Equity needed for government-to-government relationship

By Kelly Anne Smith

NIPISSING FIRST NATION— Less accessibility to traplines and the need for pay equity and efficient broadband on-reserve are a few of the many issues needing prompt action for the government-to-government relationships that Anishinabek Nation holds with Ontario and federal Canada.

Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare and citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation told the audience during the live-streamed 5th Annual Lands, Resources and Economic Development Forum Kina-Gego-Naabadosin – We Are All Connected, that fast broadband is key to communication in todays world.

Grand Council Chief Hare says the reception of broadband to Anishinabek communities, even right next door in London, Ontario, in Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Southwest Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Joe Miskokomon’s community, is lacking.

“He has one [heck of a] time to join us and do business here, let alone with remote communities in the far north,” he notes. “It’s not impossible to give us that connectivity – 100%. If we can connect clearly 100% to people in space, why … can we not connect with Chippewas of the Thames?”

The event was opened by Evelyn McLeod and drum group Burning Plains with Blair Beaucage, Nipissing First Nation; Tory Fisher, Nipissing First Nation; and Jordan Mowat of Alderville First Nation.

Nipissing First Nation Chief and Anishinabek Nation Lake Huron Regional Chief Scott McLeod asked for one minute of silence to honour Nipissing First Nation educator, Language Keeper and Deputy Chief Muriel Sawyer who passed on to the Spirit World.

During the leadership panel, Southeast Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief James Marsden of Alderville First Nation called for a separate application process for funding for small businesses on-reserve for First Nations.

“They fall under that for a grant or financial assistance that was happening all year for other businesses. That’s needed for our small businesses,” he explained. “Even skilled trades on-reserve, they are really suffering. Interest-free loans and grants are needed also.”

Northern Superior Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief Edward Wawia congratulated all of the Chiefs for protecting their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Wawia lamented on being left behind in most of the areas.

“Especially in the mining industry. Mining was considered essential and it carried on as if nothing happened. Nobody was worried about mining and forestry.”

Chief Wawia is also adamant about First Nations being included in forest management development and for youth to access traplines.

“A lot of young people are going back into the forest. A few places you go are like little cities here and there. Along the roads there are campers set up. Our First Nations are wanting to take advantage of their rights and build dwellings for they can practice their harvesting and Treaty rights.”

Chief Wawia adds that there is a tool kit that has to be worked on between the government and First Nations to get this organized right.

Chief McLeod reiterated the importance of our youth accessing broadband technology for education. He also spoke of Ontario not honouring our Treaties and that we had to take a stand.

“That’s very obvious when you look at the Annuities Case and their desire to get an appeal on decisions that were made based on the Robinson-Huron Treaty. The appetite to protect Treaty rights – it’s not there,” he explained. “At a minimum, industry should require dual consent. It should be based on free, prior and informed consent in these Treaty lands where they have to include us. In order to do that, the government is obligated to assist First Nations to build that capacity so that we can get at those tables in a meaningful and constructive way.”

Chief McLeod and Chief Wawia then both talked about pay equity on-reserves. Chief Wawia says the pay scale is anywhere from $5 to $10 less than in positions off-reserve. Chief McLeod said communities are left with little financial resources to attract their own members.

“If we can’t attract our own community members, how can we build capacity?”

A presentation by Nipissing First Nation citizen and solicitor Fred Bellefeuille followed on United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Bellefeuille says UNDRIP is not a law but our laws have to be consistent with it. Bellefeuille wants us to think offensively and be proactive for UNDRIP to work for us.

“We are limited by our imagination.”