Makayla Sault dies after rejecting chemo
Makayla Sault, an Ojibwa girl from the New Credit First Nation, was 11 years old when she died on January 19th of lymphoblastic leukemia. After taking 12 sessions of chemotherapy at McMaster Children’s Hospital she received alternative treatment at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Fla. Responding to the hospital’s request of Brant Family and Children’s Services that they force the girl to resume chemo, the society investigated her case but did not intervene. A second Ontario First Nations girl who lives on the Six Nations reserve has also rejected chemotherapy. After two sessions of this treatment her mother took her to the same centre for a three week session. A Brantford judge, Justice Gethin Edward, declared that under S35 of the Constitution Aboriginal parents may choose traditional procedures for their children.
Investigating Aboriginal Relations in Winnipeg
Most of the city’s violent crime, which makes it the most violent city in the country, occurs in the North End which is almost entirely Aboriginal, and is committed largely by youth. Among Winnipeg’s population of 708, 400, approximately 11% are Aboriginal. Many white citizens distrust natives and have been reluctant to treat their murder as more than an “Aboriginal problem.” The death of Brian Sinclair by hospital neglect, the near murder of Rinelle Harper, and most of all the murder of Tina Fontaine have made people recognize that natives are part of the whole community’s responsibility. The recent election of the city’s first Métis mayor, Brian Bowman, is an encouraging sign. Within the next decade one in three children in kindergarten in Manitoba will be Aboriginal. At present, one in three north end residents drops out of school before Grade 9. One in six native children are apprehended by Manitoba’s Child and Family Services. Girls 11 and 12 “work the stroll.” Only 8% of murdered Aboriginal women have died at the hands of strangers.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened at The Forks in September with only two exhibits addressing indigenous abuses. The display of a copy of a treaty describes it as “an act of friendship” with no qualification.
The First nations Fiscal Transparency Act (FNFTA) which requires each First Nation to publish the compensation paid to chief and council has received over 90% compliance. The average tax free payment is about $60,000, including salary, per diems, honorariums and travel costs. The several cases of very high compensation of more than $200,000 or $300,000 were reported from entrepreneurial First Nations with successful businesses. The data usually does not separate governance and business responsibilities.
Perry Bellegarde becomes Chief of Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
Bellegarde’s election platform rejected the federal government’s proposal to raise educational standards on reserves with a commitment of $1.9 billion in additional funds, under federal direction. The majority of chiefs called for complete autonomy with the $1.9 billion. He is a strong advocate of higher academic achievement and shared involvement in resource policy and development. Bellegarde met with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Valcourt on Jan. 15th.
Reduction in Grants for projects. Ottawa is reducing grants to Aboriginal organizations and first nations for projects from 2012 and 2015 by 59%. Inuit will be losing 71%.
Manitoba will give the Métis Federation $20,000,000 over 20 years to fund talks on the impact of development on Métis claimed land. To Métis this is a new, significant recognition of their rights
Makayla Sault, an Ojibwa girl from the New Credit First Nation, was 11 years old when she died on January 19th of lymphoblastic leukemia. After taking 12 sessions of chemotherapy at McMaster Children’s Hospital she received alternative treatment at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Fla. Responding to the hospital’s request of Brant Family and Children’s Services that they force the girl to resume chemo, the society investigated her case but did not intervene. A second Ontario First Nations girl who lives on the Six Nations reserve has also rejected chemotherapy. After two sessions of this treatment her mother took her to the same centre for a three week session. A Brantford judge, Justice Gethin Edward, declared that under S35 of the Constitution Aboriginal parents may choose traditional procedures for their children.
Investigating Aboriginal Relations in Winnipeg
Most of the city’s violent crime, which makes it the most violent city in the country, occurs in the North End which is almost entirely Aboriginal, and is committed largely by youth. Among Winnipeg’s population of 708, 400, approximately 11% are Aboriginal. Many white citizens distrust natives and have been reluctant to treat their murder as more than an “Aboriginal problem.” The death of Brian Sinclair by hospital neglect, the near murder of Rinelle Harper, and most of all the murder of Tina Fontaine have made people recognize that natives are part of the whole community’s responsibility. The recent election of the city’s first Métis mayor, Brian Bowman, is an encouraging sign. Within the next decade one in three children in kindergarten in Manitoba will be Aboriginal. At present, one in three north end residents drops out of school before Grade 9. One in six native children are apprehended by Manitoba’s Child and Family Services. Girls 11 and 12 “work the stroll.” Only 8% of murdered Aboriginal women have died at the hands of strangers.
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights opened at The Forks in September with only two exhibits addressing indigenous abuses. The display of a copy of a treaty describes it as “an act of friendship” with no qualification.
The First nations Fiscal Transparency Act (FNFTA) which requires each First Nation to publish the compensation paid to chief and council has received over 90% compliance. The average tax free payment is about $60,000, including salary, per diems, honorariums and travel costs. The several cases of very high compensation of more than $200,000 or $300,000 were reported from entrepreneurial First Nations with successful businesses. The data usually does not separate governance and business responsibilities.
Perry Bellegarde becomes Chief of Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
Bellegarde’s election platform rejected the federal government’s proposal to raise educational standards on reserves with a commitment of $1.9 billion in additional funds, under federal direction. The majority of chiefs called for complete autonomy with the $1.9 billion. He is a strong advocate of higher academic achievement and shared involvement in resource policy and development. Bellegarde met with Aboriginal Affairs Minister Valcourt on Jan. 15th.
Reduction in Grants for projects. Ottawa is reducing grants to Aboriginal organizations and first nations for projects from 2012 and 2015 by 59%. Inuit will be losing 71%.
Manitoba will give the Métis Federation $20,000,000 over 20 years to fund talks on the impact of development on Métis claimed land. To Métis this is a new, significant recognition of their rights