Aboriginal Issues in the Media:
Steve Palkin, host of TVO's "The Agenda", said that Thunder Bay was a delightful surprise during a five city tour to discuss First Nations and the economy. Tune in to the XOWhat Blog next week for a recap of the issues which were discussed on the program.
From www.chroniclejournal.com
Local TVO show sees optimism for aboriginal education
By PETER BURKOWSKI
Sunday, February 8, 2009
There is a good future in store for aboriginal education, says a panel of experts. The TVO parenting show “Your Voice” filmed an episode at the Fort William First Nation Community Centre on Saturday.
During the show, two three-person panels discussed the past, present and future of aboriginal education in Canada. “The chance to come up here and talk to aboriginal people about their children‘s school life, what it‘s like now, what they need to succeed was something we just couldn‘t pass up,” said the show‘s host and producer Cheryl Jackson. “The panelists were very optimistic – they certainly know what the problems are, but they have found so many ways to address them.”
Among the panel members was filmmaker and social worker Michelle Derosier. Derosier said that a proper analysis of the present and future states of aboriginal education requires a strong understanding of the history that precedes them. “You have to talk about history, residential schools and the oppressive policies that we deal with as First Nations people,” said Derosier. “It‘s going to inform on how we move forward – it‘s linked.”
Social worker and culture teacher Ron Kanutski agreed, but emphasized the importance of looking to the future. “We‘ve had a lot of disconnection in the past, and a lot of misunderstandings,” said Kanutski. “We are aware of the struggles that we‘ve been through as First Nations people, so what are we going to do about it now?” Kanutski also said that the families of aboriginal children should feature prominently in their education. “School is not a seperate entity,” said Kanutski. “Parents and family have a right to be part of their children‘s education – they can play an active role, and we need to invest in that role.”
Other panelists included former NAN Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic, former NAN Grand Chief Bentley Cheechoo, Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board aboriginal resource teacher Lynnita Jo Guillet, and Lakehead University aboriginal education professor Dolores Wawia.
The show will air online at tvoparents.com on Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on TVO starting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 22.
NAN's Background...
see www.nan.on.ca
Mandate
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) represents the legitimate socioeconomic and political aspirations of its First Nation members to all levels of government in order to allow local self-determination while establishing spiritual, cultural, social, and economic independence.
- Objectives
- implementation of advocacy and policy directives from Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs-In-Assembly
- political advocacy to improve the quality of life for the people of Nishnawbe Aski in the areas of education, lands and resources, health, governance, and justice
- improved awareness and sustainability of the strong traditions, culture, and language of the people of Nishnawbe Aski through unity and nation building
- development and implementation of policies reflecting the aspirations and betterment of the people of Nishnawbe Aski
strong partnership development and networks
Demonstrating the power of unity to affect change, in the late 1970s Nishnawbe Aski Nation (then known as Grand Council Treaty 9) together with environmental groups launched a successful campaign against Reed Paper's pollution of the Wabigoon River system. As a result NAN halted Reed Paper from cutting an additional 19,000 square kilometers of forest in both Treaty 9 and Treaty 3. The campaign highlighted deficiencies in the government of Ontario's environmental assessment process and led to the Royal Commission on Northern Environment (1977).
NAN led the way in the development of regional Aboriginal organizations in the late 1970s and early 1980s, enabling program delivery to shift from the Government of Canada (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada) to Tribal Councils.
NAN currently has seven Tribal Councils: Windigo First Nations Council, Wabun Tribal Council, Shibogama First Nations Council, Mushkegowuk Council, Matawa First Nations, Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Independent First Nations Alliance.
Mobilization and engagement of NAN youth through the declaration of the NAN Decade for Youth in 2001 has contributed to various successful initiatives in the areas of youth mentoring, literacy, and suicide prevention. Youth mentoring program Project Beyshick began in 2005. The week long program that pairs students from NAN territory with high level executives to learn practical business skills, focuses on developing and enhancing entrepreneurship among First Nations youth. Currently the program is conducted in Toronto with potential of growing internationally.
Throughout 2005 and 2006 NAN, together with fifteen signatory First Nation communities of James Bay Treaty 9, hosted commemorative events acknowledging the 100th anniversary of the treaty agreement. The two year commemoration was a chance for First Nations throughout Treaty 9 to reflect on the past and embrace the future. The people of Nishnawbe Aski acknowledged this historic anniversary by hosting events based on reflection, strong cultural traditions, and creating a vision for the future. By welcoming neighbours, guests, and political leadership into their homes and communities, the people of NAN set the stage for a positive reaffirmation of the treaty relationship.
In the Next 100 Years, NAN will continue advocating to improve the quality of life for the First Nations people of Nishnawbe Aski territory. Through meaningful dialogue with treaty partners (governments of Canada and Ontario) and strong partnerships and networks, NAN can create a future vision of self-determination to include opportunity for self-government, education and skills training, improved health care, participation in industry, and the development of viable economic bases for NAN communities.
And the Term Is?
Anishinabek Condemn Term “Aboriginal”
By Michaela Whitehawk, The First Nations Drum, August 2008 http://www.firstnationsdrum.com/2008/august/anishinabek.html
The Anishinabek Nation are campaigning against the use of the term “aboriginal” to describe their people, who represent 30% of the total First Nation population in Ontario. On June 25, at the annual Grand Council Assembly on Manitoulin Island, Chiefs supported a resolution that condemned the word as a form of assimilation, which places Metis, Inuit, and First Nations Peoples into one category.
The resolution asserts that the reference to “aboriginal rights” in Section 35 of the Constitution Act of Canada “was never meant to assimilate First Nations, Metis, and Inuit into a homogeneous group.”
The one-page resolution also points out that “there are no aboriginal bands, aboriginal reserves, or aboriginal chiefs.” When referencing more than one Nation, the terms “First Nations” or “First Peoples” are more appropriate.
When possible, Chief Patrick Madahbee of Aundeck Omni Kaning prefers the specific title of Anishinabek over more generic terms. “Referring to ourselves as Anishinabek is the natural thing to do because that is who we are. We are not Indians, natives, or aboriginal. We are, always have been, and always will be Anishinabek.” The use of specific local terms, such as Chippewa and Algonquin are also acceptable titles.
According to Bob Goulais, Executive Assistant to the Grand Council Chief, the response to the resolution has been positive. “Our people want to be identified by who they are and their traditions,” said Goulais. He believes the rest of the country will also be receptive to a change in terminology. The Anishinabek Nation plans to bring a similar resolution to the Assembly of First Nations.
“Aboriginal” is not the only word that First Nations have deemed offensive; however, one need only look at the persisting title of “The Indian Act” to recognize that change can be slow. “We have lived with The Indian Act since 1876, but the legislation’s provisions are as archaic as its name,” said Chief Beaucage, who hopes that the resolution will lead to changes in organizational names. The Anishinabek Nation’s corporate arm has been referred to as the Union of Ontario Indians since 1949.
A Final Note:
The Leadership Thunder Bay class will be spending Thursday February 12 at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care at the Fort William First Nation. Thanks to Leadership Tampa Bay Alumnus, Bonnie Moore, we have an interesting line-up of presenters!
- Maggie
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