The Council of Yukon First Nations (CYFN)

The Gitxsan First Nation has reversed a decision to participate in a controversial oil pipeline project that would have generated $7 million for the band.

Gitxsan hereditary chiefs voted 78 per cent in favor of withdrawing from the Northern Gateway pipeline agreement during a meeting held on their territory Jan. 17.

“The chiefs reviewed the agreement with Enbridge and it seemed the risks were greater than the benefits,” explained Beverly Clifton-Percival, negotiator with the Gitxsan Treaty Society [GTS].

Vancouver – The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation will honor this year’s recipients of the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in a special gala event on Feb. 24 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. The awards celebrate excellence in the Indigenous community and the limitless potential that Indigenous people represent.

The awards recognize the highest level of achievement and provide role models for Indigenous youth.

Whitecap Dakota First Nation in Saskatchewan and the federal government have signed a Framework Agreement to negotiate self-government. “The signing of this agreement is an important milestone along a path of renewal and reconciliation,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan. “Self-government agreements give Aboriginal groups greater control over the decisions that affect their communities, laying the foundation for sound governance and an improved quality of life for their members,” Chief Darcy Bear said.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Mary Simon wants to set up a meeting similar to the Crown/First Nations Gathering Prime Minister Stephen Harper, reports Nunatsiaq News. “We want our own Inuit-specific meeting to focus on Inuit and Arctic issues,” she said. “We need to talk about some of the critical issues facing Inuit today.” Education and mental health services would be high on her agenda of discussion points if such a gathering were to take place, said Simon. Inuit have a distinct identity so ITK was not a participant at the Crown/First Nations Gathering on Jan. 24 in Ottawa.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo expressed his support for the construction of all-weather roads to improve accessibility to and from remote First Nation communities, urging all levels of government to work with First Nations to ensure appropriate measures are taken when ice roads are not available.  “Northern First Nation communities that rely on ice roads for supplies over the winter months only become more vulnerable with mild winter weather,” said Atleo.

The federal government announced an investment of about $700,000 to Miawpukek First Nation for water infrastructure upgrades and emergency management activities. Miawpukek First Nation was established as a reserve in 1987 and is located on the Island of Newfoundland. The community has 2,780 members, with an on-reserve population of 830 members.

A State of Emergency was declared by Cat Lake First Nation in northern Ontario which estimates seven out of 10 adults and youth there are abusing prescription medication. Cat Lake is looking for help in dealing with a pandemic of oxycodone use. “Cat Lake First Nation can no longer deal with the situation of prescription drug abuse alone. This affects all of our community, not only the users,” said Chief Matthew Keewaykapow. “Our Elders are impacted when they have to worry about providing for their grandchildren as money for food disappears to purchase drugs.

A high-end, privately funded healthcare facility is slated for development on Westbank First Nation territory in Kelowna B.C., band Chief Robert Louie has announced.
“Yes. It is our intention [to build a health centre]. We’ve been working on this for almost two years now,” Louie said. “We’ve put a lot of thinking into this. It’s the first of its kind in Canada.” Louie said the facility, still in its planning and preparation stages, promises to offer first-rate medical care.

The House of Commons Finance Committee has recommended the privatization of reserve lands. The suggestion was made when the committee presented its pre-budget report before the holiday break. The committee thinks a policy such as this would help reduce poverty on First Nations.

The idea is not a new one, and has been kicked around for a decade or more and, to some, it hasn’t been well thought out.