Anishinawbe Blog

NIPISSING FIRST NATION (September 29, 2008) – In supporting the National Chief’s “National Day of Political Action”, First Peoples Vote is encouraging youth and elders to vote and continue to raise their issues with political candidates during the course of the election.

“We are encouraging all sectors of our communities to speak out, not only by using their voices in this campaign, but by using their vote,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage of the Anishinabek Nation, who developed the First Peoples Vote initiative.  “We especially want our youth and elders to be vocal throughout the campaign and use the power of their votes strategically.”

Across Canada, there are more than 115,000 First Nations youth (aged 18-30) of voting age.  Education opportunities, skills development and training continue to be their primary concern, an issue that Grand Council Chief Beaucage would like to see partially addressed by a renewal of the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA).

“Our young people are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada,” said Beaucage, “so Canada needs to renew AHRDA with a greater level of investment in education, training, access and opportunities.”

“Providing First Nations youth with the opportunity to fully participate in the skilled workforce is an investment in Canada’s future,” the Grand Council Chief said. “Our youth are a vast, untapped source of young, willing and able workers.”

Grand Council Chief Beaucage is encouraging youth to contact “Broadcasting Consortium” which is coordinating the Oct. 1-2 televised debates by national party leaders to ensure their issues are on the agenda.

An immediate election-related concern for First Nations elders is the requirement to produce official identification at the polling stations. Election Canada regulations currently require either a government-issued photo ID – such as a driver’s license –  two original pieces of ID (health card, utility bills, etc.) or a sworn statement from another elector.

“In many cases our elders don’t have government-issued ID or utility bills in their names,” said Beaucage. “I’m concerned because it is just these types of barriers that prevent our people from participating in the election.”

First Nations elders also want to make the state of indigenous languages a significant election issue.  It is estimated that only three languages: Ojibwe (Anishinaabemowin), Cree, Inuktituit and will survive due to lack of fluent speakers and learning opportunities.  In 2006, the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council, under the advice of Elders, Women and Youth, officially declared that Anishinabemowin would be the official language of the Anishinabek Nation and its 42-member First Nations.

“Our elders have told us to raise the profile of our language into the mainstream of Canadian society,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage.  “There is no better way to achieve this then to make this an election issue.”

The Anishinabek Nation continues to urge the Government of Canada to support the establishment of the Anishinabek Immersion Language Institute – an innovative program that will improve Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language retention.

The Assembly of First Nations named September 29 a National Day of Political Action in First Nation communities.  First Nation communities are encouraged to participate in a variety of political activities such as engaging with their citizens and local candidates, hosting community meetings and town halls, discuss platforms with each other, and other political events so that First Nation citizens can make an informed choice in the federal election. This initiative is also aimed at soliciting a clear and robust First Nations platform from each political party.

First Peoples Vote and FirstPeoplesVote.com is a non-partisan initiative that encourages First Peoples’ (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) participation in general elections, provides information to voters on issues that are important to First Peoples’ governments, provides information from the mainstream political parties, provides resources to communities and provides an online discussion forum to exchange opinions and ideas.

The initiative was established by the Anishinabek Nation-Union of Ontario Indians under the leadership of Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.

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.

PARRY SOUND (September 24, 2008) – A federal political riding that could be greatly influenced by First Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) voters will provide an opportunity for seven area Chiefs to discuss their issues with the four candidates in the Oct. 14 general election.

As part of the First Peoples Vote initiative (www.FirstPeoplesVote.com), the Anishinabek Nation is coordinating an Oct. 6 First Peoples’ Election Forum for Parry-Sound-Muskoka, the riding won by federal Health Minister Tony Clement by 28 votes in the 2006 federal election. An estimated 900 First Peoples are eligible to vote in the Oct. 14 election.

Moderator Bob Goulais, Anishinabek Nation political chief of staff, says the forum will not be a debate or include partisan wrangling. Rather, it will be a positive forum and exchange of ideas consistent with the spirit of Anishinabe tradition and mutual respect.

WHAT: First Peoples’ Election Forum

WHO: Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, Anishinabek Nation; Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, Chiefs of Ontario; Deputy Grand Chief Glen Hare, Union of Ontario Indians; Chief Wilfred King, Wasauksing First Nation; Chief Denise Restoule, Dokis First Nation; Chief Wayne McQuabbie, Henvey Inlet First Nation; Chief Wilmer Noganosh, Magnetawan First Nation; Chief Barron King, Moose Deer Point First Nation; Chief Blaine Commandant, Wahta Mohawks; Chief Patricia Pawis, Shawanaga First Nation; Grand Chief Randy Phillips, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians; Gary Lipinski, President, Métis Nation of Ontario; Vera Pawis-Tabobondung, National Association of Indian Friendship Centres; Elizabeth Sandy, Parry Sound Friendship Centre.

CANDIDATES: Tony Clement, Cons.; Jamie McGarvey, Lib.; Joanne Boulding, NDP; Glen Hodgson, Green Party. WHERE: Parry Sound Quality Inn & Conference Centre (Jolly Roger Inn)Highway 400, just south of Parry Sound – Sequin Room WHEN: Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, 3-5 pm.

First Peoples Vote and FirstPeoplesVote.com is a non-partisan initiative that encourages First Peoples’ (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) participation in general elections, provides information to voters on issues that are important to First Peoples’ governments, provides information from the mainstream political parties, provides resources to communities and provides an online discussion forum to exchange opinions and ideas.

The initiative was established by the Anishinabek Nation-Union of Ontario Indians under the leadership of Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.

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For more information contact: Bob Goulais Executive Assistant to the Grand Council Chief (705) 498-5250 E-mail: goubob@anishinabek.ca

Marci Becking Communications Officer (705) 497-9127 E-mail: becmar@anishinabek.ca

radio-canada

Le premier ministre de l’Ontario remanie son Cabinet moins d’un an après les élections d’octobre 2007.

Ce remaniement verra la création du ministère du Commerce international et des Investissements, qui sera confié à la députée de la région de Windsor, Sandra Pupatello. Elle aura la tâche d’attirer de nouveaux investissements étrangers en Ontario, et d’aider les entreprises d’ici à percer sur les marchés mondiaux.

Michael Bryant remplacera Mme Pupatello au Développement économique et demeure leader en Chambre du gouvernement.

L’ancien ministre du Travail Brad Duguid sera responsable du portefeuille des Affaires autochtones.

Le député torontois Peter Fonseca passe du Tourisme au Travail.

La députée de Nipissing, Monique Smith, sera désormais responsable du portefeuille du tourisme. Le ministère du Revenu, dont était responsable Mme Smith, sera désormais confié au ministre des Finances Dwight Duncan.

Le premier ministre Dalton McGuinty affirme que le remaniement ministériel, et plus particulièrement la création du ministère du Commerce international et des Investissements, permettra à l’Ontario de se tailler une meilleure place sur les marchés internationaux.

Les partis d’opposition trouvent que le moment du remaniement est mal choisi, alors que la rentrée parlementaire à Queen’s Park aura lieu le 22 septembre. Le NPD et le Parti progressiste-conservateur affirment que ce remaniement ne sert qu’à détourner l’attention des problèmes économiques qui touchent la province, alors que la crise perdure dans les secteurs manufacturier et forestier.

Inquiétudes

Les Autochtones de la province craignent d’être les perdants de ce remaniement, en raison de la nomination d’un nouveau ministre aux Affaires autochtones.

Les chefs de la première nation Anishinabek, notamment, sont déçus de ne pas avoir été avertis du remaniement ministériel d’aujourd’hui. L’adjoint administratif du chef du Grand conseil de la Nation Anishnabek, Bob Goulais, craint que la période d’apprentissage d’un ministre qui vient d’une région urbaine ne ralentisse les changements au sein du ministère.

Son inquiétude est avivée par le fait que la province s’apprête à réviser la Loi sur les mines, ce qui aura un impact sur les Premières Nations, dont plusieurs occupent ou revendiquent un territoire riche en ressources naturelles.

NIPISSING FIRST NATION (September 22, 2008) – Anishinabek Nation leadership has identified a set of priorities to be addressed by candidates in the Oct. 14 federal election to complement a campaign that urges active participation by the estimated 100,000 eligible First Nations, Metis and Inuit voters in Ontario.

“We need to ensure that all candidates and parties are aware of our key issues,” said Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, in releasing the Anishinabek Nation White Paper on Election Issues. “But First Peoples also need to use their votes to ensure that our priorities are Canada’s priorities.”

Anishinabek Nation leaders will be seeking commitments and support for the White Paper’s five key priorities:

1. Eliminating poverty through implementation of the Anishinabek Nation Economic Blueprint and enhancing First Nations economic capacity; 
2. Enhancing Education and Training opportunities to enable Anishinabek youth to enter the skilled workforce; 
3. A renewed focus on the Treaties and Treaty Implementation, including provisions for resource revenue-sharing; 
4. Adopting and Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; 
5. Commitment to protecting and proliferating First Nations languages – including funding of an Anishinabek Language Immersion Institute.

The Anishinabek Nation White Paper on Election Issues will be posted on the Anishinabek Nation website (www.anishinabek.ca) and the First Peoples Vote website (www.firstpeoplesvote.com). First Peoples Vote was unveiled in the 2007 Ontario election. An updated website includes and some 11,000 flyers being distributed across the province are targeting eligible First Peoples voters, informing them that they represent “swing votes” in at least ten Ontario federal ridings.

Questionnaires seeking commitments and support for the White Paper’s issues will be sent to federal parties and candidates.

“These five key priorities form our political message for this election,” said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. “Now Anishinabek and all First Peoples must use our ballots as our voices to carry this message to Ottawa. We must ensure that the candidates of all political parties know what’s important to us and understand that, as MPs and as a government, the resolution of our election issues and partnership with us is critical to our health and prosperity.”

Speaking for the 42 member communities of the Anishinabek Nation, Beaucage said Canada’s support of such initiatives as the comprehensive Anishinabek Nation Economic Blueprint — a 20-year strategic plan to establish self-sufficient regional and local economies – is what is required to bring an end to the poverty, inadequate housing and negative health indicators that plague First Peoples.

“Canada could also contribute a great deal by agreeing to follow the courts’ recommendations for modern interpretations of the Treaties that would see First Nations sharing in the country’s natural resource wealth,” Beaucage said, referring to the White Paper proposal for a new Treaty Implementation Process.

The Grand Council Chief linked the White Paper’s priority to protect First Nations languages to Canada’s apology for the devastating impact of the Indian Residential Schools.

“The Prime Minister cited the loss of our language in his June apology,” said Beaucage, calling on Ottawa to make specific commitments to fund such initiatives as the proposed Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) Immersion Institute.

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.

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For more information contact:

Bob Goulais
Executive Assistant to the Grand Council Chief
(705) 498-5250
E-mail: goubob@anishinabek.ca

NIPISSING FIRST NATION (September 17, 2008) – First Nations could have a greater impact in the upcoming general election than ever before, says Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.

In re-introducing a previous initiative to encourage First Nations, Métis and Inuit participation in the Oct. 14 federal poll, Beaucage sensed a potential breakthrough opportunity for First Peoples to get their issues moved to a higher priority on Canada’s political agenda.

“A day doesn’t go by that there isn’t a national news report or a legislative debate dealing with our concerns – a land claim being settled, a treaty right taken to the courts, a First Nation challenging the rights of corporations to unilaterally harvest resources from their traditional territories,”‘ said Beaucage. “We’re definitely on the agenda…and we are seeing political parties making our issues an essential part of their platforms.”

Beaucage said the First Peoples Vote campaign –  first unveiled by Anishinabek Nation leadership in the October 2007 Ontario election – encourages an estimated 100,000 eligible First Nation, Métis and Inuit voters in the province to  make their voices heard before the federal election, as well as cast their ballots strategically on Oct. 14.

“We are at a place where First Nations can be incredibly influential, not only with regard to the political agenda, but to the outcome of the election,” said the Grand Council Chief, estimating that voters from the 42 Anishinabek Nation communities he represents could be a significant factor in at least seven Ontario federal ridings. “There is no question that those candidates need our votes in order to win.”

He estimates that First Peoples represent a significant balance of power in 60 federal ridings across Canada where they account for more than 5 per cent of eligible voters. Ten of those “swing-vote’ ridings are in Ontario, including Parry Sound-Muskoka, where the margin of victory in the 2006 federal election was two dozen votes in a riding in which there are over 900 eligible First Nations voters.  First Peoples votes are similarly crucial to candidates seeking election Oct. 14 in Thunder Bay-Superior North, Simcoe North, Peterborough, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, Nickel Belt and Sault Ste. Marie.

First Peoples Vote and firstpeoplesvote.com were created as a non-partisan initiative that encourages First Peoples (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) participation in general elections, provides information to voters on issues that are important to First Peoples’ governments, provides information from the mainstream political parties, provides resources to communities and provides an online discussion forum to exchange opinions and ideas.

In addition, questionnaires will be sent out to the political parties and relevant research of party platforms will be added the firstpeoplesvote.com website.

“There have been many reasons for First Peoples to ignore elections and exercise their right not to vote in the general election,’ said Beaucage. “ Some citizens have not participated because of historical grievances, victimization through the residential school system, historical inequity in the treaties, racism and government disregard of First Nations issues and needs.”

“But our ancestors fought long and hard to earn our right to vote alongside all other Canadians,” he noted. “I believe we pay tribute to those who fought on foreign soil under Canada’s flag to exercise our right to vote by participating in general elections.  Given our strength in numbers, our voices can no longer be ignored at the polls.”

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.

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For more information:

Bob Goulais
Executive Assistant to the Grand Council Chief
Cell: (705) 498-5250
E-mail: goubob@anishinabek.ca                               

Marci Becking
Communications Officer
Phone: (705) 497-9127
E-mail: becmar@anishinabek.ca