Bear River First Nation was the host of this year’s Annual Assembly of the Tripartite Forum.  The community displayed its museum exhibit.  This is excellent as it shows how the Mi’kmaq lived traditionally prior to the arrival of the Europeans.  Bear River is also a very scenic spot and it is such a wonderful area to visit.

This year the theme of the Assembly was that the working groups sit down and share the work that each is doing.  There are many things that are accomplished with each of the working groups and for each to work together there can only be improved program delivery.  One of the major contributions that the First Nation Help Desk can provide is the use of the video conferencing in setting up meeting, courses or general discussions.  Several of the groups have expressed interest in the video conferencing.  We expect to see many things come out this process.

Presently the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has several Joint Working Groups with Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC).  These JWG’s will work in co-operation to develop business cases in the following areas to try and increase levels of funding in the different areas of education.

There is a JWG in Jurisdiction and Systems.  Several people from across the country are working with INAC and the AFN to establish jurisdiction for their First Nation communities.  To date this working group has set up a terms of reference that will guide them through the process.  Chief Nathan Mathew is the Chair from British Columbia.

There is also a Band Operated Funding Formula Group (BOFF).  This working group is trying to develop a business case to try and close the gap on the funding level for the first Nations in comparison to the Provincial Schools funding.  They are making a case based on the Education Price Index (EPI) which is considerably higher in the case of provincial funding.

The next is Post Secondary Education (PSE).  Currently this working group is doing a review of the current situation in PSE.  We are examining the levels of funding and also the policy for PSE.  There are sure to be changes in the policy for PSE.

The Special Education Funding has been reviewed and the Treasury Board has approved the funding for this area.  Communities are receiving the new funding.

Halifax was the site for this one day PSE forum.  This Forum focused on clarifying on what the proposed National PSE Policy should look like.  The problem historically was, due to our small numbers (about 6 % nationally) we were sort of ignored.  Policy direction is then basically set by regions with larger populations.  The importance of this forum is that it allows us to frame our views, which makes us harder to ignore.

Dawn Maracle, from AFN National, helped set out issues that communities are facing in the area of PSE.  The day focused on Policy issues or the framework that guides how the program should be run and eligibility.

A common concern that was expressed by the group was the Government saying that PSE is not a guaranteed program and is only available as a social policy and that the government is only required to provide “p-12 or secondary education” that the Federal government will and only has to match what the provinces provide.  Since the provinces do not provide free PSE then neither will the Feds.  The message from the group was it is a Treaty Right and a fiduciary responsibility of the Canadian Government.

A UN report released in early April compared the living conditions faced by First Nation people on and off reserve.  They took these conditions using Data provided by Canada and came up with statistics that set out our standard of living as if we were a separate country.  The UN researcher then compared these standards of living and placed us at 49^th in the world.  Yes, forty-ninth in the world, which puts us with some of the poorest countries in Africa.

As stated in a previous newsletter the Government is providing forums/conferences/ and even a Royal Commission (RCAP) to explore and not do anything.  MK stated then and will continue to do so that the time for talking is over.  It is time to act and the group expressed great concern at what the situation will be in 4 years when this work finally goes off to Treasury Board.  I just hope that we don’t get a repeat of what happened to us with Special Education.  There the “JOINT” INAC/AFN committee came up with a proposal to Treasury Board for a request of $280 million to properly address Special Education.  In the end the Government provided $40 million of this amount $10 million were re-profiled existing dollars.

Again MK asked “What is the Federal Government waiting for; another UN study that puts us at 50^th, or 60^th or worse in the World?”

MK reminded the Group that even when the Government processes have identified how their funding is so sorely lacking in PSE, Social, Housing, Health, Education, etc the Government has not moved to remedy the situation.

The time for waiting is gone, no more lip service.  These PSE notes were to prepare for the fall meeting of the Government and the First Nations.

I wonder what will happen, maybe the lies will stop and the Government will wake up.

As family and friends gathered at C200 on June 9, 2005 two First Nation students were presented with a certificate and a copy of this years children’s book, Friends Forever.  The entries for this book were from children attending provincial schools in Cape Breton.  One story or poem was chosen from each grade of each school.  There were over 800 students who had a story or poem published this year.

Each child was recognized for their talents by the Cape Breton-Victoria School Board and The Cape Breton University.

Alexander Paul, of Membertou had his poem chosen for this book.  He is a grade 5 student attending Shipyard Elementary School located in the Sydney Area.  Alexander is now in Grade 6.

Riveriah Denny also of Membertou had her story chosen to be published.  She is a grade 2 student attending Shipyard Elementary School.  Riveriah is now a Grade 3 student attending Membertou Elementary School.

This is a great accomplishment for these students as they were recognized for their talents.  Keep up the good work.  Also congratulations go out to all the students who had their stories published in this book.

On May 20, 2005 Nova Scotia Community College in Port Hawkesbury held a luncheon for Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy.  On this day we enjoyed songs by Eastern Star singers of Afton First Nation.  We heard speeches of what a great man Ben Sylliboy is and what he has accomplished throughout his life.  We enjoyed a feast of lobster and salmon which was prepared for us by the culinary students of the college.  It was a great delight to take part in this event as it would follow in the next few weeks that Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy would be receiving an Honorary Diploma.