FSIN Executive Communique July 13, 2012

AFN Annual General Assembly
Please be advised the FSIN will provide breakfast for the mornings of July 18 & 19, 2012 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre South Building – Room 810 (Saskatchewan Caucus Room) beginning at 8:00 a.m.
We would like to invite all Chiefs and Saskatchewan delegates for breakfast so we can provide information on Bills' C428 and C38.  Our Executive, staff and Sharon Venne will be available during this time to answer any questions you may have regarding these issues. Please contact Cheryl Maurice at (306) 380-7893 if you require further clarification.
Provincial Ministry of Environment
Vice Chief Bobby Cameron met with the Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister in charge of Environment on July 13, 2012 in Regina. The issues discussed included the environmental code, consultation, resource management, water protection, and re-developing a working relationship with the Ministry of Environment.
Kee-Way-Tâhn Youth Culture Camp
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), Lands and Resources Secretariat and the Environmental Youth Council held the Kee-way-tâhn Youth Culture Camp. This camp took place on July 9-12, 2012, at the Prince Albert National Park - Paspewin Heritage Cultural Site. The purpose of the Culture Camp was to share knowledge and traditional teachings on various topics including foods, environmental protection, Medicines, Inherent Treaty Rights, Leadership, Water, Interconnections and Careers. Youth were encouraged to "bridge the gap" between Youth and Elder within sharing circles so they may also train the trainer on contemporary issues.
Canada World Youth and FSIN sign memorandum of understanding
Canada World Youth and the FSIN have teamed up to support First Nations youth in Saskatchewan. On Tuesday, July 10, 2012 Vice Chief Bobby Cameron and President & CEO Louis Moubarak signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate a cooperative working relationship between the CWY and the FSIN, with the goal to increase the capacity and awareness of First Nation youth, through the FSIN's Environmental Youth Council, so they may participate in and benefit from local, national and international initiatives aimed at developing our youth as world leaders. The leadership of the Saskatchewan First Nations have supported this initiative through Chiefs-in-Assembly resolution #1828.

Industry Relations Forum
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), Lands and Resources Secretariat will host an Industry Relations Forum on July 26, 2012 in Saskatoon. The Industry Relations Forum will foster the growing interest among First Nation leadership to form mutually beneficial working relationships with the natural resource sector in Saskatchewan. The Forum will provide an opportunity for all parties to begin to understand each other's obligations with respect to the duty to consult and accommodate. The Forum will serve to open the doors to the greatest resource First Nations have to offer – a large, young and growing potential employee pool. For more information please contact the FSIN Lands and Resources Secretariat at 665-1215.

Cultural Responsiveness Framework
The FSIN HSDS assisted with the Kee-Way-Tahn Youth Culture Camp held at Waskesiu July 8-12, 2012 and took the opportunity to consult with youth and Elders on the Cultural Responsiveness Framework (CRF). The purpose of this project is to identify changes required to the health system to be responsive to the cultural needs and differences for First Nations when accessing the health system. The project is being carried out in partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan, Regional Health Authorities and First Nations.

Several youth and Elders provided their input into where the system needs to change and how it should change to be more accommodating and respectful.

Further consultations will be carried out as provincial and/or federal governments commit additional funding to this essential project.

Social Development
The Health and Social Development Secretariat will be hosting a Technical Advisory Group; Technical Working Group meeting on engagement of the First Nations Child Welfare Framework, passed by the Chiefs in Assembly on June 27, 2012. This meeting will take place on July 31, 2012, at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations in Saskatoon.

Bold Eagle 23

Bold Eagle 23 is currently taking place in Wainwright, Alberta. 92 Aboriginal youth will begin receiving their military training on Monday, July 16.

Their introductory training and Culture Camp ends on Friday July 13 where they will be "handed over" to the Army in a symbolic "Hand Over Ceremony". The Canadian Forces will train them to receive their BMQs for the duration on the Training Course. Graduation is set for August 16 at 1pm at the Canadian Forces Base in Wainwright.

This year, there are 25 Aboriginal youth from Saskatchewan.

Indian Residential Schools File

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.

67 DAYS - IAP DEADLINE: September 19, 2012

Day Schools
There were approximately 130 Day Schools in Canada, with some in every territory and province except Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, from as early as the 19th century to 1996. The day schools were different from the residential schools in that students returned home at the end of the school day. At residential schools, students were kept in residence, away from family. But like residential schools, the day schools were funded by the federal or provincial governments and run by the churches. The abuses were the same if not worse, and the only difference was that in some cases, the children got to go home at end of day. They went home hurt and ashamed of being First Nation. Day schools were operated on or near First Nation communities to educate registered Indian, Metis and Inuit children.
Since the IRSSA, Day Schools have been an emerging issue in Canada and we felt it necessary to move forward to ask for an apology, compensation and have reconciliation for our Day School survivors. We have begun the data collection to show proof of how many survivors we have here in Saskatchewan to strengthen our claim. Once we sign an agreement with a Law Firm, the Lawyers will file our statement of Claim to the court. If the court agrees there was an injustice, a settlement agreement is usually negotiated. We are far from this point, however will work hard in seeking justice.

Please contact our office for Day School forms – 956-1022

Outreach Sessions:
Key First Nation – July 16
Onion Lake First Nation – July 18
Sakimay First Nation – July 19
Cowessess First Nation – August 7
Ochapowace First Nation – August 9
Cote First Nation – August 12
Keeseekoose First Nation – August 14

Lands and Resources Resolutions
The Chief-in-Assembly passed the following resolutions due to the failure of the provincial and federal governments to consult and accommodate Inherent and Treaty rights of the First Nations prior to proceeding on these matters.
Rejection of the Proposed Provincial Wildfire Act
Rejection of Bill S-8: The safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act
Opposition to the Sale of the PFRA Lands
Opposition of the Creations of Provincial Parks

The Chief-in-Assembly also passed resolutions supporting:
The Addition-to-Reserves Policy review as part of the work of the Specific Clams Tribunal Act
The Keewatin Youth Culture Camp
Entering into the MOU with the Canada World Youth Organization
Bill C-38
Cynthia Westaway, Borden Ladner Gervais, Ottawa has been retained to challenge Bill C-38: Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act. Cynthia Westaway will file a statement of claim against the federal government once the Bill has its regulations developed specifically in the amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Vice-Chief Bobby Cameron and over 45 Chiefs of Saskatchewan First Nations have sent correspondence to Prime Minster Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty serving notice and demanding that Bill C-38 not be implemented until the federal government properly consults and accommodates First Nations Treaty and Inherent rights. The office of the Prime Minister acknowledged receipt of the letter on June 26, 2012 via email and that the comments have been noted.

Saskatchewan Indian Education and Training Commission
The Education Commission met at the Travelodge on July 11, 2012 with the following agenda items:

First Nations University of Canada
Vice Chief has received notice from the Acting Chair of the First Nations University Board of Governors that the term of service for 4 of the 8 voting members will expire in October of 2012. The following:
Chair Della Anaquod, Peter Carton, Claudette Commanda and Peter Homenuck are willing to serve a second term. Vice Chief Bird will be sending a letter to the selection committee asking them to follow the process as outlined in accordance with the Act Respecting the First Nations University of Canada.

AFN National Education Steering Committee
The AFN/INAC National Education Panel (NEP) report made the recommendation to develop a National Education Commission to assist in the development of national education legislation. The FSIN has opposed the NEP and federal education legislation and delivered the independent report in collaboration with FNEC and NAN called, available at: www.fsin.com under Education Downloads

The initial step the goal of legislation by the AFN is to create a National Education Steering committee and will present a supporting resolution supporting to the AFN AGA in Toronto. The SIETC passed a resolution rejecting the AFN/INAC National Education Steering Committee and directing the AFN to discontinue work on national education legislation and return to consultation with the CCOE on all national education matters affecting First Nation regions.

First Nations Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey
Following the success of three Regional Health Surveys since 1997, the First Nations Information Governance Centre has been approached by INAC to conduct a First Nations Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey. The SIETC passed a resolution calling on the Education and Training Secretariat, in consultation with the First Nations Institutes, to collaborate with the FSIN Health Secretariat, the First Nations in this region and the First Nations Information and Governance Centre to develop and conduct the First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (FNREEES) between 2012 and 2015.

The Saskatchewan Indian Education and Training Commission (SIETC) further directs the Education and Training Secretariat to provide regular communications on the FNREEES to the SIETC and to the First Nations in this region to ensure opportunities for representative engagement between now and 2015.

Education Forum
Vice Chief Bird and the SIETC Chiefs discussed the need to develop a First Nations Education Forum to be held within the next year to provide opportunities for dialogue between leadership and academics, students and grassroots on the following themes:
• Strategic Plan for the SIETC
• Language and /Culture
• Literacy Levels
• Career Preparation / Workforce Attachment
• Post-Secondary Education
• APECT
An Education Forum Committee has been struck including Chiefs, representatives of First Nations Institutes and education staff. Doyle Anderson, the President of First Nations University, has offered their institute as the Forum lead.

Upcoming Meeting Dates
July 16 – 17, 2012: AFN Assembly: Treaty Implementation Session, Toronto ON.
July 16 – 17, 2012: AFN Assembly, Toronto ON.
July 24, 2012: First Nations Deployment of Panorama in Saskatchewan Steering Committee meeting in Regina Saskatchewan
July 25, 2012: Lands and Resources Commission meeting
July 26, 2012: Industry Relations Forum
August 6 – 10, 2012: NRTA Western Treaty Nations, Prince Albert, SK
August 21 – 23, 2012: Treaty Right to Shelter, Saskatoon, SK
August 21 – 22, 2012: FSIN Family Conference, Saskatoon Prairieland Park

August 20, 2012: Treaty Right to Health Workshop, Saskatoon, SK.
September 6 – 13, 2012: Treaties 1-11 Gathering, Brandon, MB
September 19 – 20, 2012: Treaty 4 Gathering, Fort Qu'Appelle, SK.