Anishinabek Great Lakes Round Table Gathering Final Report

Transcription

ANISHINABEK GREAT LAKES
ROUND TABLE GATHERING
F I N A L R E P O R T
UNION OF ONTARIO INDIANS, HEAD OFFICE, ELDER’S HALL, NORTH BAY, ON
MARCH 24TH-25TH, 2015
Produced by the Union of Ontario Indians. Any duplication of this document
without prior written permission of the Union of Ontario Indians is prohibited.
For additional copies of this publication, please contact:
Lands and Resources
Union of Ontario Indians
1 Migizii Miikan
P.O. Box 711
North Bay, ON
P1B 8J8
Toll Free: 1-877-702-5200
Phone: (705) 497-9127
Fax: (705) 497-9135
Website: www.anishinabek.ca
e-mail: [email protected]
Acknowledgements
Inside photos courtesy of: Lands and Resources Department, www.shutterstock.com, www.tripadvisor.ca,
dealcrown.com, es.wikipedia.org, www.hdwallpaperscool.com, www.worldfortravel.com, en.wikipedia.org,
themappingnetwork.wordpress.com
ANISHINABEK GREAT LAKES ROUND TABLE GATHERING 2015 FINAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FINAL REPORT ..................................................................................................................................................................1
Anishinabek Great Lakes Roundtable Gathering.......................................................................................................1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................................................................2
ANISHINABEK NATION.....................................................................................................................................2
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE.....................................................................3
AGENDA ITEMS..................................................................................................................................................3
ATTENDEES..........................................................................................................................................................4
OVERVIEW OF AGENDA ISSUES ...................................................................................................................................4
THE CANADA ONTARIO AGREEMENT (COA) ................................................................................................4
GREAT LAKES STRATEGY..................................................................................................................................5
PROPOSED GREAT LAKES PROTECTION ACT...............................................................................................7
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS ..................................................................................................................9
Government & First Nation Relations ............................................................................................................9
Great Lakes Strategy .......................................................................................................................................10
Canada Ontario Agreement ...........................................................................................................................10
Proposed Protection Act 2015 .......................................................................................................................10
Lands & Resources ..........................................................................................................................................11
Capacity .............................................................................................................................................................14
Impacts of Government Policies, Regulations etc.....................................................................................15
Culture................................................................................................................................................................15
Standards and Infractions ..............................................................................................................................15
Youth and Awareness Opportunities............................................................................................................15
COA Executive Council ...................................................................................................................................16
ISSUES & PROPOSED ACTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................16
COMMUNICATION/AWARENESS OF STRATEGY........................................................................................16
FIRST NATION/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS.................................................................................................17
CAPACITY BUILDING: HUMAN/FINANCIAL ...............................................................................................18
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT....................................................................................................................................19
CONCLUDING REMARKS..............................................................................................................................................20
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Anishinabek Great Lakes Round Table Gathering brought together leaders and technical representatives
from various Anishinabek Nation member communities. These technical representatives specialize in lands
and resource planning and management within their communities.
The Gathering provided an opportunity for the Anishinabek Nation to hear more from the Ontario Ministry
of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) on major relevant initiatives, impacts and opportunities.
It also provided an opportunity to share with Ontario the challenges and successes within their respective
communities in relation to the Great Lakes and other lands and resource initiatives.
The ultimate goal of the Gathering was to increase awareness of the proposed development of a Technical
Working Group (TWG) which will provide input into ongoing mandates to the Anishinabek Nation as well as
feed into Ontario’s various initiatives. The Ontario government provided a thorough overview on various key
and supporting legislations specifically focused on the Great Lakes.
As a result of these discussions, the representatives at the Gathering agreed that the development of a TWG
would be of great benefit. This would ensure the voice of the Anishinabek Nation is heard at other tables
where Great Lakes are being discussed and decisions are being made for the betterment of the Anishinabek
Nation communities, lands, territories, resources, rights and citizens.
Future discussions from the Gathering will help direct the Anishinabek Nation moving forward on action
items and recommendations of local and regional interests which address the Anishinabek Nation priorities.
This includes having a voice on major initiatives such as (but not limited to) the Ontario Great Lakes Strategy
and the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health.
ANISHINABEK NATION
The citizens of the Anishinabek Nation (AN) have Treaty and Aboriginal Rights with respect to water. The
Great Lakes and all inland waters have sustained the life of the Anishinabek before the arrival of Europeans.
The Creator gave the Anishinabek the responsibility to look after Mother Earth and all her elements. First
Nation women (Anishinabe Qwe) were given the role to be the traditional keepers and spiritual protectors
of water, given that water has the responsibility to purify, cleanse, and give life to Mother Earth and all her
Creations.
The Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) has taken a leadership position on all water resources, and is dedicated
to providing support to their member First Nation communities. Community issues range from water quality
and quantity, to the management of water and other resources that depend or rely on water.
Approximately 120 First Nations and Tribes have occupied the Great Lakes basin over the course of history.
Today - in Ontario alone, there are 66 First Nation communities located within the Great Lakes Basin
watershed with 39 of these communities are members of the Anishinabek Nation.
2
Prior to European contact the Anishinabek lived and utilized all waterways throughout Ontario, giving them
inherent rights to water. Having these inherent rights also gave First Nation people an opportunity to build a
special relationship with water that they still hold today.
From time immemorial, Anishinabek Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) has been passed down from
generation-to-generation and it is important that this knowledge is used and shared with others. By
understanding and teaching traditional knowledge, meaningful dialogue and positive impacts on policies,
procedures, regulations and legislation can be achieved.
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
As per:
(https://www.ontario.ca/government/about-ministry-environment-and-climate-change)
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is responsible for promoting clean and safe air, land,
and water to ensure healthy communities, ecological protection and sustainable development for present
and future generations of Ontarians.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, through government mandate, to protect and improve
the quality of the environment to keep it healthy, protect human health and safety and contribute to economic
prosperity by: using science and research to develop policies, legislation, regulations and standards;
enforcing compliance with environmental laws; working with other government, Aboriginal groups and
organizations, industry, stakeholders and the public; monitoring and reporting to track environmental
progress over time; and modernizing environmental approval processes.
AGENDA ITEMS
Great Lakes Presentations –
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
•
•
•
Canada Ontario Agreement
Great Lakes Strategy
Proposed Great Lakes Protection Act
Anishinabek Nation Great Lakes Updates & Initiatives
•Community
•Local
•Regional
3
ATTENDEES
Facilitator: Kerry Assiniwe
UOI: Rhonda Gagnon, Policy Analyst, Lands & Resources
MOECC: Carolyn O’Neil
•
Kerry-Ann Charles, Environmental Coordinator/Policy; Chippewas of Georgina Island
•
Samantha Keysis, Water & Environmental Officer; Sagamok First Nation
•
Alyssa Ray, Consultation Assistant; Red Rock Indian Band
•
Juanita Starr, Governmental Relations Officer; Ojibways of Pic River First Nation
•
Kerri Commanda, Environmental Review Panel Coordinator; Serpent River First Nation
•
Lesley Kimewon, Government-Industry Relations Officer; United Chiefs and Councils of Mnido Mnising
•
Ed Wawia, Lands and Resources Portfolio-Anishinabek Nation, Northern Superior Region
OVERVIEW OF AGENDA ISSUES
A brief summary was provided by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change on its “Growing Our
Important Relationship” which gave a timeline of the ministry’s involvement and progress in consultation
and engagement initiatives and policy/legislation development on water issues.
This process began in 2008 with a Water Policy Forum which continued over a four year span. Throughout
the four years, Ontario participated in numerous discussion and information sharing sessions with First
Nation leadership and senior technicians representing various communities and PTO’s; including the
Anishinabek Nation/Union of Ontario Indians.
All the engagement and information sharing sessions helped inform current policies and legislation: Ontario’s
Great Lakes Strategy, Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund, Canada-Ontario Agreement and the Proposed
Great Lakes Protection Act.
THE CANADA ONTARIO AGREEMENT (COA)
The following content was extracted from:
https://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/canada-ontario-great-lakes-agreement
The Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health is a new plan that
helps the province carry out the Great Lakes Strategy. It also helps Canada meet commitments under the
Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
The Great Lakes are valuable and vulnerable resources that provide us with safe drinking water and a
high quality of life. They provide more than 80% of our drinking water and are important for our economic
prosperity.
4
Ontario works with government and community partners to protect the Great Lakes’ water quality and
ecosystems. We strive for Great Lakes that are drinkable, swimmable and fishable.
The new Canada-Ontario agreement (COA) has 5 main priorities, which serve to:
protect waters
improve wetlands, beaches and coastal areas
protect habitats and species
enhance understanding and adaptation
promote innovation and engage communities
First Nation Specific within the Canada Ontario Agreement
Holistic View of Water: Recognition of First Nations spiritual and cultural relationship to water and the
importance of an ecosystem approach.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Carry out Pilot projects and symposia to demonstrate the use of TEK to
understand and address Great Lakes issues.
Improvements to Ecosystem Health: Commitments to address nutrients and harmful pollutants, restore,
protect and conserve Great Lakes Habitats and species and reduce threats of aquatic invasive species.
Awareness & Opportunities for Communities: Annex on empowering communities with specific commitments
aimed at fostering appreciation and awareness of the lakes and support for local community activities that
restore, protect and conserve the Great Lakes.
First Nation Representation & Engagement: Annual meetings with the COA Executive Committee co-chairs
to discuss priorities. Committed to invite First Nations to participate in existing engagement processes to
support Annex-specific issues as well as to communicate and collaborate with First Nations in Areas of
Concern (AOC). GREAT LAKES STRATEGY
An overview on The Great Lakes Strategy 2012 was also presented via hardcopy by the Ministry of the
Environment and Climate Change.
The following is an excerpt from the Strategy; also available online at:
https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontarios-great-lakes-strategy
The Great Lakes are vitally important to Ontario families. They provide us with drinking water, quality of life
and prosperity. We need to keep the Great Lake healthy now and for our children, grandchildren and future
generations. We need Great Lakes that are drinkable, swimmable and fishable.
5
That is why the Government of Ontario has created Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy. The Strategy focuses on
empowering action by all partners on Great Lakes – from provincial ministries to local service clubs – and
on restoring Great Lakes water, beaches and coastal areas. It aims to conserve biodiversity and deal with
invasive species. The Strategy supports science to guide our Great Lakes work and addresses the need for
climate change adaptation.
This Strategy builds on engagement with a wide variety of Great Lakes experts, First Nations and Métis
communities and Great Lakes stakeholders, on the feedback received since the release of Ontario’s Draft
Great Lakes Strategy in June 2012, and on the 2009 discussion paper, Healthy Great Lakes, Strong Ontario.
This Strategy responds to what we heard from people across Ontario. We have heard about the need to
protect shorelines, beaches and wetlands, reduce impacts of sewage and runoff, tackle algae problems
and provide opportunities for people to clean up their corner of the Great Lakes. We heard that when it
comes to the Great Lakes, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution; there are different Great Lakes issues and
opportunities in different parts of the province. It is important to set priorities and target our action, building
on existing frameworks and partnerships. We heard that public engagement and cooperation are essential
to success. We also heard about the importance of science and information to make good decisions and
monitor progress.
The main goals of the strategy, as presented by the MOECC are:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Engaging and Empowering Communities
Protecting Water for Human and Ecological Health
Improving Wetlands, Beaches and Coastal Areas
Protecting Habitats and Species
Enhancing Understanding and Adaptation
Ensuring Environmentally Sustainable Economic Opportunities and Innovation
First Nation Specific within the Great Lakes Strategy
interdependence of humans, the ecosystem and water cycles.
First Nation Representation & Engagement: Commitments to engage First Nation communities on Great
Lakes matters, to continue to strengthen and build relationships as well as to collaborate with First Nation
communities to address AOCs.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Principles that recognize the importance of TEK and commitment to
continue to undertake collaborative science and enhance integration of different types of knowledge,
including TEK.
Improvements to Ecosystem Health: Commitments to address nutrients and harmful pollutants and to
protect habitats and species including addressing invasive species.
Awareness & Opportunities for Communities: Commitment to fund small-scale local community actions
through the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund. 6
PROPOSED GREAT LAKES PROTECTION ACT
The following content was extracted from:
http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&BillID=3115&isCurrent=false&Par
All Ontarians have an interest in the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin. The
Government of Ontario seeks to involve individuals and communities in its protection and restoration.
The purposes of the Act are:
to protect and restore the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin; and
to create opportunities for individuals and communities to become involved in the protection and restoration of the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
Furthermore, the Act aims to:
protect human health and well-being through the protection and restoration of water quality, hydrologic functions and the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin including through the elimination or reduction of harmful pollutants
protect and restore watersheds, wetlands, beaches, shorelines and other coastal areas of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
protect and restore the natural habitats and biodiversity of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin
protect and improve the capacity of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin to respond to the impacts and causes of climate change
improve understanding and management of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin by advancing science and promoting the consideration of traditional ecological knowledge relating to existing and emerging stressors and by establishing and maintaining monitoring and reporting programs or other actions with respect to the ecological conditions of the Basin
enrich the quality of life in communities in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin through support of environmentally sustainable economic opportunities, innovation and environmentally sustainable use of natural resources
Inclusive of the above, the Act will incorporate:
1)
Formation of a Great Lakes Guardian’s Council; annual meetings
2)
Great Lakes Targets; actions plans
3)
Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy; monitoring and reporting programs
4)
Geographically Focused Initiatives; protect shorelines, wetlands and coastal areas
7
First Nation Specific within the Great Lakes Strategy
interdependence of humans, the ecosystem and water cycles.
First Nation Representation & Engagement: Commitments to engage First Nation communities on Great
Lakes matters, to continue to strengthen and build relationships as well as to collaborate with First Nation
communities to address AOCs.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Principles that recognize the importance of TEK and commitment to
continue to undertake collaborative science and enhance integration of different types of knowledge,
including TEK.
Improvements to Ecosystem Health: Commitments to address nutrients and harmful pollutants and to
protect habitats and species including addressing invasive species.
Awareness & Opportunities for Communities: Commitment to fund small-scale local community actions
through the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund. 1000 Islands, Ontario Canada
8
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
Throughout the key presentations on agenda items, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions or make
comments. The agenda for both days also allotted time for formal roundtable discussions on the agenda
items.
This section summarizes highlights of the questions, comments and action items/recommendations.
Government & First Nation Relations
•
MOECC takes everything they hear and learn from going out into communities and they discuss it all in detail afterwards. What they have heard from communities is to be holistic and think in terms of ecosystems. Be precautionary; if there is a possibility something may have a bad effect, it should not be allowed. This is a way to get people thinking long-term about the Great Lakes and generations coming.
•
Capacity is critical for First Nation engagement and representation at key tables. Roles and responsibilities need to be clarified for both parties.
•
TEK sacredness must be included as well as a focus on improving health of environment, water quality and quantity, air, and adapting to the effects of climate change.
•
Lake Superior Biodiversity Conservation Strategy had no First Nation representation. Need to make mechanisms for improving awareness and communication on all issues of water and air more accessible.
•
There is a need to take action over the next 5 years of the Strategy and MOECC executives of the council need to talk to First Nations about needs, knowledge and issues.
•
First Nations are concerned that regional ministry representation is different from region to region. Some offices don’t have relations with First Nations peoples or communities and there is no communication between each other about what’s going on. MOECC agrees that it is a problem and says that the connectedness of Great Lakes because could help bring everyone together.
•
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is considering removing the existing dam on the Black Sturgeon River and replacing it with a new sea lamprey barrier upstream. First Nations are concerned that there are two opposing ministries at play and the ‘turf war’ needs to end.
•
Plan is to invite First Nations to participate in existing work and all parties will have the ability to go back to see what happened on other major initiatives.
•
MOECC is working with Chiefs of Ontario on other issues which may be helpful for other projects though they are careful as these projects are not theirs.
9
Great Lakes Strategy
•
The Strategy is Ontario’s plan of what they want to do with ‘Canada’ overall. The Great Lakes Protection Act is the provider of tools; and the Canada Ontario Agreement is the leverage of federal dollars and expertise; all three – plan, tools & leverage - work together.
•
The Strategy hopes to instill more positive focus on relevant natural resource issues rather the common a negative perspective that causes people to walk away. This was noted in the morning session in the context that currently, some people seem to have forgotten the need to get involved.
•
MOECC admits that although the Strategy is not strong on performance measures, they are setting goals and targets, trying to make these concerns the focus of future work. The Great Lakes will likely never be restored to their original health though it is possible to reduce stress on the ecosystem and improve environmental health and water quality.
Canada Ontario Agreement
•
The establishment of an executive committee is an important component of the COA. The goal for the MOECC is to meet with First Nation leadership, PTOs and individuals who have made it clear that they wanted a First Nations focused annex in this agreement. This issue had delayed negotiations for about one year before Canada decided to include the First Nations annex the first of its type in any federal/provincial agreement of this scope.
•
There are some Anishinabek Nation communities that believe there needs to be more awareness and more people involved in understanding and protecting Areas of Concern.
Proposed Protection Act 2015
10
•
A major component of the Act is the formation of the Guardians Council that will be tasked with looking at targets collectively and determining priority issues such as what the greatest threats are and which are the most threatened areas.
•
Need to strengthen targets and to identify common goals by ensuring the minister sets achievable standards. The Act would enshrine the Strategy into legislation which will continue to be refreshed, renewed and reported on.
•
Geographically focused initiatives (GFIs) will focus on watersheds that are really in trouble and are in need of support and protection through legislation. GFIs can influence various Acts i.e. Shoreline regulation could be used to influence management of activities such as septic systems, fertilizers getting into water and other issues.
•
MOECC needs to do an adequate job in monitoring and provide opportunities for First Nations to get involved in shaping where we go forward.
•
There is concern that this Act will have no impact if there is no power to stop industry or development to protect lakes, communities and livelihoods.
•
The question of nuclear waste management is difficult for MOECC to answer because it is federally led issue, though we can use moral influence; their minister wants to ensure what happens is environmentally good and acceptable.
Lands & Resources
•
UCCMM are a tribal confederacy of 6 First Nations on Manitoulin Island involved in an active land claim, which is a lakebed claim. Other First Nations on Lake Huron are also involved.
•
•
•
•
They feel like they have a strong assertion with the claim. There is also the issue of no relinquishment of water in the treaties. The Act recognizes there are rights.
The First Nations have concerns about quality and quantity of water.
There is the need to reach out and determine First Nation interests.
The minister needs to know what’s going on with GFIs in certain regions to avoid conflict and promote relationship building.
•
Fish don’t know when they are crossing borders and many First Nations see it the same way so it’s challenging when talking to community members who say “who are they to think they have the right to govern our waters?” The challenge is looking at a complicated issue like this and trying to write briefing notes to Chiefs and others in an attempt to explain.
•
MOECC mentioned that there are some TEK initiatives; one is a Canada - USA discussions are taking place. They are trying to continue to support conversations between Canada, USA and First Nations concerning the health of the entire Great Lakes watershed.
•
All First Nations on the USA side as well as Ontario are against the removal of the Black Sturgeon Dam, yet the MNRF is leading the charge to remove it to enhance spawning grounds for walleye against the will of First Nations.
•
•
•
•
•
DFO is on side of First Nations not to remove it because of extent of treatment will be about 100 times greater. To open about 60kms more of dam would require more treatment.
People are concerned that one more lamprey and one more treatment is too much; there are endangered species above the damn.
It is not right that Métis are having a say and are being listened to but not First Nations.
First Nations know the walleye are creatures of habit and have been living there for the last 60-years and have no reason to leave.
The best option is to leave the dam there but have a fish sorting system by assisting them to go up the dam.
•
The Lake Nipissing dam was put in by the MNRF and water levels are now an issue; water levels used to be low and now they are very high.
•
“In the 1940’s, First Nations people predicted we would be drinking water out of bottles; now it’s more expensive than gas; by 2030 water will be rationed.”
•
First Nation questions if in the Strategy will put restrictions on industries building on the lakes and waste water running into lakes.
11
The Gre
Lake Superior
Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes
12
eat Lakes
Lake Erie
Lake Ontario
Lake Huron, Upper Peninsula
13
Waste water is also an issue on Manitoulin Island.
•
•
•
•
•
There is a company called Laforge with a quarry on the west side of island.
The land does not look good after they take out the product.
Laforge plans to restore the quarry site to a lake.
Where is water going to come from?
There are no benefits from Laforge yet the community gets hit twice by both the taking of rock and water.
•
There is a need for resource benefit/revenue sharing and what kind of impact they will that have on First Nations who want this. Governments have given a chance to the people to better themselves and economies but will it impact the environment and Great Lakes?
•
How are we going to deal with birds on the waters hormones from birth control, microbeads, and seagulls contaminating waters or cormorants? MOECC agrees that the cormorant issue is big with so many of them nesting, they are destroying trees. The general public reacts negatively to say they can’t be killed and don’t understand why this has to be done.
Capacity
•
Through the Lake Simcoe Growth Plan, there will be an advanced waste treatment plant built though waste will still be discharged into the environment. The facility is not built yet and although First Nations have been informed, there is no capacity or funding available within the First Nation for consultation.
•
Serpent River is looking to increase waterfront development. The community is concerned about monitoring issues and has been involved in working with the Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Centre (AOFRC) regarding the lakes along Serpent River.
•
•
•
14
Watershed management is seen as a bigger goal but for Serpent River it’s not just the water itself but also that land.
There is a capacity issue in here in that they rely on volunteers to do that work.
The community also has their own database and have an environmental review panel who do a lot of work though the challenge is to get involved in projects at the beginning stages and not after the project gets the go ahead.
•
MOECC agrees that if the Anishinabek Nation is to do a good job, more financial investment is needed, and they need to focus on key geographies and engaging First Nations. The GFI concept tries to factor this in to include a financing strategy though the government needs to understand there needs to be a budget attached to these initiatives.
•
Anishinabek Nation Chiefs have a water protection declaration though it is overwhelming to think about how to implement it in communities. UCCMM hired someone to create a ‘water toolkit’ which is easy/plain language understanding of water issues. Although it’s a starting point for UCCMM, they want to evolve the declaration and do more to implement it.
Impacts of Government Policies, Regulations etc.
•
First Nations have issues with language in policies such as words like ‘consider’ that should be defined so all sides have an understanding and agreement on what they mean and their impacts. If Ontario wants our knowledge; we will ‘consider’ sharing though we may decide not to.
•
First Nations are being over-regulated and their rights are super-ceded by conservation and safety regulations.
Culture
•
In the Anishinabe culture, the women are believed to be the guardians of water so it would be good to see a strong representation of women at the table as well as men and youth.
•
More cultural awareness is needed within government ministries as a whole; First Nations need to teach non-aboriginal government workers about ‘the Anishinabek way of life’. The best way to do this would be for government representatives to fully experience First Nations communities i.e. get out into the lands with the peoples.
•
The First Nations people need to take charge of the content of school curriculums with increased efforts to integrate an accurate account of First Nation’s history and way of life in both ‘on’ and ‘off reserve’ schools.
Standards and Infractions
•
Violations, infractions or breaches under the Act should have harsher fines. MOECC explained that there is a fund that uses money raised through fines and invests it into restoration plans.
•
Regarding the existence of ‘areas of concern’ and their delisting; it is not right that there are lakes undergoing cleaning efforts yet waste water is still being discharged into them.
•
There are differences in expectations regarding ‘First Nation’ standards and regulations. Need to have engagement and consensus on the development and use of water quality standards.
Youth and Awareness Opportunities
•
Youth should be at these tables because they will be the ones carrying all this forward in the future.
•
Wikwemikong has a good lands and resources department that works with youth and the staff go into the schools and teach them about various plants and their uses. They also meet with youth at various sites in the community that have historical significance.
•
Elders want to bring youth onto the land and taught traditional knowledge. They need more hands-
on experience and to go outside to apply and fully experience what they have learned.
15
•
Some communities are starting to take kids out for a week on the land. These initiatives have been very successful, so much so that even some ‘non First Nation’ surrounding municipalities ask to include their kids in the programs. This is good but funding these programs can be a challenging issue.
•
In the Simcoe Area, the ‘Mother Earth Mentoring Program’ was developed for students up to Grade 5 to help youth learn and do things outside then come back to the classroom to connect what they learned with the curriculum.
•
Blending Traditional knowledge with Western in a way that establishes connections and can focus on job/career opportunities for adults and youth.
•
Education/learning can be done by connecting youth and technology possibly through the development of an ‘app’ to modernize communications.
COA Executive Council
•
UOI provides insight into the process of AN/UOI leadership/senior management attendance of Great Lakes Guardian’s Council meetings on behalf of Anishinabek Nation This is also dependent on whether it is an operational or political issue.
•
MOECC asks how a conversation can begin on what might be on a Great Lakes Guardian’s Council agenda and how to get First Nations there.
•
Development of a process is needed to officially invite and provide information to Chiefs to the COA meetings. Ontario has made a commitment to help in this regard but not sure if the federal government has.
•
If this is PTO driven to deal with issues around the lakes, then ‘neighbours’ have to be kept in mind i.e. NAN, Treaty 3, Native American Tribes, etc…
ISSUES & PROPOSED ACTIONS/
RECOMMENDATIONS
COMMUNICATION/AWARENESS OF STRATEGY
•
•
•
•
16
What is the purpose of this strategy? Why should people care?
How do we get the message out there? On and off Reserve.
How to engage those who aren’t already engaged?
Communication with general public as a whole.
PROPOSED ACTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS
•
Re-establish AN Communications Strategy in Lands and Resources of communicating with all member Nations and stakeholders.
•
It would be beneficial to have a similar team of Elders, women, youth and men to facilitate and ensure transparent communication through redevelopment of a First Nations Water Advisory Network.
•
Create a Portal for Communities with various information themes, improve and update the Anishinabek Nation website.
•
Develop an internal UOI communication mechanism to share documents and information.
•
Utilize Social Media Apps i.e. One Feather various communities use it (as well as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram and Google).
•
Encourage one on one community information and possibly family (dotems) specific engagement sessions.
•
Create advisory committees who deal with communicating certain key issues to families, youth and elders on and off reserve.
•
Showcase positive milestones in the Great Lakes initiative throughout its lifetime; this will help people see that these initiatives are worth the investment.
FIRST NATION/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
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•
•
•
•
There is misinterpretation of ‘jargon’ when it comes to documents like this i.e. ‘shall consider’ vs ‘will do’.
Lack of cultural awareness of how First Nations live with the lands and waters.
Some regions handle their regions interests, concerns and communications better than others, community support and capacity building is necessary for all regions.
First Nation leadership (Anishinabek Nation GCC, Regional Chiefs, Chiefs) and senior management must be at key Strategy, COA and Protection Act discussions and planning tables.
First Nations need more understanding of industry’s role in any relevant projects/assessments and we need to have our own studies, assessments and standards.
Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada
17
•
First Nations are concerned about the lack of communication between governments to First Nations near borders. How can we improve communications?
•
Develop partnerships with government ministries, NGOs and industry on various projects and studies relevant to the health of the Great Lakes.
•
Use the draft consultation policy as a framework for developing individual consultation policies and strategies. Ministries and First Nations need to develop their own consultation policies and mandates.
•
Engage First Nations right from start of any planning process or strategy discussions.
•
Get involved in writing our own curriculum on the ways of life, history, etc… when it comes to Great Lakes and other traditional teachings.
•
Ensure communications and cultural awareness education of staff turnover in government is consistent.
•
Jurisdictional issues over water, fish and wildlife need to be resolved and responsibilities shared.
•
Identify how different First Nations engage with local or regional issues/interests in order to understand how to engage with ministries.
•
Separate political from technical duties and responsibilities and to develop a forum for leadership and one for technical.
•
AN/UOI to develop protocols to make inviting leadership to attend various discussions more efficient.
•
Give First Nation leadership and senior management the opportunity to become members of key executive or council tables.
•
UOI requests MOECC to develop a briefing note on processes on council and its meeting processes.
CAPACITY BUILDING: HUMAN/FINANCIAL
•
Not enough funds or human resource capacity to provide adequate attention and expertise to respond to issues with certain projects and issues in relation to government expectations, timelines and regulations.
•
More financial investment is needed to focus on key GFIs and engaging other First Nations.
•
MOECC has committed to funding training and educational programs but have not included a budget.
PROPOSED ACTIONS/RECOMMENDTIONS
•
First Nations lands and resources are not core funded so money is needed to support capacity building in these areas.
•
Personnel and their cultural awareness training need to be consistent.
•
Continuity in government representation and information flow is needed for both First Nations and Ministries.
•
Need to consult and come to a consensus on Resource Benefit and Revenue Sharing between Industry, Government and First Nations.
18
ANISHINABEK GREAT
LAKES ROUND TABLE
GATHERING
2015
FINAL
REPORT
Anishinabek/Ontario
Resource
Management
Council
Annual
Report 2005-2006
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
•
•
Technology is consuming the lives of our youth. How do we use technology to engage them? How do we blend technology with ‘traditional’ realities?
How do we deal with the divide between community interests and focus in the north v.s. south?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Engage through social media, computer applications, and virtual learning sessions.
Provide leadership engagement opportunities for them with other youth.
Develop opportunities that blend technology with the traditional.
Identify youth council representatives as part of the Great Lakes Guardian Council.
Help our youth in grades 10-12 to be involved earlier through funding Junior environmentalist camps regionally or locally.
Get youth out on land.
Sleeping Giant Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada
ANISHINABEKResource
GREAT LAKES
ROUNDCouncil
TABLEAnnual
GATHERING
FINAL REPORT
Anishinabek/Ontario
Management
Report2015
2005-2006
19
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The Union of Ontario Indians would like to thank all those who participated in these discussions.
The next Anishinabek Nation Great Lakes Roundtable Gathering will be held in the summer of 2015 and will
bring together technical experts from each of the four regions as well as government representatives to
follow-up on concerns and proposed recommendations.
Regional Engagement Sessions are also being planned for the fall of 2015 following the next Roundtable
Gathering. The engagement sessions are intended to share concerns, recommendations and
accomplishments with regards to Great Lakes issues with all communities in each of the regions, especially
those facing capacity issues.
Aerial view of the Great Lakes
20
ANISHINABEK GREAT LAKES
ROUND TABLE GATHERING
F I N A L R E P O R T
“The Mission of the
Lands and Resources
department is to foster
a better quality of life
by ensuring access to
natural resources in
support of the goals,
principals and values of
the Anishinabek Nation.”
LANDS AND RESOURCES
Union of Ontario Indians, P.O. Box 711, North Bay, ON P1B 8J8
Phone: (705) 497-9127 Fax: (705) 497-9135 Toll Free: 1-877-702-5200
Website: www.anishinabek.ca/lands-and-resources-new.asp

Anishinabek Great Lakes Round Table Gathering Final Report

Transcription

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