Communique August 13, 2010
FSIN
Communiqué
August 13, 2010
The Federation is committed to honouring the Spirit and Intent of the Treaties as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of Treaties that were made with the First Nations more than a century ago.
The FSIN is embarking on a new communication strategy. Part of this plan includes, the FSIN executive keeping the 74 First Nations in the province informed and updated on the important treaty issues.
Office of the Chief- Guy Lonechild
Joint Task Force on Saskatchewan First Nation Education
Chief Guy Lonechild, along with Vice Chief Delbert Wapass met with: First Nations and Métis Relations Minster, Ken Cheveldayoff; Minister of Education, Donna Harpauer; and Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration Minister, Rob Norris to discuss a Joint Task Force on First Nations Education in Saskatchewan. The objective of this exploratory meeting was to improve the life long learning and educational experiences and outcomes for First Nations living on and off the reserve. Also, to ensure First Nations fully share in the prosperity and future direction of Saskatchewan. The task force will focus specifically on the following areas:
- Building upon the work of the Minister’s Advisory Committee in establishing the actual cost for educating a student in the province of Saskatchewan;
- Working together on the integration of First Nations Indigenous Knowledge into provincial curriculum.
- Supporting and Enhancing the Gift of Language;
- Targeting teacher training, professional development and retention for schools with a high First Nations student population;
- Developing protocols in information technology to develop and support the flow of information.
Early Childhood Development is universally known to provide a developmental foundation for all later learning in life. The province is expanding its pre-kindergarten program to 18 more sites, none of which are on reserves. First Nation children need equal access to pre-kindergarten programming with added cultural components such as language and other culturally supportive learning materials where applicable.
Elementary and Secondary School Education is paramount to the success of First Nations students. But there are many factors affecting their success such as; poverty, parental education levels, the residential school legacy, indigenizing the curriculum and teacher, quality educators, elder access, extra curricular activities, language, role models and special needs support. There are also intergovernmental issues with First Nation students being transferred back and forth between the two school systems, on reserve and off reserve.
In the area of Post Secondary Education, there has been marked improvements in the number of First Nations obtaining higher education, particularly in colleges. Getting First Nation high school graduates to continue into post secondary training institutions is critical. There is still a significant gap in education, between First Nations and non First Nations, and if not addressed now it will continue to adversely impact Saskatchewan and First Nations in the future.
Currently, First Nations are leaving the school system without basic literacy and numerical skills to effectively compete in the province’s labour market. To effectively compete, First Nations workers need access to adult academic upgrading, literacy, life skills and or other programs to help them compete, hold and retain jobs.
The next meeting to move forward with the task force is scheduled for early September.
Office of the 3rd Vice Chief- E. Dutch Lerat
Bold Eagle Training
Bold Eagle Training is celebrating 21 years of success, this year. The unique summer training employment program for First Nations and Aboriginal youth was developed jointly by National Defence and Aboriginal organizations from across western Canada, including the FSIN. Bold Eagle Recruits undertake a six week course that combines the Army’s Basic Military Qualification, commonly known as basic training, alongside traditional cultural training at the Land Force Western Area Training Centre (TFWA TC) in Wainwright, Alberta.
This year’s Bold Eagle Training attracted 86 First Nations and Aboriginal Youth from across western Canada, 27 from Saskatchewan. The goal of the program is to develop participants self discipline, teamwork, self confidence and physical fitness. It also helps facilitate potential interest in continuing with a full time or part time career in the Canadian Forces afterwards.
As a part of the Bold Eagle Program, recruits participated in the Dakota Dunes Powwow’s grand entry on August 11, 2010. Vice Chief E. Dutch Lerat participated in the grand entry alongside the 86 recruits. Vice Chief Lerat says, “On behalf of the FSIN I would like to congratulate them in advance. First Nations have a proud tradition with Canada’s armed forces. The Bold Eagle Program will help ensure this tradition continues.”
Bold Eagle 21 recruits will graduate on August 19, 2010 at 1 pm at the Canadian Forces Base in Wainwright, Alberta’s parade square. FSIN’s Executive members will be in attendance.
Office of the 4th Vice Chief- Lyle Whitefish
Treaty Four Resource Council’s Encampment
Vice Chief Lyle Whitefish, along with Chiefs from the Treaty Four Resource Council, occupied crown land peacefully in the Porcupine Plain Provincial Forest on Wednesday, July 11, 2010. The Treaty Four Resource Council, consisting of 10 First Nations, held a week long occupation and culture camp, from August 9 to August 15, 2010. The goal of the occupying the land was to bring attention to the provincial government’s failing effort to consult and accommodate First Nations
Vice Chief Whitefish says, “their exercising their treaty right to the land, treaty right to the territory, and treaty right to hunt, fish, gather on the land.” Historically, the Porcupine Plain Provincial Forest was a gathering place for the treaty four people. Currently, the land is being explored for oil and gas by industry. Kinistin’s Chief, Peter Nippi says, “We want industry and government to know that we have no relinquished these lands and we still live off of them.”
The peaceful occupation of the traditional crown land was well attended by the Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, the Kawacatoose First Nation, and the Yellowquill First Nation. Over 300 hundred of band members camped out in the provincial forest to exercise their treaty rights to the land.
Vice Chief Whitefish says, “Ultimately what happens on this land effects these First Nation communities and their livelihood and of course we want to talk about the environment. We want to talk about sustainability and the future use of this land.”
Earlier this year, the Chiefs of Saskatchewan passed legislation on the duty to consult and accommodate.