The Ripple Effect Newsletter
July 2010
Hello...
I have recently received e-mails from a number of people asking if our Aboriginal Awareness Training had anything to do with Aboriginal Enlightenment or anything to do with Aboriginal Cultural Training.
Our work provides knowledge about the aboriginal people in Canada covering all those questions.
Our sharing of knowledge about Aboriginal people, their history and cultural diversity is an attempt to encourage and enhance the communication between non-Aboriginal people and Aboriginal people.
Getting to know more about your fellow Aboriginal neighbours will clarify and dispel the myths and mis-information that abound. The profound lack of knowledge about Aboriginal people and their circumstances is clear when you read the many comments on the blogs of media so readily available these days.
So many Aboriginal people are seeking out those elusive mythmakers that never want to be identified or discuss their sources of mis-information. It comes from somewhere and is generated by someone but we just can’t find them. It is mysterious how these myths surface and where they come from. For example, “Aboriginal people don’t pay taxes”, or “Aboriginal people get everything for nothing and their governments are all corrupt”. Both these examples are simply not true and distort the reality.
Why would these same mythmakers not ask “Why are the Aboriginal people where they are today?” or “What happened to the Aboriginal people of Canada to bring them to where they are today?”. There are literally a hundred websites available to anyone even remotely interested in seeking out the answers. Directing people to where they can find the answers is just one of the services we offer.
There is an obvious disconnect about our governments legal obligations, the source of those obligations and the resistance to acknowledge and fulfill those obligations. This in turn causes confrontation and conflict as the Aboriginal people attempt to have their unique rights recognized and respected. There is a solution. What is required is a critical mass of interested and concerned Canadians letting their elected officials know that the current method of policy development, implementation and underfunding is simply unacceptable. To get to that point Canadians have to learn more about their fellow Aboriginal citizens and learn how things have come to be they way they are.
Most Sincerely,
Robert Laboucane
President, Ripple Effects Ltd.
Story 1
Senate Seeks To Improve Band Election Process
Frontier Centre for Public Policy
Don Sandberg
It's hard to decide whether to be happy that senators are addressing a huge problem poisoning reserves, or weep at the ignorance this recent senate report has revealed.
Recently the Aboriginal newspaper Grassroots News featured a column about the Senate report, which included the words: "Canadian Senate’s turn to confront the high profile, hot potato issue."
What's the hot potato? That's a no brainer. Band elections, of course.
The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples released a report on band elections in mid-May called, “First Nations Elections: The choice is Inherently Theirs.”
And, although the report is flawed, one useful idea does suggest happiness should prevail.
First Nations elections have been a huge problem for years. A full year of hearings determined change is long overdue. No kidding.
Ask many First Nations people who live on reserves how their band elections are conducted. Some of the answers to the questions would be quite informative. Are they transparent? Is vote buying occurring? Are the best people seeking office? Are voter's lists being manipulated?
Do they trust the electoral officer appointed by their chief and council? Do they trust that no one has tampered with the ballot boxes?
Are dead people on voter lists? Are those dead people recorded as voting? Are all candidates - or only the incumbents - given the names and addresses of off reserve members?
Most times you'd better be prepared to listen for a couple of hours while they relate the shenanigans of those who care nothing for justice or doing the right thing. Often times, instead it is mostly about scrambling to get the best-paying jobs on the reserve and all the attendant perks.
Not all First Nations hold questionable elections. Some reserves could serve as models for democratic election practices. But, corruption occurs and is occasionally reported in the media. At Roseau River, Peguis, Norway House, and Little Saskatchewan, there are reports of deceased voters apparently cast ballots for winning candidates.
The names and addresses of off-reserve voters are usually available to incumbent council members. This way, incumbents are the only ones who know exactly where to go to campaign for these voters, putting new challengers at a disadvantage.
Contesting elections can take years as documents and hearings wind their way through the band process and then the Federal Court. People take sides. Relatives and friends become bitter enemies. Supporters of the losing candidates become have-nots while the supporters of winning candidates reap all the benefits.
The newspaper's article explained, "The senate's committee on aboriginal peoples studied the electoral reform question after a full year's research which included hearings in Manitoba, B.C. and Ottawa."
That seems sensible.
But, the ignorance revealed in the next statements is jarring.
The article said Canadian bands should design their own codes for custom elections, allowing voters to combine traditional and contemporary governance.
The problem is many native bands are already doing this. Many have already reverted to band custom elections as allowed by the Indian act election system. They develop their own constitutions and election codes.
The Grassroots news story went on to say "another proposed and high-priority change would be a switch from holding elections on reserves every two years, to holding elections every four years."
Again, this is already happening. Currently bands holding band custom elections may also switch to four year terms of office and most - including - Norway House Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba - have done so.
This report's authors should be questioned about their problematic research.
The only new, much-needed and long overdue change that the report proposed is "a streamlined national or at least regional appeals commission should provide oversight to whatever system different communities come up with."
Such a commission would undoubtedly be one of the busiest and soon would have the most overworked and stressed out staff unless improved regulation of band elections is implemented. It must be adequately funded and those appointed to oversee its operations must be independent from political interference by Aboriginal organizations. There must be no possibility of staff being terminated for simply doing their jobs in the best interests of all First Nations people.
The fate of the First Nations University in Saskatchewan provides a clear warning. This is not exactly the same scenario, but it's worth remembering political interference by native leaders had drastic repercussions for the university, including termination of most of its funding.
The Native elite will no doubt question the need for an oversight commission, saying we Aboriginal people can manage our own affairs. Then, why is their silence so deafening when a band election is being appealed and it is seeking third party oversight? Indian Affairs bureaucrats will no doubt oppose it too. For many, their jobs depend on band councils being dysfunctional.
After all, Heaven forbid Natives become truly self sufficient and self governing.
Story 2
Native kids the underdogs
Mindelle Jacobs
Ottawa is using its considerable political, legal and financial muscle to try to quash a human rights complaint that has been a thorn in its side for three years.
The underdogs are Native groups furious that the federal government significantly underfunds child welfare services for kids on reserves, compared to children who need such care off-reserve.
First Nations child welfare groups receive 22% less funding than provincial agencies and yet aboriginal children need much more help.
Ever since the Assembly of First Nations and the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society complained to the Canadian Human Rights Commission about the issue, the government has tried to bury it.
First, Ottawa tried to convince a judicial officer of the Federal Court to derail the complaint -- to no avail. Then the government attempted to get a Federal Court judge to quash it.
But that judge recently ruled that the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which tackles discrimination cases, should have a chance to hear the complaint.
Ottawa, with endless amounts of public money to pay legions of mind-numbing lawyers, now plans to ask the tribunal to dismiss the complaint (without even hearing it) next month.
“They’re on a fishing expedition to avoid accountability,” says a frustrated Cindy Blackstock, of the Caring Society.
If Ottawa succeeds in dismissing the complaint, the Caring Society will simply appeal, she vows.
“We will take this all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary, because these kids only have one childhood.”
In its written submission in support of dismissing the complaint, the government argues that the tribunal doesn’t have the jurisdiction to hear the issue.
The Canadian Human Rights Act deals with discrimination in the provision of services, the government notes.
It added: “Canada does not provide services; Canada only provides funding to the (child welfare agencies).” This, of course, is splitting hairs.
On-reserve child welfare agencies get far less funding than their provincial counterparts — and it’s Ottawa’s fault.
As far as Blackstock is concerned, it amounts to nothing less than a government decision to discriminate in order to save money.
“I think the government is thinking ‘man, equality is going to cost us a bundle.”
Granted, funding for First Nations Child and Family Services almost tripled in the past 12 years to $523 million in 2008-09, and some provinces, including Alberta, have received additional top-ups.
But the auditor general has said this additional money still doesn’t address the inequities.
Incredibly, a top Indian Affairs bureaucrat cross-examined recently on her affidavit supporting the government’s motion to derail the tribunal didn’t seem familiar with the auditor general’s 2008 report.
Asked if she was aware the auditor general had concerns about the funding models for Native child welfare services, she replied: “I am not sure.”
This is the same bureaucrat who was responsible for helping draft the government’s response to the auditor general’s report.
In the real world, some Native child welfare agencies are considering closing down because of underfunding, says Blackstock.
Government documents she obtained recently through Access to Information reveal Ottawa knows how bad the situation is.
If on-reserve agencies shut down and the provinces have to provide child and family services to Natives, the financial consequences will be “severe,” according to one government brief.
In Alberta, it adds, expenses would likely double if the province had to assume responsibility for service delivery.
One thing’s for sure: The lawyers get paid.
Story 3
First Nations water bill tabled
The federal government has introduced a bill to regulate drinking water on First Nations reserves.
This proposed legislation, tabled in the Senate by Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, follows from the recommendations made by the auditor general's office, the expert panel on safe drinking water for First Nations and the standing Senate committee on aboriginal peoples.
The proposed safe drinking water for First Nations act would allow for the development of federal regulations for drinking water and wastewater to apply in First Nation communities.
Strahl also announced a two-year extension of the First Nations water and wastewater action plan, at a cost of $330 million.
"First Nations should expect, as do all Canadians, to have access to safe, clean drinking water," Strahl said.
Although legislation for drinking water and wastewater has been developed in provinces and territories, it does not exist in First Nation communities.
Since provinces and territories have existing regulations governing drinking water and wastewater, the federal government would review them to identify areas that can be adapted into federal regulations. At the same time, the law would allow for regional differences and recognize the unique water challenges facing many First Nation communities.
The proposed bill would:
* Provide First Nation communities with drinking water and wastewater standards comparable with provincial or territorial standards off reserves.
* Offer more opportunities for First Nation communities and municipalities to work together in areas such as training and sharing systems.
* Establish a common base to evaluate the effectiveness of the operation, design and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.
* Allow for regional flexibility, as federal regulations could vary from province to province and territory to territory.
Story 4
Agreement between BC Hydro and First Nations Energy and Mining Council seeks to enhance relationships in the clean energy sector
The BC First Nations Energy and Mining Council (FNEMC) and BC Hydro signed a protocol agreement today to identify areas of common interest within sustainable clean energy development.
"It is very important that we have a positive working relationship with BC Hydro to discuss pressing issues and to understand policies and plans that they develop," said Dave Porter, CEO of the First Nations Energy and Mining Council.
"We will work with the First Nations leadership, and in discussions with BC Hydro the FNEMC will advance the priorities of the First Nations that were contained in the 2007 First Nations Energy Action Plan. This protocol is a positive first step."
"BC Hydro is looking forward to working closely with the Council. This agreement will lead to more opportunities to work with more First Nation communities to explore the development of clean energy projects," said David Cobb, Chief Executive Officer and President of BC Hydro.
"Building relationships based on mutual understanding, respect and trust with First Nations is a core part of BC Hydro's mandate as we move ahead to deliver a strong new future for clean energy in our province that benefits all British Columbians."
Following the signing of the agreement, the two parties will work together to find specific areas of collaboration.
Story 5
Canada must act now to save aboriginal kids
Lindsay Kines, Canwest News Service
Canada urgently needs a national strategy to deal with the "humanitarian crisis" facing aboriginal children, says an alliance of independent child advocates from across the country.
The government-appointed watchdogs from nine provinces and one territory told a press conference in Ottawa Wednesday that the health, education and safety of aboriginal children lags "devastatingly far behind" that of other Canadian children. The advocates say the gap is widening at an alarming rate.
Despite the billions of dollars spent on programs, aboriginal children today are still more likely to be taken into government care, more likely to end up in jail, and less likely to graduate.
They often live in poverty, are frequently victims of sexual exploitation and violence, and their suicide rate is five to seven times that of non-aboriginal youth.
"These are the things we see day-to-day in our work as advocates," said Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C.'s representative for children and youth. "What we don't see is enough national attention being paid to this humanitarian crisis by governments, by the media and by the average Canadian.
"First nations, Metis and Inuit children and youth are the fastest-growing group in Canada. And if we don't pay attention now, if we continue to fail these children, we as a country and as a society must hang our heads in disgrace."
Turpel-Lafond, who on Tuesday was elected president of the Canadian Council of Provincial Child and Youth Advocates, said the council has written Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling for a national strategy to deal with the problems. They also intend to press for a meeting of first ministers, aboriginal leaders and youth delegates to develop a plan that sets national standards and goals.
In addition, the advocates backed calls for the appointment of a national children's commissioner, who would provide independent oversight with a special focus on aboriginal children.
Bernard Richard, the child advocate in New Brunswick, said the cost of doing nothing is "enormous."
"Canada spends a lot of money to attract new immigrants to our country, and well we should," he said.
"But yet we stand by and allow the fastest-growing population within our own country to be lost to productivity, to reaching their full potential. And it's a national shame in our view. It shouldn't happen in a country like Canada."
Turpel-Lafond plans to send a copy of the council's letter to B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, and also seek a meeting with Aboriginal Relations Minister George Abbott.
She noted that Campbell played a key role in the Kelowna Accord that sought to improve the lives of aboriginal Canadians.
"So I'm pretty confident that they will be supportive, and I think that this is an area where we can maybe really get some work done," she said.
