Notes for an address by

The Honourable Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and
Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
18th Annual General Assembly

Kikiwak Inn
Opaskawayak Cree Nation, Manitoba
August 22, 2006

Check against delivery

Thank you very much, Chief. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here and elders, councillors, chiefs, ladies and gentlemen, my old friend Chief (inaudible), Grand Chief Evans. It's a pleasure to be here in the traditional territory of the Osean (phonetic) people. And thank you for welcoming me. The mix-up that the grand chief was referring to was that he was at one airport and I was at the other. I've occasionally been early at meetings. Sometimes I've been late. The odd time -- sometimes I've gone to the wrong place. It's the first time I've ever actually gone to the wrong airport. But I did get here and a pleasure to be here with you and look forward to having a chance to -- I'll speak for a while and then also to have some opportunity for a dialogue.

I think part of what I wish to do as the minister is to have a respectful relationship where we learn from one another and I'm here to listen and that's a heavy responsibility of being the new government as well.

I also want to acknowledge and just introduce to you Rod Bruinooge who's here with me who is my Parliamentary Secretary. He of course is from Winnipeg and is an Aboriginal Canadian himself. And I can tell you this that as Manitobans you should be very proud of the work that Rod does. He is recognized as one of the finest new young parliamentarians in the House of Commons and is a real standout. He may be the youngest parliamentary secretary. If not the youngest, he's certainly pretty close to being the youngest. But he's also generally regarded as one of the best parliamentary secretaries in the new Conservative government. I'm proud to call him a colleague. I greatly admire his wisdom and his patience and the dignity that he brings to the job. So I just want you to know as his friends and colleagues from Manitoba that he's well respected.

So It gives me great pleasure to address the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs at such an important time in our history. You have long been a respected advocate for First Nations in this province, and you are now poised to play a larger role. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of AMC officials, we've begun to make progress on I think a variety of crucial issues, that face the new government including treaty land entitlement, drinking water and sectoral governance.

We have ensure this progress inspires us to speed up the pace of change.

And I believe we share yourselves and ourselves as the new Conservative government, a vision for First Nation communities, one of greater prosperity and self-sufficiency. To realize this vision, we have to foster the respect and I think the trust that is also needed to create effective partnerships both among First Nations and between First Nations and the new Conservative government.

And I think, ladies and gentlemen, chiefs in particular, we must have the courage to change current structures and the perseverance to finish the job. And I'm going to speak directly about some of those issues, in particular with respect to education in a few moments.

And to succeed at this, we must acquire the skill and the creativity the confidence to design new initiatives and new approaches. And I want you to know that the new government is open to new and creative approaches to some of the issues that we've had for many years.

As Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, I have begun implementing a plan to fulfill this vision. This three-part plan I first spoke to in Vancouver several weeks ago this summer is based on the many discussions I've had with First Nation leaders and also based on the time that I spent over 10 years as co-chair and commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission. We did some work in Manitoba but we did an awful lot of work across Canada and in that time I was privileged to share probably more than 50 different land claim inquiries across Canada.

The first part of the plan that the new government has spoken involves taking immediate action on quality-of-life issues such as drinking water, family supports, and education. As you know, Canada's new government wasted no time when we came to office in dealing with these issues. Within weeks of forming office, and in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations and others, and in consultation with them, we initiated a plan for safe drinking water in First Nation communities and planning is also underway to deal with some difficult issues related to women's matrimonial property rights and other circumstances.

And I want to be clear about the sheer scope of the situation that I inherited with respect to water. When I became the minister, I asked the department to overlay all of the information that we had from across Canada describing the circumstances of First Nations in this country and I said I want to know where there are women and children in this country living at risk. They came back with over 200 communities in Canada - 21 communities where the community was judged to be at risk and another 170 communities on top of that where there was high risk which, believe it or not, is the lowest standard of community efforts. So close to 200 communities where a basic necessity such as drinking water was not available.

So I put in a plan -- put in place -- a plan in place immediately to deal with that issue and to And I want to be clear about the sheer scope of the situation that I inherited with respect to water. When I became the minister, I asked the department to overlay all of the information that we had from across Canada describing the circumstances of First Nations in this country and I said I want to know where there are women and children in this country living at risk. They came back with over 200 communities in Canada - 21 communities where the community was judged to be at risk and another 170 communities on top of that where there was high risk which, believe it or not, is the lowest standard of community efforts. So close to 200 communities where a basic necessity such as drinking water was not available.

So I put in a plan -- put in place -- a plan in place immediately to deal with that issue and to move forward. The Drinking Water Panel which is travelling the country in pursuit of the national standard that we defined had a very successful hearing I think a week or two ago in Winnipeg.

The government's first budget invested more than $3.7 billion over two years in support of Aboriginal peoples - more than any previous budget. So I just want to be clear about this. The first Conservative budget that we put in place only three months after forming government contains more new program expenditures for Aboriginal Canadians than the previous four budgets of the previous government in total. That's the magnitude of the commitment that has been made by this government.

This budget has included $450 million to improve the quality of drinking water, housing and education programs, and to deal with socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal women, children and families; In addition, $300 million to build and repair off-reserve Aboriginal housing. That's $300 million to increase the supply of affordable housing in the North. And I just got back from the North with the prime minister. We met extensively with all of the First Nation leadership across the North as we traveled. And those sums will be put to good use in dealing with many of the difficult housing issues in this country.

Money alone as you and I well know, can't resolve the complex and deep-seated problems that we face and that you face in your communities. The second part of my plan which I've spoken to involves dealing with what I consider are the roots of many problems: the archaic and tangled legislative framework that defines the vast majority of relations between First Nations and their governments.

I don't think anyone in this room genuinely believes we can get where we want to go with the current version of the Indian Act which is a piece of legislation that was developed before Confederation coupled with my department administering and thousands of contribution agreements. That is not a system of governance that can sustain itself. It's not an appropriate regime to go forward in 2006.

The fact is, First Nation members living on reserves don't have clear standards in education, housing, social services and other areas. And I've said before, I will say it again, that until this government came to action the only Canadian citizens who did not have water standards protecting them were First Nation citizens living on reserve. The only children in Canadian society that don't have the benefit and the protection of school legislation dealing with issues like curricula, teaching requirements, teaching certification requirements, teacher/parent -- class ratios, the rights as parents to ensure that their child receives an appropriate education, the only kids in Canada who don't have that protection are First Nation on-reserve children and that's not acceptable, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm convinced we must have a modern framework-one that defines clear roles and responsibilities that sets realistic norms and standards that stipulates essentially penalties for non-compliance. And to create such a framework will absolutely require the vision and wholehearted participation of all of the First Nations along with organizations such as yours.

This exactly why the why the panel that is dealing with drinking water is traveling across the country holding public meetings across the country to hear from people, to hear from First Nation leaders. We came forward with standards. We said how do -- someone from the media is going to be happy with that. (Laughter.) How do we put this standards in place is something that we should talk about and the panel is making recommendations based on what they've heard.

I wouldn't want to do anything (Laughter.)

The third part of the plan involves including treaty land entitlements, additions to reserves, and dealing with comprehensive and specific claims, something that I've worked on in the past. I had a very constructive meeting this morning with Minister Lathlin and I know that in this province many treaty land entitlements have yet to be completed. Grand Chief Evans and I have spoken about that. We've spoken about this issue when he and I met in Calgary in July when I promised at his request to come and meet you today. And it is an issue that we're working on and I'll come back to that in a few minutes.

In other parts of Canada, we have disputes that relate to old agreements. In the case of specific claims, the problem has become much worse in recent years. When I was on the Indian Claims Commission in 19 -- when I left -- when I started in 1993 there was a backlog of land claims in this country of about 300 claims. As I take office as the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, the backlog today is 755 specific claims in the federal claims system. Under the previous government the number of specific claims backlogged before the federal government more than doubled. And I've said publicly, I say it to you today that that's not acceptable and that we have to do something about that.

Settlements are about justice, respect and reconciliation. Negotiated settlements are not only about coming to terms with the past, but also about building a better future. Each settlement clears a path to strengthened governance, to new economic and social opportunities. Settlements mean that valuable resources can be spent on communities, rather than courtrooms and negotiating tables. So I believe very strongly that settlements are the way to move forward.

Despite the benefits offered by settlements, a large number of treaty land entitlements in Manitoba remain unfinished. Really, ladies and gentlemen, almost a hundred years after the treaty was signed - and you know this better than I do.

The situation is extremely frustrating, although there are some recent developments that I think inspire some optimism. Twelve new additions to reserve have been established in the past year, and the business-process improvement initiative which has been started in the department is I think starting to simplify matters and bears some promise. The initiative has will identify ways to simplify the reserve identification survey designation process and we will also establish the performance measures needed to inspire meaningful results.

But what I like best about what is being done here is that the initiative, represents an attempt to arrive at a made-in-Manitoba solution. It's all about Manitobans working collaboratively toward getting this problem solved.

In my meeting this morning with Minister Lathlin, in my previous meetings with Grand Chief Evans, we spoke about the need to move forward. The auditor general of Canada has spoken about the need to move forward on treaty land entitlement designations. I'm pleased to say that there is some progress. The God's Lake First Nation we've now moved forward on over 7,500 acres of TLE land. The Buffalo Point First Nation, the 223 acres which has been identified, the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, over 4,500 acres of treaty land, of entitlement land. Rolling River First Nation, 158 acres. Nelson House we've moved forward now on over 12,000 acres of TLE land. So since 1998, 44 parcels of land that cover more than 129,000 acres have been set aside as reserve.

Now in meeting this morning with Minister Lathlin, he and I agreed that in response to what I've heard from the grand chief and other leaders we are going to push ahead aggressively to make sure that we make even more progress. I'll get together with Minister Lathlin to define four-year targets and we are going to hold the department to those targets. We're not - we want to get this done. The targets that we've spoken of are 150,000 acres per year over the next four years to clear away the backlog. I think that's doable. It's going to take the application of some resources by my department and the province is prepared to work with us. We're going to need your cooperation because some of the issues that need to be resolved First Nations have to work with us to clear up.

So collaboration is a theme which emerged early in our discussions and I thank Grand Chief Evans for taking the time to come to Calgary to talk to me about these issues and bring them to my attention so that I can get on with this part.

In the future the AMC must play a central role in the design and implementations of solutions to the problems that face you face. I look forward to hearing your ideas and solutions as we talk here this morning I am convinced that the three-part plan which I have spoken about will foster self-sufficiency and accountability-two elements that are key to prosperity. You know that accountability is something that this government is concerned about. And that's accountability on our part as well.

But these are the elements that will foster prosperity. The plan will help us meet the objectives and build on the goodwill and cooperative spirit we've established over the last number of years between first ministers and leaders of national Aboriginal organizations. And our approach will recognize that no single solution will prove effective for all communities but that we will find solutions.

I know from my own experience A cookie-cutter solution won't work because it cannot accommodate regional diversity and this is indeed a very diverse country. Effective solutions require effective local solutions.

And In many cases, First Nations will find it beneficial to copy elements of agreements or plans that are being followed in other jurisdictions and I'm going to talk about that in a few moments or appropriate approaches or processes. But at the end of the day what we need in Manitoba are made-in-Manitoba solutions and I'm convinced that that is doable.

Leadership is part of that. Strong leadership in my office but also strong leadership with the grand chief and with all of the people at the table will be important to that as well.

I think, ladies and gentlemen, the several factors combined really right now at this point in history could give Canada unprecedented opportunity to improve the lives of First Nation people. Our economy is strong and growing. Our commodities are sought after. Commodity prices are high. And in the near future, the resource sector is expected to attract billions of dollars in new investment and generate tens of thousands of jobs right in the backyards of many First Nation communities, particularly those in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

And First Nations communities are key to support to take advantage of those opportunities. And we have to make changes that are going to ensure that we have measurable results, greater opportunities and improvements in quality of life.

So we have to take advantage of these opportunities that present themselves. The sort of economic circumstances that we have now in many parts of western Canada come along not once in a lifetime but frankly in many lifetimes. And it would be a shame not to take full advantage of this.

We must ensure that First Nations have the capacity to do so, to increase their participation in the economy and this government will work together with you to serve is proud to support economically feasible projects that enjoy community support

A recent example of course was last month's completion of an agreement between Manitoba Hydro and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation on the Wuskwatim hydro project.

The agreement gives the Cree Nation a one-third share of a 200-megawatt generating station. The project will create jobs and provide a source of revenue to the community that will dramatically improve the lives of future generations.

So, leading organizations such as the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs have a vital role to play working with myself as the minister and with my department, looking at best practices that we can pick up from the rest of Canada. And I understand that an agreement-in-principle on the self-governance and their education is something that also a lot of work has been accomplished on.

Just pause for a moment to talk about education because it's something that I've been quite adamant about and which I'm really going to challenge you here today as First Nation leaders about. One of every six Aboriginal people in Canada live here in Manitoba. You also have thelargest urban Aboriginal population in Canada. You have many, many young people.

The educational system that we currently have is not working to acceptable standards. It's not working in Manitoba. And I'm going to speak very frankly. The educational attainment levels that we are receiving for on-reserve First Nation students are the lowest in Canada in Manitoba. The United Nations Human Development Index reflects that and records it and it results in there are several other factors which I know we're going to speak about but the quality of life is rated under the United Nations Human Development Index, in part because of this educational problem, as the lowest in Canada. Sixty-five percent of Canadian children finish high school. Thirty-seven percent of First Nation children finish high school. Here in Manitoba only 28 percent of First Nation citizens have completed high school. That's not acceptable.

There has been some improvement - I wish to be fair about this - but even at that the most recent graduation rate for the last few years only 33 percent of First Nation children are graduating with a high school education which is less than half of the Canadian average.

So I know that you share my point of view that that is not acceptable. It's not a sound basis on which to -- for any of us to plan the future. There are many things that I think I've got some answers to. There are many, many things I don't. But I do know this: that if our children are well educated, then they are equipped to go out as confident adults in the world and it will have a direct bearing on the future that we have in the communities. It will have a direct bearing on all of the wonderful things that can be accomplished.

Now there are exciting developments in education that are happening elsewhere in Canada and I would like to see those pursued here in Manitoba. Recently, about a month ago, in British Columbia we signed a new approach to education that's a tripartite agreement involving the Government of British Columbia, the First Nations of British Columbia and the federal government. And it is a system whereby there will be a First Nation education authority operated by First Nation citizens that will ensure culturally sensitive education for First Nation students. They will grow up in a school environment where their language is respected, their culture is respected, their traditions, their heritage are respected and they are proud of who they are. And that's -- I've raised three children so I think I know a little bit about that, as many of you in the room do. That's all essential to having a strong sense of who you are, a sense of self- esteem so you can go forward in the world.

(Inaudible) the province has come to the table working with the First Nations and those First Nation children will be educated in a school system that has to achieve minimum provincial standards and all of the provincial standards or teaching certification requirements for teachers, teaching curriculum that apply provincially will also have to apply to First Nations. The teacher/parent -- student/teacher ratios that apply provincially will apply on reserve. And students will be able to move back and forth. There will be crossover agreements so students can go from a First Nation school to a public school or from a public school back to a First Nation school. There will be annual testing and those tests will be made public.

So all of that is the future of education in assembly, ladies and gentlemen. It's happening right now in British Columbia. We are not far away from agreements in Ontario, in Nova Scotia, and in Alberta. And I challenge you here today that this is the way of the future and this is what we have to do in Manitoba if we're going to be true to what we want to leave our children.

So I'll put that squarely before you as chiefs for discussion. I'm going to move forward on it. I urge that you reach consensus on this and that we find a way forward and that we do so quickly. And I say that if we do this - and all of the pilot projects show that the educational outcomes are remarkably enhanced if we have this kind of First Nation driven education system - if we do this, in 10 years we will be having a remarkably different meeting than we're having today.

So, in closing, Canada's new government is determined to work in partnership with First Nations leader, with the Inuit and the Métis to set and achieve clear goals. To accomplish these goals, we'll need, more than anything else, strong partners - partners who are ready to set and meet realistic targets, to achieve clear roles and responsibilities, and to be held accountable for their actions. I'm convinced that the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is keen to join and deliver real results for First Nation peoples. I also believe that each of you as Manitoba chiefs can work together to provide a unified vision of how change can occur for Manitoba First Nations.

I'm impressed with the work that Grand Chief Evans has done. He has already tabled with me a document which outlines some of the areas where our objectives and I think the possibilities lay ahead for First Nations of Manitoba and I want to work together with you in that respect.

I appreciate your efforts to ensure that all Canadians-Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike-can participate fully in the prosperity of this country. To move forward, though, I'll need the support, the counsel, the wisdom and the advice of the men and women in this room and I'll say in closing that I am prepared to do that, to work on that basis and it's what our children deserve.

So thank you. (Applause.)

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