“By closing this unique, globally recognized research facility, the Harper government is once again sullying Canada’s international reputation,” says Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “The research made possible by the ELA is fundamentally important to realizing Canada’s international commitments to both the human right to clean water and the rights of Indigenous peoples, and to close it at this critical time for water is just one more black eye for Canada on the world stage.”

First Nation Chiefs in Ontario and Manitoba have called upon the government to reverse its decision to terminate the ELA program because of the impact the closure will have on the understanding of effects of pollution and other stressors on First Nations treaty rights.

“The impacts the omnibus budget bill and the cuts to the ELA program will have on our Great Lakes and First Nations communities will be felt for countless generations,” says Ron Plain, Environmental Policy Analyst for the Southern First Nations Secretariat.

“The ELA is necessary to ensure that our traditional territories include clean lakes and protected fish habitat,” states Chief Garrison Settee, of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation. “Without the on-going scientific study of ELA, our treaty right to fish could be compromised. Freshwater is becoming an endangered resource on this planet,” adds Berens River First Nation Chief George Kemp. “It is sad to see the ELA being shut at this critical juncture of history. Tragic!”

Indigenous people have a special relationship with fish and wildlife – a relationship based on subsistence needs and values extending back thousands of years. Contamination of freshwater fish with toxins, particularly mercury, has significant health implications for indigenous people.

“Research at ELA has demonstrated that reducing atmospheric mercury emissions from burning fossil fuels will rapidly lower mercury levels in fish,” says mercury expert Dr. Drew Bodaly, former ELA head scientist. “ELA research has also provided guidance on where to locate hydroelectric reservoirs to minimize mercury accumulation in fish.”

The ELA has been critical for developing mitigation strategies for reducing contamination of fishes with mercury and other toxins. Termination of this federal research program will seriously undermine the federal government’s ability to develop such mitigation strategies in the future.

“The decision to close the ELA has led to a national and growing movement, shocked at the short-sightedness of deciding to eliminate our scientific capacity”, says Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party, “I am honoured to join with First Nations in calling for a reconsideration.”

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“As with all Canadians, the month of June begins with Canada’s Aboriginal communities wondering about the future of their natural surroundings, their healthcare, and their democracy,” said May.  “The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Shawn A-in-chut Atleo has denounced Bill C-38 as a disrespectful assault on First Nations’ constitutionally enshrined rights.

“The curtailing of consultation with First Nations in the Environmental Assessment process, gutting the Fisheries Act, decreased monitoring of pulp mill and mine effluent, opening up oil and gas exploration in a fragile section of the Arctic, and, of course, the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline-and-tanker scheme are just a few examples of how the Harper Conservatives are recklessly imperilling Canada’s original citizens.”

Aboriginal Affairs will see cuts of $26 million this year, $60 million in 2013, and $165 million in 2014.  Although the budget promised $275 million for education, at least 100 reserve schools are unsafe and in need of renovation – so this is a token gesture at best. 

The government has also committed $165 million a year for two years to build or renovate water and wastewater infrastructure, but this is inadequate.  There are only 12 water quality stations for Canada’s 3,000 First Nations communities, and just one federal monitoring station operating downstream from the oil sands, which concentrates on pulp mill pollution.

The First Nations Statistical Institute has had its funding cut.  It has been a central location for first-nations communities to access and store data securely and confidentially. 

Health Canada has cut all funding for the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) which will close on June 30 after 12 years. NAHO’s mandate was to advocate for and address the health needs of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. 

“Cuts to Aboriginal services and support systems come at a time when the suicide rate is eleven times the national rate among the Inuit and seven times higher among the Aboriginal community,” May pointed out. “One in four First Nations children lives in poverty on- and off-reserve in remote and urban areas.”

Even the Special UN Rapporteur on the Right to Food Olivier De Schutter was shocked after travelling to remote Aboriginal communities in Manitoba and Alberta and commented on the “very desperate conditions and people who are in extremely dire straits.”

“Nationally and internationally, Canada’s treatment of Aboriginal communities is a scandal,” said May.

“Canada signed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples last year in June.  However, that commitment to uphold rights has yielded nothing in terms of results from this government for most of 2011 and 2012,” said Lorraine Rekmans, Aboriginal Affairs Critic for the Green Party of Canada.  “The shockingly desperate condition of the people of Attawapiskat last winter was brought to light even after Canada made promises to build a future in which Aboriginal families and communities are healthy, safe, self-sufficient, and prosperous within Canada.

“National Aboriginal History month is an opportunity for us to learn from the past and take lessons for a better future by shifting Canada’s relationship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to a positive track.  This reflection of the past is a sad look at the racist and colonial policies of yesterday, but it should also be a time for us to hope Canada will stand by its promises to make things right.”

The post National Aboriginal History Month Marred By Harper Cuts: First Nations “Hardest Hit by Harper Conservatives” appeared first on Elizabeth May.

“This cut in funding is a real blow to a valuable organization that is desperately needed.  Slashing funding to the NWAC flies in the face of Conservative ministers’ statements expressing concern about suicide rates, mental health issues and health on First Nation reserves,” said Elizabeth  May, Green Party Leader and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

“The NWAC does vital work in promoting the well-being of First Nation and Métis women across Canada.  With the crisis state of our First Nation reserves, the federal government should be committing more resources, not less,” said Green Aboriginal Affairs Critic Lorraine Rekmans.

Health Canada announced that all of its funding to the NWAC will be cut. Programs designed to help children and youth will be lost, including suicide prevention.  Also lost will be programs focusing on diabetes and HIV.  The funding cut was sudden and unexpected for this national organization which has been helping Aboriginal women since 1974.

“The NWAC’s goal is to achieve equality for all Aboriginal women in Canada. Health programs, especially mental health and for youth, are so critical to that goal.  This latest fallout of the Harper Conservative’s ill-conceived budget cuts will have a serious negative impact for our First Nations,” said Rekmans.

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