MOMENTUM BUILDS FOR
FIRST NATIONS POLITICAL
ACTION
Winnipeg, MB December 7,
2012 --
Derek Nepinak,
Grand Chief of the
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (
AMC) called on all
First Nations and Manitobans to join young leaders to stand with our
Women, Elders and
Leaders from across the country in opposition to the federal government's legislative agenda.
In addition to some of the issues
Manitoba First Nations leaders are working on, many oppose the
Government's
Omnibus Budget Bill. As part of their opposition, Manitoba chiefs will support events planned across Manitoba and
Canada where grassroots members and youth are organizing rallies to express strong oppositions to the bill. On Monday,
December 10th, at 12:00 noon, a number of chiefs will attend the
Idle No More (
Winnipeg event) to be held at the front steps of the
Manitoba Legislature Building.
This week in
Gatineau, Quebec, leaders from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC),
Southern Chiefs Organization (
SCO) and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (
MKO) attended the
Assembly of First Nations (
AFN)
Special Chiefs
Assembly. Members of the AMC, SCO and MKO introduced a resolution opposing
Canada's proposed
First Nation Education Act.
Manitoba's regional position is that legislating First Nations
Education is not in the best interest of First Nation students. The resolution that passed directed the AFN to ensure that the
Federal Government does not federally legislate First Nations education in Manitoba, but rather provide for First Nations themselves to make their own education laws.
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak said, "The Manitoba Chiefs stand firm on our resolve to see an education system that reflects our cultures and embodies the teachings of our ancestors. We will not accept legislation being forced on our people that affects all aspects of our lives," Grand Chief added, "Canada must honour its legal obligation on the
Treaty Right to Education that recognizes First Nation distinct models, mechanisms, processes and approaches and negotiate a fiscal arrangement with our First Nations that provide equitable and sustainable funding for First Nation
Education Law in Manitoba."
Another resolution spearheaded by AMC that was passed at the AFN Assembly dealt with the Canada-China
Foreign Investment Promotion and
Protection Agreement (FIPPA) and other similar international trade agreements. This sought to challenge the FIPPA based on the lack of the duty to consult First Nations.
Related to this resolution, Grand Chief Nepinak led a delegation together with the leadership from the Treaty
Land Entitlement Committee and Grand Chief
Stanley Beardy of the
Nishnawbe Aski Nation of
Ontario to meet with the head of the
Commercial Section of the
Canadian Chinese Consulate to discuss the relationship and future opportunities between First Nations and the
Republic of China. "The meeting with
Minister Councillor of Economic Affairs
Jiang Shan proved to be a promising start of a working relationship with the
Peoples Republic of China and we have plans to meet again on how First Nations and the
Chinese government can move forward to forge a business relationship," said AMC Grand Chief Nepinak.
During the three-day AFN Assembly, a sense of empowerment was expressed by thousands of people in person and through social media networks like Twitter and
Facebook.
People from around the world relayed messages of hope especially after a protest by Chiefs and supporters on
Parliament Hill.
"We stand affirmed on the successes achieved this past week at the Special Chiefs Assembly in
Gatineau, QC," said MKO Grand Chief
David Harper. "Our resolve in gaining support on the issues affecting our northern First Nations on areas including Education, Policing and
Health and
Well being of our citizens remains at the top of our priorities for our nations," concluded
Harper.
More plans include events throughout Canada on the
Trans Canada on
December 18th, 2012 and again on
January 28th,
2013 in
Ottawa.
- published: 07 Dec 2012
- views: 10247