OCTOBER 13, 2005

PRESS RELEASE
REGIONAL CHIEF TOULOUSE SEES POSITIVE MESSAGES IN THE ONTARIO SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

The Ontario Speech from the Throne included references for a New Approach in building relationships with First Nations in Ontario. The Speech boldly declared specific intentions on the part of the Ontario Government to share the wealth with First Nations as a means of closing the socio-economic gap between First Nations peoples and other Ontario residents:

“To share in Ontario’s economic prosperity, your government is working on a number of initiatives to close the socio-economic gap between Aboriginal peoples and other Ontario citizens. We have embarked upon a new approach to Aboriginal peoples and we are developing proposals to enable Aboriginal peoples to share fairly in the benefits of natural resource development.”

First Nations leaders in Ontario have, for some time, advocated the need for the Government of Ontario to acknowledge and respect the rights of First Nations communities to benefit from resource and other development in their traditional territories.

“First Nations leaders in Ontario will seize the opportunity to achieve resource revenue sharing agreements with the Government of Ontario” said Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.

Regional Chief Toulouse also expressed some optimism at hearing the Government of Ontario’s intention of strengthening the education and skills of First Nations peoples as part of the Ontario Government’s new approach.

Infrastructure development in First Nations communities and the north, as part of the modern infrastructure strategy announced in the speech, improving health and new housing are all part of the formula for closing the socio-economic gap according to Regional Chief Toulouse.

“At the first opportunity to meet with the Premier and his cabinet colleagues, I and, other members of the Ontario First Nations Political Confederacy, will be following up on these stated intentions of the Government of Ontario” said the Regional Chief.

The Speech also announced the creation of new Government Ministeries in health promotion and research and innovation, Regional Chief Toulouse commented that Ontario’s new approach should include the formation of a new Ministry for First Nations Relations. “The complexity of the issues, relationships and long term reality dictates that the Ontario Government should plan for the establishment of a senior and modern government Ministry to carry out a pro-active and constructive agenda with First Nations in Ontario” said Regional Chief Toulouse.

Regional Chief Toulouse also stated that Lieutenant Governor James Bartleman deserves a Chi Megwetch for his literacy efforts directed at First Nations peoples. “Lieutenant Governor Bartleman reminded all of us, through his “unconventional personal expressions in the Speech that suicide among First Nations youth is a reality despite Ontario’s prosperity. Dealing with this situation is what should focus our collective efforts to define and achieve a new approach,” said the Regional Chief.