News from around the Nations

October 23, 2012 - Russell Means, Oglala Sioux tribal member of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota passed on to the spirit world at 4:44 a.m. on October 22 at his home in Porcupine, South Dakota.

A passionate force within the American Indian Movement in Minneapolis during the early 1970’s he became an international voice for the struggle of Indigenous peoples around the world. Whether leading Native Americans in railing against broken federal treaties, appearing in a Hollywood blockbuster, or advocating a sovereign American Indian nation within U.S. borders, the activist who helped lead the 1973 uprising at Wounded Knee reveled in the spotlight.

Russell Means had the ability to speak with respect on behalf of the wisdom of his nation’s elders and to help foster the support for other nation’s strength by promoting freedom to exist in a decolonized state of being. He believed and promoted the practice of cultural teachings and helped foster the creation of the first immersion school in the U.S titled the T.R.E.A.T.Y Total Immersion School on the Pine Ridge Sioux Reservation.

He was one of the most prominent political activists for Indigenous peoples extending beyond his nation and to the world.

HARPER GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS BILL C-428, THE INDIAN ACT AMENDMENT AND REPLACEMENT ACT

OTTAWA, Ontario (October 18, 2012) – John Duncan, Minister of AANDC announced the Harper Government’s support in principle for Private Member’s Bill C-428, the Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act, brought forward by Rob Clarke, the Member from Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River.

Bill C-428 proposes a number of concrete actions that give First Nations greater responsibility over day-to-day issues, including the administration of wills and estates, and the creation of by-laws. In addition, the bill proposes to remove outdated provisions of the Indian Act, repeals all references to residential schools, and removes unnecessary schools-related provisions.

HARPER GOVERNMENT AMENDS LAND DESIGNATIONS PROVISIONS OF INDIAN ACT

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (October 19, 2012) –John Duncan, Minister of AANDC announced amendments to the land designation provisions of the Indian Act, as part of the Jobs and Growth Act, 2012. Land designation is a legal instrument that permits a First Nation to lease a portion of reserve land to a third party, while retaining its interests in and rights to the land. The proposed amendments will speed up the process to designate reserve lands, allowing First Nations the flexibility they require to take advantage of economic opportunities as they present themselves.

The proposed amendments to the designation provisions of the Indian Act respond to First Nations who have expressed frustration with the complicated and lengthy process of designating land. Specifically, the proposed amendments would:

* Reduce the voting threshold for a First Nation community to approve a land designation to a majority of votes cast (simple majority) rather than a majority of votes cast in a ballot involving a majority of eligible electors (majority-of-a-majority); and

* Authorize the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, rather than the Governor in Council, to approve the land designation upon receipt of a band council resolution.

Combined, these changes are expected to reduce the time it takes to administer the land designation process by several months and allow First Nations to respond more quickly to business opportunities.

NCAI NEW REPORT: VOTER ID LAWS & THE NATIVE VOTE

Oct 22, 2012 - Voter ID laws being considered or already in place in six states could have a negative impact on Native voter participation in the 2012 election and in years to come. New analysis released by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), warns that Native voters in Alaska, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, present significant barriers to Native Voter participation. NCAI also announced it is supporting increased voter protection efforts in Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, in response to historic and current voter suppression efforts.

“We will not be deterred – Indian Country is focused on turning out the largest Native vote in history this year – and this report helps us focus our protection and education efforts. Voter ID laws and photo ID laws are a major concern and we are working to make sure Native voters have the information they need to make their voice heard,” said NCAI President Jefferson Keel from the organization’s 69th Annual Convention being held in Sacramento, California.

The report, titled Voter IDs and the Native Vote, identifies three areas where voter ID requirements pose significant challenges for Native voters: First, states with voter ID laws compromise the rights of Native voters by not accepting tribal IDs as valid forms of identification; second, such laws create barriers of cost, logistics, and distance to obtaining required IDs; and finally, these laws risk disenfranchising large numbers of Native voters through provisional ballots.

NWAC ANNOUNCES RECORD BREAKING SISTERS IN SPIRIT VIGILS

October 17, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) - The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is pleased to announce that a Record Breaking 172 Sisters in Spirit Vigils registered across Canada for October 4th 2012. NWAC thanks all organizers, partners, supporters and communities who came together to make this event such a success! Tens of thousands of concerned citizens attended vigils from coast to coast. NWAC is also pleased to announce strong participation from the international community with SIS Vigils held in Bolivia, Mexico, Germany and at nine venues in the United States. We appreciate the outstanding work done in each community to raise the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and girls.

On October 4th, NWAC also issued a petition calling for a national inquiry. We invite anyone and everyone to sign this petition and return completed documents to NWAC as soon as possible. To retrieve a copy of the petition visit:

http://nwac.ca/sites/default/files/download/NWAC/2012%20NWAC%20Inquiry%20Petition_FINAL.pdf