Canada’s Oldest First Nations Newspaper - Serving Nuu-chah-nulth-aht since 1974 Canadian Publications Mail Product haas^i>sa “ Interesting News” Vol. 33 - No. 5 - March 9, 2006 Sales Agreement No. 40047776
National Chief speaks on Residential School issues By David Wiwchar Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Ahaswinis – The Hupacasath House of Gathering was filled past capacity as a standing-room-only crowd of hundreds gathered to hear about the proposed Residential School Compensation. “We want to acknowledge those that are here today, but also those who are not; those who have passed away over the past few years,” said Barney Williams Jr. “All of us in this room feel the pain of Residential Schools, in one way or another,” he said.
“All of us in this room feel the pain of Residential Schools, in one way or another,” said Barney Williams Jr. Survivors came from throughout Nuuchah-nulth territories and throughout the province to hear Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Phil Fontaine, who came from Ottawa to speak on the Compensation Agreementin-Principle. “It’s about a fair and just resolution to something far too many of us have had to deal with,” said Fontaine, who spent 10 years in the Residential School system. “I was physically abused, I was sexually abused, I was psychologically harmed, and I know what I’m talking about when I’m talking about Residential Schools,” he said. “This issue has been like a plague to many thousands of our people. Remember you’re not alone. There are 15,000 claims before the courts for serious sexual and physical abuses from Residential Schools. There are more than 80,000 survivors still alive, many of them elderly, so there is a sense of urgency in bringing this to a close.” In November 2004, the AFN conducted a report on the ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) process, which the Government of Canada promised would be better than the courts and easier on the survivors. “But it didn’t produce the results we were seeking,” said Fontaine, who recently returned from Israel where he spoke to Jewish leaders about their experiences dealing with oppression. “We needed something better, and those
Assembly of First Nations’ National Chief Phil Fontaine speaks with Ha’wiih Jerry Jack at the Residential School Compensation meeting at the Hupacasath House of Gathering. discussions turned into negotiations, which became a political agreement to finally resolve this matter,” he said. “The Agreement in Principle was signed in November 2005, which allows us to bring this chapter of history to a close, turn the page, and move forward as a people. This is one for the ages.” According to Fontaine, the Agreementin-Principle (AIP) is just awaiting federal cabinet approval before going to the court for a final seal of approval. “This is a highly complex, delicate agreement that we’ve worked long and hard for, and I don’t see it being derailed by any government. We’re convinced the Cabinet will approve this deal,” he said, adding the compensation will be “absolutely optional”. “It will not be imposed on anyone, but in our view it is the best option,” said Fontaine. Charlene Belleau, Manager for the AFN Indian Residential School unit, spoke on the many elements of the Compensation AIP, that will see every Residential School survivor receive a $10,000 Common Experience Payment, plus a further $3,000 for every year spent within a Residential School. Those who have received settlements through litigation or the ADR process, can still receive the Common Experience Payment (CEP), and all levels of government have agreed they will not claw-back any of the funds, and the CEP will not affect social assistance or pension payments.
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Hupacasath works to restore Ash River ............. Page 4 Life in the FASD lane ............................................. Page 6 Role Models speak at schools ............................... Page 7 Elder’s Conference Special Insert ......................... Page 9 Ucluelet builds new homes .................................. Page 16 NEDC Business News ........................................... Page 20
Leaders envision future at planning session By Michelle Corfield for Ha-Shilth-Sa On January 30th and 31st Nuu-chahnulth leaders along with NTC program staff engaged in a strategic planning session. Discussions explored how cultural and organizational practices can create opportunities for positive change within leadership and communities resulting in improved living conditions for Nuu-chah-nulth-aht.
Discussions explored how cultural and organizational practices can create opportunities for positive change within leadership and communities resulting in improved living conditions for Nuu-chah-nulthaht. The release of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) (1996) identified that every social ill faced by Canadians is experienced to a much higher degree by First Nations people. Additionally the Social Determinants of Health (2004) identified a series of health indicators; yet again the report
card for First Nations highlighted significant deficits in the health of First Nations compared to other British Columbians. Nuu-chah-nulth communities are not exempt from these disturbing statistics. Nor is this information news to the ears of aboriginal, federal, or provincial political leaders; one can ignore but not deny our people are living in third world conditions. First Nations leaders have sought to pursue solutions for decades and have struggled to make the strides they have. Sadly, despite living in a new millennium, first nation people are still bound and gagged by the archaic Indian Act (1876), intended to demand control through assimilation. We as NCN have broken down a number of political barriers and continue to make great strides for our communities, yet we are still struggling to overcome jurisdictional issues with federal and provincial bodies. Clearly jurisdiction presented as a prevalent issue during the strategic planning process. One cannot discuss jurisdiction and not address the issue of accountability.
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