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Feds Reach Agreement On Indigenous Child Welfare

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The federal government is providing a 40 billion dollar settlement for indigenous child welfare.

Cindy Woodhouse is with the Assembly of First Nations and says the agreement will be worked out over the next few months.

“The final settlement agreement will contain provisions on eligibility for compensation and the application process,” states Woodhouse.

“Work towards long-term reform will include AFN facilitated engagement sessions with all regions.”

Woodhouse adds almost half of the $40 billion settlement will go towards reparations.

“All of our children and communities going forward will benefit from the $19.8 billion in new investments and first nation-designed program and services to deal with the root causes of family breakdown. Like substandard housing, poverty, substance abuse, and multi-generational trauma.”

Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says poverty can not be a reason children are taken away from their families and part of the agreement will pay for new housing in first nations.

Hajdu says while this is an agreement in principle, work now begins on finalizing the settlement agreements.

Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishinawbe Aski Nation, Bobby Narcisse says part of the settlement will include remote first nations in the far north.

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More Money Needed For Safe Drinking Water For First Nations

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First Nations communities are still struggling with not having safe drinking water.

The Parliamentary Budget Report regarding First Nation’s drinking water was released and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief, Derek Fox, said in a statement that the federal government needs have more funding commitments to ensure safe drinking water for these communities.

According to the report, spending in 2016/2017 as well as planned spending until 2025/2026 will be enough to cover capital costs but not to help maintain or pay for operational costs. The report estimates that $138 million should be spent per year in order to cover that spending.

Across NAN territory, there are seven short term and 13 long term boil water advisories happening. Neskantaga First Nation has been on a BWA for 26 years, that is the longest in Canada.

In NAN’s 2018 infrastructure assessment, it saw only 44 per cent of final costs were covered for operations and maintenance across NAN communities.

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NAN, Ornge Vaccinating Fly-In Communities

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The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is making its way to fly-in First Nation communities.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Ornge are working together to begin delivering the vaccines today as part of Operation Remote Immunity.

Over the next three months, Ornge teams will bring the vaccine to 31 NAN communities.

Weenusk First Nation was the first to host a vaccination team on January 26th.

This week, teams will be visiting Neskantaga, Slate Falls, Muskrat Dam, Fort Severn and Kashechewan.

NAN Calls For School Funding

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Nishnawbe Aski Nation says schools in its territory aren’t getting the funding they need to start classes safely.

Deputy Grand Chief Derek Fox says parents and leaders are frustrated that their schools are being left out while other school districts get supports.

He says Indigenous Services Canada hasn’t responded to NAN communities, which risks their ability to educate almost 9,000 students.

Fox adds they’re concerned this will lead to a bigger gap in education between First Nations and the rest of the province.

While most NAN communities are remote, Fox points out that COVID-19 could spread quickly through First Nations if the virus reaches one of their communities.

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NAN Receives Federal Funding For Mental Health Program

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The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is on the receiving end of more than $2.6-million to support its Mental Health and Addictions Pandemic Response Program.

The money will help fund programs and services to assist those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Marc Miller says the initiative will identify the mental health and wellness services that are already available, and bridge the existing gaps so that every individual can have access to 24/7 culturally safe and community-based mental health services when needed.

The Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority and KO eHealth will run the program.

It’s designed to provide community members with equal access to high-quality, culturally safe substance use treatment and mental health services with direct from First Nations communities.

 

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NAN Calling For RCMP Review

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The Nishnawbe Aski Nation is calling for an investigation into systemic racism and the use of force against Indigenous People by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is speaking out following the recent deaths and policy brutality at the hands of police since April.

Fiddler stresses “Canadians have been shocked to see First Nations leadership brutalized and bloodied by RCMP in recent weeks. We have seen the tapes and heard the excuses, but what we have not seen is a committed federal response to eradicate systemic racism and the misuse of force against Indigenous Peoples by the RCMP.”

He says he is writing to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging him to immediately launch a comprehensive, independent, and transparent investigation.

Fiddler stresses the path forward may include dismantling the RCMP given that it is not enough to simply adopt new policies or have more cultural training for officers.

“Meaningful investment in mental health supports and crisis interventions that embody the mandate of public safety must be explored and implemented.” says Fiddler.

He adds “It is time for the Government of Canada to prioritize sustainable, respectful and long-term changes to a policing system that is steeped in colonial traditions and has completely failed Indigenous Peoples.”

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Unusually Warm Winter Hard On Winter Ice Roads

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While most resident like the unseasonably mild weather this week, it been hard on the winter ice road system in the north.

Of the 31 communities connected by winter roads, only one is fully open and half are only open to light traffic.

Indigenous Affairs minister Greg Rickford says he will be talking to the Transportation Minister about the issue.

“We’re heading back to Toronto Wednesday to assess some of the issues that are going on there,” says Rickford.

“I continue to work with Indigenous Affairs, Northern Development and Mines and my colleague Caroline (Mulroney) in the Ministry of Transportation.”

Over the weekend, a groomer fell through the ice in North Caribou Lake and the Nishinawbe Nation says a number of communities are running out of fuel because it can’t be hauled on the winter ice roads.

Rickford says, “Some of that is obviously driven by weather and we’ve faced this before, so we’ll continue to support those communities and their access.”

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Methamphetamine Seized In Attawapiskat

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A 19-year-old man from Attawapiskat First Nation has been charged with Possession of a Substance following a drug bust in the remote northern community.

The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service says the illegal drugs were seized on November 26th.

Police say officers found $27,000 worth of Methamphetamine pills.

The name of the accused can’t be named at this time due to the processing of court documents.

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Jane Philpott Joins NAN Health Transformation Plan

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The Nishnawbe Aski Nation has a new ally on its side on the health care front.

Former Liberal Indigenous Services minister Jane Philpott has been named a special adviser in health care for NAN.

Philpott says she’s delighted to be invited to the portfolio and support the critical work of health transformation in northwestern Ontario First Nations communities.

She says amazing progress on improved health care services is already well underway in the north under the leadership of many Indigenous leaders.

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says “Philpott has always been a strong ally to NAN, and having an opportunity to continue to develop this relationship through Health Transformation is very exciting for us.”

Philpott resigned from cabinet over the government’s handling of the SNC-Lavalin scandal and eventually lost her Toronto-area seat in the recent federal election.

 

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NAN Looking For More Progress With New Government

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Local Indigenous leaders say they have high expectations for improvements for First Nations under the Liberal minority government.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation says they want to see more progress on Indigenous issues, and will start working with the Trudeau Liberals right away.

Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is also congratulating the MP’s who were elected Monday night across the region, and acknowledging Liberal Bob Nault for his 20 plus years of service in the Kenora riding.

 

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