FSIN Executive Communique October 21, 2011

Gaming
The Gaming Framework Agreement is entering a period of review.

 As a result of the last review by the province and the FSIN, the Gaming Framework Agreement was amended effective June 11, 2007. The amendments included changes to the casino revenue sharing formula, improved accountability provisions respecting the operation of Community Development Corporations and increased funding for problem gambling awareness, prevention and treatment. The technical team will provide the planning, research, relevant documents, impact of previous amendments, and support to the Political Negotiating Team.

The FSIN is pleased to announce that Alphonse Bird will be the new Director of Gaming and brings with him past gaming experience as well as the political knowledge that is required to move this file ahead. The legal expertise of Anil Pandila from Pandila & Co., has also been retained. Anil was involved in the past review and knows this file well. As a past Gaming Director and current BATC Tribal rep, Neil Sasakamoose will also be part of the technical team as his knowledge of this file is also invaluable.

The initial Political Task team meeting will be held on October 31st, the location and time will be determined.

Treaty Governance Office
The search for a Commissioner for the office of the Treaty Commissioner to be appointed on April 1, 2012, has begun. The Chiefs Advisory Committee will meet soon to discuss possible candidates and go through the process of recommending names to the Government of Canada. AAND will do the same and the Cabinet will then make a selection and go through the appointment process.
On October 13, TGO staff held an Engagement Session on Citizenship at Wanuskewin with First Nations representatives from the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the Agency Chiefs Tribal Council. Attendees came from Muskeg Lake, Kinistin, Yellowquill, Muskoday, Witchekan Lake, One Arrow and Big River. These engagement sessions are the first step in developing a Citizenship Framework for First Nations in Saskatchewan. There will be at least 5 more sessions, with a final report due in December of 2011.
On October 14, TGO staff met with representatives of the Treaty 5 Student Success Program to finalize details of an Education Governance Project that will inform the Treaty Table on that governance aspect of Treaty implementation in the education sector. The goal is to design a model of education governance and present it to the Board of the T4SSP for its consideration. The project will be complete by March 31, 2012.
On October 17, TGO staff attended a joint meeting of the T4SSP and ICFS agencies from Treaty 4 Territory as an observer. Education and ICFS have been designated by the Treaty 4 Council of Chiefs as priority sectors for self-government discussions. TGO gave a short talk on the APECT project and the Treaty Table Education Working Group.
On October 18, TGO staff participated in a Treaty Table Health Working Group conference call to discuss the work plan and other issues. The Working Group will be inviting the Treaty 6 Medicine Chest Task Force to present at the next face-to-face meeting.
On October 18, TGO staff attended a Treaty Awareness Day at the Balcarres Community School. The gathering viewed a video on Treaties, which was produced by the students, and the TGO staff participated on a panel with Chief Daywalker-Pelletier, Chief Starr and Wendel Starr.
On October 20, TGO staff held an Engagement Session on Citizenship at Flying Dust with representatives English River, Canoe Lake, Waterhen Lake, Flying Dust and Island Lake. There was a presentation on the history of citizenship and membership since 1850, legislative changes such as Bill C-3, the drive towards control of our citizenship and the impact of the Indian Act membership regulations on First Nations. The small group discussions recommended, amongst many other things, more awareness sessions with membership and regular meetings of the Indian Registry Clerks.

FSIN Executive and Senior Management Meeting
The FSIN Executive will meet in Swift Current on November 1st. The following day will be the first of 2 days that the Executive and Senior management will meet to discuss past, present and future direction of FSIN. The draft agenda will include history of FSIN, Treaty Presentation, Presentation by FSIN Senate, Revitalization, Legislative review, guest speaker Dr. Pamela Palmater, and an Indian Residential School presentation.

Other important issues that will be discussed include the recent impacts on health benefits, the continued lack of inclusion on the "Duty to Consult and Accommodate" by Industry and the Provincial Government in our Traditional Territories.

Day 3 will be devoted to formulating a short and long term strategic plan for the FSIN. The Strategic Planning Process will be led by Winston McClean, Iron Wolf Consulting.

Red Earth Cree Nation
On October 4th, an unfortunate event occurred in 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 inform the public that this serious incident is a symptom of a much larger socio-economic issue and that the community will decide on the next course of action.

The Red Earth Chief and Council met with its community membership on October 12th to discuss the issues and develop a strategy to address the socio-economic situation within the community. The Prince Albert Grand Council, Health Canada and the FSIN attended the meeting to support the community's plan of action.

On October 19th, FSIN Communications met with Chief McKay, three councillors, Elders and youth to discuss the media reports that resulted from the October 4th shooting incident in Red Earth. A Community Committee will work with FSIN Communications to develop a comprehensive communications strategy for the community's review.

2014 North American Indigenous Games

The 2014 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) Committee is comprised of representatives from the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, City of Regina, Province of Saskatchewan, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, University of Regina and several cultural/community delegates. Members of the Committee have started to meet in preparation for the Games.

To date, and in consultation with McMahon Consulting, a preliminary action list has been developed in accordance with time requirements set forth by the NAIG Council. Incorporation of the Host Society is the first order of business and is set to begin this month. Throughout the next three years, the Committee anticipates many exciting, learning and networking opportunities. First Nations will be kept updated on the progress of the NAIG.

Office of the 2nd Vice Chief - Bobby Cameron

Congratulations to Okanese Chief & Council
Special mention and congratulations to the Okanese Chief, Mary Anne Daywalker-Pelletier and Council members in the recent election of their First Nation. The First Nation made history by acclamation of their Chief and Council members.

Potash Bands
Vice Chief Cameron attended a meeting between the TATC First Nations, Beardy's and Fishing Lake First Nations and BHP Billiton about exploring ways in which they can build on relationships and ensure that First Nations are not left out of the potash industry and its benefits.

Specific Claims
Over the past couple of weeks FSIN Specific Claims have been copied on 10 letters from Canada to individual First Nations responding to their Specific Claims. Some of these claims have been accepted for negotiation, some have been rejected, and in other cases Canada has provided a qualified acceptance. FSIN staff have been busy working with legal counsel of the First Nation to provide advice and recommendations to First Nations on these responses.
Specific Claim staff are participating in a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Additions to Reserve this week. Additionally, staff have attended meetings with various individual First Nations and groups of First Nations to provide technical, policy and research support/advice dealing with their claim submissions, consultation, and water rights issues.

Memorandum of Understanding with the All Indian Pueblo Council
Initial discussions have been undertaken between the First Nations Natural Resources Centre of Excellence, the Lands and Resources Secretariat and the All Indian Pueblo Council regarding a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to Shared Interests in Economic Development, Lands and Resources, Education and Governance. A conference call took place on October 19, 2011 which included discussion on accessing funding to build the capacity to enter into an agreement. The Department of Indian Affairs of the American Government and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada are both interested in the process. The Centre of Excellence and the FSIN are planning to host a delegation from the All Indian Pueblo Council in early November who will also attend the FSIN/SICC Powwow.

First Nations Policing Framework Agreement

On September 8th, Mr. Silas Halyk and Mr. Ian Wagner, legal counsel for the Beardy's & Okemasis, and the FSIN met with representatives from Canada, Saskatchewan and the RCMP to discuss the Statement of Claim that was served to the governments and RCMP in February 2011. The purpose of the meeting was to:

1) Inform the defendants that Beardy's and FSIN would be submitting amendments to the Statement of Claim;
2) Request a Statement of Defense from Canada, Saskatchewan and RCMP; and
3) Schedule time frames for the negotiation process.

The amended Statement of Claim was served on September 12, 2011. The defendants have requested more information to adequately prepare for their Statement of Defence; legal counsel has responded to their request.

The Chiefs who are signatory to the CTAs will meet in conjunction with the Indian Justice Commission on November 15, 2011 to further discuss the Statement of Defence with legal counsel. A meeting with Canada, Saskatchewan and the RCMP is scheduled for November 17, 2011.

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

Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association
Regular Executive meetings have been held in planning for the SFNVA Annual General Assembly on November 28, 2011 in Saskatoon. Location to be announced. This is a busy month for the SFNVA attending many speaking engagements throughout the month.
Indian Residential Schools (IRS)

Import Notice:
The Common Experience Payment application deadline has passed. Late applications will be accepted until September 19, 2012 in cases of disability, undue hardship and exceptional circumstances and must include a written reason for the delay of application. For more information, a survivor or an executor may contact me and I will assist or call the CEP line at 1-866-699-1742 (TTY: 1-800-926-9105) or visit the closest Service Canada Centre in their area.

The Indian Residential School Saskatchewan team are currently confirming dates to delivering information and updates to individuals in the urban centers at the Indian Metis Friendship Centers in Meadow Lake and North Battleford. We delivered the updates and information to the Yorkton Indian Metis Friendship October 18. There was a miscommunication for the Fort Qu'Apelle IMFC and was cancelled due to double booking in the facility and the organizers forgot to contact the representative from the Adjudication Secretariat to let us know they wanted to postpone. We will be delivering the information at the Regina IMFC October 20, 2011.
A team strategy is being put in place to delivery information on CEP as well as IAP and updates to the incarcerated in the minimum, medium and maximum security facilities across the province. We will be meeting with Corrections Service Canada to develop the best strategy to reach the incarcerated and notified our team that Vice Chief Lerat will be part of this process.
Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners came to Saskatoon for a sight evaluation on September 20, 2011 and confirmed the date for the Saskatchewan Nation Conference June 21 – 24, 2012.
There will be a Truth and Reconciliation National Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 26 – 29, 2011. We will be observing the event to bring ideas to the Saskatchewan planning committee to make sure that we prepare just as well as Halifax for the Saskatchewan event in June 2012.
We are looking forward to the Indian Residential School gatherings on Whitebear First Nation on November 7, Pheasant Rump First Nation on November 8, and Cowesses First Nation on November 9, 2011. Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre is also confirmed for November 15, 2011.

Health & Social Development (HSDC)
First Nations Early Child Care
The First Nations Early Child Care Circle (FNECCC) Working Group met on October 13th, 2011 to discuss the upcoming training being held by FNIH and SIIT. Also discussed best practices for the Early Learning Children's Programs and reviewed the Sask. Also, there will be a First Nation Policy and Regulations working draft that will be distributed to all communities, utilizing documents.
First Nations Environmental Health Working Group (FN EH WG) Meeting
On October 12 and 13, 2011 the FNEH Working Group met with a focus on water issues. The main intent of the meeting was to go through a clause by clause review of Bill S-11 Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act being proposed by the Federal Government. This wasn't a legal review process but from a technical perspective that identified some potential community level impacts that this bill in its current form could result in for First Nations.
FSIN HEY (Health Empowerment for Youth)
The Coalition Linking Action & Science Prevention (CLASP) held their regular partnership meeting October 20, 2011 in Saskatoon to discuss progress on the Health Empowerment for Youth project. The HEY project will be showcased as the only First Nations led project under the CLASP at upcoming conferences including the Health Programs Managers Conference and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Knowledge Exchange meeting in Montreal November 8 - 9, 2011.

First Nation & Inuit Health Mental Health & Addictions
The Technical First Nation & Inuit Health Mental Health & Addictions Working Group met on October 21, 2011 in Saskatoon where a proposed regional strategy developed in 2008 under the direction of the Health and Social Development Commission was discussed. The strategy addresses issues such as crisis funding gaps, issues with investments in the methadone program versus prevention services, the lack of continuum of care and increasing client usage.

First Nations Child Welfare Review
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.
The First Nations Child Welfare Framework (FNCWF) Technical Committee met on October 18, 2011 to review the draft terms of Reference for the Political Task Force on the Child Welfare Framework and the draft Child Welfare Framework work plan.
On October 19, 2011, the FNCWF Technical Committee met with a number of the Saskatchewan ICFS Board Chairpersons and associated First Nation Leadership to continue work on the First Nations Child Welfare Framework. The draft Child Welfare Framework Terms of Reference and associated draft work plan were approved-in-principle.
Final approval of these items vests in the soon to be appointed political Task Force on the Child Welfare Framework. Considerable discussion and recommendations were made regarding the planned Child Welfare Framework Forum that will be held November 15th and 16th, 2011.
The Child Welfare Framework Committee is now awaiting appointment of the Political Task Force for review/engagement of the draft work plan and agenda.

Office of the 4th Vice Chief - Simon Bird

Vice Chief Bird is pleased to have been able to meet with the Presidents of each of the FSIN Educational institutions including SITAG, SIIT and SICC. Attending several community events over the last two weeks has been a good positive experience, Vice Chief Bird looks forward to invitations and the opportunity to hear the voices of the people, in these social environments. Vice Chief Bird has pledged to visit as many communities as possible, when invited , please contact the office of the 4th. Vice Chief.
Congratulations
Vice Chief Bird and FSIN Education Secretariat extend congratulations to Dr. Doyle Anderson on his induction as President of First Nations University of Canada. Congratulations also to our students who convocated from the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina this fall. A special congratulations to Vice Chief Bird who is convocating with his Masters of Education Saturday October 22, 2012

Post-Secondary Education
INAC continues to talk of changes coming to Post Secondary Student Support Funding and is planning on changes to be in place for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. FSIN and the post-secondary coordinators are continuing to work on an alternate delivery of these funds and to protect the Inherent and Treaty Right to Education. The key points are to protect the funding at the First Nations level, protecting the regional allocation, and providing data to seek an increase in the funding available to First Nations. This process stems from resolution #1734 at the October 2010 legislative assembly directing the development of an option titled First Nations Control Plus a Central Fund for Post- Secondary Student Funding. INAC is considering an RESP-like fund (approx. 20K upon graduation = one year of PSE) or moving PSE to the repayable Canada Student Loans program (NOT a Treaty Right to Education).
Education information System (EIS)
INAC continues to work on the development of their 27 million dollar system to gather data on First Nations schools. The $27 million dollars is for INAC internal use only First Nations will not be able to access any of those funds. INAC has also decided changes to the EIS reporting system will be paid for out of the First Nations School Success Programs.
INAC's system is to increase accountability, but strangely do not require provincial schools to do any increased reporting. Up to 40% of First Nations students are in provincial schools at some point during their school career. This leaves a large amount of funding that INAC is not accountable for.
The end result is INAC will have a large amount of data in a database on First Nations schools. There is a real fear INAC will use this information to pressure First Nations into the provincial system and removing the Inherent and Treaty Right to Education as supported by the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous People.
The Saskatchewan Indian Education and Training Commission is meeting on November 10, 2011 in Saskatoon, to discuss these and other issues in education.

Sport, Culture, Youth and Recreation
SCYR is now accepting bids to host the 2014 First Nation Winter Games.
- Letter of Intent deadline Thursday, November 10, 2011 4:00pm
- Complete bid package deadline Friday, December 16, 2011 4:00pm

SCYR is now accepting bids to host the following sports for the Provincial Youth and Adult Championships, the deadline is Thursday, November 24, 2011 by 4:00pm.
FSIN Youth Championship Sports
Athletics, 3D Archery, Canoeing, Basketball, Badminton, Golf, Softball, Soccer
FSIN Adult Championship Sports
3D Archery, Canoeing, Basketball, Golf, Hockey, Soccer, Slo-pitch, Softball and Volleyball
All bid packages must include your letter of intent (signed by your Chief), organizational plan, administrative, financial, sport technical, timelines and potential host site(s). If you are bidding on multiple sports each sport requires a separate package, any incomplete bids will not be reviewed.
Interested parties should contact the FSIN SCRYB Office for further details at (306) 956-1043.
Youth
FSIN welcome the elected Assembly of First Nations Youth Representative, Evan Chamakese, who will be working out of Vice Chief Bird's office, in preparation for the FSIN Youth Legislative Assembly. The Youth Office will begin operations on Monday October 24, 2012.
Evan Chamakese will be available in the Youth Office three days per week and will be updating you on the AFN Youth file and the FSIN Youth Assembly, slated for March 2012.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

October 24, 2011: Child Welfare Committee Meeting
October 25, 2011: First Nations Child Welfare Services Mtg –
October 26, 2011: BATC/BTC Citizenship Forum at the Gold Eagle Casino, North Battleford (Tentative)

November 8, 2011: Chiefs Advisory Committee on Treaty Governance, Saskatoon (tentative)
November 9, 2011: Athabasca Dene Citizenship Forum at Stony Rapids (tentative)

November 10, 2011: Engagement Session on Citizenship, Stony Rapids
November 15, 2011: Indian Justice Commission Meeting, Travelodge, Saskatoon
November 15-16: National Conference on Citizenship, Enoch, Alberta
November 17, 2011: Treaty Table, Saskatoon