Table of Contents€¦ · First Nations and Canada), ... Economic Action Plan for Aboriginal Women, Housing, Disaster Mitigation and Children in Care. The next meeting of the AAWG

Current as of November 15, 2015

Table of Contents

Welcome ................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Voter Information for First Nations ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Provincial Governments – Council of the Federation ............................................................................................................. 3

Priority Area Updates .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Justice and Community Safety ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Education ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Healthy Families and Communities .................................................................................................................................... 6

Mental Wellness and Addictions ........................................................................................................................................ 7

Home and Community Care ................................................................................................................................................ 8

Public Health ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Social Welfare ................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Child Welfare Human Rights Complaint ........................................................................................................................... 12

Indian Residential Schools & Day Scholars/Day Schools .................................................................................................. 12

Nation‐Building and AFN Restructuring ............................................................................................................................ 14

Fiscal Relations .................................................................................................................................................................. 14

Comprehensive Claims Policy Reform .............................................................................................................................. 15

Specific Claims ................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Additions to Reserve ......................................................................................................................................................... 15

Supporting First Nation Economies .................................................................................................................................. 16

Environmental Protection ................................................................................................................................................. 17

Fisheries ............................................................................................................................................................................ 17

First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study ..................................................................................................... 18

Chemicals Management Plan ............................................................................................................................................ 18

First Nations Environmental Health Innovative Network ................................................................................................. 18

Infrastructure .................................................................................................................................................................... 19

Housing ............................................................................................................................................................................. 20

Emergency Issues Management ....................................................................................................................................... 22

AFN Issues Update Current as of November 15, 2015 2

Welcome Over the last quarter, my responsibilities as National Chief, and my work with the AFN Executive, has been focused on listening to First Nations priorities and raising the public profile of First Nations issues during the 2015 federal election. I was pleased to attend Education Conferences in Treaty 7 territory (Kakyo'sin “To be Wisely Aware”) as well as conferences in Halifax and Saskatoon. I joined the Tsilhqot’in Gathering at Tattayoko, this year’s Treaty 1-11 Gathering, the Lake Babine AGA and the Treaty 3 Fall Assembly. The events provided many treasured opportunities to engage in ceremony with many of you, for which I am grateful. Following the release of AFN’s elections priorities document in August (Closing the Gap: 2015 Federal Election Priorities for First Nations and Canada), AFN leadership pressed all federal parties to act on First Nations issues and as national priorities. Considerable success was achieved in raising the profile of First Nations issues among the voting public as well as the major federal parties. This work succeeded in drawing attention to critical relationship, rights and fiscal fairness issues. In the spirit of non-partisanship, AFN’s Closing the Gap elections priorities document was shared with all federal party leaders (Conservative Party of Canada, the Liberal Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party, the Green Party and the Bloc Quebecois). I asked each Party Leader for a statement of each party’s commitments in response. The Leaders of the Liberal Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party and the Green Party each responded and included key elements in their party platforms. The Conservative Party did not respond. Each of these parties also accepted the invitation to send a speaker to the AFN’s Election Forum, held in Edmonton on October 7th. At this event, First Nations citizens and leadership had an opportunity to hear presentations from the Hon. Thomas Mulcair (Leader of the NDP), Carolyn Bennett (then critic of Aboriginal Affairs) and Brenda Sayers (Green Party candidate), and to ask questions of the speakers. This event was webcast and was a huge success. (Once again, the Conservative Party of Canada chose not to send a speaker.) I and other members of the Executive were very pleased to provide this opportunity for discussion of key issues of concern to First Nations, and to contribute to what was a very high level of engagement, discussion and voter participation by First Nations in all parts of Turtle Island. With the impressive efforts of many independent “rock-the-vote” initiatives by Indigenous activists and volunteers, it is fair to say that engagement and turn-out by First Nations people in Election 2015 reached unprecedented levels. Election 2015 also resulted in the election of 10 Indigenous Members of Parliament, including the Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould a former Regional Chief for British Columbia and who now serves as Canada’s Minister of Justice. The Indigenous MPs elected on October 19th are:

Yvonne Jones (LPC, Inuit) - Labrador Michael McLeod (LPC, Métis) - Northwest Territories Vance Badawey (LPC, Métis) - Niagara Centre, Ontario Robert-Falcon Ouellette (LPC, Cree) - Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba Don Rusnak (LPC, Anishinaabe) - Thunder Bay-Rainy River, Ontario Hunter Tootoo (LPC, Inuit) - Nunavut Dan Vandal (LPC, Métis) - Saint Boniface-Saint Vital, Manitoba Jody Wilson-Raybould (LPC, Kwakwaka'wakw) - Vancouver Granville, B.C. Georgina Jolibois (NDP, Dene) - Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, Saskatchewan Romeo Saganash (NDP, Cree) - Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik--Eeyou, Quebec

With the election of the new government led by the Rt. Honourable Justin Trudeau, I have continued to build relationships and to follow-up on the Prime Minister’s commitments to First Nations – to respect First Nations rights, to not act unilaterally and without consent and to take a range of actions to improve the lives and well-being of First Nations citizens everywhere.


Many of these commitments are reflected in the ministerial mandate letters released on the Prime Minister’s website. In each letter alongside instructions specific to each Minister, the Prime Minister has stated: “No relationship is more important to me and to Canada than the one with Indigenous Peoples. It is time for a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership.” Since the election, Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, has agreed to meet with members of the AFN Executive at our November meeting along with her Deputy. The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health also has agreed to participate in a portion of the Executive meeting. Much work lies ahead to assist First Nations across all territories in their work to advance the respect of their fundamental rights and their priorities with the new government. The new government has committed to many significant actions that have long been on First Nations agendas. A few examples include:

implementation of all the Calls to Action of the TRC; implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; establishing a national inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls; a review of federal laws and policies to ensure respect of First Nations fundamental rights; a lifting of the 2% cap on funding of essential services to First Nations; increased funding for First Nations education; an end to boil-water advisories on First Nations reserves within 5 years; support for Indigenous languages.

We have our own internal work to do to implement resolutions respecting Nation Building and AFN Renewal, and I will be meeting again with the Chiefs Committee on this topic before reporting to the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA). The upcoming SCA will be held from Dec 8-10 at the Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec and will provide a timely opportunity for First Nations to discuss in what areas they wish to work to support one another in their relations with Canada and other governments. I wish everyone and their families a happy and healthy time together over the Christmas holiday period and I hope to see you at the December SCA and the AFN Winter Celebration, Dinner & Dance.

Voter Information for First Nations The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) was active during the 42nd Federal General Election and Regional Assemblies and via a call centre. The AFN also organized an open Election Forum to raise the profile of the Closing the Gap priorities critical to First Nations and provided analysis of party platform commitments to inform First Nation voters.

Provincial Governments – Council of the Federation The AFN continues to seize opportunities to meet with Federal and Territorial Premiers, as well as through the Council of the Federation. Since his election, National Chief Bellegarde has met with all Premiers and many Provincial/Territorial Ministers to advance First Nation priorities. The provinces and territories worked closely with the AFN and National Aboriginal Organizations (NAOs) to hold the first-ever National Roundtable on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls on February 27, 2015. All Provinces and Territories and the Federal Government committed to a Framework for Action to Prevent and End Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls and to work over the next year on outcomes to bring to a second National Roundtable in 2016. At the July 2015 meeting with Premiers in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, National Chief Bellegarde presented First Nation priorities and provided a submission, Closing the Gap: Seeking Reconciliation, Advancing First Nations Well Being and Human Rights. The submission identified areas of commitment sought from Premiers to restore the Nation-to-Nation


relationship, achieve fiscal fairness, protect the lands, waters and environment, protect First Nation human rights and implement reconciliation. At this meeting, Premiers pledged their support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC’s) Calls to Action and committed to tangible steps towards the 2016 National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Ongoing work to advance priorities between the meetings of Premiers and National Aboriginal Leaders is carried out through the Aboriginal Affairs Ministers Working Group (AAWG). The AAWG is comprised of all Aboriginal Affairs Ministers from the Provinces and Territories and the leaders of the five NAOs including the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the Métis National Council, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and the Native Women’s Association of Canada. The Northwest Territories currently chairs and coordinates meetings of the AAWG. Priority areas of focus are: Education, Economic Participation, Ending Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Girls, Development of a Socio-Economic Action Plan for Aboriginal Women, Housing, Disaster Mitigation and Children in Care. The next meeting of the AAWG is expected to take place in Spring 2016.

Priority Area Updates First Nations across Canada are moving forward based on a clear set of priorities focused on First Nation rights and Treaties. The AFN supports these efforts through work mandated by Chiefs-in-Assembly and guided by Chiefs and Technical Committees and the AFN National Executive.

Justice and Community Safety In July 2014, Resolution 04/2014, Support a First Nation and Federal Government Roundtable on Murdered and

Missing Indigenous Women, directed the AFN to pursue a National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls as part of a framework to develop a national dialogue on addressing and ending violence against Indigenous women and girls as a step towards the broader goal of securing a National Inquiry into this matter. In December 2014 further direction was given to ensure the respectful and appropriate inclusion of voices and perspectives of the families of murdered and missing women and girls in the Roundtable.

The National Roundtable took place on February 27, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario. Premiers and Ministers from all Provinces, Territories and the Federal Government were present to hear directly from First Nation leaders and families of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.

In preparation for the National Roundtable, the NAOs hosted a gathering of family members of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls on February 26, 2015 and supported an open and inclusive Peoples’ Gathering on February 27, 2015.

Delegates to the National Roundtable agreed to ongoing dialogue and coordinated action in prevention and awareness, community safety, and policing measures and justice responses. A Framework document outlines how this work will be coordinated and is available at www.afn.ca.

All parties to the Roundtable agreed to a second roundtable in 2016 to assess progress and to work together to develop a prevention and awareness campaign to change attitudes and end violence. The Province of Manitoba has agreed to host the next Roundtable. Additionally, Manitoba agreed to host an inaugural forum to examine best practices and ways to better coordinate and share information on policing and justice responses in October 2015.

In May 2014, the Royal Canadian Military Police (RCMP) released results from a comprehensive study that acknowledges the considerable over-representation of Indigenous women among those murdered or missing. The incidences and rates of violence against Indigenous men are also over-representative. The RCMP released an update to this report in May 2015. The AFN continues to work on a strategy and recommendations for ensuring safety of all First Nation citizens.

The AFN continues to engage in dialogue with Public Safety Canada and the RCMP to advocate for improvements in policing to First Nation communities, including strengthened support for stand-alone police services.

In July 2015, Chiefs-in-Assembly passed Resolution 07/2015, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, reiterating their support for a National Inquiry, and urging immediate action to prevent and end violence against Indigenous women and girls.


The new Federal Government has committed to a National Inquiry on murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls. The Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs has announced that consultations on the scope, mandate and process for the National Inquiry will begin by the end of November.

The AFN will hold a Strategy and Dialogue Session on December 7 in advance of the 2015 Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) to gather input and direction on the scope and mandate of an Inquiry, and how best to ensure meaningful inclusion of families.

Planning for the second National Roundtable on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls is underway and is expected to take place in March 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Justice Practitioners Summit committed to at the first Roundtable is scheduled for January 7-8, 2016, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This will provide an opportunity for policing, prosecution and victim services to identify opportunities for improvements and better coordination in how they treat cases and work with families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The second National Roundtable will provide additional opportunity to identify national actions that all parties can continue to advance in support of the efforts to end violence. Perspectives and input for a second National Roundtable will also be discussed at the Strategy and Dialogue session in December.

Education AFN Resolution 35/2014, Federal Act for Funding First Nations Education, was passed at the December 2014 SCA in

Winnipeg, Manitoba. It provides support for the Framework for a Federal Act for Funding First Nation Education as a working document and requires the formal withdrawal of Bill C-33 prior to implementation of the resolution.

The Federal Government re-affirmed the 2014 budget announcement of $500 million over seven years for school renovation and construction.

Bill C-33 died on the Order Paper on August 2, 2015 when the writs of election were issued, dissolving the 41st session of Parliament.

At the 2015 Annual General Assembly (AGA), a meeting between the Chiefs Committee on Education/National Indian Education Council and the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative was held to discuss options for partnering to promote and implement First Nations Control of First Nations Education and securing the support necessary to close the funding gap.

AANDC has confirmed the $1.4 billion committed in Budget 2014 remains within the fiscal framework. The Liberal election platform committed an additional $300 million per year in incremental funding, totalling

$750 million per year by the end of their first mandate, representing $2.6 billion over the next four years. The Liberal commitment also includes an additional $500 million over the next three years for building and

refurbishing schools. An additional $50 million for the Post-Secondary Student Support Program was also part of the campaign

commitments. These investments are to be made in support of First Nations Control of First Nations Education and through a

renewed, respectful, and inclusive Nation-to-Nation process that fully respects Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. The Indian Studies Support Program (ISSP) component of the Post-Secondary Education (PSE) program was

transferred from regional administration to AANDC headquarters in 2013. ISSP funds accredited post-secondary programs and is a key funding source for Indigenous Institutions of Higher Learning (IIHLs), capacity-building programs for First Nation councils and organizations, and key First Nation programs at post-secondary institutions. The guidelines were amended to give priority to programs that reflect high demand jobs in the Canadian labour market. However, most of the programs delivered by IIHLs reflect the needs of First Nations, often based in First Nation languages and cultures. Historically, regional AANDC offices have essentially annualized funding for IIHLs, enabling multi-year planning to occur. The administrative change to ISSP, in the absence of consultation with those most affected, threatens the stability of IIHLs. The instability of IIHLs may have further implications in other the areas of First Nations education.

In addition to AANDC’s National Guidelines for the PSE and ISSP programs, there have been changes to all Elementary and Secondary National Guidelines, centralizing decision making within Headquarters.

In 2013, the AFN partnered with the Government of Manitoba to produce It’s Our Time: First Nations Education Tool Kit, an imaginative and multi-dimensional resource for educators and students to support the achievement


and success of First Nation students, to engage learners transitioning to high school, and to increase cultural competency and understanding of First Nations history and culture among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. The Tool Kit is currently being finalized for inclusion in the Manitoba Curriculum as a designated province-wide resource. It is designed to complement the AFN Call to Action on First Nations Education and to serve as the basis for a reconciliation and public education strategy for First Nations and non-First Nation students, teachers, schools, institutions and communities.

The AFN has concluded work on a joint project, Canadian Defenders for Human Rights, with the Canadian Teachers Federation, the Robert F. Kennedy Centre for Justice, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and ITK. The project produced teacher resources that profile Canadian and Indigenous defenders of human rights, taking into consideration, local, national and global contexts. The work has culminated in an adapted version of Speak Truth to Power (Speak Truth to Power Canada), an internationally-acclaimed education resource identifying global defenders for human rights.

Speak Truth to Power Canada was released on July 17, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Canadian Teacher’s Federation Annual General Meeting. Regional Chief Ghislain Picard participated in the launch and introduced “Defender” Karihwakeron Tim Thompson, who spoke on First Nation Education.

Healthy Families and Communities The health team at the AFN, with input from the National First Nations Health Technicians Network

(NFNHTN) and the Chiefs Committee on Health (CCOH), is developing a document outlining the AFN’s high-level expectations of the new government related to First Nations health and wellness. The intention is to lay the foundation for a new Nation-to-Nation relationship built on respect and shared priorities. The AFN remains optimistic that the new government will take concrete steps towards addressing health utilizing a holistic lens and taking seriously the move towards First Nations control of First Nations health at the level and pace determined by First Nations themselves.

The AFN and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) worked together to develop a historic AFN-FNIHB Engagement Protocol that outlines the relationship between the AFN and FNIHB. The protocol was approved by the CCOH with input from the NFNHTN. The protocol is respectful of AFN processes as well as the associated regional processes. The protocol has been sent to all FNIHB employees as the model to follow. It has also been shared with all AFN health committees.

Following on the success of the AFN-FNIHB Engagement Protocol, the AFN developed a working level guide meant to assist external organizations to appropriately and respectfully work with the AFN health team called, Working with Health at the AFN: Principles and Processes, available at www.afn.ca.

Resolution 56/2012, Moratorium and Joint review of Non-Insured Health Benefits, calls for a moratorium on cuts to the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program until such time as the AFN and FNIHB can conduct a joint review of the program to articulate shortcomings and identify potential efficiencies. The Minister of Health agreed to a joint review in February 2014.

The AFN-FNIHB NIHB Joint Review is being directed by a Steering Committee comprised of equal representation of First Nations and FNIHB staff. First Nation representatives were identified through the same process that guides AFN health work. The Steering Committee has met on six occasions and has agreed to draft a Critical Path to guide the work and timeline using the lenses of Process, Access and Cost.

The first benefit area examined in the NIHB Joint Review is Short Term Crisis Intervention Mental Health Counselling (STCIMHC). The review of STCIMHC has been completed and the Steering Committee is currently reviewing the reports. A summary report with recommendations is being produced for the December 2015 SCA.

The review of the Medical Transportation benefit has begun with completion expected in the fall of 2016. The methodology previously used in the community mapping/operational review component of the STCIMHC benefit review has been modified to include a greater number of communities so as to provide a broader range of feedback. Regions are now provided the opportunity to select five sites within each region for the community mapping/operational benefit. These sites can be a mix of urban, rural and remote areas, as well as can be a combined cluster of communities to enable greater community representation. The AFN will be working with First Nation regional organizations to identify sites.

The national NIHB Navigator Network (NNN) was formed in the Fall of 2014 and has met three times over the past year. During their meetings, regional First Nation navigators are provided an opportunity to share some of


the challenges encountered in their work, as well as some of the creative solutions that they have used to resolve those challenges. They also have meetings with FNIHB NIHB staff, to facilitate resolving operational issues encountered by the navigators.

Following the March 2014 “Relationships and Partnerships” workshop held at the National First Nations NIHB Strategy Forum that brought together the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), Canadian Dental Association (CDA), Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) and other health practitioners, the AFN is working with individual partners in the development of work plans. More recently, discussions to facilitate the signing on of several national health agencies to the document, Working with Health at the AFN – Principles and Processes, was deliberated as an alternative to advancing a “Shared Principles” collaborative piece. The notion of signing onto the AFN document is to facilitate working with numerous health agencies and to ease lengthy approvals processes among these respective groups. Ultimately, the aim is to facilitate input by health provider groups to feed into the NIHB joint review process as required.

The AFN continues to participate in the CDA Annual Days on the Hill. The event in May 2015 provided AFN leadership an opportunity to address key issues with then Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau. The discussion highlighted the inadequacies of the NIHB program and identified solutions moving forward to improve the oral health program outcomes for both clients and dental providers and is on the radar of the new Prime Minister.

The AFN continues to participate in the Federal Dental Care Advisory Committee advocating for First Nations oral health and on-going efforts to bring awareness to First Nation communities regarding the current human resource crisis and the serious lack of Dental Therapists for First Nations communities and NIHB Joint Review.

The AFN is currently considering collaboration with the CMA and other stakeholders for the development of an engagement strategy in efforts to action Resolution 02/2015, Support for Implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action #18-24 by CMA. In August 2015, following the approval of this resolution at the AFN AGA, Senator Ted Quewezance of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) attended the CMA General Council in Halifax, Nova Scotia and met with CMA officials to discuss the process of implementing these health-related Calls to Action. Senator Quewezance was instrumental in coordinating sponsors in support of Resolution 02/2015 and will be reporting to the AFN Executive in November 2015 on outcomes of the CMA meeting and next steps in this process.

The AFN has successfully engaged a First Nations pharmacist to participate as an observer on the NIHB Drugs and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (DTAC) as recommended by the NFNHTN. Discussion and directions from the NFNHTN on the reporting role and accountability processes of the newly-positioned pharmacist took place at the NFNHTN meeting on September 28, 2015. Recommendations were outlined and discussions are on-going for the full and effective representation of First Nations in the DTAC process.

DTAC met on October 1-2, and discussions on psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, hepatitis C and atypical antipsychotics were highlighted with relatively few impacts to the NIHB drug benefit list (DBL) overall. A discussion on the importance of sensitizing doctors to antimicrobial usage and its possible resistance continues to be on-going and vital. The discussion on high usage of all antipsychotics was recognised as an issue based on the first review of the data presented on comparisons between First Nation vs. Inuit clients. DTAC also requested a comparison of NIHB client utilization with that of the rest of Canada. The high usage of long-acting antipsychotics will also be discussed with the Northern Region. Updates on the use of long-acting opioids found one-third fewer long-acting opioids being reimbursed since 2011. DTAC requested data be compared to the overall Canadian population to determine if the trend to decreasing utilization is faster in NIHB clients. The NIHB program discussed Pharmacy Benefit program pressures and budget forecasting for high cost medications and evolving high cost product classes such as oral cancer therapy and biologics. The Program also discussed membership in national committees such as the pan-Canadian Pricing Alliance and pan-Canadian Oncology Review.

Mental Wellness and Addictions The AFN officially launched the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework (FNMWC) on January

28, 2015. The FNMWC framework is comprehensive of mental wellness services across a continuum and outlines opportunities to build on community strengths and control of resources in order to strengthen existing mental wellness programming for First Nation communities. The establishment of the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Implementation Team has been a key component to implementation of the framework from a social determinant of health approach. The team which is co-chaired by FNIHB, the AFN and an


Indigenous mental health leader, is comprised of First Nation regional representatives, and Indigenous organizations with a focus on mental health and addictions, and along with other key federal departments. The team will support the ongoing implementation of the framework, and ensure transition in the system to support the provision of culturally-based, culturally-relevant and effective mental wellness services to First Nations in the coming years. The implementation team will meet face-to-face once per year, with monthly or bi-monthly teleconferences throughout the remainder of the year. The AFN Mental Wellness Committee (MWC) has been identified by the National First Nations Health Technicians Network (NNHTN) to sit on the Implementation Team.

On June 19, 2015 the FNMWC Review board (selection committee) met to review the proposals submitted to the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation (formally known as the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, NNAPF). Each proposal was screened first based on the inclusion of the following criteria: (1) Culture as Foundation: The proposal must incorporate Culture as Foundation in the method of carrying out the project. (2) The proposal must target an existing activity and describe how it focuses on one or more of the three target areas (culture as foundation, increasing access, flexible funding). (3) Impact: The proposal must clearly identify what will be achieved by the project. (4) Budget: The budget can be up to but not exceed $70,000. (5) Is the proposal funding service delivery? The Review Board discussed each proposal and came to consensus at every stage of the review, during the initial criteria and the scoring throughout. The 5 organizations that were recommended for funding are Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Elsipogtog Health and Wellness Centre, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Six Nations Health Services, and Shibogama Health Authority.

In April 2011, an internal FNIHB Prescription Drug Abuse Coordinating Committee (PDACC) was established to provide strategic advice on issues related to prescription drug abuse (PDA) for First Nations and Inuit with a focus on coordination, surveillance/research, policy, prevention and treatment. Membership expanded in 2012 and PDACC included the AFN, NNAPF, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) of Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) of Health Canada, and, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA). The PDACC Secretariat and Co-Chairs met on June 8, 2015 to review and revise the PDACC Terms of Reference (TOR) and discuss the Committee's priorities and timelines for 2015-2016. Revisions were also made to align the TOR with the AFN-FNIHB Engagement Protocol, and to ensure PDACC presents at least once annually to the Senior Management Committee on Policy and Planning (SMC P&P). Additionally, PDACC will be working on the PDA 5 year plan; and completing a mapping exercise in 2015-2016 of PDA activities underway that impact First Nation communities by PDACC members and external bodies.

In 2016, there will be a United Nations (UN) General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on Drugs. The AFN was invited to participate in UNGASS 2016, as there has been interest in involving Indigenous peoples and to connect the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. This participation will take place through the UNGASS working group (UWG). UWG will be constituted by Canadian non-governmental organizations and is intended for the voice of Canadian civil societies to be included in the process and decisions. The AFN will submit recommendations through the civil society task force and submit a statement of support for drug policy reform due to its impact on First Nations to the civil society task force.

The AFN hired a consultant to develop a short discussion paper and methodology report and to establish a framework for a larger review of the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program (IRS RHSP), which will examine the program to date, relevant background information, key informants and relevant RHSP data with the aim to explore the impact on NIHB and other relevant programs once the IRS program ceases to exist. A national review using the methodology is being developed.

Home and Community Care The First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program (HCC) was founded in 1999 to assist First

Nation communities in meeting the increasing home care demands of community members living with illnesses and to enable people with disabilities, chronic or acute illnesses and the elderly to receive the care they need in their home communities.

The HCC Program is still using a funding formula based on population data from 1997. Over the years, the strain on community budgets is accumulating and escalating due to rising health care costs and an increasing population, coupled with First Nations living longer with advancements in chronic disease management as well as more cases of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Additionally, there is an increase in demand at the community level for palliative/end of life care; however, more First Nation community members are requesting this care be


received at home so that they can remain in their community surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. It is becoming less acceptable to leave the community for palliative care and sometimes home care nurses are expected to make these requests happen regardless of the realities of their program budgets. This is becoming more of a challenge for nurses; as a result, they require the AFN’s support not only in prioritizing palliative care but also advocating for palliative care to be classified as an essential service element of the program along with accompanying sustainable funding.

Consistent with the findings and Calls to Action of the TRC, it is unacceptable to further victimize Indian Residential School (IRS) survivors, their families, and, their communities by forcing a survivor to pass-away in a city far from the community if it is their wish to remain at home.

Two guiding resolutions address these issues of chronic underfunding and palliative care: o Resolution 07/2013: Increase in Funding for Palliative Care in First Nations Communities o Resolution 10/2015: Call for a Program Review of the Home and Community Care Program to Address

Impacts of Insufficient Funding Increases The NFNHTN requested that the issue of chronic underfunding in the Home Care Program be elevated and a

presentation be made to the CCOH to discuss the creation of a more politically-oriented body, such as the creation of an AFN Task Force on First Nations and Aging. This is in addition to discussions on next steps in a First Nations-led HCC Program Review to identify the impacts of insufficient funding at the community level and the investments required to make up for years of underfunding.

The AFN recently completed work with Lakehead University and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association on the “The Way Forward Initiative” to translate and promote the Advanced Care Planning Tool at the national level and make it available for communities to use and adapt to their needs.

AFN staff and the HCC Partners continue to monitor the possible Integration of the In-Home component of the Assisted Living program at AANDC and the Home and Care Program at Health Canada. The AFN is not fully opposed to integration but it must not be imposed on all First Nation communities. The Government of Canada needs to recognize the Ontario Welfare ‘65 Agreement, and any consultations should involve First Nations. Both benefits and risks must be transparent throughout this process.

Public Health The AFN held a meeting with the National Public Health Expert Advisory Committee (NPHEAC) in June 2015.

The group discussed remodeling the AFN’s Public Health Framework, and the development of an AFN-extended model for chronic disease. FNIHB counterparts attended and delivered presentations on Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI), Tuberculosis and the FNIHB indicator framework. The next meeting will be a teleconference scheduled to take place in early December 2015.

The AFN participates in the Health Data Technical Working Group with FNIHB with the next face-to-face meeting being held December 9-10, 2015. This group focuses on health data related projects including: indicators framework in response to FNIHB strategic plan, program and service delivery standards, preliminary discussions on a public health surveillance strategy and information sharing agreements.

The AFN is collaborating with FNIHB and other national partners to create a national framework to address STBBI for First Nations on-reserve. The project is in the report drafting phase and partners will review the document and propose changes to identify gaps and opportunities in STBBI programing. The framework is expected to be released December 2016. The National Chief appears on a Public Service Announcement, available at www.aboriginalaidsawareness.com.

The AFN continues its partnership with the Canadian Aboriginal Aids Network and is participating in the planning committee for the 2015 Aboriginal Aids Awareness Week which will occur the first week of December.

The AFN is in discussions with FNIHB and the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC) regarding the transfer of the First Nations Environmental Contaminants Program from FNIHB to FNIGC. Discussions are ongoing and no final decisions have been made.

The AFN is working with FNIHB to assist in facilitating communication to regions about new funding through the Health Service Integration Fund and how to access it for this fiscal year.

The AFN has confirmed their collaborator role with the Canadian Public Health Association on their 2016 annual conference to be held in Toronto, Ontario. The conference draws close to 1,000 participants and in 2015


the First Nations Health Authority was the co-collaborator when the conference took place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The AFN is in the process of renewing its Collaborative Partnership Agreement with the Canadian Red Cross. The agreement will address three areas of work including emergencies and disasters, community health, and safety and prevention.

The AFN is actively participating in the FNIHB mandatory Treasury Board departmental evaluations. Evaluations currently underway include mental wellness, NIHB and Health Services Integration Fund, Environmental Public Health, Health Planning and Quality Management, and e-health and Health Facilities.

In May 2014, the Communicable Disease Control Division of FNIHB and the NFNHTN identified the creation of an Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training program to support Environmental Services' effective cleaning of health facilities in First Nation communities as a key priority. The evolution of the project was suspended, due to Ebola preparedness efforts in Fall 2014/Winter/Spring 2015. Activities on the IPC Manual have resumed with revised timelines. An independent entity has been selected to produce a facilitated e-learning program from the content created last year. The production process has begun with the anticipated completion date of December 31, 2015, which will be followed by distribution of the final product on USB keys to First Nations community health facilities in 2016.

On-going activities continue toward the development of an expanded model for First Nations injury prevention and disabilities which include building partnerships and other proactive measures in moving this file forward.

The AFN met with the NPHEAC over the summer to seek direction, input and the formation of a small sub-committee to advance injury prevention and disabilities work. The sub-committee is planning to meet by teleconference on November 30 to advance preliminary discussions and next steps.

On October 27, the AFN participated in the Canadian Institutes of Health and Research (CIHR) Injury Prevention Policy Dialogue to connect researchers, stakeholders and policy makers who put research findings into practice for a discussion of key priorities and knowledge gaps and to explore on-going collaboration.

The AFN continues to meet with the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) to discuss collaborative efforts in engaging governments on Canada’s upcoming periodic review on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The AFN continues to engage in efforts to advance Resolution 48/2014, Support for Persons with Disabilities, calling for action on First Nations with disabilities and pushing for Canada to ratify the First Optional Protocol to the CRPD. Following the federal election, a draft letter is in process which calls on the Federal Government to support First Nation persons with disabilities full and effective participation in the CRPD process and in endeavours to inform Canada’s report on CRPD.

The Chronic Disease and Management Prevention (CDMP) Framework is a multi-year project expected to support regions and communities to implement evidence-based and effective strategies to promote health and prevent and manage chronic diseases. The Framework has now been reviewed by members of the CDMP Expert Review Working Group and feedback has been provided to Health Canada’s FNIHB by AFN staff. The FNIHB is currently making final revisions to ensure that comments provided are properly captured and reflected in the Framework with the aim of having a final draft ready to present to Senior Management in 2016.

The AFN is also in the preliminary stages of creating an expanded model for chronic diseases (EMCD), and is currently updating the First Nations Diabetes Report card originally published in 2006.

The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) has now passed the midpoint of its second mandate and will be applying for federal funding for the renewal of a third five-year mandate (2017-2022). This third mandate will involve further implementation of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Action Plan. First Nations cancer patient identification, collaborative models of traditional health supports and cancer screening/early detection are some priority areas of focus for a new mandate.

The AFN recently participated in the national CPAC All Partners Forum held in St. John’s, Newfoundland. The forum provided an opportunity for various stakeholders involved in First Nations cancer control to come together, network and share knowledge and expertise. The AFN also had the opportunity to provide a presentation and update on the NIHB joint review process and to obtain participant input on experiences navigating and utilizing the NIHB program.

Following recommendations from their NAO Caucus, the CPAC has agreed to move forward with First Nations cancer screening. The CPAC will focus on preliminary background work (environmental scan) on cancer


screening best practices for First Nations until the end of this mandate. This environmental scan will contribute to the creation of the business case for mandate renewal in 2017.

A national strategic planning meeting is planned for January 2016 in Ottawa, Ontario to discuss10 year priorities for the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI).

The AFN continues to support and collaborate with partners including Saint Elizabeth Health Care and the TransFORmation of IndiGEnous PrimAry HEAlthcare Delivery (FORGE AHEAD) team whenever possible.

Discussions are underway with the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Ontario; Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, Ontario; and, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario to develop a proposal to deliver a Community-Based Emergency Care (CBEC) system in five remote First Nation communities over a five year period. CBEC is a novel, community-driven approach to delivering essential emergency first response medical services in remote First Nation communities where no such services currently exist. The proposal to develop this system is based on equal partnerships with First Nations, both regionally and nationally. Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) will be called on to provide joint support and funding for this initiative. The proposal already has engaged letters of support from Sachigo Lake First Nation, Nishnabi Aski Nation, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, and Windigo First Nation Council. AFN is considering providing a letter of support in addition to a support resolution.

Social Welfare AANDC in conjunction with Employment and Skills Development Canada (ESDC) continues to provide the

Enhanced Service Delivery and First Nations Jobs Fund programs. These programs have been developed out of the joint initiative by the Federal Government and First Nations to reform the social welfare/income assistance program that is delivered to First Nation recipients on-reserve. The objective of the initiative was to move the program from a passive approach to a proactive approach that works towards moving income assistance clients off the roll and into employment, where and when possible.

The Enhanced Service Delivery and First Nation Jobs Fund are designed to focus on youth between the ages of 18-24 engaged in the Income Assistance system, to provide an assessment, case management, basic skills as well as specific skills and training which will allow those youth who are able to move out of the Income Assistance system into employment.

Twenty-seven First Nation Income Assistance Service Providers were approved for funding to deliver services in 2015-2016.

The Supreme Court of Canada has recently denied an appeal from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs with respect to a decision allowing the Federal Government to cut social assistance rates for First Nations people in the Atlantic region.

Guided by Resolution 27/2014, Sectoral Self-Government in Social Development, the AFN continues to advocate for proper and formal bilateral and tripartite consultation to commence on the amended changes to income assistance policy in the Atlantic region and the subsequent implementation of the amended policy.

AANDC’s stated policy direction has been to include engagement with the provinces to ensure that AANDC is not paying for services that should rightly be covered by the Provinces. AANDC has provided assurances that this should not result in any changes at the service level. They have committed to bilateral and tripartite consultations on these changes which the AFN has yet to see materialize.

AANDC continues to study the potential for integration with Health Canada’s Home and Community Care Program. Program contacts have assured AFN staff that moves towards integration will include engagement with relevant stakeholders (First Nations) on a region-by-region basis.

The AFN Social Development team submitted 10 proposals through AANDC’s Aboriginal Representative Organizations Project-Based Funding initiative. The proposals were focused on Social Program Reform and pertained to Income Assistance, Assisted Living, Family Violence Prevention and Child Welfare.

To date, only one of these proposals has been accepted. This proposal deals with profiling and promoting those income assistance providers that have been successful delivering the Enhanced Service Delivery model and/or have developed the needed infrastructure and programing to better assist income assistance clients in their efforts to join the labour force.

It has been reported in Ontario and Saskatchewan that there have been cuts to National Childhood Benefit Reinvestment (NCBR) funding. AANDC has confirmed that funds have been redirected in these regions to


“support children in low-income families living in on-reserve communities.” The AFN will continue to monitor the situation and is supporting efforts to resolve this issue and to ensure the protection of NCBR funding levels across the country.

Resolution 24/2015, Support for the Equitable Application of Shelter Allowance Program, calls for the AFN to demand that AANDC address the inequities in the application of the shelter allowance program across the country, specifically in the Manitoba region.

Child Welfare Human Rights Complaint Hearings have concluded at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal into the child welfare human rights complaint

filed by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and the AFN. The case focuses on the Federal Government’s failure to provide equitable and culturally-based services on-reserve.

The Tribunal heard final arguments during the third week of October 2014. A decision on the complaint is expected before the end of the year.

The AFN has been invited by the panel overseeing the Tribunal to a conference call to discuss the administrative and procedural matters surrounding the timing and manner of the release of the panel’s decision. The panel will coordinate the conference call once the written decision is completed in full.

Two recent resolutions from the July 2015 AGA mandate additional work in this area. Resolution 28/2015, Recommendation to Reinstate the National Policy Review Committee, calls for the reinstatement of the National Policy Review Committee to review the Enhanced Funding Prevention Approach currently allocated by AANDC.

Resolution 29/2015, Recommendation to Create a National First Nations Children's Commissioner, calls for the AFN to support the creation of a National First Nations Children’s Commissioner for Child Welfare to specifically address the national concerns of overrepresentation of First Nations children in care and to support children and families receiving services from the 133 First Nations Child and Family Services Agencies across Canada. This further directs that the National First Nations Children’s Commissioner for Child Welfare include the appointment of regional representatives to gather regional information and formulate collective strategies to reduce the number of children in care.

The recently released TRC’s Calls to Action underscored the need for action in Child Welfare. Calls to Action noted the need for all levels of government to commit to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care, fully implement Jordan’s Principle, and develop culturally appropriate parenting programs for Aboriginal families.

They also called for the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Provinces and Territories, to prepare and publish annual reports that provide the number of Aboriginal children (First Nation/Inuit/Métis) in care as well as the numbers for non-Aboriginal children. These reports would also detail reasons for apprehensions, the total spending on preventive and care services by child welfare agencies, and the effectiveness of various interventions.

Finally, the TRC called for the Federal Government to enact Aboriginal child welfare legislation that establishes national standards for Aboriginal Child apprehension and custody cases.

Indian Residential Schools & Day Scholars/Day Schools Personal Education Credits (PEC) were available to all Common Experience Payment (CEP) for education

purposes. The deadline for receiving a PEC has passed. o June 8, 2015 – Deadline to submit Redemption Forms o August 7, 2015 – All invoices for PECs are to be paid by Canada o August 31, 2015 – Deadline to spend the PECs for Education Entity/Group Education Services

Under the terms of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA), following the payment of PECs to all eligible CEP recipients, including administration costs, all excess funds remaining in the Designated Amount Fund on June 1, 2015 will be transferred to the National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund (NIBTF) and Inuvialuit Education Fund (IEF) to be used for educational programs under terms and conditions agreed to between Canada, NIBTF and IEF.


The Court Order of Madam Justice Brown revised the timeframes in which the transfers will take place: o June 1, 2015 (25 percent); o August 31, 2015 (25 percent); and o November 30, 2015 (remainder, if any). o Canada may issue one or more payments to the NIBTF and the IEF of any final remainder in the

Designated Amount Fund at such a time and in such amounts as determined by Canada. The Independent Assessment Process (IAP) deadline was September 19, 2012. As directed through Resolution,

the AFN formally requested that this deadline be extended to ensure that Survivors are dealt with fairly. There was not All-Party agreement to extend this deadline, as is required under the IRSSA. Resolution 39/2015, Incorrect Barring of Survivors from Admission to the Independent Assessment Process Deadline, directs further action. Next steps are currently being assessed.

A decision was provided in August 2014 relating to the final disposition of the IAP Records. The Judge ordered that all the records are to be destroyed after a 15-year period unless a survivor provides direction and consent to transfer the records to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. A notice plan is to be developed to inform IAP claimants of this option so that they can make an informed decision. This decision is consistent with direction to the AFN in Resolution 17/2014, Support for Reconciliation and the Continuation of Healing Programs for the Indian Residential School Survivors and their Families, to “support survivors to freely choose what is done with their information, stories and evidence as the intellectual property of each individual survivor”, and Resolution 35/2015 Preservation of Independent Assessment Process Records. This decision is under appeal and was heard by the Ontario Court of Appeal on October 27-28, 2015.

The AFN continues to support those seeking justice and compensation for Day Scholar/Day School Students. On August 15, 2012, Tk’emlups te Secwépemc (Kamloops First Nation) and Sechelt First Nation filed a class action on behalf of Day Scholars who attended IRS during the day but returned home at night.

Gottfriedson et. al v. HMTQ (the Day Scholar Class Action) was certified by the Federal Court of Canada on June 3, 2015. The Court certified three classes to the Class Action: o The Survivor Class as being made up of all Aboriginal persons who attended as a student or for educational

purposes for any period at an IRS between 1920 and 1997, excluding any periods of time for which that person received compensation by way of the CEP under the IRSSA;

o The Descendant Class as being made up of the first generation of persons descended from Survivor Class members or persons who were legally or traditionally adopted by a Survivor Class member or their spouse; and,

o The Band Class as the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Indian Band and the Sechelt Indian Band and any other Indian Band(s) which has or had some members who are or were members of the Survivor Class, or in whose community an IRS is located and, is specifically added to the claim with one or more specifically-identified IRS.

The lawsuit is focused on the loss of language and loss of culture and consequential harms to individuals and the Band communities as a result of the Government of Canada’s IRS policy. A notice plan has been approved and is currently being implemented. The AFN is sharing information on its website and through its e-mail listservs. Inquiries should be directed to Jo-Anne Gottfriedson, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Day Scholar Coordinator at 250-828-9788 or [email protected].

The TRC Request for Direction to the courts to have Canada provide all IRS records to the TRC was successful.

The TRC received a one-year extension (from its original deadline of July 2014) to complete its mandate with a focus on document collection and writing of the final report. An additional extension was granted to the TRC to December 31, 2015. This extension has been provided to allow for the completion of translation, production and distribution of the final report and supporting volumes. The Final Report will be released on December 15, 2015.

The AFN supported the TRC in planning for its closing event in Ottawa May 31 - June 3, 2015. The AFN also worked with Reconciliation Canada on creating awareness and events to foster reconciliation and healing among First Nations and all Canadians. In addition, the AFN arranged travel and accommodations for 101 IRS survivors from across Canada to participate in the closing event.


The TRC released the Executive Summary of its final report on June 2, 2015. The Executive Summary included 94 Calls to Action covering a broad spectrum of issues. The Executive Summary was accompanied by the TRC’s Findings in two documents entitled, What We Have Learned: Principles of Truth and Reconciliation, and, The Survivors Speak: A Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. An additional 6 volumes will comprise the Final Report.

The AFN is working with partners to develop a comprehensive plan that outlines requirements for implementing the TRC Calls to Action.

The AFN, in partnership with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF), received commemoration funding through the TRC from AANDC to establish markers at each IRSSA-recognized IRS in Canada. In March 2014, five Indigenous artists came together to design a marker to honour IRS survivors. These markers have been cast in bronze and will be sent to 139 communities – one for each IRS site across Canada. The AHF closed on September 30, 2014.

Health Canada continues to provide health supports to former IRS students and families in the IRSSA. Additional funding for 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 has been secured for the Resolution Health Support Worker Program.

The lack of financial support from the Federal Government to the AHF has great impact on community-based healing initiatives, especially in the remote and isolated First Nation communities. Resolution 18/2012, Support for Reconciliation and the Continuation of Healing Programs under the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, calls for continued funding and direct political action in support of the Healing Centre Task Force and its efforts to achieve sustainable funding for these essential healing services.

The AFN supports the efforts of the national Healing Centre Task Force to secure ongoing resources in order for them to continue to provide quality treatment support services to former IRS students and their families. Resolution 17/2014 further directs the AFN to support the development and implementation of a strategy to secure sustainable funding for essential healing services.

Investigations of Blott & Co. places additional trauma on claimants impacted as well as additional pressure on the healing centres to provide much needed health supports in a residential setting. The lack of adequate counselling and treatment supports place the former IRS students and their families at risk.

There are two additional investigations that will impact several thousand more IAP claimants that will require the support services of the healing centres.

Nation-Building and AFN Restructuring The AFN continues to pursue a broad vision endorsed by Chiefs-in-Assembly that includes advocacy, research

and tools to support First Nation governments to implement their jurisdiction in a manner and pace that they choose.

National Chief Bellegarde has made examination of the AFN’s structures and processes a priority and has convened a Chiefs Committee on Nation Building and AFN Restructuring (CCNBAR), to examine short term and structural steps to strengthen the organization and its decision-making, leading to the longer-term goal of participating as Nations.

Suggested changes to the AFN Charter and Resolutions Process will be brought to the December 2015 SCA for discussion before regional and local dialogues take place over the next year.

Fiscal Relations The AFN is committed to the pursuit of new fiscal arrangements consistent with the Nation-to-Nation

relationship that have clear and mutual accountability requirements and support First Nations self-determination. This includes fair resource sharing and the elimination of the 2% cap on First Nations’ budgets.

Previous work was conducted under a Financial Arrangements working group with representatives from AANDC, Treasury Board and the Department of Finance. This contributed to revisions to the General Assessment Workbook, the tool used by AANDC to assess risk levels for First Nations receiving funding and to inform First Nations about potential challenges in respect to the management of their funding agreements with AANDC.

The AFN continues to facilitate the sharing of information and experiences to assist First Nations to chart their paths forward by learning from practical experience of First Nations demonstrating and strengthening self-governing capacity.


Comprehensive Claims Policy Reform While significant discussion took place as part of a Senior Oversight Committee process in 2013, no joint work

took place with Canada in this regard since December 2013. In July 2014, the previous Federal Government issued a news release on “Treaty Negotiations and

Reconciliation” in which it indicated that Canada would be developing a new Framework for Addressing section 35 rights, including the appointment of Doug Eyford (who had completed the West Coast Energy Infrastructure report) to carry out an engagement process to “renew and reform the Comprehensive Land Claims Policy”.

In September 2014, AANDC issued an updated interim policy that Eyford used as a basis for engagement with First Nations and others about policy renewal (available at: https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1408631807053/1408631881247).

National Chief Bellegarde met with Mr. Eyford in January 2015 to discuss Canada’s policy and approach, and a written submission was developed by AFN jointly with a coalition of social justice organizations and submitted to Eyford (available at: http://quakerservice.ca/LandClaimsPolicy).

Eyford’s report was released in April 2015. A discussion of this report and AFN’s response was brought to the AGA this past July, along with a 12-point analysis of the Eyford report for discussion and input (http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/specific_claims/15-07-09_response_to_eyford_-_final_paper_(eng).pdf).

Consistent with Resolution 30/2015, Rejecting Canada's Process for Comprehensive Claims Policy Reform, National Chief Bellegarde has called upon the Federal Government to dispense with processes that aim to generate an “optics of engagement” and instead commence a dialogue with all First Nations to develop a new policy framework for implementing and addressing Treaty rights, First Nations’ inherent rights, title and jurisdiction, the Tsilhqot’in Nation decision, as well as international legal norms including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Engagement with the new Federal Government in this regard is expected to take place in the coming months.

Specific Claims The previous Federal Government was obliged to conduct a five-year review of the specific claims process

(Justice at Last) over the last year. At the same time, the AFN carried out a parallel Expert Panel process. A Final Report from the Expert Panel was publicly released and submitted to Canada on May 14, 2015. The

report is available at http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/policy-areas/land-rights-and-claims/key-issues-activities/independent-expert-panel-report-specific-claims-review-expert-based-pe.

The recommendations presented in the Expert Panel’s Report underscore one broad and important message: that the promise of Justice at Last has not been fulfilled and that this will only change if Canada shows a genuine commitment to work in true partnership with First Nations to fairly negotiate and settle claims.

With the election of a new government, the urgency to remedy some of the persistent challenges relating to specific claims only heightens. Most urgent is the need to re-appoint the Chair of the Specific Claims Tribunal – Justice Harry Slade – prior to the expiry of his term on December 14, 2015.

In addition, there is an urgent need to appoint further judges to the Tribunal, as well as to restore funding to all stages of the specific claims process – from research through to judicial review.

Given the recent change in government, AFN’s efforts are now focused on urging the incoming Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs to work with First Nations to correct this flawed process, and to implement the Expert Panel’s recommendations.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available, including in the next issue of the AFN’s State of Claims newsletter, which will be released in late November.

Additions to Reserve Canada’s Additions to Reserve (ATR) policy and process has long been criticized for its slow pace and general

ineffectiveness. In late 2009, in collaboration with the Chiefs Committee on Claims (CCoC), the AFN began work with Canada

to examine options to improve the ATR policy and process. In 2011, the AFN hosted a series of regional meetings to gather input from First Nations on how to improve the

ATR process leading to the development of a report (available at: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/land_claims/additionstoreservesregionalsessions.pdf).


A new policy was finalized in January 2014 with several key improvements, including the removal of the “contiguity” requirements for the creation of new reserves, the broadening of the “selection area” to include the entire province, and the development of service standards to ensure more robust timelines and fair processes.

The new policy was never released by the previous Federal Government. AFN will continue to advocate for the release of this policy under the new government.

Supporting First Nation Economies Following support by Chiefs-in-Assembly for Resolution 4/2015, Support for Indigenous Energy Resource

Development Forum, the AFN has been working to coordinate a national forum on energy. The forum is proposed to be held on February 10-11, 2016, in Vancouver, British Columbia. An advisory working group has provided advice on the event and an agenda. It is anticipated the two-day event will consider a range of topics that will cover energy development opportunity and balance, matters that link to Treaties and rights, legal decisions/legislation, tools to support communities, and other topics. AFN has submitted a request for funding from the Federal Government and is seeking funding from industry. The work is on-going.

In follow up to Resolution 38/2014, Support for the Development of a Report on Natural Resources, and Resolution 80/2011, Resource Revenue/Benefit Sharing with First Nations, the Working Group on Natural Resource Development (Working Group) released its report in March 2015, First Nations and Natural Resource Development: Advancing Positive, Impactful Change. Its thematic areas, observations and recommendations focus on four central topics: governance, environment, prosperity, and finance. Among its recommendations, the Working Group called for immediate action: to undertake a more comprehensive dialogue among federal, provincial, and territorial governments, First Nations governments, and others to advance discussions on these four theme areas; to convene a national discussion on resource revenue sharing as a best means to eliminating socio-economic disparities; to establish a knowledge and information resource to assist and enable First Nations; and, to hold an international forum on trade and international partnerships.

Working Group members, former Alberta Regional Chief Cameron Alexis and Mr. Richard Nerysoo, requested guidance from and provided updates to Chiefs-in-Assembly during the December 2014 SCA and the July 2014 AGA. In addition, the Working Group held two working sessions in November 2014 (Toronto, Ontario and Edmonton, Alberta). In the formative stages, and prior to proposing this set of work to the Chiefs-in-Assembly, the concept for this project was first presented to the AFN Chiefs Committee on Economic Development (CCED) for advice and to request support. Now, with the completion of the report, an opportunity is being sought for the Working Group on Natural Resources Development and the CCED to meet and discuss the report’s recommendations.

The report is available at www.naturalresourcedev.com in both French and English. The site includes an email and feedback option.

At the December 2013 SCA, a resolution was adopted to form a national negotiating committee on Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) renewal and engage First Nations leadership, First Nation human resources experts and federal officials from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The current strategy was originally scheduled to end on March 31, 2015. However, in November 2014 ESDC informed ASETS agreement holders that the strategy has been granted a one-year extension to March 31, 2016.

The First Nation Human Resource Development Technical Working Group (TWG) met in Montreal on July 6, 2015, prior to the AGA. The TWG continues to advocate for political level discussions on ASETS renewal post-2016 and has recommended that the Chiefs Committee on Human Resource Development meet soon after the federal budget. The TWG drafted a policy paper that they are presenting to help advocate for ASETS full renewal. This paper on ASETS renewal was provided to the Hon. Minister Pierre Poilievre, ESDC, in May 2015.

With the federal election, the Call For Proposals for the annual $50 million Skills Partnership Fund (SPF) was delayed until the election’s completion. AFN is following up on plans by the Federal Government to resume this process.

AFN technical activity supports the First Nations National Action Plan on Human Resources Development, which focuses on themes to improve relationships, resources enhancement, employment parity and private sector engagement.


The AFN continues to advocate for First Nations interests and priorities in the area of connectivity by promoting a First Nations e-Community concept and approach to connectivity.

In January 2015, Industry Canada’s Connecting Canadians Program began accepting applications from eligible Internet Service Providers to undertake projects to extend or enhance broadband coverage. More information can be found by visiting the Connecting Canadians website at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/028.nsf/eng/h_00587.html. The AFN has coordinated two First Nation information sessions regarding the program. The purpose of the sessions was to facilitate discussions between First Nations and Industry Canada officials on the funding program and highlight First Nation considerations and proposals. Participants included Industry Canada officials and First Nation Information Communications Technology (ICT) advisers and experts. The AFN will continue to monitor the Industry Canada process for approved projects and seek out opportunities to advocate First Nations-specific proposals as a priority. The AFN has also worked to advocate for the inclusion of First Nation connectivity recommendations as part of the AAWG process.

The AFN is conducting a First Nations Community Internet Survey. The purpose of the survey is to obtain an overview of the level of connectivity in First Nations community buildings and households in order to inform advocacy and policy efforts. The response to the survey has been quite good and includes input from each AFN region. A summary of the survey will be made available on the AFN website at www.afn.ca in the near future.

Where appropriate, the AFN will continue to follow the World Summit on the Information Society as it relates to the status of Indigenous-specific recommendations and discussions.

The last ad hoc Working Group on Taxation (AWGT) meeting was proposed for December 2014 during the SCA however there were not enough participants available for a meeting to take place. The previous meeting, held during the July 2013 AGA, discussed potential for a national conference on taxation and revenue options that would include issues related to immunity, current status of case law, governance systems, fiscal matters, and revenue options. The AFN continues to maintain this event as an area of focus but, prior to moving forward, there is a need to solicit participation and secure funding. Once funding is secured, the AFN will work with the AWGT to discuss key activity and propose location, dates, and content options for a national event to be presented to the AFN Executive and CCED.

The proposal for a national forum on taxation is intended to assist in following up on Resolution 24/2014, Protecting Trade and Commerce of Indigenous Peoples, which calls for coordinated effort to raise awareness of First Nation perspectives on Bill C-10, Tackling Contraband Tobacco Act, and arranging for a national dialogue on tobacco and trade-related issues.

Environmental Protection The AFN is carrying out ongoing research projects and proposing new initiatives to provide First Nations with

the information they need to assess the state of environmental health in their communities, whether it be the chemical safety of traditional foods and water, assessing and mapping exposure to environmental contaminants or documenting the barriers that First Nations face in exercising their rights to harvest traditional foods.

Fisheries The AFN continues to provide information on policies and regulations created under the amendments to the

Fisheries Act and has provided technical briefings at various Assemblies and scheduled meetings. As part of its advocacy work, the AFN has emphasized the importance of conducting proper regional engagement and consultation processes with First Nations.

The AFN will be increasing efforts to conduct regular updates and information on the activities of the Fisheries Protection Program and other programs and policy areas. In addition to the Fisheries Act changes, other areas will include: Oceans Act and Marine Protected Areas, Aquatic Species at Risk, Aquaculture Activities Regulations and Aquatic Invasive Species.

The previous Federal Government tabled major environmental changes without providing adequate time, capacity or resources to discuss the legislatives changes with First Nations through proper engagement processes. It has not entertained any dialogue on how to address issues related to potential infringements on Aboriginal and Treaty rights. It is important to continue to provide information on potential impacts and areas where First Nations can provide input and areas that may require proper engagement and consultations.

With a new government platform, First Nations have an increased opportunity to assess some of these changes and advocate for those specific changes. The AFN has hosted information sessions on the Fisheries Act changes;


the next one is on November 24-26, 2015, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, followed by an annual National Fisheries Committee (NFC) meeting scheduled for February 23-25, 2016, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The AFN convenes regular calls with the National Fisheries Corporation (NFC) representatives and other interested First Nations to share information and move issues forward between meetings, these calls are open to any interested First Nation representatives. The next call will tentatively be scheduled during the first week of December 2015.

The AFN Executive has approved the 2015 NFC Terms of Reference and most regions have appointed the required political and technical representatives. With this, the AFN will seek direction on whether to undertake planning for a National Fisheries Forum with the goal of creating a framework to enhance collaboration on fisheries in Canada in the coming year.

The NFC will continue its efforts to develop an effective work plan and national strategy document for the period of 2015–2020. To support a more fulsome national discussion on fisheries issues, the AFN is urging the Fisheries and Oceans Canada to create a new inland program and/or process that provides engagement opportunities for the Inland regions, and will advance coastal regional priority issues with an upcoming meeting with the new Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Hon. Hunter Tootoo.

First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study The First Nations Food, Nutrition and Environment Study (FNFNES) is being conducted to assess the nutritional

composition of First Nations diets and the environmental safety of traditional foods. Community Research Agreements with most participating First Nations have expired. The AFN will be

approaching First Nation participants to negotiate data access agreements immediately and continuing throughout 2016.

The project has been reporting back to participating First Nations in Alberta. The Alberta Regional results will be presented to Chiefs and publicly released in the near future. In addition, the project is wrapping up data collection with Saskatchewan First Nations in the fall of 2015.

The project will begin approaching First Nations in Quebec and Labrador to participate in the study in early 2016.

Chemicals Management Plan The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) is a Government of Canada initiative that is aimed at reducing the risks

posed by chemicals to Canadians and their environment. The Government launched the first phase of the CMP in 2006 and launched a second phase in 2011.

The AFN is regularly monitoring news media, government releases and public comment period for substances of interest and relevance to First Nations.

The AFN has agreed to review/provide feedback on materials related to Health Canada’s Chemical Awareness Learning Modules workshop initiative, designed to identify sources of exposure to chemicals in daily activities and minimize associated health risks.

The AFN is working to enhance communications and information sharing by providing regular updates to the First Nations Environmental Health Innovative Network (FNEHIN) website on important news releases, dates and public comment periods on grouping/chemical listings and risk management framework development.

First Nations Environmental Health Innovative Network The FNEHIN is designed to promote respectful partnerships between First Nations and academics to see that

First Nation environmental health concerns are addressed through research where appropriate. This work continues to focus on building a network that links academic researchers with First Nations

interested in environmental health research and provides resource documents, funding opportunities and regular communications.

Current activities are focused on the FNEHIN website, including updating its content (http://www.fnehin.ca/).


Infrastructure Resolution 45/2012, Implementation of a National First Nations Water Strategy, endorsed the draft National First

Nations Water Strategy that was developed to advance discussion and direction in fulfilling First Nations inherent right to water, watershed management and protection and water management. The draft strategy is a work in progress and requires significant input from all First Nations, inclusive of women, Elders and youth, and technical working groups to develop a comprehensive strategy.

Companion Resolution 81/2012, Following Indigenous Protocols and Ceremonies with Respect to Water, will further guide the development of the First Nations Water Management Strategy. The resolution directs the AFN to follow appropriate Indigenous protocol and ensure that ceremonies are conducted to honour the water and conduct this work in a proper and respectful way.

An updated version of the Strategy and a draft First Nations Water Declaration was presented at the 2013 AFN AGA. The AFN continues to seek input on the Strategy and the Water Declaration for ongoing improvement.

The AANDC Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Branch have conducted a summative evaluation of the two sub-programs of the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program: (1) the Education Facilities sub-program; and (2) the Community Infrastructure sub-program. The evaluation focused on the relevance and the performance of the two sub-programs. AFN Housing and Infrastructure and regional infrastructure technicians were invited to be on a working group and have participated in review of the terms of reference and the methodology report. The working group is responsible for reviewing, validating and commenting on methodology, preliminary findings and final report. The working group also provided recommendations for case studies and informant interviews. A draft preliminary findings deck was presented to the working group for comments. The draft report was made available to the working group for review and comments. As of November 2015, the Management Response to the Recommendations has not been received yet.

The evaluation recommends that AANDC: o Implements a regular compliance audit for major capital projects to ensure that certificates of

completion are received to confirm that all applicable Federal and Provincial codes/standards have been met.

o Encourages First Nations to include requirements in their procurement documents regarding asset documentation to be delivered by contractors.

o Ensures that annual First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans reflect and take into account deficiencies identified through the most recent Asset Condition Reporting System (ACRS) reports in order to address them.

o Ensures that strategies to discourage and prevent vandalism are reflected in guidance to First Nations on procurement and maintenance management.

o Formulates clear and specific criteria for the ACRS General Condition Ratings. o Considers how to build First Nations’ capacity to maintain community infrastructure by extending the

School Maintenance Training Program to other parts of the country and establish a comparable training program for First Nations staff responsible for the maintenance of Other Community Infrastructure, especially fire prevention infrastructure.

Budget 2013 identified $155 million over 10 years for First Nations infrastructure as part of the new Building Canada Fund in addition to using the First Nations share of the Gas Tax Fund. This is $15.5 million per year. This amount will be combined with First Nations Gas Tax Fund allocation which is about $26 million annually for a total amount of $42 million to be available annually under a renewed First Nations Infrastructure Fund. The annual Gas Tax Fund allocation table which includes the First Nations portion can be found at http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/prog/gtf-fte-tab-eng.html.

As directed in Resolution 33/2011, Fire Protection Services for First Nation Communities, the AFN will continue to support Fire Prevention services in First Nation communities and the efforts and activities of duly mandated firefighting organizations. Recent fire fatalities have heightened the concern over inadequate funding for fire services and community infrastructure in general. National Chief Bellegarde wrote Minister Valcourt calling for an immediate meeting to address the urgent safety and security needs for our people and communities; including lifting the 2% cap and developing appropriate escalators.

Some regions have conducted a conditional assessment of communities’ fire resources. However, not all regions have done so and there is still a lack of information on the number of First Nations with adequate fire


protection services or equipment needs. The Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada (AFAC) has initiated the Be Fire Safe campaign. Developed in partnership with AANDC, the campaign is focused on raising fire safety awareness in First Nation communities. More information is available on the AFAC website at http://www.afac-acpi.ca/Resources.html.

The Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples has completed its study on the challenges relating to First Nations housing and infrastructure on reserves. The committee held meetings in urban centers and visited selected First Nation communities. Not all regions were on the Committee’s itinerary and the AFN requested that Manitoba and other regions be added to their schedule. The request was not accepted. The Committee released its interim report on February 2015 on findings and what was heard but contained no recommendations. The final report with recommendations was released June 23, 2015. The report contained 13 recommendations with the overarching recommendation that Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada remove the 2% cap on annual increases on funding, effective Budget 2016-2017. Six recommendations deal with housing and five recommendations with infrastructure. National Chief Bellegarde met with the Committee Chair Senator Dennis Patterson and agreed that the AFN, the Chiefs Committee on Housing and Infrastructure, the AFN Housing Regional Technicians and certain members from the Senate Committee would work together to move the recommendations forward with the Federal Government. There has not been a response from the Federal Government on the recommendations as that process was put on hold with dissolution but the Senate Committee plans to renew the request for response in the new session.

The AFN presented to the Committee on November 18, 2014 and highlighted AANDC underfunding and reallocating the Capital Facilities and Maintenance Program (CFMP) funds to other programs, namely education and social. An internal AANDC presentation revealed that over the past 6 years over half a billion dollars was reallocated to these other programs, due to the impact of the 2% cap instituted in 1996. The practice has placed First Nations in a position where they are not able to deliver the services expected under their funding agreements. This was again highlighted to the Committee by former Deputy Minister Scott Serson who expressed regret for being part of the Federal Government that initiated this 2% cap and explained that it was intended only as an interim measure. The new Federal Government has pledged to immediately lift the 2% cap on funding for First Nation programs and work to establish a new fiscal relationship that gives First Nations communities sufficient, predicable and sustainable funding,

Housing Habitat for Humanity (HfH) and the AFN formalized a Statement of Partnership (SOP) on December 5, 2011 to

explore the opportunity of assisting interested First Nations in enhancing their current housing programs with the HfH’s Aboriginal Housing Program. A voluntary committee was established to oversee the work carried out under the SOP and assess its effectiveness. HfH has approached a few First Nation communities to raise awareness and determine interest in the program prior to completing a full program review with AFN involvement. These include:

o Habitat Prince Albert signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Muskoday First Nation to build homes over the five years. The first home is under construction by high school students and will be moved to Town of Birch Hill for a family from Muskoday First Nation. The remaining homes are to be built over the coming years.

o In 2014, HfH partnered with Flying Dust First Nation to build the historic “First-on-reserve” project – a 10-unit Elders Lodge to provide accessible and independent living for elders in the community. The partnership is working towards May/June 2016 dedication. Once elders move in to the lodge the Partnership will retrofit vacant homes for younger families to provide affordable home ownership. Many Aboriginal communities are energized by the project and want to emulate the model to address their community’s housing needs.

The National First Nations Housing Strategy is an evergreen document that will be improved over time based on input from stakeholders. The Strategy has been shared with the Tri-Council, AFN Executive, AFN Housing Technicians, Regional Housing Committee meetings (Ontario and Atlantic), and presented at the National First Nations Infrastructure Conference and Tradeshow. Exploration on new and innovative housing models, practices and research will continue and include the work with HfH and Frontiers Foundation, research on issues related to timber frame housing construction, exploration of interest free mortgages and revolving loan funds.


The National Housing Liaison Committee (NHLC) consists of members from AANDC, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Health Canada, the AFN Regional Housing Technicians and the AFN. The objectives of the NHLC are to support First Nations and First Nation organizations in their housing roles and responsibilities, identify housing issues, and advise on broad policies and processes to enhance housing outcomes on-reserve including settlement lands and self-governing First Nation territories. A Terms of Reference was agreed upon by the four parties and it provides an opportunity for regional technicians to inform the agencies on recommended policy changes in addition to being a forum to share and exchange information. It will also provide a regular forum for exchanging information on First Nations housing matters, including recommendations on programs, policies and practices that will contribute to enhanced housing outcomes on First Nations. Meetings will continue. AANDC is the 2015 chair of the NHLC; however, to date no meetings have been called for 2015. The AFN will pursue more active involvement by the next host to ensure that the NHLC meetings are held as agreed to in the terms of reference.

A new evaluation for housing will be carried out by Indigenous and Northern Affairs’ Evaluation, Performance Measurement and Review Branch. AFN will request the involvement of the AFN regional Housing technicians in a meaningful way similar to their involvement in the last evaluation.

On July 2010, the AFN entered into a SOP with The Holmes Group. The Partnership agreement established a new pilot project that aims to assist in building homes, enhance community design and planning, and utilize appropriate green technologies and clean energy sources to improve health and living conditions in First Nation communities, as well as establishing a First Nation Centre of Excellence on green and sustainable community design.

o Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation (AAFN) was the successful applicant for the pilot project in Ontario to construct a housing and community subdivision (the “Pilot Project”). The Pilot Project was to lead to the development of a First Nation Community Planning Tool, a Housing Centre of Excellence, and a First Nation Green Housing Standard for the use of all First Nations, more recently entitled the First Nations Sustainable Development Standards (FNSDS). AAFN Chief Miller announced at the December 2013 SCA that the FNSDS are almost complete. They are currently being translated to French and will be available to all First Nations to adapt for their particular environment.

o On July 11, 2014 a dedication ceremony was held in the community to present a new four-plex that was constructed using some of the guiding principles from the FNSDS. The project team is looking for funding to develop training modules, participant and trainer manuals and train-the-trainer material.

The AFN is also working to resolve housing challenges related to income assistance shelter allowances. Currently, First Nations who have Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) not-for-profit housing program (Section 95) in their communities are only eligible to receive the shelter allowance until the mortgages are paid in full. If, however, the First Nation implements a universal rental regime in the community, then those units are eligible to collect shelter allowance. Similarly, band-owned or self-funded units are eligible to collect shelter allowance from income assistance clients. The benefits of this will be realized in the budgets for housing, as the First Nation will be able to collect the rent from those individuals and utilize it for maintenance, repair and, potentially, remediation of mold. A meeting occurred with AANDC seeking written confirmation that those First Nations that adopt and enforce a universal rental regime will be eligible for shelter allowance. Impacted regions are primarily in the Prairies, but the Atlantic and British Columbia are also affected. The written confirmation has not yet been provided. Resolution 24/2015, Support for Equitable Application of Shelter Allowance Program, directs the AFN to demand AANDC address the inequities in the application of the shelter allowance program across the country, specifically in the Manitoba Region.

The AFN has been active in a First Nation Indoor Air Quality Committee, working with CMHC to develop an application for First Nations to conduct a self-assessment tool (e-CSAT) for mold in housing. The AFN is working with CMHC on furthering the tool and ensuring outcomes for all parties. This tool will help communities better understand the extent and causes of mold problems in individual houses and across the community, identify which houses may need attention first, and how to organize an effective remediation strategy. A proposal was submitted under AANDC’s Aboriginal Representative organizations (ARO) project funding process and was approved in February 2015. AANDC requested that the project be split into two phases and provided only enough funding to do assessments in three regions this fiscal year. Phase 1 was completed in fiscal year 2014-2015 with 6 regional housing technicians involved in an assessor workshop conducted in Ottawa, Ontario that led to further enhancement of the e-CSAT program. The plan was for three


regions to have a sampling of homes assessed for mold. However, due to the late approval of the project this was not possible. A funding request for the remainder of the project, Phase 2, was submitted under the 2015-2016 ARO proposals process, but it was rejected. Instead staff at AANDC has approached FNIGC to be the implementing partner and leave AFN out of the project.

The AFN is also exploring the newly released requirements by CMHC for building inspection compliance through their Section 95 social housing program. CMHC now requires that a qualified housing inspector sign-off on certain phases of the construction. However, many of the current First Nation housing inspectors may not meet the definition of a qualified housing inspector and the First Nation may need to contract external service providers which would be an added cost to the project. Through additional training of housing inspectors, the requirements for qualification of inspectors for the compliance process have been met.

A new RFP has been issued for proposals for Standing Offers to be submitted by First Nations Technical Service Providers related to the On-Reserve Non Profit Housing Program (Section 95) and the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP). On November 17, 2014 a Request for Information (RFI) was issued to the Technical Service Providers (TSPs) seeking information to assist CMHC in determining the most appropriate service delivery approach to acquire technical services supporting CMHC’s On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing Programs. The objective of the RFI was to identify a pool of qualified TSPs who offer on-reserve property reviews and provide progress reviews for the purpose of construction advance validation services; and determine geographical services.

o On August 10, 2015 CMHC issued the RFP to On-Reserve TSPs to submit proposals for the provision of: On-Reserve Non Profit Housing Program (Section 95) Progress Advance Validations; Physical Condition Reviews; and, Renovation Program reviews. This procurement has been set aside under CMHC’s Aboriginal Procurement Policy.

o A follow up was sent to the TSPs from each CMHC regional office but was dated August 20 and some TSPs received it several days later, in effect, leaving less than three weeks to prepare a proposal even though CMHC’s intention was to provide 5 weeks for a response.

o Consideration would be given to responses from proponents that can provide services on a National basis, as well as to responses from those that can provide services on a National basis.

o The submission deadline was September 11, 2015. From objections raised by TSPs, this date was extended two additional weeks to September 25, 2015 and has been further extended to December 18, 2015.

o Serious concerns and objections have been raised by Regional Organizations and TSPs in that this RFP effectively takes away the ability of existing TSPs to provide this service to their communities and takes away the expertise and capacity build over time and the relationships formed with their communities. Letters requesting a postponement or pull back of the RFP have been sent to the President of CMHC. There has been no change in the progress of the RFP.

o Some regions have been backed into a corner and have seen a need to submit a proposal to avoid the opportunity of unknown providers to fil the gap in service.

Emergency Issues Management The AFN is maintaining active and vocal advocacy for quick and sustained support for communities in states of

emergency and will continue in this role in cooperation with First Nation communities and involved federal organizations.

The AFN, in conjunction with AANDC, continues to monitor emergency events in First Nation communities across Canada and forwards situational reports to the AFN Executive Committee.

More broadly, the AFN is advocating for increased efforts by AANDC to ensure support for First Nations capacity and training to respond to emergencies and will continue to monitor and advocate for comparable services for First Nations communities experiencing emergency conditions.

The AFN has representatives on the AAWG - Disaster Mitigation and Emergency Management Services (DMEMS) in Aboriginal communities. In 2011, the three priorities of the AAWG were expanded to include a disaster mitigation strategy. Subsequently, at the 2013 meeting of Premiers and NAO leaders this was further expanded to include: Emergency Management Services (Prevention/Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery) with Aboriginal communities in Canada, and for AAWG officials to work with the Canadian Council


of Emergency Measures Organization to develop and scope out common Provincial, Territorial and Aboriginal issues related to disaster mitigation and emergency management services in Aboriginal communities.

The AAWG DMEMS Working Group will work towards addressing disaster mitigation and emergency management services in Aboriginal communities in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Emergency Management services. Where possible, DMEMS will engage with the Federal Government through the Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management/Aboriginal Working Group. This includes addressing the pillars of emergency management services: prevention/mitigation; preparedness; and, response and recovery. A Terms of Reference and a template for a scan of emergency-related projects in each region have been developed and the results were submitted to the senior committee for presentation at the May 2015 meeting in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

In November 2013, the AANDC Minister announced a single-window approach to federal response to disasters and emergency management and negotiation of new agreements with Provinces and Territories. AANDC and the Provinces are in the process of developing bilateral agreements between Canada and the Provinces without involvement of First Nations or their regional organizations. The bilateral nature of these agreements excludes First Nations and their organizations from the negotiation process.

This approach has resulted in the exclusion of First Nations and their organizations in times of emergency events and a resulting lack of timely and often critical information. This was evident in the 2015 Saskatchewan fires that impacted several First Nation communities. The role of the Canadian Red Cross in determining the adequacy of host facilities in First Nation communities was brought into question. First Nations had expressed their willingness to host First Nation members in their own facilities which would provide much more comfortable and culturally appropriate surroundings for the evacuees.

Resolution 03/2015, First Nation Involvement in Emergency Preparedness, calls upon the Government of Canada to include First Nations and their duly-mandated organizations in the development of trilateral or bilateral agreements between First Nations and Canada, to be determined by each autonomous First Nation, related to mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery planning for the provision of emergency management prevention and response services; requires that AANDC and its Provincial Emergency Management Organizations, staff, and the Canadian Red Cross work collaboratively with First Nation leaders and their duly-mandated organizations to capitalize on the knowledge and capabilities with respect to caring for their members in times of crisis; and directs the AFN to approach AANDC for resources to develop a tool kit of model policies, standards and supporting model legislation for emergency management and response for First Nation communities exercising their jurisdiction and capacity in this area. AFN and FSIN are working together to move the direction of the resolution forward. A letter will be sent to the new Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs outlining the concerns of First Nations related to the unacceptance of the bilateral agreements which were and are being developed without the involvement of the First Nations affected.

The AFN has accepted an invitation from the Minister of Transport Special Advisory Council on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods. The AFN has notified the committee of First Nation concerns and training and awareness needs related to the transportation of dangerous goods through First Nation communities and territories. The AFN will continue to work with Transport Canada to establish what supports are available for first responders and leadership awareness sessions. Recently, Transport Canada has informed AFN that consultations are taking place on the review of the Canada Transportation Act, to be completed by the end of 2015. They indicated that no comment or feedback has been received from Aboriginal stakeholders through their email, [email protected]. The AFN could facilitate discussion with First Nations and Transport Canada.

The AFN has participated in the review and comment of the Pandemic Plan from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and will continue to verify any new information forthcoming from PHAC.

Documents

Table of Contents€¦ · First Nations and Canada), ... Economic Action Plan for Aboriginal Women, Housing, Disaster Mitigation and Children in Care. The next meeting of the AAWG