National Aboriginal Council (NAC) Report to National Executive Board Meeting (NEB) - September 2008

The next National Aboriginal Council meeting is scheduled for September 13 to 15 in Ottawa.

New Brunswick - Our member has been gathering information and statistics with regards to the plight of First Peoples in the area.

Ontario - Our member was involved in a Residential School Survivor Sharing Circle. Another NAC member is the elected Aboriginal VP to the Ontario executive.  

Manitoba members are busy preparing for their first major Aboriginal Council gathering for October 3 and 4 in Winnipeg.

Alberta - The council is working on a data bank. They have written letters to the province for clean potable water on reserves and are drafting a proposal to the provincial government with regards to training municipal workers on Aboriginal Awareness. 

British Columbia - Members involved in resolutions dealing with poverty and HIV-AIDS. One of our BC members vacates her role with us as she was the successful applicant for a staff position. 

Hospital Employees Union - Members involved in resolutions dealing with violence/residential school apology/expedition of treaty process/clean water/survivor benefits/funding for on-reserve children. The council also completed a handbook, traditional recipe book and newsletter. 

Saskatchewan - Members held their 7^th annual Provincial Aboriginal conference and a CUPE local Aboriginal Council member was elected to sit on the Saskatchewan executive. Numerous Locals have Aboriginal councils and were involved across the province regarding Aboriginal Day celebrations and other aboriginal activities. Council also hosted a successful 3^rd annual Golf Tournament and their 5^th Aboriginal Canoe trip to Batoche and assisted in hosting the CUPE organizing table at the Batoche Métis days. 

Communications - One of the council’s Ontario members initiated a CUPE National Aboriginal Council Facebook Group. Our Liaison continues to network with external agencies and organization in initiatives for equality enhancement, Wings of Change WCB Advocacy group and continues to be involved with Safe Workers of Tomorrow speakers bureau speaking at Adult/Youth Aboriginal learning centres. Our advisor has had discussions with Cornell Fontaine, a policy analyst with the Assembly of First Nations.

Residential School Apology - With the recent apology from the federal government, NAC will be discussing actions to follow. Also, a quilt was started by a member of the Curve Lake First Nations to be hung at the National Research Centre. Our members were asked to send in blocks to complete the quilt. Our HEU member to Council completed a block on behalf of their committee in honour of all HEU brothers and sisters that attended Residential school. 

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) 6 - On July 28, Justice G. P. Smith of the Ontario Superior Court presided over the decision hailed as one of the most important victories for Original Peoples in the Ontario justice system. The decision requires the publicly traded Ontario mining exploration company Platinex Incorporated to cease drilling operations in the territory. 

Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women - Walk 4 Justice - Liaison through National donated monies to the cause. Many council members were involved in the activities and raising monies for the walk. 

Private members Bill C-484 - Our member from Manitoba was involved in a Bill that has the potential to criminalize pregnant Aboriginal women who smoke, drink, use substance or don’t take HIV drugs. An unusual Bill as it would indirectly make abortion/choice illegal. 

CUPE’s National Representation Training Program - Our liaison and advisor met with the program administrator to voice the council’s concerns in the program. One of our members from Alberta will be receiving Rep training in September 2008. 

AIDS/HIV - Our council member from Manitoba has been involved in letter writing campaigns to the provincial and federal governments. When our member found out the Kali Shiva AIDS Services Inc was closing in Manitoba it was taken to the attention of Métis MP Rod Bruinoodge who requested more information and the facility was not closed. Other activities include being involved with AIDS Awareness Day on July 19, 2009 Aboriginal Peoples AIDS Conference in Ottawa - NAC recommends sending delegates. 

2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico City - Our member from Manitoba, who attended the conference, has written an extensive report with recommendations which is available from the Equality Branch. 

National Aboriginal Day, June 21 - Events to commemorate the day occurred across the country and our council members were actively participating. In some cases our Equality branch provided materials for booths. 

Aboriginal Education - The BC staff will be receiving Aboriginal Awareness training - NAC recommends an extra day for its sub-council to meet and discuss training. 

Terms of Reference - NAC recommends adding a Youth member to the Council. 

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - November 25, 2008 UNIFEM reports that 1 in 3 women and girls may be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime. The report is available from the Equality Branch. 

Water - The council members have been gathering information. In the Alberta region our members began a letter writing campaign and in HEU they have put forth a resolution dealing with poor water conditions. 

Literacy - The council members have attended the National Literacy Forum and are expected to meet with staff to bring forth recommendations to Council and the NEB. 

9^th Annual Women in Leadership Training Conference - Vancouver, October 8-10, 2008 − NAC recommends NEB funding to send members of council. BC is sending two Aboriginal members and HEU is looking at sending two. 

Sharon McIvor will be making a presentation at the BC Executive regarding recognition of status. 

Submitted by:

Don Moran

Senior Officer, Aboriginal Issues 

cope 491

2008-09-19