Green Energy Act Holds Promise
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Page 1 Volume 21 Issue 2 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 March 2009 IN BRIEF Awards on TV TORONTO – The 16th annual National Aboriginal Achieve- ment Awards will be broadcast Saturday, March 21 on Global Television and APTN. The 15 recipients who were honoured March 7 in Winnipeg include Dr. Cecil King, a lifelong edu- cator from Wikwemikong. Language learners meet TORONTO – Ciimaan – a community initiative to create a long-term Ojibwe language learning community in the Greater Toronto Area – will be hosting a language-honouring Smooching moose ceremony at the Native Cana- dian Centre at 16 Spadina Rd. This photo of an Alaskan resident and a friendly moose has been making the rounds of the Internet in the past few weeks. If Anishinabek News between 4-8 p.m. on March readers have funny captions for this photo, please submit them to [email protected] . The winner will be announced in our April issue and 31st. receive an Anishinabek Nation leather jacket courtesy of the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity. No licence needed First Nation partnerships BATCHEWANA FN – Chief Dean Sayers says a Ministry of Natural Resources news re- Green Energy Act holds promise lease is an example of "unethi- TORONTO –Serpent River First tegowinini, Chief of Serpent River for engagement with First Nation manufacturing, installation and op- cal propaganda". Nation citizens, Chief, council First Nation. “This bill focuses on communities in energy projects. eration of new wind turbines, solar The March 2 release, about and Elders were present Feb. 23 as respecting the environment, and In addition, it moves the responsi- panels and biofuel plants. the conviction of a First Na- George Smitherman, Ontario Min- providing Ontario and other con- bility for planning these projects, “We want to welcome new tion's man for selling "illegal- ister of Energy and Infrastructure, sumers with a secure source of along with the accompanying reg- sources of clean, green energy ly-caught" fish, says "Anyone introduced the province’s Green energy, not one that will ulations, from the munici- into our electricity system. Green who fishes commercially must Energy Act in the Ontario legisla- leave us in the dark. We palities to the province. energy will power our economy have an Ontario commercial ture. must commend Premier This provides a pro- and help us fight climate change,” fishing licence or approval The legislation seeks to make McGuinty and Minister vincial standard for en- the Premier said. “In short, it will from the province." energy conservation and renew- Smitherman for this new ergy planning, removing help us deliver what Ontarians Chief Sayers said "First able energy primary parts of en- Green Energy Act that the hodgepodge, one-mu- want: jobs, clean electricity and Nations have inherent Treaty ergy projects across the province, now gives call to strategic nicipality- to-another ap- a greener, healthier planet for our fishing rights which do not re- and to position Ontario as the ju- partnerships in the private proach to dealing with children." quire such a permit." risdiction of choice for businesses sector, First Nation com- First Nations as done in Ontario currently generates invested or seeking to invest in the munity and government.” Chief Isadore Day the past that seemed to about one-sixth of its electri- Honouring green economy while providing Chief Day, Lake Hu- create bottlenecks in the cal power from coal-fired power women much needed stimulus for Ontar- ron Treaty Commissioner, said the planning process. By helping First plants. The McGuinty government OTTAWA–On March 8, In- io’s sputtering economy. new legislation “is a signal that Nation communities to build, own came to power in 2003 promis- ternational Women's Day, Serpent River citizens were on governments and industry need and operate their own renewable ing to decommission the prov- Kathleen McHugh, chair of hand to celebrate another impor- to consider aboriginal and treaty energy projects, the act is actu- ince's four coal-fired stations by the Assembly of First Nations tant aspect of the Green Act – ab- rights; how that happens will de- ally building a stronger, greener 2007. That deadline eventually got Women's Council, acknowl- original engagement. pend on the strength of the consul- economy with lasting, well-paying moved to 2014. edged the 2009 Global United “The Green Energy Act is a tation and accommodation process jobs for members of these commu- Solar and wind power have Nations theme: "Women and signal that the Ontario government as the energy sector evolves.” nities. no carbon emissions. Neither do men united to end violence is serious about getting down to the A key provision within the Premier Dalton McGuinty pre- nuclear or hydroelectric power, against women and girls." business of First Nation partner- Green Energy Act allows for re- dicted that the new legislation will which account for almost three- ships,” said Isadore Day Wiindaw- sources to be applied specifically create 50,000 new green jobs in the quarters of electricity supply. Page 2 Anishinabek News March 2009 Grand Council Chief Beaucage’s next workplan due April 2 Well, it's official. On this important and historic step in Tripartite Relations and meaningful discussion on February 3, Grand Council Chief Anishinabek governance. the many tripartite issues that John Beaucage announced his A main focus of the Political Since the elimination of the we have: land claims, additions intentions to seek election to the communications strategy will be Indian Commission of Ontario, to reserve, self-government office of National Chief for the on how our final agreements will Digest there has not been a broad spectrum, negotiations, education, health Assembly of First Nations. But be better than the status quo, the Bob Goulais tripartite table in Ontario. The and most importantly, Treaty this development doesn't mean his Indian Act. Self-government will take place with our communities All-Ontario Chiefs-in-Assembly implementation. time in office with the Anishinabek take us out of the Indian Act and before such legislation is tabled in authorized the development of Nation is over. provide us the ability to create our Parliament. the "Intergovernmental Relations" Matrimonial Real Property There is always the feeling own education and governance We must also ensure that it is process in 2005. But that initiative that a departing official, once he systems rather than continuing our not First Nations that are on the has stalled due to fundamental lack Grand Council Chief will be announces he's leaving, may be dependence on the government hook to implement and meet these of commitment by all parties. meeting with Minister Chuck seen as a so-called "lame duck". and delegating that authority to standards. Sufficient resources for However, the Anishinabek Strahl to discuss the new MRP We see it every once in a while the Minister. capital and infrastructure upgrades Nation was not one of those parties Bill and present our concerns over in the US, when a second-term We will also enhance our are a necessary part of such an to give up. this one-size-fits-all approach President wraps up his final term. efforts in moving toward a initiative. Through the good work that has been rejected by all Reagan, Clinton and George W. comprehensive self-government of Allan Dokis, Director of aboriginal organizations thus far. Bush have been the most recent regime, with the goal of moving Consultation Law Intergovernmental Affairs, we The UOI will also be advocating examples. entirely out of the Indian Act have maintained relationships with for implementation dollars for However, in this case, Grand within 10 years. There remain Over the next three months, the provincial and federal officials and our Anishinabek Nation Law Council Chief is not leaving or challenges and barriers, however, Union of Ontario Indians will be have protected our interests in re- respecting Matrimonial Real giving up office – he is seeking mainly with the Government of undertaking engagement strategy establishing a tripartite process. Property. higher office. His final four Canada. The government does that will aid in the development Beginning later this month, In 2007, the UOI passed this months as Grand Council Chief not have a comprehensive self- of an Anishinabek Nation we will be proposing to both law that creates our own custom will be reflective of the past five government policy. We must Law respecting Consultation. our Federal Protocol Table and solution to MRP issues. What years, filled with an ambitious work to influence them to move Community engagement will take our Provincial Bilateral Table is required is the necessary agenda, determination and vigour. beyond the flawed Inherent Right place throughout April and May, the establishment of a double- capacity support and resources Grand Council Chief has Policy toward negotiations based with a full report and first draft of bilateral working group. We to implement the law and pass authorized and is directing the on the treaties and our rights- our Consultation bill to be tabled hope that this may lead to full regulations in each community. development of a workplan that based approach. at the Grand Council in June. will lead our office and the Union As directed by the Chiefs-in- of Ontario Indians up to the Grand Drinking Water Standards Assembly, the law will develop Council in June. The details of definitions, criteria and process for the workplan will be approved The UOI has voiced its consultation within Anishinabek by the Leadership Council and concern to the federal government Nation territory including the announced at a meeting in Fort over the unilateral development development of various tools William on April 2.