FSIN Executive Communiqué November 4, 2011

FSIN Legislative and Organizational Review
On October 31st, the FSIN Executive Council met to provide direction to the FSIN Senior Staff on the implementation of two major resolutions that call for a review and renewal of the FSIN legislation and organizational role.  Terms of reference, priorities and time lines were discussed, and an action plan was drawn from the discussion. 

Vice Chief Watson will present a draft of the overall work plan to the Treaty 4 Chiefs Council on November 23rd and request feedback to ensure that FSIN clearly understands the direction of the Chiefs.  Subsequent meetings will be held with the other Tribal Councils for their review and input.  A progress update on the implementation of the two resolutions will be provided at the Winter Legislative Assembly in February 2012. 

Red Earth Cree Nation
On October 25th, Red Earth Cree Nation, Shoal Lake and FSIN met with RCMP Assistant Commissioner Russell Mirasty to discuss their existing policing agreement and ways to improve it.  The relationship between the RCMP and the community needs to be rebuilt and the larger socio-economic issues must be discussed at the scheduled Red Earth community forum.   

On November 21st, Vice Chief Cameron will meet with Assistant Commissioner Mirasty to follow-up on items discussed at the October 25th meeting.   The role of the FSIN Special Investigations Unit will also be discussed at this time.

Ending the Long Gun Registry Act
On Oct. 25, 2011, Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews introduced the Ending the Long Gun Registry Act in the House of Commons. The legislation introduced will:

• Repeal the requirement to register non-restricted firearms (long-guns);
• Provide for the destruction of all records pertaining to the registration of long-guns currently contained in the Canadian Firearms Registry and under the control of the chief firearms officers; and
• Maintain controls over restricted and prohibited firearms.

Under the proposed reforms, firearms owners will still require a valid firearm license to purchase or possess firearms and to purchase ammunition. They will also be required to undergo police background checks, pass a firearms safety training course and comply with firearms safe storage and transportation requirements. In addition, individuals will continue to be required to register prohibited and restricted firearms, such as handguns. The reason given for the destruction of all records of the Registry is to ensure that another Bill of this type would be difficult to revive and re-introduce by any subsequent government. A Conservative majority in both the House and Senate means the Bill is likely to pass. The introduction of the Act drew some negative reaction from some Police Chiefs and victims groups, including Canada's Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

Treaty Land Entitlement
The FSIN will convene two workshops during the fall and winter for the Entitlement and Specific Claim First Nations.  The first workshop will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Saskatoon on December 7 & 8, 2011.  The workshop will present information and advice to the First Nations on: a solution to resolve “Third-party Interests”; Crown land sales; acquisition of mineral interests; mapping and research for land acquisition; reserve land designations; industry relations; accessing economic development funding from the federal government. The second workshop will be determined following the December workshop.

Treaty Governance Office
TGO is working with Vice Chief Watson’s office in the search for a Treaty Commissioner to be appointed on April 1, 2012. Potential candidates are being identified, follow-up is underway and a list of names will be sent to Canada by the end of November. The First Nations are encouraged to contact Vice Chief Watson with any suggestions.
TGO staff has worked with the Treaty 4 Student Success Program to engage a consultant to develop a model of governance in education for consideration by the Board of Directors of the T4SSP and the Treaty Table. This project is in support of our inherent right to educate our people under our jurisdiction with resources guaranteed to us by Treaty.
TGO staff is assisting the Justice Secretariat and the Tribal Councils from Treaty 4 in reviewing a curriculum for training First Nation mediators to deal with conflict in our communities. This is part of the capacity building initiatives that will support the implementation of the inherent right to self-determination.
TGO staff hosted an Engagement Session on Citizenship in North Battleford on October 26. There will be four more sessions: in Stony Rapids, Regina and Saskatoon, as well as a provincial gathering, before mid-December.

Lands and Resources Commission Meeting
The Secretariat is preparing for the upcoming Commission meeting to be held on November 29, 2011 in Saskatoon. The main agenda items for the Commission will include the Duty to Consult and Accommodate, Resource Revenue Sharing, Treaty Land Entitlement, and First Nations lands and resources issues.

Specific Claims
Specific Claims staff has been busy the last couple of weeks reviewing responses from Canada on individual First Nation's claims and providing advice to those First Nations on how to proceed. In the next couple of weeks staff will be meeting with a number of First Nations on their claims. Additionally, staff attended a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Additions to Reserve reform. These meetings are coordinated by the AFN.
We have been quite busy in the area of Economic Development this year.  With the natural resources and Saskatchewan boom making the headlines throughout the year, First Nations have been taking a closer look at how we can be involved.  From the entry level jobs to the formation on major investment projects, we have been assisting where we can, when requested. 

October 2011 Status report on CEOP
CEOP - Community Economic Opportunities Program Summary (status report as at Oct.12, 2011)
- 16 projects approved for $1,027,046
- 5 projects under review - requesting $972,000
- 9 projects rejected (ineligible)
- 10 projects referred to other programs (7 of which were funded under a different program)
- 4 projects closed due to inactivity (no response from applicant)

Within the first 2 quarters of the fiscal year over half of the CEOP budget had been committed.  Of these contributions, the following breakdown provided is in according to project type:  Land & Resource Development - 38%, Business Development - 20%, Partnership Development - 19%, Employment Development - 14%, and Strategic Planning - 9%. 

By no means are these numbers fully reflective of the commitments that the region has made towards economic development activities (as they exclude CEDP, CSSP and Active Measures funding contributions), but they should provide a general indication of the direction that SK First Nations are moving in with regards to economic development (ie: increased land & resource development activity).
 
If you require more information regarding the October 2011 Status report please contact:
Bradyn Parisian
Community Opportunities – AANDC
306-780-3839

The CEOP program continues to be a joint partnership with the Federal government in the delivery of the program. All applications for the CEOP program can be submitted to:

CEOP - Economic Development Unit
Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 200, 1 First Nations Way
Regina, SK., S4S 7K5
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Housing:
This fall, FSIN Housing in conjunction with CMHC Aboriginal Capacity and Training Department, enlisted the contracts services of three First Nations teachers:  Chris Scribe – Poundmaker First Nation, Marni Ross – Montreal Lake First Nation and Delee Charette – Moosomin First Nation. 
These teachers are contracted to deliver professional development in-services for the “My Home is My Tipi” Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum that was initially rolled out last March.  We are happy to report, to date 15 First Nations schools have been visited since the beginning of October 2011 with another 19 scheduled throughout the month of November.  Any First Nations looking for in-services or further information on the curriculum  can contact Director of Housing, Derek Rope @ 956- 1048 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Is important to note that all costs attributed to in-services are 100% free of charge to the First Nation, this includes travel, honoria, materials, etc.

Legislative Framework for the First Nations Tobacco Industry
FSIN Economic Development and Justice are currently working in collaboration to create and enhance an Act which sets out a framework for the First Nation Tobacco Industry. 

New Oil and Gas Company created
Within recent months there has been First Nations requesting assistance to move forward with establishing an Energy company.  This would then maximize the benefits that are associated with owning/operating Energy Company and would ensure the First Nations would manage their lands.

Future Sharing
The Touchwood Hills Potash Development members have met on several occasions over the past few weeks and they have appointed: Beardys – Chief Gardipy and Bryce Michael;  Day Star – Chief Buffalo and Tracy Buffalo;  George Gordon’s – Chief Pratt;  Kawacatoose – Chief Poorman. Paul Langdon and Darren Winegarden;  Fishing Lake – Jim Ramsay and Councillor Ron Smoke as the Negotiations Team to take the lead in the negotiations with BHP Billition. They will also continue to develop their position on topics that affect their traditional territories.

First Nations have the knowledge that Saskatchewan is the last province to endorse the Duty to Consult and Accommodate and Industry has relied the Province’s lead in this area.  With this in mind, First Nations are pushing hard to get to the negotiating table.

Women’s Secretariat
Vice Chief Morley Watson congratulates Joyce Night as the new Executive Director for the Saskatchewan First Nations Women’s Commission. 
The Women’s Commission will be meeting on Thursday, November 10, 2011 @ Saskatoon Office for a strategic planning session and as part of the Revitalization process of the FSIN.
The Mandate for the Women’s Commission in the past has been in the areas of:

Matrimonial Real Property
The SFNWC has contracted Sharon Venne to develop Matrimonial Real Property framework and templates for our First Nations communities. The proposed legislation is moving us towards individual rights rather than the right of the collective. We need to ensure that our Fist Nations legislation protects the laws, traditions, customs and governance processes within our First Nation communities. We will support the First Nations in implementing their own legal systems.

First Nations Citizenship
During our retreat Pamela Palmater, a Mi’kmaq lawyer was invited to attend the strategic planning session held in Swift Current on November 2 & 3, 2011. She has worked with First Nation communities and organizations in reviewing existing membership codes and citizenships act.  The National Citizenships Forum will be held in Enoch, Alberta on November 14, 15, & 16, 2011.

HIV/AIDS
The SFNWC will look toward a Research & Development project for a comprehensive strategy that involves resources and support systems at the community level. The proposed Research and Development project will create stronger solutions for our First Nation communities both in the urban and rural settings.
The SFNWC will be hosting the HIV/AIDS Awareness Conference on Saturday, November 19th, 2011 in Regina, for more information please contact person is Patty Schuster @ (306) 721-2822.

Missing Persons 
We will continue to work toward Policy Development pertaining to Missing First Nations Women and children.  We will approach various agencies to identify funding resources and supports for families of missing women and children.
Other initiatives and partnership include; Family Violence, First Nations Child & Family Services, FAS/FASD, Treaty Governance Office:  Citizenship, Matrimonial Real Property
Health and Social Development Secretariat

Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP)
The CLASP project has completed development of a training program that will promote healthy living as a way to reduce incidences of cancer and chronic diseases.  This training program is called Health Empowerment for You (HEY).  HEY uses the First Nations' views about holistic health to talk about healthy living. It is anticipated that the HEY training program will begin training in December 5, 2011.

Approval of the Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF) Regional Integration Plan (draft) October 6, 2011 Version
The Senior Technical Advisory Group (STAG) recommended to the Health and Social Development Commission the acceptance and approval of the Regional Integration Plan.  The Commission Chiefs approved the plan on October 31st, 2011. 

Call for Proposals or Letters of Intent for Health Services Integration Funding
A request for proposals or letters of intent for the regional HSIF funding will take place immediately.  The HSIF Call Package will be sent from Health Canada’s First Nation and Inuit Health offices.  The package will include a call letter, implementation guide, fact sheets, possible project lists and templates and appendices required for the submission.  

Health and Social Development Secretariat is participating in the AFN National Health Forum November 7 – 9 in Ottawa.  The Special Projects Unit will be facilitating a workshop on the Memorandum of Understanding on First Nations Health and Well-being in Saskatchewan as one of several Regional Profile Workshops. 

Indian Residential Schools
Import Notice:  The Common Experience Payment application deadline passed. However, late applications are being accepted until September 19, 2012 in cases of disability, undue hardship and other exceptional circumstances. The applications must include a written reason for the delay of application. For more information or assistance, a survivor or an executor may contact Jaye Cameron at FSIN 665 1215.
IAP DEADLINE: September 19, 2012

Yorkton and Regina Indian & Metis Friendship Centre were both provided with the Indian Residential School information, updates and deadline to the First Nations and Metis living in the two urban centers. 

Vice Chief Lerat and FSIN IRS staff will develop an appropriate strategy to deliver information on CEP and IAP updates to the incarcerated in the minimum, medium and maximum security facilities across the province. Presently, meetings are planned with Corrections Service Canada to develop this strategy.

Indian Residential School Gatherings
Whitebear First Nation - November 7, 2011
Pheasant Rump First Nation - November 8, 2011
Cowessess First Nation - November 9, 2011
Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre - November 15, 2011

Saskatchewan National Event is being hosted in Saskatoon for ALL survivors across our province on June 20 – 24, 2012. Anyone can attend. The first Truth and Reconciliation Commission planning meeting will take place on November 15, 2011 in Saskatoon at SIIT. 

Education and Training Secretariat

INAC/AFN National Education Panel
FSIN protocol continues: The Education Secretariat continues to support Resolution # 1779 “Free, Prior and Informed Consent in the Protection of Treaty” passed by the Chiefs in Assembly at Onion Lake on July 6, 2011, stating the consultation process of the National Education Panel will not be supported by the Chiefs of Saskatchewan. The FSIN will not coordinate these meetings.  However the FSIN respects the autonomy of each First Nation to choose to participate in the National Panel discussions. If your First Nation or Tribal Council or Education Authority chooses to participate in the Round Table discussions, the FSIN Education Secretariat recommends that the following information is provided by the participants:
• That this Round Table session does not fulfill the “Duty to Consult” that must occur between the crown and each of the 74 First Nations in this region before any legislation is considered
• That First Nations have the Inherent and Treaty Right to Education
• That the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, that Canada is a signatory to, further supports the Inherent and Treaty right to Education and needs to be recognized in any report resulting from the National Panel
• That comparable funding to the provincial education system is a pressing issue for First Nations Education even though it is not the focus of the National Panel’s Terms of Reference

Post-Secondary Education
The option titled “First Nation Control plus a Regional Fund for Post-Secondary Funding” will be presented to the Education Commission Chiefs and further direction will be requested. Monty Verhulst from INAC Region has stated that INAC will be making changes to PSSSP April 1, 2012 and that INAC National had originally wanted one program for the entire country but has since stated that they would allow the regions to have unique programs. If this region is to have input into this impending decision it must happen now. The PSE Coordinators are the authors of this option with advice from their communities and the Directors of Education have also had input. The SIETC Chiefs have been kept up to speed on the work done by the PSE Coordinators. At the Legislative Assembly in October of 2010, the Chiefs passed Resolution #1734 that asked that the option be finalized and presented once more to the Legislative Assembly. It is expected that it will be on the agenda at the February Legislative Assembly.

Science and Math Outreach
In the last month, Garry Sibley has conducted Science Festivals at five schools and Mobile Visits at three schools.  Four sessions were presented at two different teachers conferences. Planning meetings were held to discuss the Saskatchewan First Nations Science Fair being held at the Prairieland Park in Saskatoon on March 1 & 2, 2012. Before the Christmas Holidays, 8 more School Mobile Visits will be held.

FSIN 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. 

FSIN Youth Representative
Vice Chief Bird welcomes the involvement of a youth voice in the FSIN.  The Youth representative, Evan Chamakese is now working at the FSIN on a part time basis for the next few months.  The duties for this position will include the development and presentation of the 2012 FSIN Youth Legislative Assembly and the establishment of a more permanent youth office.

AFN Youth Council Update
The AFN National Youth Council operates as a 20 member council representing First Nations youth from each of the ten First Nations regions in Canada. (each region has 1 male and 1 female representative).  The establishment of the AFN Youth Council has been instrumental in ensuring that First Nations Youth perspectives are represented at the National Level. 
The AFN National Youth Council has developed a youth driven National First Nation Youth 5 year Action Plan, which is a document that is targeted at First Nations Youth, First Nations Leadership and government. This plan sets out several actions items that aim at better supporting First Nations youth success as individuals, within their communities and nationally.
The FSIN Youth Representative will be committed to ensuring that National First Nation Youth 5 year action plan is implemented as we move forward. A copy of the 5 year action plan will be available to all staff and secretariats, please contact the youth office for more info.
The AFN National Youth Council has been invited to the National Forum on First Nation Citizenship, November 15th and 16th in Enoch, Alberta. Evan Chamakese will be attending to ensure that Saskatchewan youth will be represented and has invited Dr. Pamela Palmater to give a presentation to the AFN NYC.

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
The Lands and Resources Secretariat has recently been contacted by Environment Canada to respond to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. Last year there were 193 countries that were party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (including Canada) and they negotiated an international agreement on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). The Convention was adopted at the Conference of Parties (COP 10) held in Nagoya, Japan in October 2010. The Parties to the Convention met in Montreal from July 10-16, 2010 for the final negotiating session prior to COP 10, and to negotiate a Protocol on ABS under the Convention on the basis of Environment Canada’s draft document entitled “Managing Genetic Resources in the 21st Century”. Environment Canada held a federal and provincial Ministers’ meeting on ABS on February 20, 2010, as a result a revised draft protocol was released on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits aiding from their utilization to the draft convention on biological diversity. The FSIN and SICC responded by preparing and submitting a joint response to Environment Canada’s draft policy.  The policy framework has serious implications on First Nations Traditional Knowledge (TK) keepers and healers associated with the use and development of Genetic Resources.The 2010 joint response was recently forwarded once again to Environment Canada stating that our position remained the same as it did in 2010. At that time the FSIN and SICC made it clear that the Government of Canada must conduct proper and meaningful consultation and accommodation with First Nations prior to developing and implementing any government document, policy, and/or legislation that may negatively impact or infringe First Nations Inherent and Treaty rights. Consequently, the process to produce their draft policy and the policy itself did not meet the requirements of duty to consult. We also stated that the joint response was not to be construed or interpreted as fulfilling any element of duty to consult. Further that the FSIN Lands and Resources Commission opposed any further development and implementation of the policy entitled, “Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources” until such time as proper and meaningful consultation and accommodation with First Nations had occurred. The joint response informed Environment Canada that the FSIN strongly opposed  the document through a motion passed at the FSIN Lands and Resources Commission in 2010. The response outlined a number of concerns and issues, such as: that the duty to consult was triggered, that the draft policy threatened Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Knowledge Keepers, that First Nations were left out of the drafting of the policy, that Natural Laws were being violated and Inherent and Treaty Rights were being impacted.

In the recent response to Environment Canada, the Secretariat added the following:
“The FSIN insists that the 74 First Nations of Saskatchewan be fully engaged in the process. The Supreme Court has stated that the consultation process for stakeholder and public consultations are not sufficient to uphold the honour of the Crown and are not sufficient to discharge its duty to consult, as First Nations have constitutionally protected Section 35 rights and as such, cannot be treated the same as other interested parties or stakeholders; (Mikisew, Dene Tha’, Gitxsan First Nation and Huu-Ay-Aht First Nation). The First Nations must be engaged directly in a process designed specifically to address the constitutionally protected Section 35 rights of First Nations people.
Furthermore, financial resources to engage First Nations on matters which may impact First Nations rights should be made available given the amount of resource development occurring within the First Nations ancestral lands. It has been the understanding by many First Nations that the resources contained within these territories were not given up at the time of Treaty negotiation…the FSIN is not mandated to consult on behalf of First Nations in Saskatchewan, and further to that FSIN has no resources to be engaged in an inclusive process for First Nation engagement on the Nagoya Protocol and development of a domestic policy for benefit sharing of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge”. In the recent response, reference was also made to the AFN Resolutions opposing the draft policy in 2010.

Up Coming Meetings and Events:

November 7-9, 2011: AFN National Health Forum, Ottawa
November 7, 2011: Directors of Education Meeting, Travelodge, Saskatoon
November 10, 2011: Engagement Session on Citizenship, Stony Rapids
November 10, 2011: Education and Training Commission meeting Travelodge, Saskatoon
November 10, 2011: Indian Justice Council Meeting SIEF Boardroom, Saskatoon
November 11-13, 2011: FSIN/SIGA/BHP Billiton Pow Wow, Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon
November 15, 2011: Indian Justice Commission & CTA Signatories Meeting Travelodge Hotel, Saskatoon
November 14-16, 2011: AFN Conference on Citizenship, Enoch Cree Nation, Alberta
November 15 & 16, 2011: National Forum on First Nation Citizenship at the Marriot River Cree, Enoch, Alberta
November 16, 17, 2011: Child Welfare Forum, Prairieland Park, Saskatoon
November 17, 2011: Chiefs Advisory Committee, Saskatoon
November 21-23, 2011: Senior Technical Advisory Group (STAG)
November 22, 23, and 24, 2011: FSIN Sports, Culture, Youth and Recreation Board planning session in Saskatoon, location TBD.
November 23, 2011: Treaty Table Working Group on Health, Saskatoon
November 25, 2011: Heath & Social Development Commission Meeting

November 25, 2011: National School of Dental Therapy meeting with FNIH