"A third-world country right in our own backyard" (1/4)

"Negotiation or Confrontation - It's Canada's Choice." AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine makes a passionate speech to the Canadian Club of Ottawa about the desperate situation faced by many First Nations communities. In part 1, Fontaine discusses child poverty, the over-crowding in many First Nations homes, the Residential Schools settlement, children in state care due to poverty and Canada's breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. "For the past 11 years, there has been an arbitrary 2% cap for funding of core programs and services, housing, education and health... As a result, First Nations child welfare agencies receive 22% less funding per child than provincial agencies.... This is simply blatant fiscal discrimination. It doesn't keep pace with inflation and it's certainly outstripped by our young and growing population." (May 15, 2007. Part 1 of 4.)
Part 2: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz4fGnRSLSs

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJfuuMsxmyo

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veIiPgWiKKU

child welfare, child abuse, Canadian Human Rights Commission, children removed from families, parents, language, culture, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, overcrowded housing conditions, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs,
quality of life, socioeconomic status

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• AFN
• National
• Chief
• Phil
• Fontaine
• Assembly
• First
• Nations
• Aboriginal
• Native
• child
• poverty
• Canada
• land
• claims
• Pukatawagan

[dazedandconfucious]

Does Meegwetch mean Thank you?

[bruyerey]

Yes, in Anishinabemowin (Ojibwe) - also spelled miigwech

[kenyam101]

Accords should be like treaties. It doesn't matter what government is in power. Whether you agree with the previous government or not, accords are signed like International Treaties.

New Governments, have an obligation to follow through with previous accords. The accords are signed representing "Government of Canada"... not the Liberal or Conservative Parties.

We need to remember, previous governments were elected with specific mandates. New Governments need to respect previous promises

[bruyerey]

Excellent point, Kenyam101.

The current government reneged on both the Kelowna Accord and Kyoto Protocol despite motions passing in the House of Commons calling on the Conservative government to implement them.

Our obligations to First Nations people should be a non-partisan matter and there's absolutely no excuse for not honouring Kelowna or existing treaties. Canada is extremely fortunate that First Nations people have been very very patient - it's way past time to "pay the rent."

[goldeaglechild2]

First nations need to impliment a Canadian Native Land Tax use! If you want to live on First Nation Land (Canada), pay your dues white man and imigrants! The Canadian Govermant will not live up to their end of the bargain on the Treaties, but yet they , continue to take, take take, alowing others to profit in resourse revenues! One day there will be Justice!

[jennifer171986]

thye need to have MASS protests. get something done. like egypt. sort of.

[capnhawkins]

Phil Fontaine is a hero.

[acerb45666555]

any non native business person must be extremely cautious when considering any type of real estate aquisition for developments such as building houses, etc. look closely at the history of the region in question. focus on treaties made relating to that region. over the years, much land has been illegally whittled and chipped away from reserve lands. and some non native dude might try to sell it to you!! be careful!! not one penny hits the table till you got the facts!

[ffchatter]

the honorable philip fontaine for prime minister. at last a minister who speaks the truth. wake up canada . the australians have admitted their mistakes, time for the canadians to do so

[Meymeygwis]

Phil is a great Canadian! Meegwetch.