AFN Annual General Assembly Fredericton, NB – July 23-25, 2019
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is looking forward to hosting its 40th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Fredericton, New Brunswick from July 23 to 25, 2019 under the theme of “Celebrating our Successes and Giving Thanks”.
The AFN believes it is important to convene our Annual General Assemblies in the many different traditional territories of our diverse nations, and to experience their hospitality, traditions and ceremonies. This does mean we need to be flexible and adaptable in using local facilities. The AFN has been working closely with the Host Nation and Host Region to ensure the necessary requirements are in place for the AGA.
We are currently working with the Fredericton Convention Centre to maximize the number of delegates we can accommodate in the main plenary room. There are capacity limitations due to the size of the facility, AFN’s technical needs, and health, fire and safety regulations. We will prioritize space to accommodate Chiefs and Proxies as they are required to address discussion on resolutions throughout AGA. We will ensure there is space in the main plenary as well for all Elders, Veterans, Tri-Council members, Grand Chiefs and AFN staff.
Delegates and observers wearing black lanyards will be accommodated at the theatre adjacent to the Convention Centre where the AGA proceedings will be broadcast live. For those not attending the AGA, there is a live webcast of the AGA which can be viewed on our website at www.afn.ca
ISO is partnering with Netflix to provide new funding opportunities to support capacity building and culturally specific approaches for Indigenous on-screen content creators.
ISO will be building this program over the coming months, however, we are offering an early deadline for Indigenous production apprenticeships taking place from October 1st, 2019 to March 1, 2020, to offer creators an extra opportunity.
Eligibility Requirements:
This deadline is open only for Indigenous Production Apprenticeships for the following applicants:
Indigenous Productions: 51% Indigenous ownership of production, with two of the key creative roles (producer, director, writer, showrunner) held by an Indigenous person.
Indigenous Applicants: Indigenous creatives may apply directly to serve as an apprentice on a production. In this case, the production and/or specialist who will be serving as mentor may be Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
For the purposes of ISO programs, “Indigenous” is defined as status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada.
Funding is available for fiction, non-fiction, or documentary screen-based projects in all genres. The following types of productions are eligible:
Short works
Feature-length works
Television series
Web series
VR, 360, digital and interactive works
Training and professional development for the following key creative roles are eligible for apprenticeships:
Producer
Director
Screenwriter
Showrunner
Editor
Director of Photography
Costume Designer
Sound Designer
Production Designer
Lighting Designer
Other Eligibility Requirements:
In order to be eligible, the production must have confirmed public or broadcast funding (Telefilm, Canada Media Fund, Canada Council, provincial or territorial funding, Canadian broadcaster funding.)
Maximum Funding Amounts: Up to $15,000 for Short Works (running length of 40 minutes or under)
Up to $30,000 for feature-length, series, or non-time-based interactive works.
Application forms available on request at: info@indigenousscreenoffice.com. All questions about the program guidelines may also be directed to this email.
The Department of Health is responsible for the public water supplies under the Public Health Act and the Public Water Supply Regulations. Turbidity (cloudy water), is a parameter included in the regulations and levels are verified regularly.
New standards for surveillance of Nunavut’s water drinking water systems have shown high turbidity (cloudy water) in many of the territory’s drinking water systems; this is usually a seasonal issue that increases during spring ice break up. The Department of Health is taking precautionary steps by issuing Boil Water Public Health Advisories for communities that do not have technology or treatment available to remove turbidity.
The communities affected are being monitored carefully to ensure the water meets the criteria prior to lifting a Boil Water Advisory. The Departments of Community and Government Services and Health are working jointly to support communities, improve communication and education about turbidity and how best to advise the communities affected.
The Department of Health continues its efforts to ensure Nunavut’s drinking water sources and its treatment meet national best practice.
VICTORIA—A new report prepared by the University of Victoria’s Environmental Law Centre (ELC) for Sierra Club BC calls for thirty per cent base level protection of old-growth ecosystems and intact forests across the province as part of the provincial government’s amendments to provincial forestry regulations.
The report entitled Applying Solutions from the Great Bear Rainforest Agreements to Vancouver Island, the South Coast, and Beyond recommends implementing the minimum level of protection that is used in the Great Bear Rainforest in all parts of B.C. The Great Bear Rainforest is the only major B.C. region with a land use framework that seeks to maintain ecological integrity as the basis for human well-being.
This is in stark comparison to weak current provincial forestry standards, which have led to an ecological emergency for many old-growth ecosystems across the remainder of the province. The report comes as the B.C. government is inviting input until July 15 to improve the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA).
“Increasing protection of old-growth and intact forest to a minimum of thirty per cent in every landscape across the province can be considered one of the most important steps the B.C. government should include in reformed forestry laws in 2020 to address the growing climate and biodiversity crisis,” said Keith Schille, the law student who wrote the ELC report.
“British Columbia’s forestry regulation is in dire need of reform, but we have one major region in the province with a conservation model based on modern science in the Great Bear Rainforest. B.C. should apply some of the learnings from this region in the rest of the province, alongside traditional ecological knowledge from Indigenous peoples,” said Erin Gray, one of the supervising lawyers on the ELC report.
“Many of B.C.’s old-growth forests are close to the brink. Time is running out and we need government leadership action that respects the limits of nature in the interest of future generations. This report describes a first step the province can take to address this emergency,” said Jens Wieting, Sierra Club BC’s senior forest and climate campaigner.
In addition to the base level protection, further conservation must be determined as part of the process of modernizing regional land use plans with Indigenous Nations on a government-to-government basis. These agreements should incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into all decision making processes.
Solutions that address Indigenous rights and interests are needed for both public and private lands, all of which are on the territories of Indigenous peoples. The B.C. government should partner with the federal government to enable Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and contribute to the international and national commitment to protect seventeen per cent of the land by 2020.
“From T’Sou-ke natural law, only together can we ensure a healthy environment for our children and our children not born yet,” said Chief Gordon Planes Hya-Quatcha of the T’Sou-ke First Nation, a member of the Indigenous Circle of Experts.
Sierra Club BC is calling for improved forest management to protect remaining intact rainforest, endangered ecosystems, Indigenous values and carbon stored in forests, combined with support for the forestry sector to phase out destructive logging practices. This will translate into more jobs and less ecosystem damage per cubic metre of wood.
(Ottawa, ON) – The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) is pleased to participate in a meeting with Canada’s Premiers at Big River First Nation in Saskatchewan today. This meeting of the Council of the Federation is an opportunity for National Indigenous Organizations to raise issues pertaining to Indigenous children, youth, and families and their well-being.
It is well known that the well-being of Indigenous peoples is a complex conversation in the context of colonialism. In the past, numerous government policies have sought to harm and separate Indigenous peoples through interventions that directly targeted families and children.
CAP calls on all levels of government to acknowledge the rights of Indigenous peoples and urges them to protect families as the foundation of our communities. “Our peoples living in urban and rural communities across Canada have unique and distinct needs that have not been considered in the new child welfare legislation. I am here today to ensure that the needs of CAP’s constituents are heard. We will not be forgotten” says CAP Chief Robert Bertrand.
We call on all levels of government to accept responsibility for the well-being of Indigenous peoples regardless of their status or location. With the number of Indigenous children in state care being three times higher today than at the height of the Residential School system, and an ever-growing Indigenous population in urban areas, change is urgent.
CAP National Vice-Chief Kim Beaudin declares that “It is appalling that here in Saskatchewan, Indigenous youth are more likely to be incarcerated than they are to complete high school. Yesterday was the time to take on these responsibilities. Today is the time to make real change.”
Indigenous children, youth, and families retain inherent rights, and must maintain connections to their communities and culture. CAP is attending this meeting of the Council of the Federation with hopes of strengthening relationships with Premiers and lead to concrete actions towards reconciliation.
Wendake, July 1, 2019 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) calls on all parties involved in the opening of the Indigenous Peoples’ Space (100 Wellington Street) to reach an agreement with the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation so that their recognition protocols are respected on their traditional unceded territory.
Earlier today, Grand Chief Verna Polson of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Council began a hunger strike that will last as long as the rights of the Algonquin Nation are not respected on their territory. Despite the sensitivity of Grand Chief Polson’s action, the AFNQL wishes to express its support for the positions defended by the Grand Chief with the support of the members of her Nation.
“I am concerned that Grand Chief Polson has decided to make the ultimate sacrifice and is going on hunger strike, ironically, in front of the Canadian Parliament, located in the traditional unceded territory of her people. The discourse of the political class, which claims to respect the protocols of recognition of the traditional territory, is only symbolic since, in fact, the decisions affecting the Indigenous Peoples’ Space at 100 Wellington Street totally violate the right of the Algonquin Anishnabeg Nation to act fully on behalf of the Nation. This situation requires and deserves immediate and urgent attention,” denounces the Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard.
On May 30, the AFNQL sent a letter to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett, expressing its unconditional support to the Chiefs of the Algonquin Nation and their position regarding the Indigenous Peoples’ Space. In addition, Chief Picard travelled to Ottawa on June 17 and 23 to support Grand Chief Polson and the entire Algonquin Nation.
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL
Victoria, BC – Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
The Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations have taken a significant step to move forward together with reconciliation, to begin to address the wrongs of the past and build a new relationship based on recognition of rights, cooperation, respect and partnership.
Today, the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations signed an Agreement in Principle (AIP) for a treaty with the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia.
Chief Robert Joseph of the Ditidaht First Nation; Chief Jeff Jones of the Pacheedaht First Nation; British Columbia Premier John Horgan; John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale — Langley City (TBC), on behalf of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable Scott Fraser, British Columbia’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, joined Ditidaht and Pacheedaht community members to celebrate the signing.
The joint AIP lays out the elements that will be included in separate treaty agreements with each of the two First Nations. These elements include ownership and cooperative management of land and resources, self-government and jurisdiction over a range of subject matters, harvesting rights, cultural and heritage protection, economic development opportunities and capital transfer.
Subject to further negotiations, treaty settlements with Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations will include lands from the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in the West Coast Trail and Nitinaht Lake area and adjacent to the Pacheedaht community. The treaties will also support arrangements to preserve and enhance the West Coast Trail hiking experience and facilitate cooperative management within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Treaties are a foundation for a renewed relationship and a comprehensive way to recognize rights, advance self-determination and create an enduring nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous nations and government.
Quotes
“It is good to finally reach this watershed moment in our treaty negotiations. It took us a long time to get here; but we are signing our AIP today at least in part due to Ditidaht’s creative approach to resolving seemingly intractable problems. Other Nations, in the face of such problems, have often drawn a line in the sand and let negotiations stall. Some of these solutions, including getting some of our homeland returned from Parks Canada and negotiating the framework for a new approach to natural resource management with Canada and BC off our Treaty Settlement Lands, are very innovative and may even have a positive effect on negotiations elsewhere in BC. These are important examples of our willingness to think through problems. These hard-won solutions should serve to increase our chances to successfully ratify the treaty, instead of being mired in a perpetual polarizing debate disguised as negotiation.”
Chief Robert Joseph Ditidaht First Nation
‘’Our Nation has been at the negotiation table for many years. The AIP signing is an important milestone for us and with our community’s agreement. We look forward to moving into the Final Agreement stage of negotiations. In order to get us over the ‘finish line,’ we expect parties to continue to be flexible and creative and to think ‘outside the box’. We are very proud to be at this point for our Nation and it is only the beginning as we continue to move in the direction of self-governance. We believe this milestone will provide Pacheedaht members with a better and brighter future, independent of the limitations of the Indian Act. Pacheedaht have sat tirelessly negotiating for what they think is right in terms of treaty for our Nation and we will continue to do so. Pacheedaht envision great opportunities for our people with this signing and we strive for the best for our next generations.”
Chief Jeff Jones Pacheedaht First Nation
“Our government is proud to work with the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations towards a renewed government-to-government relationship, based on rights, reconciliation and respect. As we recognize the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations for their work to reach today’s milestone, we remain committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and building a better future for everyone in B.C., today and every day.”
The Honourable John Horgan British Columbia Premier
“Treaties with the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht will allow us to move beyond the legacy of colonialism and move forward as partners to build a brighter future that respects and honours their right to self-determination. The signing of the Ditidaht Pacheedaht Agreement-in-Principle signals that we are committed to renewing the relationship and advancing reconciliation.”
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P. Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
“This Agreement in Principle is an important step in our journey to forge a renewed relationship between the Government of Canada and the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations. It is an honour to be a part of this milestone moment – one that is close to my heart having served in the role of Superintendent of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. I am confident that this agreement will enrich the lives of Pacheedaht and Ditidaht members, while also enhancing the West Coast Trail hiking experience.
John Aldag, Member of Parliament for Cloverdale-Langley City
“As stewards of the land, we are working with Indigenous peoples to protect nature from coast to coast to coast. By working together with the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, we can share their stories and experiences with visitors from across the country and around the world. Managing the park reserve in cooperation with the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht will also advance our shared priority of ecological integrity in our protected spaces.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
“Meaningful reconciliation demands we understand the truth of our shared history and address the past while creating the foundation for relationships that will last far into the future. Our government is serious about creating real change and developing treaties that support lasting change and support healthy and prosperous First Nations communities, for the benefit of all British Columbians.”
The Honourable Scott Fraser British Columbia Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Wendake, July 1, 2019 – The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) calls on all parties involved in the opening of the Indigenous Peoples’ Space (100 Wellington Street) to reach an agreement with the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation so that their recognition protocols are respected on their traditional unceded territory.
Earlier today, Grand Chief Verna Polson of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Council began a hunger strike that will last as long as the rights of the Algonquin Nation are not respected on their territory. Despite the sensitivity of Grand Chief Polson’s action, the AFNQL wishes to express its support for the positions defended by the Grand Chief with the support of the members of her Nation.
“I am concerned that Grand Chief Polson has decided to make the ultimate sacrifice and is going on hunger strike, ironically, in front of the Canadian Parliament, located in the traditional unceded territory of her people. The discourse of the political class, which claims to respect the protocols of recognition of the traditional territory, is only symbolic since, in fact, the decisions affecting the Indigenous Peoples’ Space at 100 Wellington Street totally violate the right of the Algonquin Anishnabeg Nation to act fully on behalf of the Nation. This situation requires and deserves immediate and urgent attention,” denounces the Chief of the AFNQL, Ghislain Picard.
On May 30, the AFNQL sent a letter to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett, expressing its unconditional support to the Chiefs of the Algonquin Nation and their position regarding the Indigenous Peoples’ Space. In addition, Chief Picard travelled to Ottawa on June 17 and 23 to support Grand Chief Polson and the entire Algonquin Nation.
About the AFNQL The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. Follow us on Twitter @APNQL
Toronto/ Montréal, June 27, 2019 – Telefilm Canada is investing more than $4 million in feature films by writers, directors and producers from Indigenous communities. Highly diverse in terms of genre, this lineup is also notable for near gender parity, with three projects helmed by women. Also of note, one of the films will be shot in French (a first for the Indigenous production stream), and two of the projects feature a mix of Indigenous languages, as well as English. Three of the films were recently announced under the Talent to Watch Program.
“Supporting the incredible talent of Canada’s Indigenous communities continues to be an important priority for Telefilm. In this International Year of Indigenous Languages, we are proud to support works in Mi’kmaq and Inuktitut. The selected projects will bring to light new voices and perspectives key to building our cinema of tomorrow,” said Christa Dickenson, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada.
“The jury was blown away by the strength and diversity of applications to the Indigenous stream,” stated the group of Indigenous peer assessors tasked with reviewing the applications. “From documentary webseries to irreverent comedy, horror, and social drama, the next wave of Indigenous cinema is exploding beyond the boundaries of genre. And with production taking place from Nunavut to BC, Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia, in languages as diverse as Inuktitut, Mi’kmaq, English and French, it’s clear that Indigenous cinema is giving life to our stories all across the country.”
About Telefilm Canada
Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund accepts private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada.
Kenora, ON — The Grand Council Treaty #3 Drug Task Force is excited to announce today’s launch of their Community Toolkit and Mental Health and Addiction Directory which will support the work to address drug addiction within Treaty #3 communities.
The Grand Council Treaty #3 Drug Strategy was developed after Treaty #3 leadership identified drug addiction as a health crisis within their First Nations and saw the need to develop strategies to address these issues.
“The legacy of colonization and oppression, loss of culture and language and the resulting intergenerational trauma experienced by many First Nations people and communities has significantly impacted health and wellbeing,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty #3. “It’s critical that First Nation communities have access to funding and support to develop, implement, and evaluate our own solutions to address the mental health needs of our own communities.”
The Grand Council Treaty #3 Drug Task Force was established in 2018 and was charged with the implementation of the Drug Strategy which is a three-year plan utilizing a four-pillar approach. The strategy identified 20 key priorities under the following four pillars; Prevention and Enforcement; Early Identification; Intervention and Harm Reduction; Treatment and Aftercare.
The community toolkit was a key priority of the Task Force and was developed to provide communities with tools to educate and prevent drug addiction, in particular addiction to opioids and methamphetamines or better known as crystal meth.
