April 23, 2008
NAIM Circle Meeting -- April 10-12, 2008
Circle Prepares for PSAC's First National Aboriginal Peoples Conference
The NAIM Circle: Who we are
Five years ago, in 2003, the PSAC Convention adopted a resolution calling for the creation of PSAC'S National Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis (NAIM) Network. In March 2004, a one-time think-tank of PSAC members from Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis communities in every region met in Yellowknife to make recommendations on the objectives, mandate and structure of this new NAIM Network.The NAIM Think-Tank recommended the creation of a NAIM Circle in order to lead and guide the development of the NAIM Network.
The NAIM Circle held its first meeting in April 2005. Their mandate, objectives, and action plan were adopted by the Aboriginal caucus at the PSAC Unity Conference in September 2005. The NAIM Circle has been working diligently to advance Aboriginal issues within the Union and beyond.
NAIM Circle Meeting, Ottawa, April 10-12, 2008
back: Albert Dumont, Elder; Jean-François Des Lauriers, REVP North, Co-Chair of NAIM Circle; Paul Shortt, Ontario Male Rep; July Papatsie, Inuktitut Interpreter;
second row: Robert Saunders, Atlantic Male Rep; Lisa Anderson, North Female Rep; Alisha Bigelow, Prairies Female Rep; Alberta Gladue-Moreau, B.C. Female Rep; Luc Tailleur, Québec Male Rep; André Paul, National EOC Aboriginal Male Rep; Mike Ballard, B.C. Male Rep; Patty Ducharme, NEVP, NAIM Circle Co-Chair
front: Elijah Kaernerk, North Male Rep; Barb Bartibogue, Altantic Female Rep; Cornell Fontaine, Prairies Male Rep
Reporting to the PSAC Aboriginal Peoples' Conference
The NAIM Circle will be reporting on their action plan and activities to the first PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference, being held in Winnipeg in from September 19-21, 2008. So it's no surprise that preparations for the Aboriginal Peoples' Conference were a priority during their April 10-12 meeting in Ottawa.
Among the highlights of the NAIM Circle meeting:
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the NAIM Circle discussed progress on their Action Plan and their report to the National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference;
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the NAIM Circle agreed on the four priority resolutions it would submit to the Conference: the issues are Aboriginal union education, making Aboriginal Poverty history (and other issues that would have been addressed in the Kelowna accord); access to clean water; and Canada's failure to endorse the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
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the Circle identified a number of potential speakers and ideas for the National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference. Four members of the NAIM Circle are also on the Conference Steering Committee.
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on terminology, the NAIM Circle endorses the language in the PSAC Constitution that refers to Aboriginal Peoples; as recommended by the Assembly of First Nations (To view their fact sheet), the Circle is recommending that the term “Aboriginal Peoples” be used to describe all three groups – First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Aboriginal peoples should not be used to describe one or two of these groups. This recommendation will be submitted to the National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference, together with a recommendation to change the name of NAIM!
PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference – more information coming soon!
Check this website for further information on the first PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference, being held in Winnipeg from September 19-21 of this year. The Conference call-out should be out shortly. In the meantime, some key dates to keep in mind:
May 20, 4 pm E.S.T:
deadline to receive applications
May 30
deadline to receive resolutions
week of June 23
delegate confirmation letters will be sent out
September 19-21
Conference takes place in Winnipeg
Elections for the National elected Aboriginal representatives to the Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) and representatives on the NAIM Circle will take place at the Aboriginal Peoples' Conference. Any PSAC member in good standing who self-identifies as Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) can run for any of these positions, and must be nominated and seconded by a conference delegate.
Interpretation into English, French and Inuktitut will be provided at the PSAC National Aboriginal Peoples' Conference.
Check www.psac-afpc.org for more information, or contact the Regional Office nearest you.
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Date Modified : 2008/07/07
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