Anishinawbe Blog

NIPISSING FIRST NATION (October 30, 2007) – Grand Council Chief John Beaucage says that he is looking forward to working with a new Cabinet and the new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs but stressed that the McGuinty government, and Premier Dalton McGuinty in particular, needs to “step up” to advance their relationship with First Nations in Ontario.

“This Government needs to move beyond dealing with First Nations through a single Cabinet portfolio,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage speaking from the southwest region of the Anishinabek Nation.  “Premier McGuinty, as a leader must step-up and show a government-wide commitment to addressing First Nations issues and moving forward on a government-to-government basis.”

“The stand-alone Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs is a positive and important first step forward in building a stronger relationship,” said Beaucage.  “I look forward to working closely with Minister Michael Bryant in bringing the issues and needs of Ontario’s First Peoples to Premier McGuinty and his new Cabinet.”

The Hon. Michael Bryant is not new to the Aboriginal Affairs portfolio, having served as the Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs from 2003 to 2005.

“I have a great deal of respect for Minister Bryant and have maintained a good working relationship with him.  He brings a lot of energy, integrity and leadership to this new Ministry,” said Beaucage.Beaucage also notes that former Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Natural Resources, David Ramsay, will be missed as a Cabinet member.

“I am disappointed that David was not returned to Cabinet,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage.   “It’s unfortunate that we are losing such a strong advocate and a friend to First Nations.”

Grand Council Chief Beaucage said that he was pleased with Premier McGuinty’s June 21st announcement that will see the new Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs work with the federal government on a new process that would expedite land claims here in Ontario.  He hopes this will be at the top of the agenda for Minister Bryant.

“I am hopeful that Minister Bryant would expedite the implementation of the Ipperwash Inquiry’s key recommendation to establish a Treaty Commission of Ontario,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage.  “The province needs to recognize that they have an important role to play in land-claim resolution.”

Beaucage also looks forward to working with Minister Bryant on the New Relationship Fund, which will help First Nations communities strengthen their skills and resources to work more seamlessly with governments.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 Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization inOntario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

LONG LAC (October 16, 2007) – As the temperature drops across the north, First Nations felt luke-warm following the throne speech delivered today by Governor General Michaele Jean.

Speaking from the Northern Superior region of Anishinabek Nation territory, Grand Council Chief John Beaucage expressed concern that the Speech from the Throne is being used as a vehicle for political posturing by the federal parties in anticipation of an upcoming election.

“I am somewhat encouraged that there were sections in the speech specific to First Nation issues,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, who represents the largest First Nation organization in Ontario.  “However, these positive elements may be totally thrown out if the political posturing carries forward with enough vehemence to force a general election.”

“I’m pleased that the Prime Minister is going to officially apologize to the victims of residential schools.  This apology is long overdue,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. “I look forward to the start of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will finally bring to light one of the saddest chapters in Canadian history.”

The Anishinabek Nation is also looking forward to working with The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada on new Specific Claims legislation to address over 80 land claims still outstanding among the 42 member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation.

“I am encouraged the Government sees this as an credible issue and is prepared to take steps to resolve the hundreds of outstanding land claims across Canada,” said Beaucage.  “These outstanding claims are an impediment to economic growth and stability throughout First Nations communities across the country.”

However, Grand Council Chief Beaucage expressed concern that the most vulnerable citizens, First Nations children, are being lost in Harper’s agenda.

“Canada has a long way to overcome First Nations social issues.  It is a national tragedy that one in four First Nations children live in poverty.  Unfortunately, very little in the government’s agenda will improve the conditions for our people,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage. 

“Instead of focusing on Afghanistan, First Nations poverty ought to be a significant priority for the Government of Canada,” said Beaucage. 

Further, Grand Council Chief Beaucage supports the spirit and intent of the government’s proposed repeal of Section 67 of the Indian Act – which exempts First Nations from aspects of the Canadian Human Rights Act.  However, he feels changes need to phased in by adopting an 18-24 month implementation period.

“The Anishinabek Nation supports the whole concept behind equality for all of us under the Canadian Human Rights Act,” said Beaucage.  “However, because of the systemic issues that all First Nations have to face, this approach should be phased in at an appropriate pace to ensure success.”

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 Union of Ontario Indians 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.

FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION, Oct. 16 /CNW/ – Grand Council Chief John Beaucage agrees with two Lake Superior First Nation protesters that there is a double-standard in funding First Nations governance. 

“People who work for our communities and organizations are doing twice the work of some federal bureaucrats for half the pay,” said Beaucage, attending a peaceful “fasting” protest at the Thunder Bay regional office of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Matthew Angees of Wunnumin Lake, and Douglas Beardy of Muskrat Dam began fasting Oct. 10 calling for improvement to band-operated funding formula for education. 

“Until we achieve self-government, individual First Nations and their political organizations are actually managing issues on behalf of the government of Canada,” said Beaucage. “If we decided today to turn those constitutional responsibilities over to Canada, do they think they could do it for what they’re paying us? There is no just reason why our people should not be treated equitably for doing that work.” 

Beaucage called on the federal government to make immediate and “vast” improvements to the band-support funding formula. 

“If we want to overcome our socio-economic challenges, if we want to overcome First Nations poverty – we need to invest in our children’s education,” said the Grand Council Chief. “In areas such as education, the government is leaving our people at a disadvantage.” 

“If inadequate funding is forcing us to pay less for teachers, or nurses, or social workers in our communities, Canada will be guilty of entrenching First Nations poverty for generations to come.” Beaucage said that while individual First Nations are taking the brunt of funding shortfalls, their support organizations are also getting second-class treatment. 

“Our First Nations governments are running on shoe-string budgets compared to non-native governments,” said Beaucage who, in addition to speaking politically for the Anishinabek Nation, also serves as president of the Union of Ontario Indians, the corporation that develops policies and delivers services for the 42 communities it represents. “In some cases, I know we have staff members doing the work of a half-dozen federal bureaucrats. We’re certainly not on a level playing field.” 

The Grand Council Chief said organizations such as the Union of Ontario Indians and Nishnawbe-Aski Nation provide much-needed advocacy, coordination and direct services to their member First Nations. Together, the UOI and NAN represent most of the 134 First Nations in Ontario, and leaders of both organizations were on hand in Fort William to lend support to the fasting protest of Mr. Angees and Mr. Beardy. 

Beaucage says he plans to address these funding issues with The Hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada during their bi-annual Anishinabek-Canada Roundtable scheduled for December. 

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 Union of Ontario Indians 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.

NIPISSING FIRST NATION, ON, October 11 – Anishinabek Nation leader John Beaucage says Dalton McGuinty’s election victory represents a mandate for the Liberals to continue the Ontario government’s initiatives in dealing with First Nations issues.

“The citizens of Ontario have spoken loud and clear that they trust in the McGuinty government and the direction in which they have taken the province,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. “This includes the direction that the government has taken in First Nations affairs. We must continue to work on the nation-to-nation relationship we’ve been working on for the past four years.”

Beaucage will be seeking a meeting with the premier-elect to present him with thousands of postcards that were part of the Anishinabek Nation’s “Era of Action” campaign asking the provincial government to take urgent action on key recommendations from the Ipperwash Inquiry Report, including a call for prompt and equitable resolution of land claims through the establishment of an independent Treaty Commission of Ontario, and the province working with First Nations to establish co-management and resource-sharing initiatives.

“Premier McGuinty and his Minister of Aboriginal Affairs need to be vigilant in addressing the issues in Caledonia,” Beaucage said. “That won’t get resolved anytime soon without a firm commitment from the province to work with First Nations and the federal government on the establishment of the Treaty Commission.”

Beaucage specifically congratulated David Ramsay – who was appointed Ontario’s first Minister of Aboriginal Affairs following the release of the Ipperwash Inquiry report – on his re-election in Timiskaming-Cochrane riding.

The Grand Council Chief expressed disappointment that Ontario voters rejected an opportunity to establish a new form of proportional representation that would see parties attracting at least three per cent of provincial votes winning seats in the Legislative Assembly.

“We continue to hold out hope that the electoral system may one day allow for proportional representation so that First Nations may take our place in the legislature,” said Beaucage. “A First Peoples party would almost certainly appeal to the 100,000 eligible First Nations voters in Ontario, as well as many others.”

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 Union of Ontario Indians 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.