e-Bulletin, Issue 9 - November 2010

Did you miss an edition of the e-Bulletin? If so, you can read it in the INAC media room

News

Minister Duncan and Parliamentary Secretary Glover Unveil Commemorative Medallion to Celebrate 2010 as Year of the Métis

On November 14^th, in the heart of Winnipeg, Minister Duncan and Parliamentary Secretary Shelly Glover joined Métis leaders at the Forks to pay tribute to 2010: the Year of the Métis. Read the News Release.

Canada Endorses the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

On November 12^th, the Government of Canada formally endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in a manner fully consistent with Canada's Constitution and laws. Read the News Release.

2010 Gold Medal Awarded to the Canadian National Committee for International Polar Year

On November 4^th, on behalf of Minister Duncan, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, congratulated the Canadian National Committee for International Polar Year (IPY) on being awarded the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's gold medal. Read the News Release.

Expansion and Renovation Project for Otapi High School Begins in Manawan First Nation, Quebec

On November 2^nd, on behalf of Minister Duncan, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, announced the start of work on the expansion and renovation of Otapi High School (César Newashish) in Manawan First Nation. Read the News Release.

Opening of the Tsawwassen First Nation Legislature

November 2^nd marked the opening of the fall session of the Tsawwassen First Nation legislature. Read the Statement by Minister Duncan. 

Partnership to Support Economic Development in Aboriginal Communities

On November 1^st, Minister Duncan announced a contribution of $750,000 to the Canadian Executive Service Organization   to build and support economic development capacity in Aboriginal communities. Read the News Release.

Remediation of Four Nunavut Contaminated Sites Completed

On October 28^th, Minister Duncan announced that remediation is complete at four of Nunavut's contaminated sites. The remediation of these sites represents an investment of $38.2 million in Nunavut's environment and its people. Read the News Release.

Canada and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation Celebrate Historic Claim Settlement

On October 29^th, Minister Duncan, together with Chief Bryan LaForme and community members, celebrated the final settlement of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation's Brant Tract and Toronto Purchase specific claims. Read the News Release.

Investing in Major Infrastructure Projects at Manawan, Quebec

On October 18^th, Minister Duncan, announced the start of work on a wastewater treatment facility and road upgrades in Manawan First Nation. Read the News Release.

Investing in School Facilities in the Community of Kitcisakik, Quebec

On October 18^th, Minister Duncan congratulated the Kitcisakik First Nation on the grand opening of their new school. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held the first day of classes for the students. Read the News Release.

Major Claim Concluded with Peguis First NationSupporting Aboriginal Women's Entrepreneurship

On October 13^th, Parliamentary Secretary Shelly Glover announced an investment of $1 million over two years to develop and implement pilot projects to promote Aboriginal women's entrepreneurship. Read the News Release.

Major Claim Concluded with Peguis First Nation

On October 8^th, Minister Duncan announced that Canada has settled an outstanding claim with the Peguis First Nation. The settlement includes $126 million in financial compensation, making it one of the largest of its kind reached to date across the country. Read the News Release.

Appointments

• October 5^th, Minister Duncan announced the re-appointment of Richard Saunders as Member of the Cree-Naskapi Commission. Read the News Release.
• November 3^rd, Minister Duncan announced the appointment of new members to the Canadian Polar Commission's Board of Directors: Chairperson, Bernard Funston, Vice Chairperson, Nellie Cournoyea, and Directors Barrie Ford, Dr. Martin Fortier, Robert Gannicott, Dr. David Hik, Robert Huebert, Maxim Jean-Louis, Dr. John Nightingale and Darielle Talarico. Read the Announcement.

INAC Program Notes

New Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) applications for Treaty 7 First Nations in Alberta

SCIS application intake began in mid-October at INAC's Calgary regional office and the Blood Tribe office located in Treaty 7 First Nation. Implementation will progress in a phased approach within Treaty 7 (Siksika, Stoney, Piikani and Tsuu T'ina) and will also include four Service Canada centres (Calgary south, Lethbridge, Canmore and Red Deer) in early 2011.

Regional Focus: The Yukon

Remediation in First Nation Communities

Working together, INAC and local First Nations are protecting the health and safety of area residents, as well as the environment. For example, in June the Marwell Tar Pit Remediation Agreement was signed between INAC and the Government of Yukon. And recently, 180 cubic metres of hydrocarbon contaminated soil was removed from the north-western Yukon community of Beaver Creek. Caused by a fuel tank spill, the contamination had the potential to reach the community water supply. The White River First Nation, with funding from INAC, hired an engineering consultant and a contractor to dig up the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and transport it to Whitehorse to be cleaned.  

First Nations Managers' Workshop

The annual First Nation Managers' Workshop, held October 19-21 in Whitehorse, brought together First Nations in the INAC Yukon Region for updates and discussions on INAC policies and programs. Presentation topics included the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Professional and Institutional Development’s Governance Capacity Planning Tool, the new transfer payment policy, and audit preparation. Participants included executive directors, general managers, finance managers, directors and other staff.

Whitehorse Hosts NCP Results Workshop

INAC–Yukon Region hosted the 18^th National Northern Contaminants Program Results Workshop from September 28-30, the first time that the workshop was held in the Yukon. Delegates from across Canada had the opportunity to discuss the past year’s program results through presentations and panel discussions. The event included representatives from INAC, the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Environment Canada, Health Canada and experts from Canadian universities. Read more about the Northern Contaminants Program.

---

Distribution Note

• Subscribe to receive the INAC e-Bulletin by e-mail.
  
  
• Unsubscribe, if you do not wish to continue receiving INAC e-Bulletin by e-mail.
  
  
• Subscribe to the INAC e-Bulletin RSS feed .
  Information about RSS feeds.

Please note: subscribing to the RSS feed will not remove you from the email distribution list; to be removed from the email list, unsubscribe.