First Nations Voice

PAGE 16 • JUNE 2014 The lives of First Nations police officers continue to be at risk because recommendations from the Ipperwash Inquiry have been gathering dust for the past seven years. Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee was commenting on the May 6 report of the Auditor General of Canada which criticized the federal government. "We're calling on Ontario and Canada to finally come to the table to resolve the inequities in policing that are putting our constables and citizens at risk on a daily basis," said Grand Council Chief Madahbee. "The Auditor General's report reiterates what we've been saying for years: First Nations police services operate with no legislative framework, no transparency, no consultation and constant funding threats. "Our police forces need our support to be adequately resourced, trained and have a clear direction going forward." The Auditor General recommended that Public Safety Canada should work with the Province of Ontario and First Nations to ensure that all self-administered agreements funded through the First Nations Policing Program clearly state that First Nations policing services comply with the provincial legislative framework that applies to all policing services in the province. Unlike all other policing institutions in Canada, First Nation police services are not governed by legislation. NAPS and APS are not mandated police services, but are funded as programs through agreements with the federal and provincial governments that can be cancelled at any time. There is no funding for permanent detachments or residences, or other vital infrastructure to ensure the safety of officers and community members. Recommendations from the 2007 Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry included the call for federal and provincial governments to update their policies on First Nation policing to recognize that self-administered First Nation police services in Ontario are the primary police service providers in their communities. Forty of the 100 recommendations involved policing in Ontario. The inquiry was called by the Ontario government after unarmed First Nation protester Dudley George was shot and killed by an Ontario Provincial Police sniper at the former Ipperwash Provincial Park. "Anishinabek Police officers are often asked to work on their own – we are understaffed," said Doug Chevrier, Chairperson of the Police Governing Authority for the Anishinabek Police Service which provides policing services to 16 First Nation communities. "This puts not only our officers at risk, but our citizens as well." In Anishinabek Nation territory the Anishinabek Police Service (APS) provides policing services for 16 communities, from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation in the south to Fort William First Nation in the north. APS operates 12 detachments with 62 sworn officers and 21 civilian members. The Anishinabek Nation established the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 39 member communities across Ontario, representing approximately 55,000 people. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact. Marci Becking, Communications Officer lAck of ipperwAsh follow-up enDAngers first nAtions police: mADAhbee BUILDINGAND MAINTAINING ASAFER ENVIRONMENT Specializinginbuildingorupgradinggasstations, gasbarstoCCMEFederalRegulations. LocatedinWinnipeg,Manitoba,wehavebeen servingNorthernCommunitiessince1988. 1900 Logan Ave. Phone 204-694-2230 email: centpet@mts.net Best Wishes National Aboriginal Day, June 21, 2014 Winnipeg – A community task force comprised of representatives from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors today released an action plan to end homelessness in Winnipeg over the next decade. Building on successful strategies in other cities across North America, the plan calls for the creation of a new organization tasked with delivering on the 38 strategy recommendations under four key focus areas: Prevention, Creating a Person- Centred System of Care, Housing Supply and Measurement. "We need to move from managing homelessness to ending it," noted Rob Johnston, co-chair of the Community Task Force to End Homelessness and Regional President of RBC. "We need a system that works better for people who are homeless or who are at risk of being homeless. Some may ask if it is really possible to end homelessness. We believe it is, and that we shouldn't settle for anything less." Johnston and co-chair Cindy Coker of SEED Winnipeg Inc. highlighted key recommendations of the report (see backgrounder), including the creation of 300 affordable housing units within the first five years and a shift to the Housing First model, which has been successful in other cities. Johnston and Coker were joined at the announcement by the Honourable Peter Bjornson, Minister for Housing and Community Development, His Worship Mayor Sam Katz and Fred Knoedler, who shared his personal experience with homelessness and expressed hope and support for the plan. "Ending homelessness will take a concerted and co-ordinated effort by all levels of government working hand in hand with community and business partners," Minister Bjornson said. "This new action plan will help guide us as we apply the lessons of the Housing First model toward providing more safe, affordable homes to vulnerable homeless Manitobans." "As a government and as citizens, it is our responsibility to demonstrate leadership and commitment when it comes to the prevention and care for those in need of housing, and I am looking forward to seeing significant change throughout our community over the coming years," said Mayor Sam Katz. "We welcome the release of this plan," said Nicole Chammartin, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association, Winnipeg Region. "We have been operating a Community Housing with Supports program for homeless people for over a year with good results, and we see potential in a systems approach like the one proposed by the Task Force for us to work even more effectively" The full text of the 68-page report is available at www.unitedwaywinnipeg.ca/ endhomelessness . The Community Task Force to End Homelessness was first convened in December 2012, under the umbrella of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council and United Way of Winnipeg. Over its almost 16 months of work, members have consulted and worked with over 45 community organizations, all levels of government and Indigenous leaders, members of the business community and over 80 people who have lived experience with homelessness. United Way of Winnipeg works every day to build a community in which all Winnipeggers can realize their full potential. In addition to supporting an essential network of more than 100 interdependent programs, partnerships and agencies across Winnipeg, we also support bringing innovative thinking and solutions to some of our city's most pressing social challenges. United Way Winnipeg Action plAn to enD homelessness in winnipeg releAseD

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