Assembly of First Nations, National Chief Phil Fontaine's Speech to Federal - Provincial - Territorial Ministers on Social Services, Aug. 25, 2003
The National Chief told the Ministers that First Nations governments (social services) must be more substantively and meaningfully involved in SUFA and any other forums that may affect First Nations governments.
Can be viewed at www.afn.ca
Research report entitled: A One Day Snapshot of Aboriginal Youth in Custody Across Canada by Steven Bittle, Nathalie Quann, Tina Hartman. June 2003.
Can be viewed at canada.justice.gc.ca
2002 (DEC) Reports of the Auditor General of Canada - Office of the Auditor General of Canada
This study looked at reporting and audit requirements from the perspective of First Nations communities, and at how the reports and audits are used by the federal organizations that have agreements with First Nations.
Institute on Governance
Governance Principles for Protected Areas in the 21st Century, June 2003, INSTITUTE ON GOVERNANCE.
A thought-provoking look at the principles of good governance. This paper was written in collaboration with Parks Canada and the Canadian International Development Agency for the Fifth World Parks Congress to be held in South Africa in September 2003. It has already received enthusiastic reviews such as: "watershed paper" and "a very thoughtful and comprehensive report... a substantive and original contribution to the field".
Options for Commercial Enterprises in First Nations, February 2003.
Originally prepared for Pictou Landing First Nation, this paper provides a useful tool for First Nations in managing the commercial fishing licenses and fishing equipment resulting from the Marshall Response Initiative Program. Based on five case studies, UN-based governance principles and the research of the Kennedy School of Government, it explores the linkages between sound governance and commercial entities.
Business Plan for an Aboriginal Policy Research Institute, 2003.
The IOG assisted a task force under the auspices of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples in developing a business plan aimed at establishing an Aboriginal Policy Research Institute. The plan calls for this Institute to become self-sustaining within three years.
Governance and Economic Development, 2003
The Institute prepared a research study for First Nations in the Maritimes on the Marshall Response Initiative Program, which provides fishing vessels and communal fishing licenses following the Supreme Court judgment. The study reviews literature and develops five case studies on the linkages between sound governance and commercial entities.
Analysis of the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act
Released Jan 2003 by Tanis Fiss, Director.
Can be viewed at www.taxpayer.com
The Centre for Aboriginal Policy Change (the Centre), was founded in 2002, under the auspices of the CTF to provide a permanent and professional taxpayer and democratic advocacy presence to monitor, research and offer alternatives to current aboriginal policy and analyze the impacts of court decisions under the guiding principles of support for individual property rights, equality, self sufficiency, and democratic and financial accountability. www.taxpayer.ca/Aboriginal_Centre
Adult Learning Centres Earn Top Marks: Report
Emphasis on Aboriginal learners, culture a key to success
Adult Learning Centres, which began to emerge in an unplanned way seven years ago, have become a powerful and effective new approach to education in Manitoba, particularly as regards Aboriginal people. A new study based on nearly 100 interviews with Aboriginal adult learners and ALC staff found that in many cases remarkable personal transformations are occurring.
www.policyalternatives.ca. Released June 2003.
CD Howe Institute "Income On- and Off-Reserve: How Aboriginals are Faring." Drost, Helmar and John Richards C.D. Howe Commentary March 2003.
Based on the 1996 census, this Commentary undertakes a careful examination of aboriginal incomes among those living on- and off-reserve. As a benchmark, results for nonaboriginal Canadians are also provided.
"A New Agenda for Strengthening Canada's Aboriginal Population: Individual Treaty Benefits, Reduced Transfers to Bands and Own-Source Taxation." Richards, John. C.D. Howe Institute Backgrounder February 2003
Most Canadians understand that aboriginal governments should be taken seriously as part of the country's political fabric. For their part, many Indians want to live a more traditional life on a
well-run reserve, while others prefer life off the reserve. Sound economic policies could give individual Indians more flexibility in their choice of where to live and give those who stay on-reserve more direct influence over their chiefs and councils. It is in the interest of all Canadians to make sure the federal government puts these policies into action.
Can be viewed at www.cdhowe.org
INDIAN CLAIMS COMMISSION Missisaugas of the New Credit First Nations Inquiry Toronto Purchase Claim, June 2003 by Commisioner J. Bellegarde.
ICC Addresses Senate Committee On The Specific Claims Resolution Act (C-6) Released June 11 2003.
Annual Report Recommends Canada Ensure Fair Treatment For First Nations Seeking Research Funds Released May 14 2003.
ICC Issues Report on Coldwater-Narrows Reservation Claim Released May 8 2003.
Commission Recommends Negotiation of Alexis Claim Released March 20 2003.
Can be viewed at www.indianclaims.ca
FIRST NATIONS FORESTRY PROGRAM Cayoose Creek Band integrates forest-based resources with traditional knowledge
Enhancing the capacity of First Nations communities to manage forests is a standard that the First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP) strives to uphold. This standard is key for members of Cayoose Creek Band as they start a community-based natural resource company called Redlands Resources with strong backing from the FNFP.
Government of Canada - Natural Resources Canada/Canadian Forest Service - Pacific Forestry Centre - Bridge. Released 2003-03-01
Tobacco Plains Band develops integrated resource management plan.
In an effort to create long-term sustainable management of the forest and grasslands, the Tobacco Plains Band is developing an Integrated Resource Management Plan. The objective is to support a healthy ecosystem while decreasing the threat of large wildfire damage to the communities. Denise Birdstone, Tobacco Plains Band Administrator. Released 2003-03-01.
Can be seen at www.fnfp.gc.ca/index_f.php&disp=e&end
2001 Aboriginal Population Profile, Released June 17, 2003.
These profiles contain free information on the Aboriginal identity population for various Canadian communities where the Aboriginal identity population is above 250. Canadian communities include: cities, towns, villages, Indian reserves and Indian settlements, counties or their equivalents, and metropolitan areas.
Can be viewed at www.statcan.ca/english/IPS/Data/94F0043XIE.htm
Sask Govt Relations and Aboriginal Affairs First Annual Report, Released July 2003.
Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs (GRAA) was established on April 1, 2002. The department's first annual report was tabled in the provincial legislature on July 29, 2003. The report can be viewed as a PDF document by clicking the link below: www.graa.gov.sk.ca/publications.htm
Report: Funding For Aboriginal People Pursuing Higher Education and Employment Skills, Released February 2003.
This booklet is intended to guide Aboriginal people to the most comprehensive sources available from the federal and provincial governments, as well as from some private and non-profit organizations.
Can be viewed at www.aand.gov.ab.ca/?lid=65
Found any printed reports, speeches or studies on aboriginal affairs that you'd like to share with the community?
Send us the title of the report, speech or study; the date it was published or released, a 50 word synopsis of the content and, where possible, a URL link to its online content.
We will include this information in next month's Hard Facts page.
