FSIN Executive Communique October 7, 2011

Red Earth Cree Nation

On October 4th, an unfortunate event occurred on the Red Earth Cree Nation where community youth were involved in an armed standoff with the RCMP.

 Chief Ian McKay invited the Prince Albert Grand Council and Vice Chief Watson to participate with him in the news conference held October 6th to clearly articulate the need for community safety and to inform the public that this serious incident is a symptom of a much larger socio-economic issue.

The Red Earth Chief and Council will meet with its community membership next week to discuss the issues and develop a strategy to address the socio-economic situation within the community. Other parties that are able to assist in this community tragedy such as the RCMP, the Prince Albert Grand Council, Health Canada and the FSIN are invited to attend the meeting.

Gaming

The Chiefs in Assembly passed two resolutions relating to Gaming at the October 5th & 6th Assembly. The Chiefs in Assembly approved the recommendation to forward the three names: Chief Michael Starr, Terry Lavallee and Patricia Thompson to Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation (SGC) for consideration to serve as FSIN representatives on the SGC Board. The Chiefs also approved the joint Economic and Community Development (ECDC)/Gaming Commission resolution to remove SIGA Board Chair Kirk Goodtrack.

Gaming Framework discussions will continue leading up to the notice letter to be sent to the Province of Saskatchewan for the 2012 Review period.

Treaty Table HFTG Working Group

TGO staff attended a Treaty Table HFTG Working Group meeting in Regina on September 13, along with Lands and Resources staff. The meeting was to discuss a research project that will gather and analyze federal and provincial legislation that impact the Treaty right to HFTG, review wildlife management laws in other jurisdictions and review co-management regimes that may have application in Saskatchewan. Federal departments that were represented included Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and Parks Canada. Saskatchewan officials from FNMR declined to participate in the Working Group. The Working Group was informed that First Nations are beginning to develop own laws on wildlife and environmental management and will hold appropriate consultation with federal and provincial governments.

FSIN/ANND Senior Administrators Committee (SAC)

TGO staff and the FSIN Chief of Staff attended the Senior Administrator's Committee (SAC) in Regina on September 13 to provide advice and some oversight to operations of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. Items discussed included the OTC operations report, release of funding holdbacks for OTC, the relationship between self-government and Treaty implementation, the development of federal policy on Treaty implementation, the appointment of Treaty Commissioner in 2012, the possibility of a Treaty Summit hosted by OTC in the spring of 2012 and the need for an inter-governmental strategic plan for Treaty implementation. Another issue was the role of the province in implementation of the inherent right to self-government and Treaty. TGO feels that the federal government has the responsibility of ensuring provincial participation in areas where it is warranted. There will be another SAC in January of 2011 to follow up these discussion items.

Treaty Table

TGO staff attended the Treaty Table meeting on September 14 in Regina. Agenda items included updates on the Working Groups in HFTG and Health, a presentation on the Action Plan in the Context of Education (APECT) and a presentation on the report on livelihood of the Dene and Anishinabe. TGO and Canada presented on the Treaty Implementation Report Card. TGO will work with the FSIN Secretariats to further flesh out the First Nations progress on Treaty implementation. The Treaty Table Work Plan was updated to reflect current initiatives and time lines. Saskatchewan FNMR re-iterated their refusal to participate actively at the Treaty Table while undergoing an internal review of their inherent rights policy and their participation at the Treaty Table, a review which has been on-going for the past year.

Role of the Province: Internal Discussions

TGO will coordinate a forum for the FSIN Secretariats focused on the role of the province in Treaty implementation and will bring the results of that review to the Treaty Table. There have been two reports from a neutral party on the role of the province in Treaty implementation and these will form the basis for discussion, facilitated by OTC.

OTC will also facilitate a Canada/FSIN focus group on the Treaty Implementation Report in November.

Treaty 4 Governance

TGO staff presented to the Treaty 4 Council of on the work being done on Treaty implementation and the work of the T4 Governance Technical Team, including the Proclamation and Convention along with a commitment to develop supporting documents. The Chiefs set aside a full day in November to discuss the T4 Governance Model.

Treaties 1-11 Gathering

TGO staff attended the Treaty 1-11 Gathering and the Post-Confederation Roundtable in Calgary from September 20-23, focussed on strategizing for Treaty implementation across all Treaty Territories. Over 700 delegates attended the sessions. Saskatchewan First Nations were well-represented at both the Elders and Chiefs' forums. Vice Chief Watson, Senator Sol Sanderson and Chief Perry Bellegarde presented on behalf of the FSIN, Treaty 6 and Treaty 4, respectively. All other Treaty areas had their spokesperson as well.

Ten resolutions were passed on a variety of Treaty implementation issues, as well as one addressing the development of a structure to include a Treaty 1-11 Technical Team to follow-up the resolutions. The Technical Team will meet in November in Saskatoon, with Eric Tootoosis, Treaty 6, issuing the invitation. TGO will assist in coordination and logistics, if required. The 2012 Treaty Gathering will be hosted by Treaty 2 in Manitoba. A full report of the Gathering will be coming from Treaty 7 shortly.

Commission on Treaty Implementation

TGO staff began preparations for a transition of the Chiefs Advisory Committee on Governance (CAC) to a full-fledged Commission on Treaty Implementation, as directed by the CAC. Such a transition will require support from the Indian Government Commission and the Chiefs in Assembly. As well, TGO staff has begun the review of the FSIN Treaty implementation policy and strategy.

Citizenship

The TGO staff made a presentation on Citizenship to the Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Commission on October 4 in Saskatoon. The presentation included the background and issues of the current membership/citizenship situation, on-going engagement sessions with First Nations to receive direction on developing a First Nations Citizenship Framework to develop First Nations citizenship laws and a commitment to assist First Nations in developing such laws.

Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Commission

The Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Commission held their annual First Nations Women's Leadership Assembly in Saskatoon on October 4, 2011. Issues of important included Matrimonial Real Property (MRP) discussion, Citizenship and Canadian Human Rights Commission updates and dialoguing with the FSIN executive. Sharon Venne facilitated a discussion regarding MRP and the assembly identified steps to help dissolve the legislative gap regarding this issue when a marriage breaks down on a First Nation. A course of action has been identified and the SFNWC will move forward on the recommendations identified by the Women's Leadership Assembly.

Further to MRP, the Federal Government has introduced Bill S-2: Family Homes on Reserve and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act. The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development made the announcement and cited that the Bill would "ensure that people living on reserve have similar rights and protections as other Canadians with regard to matrimonial property and interests." Similar bills have been introduced in the past but have been tabled; this bill is similar but with some changes including:

Elimination of the provisions related to the verification process, including the role of the verification officer. Lower ratification threshold for the approval of First Nation matrimonial real property laws to a single majority with a set participation rate of at least 25 per cent of the eligible voters. A 12 month transition period take place before the federal provisional rules come into force.

It is expected that these changes will create greater opportunities to support First Nations to create their own laws and address concerns expressed with the previous Bills.

The SFNWC would like to thank all the First Nations, organizations and companies for their outstanding support for our Annual Gala Event which raises funds for the families of missing persons. The sold out event was attended by hundreds of people and each listened to guest speaker Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International and Charlie Major, popular country recording artist. This year's event was extremely successful and the money raised will support initiatives and efforts regarding Missing persons in Saskatchewan and their families. Again, thank you so much for your support.

Office of the 2nd Vice Chief - Bobby Cameron

I want to thank the Chiefs and Councilors for their confidence in my leadership. I look forward to the next three years of working towards the advancement and implementation of Treaty. I will do my best to ensure that our First Nations prosper in all areas such as the Treaty Right to economic development, education, health, justice, so we can build a better quality of life for all our people from the very young to the very old. With the consultation and guidance from our Elders, Chiefs, Councilors and grass roots people we will all work together for a prosperous future.

Office of the 3rd Vice Chief - E. Dutch Lerat

First Nations Treaty Rights Protection Fund

The next TRPF Tribunal meeting will be held Nov. 8 & 9 at Saskatoon's Best Western Harvest Inn. Any First Nations and/or individuals that want to apply to the TRPF must have their application in by October 31, 2011, which is 10 days before a scheduled meeting as per the FNTRPF Terms of Reference.

Lands & Resources

Specific Claims

Specific claims staff have been busy over the last couple of weeks meeting on individual First Nation issues. Specific Claims staff have been providing support in several meetings of First Nations concerned about potash development in the Province. Staff have also been attending hearings of the National Energy Board. Negotiation session have taken place with Makwa Sahgaiehcan claims and the Little Red Timber claim with FSIN chairing and providing technical support. FSIN staff have also met with Kinistin, Young Chippewayan and Pasqua regarding their claim issues.

Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP)

The Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program (AIHP) will continue to visit central and northern communities this fall to make presentations on fish habitat, traditional ecological knowledge and on environmental processes. Calls will be made to a number of communities who may be interested. The purpose of the presentations are to not only promote awareness, but to also to establishing some capacity within these communities. There are many outside developments that have detrimental environmental impacts to the ancestral territories of First Nations. In many instances, they also impact inherent and Treaty Rights.

Interviews will commence with traditional resource users primarily from a number of selected central and northern communities who are familiar with their local ecology and watersheds. They must also be familiar with traditional sustenance practices. The purpose is to draft a publishable document on a First Nations traditional ecological knowledge perspective on fish habitat.

For information regarding the Aboriginal Funding for Species at Risk (AFSAR) Program of the Department of Oceans and Fisheries, please contact the FSIN Lands and Resources Secretariat /or DFO directly. The deadline for Expressions of Interest is October 14, 2011. The deadline for applications is November 18, 2011.

Economic Development

Housing

Reminder – CMHC Section 95 deadline for surplus application is October 14, 2011. All communities applying for surplus must here 100% completed packages submitted with a maximum of six (6) units.

Professional Development and Housing Curriculum - Housing Coordinators are encouraged to contact and work with education portfolio holder and principals of their school to utilize free "My Home is my Tipi" resources. This teacher resource was presented to the Education Directors meeting hosted by FSIN on September 23, 2011. There has been a significant up take for this resource and to book an in-service at your school please contact Derek Rope at 956-1048 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

FSIN will be attending a Provincial Disaster Relief Program (PDAP) meeting held in Cowessess First Nation on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

Health & Social Development

Assembly of First Nations –Tobacco Action Circle Meeting

AFN held a Tri-Circle meeting in Edmonton, in attendance was representatives from the AFN Elder's Council, AFN Women's Council and AFN Tobacco Youth Council. The first day consisted of 3 breakout sessions with 3 questions for feedback. Questions posed were in relation to the "Action Plan to Develop a First Nations Tobacco Strategy". AFN will be submitting a Tobacco Proposal to develop a strategic plan on Tobacco for First Nations people.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on First Nations Health and Well-Being Steering Committee Meeting

The meeting took place at Wanuskewin Heritage Park near Saskatoon, and was attended by Health Canada staff, Saskatchewan Health, FN Metis Relations and FSIN. Some of the items of discussions included: a First Nations Health and Wellness Plan, the Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF), a Review of the Short Form Project Plans, and the E-Health Environmental Scan Update. There was also a Home Care Working Group Presentation and discussion/questions on all of the presentations.

First Nation Inuit Health (FNIH) Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI) Meeting

As of April 1, 2011, the FNIH Injury Prevention Initiative will now be housed in the Children and Youth Pillar, which has been identified as the Healthy Living Cluster under FNHI. In March of 2007, FNIH in partnership with FSIN held 3 focus sessions to identifying the needs of Injury Prevention within First Nations communities in Saskatchewan. The 3 focus sessions were held in Regina Saskatoon and Prince Albert. The outcomes of the 3 focus sessions the consultant drafted a "Saskatchewan First Nations; Developing a Strategic Direction for Action on Injury". As follow up from this meeting, FSIN has forwarded the Developing a Strategic Direction for Action on Injury document to FNIH.

Non Insured Health Benefits Caucus meeting, Halifax, NS

FSIN staff attended a meeting in Halifax, NS to discuss a data base being developed across Canada to house all Non Insured Health Benefits complaints and denials. First Nations members who call into their regions for support and advocacy will be tracked in a data base, with permission from them (Privacy Regulations). Saskatchewan has been a leader in this area as we have had a data base in place since the fall of 2008. This is being modeled across Canada.

The main issue discussed is the de-listing of medications, dental and orthodontics being denied on a continual basis. A strategy to address this will involve utilizing data from Statistics Canada in order to negotiate and advocate for benefits.

The NIHB caucus will be hosting the next bi-lateral meeting with the NIHB Directors of each province. This meeting will be held in Ottawa to discuss the Treasury Board submission for the NIHB program.

The next meeting is scheduled in Vancouver on January 18th and 19th. The National Caucus working group meets quarterly to discuss and bring forward our regional concerns to the Assembly of First Nations.

National Forum Aboriginal Nurses Association Conference

Health & Social Development staff presented at the 2011 National Forum Aboriginal Nurses Association Conference: "Sustaining A Healthy Future: From Indigenous Knowledge to Cultural Safety". The conference took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba from September 29 to October 1, 2011. The presentation was on the FSIN Coalition Linking Science & Action Project: Health Empowerment for You (HEY). This very successful First Nation curriculum was developed with partners from Manitoba, First Nations, and other non-government organizations.

Saskatchewan First Nation Family and Community Institute Meeting

FSIN Health staff met with the Saskatchewan First Nation Family and Community Institute (SFNFCI) Board of Directors and provided an update on the FSIN Child and Youth draft framework. There were discussions about drafting a protocol agreement between SFNFCI and FSIN subject to HSD Chiefs Commissions approval.

Update on Child Welfare Memorandum of Understanding

As per FSIN Resolution #1787, the FSIN signed a Letter of Understanding with the Province of Saskatchewan on August 12, 2011. This Letter of Understanding confirms the critical role of political leadership in the implementation of comprehensive change in the child welfare system for the long-term well-being of First Nations children, youth and families receiving services from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services.

To date, a project team is now in place and the Director and a Senior Researcher/Analyst have commenced the necessary first steps in formulating a plan to examine and address First Nations Child Welfare in Saskatchewan. There have been a series of meetings between FSIN, Executive Directors from the Health and Social, Education and Training, and Treaty Governance Secretariats and a First Nation Child and Family Service (FNCFS) Technical Advisory Group with representatives for a technical level Committee that will support the FSIN Child Welfare Political Task Force.

Meetings have also occurred involving FSIN Health and Social Secretariat, INAC, Health Canada and the Province to discuss Jordan's Principle. On Sept 23, 2011, the National First Nations CFS Agency Directors met in Winnipeg and the FNCWF project team participated in this meeting and established some regional/national contacts.

The FNCWF project team will continue to work on the following items:

October 7: 2011: The FNCWF project team will meet internally to continue drafting a First Nations Child and Youth agenda.

October 18, 2011: FNCWF Technical Committee to meet and discuss progress of work plan and to discuss details of Child Welfare Forum scheduled for November 16/17, 2011.

October 19, 2011: The FNCWF project, team together with the Technical Committee, will plan and host a meeting aimed at updating ICFS Boards/Board Chairs on matters affecting the First Nations Child Welfare Framework;

October 20, 2011: A meeting is tentatively scheduled for the First Nations CFS Technical Advisory Group.

November 15-17, 2011: A Child and Youth Forum is being planned for November 16/17, 2011. Agenda, location and other applicable matters will be determined

Office of the 4th Vice Chief - Simon Bird

I am honoured to be elected into the position of office of the 4th vice chief. I humbly take on the opportunity to serve our people through our Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.

I would like to thank the Chiefs, Councillors, Delegates, Elders, Veterans both men and women who entrusted me in this vital role. I believe in this organization as a living entity and I know that our leaders are in place to represent the faces and voices of all our people.

These next few days and maybe weeks will be a time to familiarize myself with my portfolio and the inner workings of the office of the 4th Vice Chief. I understand the challenges I face as a newly elected Vice Chief but I also believe that a job worth accomplishing is a job worth doing and worth doing well.

I look forward to a brighter future for the FSIN and moving forward in a dream that started many years ago when the Federation was first formed. I would like to thank all the candidates that have put names forward for the election and encourage you to keep working hard for all our people.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

October 13, 2011: STC Citizenship Forum at Wanuskewin, Saskatoon

October 20, 2011: MLTC Citizenship Forum at Flying Dust First Nation

October 27, 2011: BATC/BTC Citizenship Forum at the Gold Eagle Casino, North Battleford (Tentative)

November 9, 2011: Athabasca Dene Citizenship Forum at Stony Rapids (tentative)

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Aboriginal Board of Directors Regina, October 12, 2011

Health & Social Development staff will be presenting to "Canadian Partnership Against Cancer" Aboriginal Board of Directors in Regina on October 12, 2011 on the FSIN CLASP Health Empowerment for You Project.

First Nations Early Childcare Working Group October 13, 2011, Wanuskewin, Saskatoon

Discussion topics will be on upcoming Trainings and discussions on Children's programs.