Volume 18 Issue 9 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 November 2006 Anishinabek policy to protect consumers GARDEN RIVER FN – Anishi- hope to develop our own economies nabek Nation citizens, regardless of ence to Anishinabek businesses nabek leaders have endorsed the as part of our long-range self-gov- place of residence. that provide good products and cus- development of a consumer policy ernment structures,” said Beaucage, “We don’t want any businesses tomer service, even if they have to designed to help keep more dollars who was empowered by Chiefs to take Anishinabek consumers for pay a modest premium.” in the pockets of citizens of their 42 at the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Special Fall granted,” said Beaucage. “We are Beaucage will be appointing member First Nations. Assembly to oversee the develop- constantly hearing of situations a special working group which “About 70 cents of every dollar ment of an Anishinabek Consumer where our citizens are embarrassed will examine a broad range of is- coming into our communities are Policy and Bill of Rights. or harassed in retail establishments sues, including a possible certifi ca- being spent on off-reserve products The policy, to be completed in about their treaty rights to tax ex- tion process for businesses to earn and services,” said Grand Coun- time for the June, 2007 Anishinabek emption. If people want our busi- preferred supplier status, a bill of cil Chief John Beaucage. “What’s Grand Council Assembly, would ness, they will have to earn it by rights for consumers requiring fair worse, some of these same busi- include provision for a preferred respecting who we are as people, and honest business practices, and nesses are refusing to respect the supplier program and a process to not just customers.” a regulatory regime which could re- tax-exemption status of our citi- ensure across-the-board recogni- “At the same time,” he added,” sult in consumer boycotts of busi- zens.” tion of rights to exemption from the our community members should nesses not respecting tax-exemp- Grand Council Chief “This leakage has to stop if we provincial sales tax for all Anishi- make every effort to give prefer- tion rights. John Beaucage IN THE Status, gas, security NEWS Combined card Mi’kmaq dies in Iraq HALIFAX (CP) – A Mi’kmaq serving with the U.S. army in okay for border Iraq was killed by insurgents just days before his return GARDEN RIVER FN – Anishinabek leaders have endorsed the develop- home. Cpl. Michael Seeley, ment of a new security-compatible Certifi cate of Indian Status card for use 27, of Fredericton was on pa- by citizens of their 42 member First Nations. trol south of Baghdad. Seeley Grand Council Chief John Beaucage confi rmed that Chiefs attending joined the Canadian Forces in a Special Fall Assembly endorsed the development of a new, more secure 1998 before enlisting in the Certifi cate of Indian Status to replace existing federal status cards and pro- U.S. Marines the next year. vincial Certifi cates of Tax Exemption used for purchases of gasoline and Language funding cut? tobacco. “This new status card would also allow our citizens to go back and OTTAWA – Assembly of First forth across the border without a passport,” said Beaucage, referring to the Nations National Chief Phil Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, an anti-terrorist requirement that all Fontaine is asking Heritage travellers to the U.S. -- including Canadians -- have a valid passport by Jan. Minister Bev Oda to assure First Nations that $160 mil- 1, 2008. lion in Aboriginal language “We’re negotiating with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) funding will still be available to be the delivery agent for this new multi-purpose status card,” said Beau- for First Nations languages. cage. The new cards will require fi nal approval by the Government of Can- ada, which the Grand Council Chief hopes to secure in time for a spring, Water woes continue 2007 implementation. The new status card will incorporate high-technology THUNDER BAY – On the security features, such as a holographic photo, designed to put an end to the one-year anniversary of the practice of forging Status Cards. evacuation of Kashechewan “People without any rights are using forged cards to purchase eye First Nation Assembly of glasses and prescription drugs,” said Beaucage. “They are stealing from our First Nations Ontario Region- communities by doing that. We want to put these forgers out of business.” al Chief Angus Toulouse de- The Grand Council Chief also stressed the new card’s implications for manded safe drinking water cross-border travel by Anishinabek Nation citizens. become a priority of the fed- What’s right with this picture? “It will ratify our treaty rights,” he said, “especially the 1794 Jay Treaty eral government. Nishnawbe- which provides for unrestricted travel for First Nations people between Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Editor Maurice Switzer politely took prominent American Indian Move- ment activist Ward Churchill to task for the stereotypical “warrior” photo Canada and the United States.” Beardy said 19 of NAN’s 49 organizers used to promote his October visit to the campus of Lauren- The Chiefs-in-Assembly also endorsed the Anishinabek Nation proposal First Nation communities are tian University. Churchill is the author of over 20 books, including: A Little for a mobile unit to travel to Anishinabek Nation communities to distribute currently under a boil water Matter of Genocide: Holocaust and Denial in the Americas. the new cards. He added that the Anishinabek Nation would be willing to advisory. Please see Page 4. share any new technologies with other treaty organizations across Ontario. Little NHL adds two ‘elite’ divisions M’CHIGEENG FN – The 2007 cited to launch a new dimension to tion is acting as offi cial host for for the se- version of the Little Native Hock- the tournament.” He said the new the 2007 Little NHL Tournament, lection pro- ey League tournament will feature elite boys’ bantam and midget di- scheduled to be staged in Sudbury cess by the two divisions of “elite” competi- visions will “add another dynamic from Sunday March 11, to Thurs- Little NHL tion for the fi rst time in the event’s opportunity for growth of the Little day, March 15. Executive Visitors to the Anishinabek Na- tion/Union of Ontario Indians 36-year history. Native Hockey League. Traditionally over 100 teams Committee. booth at the Canadian Aborigi- Newly-elected Little NHL Presi- “We have graduated many tal- from across Ontario, ranging from For more nal Festival Nov. 24-25 can meet dent Chief Franklin Paibomsai, ented players who have gone on to tyke to midget, have participated information Chad Solomon, creator of the Whitefi sh River First Nation, says play competitively at the college, in Canada’s largest Native hockey contact: Jacinta Shawanda Rabbit and Bear Paws comic “After years of requests from play- university, Tier II, Junior B, OHL, tournament. Each elite division Toll Free: 1-866-508-6795 strip and graphic novels. ers, fans, coaches and parents, the and NHL levels.” will consist of four teams who will Telephone: (705) 377-5307 Little NHL executive is very ex- The Ojibwe Cultural Founda- compete in a round-robin format E-Mail: [email protected] Page 2 Anishinabek News November 2006 500 species Intergovernmental Affairs Fishing endangered framework in Canada discussed SUDBURY – The newly-estab- OTTAWA – The Endangered Spe- lished task group of fi sheries tech- cies Recovery Fund (ESRF) is a nicians met in October to discuss collaborative effort led by Envi- discuss the elements of a frame- ronment Canada and WWF to save work for a First Nation Commer- Canada’s wildlife at risk. cial Fisheries Authority. The ESRF sponsors high-prior- Fisheries professionals for the ity conserva- task group include Joe Tom Say- tion projects ers of Batchewana First Nation, to assist the Scott McLeod, Nipissing First Na- recovery and tion, Bruce McGregor, Sagamok protection of Anishnawbek, Jason Laronde and endangered Melissa Stevens from the Union of Canadian Ontario Indians. wildlife and Members had provided rec- their natu- ommendations as to what should ral habitats. be incorporated into the logistics Currently, Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation and MNR sign communications Protocol Agreement. Back Row of the work plan. Key elements 500 Cana- discussed were responsibilities, dian species (from left): Councillor Arnold Michano; Councillor Arthur Fisher. Front Row: Ian Hagman, Nipigon District Manager; Chief Dan Couchie; Terry Taylor, Wawa District Manager. economy, health of fi sheries, mar- are listed kets, MNR issues, compiling data, as being “at reporting and enforcement. risk” by the The Golden Eagle Pic River and MNR sign protocol The goal set out for the task is listed under On- Commit- PIC RIVER FN – Representatives from two Ministry According to Ian Hagman, District Manager for tario’s Endangered group will be to develop a frame- tee on the of Natural Resources offi ces met with Ojibways of the Nipigon District, “this Protocol formalizes our rela- work for spring 2007. The group Status of Species Act, and protected by the Pic River First Nation leadership on Tuesday, October tionship with the Ojibways of the Pic River First Na- will do this through a series of Endangered 10 to sign a Communications Protocol agreement. The tion and builds upon our mutual efforts on establishing meetings and dialogue with First Wildlife Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Protocol formalizes the terms under which discussions dialogue. I look forward to a continued strengthening Nation fi shermen in the Lake Hu- in Canada on issues of mutual interest to the parties will occur.