e-Bulletin, Issue 8 - October 2010

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News

Tripartite Education Agreement in Saskatchewan

On October 14th, Minister Duncan, with the Honourable Donna Harpauer, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Education, and Tribal Chief Felix Thomas, Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on education. The MOU will benefit over 10,000 First Nation students from the STC area and support the development of partnership arrangements between STC-affiliated schools and neighbouring provincial school divisions to enhance their capacity to meet educational needs of First Nation students. Read the News Release.

Mi'kmaq Treaty Day celebrations in Nova Scotia

Minister Duncan joined hundreds of participants in the celebration of Mi’kmaq Treaty Day in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 1st. Read the News Release.

Government of Canada supports APC, AMC for Engagement on First Nation Elections

On October 1st, Minister Duncan announced that the Government of Canada will support the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs as they lead an engagement effort across the country to discuss a better electoral system for First Nations. Read the News Release.

Minister Duncan Congratulates Mosakahiken Cree Nation on Completion and Opening of Frontier Mosakahiken School

On September 23rd, Mosakahiken Cree Nation, in partnership with INAC, Frontier School Division and the Province of Manitoba, celebrated the grand opening of Frontier Mosakahiken School. The new school replaces the Frontier School Division's Rod Martin School that was destroyed by fire in 2005. Read the News Release.

Canada to Host the Second Canada – U.S. Northern Oil and Gas Research Forum

On September 15th, Minister Duncan announced that Canada will host the second Canada – United States Northern Oil and Gas Research Forum. The event will take place in Calgary, Alberta, from November 30th to December 2nd, 2010, and will host scientists, industry personnel, Aboriginal representatives and regulators from both countries. Read the News Release.

Parliamentary Secretary Shelly Glover Attends Manitoba Métis Federation Assembly

Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, addressed Métis delegates at the 42nd Annual General Assembly of the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) on September 11th. Mrs. Glover delivered a speech that congratulated the Métis leadership on their progress with issues like governance and economic development, highlighting their success with partnerships. Read the News Release.

Minister Duncan Attends Unveiling of Inuit Relocation Monuments

On September 11th, Minister Duncan wrapped up his visit to the High Arctic following the official unveiling of monuments dedicated to Inuit families relocated from Inukjuak and Pond Inlet to Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord in the 1950s. Minister Duncan's trip to Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord follows his visit in August to Inukjuak, where he issued an apology on behalf of the Government of Canada for relocating Inuit to the High Arctic, and for the hardship, suffering and loss they experienced as a result of the relocation. Read the News Release.

Ministers Renew Action Plan on Development Issues Facing Canada’s Northern Communities

On September 1st, federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for northern development across Canada renewed their commitment to collaborative action on social, economic and fiscal issues of importance to the North. Read the News Release.



Regional Focus: Alberta

In each issue of the e-Bulletin, a different region is highlighted in the Regional Focus section.

Information Session with Delegation from Papua New Guinea

On June 3rd, a study group from Papua New Guinea met with INAC representatives at Tsuu T’ina nation in southern Alberta to learn about different approaches to Aboriginal land administration. With the rapid increase in Papua New Guinea’s population there is an urgent need to expand urban boundaries into privately-owned land, which comprises 97 per cent of the total land area. The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with government and Aboriginal community representatives in Alberta, British Columbia, and the northwestern United States.

Piikani First Nation Living Up to its Opportunities

On July 15th, Piikani First Nation held a sod turning ceremony for construction of a six-unit multiplex for elders using funds from Canada’s Economic Action Plan  . The community is very excited about this project and is seeing this as another mark of the success of both their housing program and their plans for overall community improvement. Three years after a state of emergency was declared, the First Nation has retrofitted 41 housing units, renovated 12, and built three new homes.

Home Ownership for First Nations in Alberta

On August 26th, federal representatives attended a sod turning ceremony   in northeast Edmonton to celebrate the construction of 47 homes – Habitat for Humanity’s largest project to date. For the first time, Habitat has designated a portion of these homes to be constructed and owned by First Nation families. On September 13th, Alberta First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group   hosted an open house to provide information to qualifying First Nation families interested in becoming homeowners. The event was well attended and received.

Bigstone Cree Nation Settlement Nears

On September 2nd, Chiefs and Council from Bigstone Cree Nation and Peerless Trout First Nation met with the Deputy Minister and the Associate Deputy Minister to finalize the remaining conditions for the Bigstone Treaty Land Entitlement and Ancillary Benefits Claims. The meeting also served as an opportunity for both Chiefs to bring positive messages from their respective communities. This settlement represents the largest claim settlement in Alberta and one of the largest in Canada. Read Background Information.



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