Samian a toujours été un rappeur engagé, motivé par ses origines métissées et un style musical qui favorise l’expression engageante et politisée.

Voilà que le rappeur dénonce aujourd’hui la manière dont le Plan Nord du gouvernement libéral a été conçu et l’impact qu’il aura sur les populations amérindiennes du nord du Québec. Ce nouvel extrait met de l’avant le talent de DJ Horg (Félix-Antoine Leroux) à la composition et l’enregistrement, Jonathan Tobin aux guitares et Marie Belleau aux chants de gorge, en plus de celui de Samian à la voix (et qui en signe le texte).

Vous pouvez écouter la pièce «Plan Nord», ci-dessous, et la télécharger gratuitement juste ici : samian.ca/plannord

Quebec, March 15, 2012. With the debate on the Plan Nord in full swing, important organizations of the Quebec civil society and Aboriginals are announcing the forum " The North Matters ! " which will take place May 2 and 3 in Quebec. " Almost a year after the official announcement of the Plan Nord, we wanted to mark the occasion by offering a unique forum that brings together people from the North and the South, Aboriginals and Quebecois, women and men from different backgrounds, all meeting to debate key issues arising from the development of the North and the orientations taken by the Quebec government ", said Christian Simard of Nature Québec, one of the initiators and spokesperson of the forum.  

 

" The forum also aims to make room for the voices that we do not hear enough in the current debate, notably women’s groups, organizations interested in health and education of populations, environmental quality, the concrete challenges that northern communities face, issues concerning labour and other possible models for the long-term sustainable development of communities ", states Michèle Audette, from Quebec Native Women, one of the organizers and spokesperson for the forum.      

 

Bringing together thirty or so speakers for two days, the forum aims (Day 1) to provide a picture of the major issues arising from the development of the North and the orientations proposed by the Quebec government. The second day (Day 2) will be devoted to identifying some possible solutions and other possible visions for the development of the North and its communities.

 

The forum will also include a  free public evening (evening of May 2), during which speakers of the Quebec civil society and Aboriginals will share their point of view and their visions with regards to the Plan Nord and, more broadly, with regards to the future of Quebec and the North.

 

All presentation and conferences will be simultaneously translated in English and in French. Details concerning the program, the expected guests and speakers, and the costs and registration details are available online at www.forumplannord.com.

 

The forum registration is mandatory and space is limited: Register now!

 

The forum " The North Matters ! " is an initiative of Nature Québec and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute (FNQLSDI), in collaboration with the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN), the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), Quebec Native Women (QNW) and the Canadian Research Chair on Aboriginal Territorial Governance (CRC-GAT). The forum is also made possible through the contributions of the Caisse d’économie solidaire Desjardins (CESD), the Fédération des coopératives du Nouveau-Québec (FCNQ), the Réseau de recherche et de connaissances relatives aux peuples autochtones (Réseau DIALOG), the Syndicat des métallos de la Fédération des travailleurs du Québec (FTQ-Métallo), the Syndicat de la fonction publique du Québec (SFPQ), the Centre de recherche sur la gouvernance des ressources (CRGR), Bâtirente and MiningWatch Canada. 

 

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For information:

- Secretariat of the forum: FNQLSDI at 418-843-9999 and forumplannord@iddpnql.ca

- Christian Simard, Nature Québec, spokesperson of the forum, 418-928-1150

- Michèle Audette, Quebec Native Women, spokesperson of the forum,

450-632-0088, 514-239-0088

WENDAKE, QC, Feb. 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - One week after the Crown/First Nations Gathering, the Chief of the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Ghislain Picard, is of the opinion that the federal government has to do more to reestablish the trust of First Nation communities. The plague of addictions in the communities must also be the top priority of Mr. Harper's government. "The First Nation leaders make every effort to ensure a better future for their population, and sometimes under precarious conditions", stated the Chief of the AFNQL. "Unfortunately, too often, the difficult situations faced by our populations are expressed by the consumption of alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, by violence, abuse, not to mention the fact of being further confronted to problems relating to the continuum of services."

It is this alarming situation of addictions amongst the First Nations which brought, in February 2011, more than 400 community stakeholders to work together and develop an action plan to curb this plague. In addition to identifying the multi-factorial problems, the stakeholders and political leaders of the communities proposed solutions that could be implemented on a short, medium and long term. "The Chiefs of the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador have given their support to this action plan and its proposed content. Every effort will be made to curb this scourge. But we can only meet the challenge through a partnership with the federal and provincial governments, which is paramount", stated Chief Ghislain Picard.

The Chief of the AFNQL took advantage of the Crown-First Nations Gathering in Ottawa, last week, to hand a copy of the action plan to the federal health minister, the Honorable Leona Aglukkaq. Mr. Picard intends to follow up on this initial contact and make sure that the interest of the federal government will be maintained, particularly in the establishment of a detoxification center in Quebec. "The lack of a detoxification center in our region deprives the First Nations from an essential frontline service", stated Chief Picard.

Annual Wellness Day

Today, we are proud to launch officially the Annual First Nation Wellness Day. This day reminds us that each one of us can contribute in supporting proud and strong collectivities. Collective wellbeing starts with the individual.

About the AFNQL
The AFNQL is the regional organization regrouping the 43 Chiefs of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador.  For information: www.apnql-afnql.com.

For further information:
AFNQL
Éric Cardinal
Communications Adviser
Cellular: 514 258-2315

FNQLHSSC
Patricia Mathias
Communication Technician
Cellular : 418 570-3989
patricia.mathias@cssspnql.com

APTN National News

OTTAWA–A northern Ontario First Nation won an injunction Wednesday against a junior exploration company that ignored provincial requests it consult with the Algonquin community before drilling on its traditional territory.

An Ontario Superior Court judge sided with Wahgoshig First Nation and issued an injunction against Solid Gold Resources preventing the firm from doing any more work on the First Nation’s territory for 120 days.

Justice Carole Brown ordered the company and the province to begin a consultation process with the community during the injunction period.

Solid Gold president Darryl Stretch said he was disappointed with the decision.

“It’s a bad day for junior exploration companies operating in Canada,” said Stretch.

A community of about 250 people, Wahgoshig First Nations sits near Matheson, Ont., about 68 kilometres east of Timmins.

Brown found that the firm “made a concerted, willful effort not to consult” with the First Nation, despite provincial requests Solid Gold engage in talks with Wahgoshig in 2009 and in 2011.

The provincial government even offered to “facilitate the process” for Solid Gold, Brown wrote in the ruling.

When two hunters from Wahgoshig came across one of the company’s drilling crews in the spring of 2011, the workers refused to reveal the name of their employer.

When Wahgoshig band officials managed to find out which company was behind the drilling, they tried to initiate contact with Solid Gold to no avail.

The community says the territory Solid Gold targeted for drilling contains burial grounds and other sacred sites.

In 1995, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources determined that the Treaty 9 lands were an “area of cultural heritage potential.”

Solid Gold’s lawyer told the court the company believed it had “no legal responsibility or duty to consult” and if there was a duty, it was up to governments to execute.

The company said the Treaty 9 lands it was exploring were “surrendered to the Crown” and Wahgoshig had no “veto right over their activity.”

Solid Gold, however, also admitted that any “impact, damage or destruction” done to the Algonquin’s territory had already occurred.

Brown, however, concluded that allowing Solid Gold to continue its drilling work and ignoring the position of the Algonquins would send the wrong message.

“To refuse to enjoin Solid Gold from its drilling, in the circumstances of this case, will send a message that Aboriginal and treaty rights, including the rights to consultation and accommodation can be ignored by exploration companies, rendering the First Nations constitutionally recognized rights meaningless,” wrote Brown. “That would not be in the public interest. It is in the public interest to ensure that the Constitution is honoured and respected.”

Quebec City, November 30, 2011 – In Quebec City, on November 22, 23 and 24, close to 120 people, coming from First Nations communities and various native organizations took part in a workshop on the theme of “Environmental Assessments and the Territory: How can we participate in the process?” organized by the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute (FNQLSDI).

For several years, Quebec has been facing a multitude of development projects. These projects have major environmental, social and economic impacts. These developments often take place on First Nations territory. All too often, the First Nations are left out of the impact study and environmental assessment process. The development and protection of the territory are central to the First Nations’ and the FNQLSDI’s concerns; therefore, it is important for communities to provide themselves with effective means to soundly manage and protect the territory.

"Having the required tools to maintain the integrity of the territory is essential for our communities, that’s why it is important for us, as guardians of the territory, to develop our own initiatives to ensure significant participation in environmental assessments" mentions Michael Ross, FNQLSDI project manager.

This three-day workshop allowed the participants to:
* Increase their capacities relating to the environmental assessment process;
* Provide the necessary tools, so they can take part in the environmental assessment process;
* Promote environmental and land management in their communities;
* Have exchanges between the communities’ experts.

During these three days, several renowned speakers set the tone for interesting discussions on the following elements:
* The changing nature of the evolution of environmental and social impacts on the James Bay territory (Kelly Leblanc, GCC);
* Strategic environmental assessment in the Gulf: Update (Troy Jerome, MMS);
* Application of a new framework for a significant involvement in environmental assessments: what you can do and what you should ask of others (Lisa Hardess, CIER);
* Towards an environmental assessment system adapted to the Aboriginal peoples of Canada (Véronique Landry and Anne-Laure Bouvier);
* Information quality is important! – Key lessons learned from a long journey in order to determine best practices for the collection of land-use and occupation mapping data (Terry Tobias, Living Proof);
* Ecological land-use planning: a decision-making tool for the First Nations (Yvan Croteau);
* Native leadership in the boreal region: managing one’s relationship with the territory (Valérie Courtois and Annie Metat);
* Environmental assessments and the mining industry (Ugo Lapointe, Coalition pour que le Québec ait meilleure mine);
* Impact assessment on access to the territory: a regional perspective for Eeyou Istchee (Chantal Otter Tétreault, GCC);
* Environmental assessment gaps on the territory of the Plan Nord: the environmental  point of view (Patrick Nadeau, SNAP Québec).

With its concern for environmental protection, the FNQLSDI is proud to have presented a Zero Waste event in an eco-responsible hotel and to have encouraged carpooling, in order to favour the reduction of pollution and greenhouse gases.

About the FNQLSDI

The FNQLSDI supports communities in their activities intended for the protection and quality development of the territory, Aboriginal cultural and language conservation, social and economic development, the encouragement of partnerships and the recognition of First Nations interests and rights. The FNQLSDI also develops tools and organizes training sessions in order to support communities in the achievement of their own sustainable development. For information: www.iddpnqql.ca.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo today welcomed a Federal Court of Canada decision requiring the Government of Canada to develop a protection plan for Boreal caribou habitat, and called on the federal government to work directly with First Nations throughout the plan’s development and implementation.

“This is yet another significant court decision which upholds the Treaty rights of First Nations in Canada and by protecting the caribou herds and caribou habitat, these and other First Nation communities can and will continue to exercise their traditional rights and practices, including hunting, trapping and fishing,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo.  “We call on the federal government to work directly with First Nations in areas where caribou reside to ensure our concerns are addressed and our rights are upheld.  Caribou herds are not limited to Alberta region.  First Nations in Saskatchewan, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories should also be included in the development of a plan to protect them.”
 
The July 28th decision mandates the federal government to develop a caribou and caribou habitat protection plan in Treaty 8 territory in Alberta.  This court action included Enoch Cree Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and a number of environmental groups.  The plan, to be led by Environment Minister Peter Kent, is required under the federal Species at Risk Act.  It must be developed before September 1, 2011.
 
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

Contact information:
 
Don Kelly, Assembly of First Nations A/Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 334 or cell: 613-292-2787 or email dkelly@afn.ca
 
Jenna Young, Assembly of First Nations Communications Officer
613-241-6789, ext 401 or cell: 613-314-8157 or email jyoung@afn.ca
 
Alain Garon, Assembly of First Nations Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382 or cell: 613-2920857 or email agaron@afn.ca

 August 3, 2011- The soul and the heart of a nation has died; William Commanda, spiritual leader of the Algonquin Nation, passed away this morning at 4:30 am at the age of 97.

“A page our history has closed with William Commanda, but Algonquin people will have an everlasting memory of a great man dedicated to defending his people and to the protection of the environment,” said Vice Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, Ms Marlène Jérôme.

Born November 11, 1913, William Commanda, whose real name Ojigkwanong (Morning Star), was the great-grand-son of Pakinawatik, an Algonquin leader who led his people from Lake of Two Mountains near Montreal, to the site of the current Indian reserve of Kitigan Zibi in 1854 (then known as the River Desert Reserve). William Commanda was Chief of the community as his illustrious great-grandfather, from 1951 to 1970. He was also chosen as supreme leader of the only movement for the creation of Aboriginal self-government, the North American Indian Nation Government in 1945. The creation of this government was in response to the government who then refused all rights to indigenous peoples. Several leaders who had supported the creation of this government had subsequently been prosecuted by the federal government and were sentenced to prison for conspiracy.

Former trapper and woodsman, William Commanda was also known for his mastery of the art of building birchbark canoes. But above all, he was recognized as the guardian of the sacred wampum belts in recent years, including the famous wampum of the Seven Prophecies considered as a founding document of the Algonquin Nation. He has lectured exensively on the subject around the world. He was over the past several years the spiritual leader of an international peace movement, the Circle of Nations, and invited every year in early August to his home. Over years hundreds of visitors from around the world have come to hear his teachings. He promoted good relations between nations and the protection of Mother Earth.

Though humble, he also met most of the major political and spiritual leaders of the world. He found himself alongside the Dalaï Lama in 1990 in Ottawa and later in 1998 Nelson Mandela. In 2008, he received the Order of Canada from the Governor General, Michaël Jean. He made many moving speeches to the United Nations, for the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The will be funeral vigil at his home in Kitigan Zibi from tonight and a service will be held Friday afternoon at the same place.

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Source: Georges Lafontaine

              819-449-1225

Nitakinan- July 20, 2011-While accepting the apology by the president of the company Eaux Vives Water Inc., Mr. Jim Delsnyder, and repeated on Monday by the representative of the company Ms. Leanna Verrucci during a meeting in Val-d'Or, representatives of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council has expressed hope that this episode could lead to a true partnership with the Algonquin Nation.

"We appreciated the sensitivity Ms. Verrucci showed when we have shared aspects of ESKA advertising that have insulted our people, and especially so in regard to the importance of water and the role of Anishinabe women in the protection of this essential element to life, "said Mrs Marlène Jérôme, Vice Grand Chief, after the meeting.

The meeting was necessary after the criticism over the broadcast of an advertisement featuring "Eskan warriors", a group invented to promote Eska products which are produced on ancestral territory. The warriors in question showed a caricature of indigenous people, with a perceived resemblance to the Algonquins. The representative of women in the Tribal Council, Ms. Jeannette Brazeau, who attended the meeting along with the Vice Grand Chief and the representative of the community of Pikogan, Mr. David Kistabish, explained in detail how the Algonquin women who carry their children in water inside their womb and who are the protectors of this vital element of life had been insulted by this ad.

"We are pleased that the company has responded quickly to our request to remove such advertising and that the president has apologized. It is a sign of good will and a confirmation that the company did not intend to offend our nation.

Partnership

In his message of apology, President Delsnyder, said he "wants to work in partnership" with the Algonquin communities. Representatives of the Tribal Council insisted that this be included in the apology of the president and suggested holding a meeting and forming a working committee that will explore ways to allow Algonquin to profit from certain opportunities related to the use of this resource in their territory. The source that is not only the pride of the company, but also including the Algonquin for its high quality is a few kilometers from Pikogan. The request of the Tribal Council will be forwarded to the President Delsnyder.

The Tribal Council also stated that the sector where the esker is located is part of the Algonquin traditional territory and it has never been ceded or abandoned. Seven Algonquin communities form the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council; Kitigan Zibi, Kitcisakik, Lac Simon, Long Point, Eagle Village and Wahgoshig.

 

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Source: Georges Lafontaine

              819-449-1225