P-023: Presentation of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach
P-023 PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH BY CHIEF NOAH SWAPPIE
PUBLIC INQUIRY COMMISSION ON RELATIONS BETWEEN ABORIGINALS AND CERTAIN PUBLIC SERVICES IN QUÉBEC
VAL D’OR –JUNE 16, 2017 PRESENTATION OF CHIEF NOAH SWAPPIE
Greetings in Naskapi Background as a police officer Role as Chief of the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach (the “Nation”) since 2013 PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Location and Access
Located 10 km northeast of Schefferville, near the border with Labrador Only Naskapi community in Québec Only accessible by train or by plane The only other First Nation in the area is the Nation innue de Matimekush- Lac-John (near Schefferville) PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Demographics
Total of 1,356 Naskapi in 2017 904 reside in Kawawachikamach 338 reside in the Schefferville area. 3.65% population growth between 1986 and 2016 The significant growth rate of the Naskapi population suggests an increasing need for accessible and adequate public services In Kawawachikamach, there are 446 women and 458 men Over 60% of the population under than 30 years old Elders (65 years old+) represent 6% of the population PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Language
The first language is Naskapi English is a second language. Many have limited English proficiency The majority of the population does not speak French Public services are often only available in French PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Traditional Territory and Activities
For generations, the Naskapis’ way of life has been based on the movements of the herds of migratory caribou The traditional Naskapi territory spans from the Lower North Shore area of Québec to the South, up to Ungava Bay to the North, and including, sideways, a large portion of what is known today as New Québec, Nunavik, and the Labrador Peninsula The Land remains at the very heart of Naskapi traditions, culture, and future as a people PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Recent History
The Naskapi were first settled in Fort McKenzie (approximately halfway between Schefferville and Kuujjuaq) 1948: Moved to Fort Chimo (now Kuujjuaq) Traditional way of life was not supported and many people became ill 1956: Relocated from Fort Chimo to Schefferville The Naskapi were promised houses, jobs, schools and other infrastructure and services in Schefferville PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Recent History (cont’d)
At the time of relocation to Schefferville, the city had just been created by Québec to support mining operations of the Iron Ore Company of Canada Schefferville possessed many infrastructures such as a hospital, a sport centre, an arena, hotels, a commercial centre, an airport, a bank, etc. The city was shut down in the early 1980’s because of the iron ore crisis Infrastructures were destroyed PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Northeastern Quebec Agreement
In 1975, the Cree and the Inuit signed the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (“JBNQA”) with Québec and Canada. In 1978, the Naskapi entered into the Northeastern Quebec Agreement (“NEQA”) with the Province of Québec and Canada. NEQA was negotiated within the same framework as the JBNQA NEQA mirrors and is integrated in many aspects to the JBNQA NEQA is a treaty within the meaning of s. 35 Constitution Act, 1982 Naskapi Sector PRESENTATION OF THE NASKAPI NATION OF KAWAWACHIKAMACH
Northeastern Quebec Agreement (cont’d)
NEQA confers many federal and provincial responsibilities to the Nation Both levels of government provide funding for such services including namely: Health and Social Services Education Police Services – Public Security Administration of Justice STRUCTURE OF THE NATION STRUCTURE OF THE NATION
Because of NEQA, the Naskapi are not subject to the Indian Act. The structure and management of the Nation is derived from the NEQA. Chief: Mr Noah Swappie Deputy Chief: Mr Sandy Shecanapish Positions on Council and Councillor: Ms Theresa Director General position Chemagamish are filled by the following Councillor Mr Jimmy James Einish people: Councillor Mr Louis Einish Councillor Mr George Guanish Director Mr Curtis Tootoosis General SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Education
Jimmy Sandy Memorial School (the “School”) is a pre-kindergarten to secondary 5 school with approximately 270 students School is taught in Naskapi and English The School operates under the Central Québec School Board Since 2016-2017, the School offers an Adult Education program, at the James Chescappio Memorial Learning Center in Kawawachikamach The Center is currently held at a converted residential house, and lacks adequate infrastructure SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Education (cont’d)
The Nation and the School are in discussion with Québec and Canada to set up a complex offering Adult Education, Vocational Training and Post-Secondary Studies in Kawawachikamach Students who wish to pursue post-secondary pre-college education, or many vocational training programs have to leave Kawawachikamach There are no post-secondary education facilities in Schefferville SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Housing
Since the relocation of the community in Kawawachikamach, the Nation has built a total of 169 housing units, which includes single- family houses, and apartments On average, approximately two houses are allocated each year Approximately, 50 housing applicants have been denied since 2014 On average, the Nation only has the financial capacity to build two houses per year SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Housing (cont’d)
The occupation rate is above 5 people per housing unit. The shortage of housing in Kawawachikamach is often cited as the primary reason why so many Naskapi reside in the Schefferville area The shortage of housing has led to, or exacerbated some situations: overcrowding mould issues general housing deterioration domestic violence children’s exposure to drug and alcohol abuse SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Police Services
Naskapi Police are usually the first responders in Kawawachikamach In cases of intervention with a person in distress or crisis, Police Officers refer the persons involved to health and social services, when available The Naskapi Police Force (“NPF”) is not responsible for every intervention, as some cases or situations (such as investigations) have to be handled by the Sûreté du Québec (the “SQ”), which operates from Schefferville The SQ is not always available for us, and does not always have adequate cultural training to deal with some situations SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Police Services (cont’d)
The NPF operates under a tripartite funding agreement with Québec and Canada The agreement provides for 4 Police Officers The NPF employs more Police Officers in an effort to provide improved services in the community The NPF cannot always provide 24/7 public security services Ongoing negotiations and pending litigation with Québec and Canada to increase policing funding SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Police Services (cont’d)
Contrary to non-First Nations students, Naskapi students in police training programs must pay significant tuition fees SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Naskapi Justice and Healing
Access to Québec justice services is often hindered by language barriers. Naskapi are not always provided the requisite resources to fully understand and be fully understood by Québec justice workers Kawawachikamach does not have its own courthouse Alternative facilities for the Itinerant Court (e.g. Community Center) are inadequate Basic requirements for the proper conduct of trials and hearings are impossible to meet SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Naskapi Justice and Healing (cont’d)
The Nation wishes to:
Facilitate the greater involvement of Naskapi in the administration of justice at the local level Ensure that Naskapi offenders, victims and families receive proper treatment and support when encountering conflicts or crimes. Ensure that every Naskapi has access to culturally appropriate approaches. SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Health and Social Services
Through the Naskapi CLSC, Naskapi Beneficiaries can access a range of professional services: physicians, social workers, dentist, nutritionist, kinesiologist, psychologist, occupational therapist, etc. Such services are not always available, as most health and social services workers do not have permanent positions in Kawawachikamach, and travel back and forth from various communities There is a lack of mental health resources The CLSC is not equipped with a secure room for persons in distress, or intoxicated persons SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Health and Social Services (cont’d)
There are often no nurse or physician working in Kawawachikamach whose first language is English Access to Québec health and social services is often hindered by language and cultural barriers, creating miscommunication between service providers and Naskapi patients and families Lack of adequate cultural training, or prejudices of Québec health and social services workers towards First Nations may lead to inadequate, disrespectful or unethical towards Naskapi patients SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE NASKPAKI
Health and Social Services (cont’d)
The Québec health system lacks cultural sensitivity Certification requirements also make it difficult for Naskapi persons to work within the Québec health system The Naskapi CLSC delivers five of the 14 programs of the Health Canada Contribution Agreement: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program, Home and Community Care Program, Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, Maternal and Child Health Programs, and Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative. General Expectations from the Public Inquiry
Concerns related to Lack of Resources and Services in the Community
High level of drugs and alcohol abuse High rates of unemployment Frequent occurrence of crime and delinquency Lack of resources to deal with mental illness and addiction Lack of sufficient resources for the Naskapi Police Force General Expectations from the Public Inquiry
Concerns related to Lack of Resources and Services in the Community (cont’d) Inadequate training of providers of public services on Naskapi history, culture and way of life Difficulty to access public services in Kawawachikamach Difficulty to access public services in Naskapi or English Difficulty for Naskapi students to enroll in and graduate from police training or health and social services courses, and to obtain requisite certifications Inadequate facilities for education, health and social services, police and public security services, and for justice and healing General Expectations from the Public Inquiry
Recommendations of the Coroner (report released on Jan. 14, 2017)
2015: Death of 5 First Nation persons in Sept-Îles, within a few months Alicia Grace Sandy of Kawawachikamach (21 years old) January 14, 2017: Coroner Me Bernard Lefrançois issued his report The Coroner’s report points out many issues regarding the lack of communication between Québec public services and First Nation services, inadequate infrastructure and lack of resources within the different services provided General Expectations from the Public Inquiry
Recommendations of the Coroner (report released on Jan. 14, 2017) (cont’d)
Public Security That Québec and Canada see that the Nation has 24/7 police services That the Québec’s Ministère de la Sécurité publique (Department of Public Safety) and Public Safety Canada grant the Naskapi nation of Kawawachikamach all of the support required for that purpose That Québec’s Ministère de la Sécurité publique and Public Safety Canada, along with other concerned resources, such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”) and the SQ, work to create a regional task force, which would include the Aboriginal police service of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, to fight the drug trade on the North Shore General Expectations from the Public Inquiry
Recommendations of the Coroner (report released on Jan. 14, 2017) (cont’d)
Health and Social Services That the Naskapi CLSC in Kawawachikamach build or set up within the CLSC a soundproof and secure room for persons who are in a crisis situation or in need of sobering up when intoxicated That the Nation set up a resource capable of meeting the needs of persons with mental health or addiction problems, and hire the necessary personnel That the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Department of Health and Social Services) negotiate the terms for funding the above-mentioned resources with the Nation General Expectations from the Public Inquiry
Recommendations of the Coroner (report released on Jan. 14, 2017) (cont’d)
Health and Social Services (cont’d) If the above recommendations cannot be implemented in a reasonable period of time: That Québec collaborate with Canada to create such a regional English-language resource, which could provide all of the English-speaking Aboriginal clientele (i.e. Naskapi, Cree, Inuit and Mi’kmaq) with residential facilities and addiction treatment services. That the CISSS de la Côte-Nord – Section de Sept-Îles and, more specifically, psychiatric services, ensure there is an interpreter, so that the needs of hospitalized patients are properly understood and patient properly understand. That the CISSS de la Côte-Nord – section de Sept-Îles translate the forms and questionnaires used into English and Naskapi. Thank you
In Peace and Friendship