[Marxism] Corrected--Suspension of Indian Act and Governance Act (Part I)

["Craven, Jim" <JCraven@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to Stuart for sending this.

Jim C


News release from the Minister of Indian Affairs: 
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/j-a2004/2-02462_e.html

MINISTER ANNOUNCES COLLABORATIVE LEGISLATIVE STRATEGY FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS 
EDMONTON, ALBERTA (January 21, 2004) - Today, the Honourable Andy Mitchell, 
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, announced a revised 
approach to legislation sponsored by his Department. This new approach will see 
the introduction of new self-government legislation, as well as the 
reinstatement of other pieces of legislation which had not completed the 
parliamentary process.

Supporting this approach is a desire to build a relationship with Aboriginal 
Canadians based on collaboration and cooperation.

In an address given to students with the University of Alberta's Faculty of 
Native Studies, Minister Mitchell said, "I have spent the past month in 
dialogue with our First Nation partners on ways in which we can work together 
to improve living conditions in First Nation communities. It was clear from my 
discussions with First Nations leaders that perhaps more than ever we have got 
to work together if we are to help bring about real improvement to the quality 
of life of First Nations people."

The coming parliamentary session will see the Government of Canada bring 
forward two important self-government agreements. Legislation enabling 
self-government agreements for British Columbia's Westbank First Nation will be 
reinstated and the Northwest Territories' Tlicho First Nation Claims and 
Self-Government legislation will be introduced.

Minister Mitchell also clearly indicated that he will not be reinstating the 
First Nations Governance Act. "While I will not be seeking to reinstate this 
bill back into Parliament, I am eager to work with First Nations leaders and 
others on effective and practical ways to apply the principles of good 
governance into First Nations communities. Discussions are now taking place 
with First Nations leaders aimed at engaging them and First Nations people 
across Canada, both on- and off-reserve, to work collectively at a new 
partnered approach to accomplishing this important objective," said Minister 
Mitchell.

The government will also seek to reinstate through Parliament the proposed 
First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act, offering First Nations who 
choose to use its provisions improved access to engines of economic development.

The Government will move to implement the Specific Claims Resolution Act, which 
received Royal Assent in November 2003. It will also work with the Assembly of 
First Nations and its members to address some of their concerns in the course 
of the bill's implementation.

"There's much to be done. We need to ensure the full engagement of our partners 
in the approaches we intend to take in addressing these legislative priorities 
-- through this, Canada and First Nations people from coast to coast to coast 
will benefit from the positive vigour we can create by working together in 
collaboration," said the Minister.


For information please contact:

Christine Aquino
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
(819) 997-0002

Diane Laursen
Media Relations
Department of Indian Affairs And Northern Development
(819) 994-2044

*******************************************************************
Excerpt from the "Speech from the Throne," 2/2/2004, online at
http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/sft-ddt.asp:

Aboriginal Canadians
Aboriginal Canadians have not fully shared in our nation's good fortune. While 
some progress has been made, the conditions in far too many Aboriginal 
communities can only be described as shameful. This offends our values. It is 
in our collective interest to turn the corner. And we must start now.

Our goal is to see Aboriginal children get a better start in life as a 
foundation for greater progress in acquiring the education and work-force 
skills needed to succeed.

Our goal is to see real economic opportunities for Aboriginal individuals and 
communities.

To see Aboriginal Canadians participating fully in national life, on the basis 
of historic rights and agreements - with greater economic self-reliance, a 
better quality of life.

The Government of Canada will work with First Nations to improve governance in 
their communities - to enhance transparency and accountability - because this 
is the prerequisite to effective self-government and economic development. 
Aboriginal leadership is committed to this end and rapid progress is essential.

In order to support governance capacity in Aboriginal communities and to 
enhance effective dialogue, the Government will, in co-operation with First 
Nations, establish an independent Centre for First Nations Government.

The Government will also focus on education and skills development, because 
this is a prerequisite to individual opportunity and full participation. To 
pursue this goal, the Government will work with provinces and territories and 
Aboriginal partners in a renewed Aboriginal Human Resources Development 
Strategy.

Too often, the needs of Aboriginal people off reserve are caught up in 
jurisdictional wrangling. These issues cannot deter us. The Government of 
Canada will work with its partners on practical solutions to help Aboriginal 
people respond to the unique challenges they face. To this end, the Government 
will expand the successful Urban Aboriginal Strategy with willing provinces and 
municipalities.

The Government will also engage other levels of government and Métis leadership 
on the place of the Métis in its policies.

The Government is committed to a more coherent approach to Aboriginal issues. 
To focus this effort, it has established a new Cabinet Committee on Aboriginal 
Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister; a Parliamentary Secretary; and an 
Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat in the Privy Council Office.


*******************************************************************

Excerpt from the "Address by the Prime Minister inReply to the Speech from the 
Throne," 2/3/2004, online at http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/sft-ddt.asp?id=2

Mr. Speaker: There is one aspect of Canadian society, one aspect of our 
history, that casts a shadow over all that we have achieved. The continuing gap 
in life conditions between Aboriginal and other Canadians is intolerable. It 
offends our values, we cannot remain on our current path.

To turn the corner will require a new partnership. It will require a shared 
commitment to improving Aboriginal governance - essential to self-government 
and economic development.

With our partners, we will expand health care, education, skills development 
and entrepreneurship, and match our training programs to real economic 
opportunities - from Voisey's Bay to northern pipelines.

With our partners, we will tackle head on the particular problems faced by the 
increasing number of urban Aboriginal people and by the Métis. We will not 
allow ourselves to be caught up in jurisdictional wrangling, passing the buck 
and bypassing their needs.


*******************************************************************

CBC news story, 1/22/2004, online at 
http://calgary.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=ca_mitchell20040122

Web Posted   Jan 22 2004 12:17 PM MST

Indian Affairs minister promised to consult with chiefs Edmonton - A 
controversial bill intended to help First Nations become self-sufficient is 
dead, after the new minister of Indian Affairs decided not to reintroduce it 
into parliament.

Andy Mitchell, speaking to students at the University of Alberta Wednesday, 
said the Liberal government didn't do a good job of consulting with the people 
who would be affected by the First Nations Governance Act.

"That needs to be dealt with. There were some issues that dealt with process. 
I've indicated we're going to launch a different type of process," he said. 
"It's my intention not to reintroduce that bill into parliament." Mitchell says 
that process will include discussion with chiefs across the country, a move 
being welcomed by native leaders.

"This became another piece of 'government knows best for aboriginal peoples' 
approach," Edward John, who represents more than 140 B.C. First Nations, said 
of the original legislation.



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