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THE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE MOVEMENT
was once a powerful force in Indigenous urban communities, but over the four decades since they were established across the country, friendship centres have had to endure severe cuts to the services they provide because of underfunding. The centres are not less valuable today than they were, say, even a decade ago. In fact, as more and more Indigenous people flock to the city centres, and the economic global woes press down like a heavy weight on communities, the friendship centre is perhaps more important now than it was in the past. That's why the National Association of Friendship Centres, in partnership with the department of Canadian Heritage, has released a Business Case for the Long-Term Sustainability of Friendship Centres. You can find it at www.nafc-aboriginal.com
We all know that Aboriginal people represent the fastest growing population in Canada, but did you know that the number of urban Aboriginal people is the fastest growing. More than 70 per cent of Aboriginal people do not live on reserves. In 2007/08, friendship centres across Canada delivered more than 1,300 programs and services worth more than $93 million to over 1.3 million participants on a status blind basis. The entire Friendship Centre Movement, consisting of 118 friendship centres, delivered almost $109 million in programs and services to Canada's increasing urban Aboriginal population. With the $16.1 million in support for core operations from Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program (AFCP), friendship centres delivered over $37 million for federal departments; over $39 million for provincial/territorial governments; $4.5 million for municipal governments; and $4 million for non-governmental and other Aboriginal organizations.
The friendship centres however are calling for an examination of the funding levels. They say funding needs to be enhanced given the pressing realities of today. And the fact that the funding levels have remained unchanged for over a decade seems to suggest that the time is upon the government to pry open the treasury purse.
The report says that urban Aboriginals experience lower education levels, higher unemployment rates and lower income levels than the rest of the urban population. "Friendship centres are one of the first demonstrations of contemporary Aboriginal self-determination ­ today they continue to be at the frontline serving the pressing needs of urbanAboriginal people," the executive summary reads.
Friendship centres play a pivotal role in community and economic development by providing employment opportunities and training, facilitating social development, and building human and resource capacity.

CHIEF ARTHUR MOORE OF THE
Constance Lake First Nations says "If for any reason a representative [of the Ontario Children's Aid Society] enters onto Constance Lake territory, they will be treated as trespassers, and if any children are removed from the community it will be considered a kidnapping." The chief announced on July 9 that the Children's Aid workers are being prohibited from entering the community by band council resolution banning all members of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services from their territory.
First Nations culture and rights have not been taken into consideration when Children's Aid societies deal with Aboriginal child welfare matters, said Moore. He said he has been working closely with Kunwaniamano, a child and family services organization, to ensure the delivery of a program that would fulfill the needs of First Nations. However, the agency has still not received designation as a Children's Aid Society by the province, and as a result, is unable to provide the services for Constance Lake First Nation.
At a meeting back in March, Chief Moore said "the Jeanne Sauvé Children's Aid Society agreed for the Kunwaniamon agency to look after my community's child welfare services under Anishnaabe Abinooji Family Services, who does have the specific designation. The agreement included a transition phase to transfer services by June 1."
To date, the Jeanne Sauvé organization has not transferred the services, and is now resistant to do so. In 2008, statistics show 2,300 First Nation children from reserves were put into care.
"It is time for First Nation communities to take control of their governance and their child welfare," Moore said. Moore takes great issue with workers who come into our communities and take children without consultation.
"We are capable of looking after our own children."
The chiefs of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation passed a resolution in March of 2006 in support of Kunuwanimano being mandated as a Children's Aid Society. Chief Moore said that until Minister Deb Matthews designates Kunuwanimano as a Children's Aid Society, Ontario CAS workers will remain prohibited from Constance Lake First Nation.

THE PUBLIC EYE (www.publiceyeonline.com) is reporting that the First Nations Leadership Council is preparing a series of papers describing the land title recognition options for First Nations in British Columbia. The Public Eye said First Nations Summit Grand Chief Ed John said the documents will be the basis for discussions for Aboriginal leaders scheduled to attend a forum during the last week of August. "How do, in effect, we enforce recognition when the courts have already said that Aboriginal title has never been extinguished?," asked John. The Public Eye also reports that the grand chief rejected a claim raised that the First Nations Leadership Council doesn't have a mandate to prepare those papers, "which will be informed by recent regional sessions on the government's proposed Recognition and Reconciliation act."