Charles D. Fox

August 2, 2001

On behalf of the Political Confederacy, I would like to provide an update on the actions we have taken in the rejection and opposition to the proposed First Nation Governance Act (FNGA). By way of background, you will recall that the Chiefs at the All Ontario Chiefs Conference in Bkwejwanong Territory, June 26 – 28, 2001 unanimously reaffirmed opposition to Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) Minister Robert Nault’s proposed First Nations Governance Act and consultation process in Resolution 01/40. The Chiefs agreed to increase efforts and pressure to halt the proposed FNGA and consultation process through media, letter, telephone and petition campaigns, among other activities.

Likewise, at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly in Halifax, July 17 – 19, 2001, the Chiefs unanimously adopted Resolution 3/2001 confirming their resistance to the initiative. This resolution also called for a 30 day halt to the initiative to allow Minister Nault and the AFN to meet and discuss an expanded and mutually beneficial course of action to include a broader range of Indian Act issues, Treaty implementation and better access to lands and resources. Ontario supported this resolution as it reflects our longer term and proactive goal of nation rebuilding but at the same time, Ontario committed to continuing with our opposition and pressure to increase the momentum we have collectively generated.

The National Chief joined by Vice Chiefs Herb George, (British Columbia) and Perry Bellegarde, (Saskatchewan) met with Minister Nault on July 31, 2001 to present the resolution and outline the First Nation leadership call to Canada to jointly build a process that will address the broad range of issues affecting First Nations. A 30 day cooling off period along with the suspension of the FNGA consultation process was agreed to at this meeting. Over the next 10 days, AFN and INAC will prepare a joint work plan. In his letter of July 31, 2001 the National Chief states:

"We have agreed that officials from our office will meet with officials from INAC over the next 10 days

to finalize a work plan to address the direction established by resolution of our Assembly. Following

the successful development of this work plan, the Minister will meet with our Executive to discuss the possibility of announcing a new direction and joint process to address First Nations governance"

The goal of the proposed joint work plan will be to reflect a common agenda and address the direction provided by the Chiefs through resolutions. This demonstration of flexibility by Minister Nault is a small victory.

Given the magnitude and national significance of the Governance initiative, the Ontario Political Confederacy has communicated to the National Chief that Ontario representation and involvement in the implementation of the resolution is essential along with the other Vice Chiefs. We have to ensure our concerns are addressed in the national process, both at the political and technical levels.

We have been successful in creating alliances with two national organizations in the rejection of the proposed Nault initiative.

• The Native Women’s Association of Canada announced their formal rejection at the AFN Annual General Assembly, July 17 – 29, 2001
• The National Association of Friendship Centres also announced their rejection at their Annual Meeting during the week of July 23rd.

We will be exploring how we can further advance our common agenda of the rejection of the Governance Initiative.

While there are negotiations on a joint work plan between AFN and INAC officials, the Ontario Political Confederacy stated their continued commitment against the Nault Governance initiative in our meeting on July 31, 2001. We must continue to be duly diligent to ensure that our rights and future are not jeopardized. We must continue with our petition campaigns to hammer home the message that accountability must be a two way street, in concert with other strategies and tactics. To keep the momentum and pressure, the Political Confederacy have also agreed that the following actions should also be taken:

• Conduct a series of legislative briefings
• Organize a lobby strategy for key decision makers
• Schedule a series of public forums/speakers bureaus
• Activate/increase a letter writing campaign
• Development of an aggressive action campaign

I have also written a letter to the Prime Minister calling for a dialogue to start working together with the real issues of poverty and degradation confronting our people and communities as a priority and to stop the proposed FNGA as it is merely tinkering with the Indian Act.

The Chiefs in Ontario must be commended for maintaining the position of opposition to the proposed Governance initiative that has far reaching consequences to the fundamental fabric of our Nations. Without the political discipline by the First Nation leadership, the breakthrough with Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development would have not been possible.

For more information or clarification please call me or any of the Governance Technical Committee members listed below. Meegwetch.

Governance Technical Committee Members Phone Fax

Fred Bellefeuille, Self Government Manager -Union of Ontario Indians
705-497-9127 705-497-9135

Frank McKay, Advisor /Negotiator - Nishnawbe Aski Nation
807-625-4936 807-623-7730

Rosie Mosquito, Senior Policy Advisor - Chiefs of Ontario
807-626-9339 807-626-9404

Lori Ann Roness, Policy Analyst & Research Coordinator -Nishnawbe Aski Nation
807-625-4911 807-623-7730

Michael Sherry, Barrister & Solicitor
905-278-4658 905-278-8522

Paula Sevestre, Governance Initiative Coordinator

Association of Iroquois & Allied Indians
519-434-2761 519-679-1653

Reid Thomson, Director of Operations -Grand Council Treaty #3 807-548-4214 807-548-5041

Terry Waboose, Director , Process Coordination Unit - Nishnawbe Aski Nation
807-625-4936 807-623-7730

Vera Williams, A/Independents Coordinator - Bkwejwanong Territory
519-627-1481 519-627-0440

Wendy Johnson-Martin, Education Policy Analyst Coordinator - Chiefs of Ontario
519-750-1016 519-750-1316