Halifax AGM in brief

Page 6

Healing foundation wants longer life

Georges Erasmus, president of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, is negotiating with federal officials to extend the life of the foundation beyond its original mandate. The organization was given one year to organize, four years to disperse the $350 million healing fund, set aside in January 1998 by then-Indian Affairs minister Jane Stewart, and another five years to monitor projects created during the first five years.

Erasmus told the chiefs' assembly in Halifax that he'd like to see the scope of the foundation's mandate widened and extended.

""We believe we need a modified mandate. We need a time extension," he said.

The foundation president would like to have more freedom as far as what types of investment are allowed so the foundation can earn more interest on the healing fund.

Federal officials are conducting talks about a long-term strategy regarding residential school healing, Erasmus said, but "we're not part of that."

He added that the foundation would like to fund programs that deal with restoring language and repairing the cultural damage inflicted in the schools, but its current mandate does not allow that.

"We were not given language and culture as something we can fund but we're ready," he said.

The foundation has committed $135,713,689 so far, approving 72 per cent of the 948 proposals it has received. The foundation president said the various funded projects have created 1,126 full-time jobs. Aboriginal people make up 88 per cent of that work force, he said.

Vice chief says veterans deal close

Perry Bellegarde, AFN vice chief for Saskatchewan, told the assembly he and First Nations veterans will continue to lobby federal officials to finalize a compensation deal in time for Remembrance Day.

"We'll continue to lobby very aggressively," he said. 'This can't fall off cabinet's agenda."

Bellegarde reported "we're very close to a resolution, finally."

Three federal ministries-Indian Affairs, Veterans Affairs and National Defence-are involved in talks with First Nations veteran leaders. A proposal for a compensation package of about $125,000 per veteran or surviving family has been submitted to the ministers.

Ontario vice chief worried about racism

Charles Fox, Ontario vice chief, said recent disciplinary action taken by the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Provincial Police over the improper use of government Email has him wondering if racism is even more widespread than he previously believed.

Photos with racist captions were distributed by government employees via Email.

"That shakes the credibility of those institutions," Fox said. "One begins to wonder that the harassment of our people as they pursue harvesting is not racially driven."

Mould forces "state of emergency"

Veronica Waboose, chief of Long Lake #58 First Nation (Ontario), declared a state of emergency in her community just days before arriving in Halifax.

She said mould in homes in her community has created a health hazard. After 14 homes were tested and seven found to be contaminated, the consulting engineer recommended the homes be evacuated. Elders and young children risk respiratory illness if exposed to the moulds.

"We have no extra homes on the reserve as I'm sure you're aware," Waboose told the chiefs.

People were put up in hotels in the nearby town of Long Lac or slept in tents while the situation was being dealt with. Waboose complained in Halifax that Indian Affairs officials have done little to help.

They said it was our problem; it wasn't theirs," the chief said.

A resolution that the AFN support her community and lobby INAC and Health Canada on its behalf was passed.

After the story was reported in the national press, a letter from INAC regional director general John Donnelly was released to the press. The letter showed the band had received $832,500 during the previous fiscal year for housing and minor capital. Waboose said that money was far rom enough to help the band deal with its housing problem.

The band ended a blockade of Highway 11 on Aug. 17 after INAC agreed to commit a further $150,000 to deal with the mould.

Chiefs in Halifax say sub-standard housing is a widespread problem in First Nation communities.

Indigenous Games preparations begun

Five years after the Victoria North American Indigenous Games, Aboriginal athletes from around North America will finally get a chance to compete again, this time in Winnipeg next summer. An unsuccessful attempt was made to hold the games in 2000 in Fargo, North Dakota.

A pamphlet explaining the organizing committee's approach was in the delegates' information package in Halifax.

Two distinguished Aboriginal people are the executive co-chairs of the Winnipeg games-Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench judge, Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair, and a former lieutenant-governor of Manitoba, Yvon Dumont, who has connections with the Manitoba Metis Federation and the Louis Riel Institute.

It's expected 7,000 athletes, 4,500 volunteers and 3,000 cultural performers will attend the games from July 25 to Aug. 4, 2002. There will be 16 sports, as well as special Olympic competition in athletics and swimming.

Venues for all sports are world class. Many were constructed or upgraded when Winnipeg hosted the Pan Am Games in 1999.

Volunteers in the Winnipeg area or those interested in becoming financial supporters can check out the Web site- www.2002naig.com-or call (204) 927-2002.