And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1999 09:39:36 -0800 (PST) >From: Chris <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Indian Affairs applauds its record (mainstream) >Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >January 7, 1999 >Indian Affairs applauds its record > > OTTAWA (CP) -- Ottawa is patting itself on the back >for a year of progress in First Nations > relations and improved economic and social conditions >for aboriginals. > On Thursday, the first anniversary of announcing a >long-term strategy, the federal government released an eight-page report >card summing up 1998 milestones. > The action plan was announced last January in >response to a royal commission report tabled in1996. The report card >indicated progress in self-government, economic development and redefining >relationships with aboriginal communities. > Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart acknowledged >there is still much work to be done. > Aboriginal communities still lag far behind >non-aboriginal ones in social, economic and health areas. > The problem is exacerbated by a population growth >rate that's double that of the Canadian population, which increases demand >for jobs, social services and housing. > The Inuit of Nunavik in Northern Quebec, for >example, have an immediate need for hundreds of new houses and are >struggling with high rates of tuberculosis. > "The royal commission indicated that it would be 20 >years before we started to see real tangible change in the lives of >community members," Stewart said in an interview. > "The idea of measuring results is important in all >this and that's one thing that I think will keep us honest." > But there have been accomplishments, she added. > In the area of self-government, there was a final >agreement this year between Ottawa, British Columbia and the Nisga'a >Tribal Council, settling a long-standing land claim. More than 80 other >self-government agreements are in negotiation. > Ottawa took steps to develop new models for >transferring money and supported First Nations intiatives to become more >transparent and accountable in managing their money. > Indian Affairs worked with aboriginal groups on >welfare reforms and provided job training and education. > The government says it has also: > -- Helped produce aboriginal business startups and >held talks on economic renewal. > -- Funded more than 50 water and sewer projects. > -- Continued training aboriginal police officers. > -- Provided $20 million to preserve and teach >aboriginal languages. > Harry Daniels, president of the Congress of >Aboriginal Peoples said the government is a long way from fulfilling all >the promises it made last January. > "If we categorize this as ... a report card, they >have a failing grade on everything from attendance to being innovative to >being creative. It's a failing report card." > Nothing was done over the last year for off-reserve, >non-treaty and Metis aboriginals and > Daniels said he hasn't been able to get a meeting >with Stewart since last March to discuss their concerns. > Gerald Morin, president of the Metis National >Council, said the government is on the right track on Metis issues. > Ottawa agreed to consultations on a Metis national >action plan that was developed by the council. > > "The relationship has to be a nation-to-nation and >government-to-government," he said. > "Sometimes I think in implementing initiatives that >is lost a little bit." > In its action plan, the federal government >apologized for abuse at government-run residential schools and provided >$350 million for a healing fund that is just beginning to be distributed. > The strategy also included long-term plans to >support economic growth in aboriginal communities and settle outstanding >land claims. > <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
