FSIN Executive Communique April 5, 2012

2012 Saskatchewan First Nations Winter Games
The 2012 Saskatchewan First Nations Winter Games will be hosted by the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs in April 9-14, 2012 in Saskatoon.
Opening Ceremonies will be at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at the Credit Union Center. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
The Winter Games will be live streamed by Objectified Software
For more information visit: www.batcwintergames.ca
Badminton
Henk Ruys Soccer Centre
Mon April 9th: 8 am - 9pm
Tues, April 10th: 8 am - 5:30 pm
Wed, April 11th: 8 am - 9 pm
Thurs, April 12th: 8 am - 9 pm
Fri, April 13th: 8 am - 3:30 pm
Volleyball
Henk Ruys Soccer Centre
Mon April 9th: 8 am - 9pm
Tues, April 10th: 8 am - 5:30 pm
Wed, April 11th: 8 am - 9 pm
Thurs, April 12th: 8 am - 9 pm
Fri, April 13th: 8 am - 5 pm
Hockey
Jemini Ice Sports
Mon April 9th: 8 am - 9pm
Tues, April 10th: 8 am - 5:30 pm
Wed, April 11th: 8 am – 9:30 pm
Thurs, April 12th: 8 am – 9:30 pm
Harold Latrace Arena
Fri, April 13th: 8 am – 5:00 pm
Broomball
Agriplace Twin Arenas
Tues, April 10th: 8 am - 5:30 pm
Wed, April 11th: 8 am - 9 pm
Thurs, April 12th: 8 am - 9 pm
Fri, April 13th: 8 am – 5:00 pm
3 on 3 Basketball
Marian Graham Collegiate
Tues, April 10th: 10 am - 5:30 pm - Practice
Wed, April 11th: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Thurs, April 12th: 8 am – 9 pm
Curling
Granite Curling Club
Tues, April 10th: 10 am - 5 pm - Practice
Wed, April 11th: 8 am - 4:30 pm
Thurs, April 12th: 8 am - 9 pm

Housing
The 2011 Section 95 budget will produce 157 units for 14 Saskatchewan First Nations. When the Federal Budget was released, initial forecasts suggested fewer units would be produced than in 2010 due to a higher projected interest rate; however, a mid-summer drop allowed for roughly 50% more units to be committed. Interest rates are currently at historic lows- when they increase, the effect on First Nations housing will be severe if the provincial Section 95 budget does not increase to match. Already the program does not meet the housing needs of First Nations in Saskatchewan. If the budget does not increase, Section 95 may become irrelevant.
There were no increases to Band Based Capital in the recently-released Federal Budget. Due to the national attention on the housing situation at Attawapiskat this is not surprising, however static budgets and increased demand for resources means First Nations in Saskatchewan will continue to struggle to deliver basic services to their members.
Several First Nations have asked the FSIN Director of Housing to deliver presentations and help develop on reserve home ownership options in their communities.
Gaming Secretariat
The Gaming Secretariat is in the Review Period of the Gaming Framework Agreement. This review period goes from December 11, 2011 to June 11, 2012. The Technical Team consists of Alphonse Bird (Lead Negotiator), Senator Roland Crowe, Chief Todd Peigan, Councillor Nathan Pasap, Tribal Chief Edmund Bellegarde, Ray Ahenakew, Neil Sasakamoose and Kim Stonechild (Legal Counsel).
The objective of this review is that the Negotiation Team is to get the best deal possible so that more money flows to the First Nations. This is an industry that was started here by a First Nation and the First Nations should be the beneficiaries of the Gaming industry. The Technical Team has had several planning meetings and a strategic planning session that will result in a 10 year plan for Gaming.
Meetings have taken place with the Gaming institutions for their input on issues of the GFA review.
The Chiefs of the First Nations that host a casino have met a number of times since January. They are working on a plan to deal with the issue of Jurisdiction.
Meetings with the province have occurred on February 10th and March 14th. The next meeting with the Province is set for April 11 and 12, 2012.
The Gaming Special Assembly is scheduled in May, 2012.

Chiefs Forum on Treaty Implementation
There were 205 registered participants at the Chiefs Forum on Treaty Implementation on March 29 and 30 at the Dakota Dunes. The Forum was hosted by VC Watson's office and the Treaty Governance Office with support from all FSIN Secretariats and chaired by AJ Felix. Thank you to the Leaders and Elders that participated and all those who came to learn more about Treaty and inherent rights.
Four pipe carriers opened the Forum with prayer and ceremony. The objective of the Forum was to promote dialogue on implementation of the inherent right to self-determination and the implementation of Treaty and to give direction to the FSIN on moving forward.
Vice Chiefs Watson, Bird, Lerat and Cameron presented on the status of Treaty and inherent right implementation in their respective portfolio areas. These will be incorporated into an organization-wide strategic plan for the rights agenda.
Presentations were made by Treaty Commissioner Bill McKnight, Chief Wallace Fox, Ovide Mercredi, Sol Sanderson, Jim Sinclair, and Sharon Venne. Topics included the history of Treaty-making in Saskatchewan, building institutions to implement Treaty and inherent rights, UNDRIP, law-making and assertion of sovereignty and jurisdiction.
A Forum report will be complete by April 13 and sent out to the First Nations, along with a series of work plans by TGO as follow up to the directions and recommendations from the Forum. CDs and power points of the Forum presentations will be available soon. TGO plans to use the information at Treaty and inherent rights presentations to the Tribal Councils and First Nations across Saskatchewan.
Action Plan on Education in the Context of Treaty (APECT)
The APECT project has just completed three years of research on First Nations education. APECT has gathered input from Elders, leaders, communities and other education stakeholders in order to create a First Nations Education Service Delivery Model to assist the existing education systems. This model must not only satisfy the collective requirements of the 74 First Nations, but also be flexible enough for each First Nation and community to meet their unique cultural and language needs.
Vice Chief Bird, and the FSIN Education and Training staff, have collected feedback at regional meetings in Prince Albert, Fort Qu'Appelle and North Battleford that brought together Chiefs, Education Portfolio Holders, Directors of Education and principals. The model will now be revised to accommodate their feedback and development will continue so that the directions of the Elders can be implemented. The Directors of Education Table will continue to work with the Education Secretariat to accomplish the task of defining the roles of the service providers and the institutes. A proposal for ongoing funding will be made to INAC so that wider dialogue with leaders can continue.
Joint Task Force
The panellists who will lead the Joint Task Force on Improving Education and Employment Outcomes for First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan was announced at the FSIN Youth Assembly on March 26, 2012. The task force panellists include the Chair, Gary Merasty from the Peter Ballantyne First Nation. Mr. Merasty is a former Grand Chief of the Prince Albert Grand Council and also a former Member of Parliament and is currently Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility of Cameco, Rita Bouvier, a Metis researcher/writer and community-learning facilitator and Don Hoium, Executive Director, League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents of Saskatchewan
Vice Chief Bird states that "First Nations believe in a consistent, quality education and successful achievement rates for our students who are the future of our communities, and an educated First Nations workforce will allow full participation in the economic and social benefits enjoyed in Saskatchewan today. The joint task force on Education will give our grassroots communities a voice throughout the process."
The joint task force will focus on several key goals for First Nation students in Saskatchewan including:
• Improved early childhood outcomes and transition to school;
• Increased high school and post-secondary completion rates;
• Improved participation in the labour force and employment; and
• Greater quality of life and enhanced self-sufficiency.
Federal Budget Response
The money in the federal budget for education falls far short of what is needed to ensure adequate funding for our First Nations in Saskatchewan. In Saskatchewan alone, 80 million dollars per year is needed to eliminate the funding gap between First Nation Schools and Provincial Schools, and that number grows to over 400 million nationally.
The 275 million over 3 years announced in the federal budget only amounts to an additional $800 per student/year which still leaves a funding gap of over $3,000 per student/year. First Nations schools have needs in teacher salaries, school resources, school capital, computers and technology, bussing and many other areas. But once again, INAC with no education staff is deciding where this money will go. The parliamentary budget officer reported to parliament in 2009 that First Nations needed $200 million a year. So $175 million over three years is a drop in the bucket.
In addition a First Nation Education Act was never requested by the Chiefs of Saskatchewan. Vice Chief Bird states that "once again, the nation sees INAC paternalistically dictating what First Nation Education needs are. This is not a Treaty relationship. This is not what our students require, the 2% cap needs to be removed and we need to invest in our future, we need to invest in our First Nations students."
FSIN Youth Assembly
"Journey to Truth" youth assembly took place March 26 & 27, 2012 in Saskatoon at the Saskatoon Inn. The Youth Assembly was very well attended, all indications from youth and chaperones was that the youth enjoyed themselves and enjoyed the theme, workshops and the special speakers at the assembly. Evaluations were completed by the youth in attendance on the final day. Evaluations will be reviewed and planning for next year's assembly will commence at the end of May 2012. A final report will be issued by April 16, 2012
The first day focused on the effects of residential school, the second day, youth participated in a mock style of the "FSIN Chiefs Legislative Assembly". Youth in attendance had the opportunity to vote for their FSIN Youth "Female Representative" and "Male Representative".

The FSIN Youth Assembly elected Colin Starblanket of Starblanket First Nation and Shyanne Marie St.Denis of the Onion Lake First Nation. The representative's will have the opportunity to participate at the national level with the AFN Youth Council.

HOCKEY HALL of FAME Traveling Exhibit
Wednesday, April 11 - Thursday, April 12th
Prairieland Park - Hall C / 9:00am - 5:00pm
Admission $5 / BATC Games Participants - No Charge
- Largest Hockey Hall of Fame Exhibit ever!
- 32 Themed HHOF Showcases
- Stanley Cup
- 14 HHOF Interactive Games
- HHOF Legends Theatre
- 6 HHOF Trophies
- 21 Original Art Pieces
- HHOF Turofsky Photos - Original 6 & 72 Series

FSIN Youth and Adult Hockey Championships
Meadow Lake Tribal Council will be hosting the Adult Hockey Championships April 20, 21 & 22, 2012 in Saskatoon at the Jemini Arenas.
FSIN SCYR will be hosting the Youth Hockey Championships April 27, 28 & 29, 2012 in Saskatoon at the Jemini Arenas.
National Aboriginal Hockey Championships 2012
The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships will be hosted in Saskatoon, in May 6-12, 2012 by the Saskatoon Tribal Council. Team Sask selections will be posted on our website towards the end of March 2012. Both male and female teams have been selected and rosters are posted on the FSIN website.
2013 Saskatchewan First Nation Summer Games
The 2013 Saskatchewan First Nation Summer Games were awarded to the Muskoday First Nation and will be hosted in Muskoday and surrounding communities.
FSIN Health Meeting with Health Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Province
FSIN Health and Social Development met with Health Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, First Nations & Inuit Health Branch and Saskatchewan First Nations & Metis Relations on Jordan's Principle. The Case Conference Protocol is seen as the primary dispute avoidance mechanism and the current draft was approved by the FSIN Legislative Assembly as an "interim measure." The Case Conference Protocol must still be vetted through appropriate channels prior to a final agreement and implementation.

Canada and Saskatchewan have stated that they view dispute resolution as an issue between the funders (federal and provincial governments) in the event of jurisdictional disagreement regarding who is responsible for payment. Canada and Saskatchewan are undertaking bi-lateral negotiations on a federal-provincial basis.
FSIN will continue to work with our Commissions, Advisory Bodies and Legislative Assembly in moving forward on Jordan's Principle.

Memorandum of Understanding
The first project plan to be funded under the MOU is the Cultural Responsiveness Framework. As part of the project plan the Cultural Responsiveness Framework will host four roundances. The first of four was held on March 24th in Lebret, Sk. This event was very successful and well attended by all age groups. On March 31, 2012 the second round dance was held in Prince Albert, Sk. Another successful round dance where the event was largely attended by youth .
On March 8 & 9, 2012, the MOU Steering Committee met in Regina.

Health and Social Development Commission
The Health and Social Development Commission held a meeting at the Little Pine Band Hall on March 28, 2012 to discuss progress and next steps on the Saskatchewan First Nations Child Welfare Framework. The draft document, titled "A New Direction: Striving to Excellence in Child Welfare" was presented for review and recommendations as the project moves into the second phase which focuses on community level consultation.

The FSIN would like to thank the Little Pine First Nation for graciously hosting this Commission meeting.

Saskatchewan First Nation Veterans Association (SFNVA)
The SFNVA held their election on March 30, 2012 at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge in Saskatoon. The new Executive are: Grand Chief Ray Sanderson, PA President Hilliard Gardipy, South President Arthur Anderson, North Battleford President Arland Tootoosis, Vice President PA Norman Henderson, Vice President South Ron Redwood and Vice President North Battleford David Pelletier.

Bold Eagle 23
The deadline to apply is April 30, 2012. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age with a completed grade 10. Please contact FSIN if you would like more information.

Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP)
The CLASP initiative is a prevention of cancer and chronic disease activity. CLASP was formed with three main objectives: partnership development, curriculum development and sustainability. Partners on the CLASP initiative include multi-jurisdiction, cross-sectoral organizations. CLASP has completed curriculum development and has completed training deliveries. Completion of this major milestone resulted in 105 people trained to facilitate a healthy living message to youth. The current mandate for the CLASP initiative has been completed. Sustainability work to continue the prevention of cancer and chronic strategy for First Nations is ongoing.

The curriculum developed by CLASP is called Health Empowerment for You (HEY). The prevention of cancer and chronic disease information in the HEY curriculum integrates a holistic health message. HEY is delivered using train the trainer and community based approaches. The train the trainer portion is delivered over 4.5 days for 5-15 participants. During this time, trainers learn how to facilitate a healthy living message to youth. The community based approach includes workshops on healthy living for youth as way to promote individual and community health. HEY consists of 7 modules: Vision of Health – Personal and Community; Prevention of Cancer and Chronic Diseases; Healthy Eating; Active Living; Healthy Body for Me; Tobacco Reduction; and Substance Misuse.

Nuclear Waste Management Organization
The FSIN Lands and Resources Secretariat (LRS) continue to fulfill its commitment to provide information sessions to First Nations on nuclear waste management by way of its agreement with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) which was signed on November 5, 2010. The FSIN-NWMO agreement is in its final year, whereas community visits and a few large scale workshops will be undertaken. Specific workshop dates and locations are yet to be determined.
The FSIN advocates for free, prior and informed consent regarding consultations on projects that impact First Nation Inherent and Treaty Rights. The FSIN will not be consulting with NWMO or the Government of Canada on behalf of First Nations at any time. The exclusive right to consult lies with the individual First Nations.
Treaty Land Entitlement
The Lands & Resources Secretariat hosted another Workshop on March 28th, 2012 in Saskatoon. The workshop focused mainly on two issues:
1) Hands-on instruction on how to look for available Crown and private lands and minerals from the provincial government's Information Services Corporation; and
2) Examples of the best practices on how a First Nation may satisfy their land claim agreements for the benefit of their communities.
Specific Claims
The Director of Specific Claims has been involved in drafting a revised addition to reserve policy. Over the last two weeks, meetings have been held in Kingston and Ottawa. The Specific Claims Department has received research and legal reports on individual claims in fulfillment of contracts. These have been sent to the First Nations. In addition, staff met with the One Arrow First Nation to assist and advise them in advancing their claim.
Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program
FSIN Lands and Resources will continue to address Environmental and Habitat concerns as well as Sacred Site issued despite the limited resources available. Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) or Traditional Ecological Knowledge will continue to be at the forefront when addressing these issues. Lands and Resources would like to thank all the presenters and participants that came out the last of the AIHP workshops on ATK, Environment and Fish Habitat held at the Saskatoon Inn on March 21, 2012. A special recognition and thanks to the two consulting companies, Stantec and Golder Associates as well as Chief Albert Scott for their presentations at the workshop.

Kee-way-tâhn Youth Culture Camp
(Kee-way-tâhn – meaning 'together we return back to our land, our roots, our culture')
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), Lands and Resources Secretariat and the Environmental Youth Council would like to announce a Kee-way-tâhn Youth Culture Camp. This camp will take place in July 9-12, 2012, at the Prince Albert National Park - Paspewin Heritage Cultural Site (located just 30 minutes south of Waskesiu, SK. This event will be open to First Nations youth in Grade 9 to 1st year university that are interested in learning more about lands, resources, and educational/career opportunities within the environmental areas. Seats are limited to a maximum of 40 youth. For more information please contact the FSIN Lands and Resources Secretariat at 665-1215.
Upcoming Meetings

April 11-13, 2012: FNCFS-TAG at the Best Western, Saskatoon, SK.

April 18, 2012: CLASP Steering Committee Regular Meeting, Saskatoon, SK.

April 17 – 19, 2012: AFN NFNHTN Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario

May 8-10, 2012: FSIN Health Retreat – Canmore/Banff, Alberta.

May 24 and 25, 2012: MOU Steering Committee – Jackfish Lodge (tentative)

May 28, 2012: Senior Technical Advisory Group, Saskatoon, SK.

May 29, 30, 2012: Health Social Development Commission, Duck Mountain, SK
June 21 – 24, 2012: Health and Social Development Secretariat; TRC Saskatchewan National Event, Saskatoon
July 16-19, 2012: Key-way-tân Youth Culture Camp, Paspewin Heritage Cultural Site, PA National Park