Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

Framework Agreement Initiative 2001 Update - by Lorne Cochrane

CHIEFS COMMITTEE

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs - Chiefs Committee on FAI (CCCOFAI) oversees the FAI process and provides ongoing direction to the project management staff. Members are:

Chief Ken Whitecloud, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation (Interim Chair)
Chief Arnold Ouskan, War Lake First Nation
Chief Sheldon Kent, Little Black River First Nation
Chief Jerry Primrose, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
Chief Morris Shannacappo, Rolling River First Nation
Chief Douglas Ballantyne, Grand Rapids First Nation
Frank Wesley, Elder Advisor

STAFF:

Lorne Cochrane, Acting FAI Project Director (pictured)
Angela McKay, Executive Assistant
Eugene Peterson, Legal Counsel
Irene Linklater, Manager of Research & Development
Loretta Meade, Legal Counsel
Shirley Malcolm, Education Coordinator
Erick Bunn, Governance Development Analyst
Georgina Crate, FAI-CFS Liaison
Gail Flett, Education Administrative Assistant
Willis Catcheway, Administrative Assistant/Resource Room
Joyce Wilson, Administrative Assistant

HIGHLIGHTS

David Walker appointed as Canada’s Chief Federal Negotiator for the FAI (May 2000)
Grand Chief Dennis White Bird appointed by the CCOFAI as the Interim FAI spokesperson (September 2000)
Several sessions were held with the Federal Negotiator. The primary focus for September to December were on issues related to the annual work plan and budget
December 2000 – March 31, 2001 work plan/budget negotiations finalized with AMC receiving a total funding allocation of $3.79 million for the 2000/01 fiscal year
Process for Joint and Internal Negotiation Working Groups established for Child and Family Services (CFS) and Education [December 2000]
Terms of Reference/Membership completed for the Working Groups [March 2001]
Access to Resources/Resource Benefit Sharing lead role / Southern Chiefs Organization
Child and Family Services lead role / Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
FAI Governance Research Project / Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
First Nations Congress Approach developed and presented to the Chiefs-in-Assembly
Terms of Reference for the Elders Congress adopted by the CCOFAI which includes ongoing participation at all negotiations processes (internal and joint sessions)

Internal Negotiations Protocol adopted by CCOFAI which outlines internal arrangements pertaining to all internal and joint negotiation sessions [pre- and post-briefing sessions, co-ordination of information sharing]

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

AMC, MKO, and SCO have been directed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly to take an aggressive approach to ensure progress continues on the FAI. Negotiations will continue to focus on substantial issues related to Governance, Fiscal Relations and Jurisdiction as well as issues arising from the Technical Working Tables on Child and Family Services, and Education.

The technical meeting tables set the stage for further negotiations by establishing schedules, terms of reference and work plan discussions.

Further negotiations led to agreement on development of Agreements-in-Principle for further advance the file. The foremost consideration in the AIP drafting stage is to ensure that the Framework Agreement Initiative (FAI bluebook) objectives and principles will guide the process.

An agreement-in-principle is not legally binding but is a step to proceed to the next stage of negotiations. It sets out the framework for negotiation of a proposed agreement and confirms the parties are prepared to continue negotiations for a final agreement based on the agreement-in-principle.

The terms and conditions of each of the Agreements-in-Principle will be shared with all Manitoba First Nations citizens.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES

Child and Family Services – The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) office has the lead role in implementation of the joint work plan for MKO, AMC, and the Southern Child and Family Service units. The MKO office is also co-ordinating the Child and Family Services Working Group which will be developing the draft Agreement-in-Principle during Phase I.

Education - AMC has the lead in the development of a draft Agreement-in-Principle for education for Phase I. The AIP will incorporate consultation feedback from First Nations communities through the former Education Framework Agreement (EFA) process (1990-1994) and subsequent FAI process from 1994 to 2000.

Governance - A Joint Canada/AMC Working Group on Governance has been established to implement the design and development of First Nations governments based on initial First Nation input and consultations.

Fiscal Relations - The Joint Canada/AMC Working Group on Fiscal Relations has also been established. The Working Group will discuss issues for research and provide options and solutions to address Canada/First Nations fiscal relations.

Access to Resources/Resource Benefit Sharing - The Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) office has prepared a joint work plan to co-ordinate research and development activities related to resource benefit sharing. This will be addressed as part of the work plan and budget negotiations.

Consultation - Materials on First Nation Governance community consultation workshops have been compiled and provided to First Nation offices and the DIAND Region with copies provided to Minister Nault. To date, over 13,000 First Nations members have been consulted on the FAI process which represents over 20% of the total on-reserve Manitoba First Nations population.