FIRST NATIONS SOCIETY TODAY

Chapter 12

BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

• approx 200 First Nations bands in BCo most have central community

and parcels of reserve landso conditions and services vary

greatly• How to enhance the lives of First

Nations on and off reserves?o healing past abuseso building new opportunities for

pride in identity and abilitieso political and economic

solutions important self-government and

economic development social programmes and

educational opportunities

• breaking the cycles of abuseo tapping into the spiritual rootso Elders playing a leading roleo traditional ceremonies

sweat lodge• wellness of survivors of residential school abuse

o Aboriginal Healing Foundation 1998 providing support for sustainable healing process 10 year mandate and $350 million to help Metis, Inuit, and First Nations communities heal themselves

bridge gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peopleo providing resources, promoting awareness, building on strengths and resiliency

THE INDIAN ACT IN THE 21ST CENTURY

• Indian Act still regulates lives and reserves still existo “Certificate of Indian Status”

• misconceptions of entitlements received under Indian Acto paying taxes

First Nations people pay taxes like other Cdn citizens except on reserve where tax exemptions covered

applies to goods, income and some on-reserve services

Status Indians living and working on reserves are exempt from income tax

First Nations bylaws allow for collecting property taxes on reserve» non-Aboriginal governments can’t

• not paying taxes unfair?o amount insignificant compared to profits and

taxes generated by resources on non-reserve land

First Nations not benefited

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• self-government needs economic foundation

• unemployment a major problemo few jobs available on reserveo no access to loans for

businesseso Aboriginal people one of

fastest growing populations• past economic programmes not

successfulo emphasis on individual rather

than collective/group• ignore holistic or integrated

nature of community

Unemployment rate – census 2006

• need new solutionso each situation different – need different solutions

• seeking new economic opportunitieso need secure land and resource baseo Cdns need to respect agreements (ex. Treaties)o provide choices and decent income

developing self-esteem and identity work in traditional economy or market economy

o self-reliant and sustaining for individual and community beyond survival, bringing growth and prosperity

o First Nations governments to carry out administration of their lands and resources

make decisions on development and organizationo new development to incorporate First Nations customs and values

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

• important in strengthening economies is local control and management of resourceso BC resource rich, but First

Nations not full partners in managing resources even though resources

being taken from traditional territories

more involved now due to advances in treaties and other initiatives

• resource-based economy giving way to technology, info and service industries

o resource management and info closely linked Aboriginal perspective – successful use and sustainable management is knowledge-intensive service industry (tourism, recreation) also linked to knowledge and skills

• key is having controlo many First Nations in rural areas where resources locatedo land claims another way to resource management

negotiations include clauses to return resource management to First Nations

TOURISM SERVICES

• recently many First Nations developing businesses and services attracting tourists to communitieso promote pride in culture,

provide employment and business revenues

Tin Wis Resort Lodge in Tofino

Quw’utsun’ Cultural Centre in Duncan

Tsimshian interpreter at the Laxspa’aws site near Prince Rupert, BC.

THE URBAN EXPERIENCE

• women are largest segment of First Nations living in citieso often head of families

• important to build sense of community within which can identifyo Friendship centres offer many services

• BRITISH COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION OF ABORIGINAL FRIENDSHIP CENTRESo Friendship centres began in 1963 in

Vancouvero by mid-1960s support organizations

across BCo early – place to socialize and receive

emotional supporto now – providing service in employment,

abuse and family support, legal services, cultural retention

EDUCATION• education always been important to First

Nations peopleo despite inequities, discrimination and

violence of system, have understood need to participate in Cdn system to successfully participate in Cdn society

o economic impact on education and training• for generations, control of education removed

from First Nationso shared by federal government and

churcheso 1950s into public schools

difference between integration and transference

integration must respect racial and cultural differences, blending of both

transference expects First Nations students to give up identity, adopt new values and lifestyles

province provided educational services, but Dept of Indian Affairs still responsible for funding

First Nations no say in funding distribution

St. Michael’s Indian Residential School at Alert Bay, BC

o 1972 release “Indian Control of Indian Education” produced by National Indian Brotherhood outlined philosophy, goals, principles, and directions for First Nations students educational programme emphasized pride, understanding other Cdns, harmonizing with nature 1973 greater control by First Nations as policies from report

• long way to go before goals achievedo some positive steps takeno some bands taken control of education in communities

operating own schools on reserves more control over funding off reserves

• 1987 Sullivan Report – BC education surveyo critical of public school failure to achieve equality for Aboriginal studentso government initiated changes

Local Education Agreements special funding for Aboriginal language and cultural programmes creation new branch Ministry of Education – Aboriginal Education Branch creation and development of BC First Nations Studies course

• First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC)o provincial First Nations collective organization

facilitates communication and support for First Nations educators communicating with federal and provincial governments publications by First Nations educators goal of putting control of Aboriginal education into hands of Aboriginal communities

• BC Teachers Federation to better serve First Nations studentso increased awareness in racism and inclusivenesso Employment Equity Program to recruit, retain and support Aboriginal teachers

• UBC and SFU offer undergraduate and graduate programmes to train First Nations teachers

o UBC offer graduate programme of First Nations ancestry advanced research in important issues facing First Nations education

Native Indian Teacher Training Program at UBC

First Nations University of Canada in Saskatchewan

• pre-school experienceo unique, culturally relevant programmeso Aboriginal Headstart a federal programme

language and culture foundations for reading and writing health and nutrition social support for family parental involvement

• formal educationo public school or band-run school

immersion schools• post-secondary

o special courses aimed at First Nations studentso Institute of Indigenous Government in Vancouver

in partnership with UBCo Nicola Valley Institute of Technology

with University College of the Caribooo En’owkin Center in Pentictono extending education controlled by Aboriginal people

LANGUAGE RENEWAL

• language is central to survival of First Nations cultureso conveys meaning and ways of

thinking that can’t be translated

o 1991 census – 12% Aboriginal people in BC speak an Aboriginal language

35% would like to learn many languages

considered endangered• factors contributing to decline

o effects of residential schools (most significant)

o aspects of mainstream culture English in the workplace tv and radio

• no practical need to learn

• powerful cultural needo linked to identity

symbol of who you are and connects to roots• taking action

o programme development in schoolso some approved for credit as second language from high school and into collegeo Language Authorities

fluent speakers that are able to teach without completing a Teaching Degree establish criteria to certify proficient speakers acts as advisors to develop language programmes and supports their use authority for creating new vocabulary

modern technology has objects only in Englisho schools can make a difference, but in families and communities the most significant changes occur

October 4, 2007, Honourable Olga Ilich, Minister of Labour and Citizens’Services, announced a $250,000 grant to help preserve B.C. First Nations languages. The FirstVoices project provides necessary support to digitally archive First Nations languages, some of which are currently known only among a few elders. The interactive teaching tools can be accessed online, as seen demonstrated by this Saanich Nation student.