Manitoba First Nations and RCMP Sign Protocol Agreement

Winnipeg , MB - June 21 st 2005 marks the official signing of the Public Safety Cooperation Protocol between the RCMP "D" Division, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, and the Southern Chiefs' Organization at the National Aboriginal Day Celebrations in Winnipeg at the Historic Forks Site of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .

All parties involved agreed that there was a need to include the First Nations community when there is a serious incident involving the RCMP and a First Nation community member. It became very evident following the death of a First Nation citizen which occurred in January of 2005 in the Norway House Cree Nation. Therefore a Public Safety Cooperation Protocol was developed.

The purpose of this Protocol is to establish trusting and working relationships amongst the Parties to see potential conflict averted, to prevent personal harm and to enhance public safety. The Protocol may be activated by any of the Parties upon the death of a First Nation citizen while under or during arrest or while in custody of the RCMP "D" Division.

"This is an opportunity to provide assurances to the MKO First Nations people and indeed all First Nations that we will be fully involved in investigations of the RCMP should the death of one of our citizens occur while in contact with the RCMP," says Grand Chief Dr. Sydney Garrioch of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, "What we have here is an opportunity to build trust and confidence between the RCMP and our First Nations and we will also be able to ensure a fair, transparent, open and accountable investigation process occurs by the RCMP ."

"This Public Safety Protocol will allow us to continue to build bridges, forge alliances, and shape the future of Aboriginal policing services in the Province of Manitoba ," said Assistant Commissioner Darrell Madill. "The RCMP is committed to providing professional and transparent investigations, whenever the death of a First Nations citizen occurs during contact with the force. We remain committed to providing the highest level of service possible to the Aboriginal Communities of Manitoba."

"Signing this Protocol on such a significant day in a very historic location to all of our members should indicate to all people that this Protocol Agreement is something we all take very seriously and pray that we will never have to implement it," concluded Grand Chief Garrioch.

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HISTORIC ABORIGINAL HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE NORTH

Winnipeg, MB - “MKO has entered into a historic four-year $64 million Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy agreement (AHRDA) with Human Resources & Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)”, Grand Chief Sydney Garrioch announced.

The Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS) is the federal government's strategy for delivering human resources development programs to Aboriginal peoples across the country. Funding will be transferred to MKO control to design and deliver programs and services in these five (5) program areas; training and employment, Youth, Disabilities, Capacity Building and Childcare.

“MKO as a signatory to the AHRDA ensures accountability and establishes legal responsibility for AHRDS funding”, said the Grand Chief. He further noted that a coordinated and integrated delivery approach will promote and foster partnerships and facilitate collaboration with the provincial government, the private sector and other industry associations to meet the unique needs and challenges of our people. The goal is to create the maximum number of jobs and training opportunities are created for northern Manitoba First Nations people.

Prior to flowing funding to the communities, MKO will require a sub-agreement to be signed by the communities which establishes the legal framework for the funding and responsibilities under the AHRDA. With the funding in hand, the MKO communities will then be able to design and deliver programs and services for their people at the community level. Over the course of the year, MKO will provide technical support, program monitoring, and assistance with reporting and provide further cashflow advances depending on the performance of the community and compliance with the accountability requirements of the AHRDA.

A formal signing ceremony is planned during the 24th Annual MKO general assembly set for June 14, 15 and 16, 2005 hosted by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. MKO represents the 30 northern-most Manitoba First Nations and 56,000 Treaty First Nation citizens.

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Grand Chief Dr. Sydney Garrioch