A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Hundreds of First Nations Chiefs, leaders, Elders and youth gathered on July 23 to July 25, 2019 for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly at the Fredericton Convention Center on unceded Wəlastəkewiyik (Maliseet) territory in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Chiefs and delegates gathered under the theme “Celebrating our Successes and Giving Thanks” to assess progress, set priorities and strategic direction for the coming year.
First Nations leaders passed a resolution declaring a “global climate emergency” as environmental concerns took priority on the opening day of the 40th Annual General Assembly (AGA).
According to CBC, the chiefs were very clear in resolving to develop a First Nations-led climate strategy; calling on federal and provincial governments for “urgent and transformative” action to keep global warming below 1.5 C and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
“The crisis stage was 20 years ago,” Kluane Adamek, AFN regional chief for Yukon, told the crowd.
The United Nations projects global temperatures are on track to rise by more than 3 C this century, but Adamaek, alluding to a recent study, said the rate of warming will be three times as fast in Northern Canada.
“We cannot continue to move forward without including climate considerations in every single thing that we do,” Adamek said.
It was one in a series of environmental resolutions passed or tabled on the first day of the AGA, giving leaders the opportunity to discuss Indigenous issues and the challenges facing Canada and its relationship with First Nations.
‘Mother Earth is saying something’, AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde encouraged the more than 1,000 delegates to make climate change the number one topic of October’s federal election.
“Our elders said, ‘climate destruction,’” Bellegarde said in his opening remarks.
“We’ve seen the big winds, the floods, we see the fires, we see all the natural things that are turning around. And our elders predicted that. Mother Earth is saying something. She’s saying, ‘Stop it.’”
Kevin Hart, the regional chief for Manitoba, stressed the urgent need for improved emergency management of natural disasters spurred by climate change.
Hart said flooding and forest fires are the most damaging disasters First Nations face, noting many communities are remote and in forested areas. His own home was lost to a wildfire in June, he said.
“Lives are at stake here,” Hart told the assembly.
The chiefs also re-emphasized the fight for the protection and recognition of Indigenous water rights, and passed a resolution that outlined the next steps in the attempt to replace 2013’s much-criticized Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act.
The resolution states the act granted sweeping powers to the Crown and failed to improve water quality on reserves.
According to CBC, Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald said new legislation, drafted in tandem with First Nations, should ensure access to water is comparable to that of off-reserve municipalities, that water systems are developed and implemented by First Nations, and those nations have full control over infrastructure and investment decisions.
Archibald also criticized the Trudeau government for slow movement on improving water quality on reserves.
The Liberals earmarked $739 million over six years in this year’s budget to eliminate the need for drinking-water advisories. Today, Archibald said, 58 reserves are under boil orders and two First Nations, Attawapiskat and Eabametoong, recently declared states of emergency over their water quality.
“The federal government has to make larger investments and immediate funding to improve the water and wastewater systems for our communities,” she said.
Carolyn Bennett, minister of Crown-Indigenous relations and northern affairs, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear that Indigenous rights “are not optional.”
Bennett said the relationship between the federal government and Indigenous people is now based on “recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.”
“It is only through working together that we can continue the journey and support the reconstitution of your nations and your chosen path to self-determination,” Bennett said.
This would involve overhauling federal comprehensive land claims and inherent rights policies, she said.
Bennett said the relationship between Ottawa and Indigenous people is now based on ‘recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership.’ (Logan Perley/CBC)
Bennett highlighted some recent successes taken toward self-governance and a positive relationship, such the 10-year, $600-million renewal agreement with the Mi’kmaq education authority in Nova Scotia. The program has sent increased on-reserve graduation rate from 30 per cent to 90 per cent in the past 20 years.
She also spoke of a recent land, cash and self-government agreement that would return parts of British Columbia’s West Coast Trail and Pacific Rim National Park to two Vancouver Island First Nations. Parks Canada and the First Nations agreed to co-manage and preserve the parkland.
Chief Elaine Johnston of Serpent River First Nation in Ontario told Bennett said words like “reconciliation” have no meaning if Ottawa isn’t practicing what it preaches.
Johnston said. “You might say good words, but when it comes down to the bureaucrats, we’re not seeing it,”
The chiefs added progress toward self-determination is hindered by federal negotiators and Department of Justice officials who aren’t embracing pledges of respect and rights recognition made by Bennett’s department, they said.
First Nations must also navigate slow-moving programs, like the Addition to Reserve process — something Bennett said the government is trying to streamline and directly affect the Mohawks of Akwesasne.
The Assembly of First Nations represents 634 First Nations across Canada, with 10 regional AFN chiefs each holding a seat on the AFN’s executive committee.
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