Announcement

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:39 AM

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FROM: THE TORONTO STAR NEWSPAPER WEBSITE & CP CANADIAN PRESS

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Tories Gut Liberal-Brokered $5.1 Billion In Native Funding

May 3, 2006. 01:00 AM

SUE BAILEY
CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA—The Kelowna deal is dead.
Last year's Liberal-brokered, $5.1-billion plan to lift bleak native health,
education and housing standards over 10 years would have allocated more than
$600 million this year for those needs.
Instead, the Conservatives are promising just $150 million this year and
$300 million next year for vaguely defined efforts to improve education
programs, provide clean water, repair crumbling housing stocks and close "the
socio-economic gap."
Almost as much cash — $400 million over two years — was devoted to fight
the pine beetle scourge.
The new government insists it "is committed to meeting the targets agreed
upon" at the Kelowna, B.C., meeting of native leaders and politicians last
November, says the budget.
Conservatives point out that the Liberal government made little headway to
ease that suffering.
Ottawa spent $9.1 billion last year for education, social services, health
and other programs for native people, many of whom are owed that support under
historic, mutually agreed upon treaties.
Opposition critics and most native leaders have urged the Conservatives to
honour the Kelowna deal.
Crafted after 18 months of talks, it included a 19-page plan of targets and
reporting requirements. It would have provided $624 million for First Nations
in the first year alone, plus millions of dollars more for the Inuit and
Métis.
There have long been hints that the Tories would scrap it.
As the budget sunk in, reaction from native leaders and political critics
was swift and sometimes harsh. "Shame!" yelled Liberal MPs in the Commons as
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty outlined the brief aboriginal portion of the new
budget.
Some native leaders were openly furious. "Our fear, suspicion and mistrust
of (the) Conservative government to support the historic Kelowna Accord were
well placed," said Chief Stewart Phillip, head of the Union of B.C. Indian
Chiefs. "Today, aboriginal people across Canada learned that Prime Minister
(Stephen) Harper has a wooden heart to match his wooden smile."
Liberal native affairs critic Anita Neville called the Conservative budget
"a real abandonment.
"I find it shocking, actually. To my mind, this is a reversion to the old
Reform Party politics — it's utter disrespect for aboriginal people

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:39 AM

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE
_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/May2006/02/c7155.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../02/c7155.html)
Attention News Editors:
Assembly of First Nations Statement on the 2006 Federal Budget - First
Nations Sacrificed to Build a Better Canada
OTTAWA, May 2 /CNW Telbec/ - "First Nations will remain in last place as

a result of today's so-called "Building a Better Canada" federal budget. This

disappointing budget does not begin to address the gap in quality of life

between First Nations and other Canadians and could increase the gap through

inaction.

The Canadian public may see a $3.2 billion figure dedicated for

Aboriginals in the 2006 budget, but $2.2 billion was already set aside last

November as compensation for residential schools survivors. We welcome the

money for survivors, but it was a measure to provide redress and acknowledge

liability, not a new measure to build a better Canada for First Nations.

The money allocated to address the critical socio-economic and

infrastructure gaps faced by First Nations is more realistically described as

a portion of the two-year, $450 million funding commitment that has been

earmarked for "Aboriginal Canadians". That money is a drop in the bucket when

compared to the $17 billion surplus, and is only a third of the money that had

been allocated to improving quality of life for First Nations and other

Aboriginal Canadians under the corresponding first two years of the Kelowna

targets.

The government committed in this budget to measures that will correct

fiscal imbalances at the provincial and territorial level. Nowhere is fiscal

imbalance more apparent than in the critical under-funding of First Nations

health, education, housing and infrastructure, yet today's budget perpetuates

the imbalance for our communities.

There is a critical need to address First Nations health, social and

childhood development issues, yet First Nations are excluded from the

government's new comprehensive plan on wait time guarantees. This budget

committed to a 6% escalator in health for provinces and territories, but

despite previous announcements, there was no corresponding escalator for First

Nations health. There is no First Nations-specific component in the

government's child care plan and, while over $300 million was committed to

addressing diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in developing countries,

there was no funding to address rising tuberculosis and HIV infection rates

for First Nations.

This government stated today that they will consult with provinces,

territories and Aboriginal leaders to "develop a new approach". The approaches

developed in Kelowna were developed with and supported by Aboriginal leaders,

provinces and territories. These were not commitments from a particular party,

but by the federal and all provincial and territorial governments. The

Minister of Indian Affairs, Jim Prentice, has stated publicly that he was

committed to "putting the wheels on Kelowna". Why is it now necessary to

reinvent the wheel?

This government has consistently stated that they are willing to discuss

Kelowna targets. We are more than willing to meet to discuss implementing

measures that will improve quality of life for First Nations, but this budget

does not appear to offer much."

<<

Phil Fontaine

National Chief

Assembly of First Nations

>>

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing

First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information: Don Kelly, AFN Communications, Director, (613)

241-6789 ext. 320, cell: (613) 292-2787; Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual

Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789 ext. 336, cell: (613) 859-4335

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:40 AM

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE
_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/May2006/02/c2937.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../02/c2937.html)
Attention News Editors:
NAN Grand Chief disappointed with fraction of FMM commitments in budget
THUNDER BAY, ON, May 2 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief

Stan Beardy is disappointed only a fraction of the priorities addressed by the

former Liberal government at the First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues

was part of the 2006 federal budget announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty

in the House of Commons this afternoon.

"It's good to see the Harper Government recognize the need for resources

to upgrade water, housing, and social services both on and off-reserve,

especially considering the ongoing challenges of many of the communities

across Nishnawbe Aski territory, including the second evacuation of

Kashechewan in less than one year," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy who

represents 49 First Nation communities across Ontario.

"It remains disappointing, however, that other priorities identified at

the November 2005 First Ministers Meeting, such as health and economic

opportunities continue to be neglected."

As announced in Budget 2006, the Conservatives are committing

$450 million to improve water supply and housing on reserve, education

outcomes, and socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal women, children and

families, $300 million to provinces to address immediate pressures in

off-reserve Aboriginal housing, and funds to meet governmental obligations

associated with the legacy of residential schools - a fraction of what was

announced by the former federal government last November.

The First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues, which took place in

Kelowna, B.C. November 2005, had former Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal

government announcing contributions of more than $5 billion over the next five

years to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in the

areas of education, health, housing, and economic opportunities.

"If significant steps and strategies for implementation are not taken

today to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians, there

will be continued hardship in taking responsibility for ourselves in terms of

decreasing the burden currently posed on all of Canada," said Beardy. "In

order to take responsibility for ourselves we need economic development and

business opportunities, particularly in terms of skill development and

partnerships with industry."

For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications,

Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952 OR (807) 628-3953 (mobile)

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:40 AM

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE
_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/May2006/02/c2919.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../02/c2919.html)
Attention News Editors:
Budget a 'patchwork foundation' to Harper's aboriginal agenda
NIPISSING FIRST NATION, ON, May 2 /CNW/ - 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 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 holds 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.

For further information: Bob Goulais, Executive Assistant to the Grand

Council Chief, Phone: (705) 498-5250 or (705) 497-9127, E-mail:

[email protected]

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:44 AM

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FROM: THE MONTREAL GAZETTE NEWSPAPER WEBSITE & CP CANADIAN PRESS
_http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=ad11f0c9-2a33-4da0-a
3fc-274ddcb9366f&k=51046_
(http://www.canada.com/montrealgazett...b9366f&k=51046)
Critics Slam Tory Budget Over Lack Of Support For Natives, Kyoto

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Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe responds to the governments Budget. (CP
PHOTO/Fred Chartrand)

Alexander Panetta, Canadian Press

Published: Tuesday, May 02, 2006

OTTAWA (CP) - Critics are slamming Stephen Harper's first budget, but the
Bloc Quebecois has guaranteed that the minority Conservative government will
easily survive a vote on the document.
Opponents accused the Tories on Tuesday of abandoning aboriginals and the
environment by slashing spending for projects in those areas. Provincial
premiers also expressed disappointment that the feds scrapped a $5.1-billion deal
for aboriginal housing, education and health care. But Bloc Leader Gilles
Duceppe said he will await next year's budget to pass judgment on the Harper
government.
"The real budget will be next year. So we'll see next year if they deliver,"
Duceppe said.
Duceppe denied that his instantaneous show of support had anything to do with
the Bloc's troubling poll numbers in Quebec.
A CROP survey suggested his party had fallen behind the Tories, who found
themselves surveyed in first place in the province for the first time in about
15 years.
Duceppe welcomed the Tories' recognition that a fiscal imbalance exists
between Ottawa and the provinces and said he wants to see it resolved by next
year.
For now, the support of 51 Bloc MPs would give the Tories a 20-seat cushion
in any confidence vote.
The other two opposition parties came out with their guns blazing.
The Liberals and NDP said the budget came up short on aboriginal issues, the
environment and child care. The Grits also took aim at the Tory tax plan.
"This budget increases taxes for all Canadians," Liberal Leader Bill Graham
said.
"It has very little in it for students, for universities, it is going to make
it impossible to fund our Kyoto requirements.
"And basically it does not address the needs of middle income Canadians."
The Tories disputed the tax claim, as did some independent analysts who said
Canadians will generally pay lower taxes.
All taxpayers face a half-per-cent increase at the lowest tax rate, but that
hike is more than offset by a one-per-cent cut in the GST and a variety of
other benefits.
The budget promises a taxable $1,200 child-care allowance for parents with
young children, and offers tax breaks for tradespeople.
It doubles the amount of pension income that can be claimed under the pension
income credit, and promises help for university students with their
textbooks.
It also offers up to $150 a year in tax deductions for transit users. The
government calls the $150 million plan an environmental measure.
The NDP and Liberals called it a disgrace.
The Tories have dismantled Canada's Kyoto programs and made only the most
peripheral reference to climate change, the opposition noted.
"(These are) major steps backward on the environment," NDP Leader Jack Layton
said.
"This is certainly not a budget that the New Democrats will be able to
support . . . We need a budget that invests in the future."

Initial provincial reaction was mixed.
-Alberta Premier Ralph Klein said he was generally impressed, but was upset
to see the Tories tear up the Liberals' $5.1 billion aboriginal deal with the
provinces.
"I don't particularly like it, nor do the other premiers and territorial
leaders," Klein said. "I liked the commitment that was given by the Liberal
government to the First Nations and the Metis people.
"I think it went a long way to addressing some of their needs."
-Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said he was also disappointed to see the Tories
scrap the Kelowna deal on aboriginals. But he applauded the Tories for
delivering on their promises.
-British Columbia's finance minister said several initiatives will benefit
her province, including money to combat a pine-beetle infestation in forests.
Carol Taylor said, however, that she hopes to see more funding for the 2010
Vancouver Olympics.
-Nova Scotia Finance Minister Michael Baker said increases in military
spending will benefit his province.
-New Brunswick Finance Minister Jeannot Volpe said the budget is in line with
his own government's desire to reduce taxes.
© The Canadian Press 2006

__________________________________________________ ______________________

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:45 AM

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This Message Is Reprinted Under The FAIR USE
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(http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html)
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FROM: THE MONTREAL GAZETTE NEWSPAPER
_http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=b57a687f-f3b4-4a50-a
98d-9521ee48f960_
(http://www.canada.com/montrealgazett...d-9521ee48f960)
Tories Replace Aboriginal Accord
Two-year plan, one-fourth the cost

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JACK AUBRY, CanWest News Service

Published: Wednesday, May 03, 2006

The Harper government is scrapping the five-year, $5.1-billion Kelowna accord
to improve the lives of aboriginals, while coming up with its own two-year
plan - at less than one-quarter of the cost.
The Conservative plan appears to be worth about $225 million a year in new
expenditures, as opposed to $1 billion a year in new spending under the Kelowna
accord.
The new number in yesterday's budget is $450 million over two years to
improve the water supply and housing on reserves, as well as education and
socio-economic conditions for aboriginal families.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty confirmed the government would honour the
Liberal government's commitment to place $300 million into a pair of third-party
trust funds to increase the supply of housing for off-reserve natives and for
the general population in the territories. The housing initiative was part of
a last-minute budget deal between the Liberals and the NDP in 2005, which
the Conservatives strongly opposed at the time.
The Tories would also honour the former Liberal government's commitment of
$2.2 billion toward an agreement-in-principle to address the negative legacy of
residential schools.
The Kelowna five-year agreement - which former prime minister Paul Martin and
the premiers signed with aboriginal leaders last fall - promised to improve
housing stock by encouraging private ownership and providing aboriginals with
carpentry training to build new houses. It also would have integrated
aboriginal schools with provincial school boards and spent money to train new
aboriginal teachers.
Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, expressed
disappointment with the decision to axe the Kelowna accord. He said the budget
does not relate the sense of urgency native leaders have about resolving
problems in aboriginal communities.
"We have a housing crisis with 170 communities that don't have safe drinking
water. The budget talks about acceptable wait times in urban centres when we
don't even have basic health care in our communities," Fontaine said.
He said the Kelowna deal was not simply devised by aboriginal leaders, but
included the federal and provincial governments.
"So this budget doesn't speak to our plan or about its commitment to begin
attacking our problems. We have Third World living conditions that are not
being addressed," Fontaine said.
Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge, who is parliamentary secretary to Indian
Affairs Minister Jim Prentice, said last week that the new government's approach
to aboriginal policy would be based on "accountability and taking
responsibility."
In advance of the budget, Conservative sources said the money to pay for the
Kelowna deal had not been set aside by the former Martin government. Former
Liberal finance minister Ralph Goodale warned that scrapping the deal it would
be "a great human tragedy."
Conservatives said the government already spends $9.1 billion each year to
fund programs directed towards natives. Budget documents pointed out that over
the last five years, spending has grown by about 4.3 per cent or $350 million
a year.
© The Gazette (Montreal) 2006

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:56 PM

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE
_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/May2006/03/c7329.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../03/c7329.html)
Attention News/Health Editors:
Federal Budget Ignores Health Crises in First Nations Communities
OTTAWA, May 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief

Phil Fontaine said it is alarming to see a complete absence of funding in the

federal budget to address urgent health crises faced by First Nations

communities, such as those faced by Garden Fill First Nation in Manitoba and

Kashechewan First Nation in Ontario.

"It is ironic that the federal government saw fit to invest in combating

epidemics of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in developing countries, while many

First Nations are living with these diseases, and there is no new assistance

for them," states National Chief Fontaine.

While the Conservative government honored the commitment to the Ten-Year

Plan to Strengthen Health Care which gives provinces and territories a 6%

increase in transfers, the federal First Nations health system is capped at

3%. First Nations communities already facing significant disparities in health

status and access to quality care, will suffer from this fiscal imbalance.

"We expect shortfalls reaching close to $2 billion over the next two

years," says National Chief Fontaine, "This means cutbacks in medical

transportation, access to drugs, diabetes prevention and many other essential

health services in our communities. Ultimately, this means heavy risk to

patient safety and further widening of the gap between First Nations and

Canadians' health and well-being."

Honoring the investment of $1.3 billion in health under the Kelowna

Accord would have achieved an equitable 6% growth rate. Although, the overall

2% cap on other federal socio-economic programming would have remained.

First Nations communities appear to have no way to access the Wait Times

Reduction Transfers totaling $5.5 billion, nor are they presently included in

talks leading to the development of the Wait Times Guarantee. "Unless this

guarantee takes into account primary care and public health, as well as access

to the basic determinants of health such as housing and education," stressed

National Chief Fontaine, "it will have no relevance to truly measuring the

performance of federal, provincial, and territorial governments in meeting

their responsibilities to First Nations."

Budget announcements in cancer care and pandemics and other public health

emergencies were also silent as to whether they will reach First Nations

communities. First Nations have also been excluded from recently introduced

Public Health legislation.

"Perhaps of greatest concern is the lack of consideration of First

Nations children, from investments in child care to children with

disabilities," concludes National Chief Fontaine, "our population is younger

and our communities more challenged to support adequate facilities for our

children. And yet, the needs of our children appear to have been ignored."

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing

First Nations citizens in Canada.

<<

Backgrounder on Health Crises in First Nation Communities

---------------------------------------------------------

Health Status

- In 2000, life expectancy at birth for the First Nations population was

estimated at 68.9 years for men and 76.6 years for women. This

represents a gap of 7.4 years and 5.2 years respectively with the

Canadian population.

- The gaps in potential years of life lost between First Nations and

Canadians were estimated in 1999 to be three times greater on injuries,

almost double in endocrine diseases such as diabetes and more than

double from mental illness.

- In 1999, the First Nation suicide rate was 27.9 deaths per 100,000; the

Canadian suicide rate was 13.2 deaths per 100,000 population.

- In 1999, the First Nations infant mortality rate (0 to 1 years) was

8.0 deaths per 1,000 live births (based on 65 deaths), compared with

5.5 for Canada as a whole.

- Over half of on-reserve First Nations children are either overweight

(22.3%) or obese (36.2%).

- In 2001, the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) disease in First Nations

communities was, on average, ten times higher than that of the Canadian

population as a whole (6 per 100,000).

- In 1999, the gap between First Nations and Canadian rates of enteric,

food and waterborne diseases among children, ages 0-14 years, were

reported as twice for giardiasis, more then ten times for hepatitis A

and 22 times for shigellosis.

- 191,000 First Nations are currently living with disabilities (31.4% of

total population).

Health Determinants

- The 1999 Tuberculosis in First Nations Communities report from FNIHB

states that: "TB is far more likely to occur in communities with higher

levels of crowding. It is recognized that overcrowded communities may

also be more likely to suffer from other risk factors for TB, such as

poverty, substance abuse, remoteness, and various underlying medical

conditions." In fact, housing density was seen as a significant

predictor of TB incidence.

- First Nations' homes are four times more likely to need major repairs.

Less than half of First Nations' on-reserve homes are considered

adequate by the federal government. In 1999, 41.4% of First Nations

communities had 90% of their homes connected to centralized water

treatment plants and 36.6% connected to community sewage disposal

systems. In 2002-03, First Nations were 25 times more likely to live in

an overcrowded home than Canadians.

- First Nations are twice as likely not to complete high school than

Canadians, and more than three times less likely to not complete

university degrees.

- 9,000 First Nation children are in the care of First Nation agencies

across Canada, and in 38% of these cases exposure to family violence

was the substantiated form of maltreatment leading to placement.

- Aboriginal youth are 8 times more likely to be incarcerated due to a

series of factors: higher rate of families reliant on social assistance

(47%), substance abuse problems (57% confirmed and 24% suspected),

involvement in the child welfare system (39%), lower rates of high

school completion (2%), suicidal attempts (1 in 5).

Wait Times

- First Nations experience greater challenges in accessing health care as

a result of: a larger health care burden (higher levels of acuity and

urgency), greater challenges in recruitment and retention of health

care staff in First Nations communities, geographic remoteness (30% of

First Nations communities located more than 90 km from physician

services), language and cultural differences, and impacts of provincial

health reforms (such as hospital closures) coupled with cutbacks in

federal medical transportation funding.

- First Nations are ten times more likely to have difficulty accessing

family physicians.

- First Nations with disabilities are twice as likely to not be able to

afford medical transportation and child care. Nearly two-thirds of

children with special needs are refused child care services by licensed

facilities because they do not have the funding to adequately meet the

child's needs. Almost half of children with disabilities do not have

access to adapted transportation within their community.

- The 2005 First Nations Framework in the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health

was aimed at recommending innovative strategies that would address the

disparities in access to quality care between First Nations and other

Canadians.

Fiscal Imbalance

- There is 3% cap in federal First Nation health funding vs. a 6%

escalator granted to provinces and territories.

- There is a 2% cap on federal First Nation socio-economic program

funding resulting in a 13% actual decrease in the total budget since

1999/2000. Total federal spending which, adjusted for inflation and

growth in the Canadian population, held steady from 1999-2000 to

2004-05.

- $269 million in cutbacks in federal First Nation health funding are

being implemented. As non-discretionary funding that must take into

account population growth and inflation, any decreases in the Canada

Health and Social Transfer require new legislation to be passed.

- Honoring the Kelowna Agreement would raise federal First Nation health

funding from the 3% cap to a comparative 6% annual growth for 3 years.

Fiscal equalization in a First Nations context means no difference in

the capacities of communities or tribal councils to provide services to

their populations.

- Most First Nation recipients of income assistance live well below the

poverty line.

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:57 PM

>>

For further information: Bryan Hendry, AFN Health and Social

Communications, (613) 241-6789, ext. 229, cell (613) 293-6106; Don Kelly, AFN

Communications Director, (613) 241-6789 ext. 320, cell (613) 292-2787; Ian

McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789 ext. 336, cell

(613) 859-4335

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS

__________________________________________________ ______________________

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:58 PM

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE
_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/May2006/03/c7298.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../03/c7298.html)
Attention News Editors:
The Federal Budget Is a Source of Concern for the Assembly of First Nations
of Quebec and Labrador
WENDAKE, May 3 /CNW Telbec/ - The socioeconomic problems related to

infrastructures are extreme in the Aboriginal communities of Quebec and

Labrador. In some cases, the situation is unbearable and the Assembly of First

Nations of Quebec and Labrador is of the opinion that its share out of the

450 millions announced yesterday in the federal budget will not be sufficient

to meet the needs properly.

The rejection of the Kelowna agreement does not come as a surprise. Right

from the outset, the Chiefs of Quebec and Labrador had expressed their

dissidence as to the lack of proper consultation with the communities leading

to the ratification of this agreement. Now, with the election of a new

government, everything has to be started all over again.

"Yesterday, we were told by the government that it acknowledges the goals

of Kelowna and that it wants to develop a new approach to achieve them. We

remain open to dialogue, but this time, it is crucial that all Aboriginal

communities get involved. Time is of the essence and the problems that we face

are affecting everybody, Aboriginal as well as non-Aboriginal peoples. The

longer we wait to solve them, the more costly it will be. We constantly hear

about closing the gap of socioeconomic conditions between Aboriginal and

non-Aboriginal peoples; how can this goal be achieved with the very few

resources put at our disposal?", underlines the Regional Chief of the AFNQL,

Ghislain Picard.

On the other hand, in its budget, the new government attaches much

importance to the accountability of the communities as to the management of

funds which will be allocated to them. The AFNQL and the Chiefs support

entirely this principle, except that they demand from the Department of Indian

Affairs to be accountable not only to its minister, but to the communities as

well.

"If we can agree on the goals and priorities, we should be able to agree

on the most efficient and best adapted solutions in achieving them, except

that the government will have no other option but to allocate the necessary

funding. This is what the AFNQL will try to make the new government

understand." concluded Mr. Picard.

The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the regional

organization representing the Chiefs of the First Nations of Quebec and

Labrador.

For further information: Alain Garon, Communications and Information

Officer, AFNQL, (418) 842-5020, Cell. : (418) 956-5720

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 05:58 PM

FROM: CANADA NEWS WIRE TELBEC WEBSITE
_http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archive/May2006/03/c3045.html_
(http://www.cnw.ca/en/releases/archiv.../03/c3045.html)
Attention News Editors:
Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) President Beverley Jacobs
expressed disappointment with the lack of clear financial commitment the
Conservative Government has committed to Aboriginal people in its 2006 Budget.
OTTAWA, May 2 /CNW Telbec/ - "Today's disappointing budget is a confusing

change to the mutually developed approaches that were addressed in Kelowna.

The government has taken a strong turn in a completely different direction

that is leading Aboriginal peoples down a completely unknown course," said

President Jacobs.

Jacobs expressed concerns of how the cuts in funding to child care,

education, water and housing will adversely affect Aboriginal women, who

already are the most marginalized population in Canada. She states that the

$150 million in 2005/2006 and $300 million in 2007/2008 are inadequate to

address all these diverse areas of concern.

"I do not believe that the amount in this budget will be able to deal

with complex and deep issues that face Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal

women today. The issue of heath was not addresses and that is very

discouraging to Aboriginal peoples, especially women and children."

Jacobs applauds the $2.2 billion dollars that will be used to compensate

residential school survivors, but also states that this will not address the

huge loss of language, family bonding and traditional teachings that

Aboriginal people have sustained as a result of genocidal policies of the

residential school era.

NWAC does acknowledge that the federal budget makes reference to the

pivotal role that Aboriginal women play within their families and communities;

however the budget did not reflect the capacity building required to

capitalize on this resource.

"Aboriginal women have traditionally sustained their families during

rough times, and I have a sense that once again, now more then ever,

Aboriginal women have to be vigilant within these roles."

NWAC is strongly committed to working with the Federal government to

ensure that the needs of Aboriginal women and their children are at the

forefront of the decision-making processes that are implemented in the 2006

federal budget.

For further information: Linda Kayseas, Media Coordinator,

(613) 722-3033 ext.231, Mobile: (613) 552-4249

**Blackbear** · 05-04-2006, 06:05 PM

************************************************** ******************
This Message Is Reprinted Under The FAIR USE
Doctrine Of International Copyright Law:
_http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html_
(http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html)
************************************************** ******************
FROM: THE TORONTO STAR NEWSPAPER WEBSITE & CANADIAN PRESS (CP)

_http://www.
thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&pubid=968163964505&cid=114 6693012793&col=968705899037&call_p
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(http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...Type1&c=Articl
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Prepare For Conflict, Chiefs Warn Ottawa

May 3, 2006. 07:08 PM
SUE BAILEY
CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA â€” Expect more blockades, warn critics who say the Tories have shunted
native issues to the political backburner amid frustration underscored by
the Caledonia standoff and the Kashechewan crisis.
"The focus of many of our communities will most likely shift to conflict and
other direct measures to make the federal Conservatives accountable for
their lack of action," said Chief Stewart Paul.
The co-chairman of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs was
among several dismayed by what wasn't in the new government's first budget.
Namely, more than $5.1 billion promised under the Kelowna deal reached last
November by aboriginal leaders, the former Liberal government and the
premiers.
Its exclusion comes on the heels of a botched police raid that escalated a
continuing land dispute in Caledonia, near Hamilton, Ont., and another flood
crisis on Kashechewan, a remote northern Ontario reserve that has repeatedly
made grim headlines.
"We've been a very patient people for hundreds of years," said Stan Louttit,
grand chief of the Mushkegowuk Council representing Kashechewan.
The tiny First Nation on the James Bay coast has been evacuated three times
in the last two years because of flooding and, last fall, polluted drinking
water.
"I don't know how far people can be pushed before they start carrying out
things such as civil disobedience to make their point," Louttit said Wednesday.
"If that's what it takes, well, I suppose that's what it will be."
Opposition MPs taunted Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice in the Commons
on Wednesday as he defended the budget.
It commits just $150 million this fiscal year to lift education, housing and
water standards and to help close "socio-economic gaps" between native and
non-native people.
Another $300 million is promised next year.
Prentice stressed that $600 million is also earmarked for housing
off-reserve and in the North.
What he didn't say is that there's a catch.
Those housing funds are one-time payments "to be paid into a third-party
trust, contingent on sufficient funds from the 2005-06 surplus in excess of $2
billion," says the budget.
In other words, the Conservatives would use cash from the last fiscal year â€”
if more than $2 billion is left over when the numbers are finalized â€” a
practise of carrying over funds that has been sternly criticized by the auditor
general.
Still, Prentice called it "a very fair and reasonable approach.
"The budget, if it's fully understood, involves significant commitment to
aboriginal Canadians and it's one that has support out there."
Patrick Brazeau, head of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, represents
constituents living off-reserve.
He supported the budget after being assured he'll be included in new talks
this summer toward meeting the goals outlined in the Kelowna deal â€” a flawed
agreement Brazeau said gave short shrift to those living off-reserve.
"Everybody's getting a little piece of the pie â€” which was not the case in
previous budgets," he said Wednesday.
Others say the last thing needed is more talk.
"The minister of Indian Affairs, Jim Prentice, has stated publicly that he
was committed to `putting the wheels on Kelowna'," said Phil Fontaine,
national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. ``Why is it now necessary to
reinvent the wheel?
"We are more than willing to meet to discuss implementing measures that will
improve quality of life for First Nations, but this budget does not appear
to offer much."

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