First Nations Gaming still on the Table
Study will not hinder negotiations between Province and First Nations

For immediate release, August 20, 2007 - Winnipeg, MB - A Manitoba First Nations Gaming Market Study released by the Province today will not halt ongoing negotiations for new casinos for the First Nations of Manitoba according to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

"The conservative nature of this study will not be used to artificially limit our access to viable markets," says AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans. "We are in discussions with Manitoba and have been for some time regarding future First Nation gaming in Manitoba and we feel confident that these negotiations will continue to move forward and produce fair and satisfactory results."

Going back to The Bostrum Report in 1997, the Province originally promised the First Nations of Manitoba five casinos. To date, two successful gaming centres, the expanding South Beach Casino at Brokenhead First Nation just north of Winnipeg and Aseneskak Casino at Opaskwayak Cree Nation near The Pas, operate on First Nations land. Prior to fulfilling its original promise of five casinos, the Province insisted a market study be done.

"AMC had always rejected the idea of a general Market Study but would not be allowed to move forward without one," says Evans. "We have been extremely patient since discussion on First Nation Casinos first became active with the Bostrom Report in 1997. It is now time to see some concrete results that will benefit all First Nations in Manitoba."

Evans, who speaks on behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Gaming Committee, says that serious discussions between the Province and the Committee are ongoing and that announcements will be made as soon as agreements have been reached. He says the study is only one of many factors in considering future development plans.

"As we predicted and expected the Market Study is very conservative, as general Market Studies tend to be. We understand that, and thus would not use the study to determine the viability of a specific business venture but rather as a source of general information," says Evans.

"We have always felt that a general market study served no real purpose other than to depict a general picture of the gaming market in Manitoba at one particular time," says Evans. "We have always preferred a focused and professional Business Plan that was very detailed in its findings of two or more sites that offered the reasonable market conditions for success."

For more information, please contact:

Sandra Ducharme
Acting Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6326
sducharme@manitobachiefs.com

Manitoba First Nations welcome new Indian Affairs Minister
For immediate release, August 20, 2007

Winnipeg, MB - The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs welcomed new Minister Charles (Chuck) Strahl to their Annual General Assembly in Winnipeg today.

"The Minister contacted me directly within 24 hours of his appointment and agreed to honour the commitments of his predecessor," said AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans. "We were impressed by his diligence and commitment to his new portfolio and believe that his appearance here today was a show of good faith and willingness to work together with First Nations."

Evans pointed out that the Minister's appearance was timely in light of current events facing our communities and people.

"We are pleased to have had the opportunity to inform the Minister of a potential strategic plan for all First Nations to work collaboratively with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development to address long-standing issues," said AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans.

"Through unity, the Chiefs in Manitoba will be able to increase their capacity to deal with the issues facing First Nations in Manitoba."

At a presentation on the first day of the meeting, Minister Strahl expressed his interest in maintaining an open line of communication with the First Nations people of Manitoba.

"I will be back often and regularly," said Strahl, adding that he intends to maintain regular contact with AMC. Strahl said he believes there is "no use arriving when a crisis presents itself" but that he should be "arriving to prevent a crisis."

While many First Nations people were pleased with the job former Minister Jim Prentice had done in the portfolio, Strahl said he intends to carry on Minister Prentice's work.

Strahl said it would be "business as usual" in terms of following through on the previous minister's commitments, adding that he will be "following through on the nuts and bolts" of making life better for First Nations people.

"I intend to build on what I think was excellent work by Minister Prentice," he said.

For more information, please contact:

Nakina Sankar
Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6493
nsankar@manitobachiefs.com

Grand Chief states Devils Lake breaches treaty right to water
For immediate release, July 23, 2007

Winnipeg, MB - The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Ron Evans expressed concern today on behalf of First Nations regarding the controversial Devils Lake outlet.

"First Nations have significant rights to water, including the quality of water. The treaties signed never extinguished Indigenous inherent water rights. In our opinion the Devils Lake Project is a breach of our Aboriginal and Treaty rights," said Evans. "Unilateral decision making by foreign governments that negatively impact our lands, waters and ecosystems are not acceptable."

Despite warnings from the AMC regarding potential environmental threats, Canada and the United States struck an agreement in 2005 to construct the outlet, which diverts water from the flood-prone Devils Lake into river systems that reach the Red River and ultimately Lake Winnipeg. The main element of the agreement calls for both countries to design and construct a more advanced filtration system and/or disinfection system for the outlet based on the results of ongoing monitoring and risk assessment.

Earlier this month, a crack was discovered in the outlet after adult fish were found to have passed through. The Manitoba government and environmental groups in the United States served formal notice two weeks ago of their intention to sue North Dakota over the potential breach. Nonetheless, the outlet is currently in use.

"Our lakes are in trouble," says Evans. "I've seen it with my own eyes as a fisherman on Lake Winnipeg. The lake is becoming more polluted, the algae is heavier and comes out earlier than I've ever seen it before.

"Lake Winnipeg is already suffering from pollution. It doesn't need any added stressors resulting from contaminants from Devils Lake."

Evans argues that while the potential environmental hazards affect all Manitobans, the First Nations people have an added concern regarding the Devils Lake Outlet.

"Water is life. Water is sacred and powerful for the First Nations people. Water is essential for traditional medicines, animals and birds. Water is important to the emotional, physical, spiritual and mental well being of our First Nations people.

"Lake Winnipeg is extremely important to the First Nations that utilize the waters for social, economic and ceremonial purposes. Lake Winnipeg is a crucial element of Manitoba First Nations' culture, economic development and environmental values."

For more information, please contact:

Nakina Sankar
Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6493
nsankar@manitobachiefs.com

Black River First Nation launches suit over Treaty 5 Land Disparity

July 17, 2007-On July 5, 2007, the leaders of the Black River First Nation filed a statement of claim in the Federal Court of Manitoba. They argue this landmark case will rectify 130 years of injustice directly related to a Treaty process they never had the opportunity to negotiate to the full benefit of their people.

"A significant disparity in the formula used to calculate land entitlement in the numbered treaties has prompted us, the people of the Black River First Nation, to launch a suit against the federal government, said Chief Sheldon Kent. " We believe the Crown's actions in negotiating Treaty 5 in 1875 amounted to bad faith bargaining, equitable fraud, and breach of trust and fiduciary obligations to the Treaty 5 First Nations, of which we are a part of."

The band's allegations arise from the formula used to calculate treaty land entitlement for Treaty 5 First Nations (160 acres per family of 5) which amounts to one-quarter of the amount of land set aside for Treaty 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 First Nations (640 acres per family of 5).

"It is expected that the Government will argue that the Treaty 5 First Nations agreed to the land entitlement formula set out in Treaty 5 and, therefore, almost 130 years after Treaty 5 was signed, it cannot dispute the formula set out in the written text of the treaty," said band lawyer Ron Maurice. "From the band's perspective, however, government reports suggest that Crown agents negotiated with the Treaty 5 First Nations in an underhanded manner which may have tainted the entire treaty making process for the bands of Treaty 5."

The band alleges that the Crown used a "divide and conquer" tactic in negotiating the treaty by dealing with small groups of the Treaty 5 First Nations at separate locations, instead of having the First Nations congregate in order to consolidate their bargaining position. This, the band says, differed from the Crown's actions in negotiating with large groups in other treaties. In most cases, when treating with the small groups, the Crown spent only one day negotiating at each location, as opposed to spending several days at one location to negotiate with several bands.

"The process of treaty 5 negotiation was severely flawed. The value of the land should be the same value and not less than the other treaties. It was the same formula used for treaties one through eleven and should be based on the value of land elsewhere," says National Treaty Spokesperson, Ovide Mercredi.

The statement of claim calls for a declaration from the federal government that it is obligated to rectify the terms of Treaty 5 and pass an Order in Council increasing the amount of land to be set apart as reserve under Treaty 5 to 1 square mile for each family of five. The band is also seeking damages from the federal government for allegedly failing to protect their aboriginal title from exploitation and compensation for loss of use of the lands that should have been set apart for the First Nation.

The Treaty 5 Land Disparity action is being hailed as a first of its kind because the claim addresses government action from a time prior to the signing of Treaty 5. Lands claims typically arise from Crown action after the treaties were signed and raise issues of illegal surrenders of reserve lands or treaty land entitlement shortfalls.

"The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs supports Black River First Nation and all signatories to Treaty 5 in their renegotiating efforts,"says Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. "Treaty land entitlement provides great opportunities and resources to build economic capacity in First Nation communities, and that's good for the whole province."

"We also look forward to working with the federal government in its recently expressed desire to rectify the injustices of the past."

The Black River First Nation is located northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

For more information:

Chief Sheldon Kent
Black River First Nation
Phone. 1-204-367-4411
Cell: 227-5039

All Manitobans invited to National Day of Action
For immediate release, June 29, 2007

Winnipeg, MB - With 25 per cent of Manitoba's children under the age of 15 being of aboriginal descent, Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs encourages all Manitobans to stand together with the AMC in the National Day of Action on June 29, 2007.

"In 10 years, there's a good chance 1 in 4 people in Manitoba will be aboriginal," says Evans. "That means what happens to First Nations people in this province affects ALL Manitobans. The poverty of our people, the federal government funding cap to our communities and the ongoing issues of treaty and land claims are no longer acceptable. No Manitoban should accept this treatment from the Government of Canada."

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs invites all Manitobans to join them this June 29. Starting at 10:00 a.m., they will be hosting a peaceful walk from Memorial Garden (across from the Legislature) to The Forks where from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the Oodena Circle will see musicians, dancers, drummers and speakers sharing a broad spectrum of First Nations culture and perspectives with all.

The purpose of the National Day of Action is to bring attention to such issues as the settlement of land claims and efficient transfer of lands to First Nations, the recognition of First Nation governments, ending poverty for First Nation people, and honouring the treaties.

The agenda for the Forks event includes musical guests like Errol Ranville and Curtis Jonnie, drum groups, dance demonstrations in many categories including tiny tots, fancy shawl and hoop dancing, plus speakers including AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans, Assembly of First Nations Regional Vice Chief Katherine Whitecloud, newly elected Grand Chief Morris Shannacappo from Southern Chiefs Organization and Lloyd Axworthy of the University of Winnipeg, among others.

The event will also include traditional teachings by Elders, a display of cultural artifacts with explanations on their significance, a communications tent with information on First Nations issues and solutions, and much more.

Evans says a key issue is that Canadians need to understand that they receive government services just like First Nations do, but that the level of service they receive is far greater.

"When we talk about lack of funding to First Nations, this is what we mean. The federal government pays less for our services and we get the kind of service they pay for. All we are asking for is to receive the same services that other people in this country take for granted."

For more information, please contact:

Nakina Sankar
Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6493
nsankar@manitobachiefs.com

Will Ottawa put Children First?
For immediate release, May 17, 2007

Winnipeg, MB - In 2004, a four-year-old First Nations child named Jordan died in hospital as the federal and provincial governments fought over who would pay for his care. On Friday, May 18, 2007, NDP MP Jean Crowder will be announcing a private members' bill on Jordan's Principle to ensure no child ever suffers like this again.

Jordan's Principle, also known as the Child First Principle, means the level of government in first contact with the child assumes the cost of care, and both levels sort out the costs and jurisdiction after the service has been delivered.

"We are very pleased that this federal MP is tabling this as a private members' bill," says Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. "We have received support from our province in regard to adopting a Child First Principle but that support is dependent upon federal government cooperation."

Precedent was recently set in jurisdictional disputes regarding children's health care when on April 13, 2007, in Ontario, the provincial and federal governments agreed to cost-share mental health services for the children of Canadian Armed Forces personnel at CFB Petawawa who are suffering traumatic stress. They divided the cost according to their constitutional responsibilities-the federal government funds the military personnel, the province provides the health services to the children.

"We are pleased to see that common sense has prevailed in Ontario," said Evans. "First Nations children are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in Canadian society. Caught between federal and provincial jurisdictions, neither government will accept fiscal responsibility or jurisdictional authority when our children are in need."

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) has been advocating on behalf of Jordan and all First Nation children for many years to ensure that no child dies waiting for care that could have been delivered but for jurisdictional infighting between governments.

"At the end of the day our children are suffering. We are witness to these horrifying injustices inflicted upon our children. We will continue to support the efforts of all who work on addressing this critical issue, that of putting children first and foremost above all jurisdictional disputes," says Evans.

For more information, please contact:

Trudy Lavallee
Senior Policy Analyst
Child & Family Issues
987-4143
tlavallee@manitobachiefs.com

Residential Schools Survivors conference to make history
1500 Participants create guide to prepare Survivors and Communities for Future

April 27, 2007 - The Indian Residential School Survivors National Conference, Preparing Survivors and Communities to Move Forward, takes place April 30 to May 2, 2007 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. At press time, nearly 1500 participants have pre-registered and AMC is receiving 65-70 calls a day regarding the conference.

With the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement in the final process of approval, payments are expected to begin late this year (2007). How will First Nation communities deal with this new money in the community? What type of effects could they see? Conference participants will be working together to create a strategy to maximize the positive effects-- including economic development for the individual and community, and improved standard of living-- and minimize the damages, which could include increased substance abuse and community conflicts.

The conference was created when Indian Residential Resolutions Services Canada called for a working group to develop a strategy for dealing with the Common Experience Payments to survivors once the money started to flow. The AMC offered to help develop a resource guide for front-line workers (including other agencies) who work directly with survivors in Manitoba, but together we and IRRSC realized this would be important as a national tool for all front-line workers, key stakeholders and First Nation communities.

Unique to this event, participants will be working on a resource guide to be used as a tool for all front-line workers across Canada.

Keynote speakers at the conference are AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine, Elijah Harper, and federal Deputy Minister of Indian Residential Schools Canada Peter Harrison.

For more information, please contact:

Nakina Sankar
Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6493
nsankar@manitobachiefs.com

Manitoba Chiefs hold rally at the Manitoba Legislature
April 25, 2007 - Solicit business support to hold federal government accountable for budget

Winnipeg, MB -Grand Chief Ron Evans on behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has issued a rally call to all First Nations, supporters of First Nations and businesses supported by First Nations. The peaceful public rally, held Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at the Manitoba Legislature, brings attention to the federal Conservative's Budget 2007 and its rejection of the Kelowna Accord.

The Kelowna Accord, signed by all provinces, then-Prime Minister Paul Martin, and First Nations leaders recommended that $5 billion be spent over 5 years JUST TO BRING FIRST NATIONS TO AVERAGE CANADIAN LIVING STANDARDS. Federal Budget 2007 provides only $1 billion over three years in new money to First Nations.

"This federal budget affects everyone. With no money to spend, we cannot continue to support the businesses that rely on First Nations-and there are many," says Grand Chief Evans. "We have respectfully requested that businesses we support, in turn support us. We look forward to gathering together in unity with First Nations and non-First Nations to protest this government's shameful behaviour."

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice wrote to the media in late March threatening First Nations with forensic audits "of every organization that participates in blockades and civil disobedience." Shortly after Prentice's public statements, a press leak revealed that his own departmental staff had warned him about serious funding shortfalls in the department PRIOR TO HIS RELEASE OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET.

"He knew his budget was woefully inadequate. His own staff told him. Yet when we protested, he threatened our right to speak out," said Grand Chief Evans. "This should concern all Canadians."

The rally was called after an emergency Executive Council of Chiefs meeting on April 4, 2007. At the meeting, the Chiefs of Manitoba talked about the fact that the spotlight is now on Manitoba as it was them that Prentice threatened directly in his letter to the media. "With First Nations groups across the country watching to see what will do, Manitoba Chiefs must take the lead," said Grand Chief Evans.

Under the direction of its Executive Council of Chiefs, Grand Chief Evans announced that he as Grand Chief would also be implementing an election strategy encouraging all First Nations people to vote in federal and provincial elections. In addition, research is underway to determine the economic leverage First Nations have and how they can use it.

For more information, please contact:

Nakina Sankar
Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6493
nsankar@manitobachiefs.com

Housing Scheme Only Accessible to a Privileged Few
For immediate release, April 20, 2007

Winnipeg, MB - The Conservative government announced today that it will be taking $300 million out of existing First Nations funding in order to help individuals on reserve own their own homes. With unemployment raging as high as 90 per cent in some Manitoba First Nation communities, the vast majority of First Nation individuals will not be able to access this money.

Current housing shortfalls on First Nations run from 20,000 to 35,000 across the country.

"Overcrowding, poor and even dangerous housing conditions exist for many First Nation individuals in Manitoba who would be pleased to have a bedroom to call their own, let alone a whole house," said AMC Grand Chief Ron Evans. "What we need is immediate funding now, as outlined in Kelowna."

The Kelowna Accord advocated for $5.1 billion over five years to be spent simply to bring First Nations up to average national living standards. The Accord was signed by then Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin, the provinces and many Aboriginal groups and has since been endorsed by Brian Mulroney, Steven Harper's advisor and a former Conservative Prime Minister.

According to Prentice, delivering the money outlined in Kelowna would "pour more money in the top of the funnel" rather than actually address the needs of First Nations. His alternative approach includes pulling $300 million of desperately needed immediate funding into a program that only those who are gainfully employed could even access.

"It's a make the rich richer approach," said Evans. "Worse, it's offering mortgages to people who are in some cases literally starving. Can you imagine walking up to a starving person, telling them that you don't have $5 to give them for food but you'd be willing to invest that $5 in their future. Their only response would be, 'What future?'"

Prentice's plan also does not address the fact that though an individual may own the house, they cannot own the land and therefore cannot resell the house short of having it transported off reserve. Further, though an individual may be able to access a mortgage through the program to secure business funding, for instance, they would then need a loan guarantee, which would be very difficult, if not impossible, to secure.

Nakina Sankar
Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6493
nsankar@manitobachiefs.com

First Nation Children have Charter Rights too!
For immediate release, April 17, 2007

Winnipeg, MB - Today, in Canada, many First Nation parents must put their children in foster care just to get them adequate health and social services. It's an unacceptable choice. It's a stark reality. And today, the Charter of Rights turns 25.

Who are these children? They are children whose First Nation Child & Family Services agency funding stands at one third less of what the children in the rest of the province receive. In order for a First Nations child to receive essential services, many parents must put them in foster care.

What can we as Canadians do about this?

AMC supports the action taken on April 13 in Ontario, when the provincial and federal governments agreed to cost-share mental health services for the children of Canadian Armed Forces personnel at CFB Petawawa who are suffering traumatic stress. They divided the cost according to their constitutional responsibilities-the federal government funds the military personnel, the province provides the health services to the children.

This is exactly what we call the Child First Principle, for which AMC and Manitoba First Nations have been advocating for years. "Caught between federal and provincial jurisdictions, neither government will accept fiscal responsibility or jurisdictional authority when our children are in need," said Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

The Child First Principle means the level of government in first contact with the child assumes the cost of care and both levels sort out the costs and jurisdiction after the service has been delivered.

This means the child's needs are met first. The Child First Principle is also known as "Jordan's Principle," named after a Manitoba First Nations boy who was forced to spend his short life in hospital because neither level of government would cover the cost of the medically-approved foster home in Winnipeg.

Let's not let the Charter of Rights turn 26 while First Nation children continue to suffer in Canada.

Please find attached a statement from Grand Chief Ron Evans and some background information. Media contacts:

Nakina Sankar
Director of Corporate Communications
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
204-799-6493
nsankar@manitobachiefs.com

Trudy Lavallee
Senior Policy Analyst
Child & Family Issues
987-4143
tlavallee@manitobachiefs.com

Manitoba Chiefs respond to Prentice's threats
"Indian Affairs Minister Threatens Forensic Audits if First Nations Speak Out"

Winnipeg, MB - Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs spoke today at a press conference in response to Indian Affairs minister Jim Prentice, who wrote to the media threatening First Nations with forensic audits if they publicly and legally expressed concern over the Federal Budget.

"We thought freedom of speech was a right all Canadians enjoyed. According to this government, we were wrong," said Evans.

Evans said that the First Nations in Manitoba are appalled with the recent federal budget which not only excluded First Nations but ignored the Kelowna Accord of 2005 completely.

He pointed out that despite meeting with every level of government, and reaching agreements with governments and lawmakers, governments continually ignore their own agreements.

Evans said that "on Kelowna, not only did we all agree but Brian Mulroney, Steven Harper's advisor, is in full support of the accord. He's the one that said 'We've existed for 140 years and we have this shameful situation… and why? Very simple: we stole their land.'"

Media Advisory
Correction to Press Conference Date

Press Conference Notice - Date : March 20, 2007

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Grand Chief Ron Evans will be responding to the Federal Budget announced by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Monday March 19, 2007.

EVENT: Press Conference
WHEN: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
TIME: 1:30pm
WHERE: Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Secretariat Inc - Main Boardroom