Page 1 Volume 23 Issue 10 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 DECEMBER 2011 M’Chigeeng First Nation Chief Joseph Hare moves to accept the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin, in principle. Chief Shining Turtle of Whitefish River, seated left, seconded the motion. Both Chiefs spoke eloquently on the need to move ahead collectively and to trust one another. The vote was unanimous. Chiefs unanimous on constitution By Mary Laronde on our terms, of our rights as an in- lieve in the work done by the com- on the articles of the constitution, Government will operate. GARDEN RIVER FN–The An- digenous people. It tells our people mittee and the Elders. It is time to deferred its adoption to allow fur- Individual First Nation discus- ishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin was that we will determine our future. believe in and trust each other.” ther discussion within First Nation sion on the revised Anishinaabe accepted in principle by a unani- It should inspire us and raise our Seconder of the motion, Chief communities. The Chiefs issued Chi-Naaknigewin will continue mous decision of the Chiefs at the confidence to do what we need Shining Turtle of Whitefish River, a new mandate and the Ngo Dwe until March 1, 2012, at which time November 15 and 16 Fall Assem- to do to for ourselves -- establish added, “This is the very best work Waangizid Anishinaabe Steering input will be analyzed, any revi- bly at Garden River, a step that our governments, implement our our citizens came up with, not the Committee was established to ad- sions made, and a final revised ver- bodes well for the official adoption treaties, and exercise our inherent government (Canada). We will dress concerns. The committee re- sion sent to Chiefs and Councils and proclamation of the Anishina- rights and jurisdictions. Our chil- talk amongst ourselves and go vised the constitutional document, by April 1, 2012, in preparation for bek Nation’s constitution at the dren and youth will learn to be so forward with trust.” Chief Shining keeping true to its spirit and intent official adoption and proclamation June 2012 Grand Council. confident and so strong. This can Turtle also commended the steer- while making it more flexible and at the next Grand Council Assem- “Let’s not underestimate the truly be the turning point in our re- ing committee for “the hard work less detailed; thus allowing for fu- bly, June 2012. work we did here today,” said lationship with Canada that we’ve and expedited effort to bring the ture Grand Council decisions on (Related information on Page Grand Council Chief Patrick Ma- been seeking.” document forward to today’s ses- “how” the Anishinabek Nation 17) dahbee. Madahbee, visibly elated Chief Joseph Hare of sion.” by the consensus achieved on the M’Chigeeng, moving to accept At last June’s Grand Council, landmark decision, commended the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin the Chiefs adopted the Preamble, Chiefs “for taking this bold move.” in principle, said, “The time has Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe “The symbolism of our An- come to take the next step. The (All our tribes in our Nations) ishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin is so time is over for each of us to say ‘I brought forward by Anishinabek significant. It is our re-affirmation, don’t like this part.’ We have to be- Elders; but after heated debate Parity for Native students? Toronto Star And in some isolated northern communities, there TORONTO – Following the Nov. 22 provincial are simply no schools. A recent Star investigation re- Throne Speech, Premier Dalton McGuinty called on vealed six First Nations teens — hundreds of kilo- Ottawa to ensure that First Nation children receive the metres away from home just so they could go to high same funding as other children in Ontario schools. school - died in the waters leading to Lake Superior. “ It is time for Ottawa to engage in an “important” Another teen asphyxiated at her boarding house. conversation about “unleashing” the provincial gov- But helping First Nations kids helps Ontario, ernment to help improve standards, he said. McGuinty said. Native youth are the fastest growing “They are not good at education. They don’t do group in their demographic. education, we do education. And there are now inter- “When we want to take on emerging economies national authorities who say we have the best public and succeed in a very competitive and turbulent econ- education system in the English-speaking world.” omy we need our people at their best,” he said. Education is a federal responsibility. However, “Let us take this on. Let us work with First Na- Ottawa funds native children $2,000 to $3,000 less tions and develop a curriculum that speaks to their per student each year than the provinces provide to needs and aspirations,” he said. non-native kids. That means a lack of teachers, school The provincial ministers know something must be supplies, even playgrounds and libraries. done to lift aboriginal education standards, said On- “We have a moral obligation to ensure that every tario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. child growing up in this province has all the oppor- “Why does a 14-year-old have to leave home to Visit from Stanley tunities they need to grow up strong, be the best they get a secondary education?” Lullabelle Francis poses with the Stanley Cup which visited Whitefish can be and realize their potential,” he told reporters. River First Nation in October. Story on Page 3. Page 2 Anishinabek News December 2011 Seeking Our future is now: to succeed Anishinabek youth Across the country, leaders, Layton teachers and parents can all be heard saying, “Our children are By Marci Becking our future.” I’ve used this saying CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA – In myself on a number of occasions March 2012, MP Romeo Sa- and I think it’s safe to say we all ganash (Abitibi – Baie James want to see a better future for our – Nunavik – Eeyou) hopes to kids. The question is how do we become the leader of the Federal transform our words into reality? New Democratic Party. The National Chief of the As- Saganash is a citizen of Was- sembly of First Nations, Shawn wanipi First Nation in Quebec and Atleo, recently paid a visit to our has been seeing increased support Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and NDP leadership hopeful Romeo Saganash. head office. During that visit we for his bid to succeed Jack Layton heard from two youth from Ser- “And every member has a tion on the Rights of Indigenous Grand Council Chief Patrick as the leader of the opposition in pent River First Nation and their vote. One member, one vote. Ev- Madahbee the House of Commons. Peoples is something that the message was loud and clear: eryone can make a difference,” he “The enthusiasm from First courts can now refer to,” say Sa- our future is now. First Nations’ of events. Over the next several says. Nations youth has been impres- ganash who mentions the docu- youth are well represented in all months we will be looking at dif- Saganash was one of the sive,” says Saganash, who in 1989 ment whenever he gets a chance. sectors of First Nation issues and ferent ways we can engage the principal authors of La Paix des was the first Cree to receive a law Prior to his election in May their voice needs to be heard. At disengaged. The kids who drop Braves – the landmark agreement degree in Quebec. “The support the Anishinabek Nation we have out of high school and follow a between the James Bay Cree and 2011, Saganash served as direc- has been overwhelming in differ- been more forthright in our ef- lifestyle of addictions, they also the Government of Quebec – and tor of governmental relations and ent communities all across Cana- forts to include the youth in our represent our youth population a key player in many national and international affairs for the Grand da. The young people are saying decision-making processes. Our and their voice must be included international initiatives, including Council of Crees and from 1997 to me ‘you make me so proud’.” War Against Drugs program was in our decision-making strate- the United Nations Declaration on to 2000, Saganash chaired the He says that in Saskatchewan initiated for the purpose of en- gies. There is no going around the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. James Bay Advisory Committee you can become a member of the gaging our youth in a more prac- this issue and there is no way we “The United Nations Declara- NDP party at the age of 13. on the Environment. tical manner than in the past. The can move forward if our youth Lake Huron Regional Chief, Isa- who struggle the most are not dore Day has been a longtime ad- included. Ontario vocate of youth involvement into We continue our efforts to our Restoration of Jurisdiction ensure that our future leaders, on governance initiatives. He our future teachers, workers needs to brought this idea to the Anishi- and parents are involved in our nabek Nation leadership council strategies moving forward. Our and the council all agreed that a kids are our future and our fu- understand sustained effort to transition our ture has arrived. I encourage all First Nation communities to look TORONTO – Ontario Regional youth into governance is vital to our long-term goals. for creative ways to involve the Chief Angus Toulouse says the youth in decisions that will im- Ontario Government did not indi- The youth profile is improv- ing and our leadership has be- pact your families and your com- cate it has a good understanding munities, both today and into the of First Nations priorities in this come more conscious of youth involvement.