Manitoba Pipestone - Aboriginal News Briefs - September 2013

Broader social issues part of inquiry into child’s death

Final submissions were given in August during the inquiry that is examining how the child welfare system failed to protect Phoenix Sinclair, who was abused and beaten to death at the age of five by her mother and mother's boyfriend. Phoenix had spent most of her life in foster care or with family friends and was killed shortly after social workers decided she could remain with her mother. In its later stages, the inquiry has also been examining broader social issues — why Aboriginal children make up the vast majority of children in care and why rates of poverty and substance abuse are high. Counsels for a number of Aboriginal groups have called for a variety of changes, not only to the child welfare system, but to education and funding to reduce poverty, illiteracy and other problems. The inquiry has heard from 126 witnesses since it began September 2012. Commissioner Ted Hughes' report is expected by mid-December.

Inquest being held into 2008 death of homeless man

A homeless Aboriginal man in a wheelchair, who died during a 34-hour wait in Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre emergency room on Sept. 19, 2008, is the focus of an inquest. William Olsen, lawyer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, told the inquest into the death of Brian Sinclair, 45, that no single person was responsible for what happened to the double-amputee and that lack of treatment was not due to race, disability or social status. But Murray Trachtenberg, lawyer for the Sinclair family, said there is little doubt Sinclair's identity and marginalization led to stereotyping and false assumptions about his need for care. Trachtenberg said Sinclair was a frequent visitor to the emergency room and struggled with substance abuse. In an email to Manitoba's chief medical examiner and the head of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority in 2009, Dr. Marc Del Bigio, a neuropathologist who examined Sinclair's brain and spinal cord following his death, stated, “His cognitive disability and neurogenic bladder were the consequence of decades of solvent/inhalant abuse. Societal blame can only go so far. At some level individuals must accept responsibility.” Del Bigio has since apologized for the wording of his email. Sinclair's death was later attributed to a treatable bladder infection. Judge Tim Preston will hold hearings through August then again in October to determine what precipitated Sinclair’s death.

MMF committee to advise on land claims strategy

Following the Supreme Court’s decision on the Manitoba Métis Federation’s decades-long land claim case, a team of Canadian business leaders has been formed to advise the MMF on all future business and development opportunities in anticipation of the settlement of those claims. A Legacy Fund will be developed to support the aspirations of the Métis people for generations to come. The Land Claims Strategic Investment Committee consists of former Prime Minister Paul Martin, Hartley Richardson, Sanford Riley, Harvey Secter and Dr. Eric Newell. Said MMF President David Chartrand of the selection, “I have had longstanding relationships with these individuals and they are great friends of the Métis people.” The MMF land claims case was initiated by the leadership of MMF in 1981, and dates back to 1870, when the Canadian government first negotiated with Louis Riel and the Métis Nation at the Red River Settlement. In March of 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled these agreements were not honoured by the federal government.

Unprecedented licence conditions to address Aboriginal concerns

An Environment Act licence has been granted to Manitoba Hydro for its Bi-Pole III transmission project which includes 68 conditions, exceeding the 26 Clean Environment Commission licensing recommendations resulting from concerns raised in public hearings. Crown-Aboriginal consultations were held to hear and understand the concerns of First Nations, Métis and local Aboriginal communities about how the project might impact the exercise of their rights.  Between August 2010 and August 2013, 26 First Nations and the Manitoba Métis Federation were among the more than 50 communities along the route of the proposed line to voice concerns. Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh said the government will continue to listen to concerns raised by Aboriginal communities as the Bi-Pole project proceeds. He said those concerns will be considered through conditions in the many approvals and permits required for the project. “Consultations are based on relationships with First Nations, Métis and local Aboriginal communities and, like any relationship, are continually dynamic and evolving,” said Mackintosh in a news release. “We set up Crown Aboriginal consultations based on our duty to consult and accommodate on a project by project basis. Our goal is to further reconciliation between the Crown and Aboriginal communities, and continue to develop and deepen our relationships.”

Agreement to guide multiple-project consultation approach

An agreement signed between the provincial government and Fisher River Cree Nation will guide future development by ensuring meaningful consultation on any proposed use of Crown land or resources within Fisher River’s traditional territory. The agreement refines and expands the current single-project consultation approach, bringing clarity and consistency to Crown-Aboriginal consultation processes for Fisher River Cree Nation in its participation in multiple-project consultation processes. The value of traditional land use is also recognized in the agreement, along with a commitment to work together by entering into discussions to provide assistance with respect of Fisher River conducting a traditional land use and occupancy study, and mapping initiative. “This protocol will further the process of reconciliation and understanding between the Crown, as represented by Manitoba and our community,” said Fisher River Cree Nation Chief David Crate in a news release.

Aboriginal businesses recognized for excellence

Neechi Foods Co-op Ltd. and All Nations Print Ltd. are the 2013 winners of the University of Manitoba and the Asper School of Business Excellence in Aboriginal Business Leadership award. Neechi Foods, which began operating in 1990 and this year expanded to include Neechi Commons Community Business Complex, which features a neighbourhood supermarket, produce courtyard, cafeteria restaurant, bakery, fish market, and specialty foods boutique, received the Aboriginal Business Leadership Award. Said Neechi Foods President Louise Champagne, “Happily, now that ‘social enterprise’ is a more widely accepted concept, our mission as a commercially viable business committed to community economic development is much better understood.” Brenda Parsons, who began All Nations as a brokerage firm in 2002, won the Excellence in Aboriginal Small and Medium Enterprises Award. The company has taken a leadership role in the Aboriginal business community.