Volume 19 Issue 4 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 May 2007 in the news June 29: National day of action TORONTO (CP) – First Nation The Assembly of First Nations Natives seriously. Indian Affairs National Chief Phil Fontaine called leaders are still making plans for a passed a resolution in December Minister Jim Prentice reacted to that a direct threat and Terrance Ipperwash report May 31 one-day disruption of highway and calling for a day of action Friday, the resolution by threatening to cut Nelson, chairman of a group that TORONTO (CP) – The inquiry railway traffi c across the country June 29 to protest against what funding to First Nations groups if represents nine Manitoba First probing the police shooting despite federal government threats the group sees as a refusal by the the day of action goes ahead. Nations said the Tories need to take death of First Nation protester to cut funding for Native groups. Conservative government to take First Nations Assembly Natives seriously, and threatened Dudley George will release its widespread economic disruption fi nal report on May 31. and a potential blockade of CN A key issue at the inquiry rail lines connecting Eastern and is what role, if any, alleged Western Canada. political interference from then- In addition to the threats from Ontario premier Mike Harris played in the police response to Prentice, Native leaders are angered the occupation. by the fact Finance Minister Jim Flaherty ignored demands to make Status cards costly First Nations poverty a priority in WINNIPEG (CP) – The Indian his recent budget. Affairs Department will spend In a May 15 speech to the $30 million over fi ve years to come up with a new high-tech Canadian Club of Ottawa, Fontaine form of aboriginal identifi cation warned a blue-chip audience to replace easily forged paper that the anger felt in many First cards that could be costing Nations communities has reached the federal government that a breaking point. much annually in fraudulently- “Frankly, we are fearful of obtained tax exemptions. the effect this is having on the Claims spending cut well-being and public safety in OTTAWA (CP) – The federal our communities.” He suggested government’s Plans and his tactic of favouring diplomacy Priorities report says the core over barricades has garnered few amount budgeted to resolve results. land claims will be steadily cut “So here I am again today, over the next three years. Indian hammering away at another group. Affairs Minister Jim Prentice Many of our communities have says those fi gures should be reached the breaking point. The ignored, however, since he’ll Bay of Quinte Mohawks blocked railway traffi c April 20 on CN’s main line near Deseronto in eastern Ontario. move this spring to overhaul a anger and frustration are palpable.” discredited system “as soon as is While he has a track record of practical.’’ favouring quiet diplomacy over Premier, Chief agree Railway sues Mohawk protesters barricades, he suggested to his TORONTO (CP) -- Canadian National Railway has CN is seeking unspecifi ed damages following audience that this tactic has yielded TORONTO – Ontario Regional few results. Chief Angus Toulouse and launched a lawsuit against aboriginal protesters and blockades on CN’s main line in Deseronto on April Premier Dalton McGuinty an aboriginal group after two illegal blockades on 20 and for a similar blockade last year in nearby “Consider where that attitude are calling on the federal the company’s rail lines in eastern Ontario snarled Marysville. Hallman says CN is also seeking a has gotten us – obviously not very government to establish an freight and passenger rail traffi c on a vital corridor. continuation of an injunction granted April 20 to bar far,” he said. independent body to settle the CN Rail spokesman Mark Hallman says three further blockades on the line. He says CN transports Fontaine also urged hundreds of outstanding land members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First freight valued at $100 million daily on its main line governments to work harder to claims across the country. Nation, including protest organizer Shawn Brant, as between Toronto and Montreal. settle more than 1,100 outstanding Toulouse cited the well as the Mohawk group itself, are named in the The protests by members of the First Nation land claims, noting that at the November 2006 report by the current pace of negotiations, it Senate Standing Committee suit fi led May 3 with the Ontario Superior Court of are part of an ongoing land claims dispute in the Justice. region. would take 130 years to resolve on Aboriginal Peoples Special them. Study on the Federal Specifi c Claims Process, entitled “Negotiation or Confrontation: It’s Canada’s Choice” which identifi ed over 800 unresolved Creating a better economic blueprint Specifi c Claims, and called the current process “long, By Rick Garrick from a resolution passed at the into successful business models and economic specialists at this complicated, and ...ineffective.” NIPISSING FN – Ray Union of Ontario Indians’ 2006 in communities across Canada, June’s Grand Council Assembly Martin, Greg Plain and Dawn Unity Gathering at Sand Point such as the Osoyoos band in B.C., in Alderville, to be followed by Madahbee all have visions of a First Nation, which was based the creation of an economic think another review by all four regions better economic future for the on Grand Council Chief John tank made up of economic experts of the Anishinabek Nation. Anishinabek Nation. Beaucage’s May 2006 Political from across the Anishinabek “We’re in the midst of fi guring “You have to believe,” Manifesto. It calls for the creation Nation and corporate Canada, out how we will roll it out,” says Martin says as he discusses the of a sustainable economic the development of a draft Plain, executive director of the Anishinabek Nation economic environment over the next 10 strategy for review by the chiefs Anishinabek Nation Management FREE development initiative that he and to 20 years that will enable the Group, Inc., adding that a Madahbee, as co-chairs, and Plain Anishinabek Nation to develop consultant has been hired to help have been working on since last self-sustaining First Nation- develop the initiative. “We want INSIDE summer. “I certainly have a vision owned businesses and high to fi nd something different that For that I would like to see happening employment levels within their hasn’t been done before. We can in the Anishinabek Nation.” communities. do business anywhere, we don’t Martin’s vision calls for the “I think it’s important to develop have to be tied to the reserve.” Subscribers! creation of 20,000 to 30,000 a blueprint that the community Madahbee sees the initiative jobs for people all across the can use,” Madahbee says, noting as an opportunity to develop Anishinabek Nation. that each community has different Ray Martin co-chairs Anishinabek a blueprint for economic The initiative was developed strengths. Plans call for research economic development initiative. development. Page 2 Anishinabek News May 2007 Anishinabek MBA new CAO for UOI Biidahban Healing Ahnee. Financial Management Board. Bemjiwang n’dizhinkaaz, Migize n’dodemun, I enjoy the outdoors through walking, biking, Dokis n’doonjibaa. kayaking, fi shing, snow-shoeing, and cross- country I was pleased to be appointed Chief Administrative skiing, and participate in several pow-wows each Centre Offi cer of the Union of Ontario Indians earlier this year as a traditional dancer and occasionally as a year. My fi rst role with the co-MC. organization began in June The fi rst three months in my new role have 4 x 4.5 2006 when I served as been busy. Our business plans and budgets for Interim Health Director. the 2007/2008 fi scal year have been prepared Prior to working with the and submitted, and my orientation has included Union of Ontario Indians I participation in many board and committee was Executive Director of the meetings. North Bay Indian Friendship My main objective is to provide the organizational Centre, and am currently a support and resources to allow Union of Ontario volunteer member of their Indians’ programs and staff to move forward board of directors, as well Gary Dokis and achieve their objectives. We have recently as the centre’s treasurer. implemented a business planning model to guide us Previously I worked in a variety of management in our diverse activities. positions with the Ontario Northland Transportation This is an exciting time to be part of the Union Commission, and have completed a Masters Degree of Ontario Indians. We are working in many areas in Business Administration. on behalf of the 42 member communities of the My wife Mona-Lisa and I live in North Bay, but Anishinabek Nation. I look forward to working retain a residence in Dokis First Nation where we with the leadership and staff of the Union of Ontario spend most of our leisure time, and where I also Indians while we move forward and achieve the volunteer my services to the Dokis First Nation objectives of the Anishinaabe Noondaagaazwin. Communicator selling cookies Hello to everyone! Aundek Omni My name is Marci Becking and I’m the new Communications Offi cer for the Union of Ontario Indians. I’m very excited to share my experience and knowledge to contribute to the communications Kaning Pow-Wow unit’s four primary activity areas – media relations, public education, the Anishinabek News and related communications vehicles, and communications 4 x 4.5 support and training. I acquired formal journalism and marketing training from Bismarck State College in Bismarck, North Dakota and also from St.