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For Immediate Release
October 22, 1999

Speech

Minister's Speech to Federation of Indian Friendship Centres

Introduction

Good morning. Clean air and that famous northern hospitality always makes it a pleasure to visit Northern Ontario.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the elders and thank the President of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres, Vera Pawis Tobobondung (To-bo-bon-dung) for inviting me to join you today. I also would like to thank the Timmins Native Friendship Centre for graciously hosting this event.
This is my first opportunity to participate with you as the Minister Responsible for Native Affairs and I look forward to hearing about your views.
During the summer, I traveled to the north to learn first hand about Aboriginal conditions. I visited Thunder Bay, the community of Peawanuck (Pea-wan-uck) near Hudson Bay, and Moosonee and Moose Factory.
I spent some time with the Thunder Bay Native Friendship Centre where I learned about the Aboriginal Alternative Justice Program.
I also met representatives of the Moosonee Friendship Centre. The hospitality I was offered at both Centres was impressive.
I plan to continue the practice established by my predecessor, Charles Harnick, of visiting as many Aboriginal communities, organizations and institutions as possible—including Friendship Centres.
You must be proud of the network of Friendship Centres. Your Executive Director, Sylvia Maracle, told the ONAS staff in a meeting recently that some of your centres are over 40 years old.
(And, more importantly, many of your centres are now mortgage free!)
Last March, Premier Harris met with Aboriginal Leaders, at which Sylvia Maracle was present. He is aware of the good work of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres.
I looked forward to coming here today on the occasion of your 30th Annual General Assembly, to meet with you and to talk about matters important to you and our government.
We share the same goal of improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people in Ontario.
I am going to speak about our role in helping to improve the economic self-reliance of Aboriginal communities.

Aboriginal Economic Development

The Government of Ontario's Building Aboriginal Economies strategy is an economic and business development strategy. It is a partnership to create opportunities and long-term jobs through Aboriginal organizations across the province.
It is important to note that the Building Aboriginal Economies strategy and the Working Partnerships Program resulted from extensive consultations with key stakeholders in the private sector and in the Aboriginal community.
The structure of the program reflects the messages we've heard, that solutions can be found in the community at the local level. That is why over 60% of the $2.4 million annual budget for the program flows directly to 15 selected Aboriginal organizations to hire a Partnership Development Advisor (PDA).
We think the $100,000 we are providing for the PDA position with you is a good investment.
The remaining 40% is earmarked to provide support for the PDAs in their efforts to increase opportunities for Aboriginal people and businesses.
I am pleased that the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is part of this strategy and is in the process of hiring a PDA.
OFIFC represents a network of important resource and service delivery centres across Ontario. The concept of partnerships is not new to you. Therefore, we look forward to hearing more about the results of your Partnership Development Advisor's efforts.
There is an opportunity for Aboriginal people in your communities to increase their participation in the private sector through partnerships.
The Odawa (Oh-dah-wa) Native Friendship Centre in Ottawa and the Can-Am Native Friendship Centre in Windsor have both demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit through the businesses they have established in catering, facility rentals, traditional dance and other enterprises.
Increasing partnerships between Aboriginal businesses and the corporate sector will enhance Aboriginal economies, increase investment and access to capital, create long-term jobs and promote higher education.
To be successful, it is important to have access to information and resources.
Our government is creating a new information resource that will help open doors for Aboriginal economic development in Ontario.
We've gone on-line this week with a new Web site, produced by the Ontario government in support of the Working Partnerships program, called Aboriginal Business Development Online.
Aboriginal people have told us their goal is to build strong economies that combine traditional skills and knowledge with new technology.
This Web site will provide Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs, communities and the corporate sector with up-to-date information about programs and services offered by the provincial government and Aboriginal organizations.
It has been developed as part of our commitment to help eliminate barriers and constraints faced by Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs.
You can access the site at www.aboriginalbusiness.on.ca. The Indian Friendship Centres should find this site a useful resource.
The First Nations Fund will be another resource for First Nations in Ontario. The fund will provide much needed investment capital.
Casino Rama revenues will be directly re-invested into Aboriginal economic and community development initiatives throughout the province.
Reaching resolution on land issues is also an important step in creating stable economic environments for First Nations.
The settling of land claims provides certainty and fosters economic growth for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.
Since 1995, we have reached eight Agreements-in-Principle and we are pursuing the successful resolution of 21 land claims and land related issues.

Education and Training

Our work to improve the level of economic development and growth potential of Aboriginal business is balanced with a focus on improving access to education and training.
Last month, I had the pleasure of joining our partner, the National Achievement Awards Foundation to announce Ontario's new $100,000 Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition Scholarships Endowment and the new Aboriginal Partnerships Recognition award.
The earnings from the Scholarships Endowment will help Aboriginal students in Ontario to pursue post-secondary education in business-related programs.
With education levels among Aboriginal youth rising, opportunities for business to partner and tap into this growing and talented labour market are increasing every year.

Health

While we work to build strong economies, and ensure access to education, training and opportunity, we continue to promote improved health among Aboriginal people, families and communities.
I am pleased that the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy was renewed by this government last December for five years. This $33 million dollar a year initiative was based on wide consultations with Aboriginal communities across the province.
The Strategy's network of prevention, intervention and treatment programs includes women's shelters, health centres, and treatment facilities. These programs are tailored to Aboriginal culture and belief systems.
The Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy employs almost 600 people and its on and off reserve facilities are located throughout Ontario.
The Strategy is consistent with Ontario's Aboriginal Policy Framework.

Support to the OFIFC

In addition to the programs I have described, that are broadly accessible to Aboriginal people, it is important to note, on occasion, the core funds Ontario provides to the OFIFC.
These funds permit it to have a foundation from which to access resources for the benefit of all member centres and their clients.

Conclusion

I hope this brief explanation has given you a sense of our priorities and of the direction we plan to move over the coming months.
I look forward to continuing a positive working relationship with you. The work you do is vital to a successful future for Aboriginal people in Ontario. What we can do together to reach out, to support, to improve, to build, to grow, benefits everyone in Ontario.
I welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about your views and the work of the Indian Friendship Centres.
Enjoy the rest of your day. Thank you.