First Nations Voice

PAGE 4 • NOVEMBER 2012 Message from the National Chief I pledge. End Violence. Nothing can be more heartbreaking National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo than the voice of a mother who has lost a child. Laurie Odjick joined other fam- ily members and supporters at Sisters In Spirit events in Ottawa on October 4. This is the fifth year she has partici- pated in the event since her daughter Maisy and best friend Shannon Al- exander went missing in September 2008. Her words broke my heart, and not for the first time. Unfortunately Laurie's words echo too many other mothers, daughters and sisters grieving the loss of their loved ones, and continuing the fight to achieve justice. Rest assured, this is not a fight they will battle alone. Achieving justice for the unresolved As I write this column for First Nations Voice, I realize that many of the metal components used to build my computer and the electricity used to power it no doubt originates from our traditional territories. Whether it is iron ore in northern Quebec, potash in Saskatchewan, or hydro dams in BC, we all rely daily upon resources and power originating on First Nations lands. cases of missing and murdered Indig- enous women in this country is a fight all of us must commit to and win. First Nation leaders from coast to coast to coast have made ending violence against Indigenous women and girls a national priority, and as recently as July, have reiterated the need for a National Public Commission of Inquiry that would include a review of police Nations are too often challenged with meeting the basic standards of life – adequate housing, fair and equitable education, and access to health servic- es – just to name a few. We cannot be plagued by violence or mourning the loss of our loved ones (at a rate higher than other Canadians) any longer. As I do every year and as often as I'm able, on October 4th, I stood with committing yourself to living without violence to achieve safety and secu- rity for all Indigenous peoples. As in- dividuals make the pledge, we will see a difference in our communities. We will see a difference in our peoples – growing even stronger and even more resilient. Thousands of people made National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo Our future - and the future of Turtle Island - relies upon us creating a green economy that will preserve our lands and create a healthier environment for all people. It is our time to take a leadership role as Indigenous peoples to help balance resource development opportunities and conservation through environmental protection and green development. GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE Runge Limited's internationally recognized course, Mining for Non Miners, arms those from a non-mining background with the knowledge and confidence they need to successfully engage and interact with experienced mining professionals. With this in mind, the Assembly of First Nations will be holding the first-ever International Indigenous Summit on Energy and Mining (IISEM) in Niagara Falls, Ontario on June 27-29. This is an opportunity to show government and industry that Indigenous peoples are not only positioned to share and participate as equals, but also prepared to take the driver's seat on the road to prosperity. Up skill your people to: Become well versed in the language of mining Improve their networking ability with experienced mining professionals Improve their credibility amongst key industry stakeholders Runge offers flexible course options and has over 35 years' involvement in the mining industry, with trained presenters who can share their practical, mine site experience. During the recent federal election, one of our key priorities was "Partnerships" – specifically, partnerships on terms agreed to by First Nations in a way that protects our communities and the environment. Of course, this kind of work was underway prior to the election and continues beyond. We are also members of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) and the Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association (CAMA). As Indigenous peoples, we must strengthen ourselves in every way. We need to move our communities forward by providing the best education for our children and utilizing the latest technologies, from green, sustainable homes to high speed internet. TO FIND OUT MORE, MEET US AT THE CAMA CONFERENCE IN TORONTO FROM 18-20 NOVEMBER OR CONTACT YOUR LOCAL RUNGE OFFICE BELOW. CALGARY +1 403 217 4981 OR TORONTO +1 416 306 3096 Brisbane Mackay Maitland Perth Sydney Wollongong Calgary Toronto Denver Gillette Belo Horizonte Santiago Moscow Witbank Johannesburg Ulaanbaatar Beijing Hong Kong Kuala Lumpur Jakarta We must seize upon every aspect of alternative energy - whether it be wind, solar, run of the river, bio, or geothermal. There are opportunities not only for our communities to be self-sustaining, but for our communities to ultimately become full partners and power brokers – selling energy to grid systems in Canada and the United States. In the past several years, First Nations have entered into major wind and solar power partnerships. Just last VALUE THROUGH PLANNING policies and procedures in regard to searches, investigations and commu- nication between police, officials and families, and the examination of the socio-cultural and socio-economic risk factors associated with Indigenous women and girls. The stats are staggering. Young In- digenous women are five times more likely than other Canadian women to die as a result of violence. There are over 582 cases of murdered or missing women in this country, many of which remain unresolved. We must transform this reality. We have no other choice but to act now to end violence among and against all Indigenous peoples – men and women, boys and girls. It is an unfortunate reality that First the families of murdered and missing Indigenous women, members of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) ex- ecutive, the Native Women's Associa- tion of Canada (NWAC) and other sup- porters to honour those lost to violence and those still missing. At the same time, the AFN launched a personal declaration and postcard campaign, urging action by all Canadians. In a recent webinar hosted by the AFN, a representative from NWAC re- minded all of us that no action is too small. Another young leader tweeted that ending violence starts from within. I could not agree more. And that's why I've made the pledge to live without violence. And it's why I encourage In- digenous peoples and all Canadians to do the same. "I pledge. End violence" is about the same pledge by signing a banner at our Annual General Assembly in July, which several Premiers, territorial and Indigenous leaders later signed at a meeting in Nova Scotia in August. I continue to urge Indigenous peo- ples, governments and all Canadians to make the pledge. Live without vio- lence – for the betterment of all of us – and to transform the reality for moth- ers like Laurie Odjick and far too many others. Make the pledge. Sign a postcard. Live without violence. And do it today! Sisters In Spirit Vigils are held National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Opinion Editorial – First Nation Voices–April 27 across Canada every year on Octo- ber 4 to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and support their families. NWAC has mobilized the Sisters In Spirit Vig- ils since 2006. This year more than 173 vigils were held in Canada and internationally. For more information on Sisters in Spirit and other efforts visit www.nwac.ca. For more informa- tion on "I pledge. End violence" visit www.afn.ca. ~ Assembly of First Nations REGISTER BEFORE 12/31/12 MENTION 'FIRST NATIONS VOICE' RECEIVE 10% OFF THE COURSE PRICE

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