NIPISSING FIRST NATION – Today, the Anishinabek Nation and its 43 member First Nations are celebrating the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation with a “new found optimism for true reconciliation with Canada.”

“By marking the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation, we can step forward and renew our commitment to wellness as individuals and as a Nation,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, leader of the Anishinabek Nation. “As the health of our Nation strengthens, so does our Nation as a whole.”

Grand Council Chief Beaucage is optimistic that true reconciliation between Canada’s First Peoples and mainstream society is within reach. He points to the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission under Canada’s recent residential school settlement as a means toward mutual understanding.

“I look forward to the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission to examine and document the long and difficult journey of our residential school survivors,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. “Very soon Canadians will be able to learn more about this tragedy in Canada’s history and truly gain a better understanding of the profound effects that this has had on our society and culture.”

Beaucage cites the current unrest in the different parts of the country as effects left over from residential schools as well as colonialism of the 20th century.

Grand Council Chief Beaucage provides greetings and best wishes to all those communities celebrating the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation across Anishinabek Nation territory and across Canada.

The National Day of Healing and Reconciliation is a movement of people committed to moving forward collectively within our families, communities and across Canada for the purposes of healing and reconciliation. The National Day is celebrated on May 26th of each year.

It is a primary objective of the National Day to educate all Canadians about our collective history of government policies which impacted Aboriginal communities including Canada’s tragic and evil residential school policy.

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 43 member First Nations across Ontario. The UOI is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires,which existed long before European contact.

Social record ‘unacceptable’: Beaucage

NIPISSING FIRST NATION – Canada has a lot of work to do to improve economic, social and cultural rights in this country, according to a draft report from the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.  Although Canada continues to rank high on the Human Development index, the United Nations felt compelled to comment on a number of areas including concerns specific to Canada’s First Peoples.
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According to the UN Report: “The Committee regrets that most of its 1993 and 1998 recommendations have not been implemented, and that the State party has not addressed in an effective manner the following principal subjects of concern..”
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One of the main concerns in the report is the “disparities that still persist between Aboriginal peoples and the rest of the Canadian population in the enjoyment of (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Covenant rights”.

“Canada’s social, economic and cultural rights record pertaining to First Nations is unacceptable.  The government has some real soul searching to do,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage who represents 43 First Nations in Ontario. 

“This is a black eye for Canada and I challenge Prime Minister Harper to work with us to eliminate First Nations poverty.” �
Last week, Grand Council Chief Beaucage released a document called the “Political Manifesto of the Anishinabek Nation” calling for the elimination of Anishinabek Nation poverty in 20 years.
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“My plan takes into account a number of objectives, including a new approach to funding First Nations government, building a First Nations economy and working cooperatively with all parties including government,” said Beaucage. “This will not happen if the government continues to bury its head in the sand.  We are ready to do our part, is the government ready to do their part?”
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Beaucage feels the government needs to take more substantive steps to address poverty. �
“First Nations would like to see the government address poverty in a more substantial way,” said Beaucage referring to the committee’s conclusions about poverty.  “We need Canada to define a poverty line, and develop social assistance and minimum wages based on that standard.  This would go a long way towards eradicating First Nations poverty.”
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Beaucage feels the key is to implement the objectives of the already agreed-upon First Ministers’ Kelowna Accord.
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“This government has yet to respond or commit to the agreements of the First Ministers.  Many of the UN’s concerns are dealt with in a substantial way by the First Ministers including its concerns over poverty, health, housing and education,” concluded Beaucage. 

Some of the concluding observations from the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: 

- “The disparities that still persist between Aboriginal peoples and the rest of the Canadian population in the enjoyment of (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) Covenant rights, as well as the discrimination still experienced by Aboriginal women in matters of matrimonial property.”
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- “The absence of an official poverty line.”  

- “The insufficiency of minimum wage and social assistance to ensure the realization of the right to an adequate standard of living for all.”  

- “The Committee is concerned that, despite Canada’s economic prosperity and the reduction of the number of people living below the Low Income Cut Off, 11.2 percent of its population still lived in poverty in 2004, and that significant differences in levels of poverty persist between Provinces and Territories. The Committee also notes with particular concern that poverty rates remain very high among disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups such as Aboriginal peoples…”  

- “The Committee is also concerned by the significant disparities still remaining between Aboriginal people and the rest of the population in areas of employment, access to water, health, housing and education…”  

- “No time frame has been set up for the consideration and implementation of the recommendations of the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, and that no concrete measures have been adopted in the area of intellectual property for the protection and promotion of ancestral rights and traditional knowledge of Aboriginal peoples…”  

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 43 member First Nations across Ontario.  The UOI is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

sootoday.com

A 167-year old wampum belt that once belonged to Chief Shingwauk wrapped around full circle at Garden River First Nation yesterday.
The belt’s parallel rows of purple and white beads are the foundation of yesterday’s agreement between Shingwauk Education Trust and Algoma University College, a historic covenant between Anishinabe and European peoples.

The Garden River Community Centre was filled to bursting with dignitaries, some decked out in full regalia to mark the historic signing.

The purple row of beads represents the teachings, values and beliefs of the Anishinabe people and their boats, said Garden River Chief Lyle Sayers.

“The row of white beads represents the teachings of the settlers who came to this country and their tall ships,” Sayers said.

He said that each row of beads is equal, signifying how the two peoples can advance in tandem with generous and plentiful cross-pollination of ideas and cooperation.

“It gives me great pleasure to know that an agreement is being signed with another university that will lead us into a new era,” said Sayers, one of seven direct descendents of Chief Shingwauk who wtinessed yesterday’s coventant-signing.

The Shingwauk covenant begins the process of creating two independent universities that will share the same space and resources.

Students will be able to enroll in either Algoma University or Shingwauk University and to take courses offered through either school.

Fontaine and others who spoke yesterday remembered the pain and suffering of residential school survivors at Shingwauk Hall which later became Algoma University College.

The Shingwauk Covenant represents a start down a road to a place where they can begin to heal themselves, Boissoneau said.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine agreed, saying that education is the foundation for positive changes in aboriginal communities.

Fontaine talked about the need for more professional First Nations people – doctors, lawyers and such.

“We are poised to do great things through education,” said Fontaine.

About four years ago, Garden River First Nation members first learned that the wampum belt Chief Shingwauk gave to Sir John Colbourne in 1838 to help get a school for Anishnabe in the area was up for auction at Sotheby’s in New York.

“I tried to go through channels to get it released to us but they wouldn’t let it go,” said Sayers.

After getting the nod from Garden River Band Council to spend up to $50,000 U.S. to buy it, Sayers got on the phone and placed a bid.

“In about a minute $34,000 U.S. had been spent and the wampum was on its way back home,” said Sayers. “But it wasn’t about the money; it was about bringing the wampum back home.”

Grand Council Chief John Beaucage announces the Political Manifesto at the Nbisiing Education Centre.  Chief Phil Goulais of Nipissing First Nations looks on.    Monica Lister Photo

First Nations leader outlines revolutionary agenda

Elimination of the Indian Act
Elimination of Anishinabek Nation poverty in 20 years

NIPISSING FIRST NATION (May 17, 2006) – Today, John Beaucage announced his candidacy for the office of Grand Council Chief by unveiling a revolutionary document entitled the Political Manifesto of the Anishinabek Nation.  The Political Manifesto is a statement of vision and principles that shall guide First Nations leadership, through the office of the Grand Council Chief, in planning and carrying out the political, social and governance agenda of the Anishinabek Nation over the next seven generations. �
In a signing ceremony held at the Nbisiing Education Centre, Beaucage gave his solemn commitment to the concepts and principle in the Political Manifesto.  He signed the Political Manifesto in the presence of the student body. �
“This is a sacred document, a treaty between the leadership and the Anishinabek people,” said Beaucage.  “I am honoured and humbled to fulfill the role of Grand Council Chief, based on these noble and sacred principles stated herein.” �
Chief Philip Goulais has committed to supporting Grand Council Chief Beaucage’s vision and has endorsed his candidacy for Grand Council Chief.  Chief Goulais also witnessed the signing of the Political Manifesto.  Beaucage’s nomination will be moved by Chief Patrick Madahbee of Aundeck Omni Kaning and seconded by Chief Veronica Waboose of Long Lake First Nation.  The election will take place at the annual Grand Council Assembly which will take place June 12-14, 2006 at Sand Point First Nation on Lake Nipigon. �
“The Political Manifesto, as well as the vision and actions of our governments are based on the teachings and authority granted to us by the Creator and are based on the Sacred Law of the Anishinabek that is inherent within all of us,” states Beaucage.

The Political Manifesto outlines a number of revolutionary concepts including:

• “The official language of the Anishinabek Nation is our original language, Anishinaabemowin.”  
• “Only our traditional governments have the right to define our citizenry and criteria for citizenship for our communities and within our Nation.  We reject the Indian Act in its attempt to legislate and define who an Anishinabek Nation citizen is, and as such, we reject the concept of Indian Status.”  
• “We are dedicated to the rebuilding of traditional governance in our Anishinabek Nation government and community governments.  We will work towards the necessary constitutional change that will recognize our traditional, community and communal governments as the third order of Government within Canada.”  
• “We shall work collectively towards the elimination of the Indian Act within 10 years.”
• Our primary political, social and governance agenda will be to secure and implement our inherent, aboriginal and treaty rights.”
• “We are the bona fide owners of the Great Lakes.  The rights of the lakes and lakebeds have never been ceded to the Crown.”
• “We will take a lead role in the environmental community in protecting and speaking for our Mother Earth.”
• “We shall collectively work towards the elimination of Anishinabek Nation poverty in 20 years.”  
• “The key to a prosperous, stable and healthy Anishinabek Nation is the establishment of a self-sustaining Anishinabek Nation economy.”
• “Our Economic Strategy will be based on obtaining and sharing benefits from the whole of the Anishinabek Nation territory, including sharing and equalization of resources and benefits.  We can no longer rely solely on Indian monies and government revenues to finance our community and Anishinabek Nation Governments and social needs.”

 Beaucage also introduced his election campaign website at http://www.johnbeaucage.com and his toll-free number at 1-800-635-1884.

John Beaucage is the incumbent Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation.  The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The UOI is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact. 

For more information contact:

Bob Goulais
(705) 498-5250
info@johnbeaucage.com  

Yesterdays’ Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) report on drug spending in Canada confirms that First Nations receive the least amount of health funding per person.

“We are among the poorest of the poor in Canada, which includes having the poorest health status. Health Canada has acknowledged this for many years.” said National Chief Phil Fontaine. “The average per person drug spending for First Nations is $419 compared to an average of $770 per Canadian, a difference of $350. This is simply unacceptable.

“This situation will only continue to get much worse since there is a projected $2 billion deficit over the next five years on health spending for First Nations,” commented the National Chief. “Our people suffer from poor health as a direct result of living in poverty. And yet the government continues to cut corners with our health services.”

In 2004-5, the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program, of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada, spent approximately $320.6 million on drug benefits, which averages out to $419 per person for the total population of 765,000 First Nations and Inuit. By contrast, the drug spending for Canada’s 133,000 veterans is approximately $843 per person; the 67,000 members of the Department of National Defence receive $3,519 per person; for the 21,255 inmates in federal prisons, it is $6,492 per person.
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“The NIHB Program has many barriers and restrictions for First Nations accessing the drug plan. Most drugs on the NIHB Benefit list are cheaper generics, while the more expensive drugs or therapies are often listed as limited use, or may require prior approvals,” noted the National Chief. “Health Canada’s mandate is to increase the health status of First Nations. Why then is the government openly restricting access to benefits? With a 3% cap on the NIHB funding envelope, as opposed to a 6 per escalator for the rest of Canadians, First Nations will continue to suffer unnecessarily.”

The AFN released a First Nations Action Plan on NIHB in April, 2005 that sets out recommendations for addressing the current discrimination.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

National Chief Phil Fontaine and Grand Council Chief John Beaucage in conversation at the First Peoples’ Reception on Parliament Hill on May 4.  Grand Council Chief Beaucage and The Hon. Tony Clement, Minister of Health co-hosted the historic reception, a first on Parliament Hill.  

Photo By Bryan Hendry, AFN

By Hayley Mick
The Globe and Mail

TORONTO – Aboriginal leaders are calling for harsher penalties after five officers with Peel Regional Police were docked three days pay for circulating e-mails that mocked native Canadians as drunken criminals.

The reprimand includes sensitivity training for the officers, who forwarded e-mails that were “certainly inappropriate and could be viewed as offensive,” Constable Craig Platt, a spokesman for the police department in the region west of Toronto, said yesterday.

But Bob Goulais, a spokesman for the Union of Ontario Indians,said the disciplinary action, which follows a six-month investigation, is too light and will do little to deter racism. The incident occurred late last year.

More than one e-mail was circulated last year containing offensive material about natives. One included a song called the Native Rap, which describes aboriginals robbing liquor stores, punching old ladies, “curb-stomping Whities,” slapping women and shaking babies.
The audio file was obtained by CBC News, which tracked it to an officer in Brampton Police began an investigation in November, after a reporter told the department about the e-mail.
Constable Platt said the investigators traced the path of more than one offensive e-mail, which led to the disciplinary action against five officers.

The officers did not write the material, he said.

But Mr. Goulais’s organization, which represents 43 native bands, said the incident is “disturbing” and the officers should be dismissed.

“These are people in direct positions of authority,” he said. “There are implications with how they deal with first nations people when they actually meet them on the street.”
Constable Platt said the officers were not suspended after investigators weighed several factors, which included their previous conduct and the type of materials sent.
Their identities are being withheld because they were not charged under the Police Services Act.

CTV.ca News Staff

Aboriginal leaders are calling for harsher penalties after Ontario police officers had their pay docked for three days for circulating e-mails that mocked natives as drunken criminals.
The five officers, who work for Peel Regional Police, were reprimanded and ordered to undergo sensitivity training following the incident, which occurred in late 2005.

The e-mails were “certainly inappropriate and could be viewed as offensive,” Constable Craig Platt, a spokesman for the police department in the region west of Toronto, told The Globe and Mail Tuesday.

One of the e-mails circulated included a song called ‘Native Rap,’ which describes aboriginals robbing liquor stores, punching old ladies, “curb-stomping Whities,” slapping women and shaking babies.

Bob Goulais, a spokesman for the Union of Ontario Indians, said the disciplinary action, which followed a six-month investigation, is too light and will do little to deter racism.
Goulais, who represents 43 native bands, said the incident is “disturbing” and the officers should be dismissed.

“These are people in direct positions of authority,” he told The Globe.

“There are implications with how they deal with first nations people when they actually meet them on the street.”

Platt said the investigators traced the path of more than one offensive e-mail, which led to the disciplinary action against the five officers.

The officers did not write the material themselves, Platt said.

Platt said the officers were not suspended after investigators weighed several factors, which included their previous conduct and the type of materials sent.

Their identities are being withheld because they were not charged under the Police Services Act.

NIPISSING FIRST NATION – First Nations had been expecting some key financial deliverables arising from the November First Ministers’ Meeting including financial commitments to address the elimination of poverty, aboriginal health care, drinking water quality and substandard infrastructure, and housing.

“This budget is a far cry from what was committed by the First Ministers,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. “Once again, we’ve been left out in the cold. Like the proverbial poor person looking in through a frosted window watching somebody having a real nice dinner in a fancy restaurant.”

“Addressing poverty and improving the living conditions of First Nations people is arguably the most pressing social issue in Canada today,” said Beaucage. “Unfortunately, the government is laying only a patchwork foundation to Stephen Harper’s aboriginal agenda.”
“This budget will mean First Nations will continue to be marginalized and subject to third world poverty,” he said.

Beaucage expressed disappointment in the $450 million “new approach” plan to improve education outcomes, socio-economic conditions for aboriginal women, children and families and water supply and housing on-reserve.

Beaucage was particularly critical with the lack of any fundamental investment for on-reserve housing. First Nations have long maintained there is a significant shortage of housing in First Nations’ communities across Canada. Needs estimates range from 35,000 to 85,000 new units.

In this budget, the government did committed up to $300 million to address immediate pressures in off-reserve Aboriginal housing.

“I acknowledge the government’s attempt toward addressing housing especially off-reserve and in urban centers. It may not be what was committed by the First Ministers but it’s a start,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage, who hold the National Portfolio for Housing at the Assembly of First Nations and the Ontario First Nations portfolio for Housing at the Chiefs of Ontario.

These funds, however, will be allocated to the Provinces.

“The Government of Ontario must now begin working with our First Nations governments in addressing off-reserve and urban housing,” said Beaucage. The Grand Council Chief looks forward to working with The Hon. David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and The Hon. John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to implement a constructive approach to implementing this new funding commitment for housing.

“Despite our disappointment, we are very willing to work with this government and the Province of Ontario to address our immediate housing needs and demonstrate that our vision of housing can work,” he said

Despite this overall disappointment, Beaucage expressed pleasure in the $2.2 billion commitment to address the legacy of residential schools.

“I am excited to see the Harper government honour the agreement to compensate residential school survivors,” said Beaucage. “Our elders have fought their entire lives, have sacrificed so much in addressing this tragic part of Canadian history. I now look forward to the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission that will educate all Canadians about Residential Schools and how it has affected all First Nations society.”

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The UOI is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

By Adrian Hayes
Special to the Parry-Sound North Star

WASAUKSING – The Canadian Armed Forces will recognize Wasauksing First Nation war hero Francis Pegahmagabow, Canada’s most decorated First Peoples soldier, by naming a building after him at CFB Borden.

The headquarters building of the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, composed almost entirely of 400 Cree, Ojibwa and Oji-Cree reservists living in isolated communities in northern Ontario, will be dedicated in a ceremony attended by Lt.-Gov. James Bartleman on June 6.
More than three dozen family members are also expected to attend, as well as military officials, Wasauksing Chief Wilfred King, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage and members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Pioneer Branch, in Parry Sound.

Cpl. Pegahmagabow enlisted for overseas service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force within days of Canada’s declaration of war on Germany in August 1914. He served as a scout and sniper with the 1st Battalion. He was awarded the Military Medal in June 1916 for his courage under fire in getting messages through during the fighting at Ypres, Festubert and Givenchy.

During the November 1917 assault on Passchendale, he won a bar to the medal and then a second bar in August 1918 at the Battle of the Scarpe, where he climbed out of a trench and ran through heavy enemy machine-gun fire to fetch ammunition. Only 38 Canadian soldiers have ever been recognized with a second bar.

The process to name the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group headquarters building at CFB Borden after Cpl. Pegahmagabow began in June 2005, shortly after the commanding officer, Maj. Keith Lawrence, and public affairs ranger Sgt. Peter Moon, happened upon the permanent exhibit at the new Canadian War Museum of Pegahmagabow’s decorations, medals and other artifacts donated by his descendants.

While both men knew about the exploits of Sgt. Tommy Prince, MM and U.S. Silver Star, a Manitoba veteran of the Second World War and the Korean War who died in 1977, neither had heard of Pegahmagabow. Whereas there’s a street in Winnipeg named after Sgt. Prince and a monument honours him as “Canada’s most decorated aboriginal war veteran,” Cpl. Pegahmagabow is not as well-known nationally.

“There’s this display on the good corporal and Peter Moon and I looked at each other and it just flashed. This is it. And the realization that it wasn’t Tommy Prince, it wasn’t Sgt. Prince who was the most decorated. This was the guy and he was being highlighted as an aboriginal soldier. I just thought that brought everything together. Our building right now is S113. There’s not a lot of juice to that,” Maj. Lawrence said. “By naming our building after him, it’s the first stage in righting a perceived wrong or misperception. It allows us to get the story out a little more.”

The Rangers were established in 1947 as a Cold War means to patrol remote northern locales for signs of Soviet intrusions. They number about 4,500 reservists, divided into five groups across the country, in every province and territory except New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Often involved in search-and-rescue operations, they also frequently provide help when flooding or forest fires threaten northern communities. In the fall of 2005, the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group assisted with the evacuation of Kashechewan during the tainted water crisis.

“We’ve gone through a little bit of a transformation in the last year. We’ve physically moved to a new location. We’ve become a bigger organization. We’ve become more robust in what we do. We’ve developed a higher profile. When you roll all that together it just seemed to make sense that we should have an appropriate name for the centre of our operations and I’m delighted about it. I really am. We are 98 percent Cree, Oji-Cree and Ojibwa and this just seems to be a natural fit,” Maj. Lawrence said.

According to Maj. Lawrence, the protocol to name a building after a person requires approval throughout the military chain of command right up to the Directorate of History at National Defence Headquarters.

“In our case, we have a lot to do with First Nations, so naming it after this individual meets the criterion of appropriateness. It’s a defined process that usually takes about six months,” Maj, Lawrence said. “This one just sailed through with no objections whatsoever.”
Maj. Lawrence’s plans include the construction of a cairn in front of the building using rock transported from Wasauksing First Nation, with a plaque explaining why it’s named after Cpl. Pegahmagabow. Chief King of Wasauksing was pleased when told of the proposal last week and confirmed that he would cooperate wholeheartedly to honour the local hero, who also served as chief for seven years and councillor for another three.

“The country recognizing him as a war hero, I really appreciate that,” he said.

Although Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Beaucage said it was exciting that Cpl. Pegahmagabow was being acknowledged, he also expressed regret that only the youngest of the veteran’s eight children, Marie Anderson of Parry Sound, is still alive.

“I think that it’s a wonderful thing that there is this recognition. All too often the native veterans have been the ones left out in the cold,” Chief Beaucage said. “It’s unfortunate that it comes after Francis’s death and it comes after the death of Francis’s son Duncan (who died in November 2004). It would have been wonderful if all of the family could have been involved with seeing the recognition of Francis.”