Highlights of Ontario Activities

June 14, 2002
A rally was held on Parliament Hill when the FNGI was tabled. With barely 24 hour notice, several hundred attended.

July 4, 2002 M’Chicheeng First Nation held a rally at the Sudbury INAC office & marched to Ottawa to protest the Minister’s refusal to recognize their recent elections & to protest the FNGA

August 19, 2002
Grand Council Treaty #3 & Nishnawbe Aski Nation co-hosted the hugely successful “Gathering of Drums” National Rally & March in Kenora. Approximately 4000 attended. Though invited the Minister did not attend.

September 19, 2002
A rally outside the Thunder Bay INAC regional office was held in place of the postponed Liberal Party of Canada Fundraising Dinner due to a ‘serious’ scheduling conflict of the Prime Minister. Despite rain, approximately 300 people attended.

October 3, 2002
Six Nations hosted a successful town hall on governance show with CH TV. It rated second to Survivors in the greater Toronto area.October 30, 2002-Calvin Skead reached Ottawa after he started his journey on August 22 from Wauzushk Onigum to create awareness and respect for our children & to oppose the FNGA as another tool of assimilation.

Saskatchewan:
July 17, 2002-The FSIN filed a legal challenge in the Federal Court against the Prime Minister and INAC Minister for breaching their fiduciary duty and asks for a permanent injunction to stop the FNGA.

Manitoba:
August 19, 2002 - The Manitoba leadership and supporters slowed down traffic on the Trans Canada Highway to Winnipeg while returning from the Kenora National Rally.

September 3–5, 2002
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs reaffirmed their opposition to FNGA during their AGA 2002, to boycott the SCAA hearings on the FNGA, launch legal action against Canada and to escalate the protest against FNGA as an urgent priority.

The Southern Chiefs Organization is collecting data on all funding and personal attacks on First Nations across the country.

Alberta:
The Samson Cree Nation continue with their lawsuit against Canada for a judgement that the federal government is in breach of its treaty, trust, fiduciary and other obligations and duties. The same ceremony held in 1969 in response to the White Paper is being considered and might be called the National Day of Prayer. All First Nations will be notified when a decision is made.

Ontario Position

The Chiefs of Ontario position on the First Nations Governance Initiative is outlined in Resolution 02/06 – Bill C 61: Ontario First Nations Position:

• To condemn the Bill as a violation of our inherent right to self-government
• To explore every avenue, step and action to ensure First Nation voices of opposition are heardv To call upon the Government of Canada for a respectful bilateral process on rights and other issues based on the principles of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report
• To oppose the bill in the strongest possible terms based on the National Action Plan
• To oppose the Bill through the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and by means of appropriate court action, preferably in coordination with the Assembly of First Nations

Current Status of the FNGI / BILL C-7

On September 16, 2002 Prime Minister Chretien prorogued Parliament which killed all bills that were introduced during that session. On September 30, 2002, the Government of Canada presented a new Throne Speech marking the new session of Parliament. Canada stated it would proceed with the legislative agenda on aboriginal issues they started in the last session.

On October 9, 2002, the Minister of Indian Affairs re-tabled the FNGI in the House of Commons. It is now known as Bill C-7. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Natural Resources (SCAA) for the second consultation phase according to the Nault Plan. At the first SCAA meeting on November 4, 2002, Raymond Bonin was re-elected as the Chair. Nancy Karetak-Lindell, (Liberal, Nunavut) and Maurice Vellacott (CA, Saskatoon-Wuneskewin) were both elected as Vice Chairs. A motion was also passed for travel authority for committee hearings. The SCAA is expected to deal with Bill C-7 after Christmas.

Time is of the essence in advancing our inherent and treaty rights and increasing our opposition to the FNGI. Minister of Indian Affairs is continuing with his aggressive media and public campaign against First Nations governments that do not support the FNGI and their legislative schemes. More challenges lie ahead for First Nations. For example, in a CTV Newsnet interview on October 29, 2002 Minister Nault stated that he has a total of nine pieces of legislation that he wants passed between now and June.

Key Meeting Dates This Past Year:

• December 2001-Ottawa, ON – AFN Confederacy
  March 11-12, 2002 – Winnipeg, MB- National Protection of Treaty & Inherent Rights Gathering
• April 2002 – Edmonton, AB – Joint AFN Executive & the Implementation Committee
• May 2002- Ottawa, ON – Chiefs of Ontario Caucus
• May 2002 – Ottawa, ON – AFN Special Chiefs Assembly
• June 18, 2002 – Saskatoon, SK – Legal Strategy Session
• June 24-28,2002 – Eabametoong FN – Endorsement of Chiefs of Ontario (COO) Resolution 06/01
• July 2002 – Montreal, PQ – AFN Annual General Assembly

Many national and regional meeting were held the past year to develop strategies against the FNGA. Many actions have also been undertaken to oppose the FNGA. Fact sheets, bulletins, newsletter, press releases and information kits have been distributed at various events. Ontario continues to maintain a strong lead in the battle against Canada’s assimilation of First Nations agenda. AFN and other regions are continuing with the opposition to the FNGI by implementing elements of the National Action Plan endorsed by Resolution no. 3/2002 at the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly held May 2002.

WHAT YOU CAN DO – IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

As the FNGA continues to evolve in the parliamentary process, First Nations must continue and increase opposition activities as for the protection of our rights outlined in the National Action Plan to keep up the momentum and pressure. A complete copy of the National Action Plan is available at our office. We must continue to be duly diligent in protecting our rights and our children’s future. The following are some of the actions you and your community can take:

Political Lobbying & Legislative Briefings: Organize teams of leaders, community members and technicians to lobby with Cabinet, MPs, PC Party, Liberal Caucus, etc. Send the alternative national and regional First Nations plans to MPs and government officials. Coordinate letter campaign to MPs and government
officials.

Communications Internal: Engage community dialogue to ensure full understanding of the FNGA by First Nations members. Obtain ongoing feedback and direction. Continue distribution of information to our members.

Media Relations: Conduct a positive National public campaign to counteract government smear campaign. Retain professional PR person to lead media strategy national/regional. Identify key spokespeople, ie., sovereignty champions. Arrange/coordinate media briefings, press conferences, etc.

Public Education: Share information with key institutions ie., schools, municipal associations. Gather support from general Canadian public – Canadian organizations/groups.

Direct Action/Assertion of Right: Identify & coordinate direct actions. This could include Peaceful rallies at Parliament Hill or Sit-ins/occupations at MP offices.

First Nations Solidarity: Establish First Nations network for unity. Participate in AFN and other regional assemblies pertaining to protection of Treaty & Inherent Rights. Focus on consensus building at all political levels. Participate in the Implementation Committee on the Protection of Treaty & Inherent Rights.