Charles D. Fox

August 20, 2001

Current Course of Action regarding the FNGA

(First Nations Governance Initiative)

On behalf of the Political Confederacy, this is an update on the actions we have taken in the rejection of and opposition to the proposed First Nation Governance Act (FNGA) based on the Chiefs’ direction:

1. Resolution 01/40 adopted at the All Ontario Chiefs Conference in Bkwejwanong Territory, June 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 and;

2. Resolution 03/2001 adopted at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly in Halifax, July 2001 confirmed rejection and boycott of the initiative and also calls on Canada to engage in an respectful and effective process that should be signalled in 30 days.

The Chiefs of Ontario is actively engaged in opposition strategies to the proposed FNGA. DIAND officials continue to meet with First Nation organizations regarding support for the FNGA and consultations despite the agreement to a 30 day moratorium on consultations and a willingness to review a joint work plan within 10 days of the AFN/CANADA joint announcement, July 31, 2001. The 30 day "cooling off" period ends September 6, 2001 at which time Nault will move forward once again with conducting the consultations.

Assembly of First Nations & Canada Joint Work Plan

The AFN had one joint meeting with DIAND on August 8, 2001 and although participation was limited, a Chiefs of Ontario representative did attend the meeting with two of British Columbia Vice Chief George’s technicians, one AFN staff and two DIAND officials. This particular meeting did pose questions regarding AFN protocol, process and the implementation of the resolution. As a result, the Chiefs of Ontario wrote three letters to National Chief Matthew Coon Come stating Ontario’s position and encouraging inclusive regional representation on the joint initiative. The National Chief and AFN Executive met on August 16, 2001 to review the revised (second) draft of the joint work plan and for possible approval.

In the meantime, Ontario secured a copy of the AFN/Canada joint work plan (draft one), for review by the Chiefs of Ontario Governance Technical Committee. The Committee was directed to develop a "made in Ontario plan" that could be used for the benefit of Ontario First Nations, and second, sharing with the AFN and other regions. On August 13 - 15, 2001 the COO Governance Committee, with representatives from the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, the National Association of Indian Friendship Centres and the Ontario Native Women’s Association (president attended day one only), developed two work plans:

Ontario’s Proposed National Work Plan on the Implementation of First Nations Inherent Rights, and,

Ontario First Nations’ Governance Initiative Pertaining to Nation-Building, Year 1

The proposed National Work plan was reviewed and approved by the Chiefs of Ontario Political Confederacy on August 14, 2001. As you will see in the attached National Plan, the goals are derived from AFN resolution no. 3/2001.

The Ontario Political Confederacy maintains the position that Ontario representation and involvement, including other regions, in the implementation of AFN resolution no. 3/2001 are essential, given the magnitude and national significance of the Governance initiative.

Message from Ontario Regional Chief Charles D. Fox

New Direction in the Implementation of AFN Resolution No. 3/2001

The new direction provided by the Assembly of First Nations Executive on August 16 in the handling of the Governance file and resolution 3/2001 is as follows:

• National Chief Matthew Coon Come will take the lead on the Governance file;
• All Vice Chiefs, comprising the AFN Executive share the responsibility for Governance and will participate in the handling of this file;
• The AFN Executive will designate one technician per region to participate on the National AFN Committee as per resolution 3/2001;
• The technicians will use the attached AFN/BC - Canada revised joint work plan that primarily focuses on Indian Act revisions as a starting point only and will develop a plan for review by each of the Vice Chiefs by Wednesday, August 22, 2001;
• The AFN Executive will convene a conference call on Friday, August 24, 2001 to review the proposed joint work plan;
• National Chief Coon Come will request an extension to the 30 day cooling off period due to a change in the DIAND lead role.
• The AFN intends to host a Special Chiefs Assembly for review and possible ratification of an AFN – Canada Joint Work plan.

The AFN Technical Committee will meet on August 21 & 22, 2001 in Ottawa. The participation of Ontario’s representatives will be based on the Work plan approved by the Political Confederacy on August 14. The lead Ontario representative will be Rosie Mosquito, Chiefs of Ontario. However, the Ontario Governance Committee has agreed that it is beneficial for all committee members to participate when possible. While we will be participating in the National process, Ontario will be carrying on with our strategies opposing the Nault Governance Initiative.

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

Message from Ontario Regional Chief Charles D. Fox

We Must Continue on our Course of Action

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 up the momentum and pressure, the Political Confederacy have also agreed that the following actions should 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

First Nations in Ontario must be commended for maintaining the position of opposition to the proposed Governance initiative that has far reaching consequences to the fabric of our Nations. Without the political discipline of the First Nation leadership, Indian Affairs would have continued its public relations campaign without let up.

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

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 & Researcher - 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