Page 5 Chatter - January

GLEN HARE, THE DEPUTY
Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, wonders why Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is spending exorbitant amounts on overseas travel. The federal bureaucracy is responsible for improving the lives of First Nations people in Canada, he said, so why are thousands of dollars to such places Russia, Belgium and Great Britain being spent.

“They’re supposed to be representing our interests. We’re not aware of any First Nations in England,” said Hare. “We have plenty of funding problems in our own back yard, we don’t need INAC dollars spent in Europe.”

Hare called the expenses “jaw-dropping” at a time when First Nations education funding has been capped at two per cent for the past 13 years. “Just keeping up with inflation and our growing population would require annual funding increases of 6.5 per cent,” said Hare. “This is discrimination against our young people.” He called on the federal government to demonstrate more responsibility and transparency in spending taxpayers’ dollars.

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SEEMS WE HAVE A RELIGIOUS BATTLE
brewing in the small community of Oujé-Bougoumou. The Council of the Cree Nation of Oujé-Bougoumou has banned all Cree traditional spiritual practices and have torn down a sweatlodge that was built this fall, a magazine called the Nation reports. Redfern Mianscum built the sweatlodge because he had witnessed drug and alcohol abuse in the community and he felt there was a need for traditional healing. Mianscum said the sweatlodge helped several people, providing them a sense of identity. But it was shortly after the structure was erected that a petition began to circulate, and that sparked a community meeting where a council resolution was struck banning traditional spirituality.

The council “hereby declares that the sweat lodge, along with any form of Native Spirituality Practices, such as Powwows, Rain Dances etcetera, do not conform with the traditional practices and teachings of our Elders,” the resolution reads. It also states, reports the Nation, that the community was founded on the Christian faith and values of the community’s Elders and past leadership and that the community will continue to uphold its faith in guidance with God.

Mianscum says the council argues that the sweatlodge practice was not part of Cree ancestral practice, coming instead from Native cultures in the west or from the south.

The new bylaw in Oujé flies in the face of a resolution from the 2010 Annual General Assembly of the Crees that Cree Nation Native spirituality and its practices ought to be protected throughout the Cree communities.
Mianscum said he is weighing his options, and will be seeking legal council.

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IN HIS DEC. 21 NEWSLETTER
called Gathering Voices, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo said “They are beginning to see us.” He was quoting the words of his late grandmother who attended the residential school apology given by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2008. Two years later, Atleo is optimistic that indeed progress is being made both in Canada and around the world. He cites the Four Host Nations and the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler as providing a surge of pride in Native capacity. He said he spent the last year at the table with decision makers in every sector of Canadian society and has been struck by the reception to the First Nation’s perspective and plans for the future. “Our message is one that needs to be heard by more people, and I have witnessed a growing openness and willingness to have these important conversations. This work has translated into direct advocacy on our behalf by players in the corporate sector, a willingness to follow-up and even invest directly in our people and our projects.” He says 2011 holds much promise.

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JAMES MOORE, MINISTER OF
Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announced a three-year renewal of the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, as well as a new formula for First Nations languages that distributes funding according to regional realities of languages across Canada. First Nations organizations active in language initiatives in provinces and territories with a greater number of languages will have access to more funding than those where fewer languages are found. The new formula comes into effect on April 1, 2011. Moore also announced funding for 16 language projects in British Columbia: 12 under the auspices of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation and four other First Nations projects. Under the renewed program, funding available to eligible projects in British Columbia will increase significantly — from $232,470 to $834,400.

“Ensuring that languages are seen and heard as living languages within Aboriginal communities is essential for them to thrive,” added Moore. “Our Government is committed to safeguarding these languages and supports Aboriginal communities in their efforts to protect and enhance them.” Funding for these projects is provided through the Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI) of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Aboriginal Peoples’ Program. The goal of ALI is to support the preservation and promotion of Aboriginal languages for future generations of Aboriginal peoples and other Canadians.