AFN in brief

Page 10

Israel "Izzy" Asper, founder of CanWest media, owners of the National Post and Global Television, passed away suddenly the day before he was scheduled to address the chiefs on the first day of the special assembly held in Squamish Nation, B.C. He was 71. Having turned to philanthropic interests after handing the reins of his media empire over to his children, Asper was going to speak about a human rights museum he had been working to establish in Winnipeg. A Coast Salish ceremony was held in his honor. A prominent member of the Jewish community and an outspoken defender of Israel, Asper was honored by hereditary chief Gibby Jacobs, a member of the Squamish Nation band council, as "a man who fought for his people and in doing so, fought for all people."

? ? ? ? ?

Six Nations Councillor Dave General attended the assembly as the proxy for Barriere Lake First Nation. He drew the chiefs' attention to a piece of federal legislation that could have the effect of criminalizing First Nation hunters if passed into law. Bill C-10B, the cruelty to animals legislation, must be addressed, he said.

? ? ? ? ?

Oneida of the Thames Chief Harry Doxtator wanted the chiefs to deal with border crossing issues. As reported in last month's Windspeaker, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency has announced it intends to deny the First Nation right to bring goods purchased in the United States back across the border tax and duty-free.

? ? ? ? ?

FSIN Vice-Chief Lawrence Joseph informed the confederacy that the organization would seek a court injunction to stop Health Canada from forcing First Nations people to sign consent forms to get medical care. He said the delay negotiated by the national chief with Health Minister Anne McLellan was "totally inadequate." Fontaine had earlier said he was aware that Health Canada officials were "undermining" the arrangement he had with the health minister.

? ? ? ? ?

Bloc Quebecois MP Yvon Lubien and NDP MP Pat Martin played key roles in the fight against the First Nations governance act. Both federal members were in attendance for both days of the Squamish assembly. They received a standing ovation from the chiefs.

? ? ? ? ?

Scott Serson, the former deputy minister of Indian Affairs under Jane Stewart is leaving his position as president of the Public Service Commission to join the AFN as an advisor. Serson sent an e-mail to his staff Sept. 25 announcing his plans just days after AFN chief of staff Manny Jules said he knew nothing about rumors that Serson would be joining the AFN team. Vice-chief Rick Simon said it's good news for First Nations. "I like Scott Serson. I've worked with him in the past. He was instrumental in helping the assembly create some solid budgets that we could actually move forward and see some results," he said. "It's too bad that Scott moved on and Nault chose to try to make an example of Matthew. His heart was in the right place and I believe it still is. I believe it's important that we bring on people who know their way around government, so we're not banging our heads against the doors; they're opening. So we're advancing the position, not stagnating."