Tansi, Aaniin, Elders, Leaders and all First Nation Citizens:

On behalf of the Executive Council of Chiefs, we welcome you to the AMC 19^th Annual General Assembly.

First, I want to thank Chief Wallace Moar and the O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation for welcoming us to their community as the host First Nation for the AGA. I also want to thank them for hosting a Traditional Pow Wow during our stay in their community.

I also want to thank all of the Chiefs and leadership of the First Nations in Manitoba for their tireless efforts and commitment to working hard to improve the lives of First Nations people. This year's Assembly is focused on Good Governance - one of the four areas to which I committed myself upon being elected Grand Chief. Plans for Governance House are moving along smoothly. The transfer of ownership to Long Plain First Nation was completed on June 1, 2007. We are now waiting for the federal government to grant Addition-to-Reserve status to the site, which we have been assured will be completed by Spring of 2008. Architectural plans are complete for the time being and we are currently working with various potential investors on the project. We intend to put out a call for tenders by this fall and to begin construction in the spring of 2008.

The importance of Governance House cannot be overestimated. The establishment of a First Nations Governance House will create a central location for each nation and its citizens living off-reserve to access their governments. It will provide Chiefs a space to bring the concerns of each of their band members into one established location where they can meet and work together in unity to harmonize the individual concerns of their communities with the good of all of the First Nations of Manitoba. Finally, it will create a symbol of First Nations government that is recognizable to non-First Nations and their media and governments. It will also provide the crucible for cohesiveness, unity of voice and action and services for the First Nations of Manitoba.

My commitment to the economic development of First Nations is also exemplified by Governance House, which is designed to take advantage of the land entitlement rights within the city to create a prominent centre for economic development for all First Nations. The building is designed to be self-sustaining through rental agreements with tenants, and at this point, so many organizations and businesses have requested space that the building is almost full, even before it is built.

Economic development for all of the First Nations in Manitoba is my top priority. I am pleased to announce that we are in the process of facilitating a transfer of capacity in which the allotment of VLT's for 15 remote communities is being transferred to a good market location. These VLT's will be placed at the South Beach Casino with revenues going to each of these communities. This kind of teamwork is an example of unity and what it can do for all of us when we work together.

Economic development also means providing opportunities for remote communities to access food and other materials at a reasonable price. By working with the provincial government, we were able to initiate the "Rocky Mountain Doublesâ" program which allows trucks travelling to Thompson to double the load and provide cheaper shipping to First Nations communities in the North. We are also currently in the process of working with Fort Whyte Centre to develop a model greenhouse project which will allow remote and Northern First Nations the opportunity to grow fresh produce in their communities.

For First Nation individuals, AMC has spearheaded pearance at this year's Annual General Assembly.

several new initiatives. Most recently, AMC partnered with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to create a patient advocate position for First Nation clients seeking health services in the Winnipeg region. We have also created the AMC Residential School Coordinator position to assist survivors as they negotiate the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement process, and in late 2005, the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre opened to provide services for First Nation people adjusting to the urban environment.

I am also pleased to inform you that we have developed strong relationships with both the current provincial and federal governments. Since I joined AMC, we have developed strong links with the Premier who is in regular contact with AMC on developing First Nations issues, including speeding up of land claims which the Province announced in conjunction with AMC in June of this year.

I have been working closely with the federal government as well. Together with Minister of Health Tony Clement, AMC has announced a pilot project to improve wait times for First Nations persons with diabetes. We have also met several times with Minister Prentice and our relationship continues to thrive. We are currently seeing significant changes as a result of our regular advocacy efforts with the federal government and retain a good working relationship with the Minister of Indian Affairs. We look forward to his ap-I have also had the opportunity to work closely with both Mayor Sam Katz of the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Hydro President Bob Brennan on the Governance House project and maintain a solid working relationship with them as well.

Working together, we have made some significant inroads and recognize we have much more to do. Our achievements thus far in developing relationships and dealing with issues have created a strong base for the future. I am confident our efforts will only accelerate progress.

Finally, when all is said and done, nothing is more important than our culture, our languages and our heritage. Elder Albert Taylor has become the Elder Advisor to AMC and visits our offices regularly to counsel us with wisdom and patience. His vast knowledge of our traditions, profound faith in the Creator and great compassion inspire me to continue working tirelessly on behalf of all First Nation citizens.

I hope that this Assembly finds us with open minds, humble hearts and the commitment to work together in unity for the good of all of the First Nations people in Manitoba.

Ekosani! Miigwech!

Tan’si First Nation Citizens and Friends:

Since taking office in July 2005, my staff and I have worked diligently to fulfill my campaign promises and mandate. Key to my mandate is the establishment and creation of an urban reserve in Winnipeg. We expect to see a shovel in the ground within the year. Once completed it will house and showcase our house of government complete with a service centre for all First Nation peoples’ needs. The First Nations Governance House will be a symbol of unity, strength and culture of our people. We will no longer be supporting non-First Nation owners of property when rightfully we should be caretakers and owners in our own land. The building of our First Nations Governance House will be a foothold in history that will see us doing business on our own permanent site and in our structure. For that I am very, very proud and at the same time filled with optimism. The future is bright.

High on my list of initiatives are federal issues relating to treaty rights and the quality of life for First Nation people. We can no longer accept that we as Manitoba First Nations continue to lag further behind any other region in economic development and educational achievement. As Grand Chief, I have and continue to bring these issues to the forefront and press the federal government to honour our treaties. We need and will continue to press for the proper resources and supports that are necessary for improvement in these key areas of community development. The implementation of the Kelowna Accord is a significant step forward in addressing the quality of life issues of our people and we will continue to hold the Government of Canada to the commitment of improving the quality life for First Nations people.

As your Grand Chief, I will continue to serve our communities and advocate on behalf of First Nations people. It is paramount that we continue to have a unified voice and to speak on all issues that pertain to our treaties. On this note, I hope that you find our magazine informative and that it provides insight into the role of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. We encourage you to contact us for further information, or visit our website, at www.manitobachiefs.com.

The issue with winter roads is a significant problem for those First Nations that require land transport to provide an economic way to restock their communities. Due to the warm weather this winter, a number of communities are facing increased food costs, increased fuel costs, and challenges to access health and other services.

While the causes of global warming are often debated, there are few who do not admit it is happening. This means that winter road creation will be a challenge First Nations in Manitoba will have to face year after year. These roads are critical in terms of First Nation citizens being able to access health services, delivery of fuel and food, and sustainable economic development.

It seems obvious that the most effective solution to the problem would be to build all-weather roads to all communities within Manitoba. While the expenses may seem prohibitive, the long term benefits to northern Manitoba and the First Nations that need winter roads will prove to cover the costs. The costs associated with providing emergency measures to communities that cannot build winter roads will be a substantial cost saving in itself. It is estimated that the province spent $15 million to address the lack of winter roads in the warm 1997 season alone.

Until every First Nation has a road to it, Canadians will be hard pressed to prove they made an honest attempt to bring economic development to these communities. The economy of Canada travels on roads, which means that roads to northern communities will not only benefit the First Nations, but also the economy of Manitoba by allowing greater accesses to natural resources for all Manitobans. The tourism potential of Manitoba’s untapped wilderness is just one example of an industry that can benefit from the creation of all-weather roads.

This province has not been completely explored for resources that may prove beneficial for the entire economy of Manitoba. By creating all-weather roads, Manitoba’s north will be open to greater exploration for the good of all.

By making roads to the communities that already exist in the north, Manitoba will be laying the groundwork for further development and opening up the north for use by all Manitobans.

The creation of all-weather roads to every community in Manitoba is a laudable goal that will not only improve the lives of the First Nations held hostage by warm winters, but it will also prove beneficial to all Manitobans.

As the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs I am very excited to announce the creation of the First Nations Governance House and Service Centre. In partnership, with the Long Plain First Nation we are creating a centre whose sole purpose is to provide better governance to the First Nations of Manitoba.

The Governance House will be a place where the leadership of First Nations can come together to address the needs of our people. As Indian and Northern Affairs Canada downloads more and more responsibilities on to the Chiefs it is important that he have a venue to store knowledge, best practices and meet the people who have similar issues, a First Nation perspective and, possibly, a First Nation solution to their challenge.

First Nations are working towards self-governance and the Governance House represents a proactive solution to bringing together the people that will move us towards this goal. It will be a building full of people with bright ideas, people who know how to increase transparency in local governance, people who can improve services to our people and people who know how to make regulations that will improve economic development and investment in our communities.

As a good neighbour the Long Plain First Nation will sign a Municipal Development and Services Agreement that will ensure that the land and the Governance House fits into the laws, the economy and future- plans of the City of Winnipeg. The service agreement will make sure that the First Nations Governance House will not be an expense to Winnipeggers and their city, but a partner in bettering the economy for all Manitobans. Due to the huge population of First Nations in Manitoba and in the city, the bettering of First Nation lives will prove to be beneficial for all Manitobans.

I would like to thank the Chief and people of the Long Plain First Nation, who have the vision to partner with us in this project for the benefit of their community and all First Nations in Manitoba.

One of my next goals is to take on an issue that affects many of our communities. Diabetes is a disease that has had a significant impact in the lives of First Nation communities, families and individuals. In January 2005, at the AMC’s Special Chiefs Assembly on Health and Housing, the Chiefs passed a resolution to establish the Manitoba First Nations Diabetes Prevention Centres of Excellence, one in the north and one in the south, to study and address the problem of diabetes in our communities.

The Centres will be focused on the prevention of the onset of diabetes as well as the progression of the disease and its symptoms once it has been diagnosed. The Centres will be able to provide high quality diagnostic assessments and will be storehouses of knowledge and practices to effectively prevent, control and manage diabetes across the lifespan of First Nations people. They will be places where our people can learn to tend to themselves and possibly create a career in caring for others.

Too many of our people have lost loved ones or have watched them slowly suffer as they lose limbs, or eyesight or vitality. Too many of our people have to spend days, or months, or years, away from their families and communities in order to receive the care they need.

The Manitoba First Nations Diabetes Prevention Centres of Excellence will be devoted to addressing the plague of diabetes in our communities.

Tan’si,

I want to thank the Elders, Chiefs, Councillors, and grassroots First Nation people for allowing me the honour of representing the First Nations of Manitoba. During my term as Grand Chief I plan to address the most important issues we face today. I will build on the vision set out for us in WAHBUNG – “Our Tomorrows” – the plan set out for us by the Elders in 1971.

It is clear that our single most important goal for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs today is unity. Through our collective efforts, we can deal with the Province and Federal Governments on a nation – to – nation basis. I believe we can achieve this unity through strong and respectful leadership.

My plan to achieve this unity is based on these major points which focus on:

1) strong governance,
2) economic development, and
3) enhanced community infrastructure.

This approach will be the basic framework to foster business development, and establish the facilities that will make our communities vibrant places to live and will help our people achieve a greater standard of living and better health. It is time for us to practice and demonstrate unity as First Nations Leaders and through it we will advance our collective needs and goals.

In my effort to strengthen our governance system, I will push for the creation of The First Nations House Governance. This will become the foundation on which we will build upon. This will be the symbol for unity.

Improved community infrastructure cannot help but improve the quality of life for our citizens. With effective community infrastructure, our communities will be better equipped to increase investment, maintain a good quality of life, and deal with emergency situations.

If you share this vision then we must work together on these goals. Our future depends on our ability to respect our individual needs and come together collectively as First Nations.

Tansi,

I want to thank the Elders, Chiefs, Councilors, and grassroots First Nation people for allowing me the honour of representing the First Nations of Manitoba.

During my term as Grand Chief I plan to addresses the most important issues we face today. I will build on the vision set out for us in WAHBUNG – “Our Tomorrows” – the plan set out for us by the Elders in 1971.

It is clear that our single most important goal for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs today is UNITY. Through our collective efforts, we can deal with the Province and Federal Governments on Nation - to - Nation basis. I believe we can achieve this unity through strong and respectful leadership.

My plan to achieve this unity is based on these major points that focuses on:

strong governance,

economic development, and

enhanced community infrastructure.

This approach will be the basic framework to foster business development, and establish the facilities that will make our communities vibrant places to live and will help our people achieve a greater standard of living and better health. It is time for us to practice and demonstrate unity as First Nations Leaders and through it we will advance our collective needs and goals.

In my effort to strengthen our governance system, I will push for the creation of the First Nations Governance House. This will become the foundation on which we will build upon. This will be the symbol for unity.

Over 50% of our First Nations population of which a large majority are youth, live in urban areas. This prompts our need to work collectively to build our land base in both rural and urban areas. We need to be strong and unified to ensure our people have a better quality of life now and in the future.

Through our collective effort, we will work towards and secure the co-jurisdiction of resources and land management strategies. To achieve this goal, we must consider the parameters established by the provincial and federal legislation and extend those boundaries so that we can reach our economic goals.

Improved community infrastructure cannot help but improve the quality of life for our citizens. With enhanced community infrastructure, our communities will be better equipped to increase investment, maintain a good quality of life, and provide for their citizens.

If you share this vision then we must work together on these goals. Our future depends on our ability to respect our individual needs and come together collectively as First Nations.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
200-260 St. Mary Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R3C 0M6

Toll Free: 1-888-324-5483
Telephone: 1-204-956-0610
Facsimile: 1-204-956-2109


Grand Chief's E-mail: grandchief@manitobachiefs.com