Page 1 Volume 22 Issue 9 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 NOVEMBER 2010 Anishinabek block highway for students GARDEN RIVER FN – Chiefs attending the Anishinabek Nation IN BRIEF fall assembly led a Nov. 8 pro- Canada endorses test that stopped westbound traffic into Sault Ste. Marie for about two UN Declaration hours to protest the gap in funding UOI OFFICES – Anishinabek for First Nations students and oth- Grand Council Chief Patrick ers in Canada. Madahbee is calling on Canada Grand Council Chief Patrick to convene a First Nation-Crown Madahbee told over 100 protest- summit meeting to start work on Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee told protesters that Canada is "...keeping us down so they can continue ers at the junction of Highways 17 implementing the articles of the to steal from us.” – Photos by Maurice Switzer and 17B that Canada is keeping UN Declaration on Indigenous First Nations “under their thumb” Rights. Indian Affairs Minister Atleo throws down the by not providing adequate funding John Duncan announced Nov. 12 for educating their youth. that Canada had become the sec- gloves on education “Where they know that we ond last country in the world to National Chief Shawn Atleo was presented with a pair can’t have the skill sets to man- approve what he called “an aspi- of moosehide mitts after addressing the Fall Assembly age our own businesses, where rational document.” of Anishinabek Nation Chiefs in Garden River First we can’t be active to go after the Nation. “We have to take to the streets periodically rights that we have to our lands McIvor going to UN to demonstrate that we are prepared to defend our and resources – they’re keeping us VANCOUVER – Activist Sha- rights,” said the Assembly of First Nations leader, who down so they can continue to steal ron McIvor says she is going to thanked Chiefs for organizing that day’s pro-education from us.” the United Nations to present the demonstration that forced the closure of Highway 17. Deputy Grand Chief Glen Hare issue of Canada's ongoing dis- Bad weather delayed Atleo’s flights to Sault Ste. Marie, pointed to that day’s announce- crimination First Nations women forcing him to miss the rally. “ Make no mistake about ment by the Ontario government and their descendants when de- the depth of the (education funding) gap that exists of a $30 million scholarship pro- termining eligibility for registra- out there” the National Chief told the assembly. “We gram for foreign students. tion as a status Indian. need close to 60 schools. The average gap per student “We need that money to edu- is about $2,000. This is completely unacceptable in a cate our young people at home Report retailers country that continues to rank in the top ten in the world here,” Hare told the crowd, which TORONTO –The Ministry of for quality of life. It’s about time Canada stood with us on included a number of students Revenue now accepts complaints these issues.” Atleo said education was one of the issues from Shingwauk Kinoomaage for retailers not honouring the he raised during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Gamig, a First Nation post-sec- PST exemption at point-of-sale Stephen Harper. “Parliamentarians don’t understand that ondary institution affiliated with for Status Indians. Call 1-866- they have an obligation to give force to our treaties.” Algoma University in the Sault. 668-8297 who is not comply- Dawnis Kennedy from Roseau ing with the law that took effect River FN , Manitoba, a law gradu- Sept. 1. ate from University of Toronto, is currently on a visiting term in ROJ engagement Shingwauk’s Anishinaabe Studies Community discussions will in- program. clude the Constitution, Citizen- “They say they don’t have the ship Law, Anishinabek Educa- money to fund our students, but tion System, Matrimonial Real they had the funding to take our Property and Child Welfare. children to residential schools,” the 33-year-old told the gathering. Nov. 23– Sheguiandah “All of a sudden the pot has run Nov. 24 – Wikwemikong dry.” Dec. 8 – Nipissing Garden River Chief Lyle Say- Jan. 11 – Serpent River ers said: “Education is a right un- Jan. 12 – Mississauga Shingwauk University students Dawnis Kennedy, Amy Sayers, and Mitchell Case celebrate the resolution by der our treaty of 1850; it is not a Jan. 13 – Sagamok Anishnawbek Anishinabek Chiefs in Assembly to provide $100,000 in support for the Sault Ste. Marie learning institution over privilege.” Jan. 26 – Kettle & Stony Point the next two years. Case's grandmother was a student at Shingwauk when it was a residential school. Feb. 8 – Pic River Experience Aboriginal Culture & Festivities! 2 Shopping, Traditional Food, Performing Arts, Fashion Show, Spectacular Pavilions and much more! For information on any of the activities, participation or attending this event, please phone (519) 751-0040 7 or e-mail [email protected] Follow us on FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadian-Aboriginal-Festival/170258100245 The Canadian Aboriginal Festival is Pow Wow and Open Drum Competition is The Canadian Aboriginal Music November 26, 27, 28, 2010 November 27, 28, 2010 Awards is November 26, 2010 at Copps Coliseum, at Copps Coliseum, at Hamilton Place Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario. Hamilton, Ontario. Hamilton, Ontario. Page 2 Anishinabek News November 2010 Grand Council Assembly Garden River Adding feathers Four more feathers were added to the Anishinabek Nation Eagle Staff during the Fall Assembly in Garden River. Chief Barron King, Moose Deer Point, Chief Alfred Bisaillon, Thessalon, and Nipissing First Nation councillor Arnold May added their community's feathers, as did Chief Patrick Waddilove, Munsee-Delaware. Chiefs encourage census participation By Esther Gilbank Despite privacy concerns, Anishinabek Nation Chiefs have endorsed a plan to have their citizens actively participate in the May, 2011 Na- tional Household Survey, or “long-form census”. A Nov. 9 resolution at the Fall Assembly in Garden River directs Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee to sign a memorandum of un- derstanding with Statistics Canada that would see member First Nations endorse a sample band council resolution and communiqué explaining the census to community members and urging their participation. “It is vitally important that our First Nation communities and all our citizens, who reside both on and off reserve, participate in the May 2011 census by completing the long form or NHS survey, “ said Chief Isadore Day, Chairperson of the Chiefs Committee on Governance, which initi- ated the discussion at the June 2009 Grand Council held in Fort William. The voluntary 58-question long form provides details on First Na- tions’ data and issues that are not included in the mandatory, short-form survey. “To receive the proper funding for our communities we must do our part by providing the necessary information so funding amounts reflect the needs of our on and off reserve populations,” added Chief Day. In the past, participation rates among the Anishinabek has been over 80%, but the concern for the upcoming census, set to start May 2011, is that participation will drop dramatically if the survey is not filled out. Without a high participation rate,, it will be difficult to assess Anishina- bek educational, housing and social needs, for example. Under the memorandum of understanding between Union of Ontario Indians and Statistics Canada, Anishinabek Nation citizens would be hired to go door-to-door to help explain the census forms and explain the importance of filling out the long-form. Both the mandatory and volun- tary forms will also be available on-line. “Without good, relevant information, our communities’ needs are not accurately reflected, resulting in low and inappropriate funding for us,” Chief Day said. The Garden River resolution directs Statistics Canada to provide the results of this survey to the First Nations Statisical Institution (FNSI) for security purposes. For more information visit www.statcan.gc.ca November 2010 Anishinabek News Page 3 Live-in Assembly briefs Garden River First Nati on foster Seek travel funding Anishinabek Chiefs in Assem- parents bly directed the Union of On- tario Indians to seek appropri- SAGAMOK FN – This North ate resources to cover the cost Shore First Nation is opening a of travel and accommodation new environmentally-friendly al- to enable member Anishinabek ternative (foster) care home. First Nations to be represented “Our children are our respon- at Grand Council Assemblies. sibility” said Chief Paul Eshkako- Concern was expressed that , al- gan. “ While our community, like though the UOI operates under many others, continues to face a mandate from the 40 commu- issues of child maltreatment, we nities, not all of them have fi - do not support our children being nancial resources to enable their removed from their community, attendance and participation at their connections to their extended Anishinabek assemblies. family or their culture, language or heritage. New Sagamok alternative foster-care home. Support AOK As part of our responsibility, treatment centre we worked closely with our native Students clean Anishinabek Chiefs in Assembly child and family services agency, voted to support Aundeck Omni Nog-da-win-da-min, to develop cenotaph Student Council reps from Kaning First Nation efforts to strategies to keep kids connected Christian Island Elementary seek government funding to ex- to the community.” School were raking leaves pand services for high-risk youth Nog-da-win-da-min has been a away from the cenotaph in offered at Kinoondidaa’gamig licensed foster care operator since preparation for the November Treatment Home opened in 2006 2004, and has had some success in 11th Remembrance Day to include an Addiction Treat- recruiting Anishinaabe Alternative service.