First Nations Voice

DECEMBER 2012 • PAGE 7 First Nations Chiefs Launch Plan to Restore Hope and Combat Poverty in NB First Nations Communities Fredericton, NB – The Assembly of First Nations Chiefs in New Brunswick (AFNCNB) today launched a 10-point plan aimed at restoring hope and com- bating the deep levels of poverty that exist within New Brunswick's 15 First Nations communities. "Of the 10 poorest postal codes in Canada, seven of them are in New Brunswick First Nations communities," said Chief George Ginnish, Co-Chair of the AFNCNB and Chief of the Natoa- ganeg (Eel Ground) First Nation. "A child born in a First Nations com- munity is twice as likely to live in pov- erty, four times more likely to drop out of school, eight times more likely to be unemployed, and nine times as likely to know prison or addiction compared to a non-First Nations child down the street," he added. "We can – and must – rewrite this story." Called Restoring Hope for First Na- tions: A Plan to Break the Cycle of Pov- erty in New Brunswick's First Nations Communities, the chiefs have focused on three goals to help lift their commu- nities out of poverty: creating partner- ships and opportunities for economic development; helping First Nations people find and keep meaningful work; and attacking the root causes of poverty through education and social assistance reform. The plan includes 10 change initia- tives, from the organization of a First Nations economic summit and the cre- ation of First Nations enterprise zones to help foster economic development, to the creation of a First Nations arts and interpretation institute and an agenda for life-long learning to help people find and keep meaningful work. The plan also calls for the creation of a First Na- tions community education act and a First Nations governance institute – ini- tiatives designed to promote autonomy and equality, two principles necessary for long-term community sustainability. "First Nations chiefs have come to the table and are eager to lead the changes needed to literally save our communi- ties," said Chief Stewart Paul, Ambas- sador of the AFNCNB and Chief of the Neqotkuk (Tobique) First Nation. "But we cannot do it alone. We must continue to partner with all levels of government, business and non-First Nations commu- nities to make a difference. "This is mission critical to the future of our people," he added. "New Bruns- wick's First Nations will benefit, and as a result the province will benefit." The plan's targets include 1,000 net new jobs in First Nations communities, a 30% increase in post-secondary partici- pation rates among First Nations youth, and social assistance usage decline – all by 2017. Copies of the plan are available at www.FirstNationsChiefsNB.ca. -Kelly Lamrock, Director of Research and Operations, Assembly of First Nations Chiefs in New Brunswick Place To Feature Aboriginal Music Rack HMV Portage CDS BY ABORIGINAL ARTISTS NOW AVAILABLE IN ONE PLACE MB) -- Cweedband.com Ltd. and HMV Music are pleased to announce the opening of an 'Aborigi- nal Music Rack' at the HMV music outlet at Por- tage Place Mall in Winnipeg today. "We have so much incredible Aboriginal tal- Wednesday, October 31, 2012 (Winnipeg ent here in Manitoba, and our music infrastructure is in great need of a means to making Aboriginal music accessible in the marketplace," says Errol Ranville, president of music distribution company Cweedband.com Ltd. "This project will allow all Aboriginal artists across Canada an opportunity to be available to mainstream consumers." "We know not all music lovers are comput- er savvy or connected to online shopping, and there are many who still want hardcopy CDs of their favorite artists. We wanted to provide a con- sistent place to go where you can buy CDs put out by Aboriginal artists," says Ranville. "Having a test market at HMV Portage Place in Winnipeg is a vital step forward." The project came about when Cory Clark from HMV contacted Ranville about putting Ab- original music on a dedicated rack in the Portage Place location. "I'm excited that my downtown lo- cation will be providing a great selection of much- requested Aboriginal music," says Clark, Store Manager at HMV in Portage Place. The rack will feature all genres of music, from country, gospel, rock, roots, pop, rap, and hip- hop, to Pow Wow music, Métis fiddle, traditional instrumentals, and others. It's an initiative that's welcomed by the Manito Ahbee Festival, which also kicks off celebrations in Winnipeg today. "The Manito Ahbee Festival and the Aborigi- nal Peoples Choice Music Awards commend this proactive approach to spotlighting Aboriginal recording artists and making their music more accessible to the greater public," says Jacquie Black, Manager of the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards. Dave McLeod from NCI Radio/STREETZ FM knows how important it is for radio listeners to have a place where they can buy their favourite music. "Each week we produce the National Aborigi- nal Music Countdown which is heard on seven provincial radio networks. With the advent of HMV partnering with Mr. Ranville, we'll now be able to point listeners to an outlet where they can purchase their favorite Aboriginal music artist CD," says McLeod. Ranville's next steps are to work in unison with the National Aboriginal Top 40 Countdown to solicit artists that have air support on the sta- tions owned by Western Association of Aborigi- nal Broadcasters (WAAB), and include CDs from these artists on the rack. Artists interested in having their CDs stocked on the rack should contact Errol Ranville at cweedband.com ltd (cweedband@shaw.ca) ~ RoseAnna Schick

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