National Day of Action
Grand Chief Tim Thompson
Briefing Notes of Grand Chief Tim Thompson
Today, all across this country, First Nations Peoples and good Canadians of this land stand together, to bring attention to the long-standing grievances that our people face on a daily basis, AND to insist that the Government of Canada respond to the crisis in First Nations Communities. It is these social injustices that are the strong motivational factor for Akwesasne participation in this National Day of Action.
Poverty
This country-wide demonstration of unity, is a cry for an end to the social injustices that plague First Nations Communities. First Nations poverty is the most glaring illustration of Canadian Government neglect of these issues.
A report by international humanitarian experts found that the First Nations in the Thunder Bay area have a litany of problems reaching crisis levels - such as inadequate housing, deeply ingrained poverty, lack of community infrastructure, physical and mental health concerns, and a lack of economic opportunities for the future. Even in this most desperate situation, there are ways to address the issues.
Akwesasne and other First Nations call out to service organizations to build partnerships with First Nations Communities to assist in their recovery from these most desperate conditions.
Akwesasne supports other First Nations, especially those in remote and northern communities — in their battle against poverty, for adequate housing, for safe drinking water and for remedies to the major inequities that exist in the current health and social programs.
Akwesasne joins other First Nations and Canadians across this country in a demonstration of solidarity for the First Nations who suffer these violations against their basic human rights. Action is long overdue. The remedies need to be found today not tomorrow!
First Nations Partners and Implementation of the Kelowna Accord
First Nations across Canada have a common problem. They have not been consulted on matters that affect them. They are not consulted on laws or policies that impact upon them directly and they are not in control of their own futures. This is a major source of frustration.
The Conservative Government has not properly consulted First Nation Communities on the issues that directly impact them such as the, Matrimonial Real Property Law, the Safe Drinking Waters Act, and Bill C-44 (which is an amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act). In all fairness to the people who are directly affected by this legislation, consultation with First Nation Communities needs to occur.
The Conservative government needs to assure First Nations that they will be consulted on matters that affect their lives and a partner in building their futures. The government must work with First Nations to implement plans that provide real opportunities for progress. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Kelowna Accord were examples of First Nation involvement in gaining Canada’s commitment to building a solid future for Aboriginal Peoples.
It is time for the Conservative Government to implement the principles of the Kelowna Accord which set out a plan to improve the quality of life for First Nation People. Akwesasne stands with other First Nations across Canada on this issue.
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Akwesasne, First Nations of Canada and Indigenous Peoples of the world are appalled at the refusal of the conservative Government of Canada to support the “UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.
This is a declaration, which outlines the minimum standards for the dignity, survival and well being of the world’s Indigenous peoples. It has been under discussion within the United Nations for more than two decades. In recent years, Canada had played a key role in the negotiation of the Declaration and has collaborated with Indigenous peoples to draft a number of the provisions that have been critical in building support among other states.
However, since the election of the Conservative government, Canada has joined with the United States, Australia and New Zealand in denouncing provisions that Canada had previously supported. This is unacceptable.
Akwesasne and First Nations of Canada call upon the Government of Canada to set a good example for the world nations by adopting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to encourage other countries to respond in the same positive manner by respecting the rights of the world’s Indigenous Peoples.
Funding cuts to Essential Services, Language and Culture
First Nation Communities need the basics of life such as Health, Housing and Education. The current cap on Core funding, and funding cuts to essential programs have hurt First Nation Communities across the country.
Akwesasne has felt the impact of these cuts and hundreds of our people have had to find housing off-reserve as a result of shortages in housing dollars.
There have also been assaults against the preservation of first Nations’ language and culture. Most recently a $160 million dollar cut in funding for Aboriginal language programming has been felt across the country. This is frustrating for First Nations’ people who are universally embraced in our attempts to revitalize our language and culture. Survival of our people, our language and our culture are among our highest priorities.
Capacity Building and Recognition of First Nation Governments
Akwesasne works hard to build its capacity as a people, as a community and as a government and has begun many initiatives that aim to take control of its own future in policing, justice, education, governance and health.
Akwesasne and other First Nations across the country believe that the current cap on core funding needs to be re-evaluated.
The current formulas used by INAC to fund First Nation Communities are drastically outdated and need to be reviewed to meet the community need due to population growth and inflation.
Good faith discussions and changes to policies need to occur at all levels of government in order to accommodate the unique issues of First Nations communities and to find creative solutions to difficult issues.
This kind of investment in our communities will be the key to building community capacity and good governance within each First Nation community and a positive future for our peoples. We need to start now.
Communication and Understanding
Recently the newspapers carried an appalling story of vandalism on the Kitigan Zibi (Maniwaki) First Nation where their Cultural Center was marked with swastikas and racist remarks.
Akwesasne believes that communication, education and good public relations, can build the cultural bridges, that we need to build social tolerance between our diverse cultures.
We look to Canada to work with First Nations to reach out to their non-Aboriginal neighbours to provide cultural awareness about themselves and to share information about First Nations’ rights in Canada.
Akwesasne Issues
Akwesasne supports the efforts of First Nations across Canada to bring their issues to the forefront. Akwesasne also has issues of particular concern to this unique border community.
Land Claims
Akwesasne has numerous unsettled land claims to its aboriginal territory along the St. Lawrence River. To our dismay, some of our claims are in the Canadian courts, and numerous others are in Canada’s bogged-down specific claims process.
We are fortunate that two of our claims have found their way to the negotiation table and seem to be progressing at a reasonable pace.
Akwesasne encourages new policies aimed at ways to expedite the process of resolving these long-standing land claims and finding good solutions to these age-old issues.
Akwesasne also promotes “negotiation rather than litigation” and encourages Canada to find the courage to take the issue “to the table” rather than to the judge.
Neither Canada or Akwesasne needs to invest time and money in approaches that will spawn confrontation and ill-will. We have already seen the frustration that has been handed down to successive generations on both our sides. Good faith negotiation on our claims issues could be the best approach to settling outstanding issues.
Akwesasne Border Crossing Right to Trade
The Akwesasne Border Crossing Right to Trade Freely received a negative decision at the Supreme Court of Canada, even though it was decided in Akwesasne’s favour at the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal. Exhausting domestic remedies, Akwesasne brought this case to an international forum where the “Inter-American Commission on Human Rights” has heard the case. We are currently awaiting a ruling on this case which is due this fall.
In its final comments to both Akwesasne and Canada, the Commissioners invited Akwesasne and Canada to utilize the “Friendly Settlement Negotiation Process” and offered their offices and services to mediate this issue. Neither Prime Minister Stephen Harper nor Stockwell Day have responded favourably to a mediated resolution. Akwesasne continues to encourage Canada to choose a friendly settlement to this issue.
Daily Border Crossing Issues
Akwesasne people are currently 75 % of the users of this border crossing point, according to a study conducted by Transport Canada.
The people of Akwesasne are directly impacted by decisions implemented by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and lately there has been a lot of stress for our people crossing the border into Canada where they make daily regular crossings.
Most people from Akwesasne do not have passports. Our people cross the International border on a daily basis to carry on day to day activities related to school, work, business and community. It is essential for our people to travel freely within all districts of the Akwesasne community - north and south of this International border.
Another issue looming on the horizon for Akwesasne is the US Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. It will directly impact all Akwesasne people as well as other Haudenosaunee peoples.
We have made formal requests for meetings with Public Security Minister Stockwell Day to assist us on this issue but none have occurred to date. The Honourable Minister continues find delays in meeting with the Akwesasne delegation. This issue causes great anxiety for the people of Akwesasne because it affects our everyday lives - and the anxiety this issue produces in our children and our elders is very unsettling.
Homeland Security issues are the perfect example of how legislation is developed without any consideration for First Nations people. The threat of national security scares every one into submission. At Akwesasne Homeland security may be needed in this day-in-age, but it must not upset the daily lives of our people or cause direct impact on our health, economy, social structure, culture, and community well-being.
Dialogue and Consultation needs to occur with Akwesasne on these issues because we are directly impacted by changes in Canadian policies and laws.
Proposed legislation for increased security applied at the international boundary between Canada and the United States is a subject that has direct impact on the Akwesasne Community. This issue needs the input and involvement of Akwesasne to find solutions so that the foundation of our very community is not hurt in the process of insuring national security. Determination and Cooperation are the keys to finding a way to balance the needs of both or our societies.
The Akwesasne Remission Order
The Akwesasne Remission Order is an example of a law that needs to be updated to meet the needs of the Akwesasne community. As we work to expand our community’s economic base, we also hope to expand the natural flow of resources needed to stabilize our local economy. Canada needs to open dialogue and discussion on building long awaited updates and amendments to the Akwesasne Remission Order, so that it will meet the modern economic needs of the Akwesasne community.
The Remission Order we signed with Revenue Canada and Finance Canada needs to be reviewed and amended to address Akwesasne Specific issues so that Akwesasne can build a sound economic base.
Closing
This National Day of Action was called by the Chiefs in Assembly at a December 2006 Annual General Meeting of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Ottawa. The First Nations from across Canada are participating in a number of peaceful rallies, marches, in each province and territory across Canada to demonstrate the long list of issues that suppress First Nations Communities today.
These rallies and marches show that First Nations and Canadians do stand together against these kind of injustices and are determined to call for action to improve life for First Nations Citizens.
June 29th , 2007, - this National Day of Action - is the first day of the rest of our lives. Let us join together to make changes in laws and policies. Let us promote ACTIONS by the Canadian government, that will make a positive difference in the lives of Native Peoples across Canada and improve the quality of life for First Nations People.
In this world poverty, inequality, and injustice are the seeds of frustration, violence and even war. It is the hope of Akwesasne and the First Nations People, that together with Canada, they can prepare new ground with new seeds, where peace, friendship and respect can grow and where a new relationship can flourish.
