Windspeaker News Briefs

Dion dumps candidate for racist remark

Simon Bédard's racist comments, made 18 years ago as a radio host, have come back to haunt him.
In 1990, in a highly publicized event, the Mohawk community of Kanesatake went head to head with the town of Oka as a dispute over the land lead to a two-month long standoff and the death of a police officer. The battle was resolved and, along with other standoffs, culminated with the creation of Aboriginal police forces.
Due to the standoff, there were huge traffic delays as highways were barricaded. Canada was torn, and comments were made in regards to the lengths that First Nations went to state their case; most notably, comments made by radio hosts Gilles Proulx, and Simon Bédard.
Proulx repeatedly reminded listeners that the Mohawks could not speak French, and that they should be shipped off to Labrador. Bédard suggested that the army should have gone in there and "cleaned up the place." He went on to say that after an indiscriminate amount of deaths, the country would just "carry on."
With Bédard running for the Liberals in the Quebec riding, the comments he made in the past have cost him dearly. Liberal leader, Stéphane Dion fired Bédard in order to end the controversy and the embarrassment the Liberals have faced since the comments resurfaced.
"Today, I announce that I have asked for and received the resignation of Simon Bédard as the Liberal Party of Canada's candidate in the riding of Québec. Clearly, Mr. Bédard agrees that the statements he has made regarding First Nations people are not compatible with the beliefs and values of the Liberal Party of Canada," stated Dion in a press release. "While Mr. Bédard has clearly indicated that he no longer holds those views, the Liberal Party of Canada's proud tradition of support for our Aboriginal communities must not be overshadowed by these comments."
Initially the campaign organizer accepted Bédard's apology. Upon further review, Dion overturned the decision and ordered Bédard to resign. Following that incident, the Conservatives came under fire for comments made by their campaign staff. Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon's aide, Darlene Lannigan, made a disparaging comment to Norman Matchewan, a protester. When Matchewan inquired about conditions for future meetings with the Minister, Lannigan replied, "If you behave and you're sober and there's no problems and if you don't do a sit down and whatever, I don't care," and added that "one of them" showed up the other day and was drinking.
The Conservative party made an official apology stating that her comments do not reflect the Government of Canada. Lannigan was not being removed from her position.

Nak'azdli determined more than ever

The Latin American Water Tribunal found Montana's Marlin Mine guilty of causing harm to the environment and to the people of Sipacapa and Miguel Ixtahuac'an, San Marcos according to a press release. The company being charged is the Montana Explored Company a subsidiary of Goldcorp Inc.
Goldcorp is the same company that is behind Teranne Metals Corp in the proposed Shus Nadloh mine at the head of the Arctic and Rainbow watersheds on Nak'azdli traditional territory in B.C.
For more than 18 months, a First Nations environmental review process has been in development by the Nak'azdli, but the current review process by the province, for Shus Nadloh,, was started without adequate consultation with Nak'azdli, according to a press release.
Therefore, the worry over the proposed mine by the traditional landholders is growing.
"We are more determined than ever not to allow a flawed environmental review process, of which we are not a party, to repeat in BC what has happened in Central America," said Nak'azdli Chief Fred Sam.
The Nak'azdli plan on raising this issue at the upcoming First Nations Mining Summit scheduled in Prince George from Oct. 7-9. A First Nations mining action plan will develop from the summit in order to help all First Nations engage with mining companies and the government in their roles as cultural stewards of the land.

Three years later and Paul Band receive settlement

It was three years ago when a CN train derailed, due to a faulty track, and inadvertently dumped an appalling amount of oil into Lake Wabamun. However it is only now that one Native band is being compensated for one of Alberta's most serious tragedies.
CN and the Paul First Nation came to a $10-million settlement in order to divert a lawsuit that the band launched for retribution. 800,000 litres of oil was spilled into Lake Wabamun and the immediate and long-term effects were extensive.
Many were forced from their homes, and local wildlife perished in tragic numbers. Beaches and shorelines were polluted, and water had to be trucked in for the next eighteen months. The band was no longer able to hunt or fish around the lake.
Nearly one year after the event, the water had been deemed safe for swimming and boating, however not for washing dishes and showering. And in the summer of 2007, after local residents reporting seeing oil in the water, a watch was put in place. A report made by environment officials claimed that the lake would not suffer long-term damage.
CN initially offered $7.5-million in compensation, but in order to appease Wabamun residents, it was improved to $10-million, which was approved by a Court of Queen's Bench justice.
"This money will play a major part in implementing the band's business development plan, which we are confident will result in a much stronger economic situation for our people," said Chief Daniel Paul of the Paul Band in a news release.
"We are satisfied with the manner in which the Paul Band negotiated a fair and equitable settlement that will allow them to move forward on projects for the collective benefit of the entire Paul Band First Nation," explained Jim Vena, senior vice-president for CN's western region
CN still has to face charges from the Environment and Ocean and Fisheries Department.

NITA to participate in historic event

A unique collaboration between the Native Investment and Trade Association (NITA) and RCI Capital Group Inc. (RCI) will result in what is referred to as a "high-level" trade mission to China. The event is entitled "RCI China-Canada Aboriginal Business Opportunity 2008" and is designed for Aboriginal businesses to take part in an historic combination of events in several Chinese cities from Nov.2 to 14, 2008.
The first event is the Canada China Business Council (CCBC)/Council of the Federation's three-city delegation tour to China that will coincide with CCBC's 30th anniversary and China's 30th year of an open door policy. The three cities that are on the tour are Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing and it will take place from Nov. 3 to 7.
Secondly, from Nov. 11 to 13, and taking place exclusively in Beijing, is the China Mining Congress and Expo 2008. This event will mark the 5th anniversary of what is known as one of the world's premier mining events.
Along with these events, the organizers have arranged special meetings to take place between participating delegates and business and government contacts.
In order to capitalize on the fact that Aboriginal-Canadians own or control a formidable portion of Canada, the hope is that many new partnerships will be created. Potential partnerships with a booming Chinese economy, in theory, should be profitable for both parties. For Aboriginal-Canadians, more profit would translate into better living conditions and increased self-sufficiency.
For China, it represents an opportunity for them expand on what is already a strong economic foundation. It is believed that China is assertively seeking out new long-term partners and has a vast reserve of cash.
Founded in 1989, NITA is a non-profit organization designed to promote economic self-reliance amongst Native groups in Canada. They are known for having one the most extensive and comprehensive Aboriginal databases. Furthermore, they are well noted for being Canada's premier Aboriginal conference and event organizer.
RCI has been in existence since 1996, and is noted as Canada's leader with their Immigrant Investor program. Their singular mission is to dedicate themselves to helping immigrants invest securely in their future.