AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine on First Nations poverty

AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine speaks about First Nations poverty and the need for an elementary school at the Attawapiskat First Nation near James Bay. From a speech to the Ontario Energy Association, January 24, 2008 - see the full speech at http://energyontario.ca/Default.aspx?id=42
Sign the "First Nations Children of Attawapiskat Fight for a School" petition to Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl at http://www.petitiononline.com/FNCA08/petition-sign.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Phil
• Fontaine
• AFN
• Assembly
• of
• First
• Nations
• poverty
• Attawapiskat
• Aboriginal
• children
• child
• school
• OEA
• GiveMeaning
• pride

[angusc2]

Thanks Chief Phil for your inspiring words. What other country in the western world could make the claim that health and safety was the only obligation to be met in terms of educational obligations? Is Chuck Strahl telling us that as long as the buildings don't fall in on the children the federal government can use its money on other things?

As Phil says nobody else would put up with such a dismal standard. Why should our children on the James Bay coast?

[bruyerey]

So let's implement the Kelowna Accord

[flightofeagles]

Well, this might seem logical and many do this. However, would you just walk away from your home, land, community that you lived, built up and supported? They lose everything and start over. I don't think it is that simple.

[spierro]

i heard about 60% of first nations are already living off reserves. so we are already out there

[jason74ftchip]

the HELL with Harper ..... we need ACTION not words ! words don't help with these people ! but they sure under stand action!.....

[58karonhiio]

Native Children needing a School, Hmmm, Harper helping Natives that would be somethin now wouldn't it! Especially after his is the party that wanted to get rid of all native rights when they were still known as the C.R.A.P.(Canadian Reform Alliance Party)AKA New Conservative Party! They should of stuck with the former title it was more fitting!!!Lets hope this isn't just another Photo Op for Fontaine also! Native Kids always are the first to be cut off at the cash box...

[blueskywoman36]

thank you sister...

[henakesho]

I will stand with you. I have signed the petition. I am asking others to sign the petition, too--as many as I can.

Build the children a school!!

[gnatbuzz]

It is a shameful reflection of this world that we have created that First Nations communities now feel that they have lost their connection to nature to such a degree that they now believe they have to turn to destroying nature to extract a product that this 'modern world' feels it 'needs', such as diamonds, in order to meet their basic needs, and in the process poisoning their community and nature. That is the reality of what we are allowing to happen to indigenous people across this planet.

[proudproject]

I started an initiative just recently which aims to address these serious social issues.

Simply lookup "The Standing Proud Project" over at the GiveMeaning website or look at my profile and click on the link.

I'm glad I came across this video.

[ColtMcKenzieBelle]

I think First Nations peoples have to do is start leaving the reservations and join the rest of society. That doesn't mean they have to give up their culture, that doesn't mean they have to give up their lands they own, but think about how archaic the idea of reservations truly is. Join society, continue to hold your traditions and culture, but join us; you will be treated no different than anybody else, because, though it is wrong, I don't think anything is going to change until they do.