Lake next generation. This can only be done by hard work and determination and reliance on our Anishinabek culture. CUTLER – Chief Isadore Day, based on sharing and fundamental “I hope this agreement is better Community Accomplishments that give you the most pride: Chief Day Wiindawtegowinini, of Serpent River relationships. than the one signed in 1850,” said has been involved with a huge turnaround from a deep defi cit to a strong First Nation and Mayor Rick Hamilton “We did not by treaty surrender our Garden River Chief Lyle Sayers, noting surplus within this last term. He has been able to build and establish of the City of Elliot Lake have signed sovereignty,” he said, suggesting that that his ancestor Chief Shingwauk relationships with other governments and begin to move on longstanding a memorandum of understanding to the nearby municipality of Elliot Lake and other Anishinabek leaders were environmental issues at the Cutler Acid Site. Some other areas he has create a Joint Relations Committee “must recognize us as a hereditary promised that they would be sharing been involved with are Youth employment strategies and strategies that (JRC) between their respective partner.” in the region’s resource wealth when promote elders, youth, men and women. communities. At the second ceremony in they signed the Robinson-Huron Vision: Chief Day’s vision for his community is a strong regional The committee – believed to be Collins Hall, Elliot Lake Mayor Rick Treaty. “We haven’t,” said Chief partner to the North Shore, create self-government structures that will the fi rst of its kind in Ontario – will Hamilton said he was proud to sign Sayers, recounting how his ancestor work, have fi nancial stability and sustainable wealth generation for the involve community members from the agreement, which includes a had borrowed a cannon to fi re over SRFN people that will meet the need of a growing population.