TORONTO - The living conditions on some Ontario First Nation reserves, where contaminated land has forced several communities to close their local schools, are "offensive" and "unacceptable," Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister Michael Bryant said Thursday.
Most Canadians would be shocked to learn about the state of housing, health care and education on some reserves, Bryant told The Canadian Press following a trip to northern Ontario where he met with a multitude of aboriginal leaders.
Although his predecessors have traditionally argued reserves are a federal responsibility, Bryant said Ontario will spearhead a plan to improve living conditions for aboriginal people in communities that are plagued with boil-water advisories, high suicide rates and dilapidated housing.
It's "shocking" that one small reserve in northern Ontario was recently forced to close its local school and now goes without any educational facility, Bryant said.
"These are my neighbours," Bryant said in an interview. "There are some (communities) that are actually struggling and enduring socio-economic conditions that are not only unacceptable but would be quite offensive to many Canadians."
"We want to set out the road map to improve the living conditions, to expedite claims . . . and just get at it in a very, very practical way."
The province has to lay out priorities and come up with solutions before figuring out which level of government will foot the bill, Bryant said.
"I have little doubt that, where the map is laid out, the federal government will be willing to participate in fulfilling their role," said Bryant, adding his ministry will co-ordinate provincial aid where necessary.
One way to help aboriginal communities the most is to help them take advantage of the tremendous economic opportunities in the north, he added.
Aboriginal leaders have long demanded a provincial agreement which would stop mining companies from stripping natural resources from their communities without giving them veto power over projects or a share in the profits.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy said if the province wants to help improve his people's living conditions, it should make it possible for aboriginals to deal directly with companies looking to exploit the potential gold mine of natural resources offered by the north.
There are a number of communities within the Nishnawbe Aski Nation which have been forced to close their schools because they sit on soil contaminated by fuel spills, Beardy said. Other people still rely on outhouses - even when it's -40 C - because they don't have running water, he added.
The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which is made up of 49 northern Ontario First Nations, is giving the province one year to negotiate an acceptable agreement that allows aboriginal communities to share in the profits of companies looking to do business in traditional aboriginal territory, Beardy said.
"If we are going to participate in the economy, there has to be some of that revenue channelled back to us to address our community needs," Beardy said.
"We need access to quality education, we need access to health care, we need community infrastructure and we need housing. We cannot address all of those by taking hand-outs from the government."
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse said despite that desire to take control of their own destiny, aboriginals still have the right to expect the same basic necessities available in other communities like clean drinking water and local schools.
Bryant's words are encouraging, but there has been an "urgent" need to improve living conditions in aboriginal communities for 50 years, Toulouse said.
"We've waited for government to do the right thing," said Toulouse, who noted much of the onus is on Ottawa.
"We've waited this long and we're tired and frustrated . . . First Nation people are just like any people in Canada. We expect the same standards, the same resourcing to deal with health and education. We shouldn't be continuing to accept less than (that)."
NDP Leader Howard Hampton, who was in Timmins meeting with aboriginal leaders Thursday, said First Nation communities are tired of Liberal promises.
Three years ago, Hampton said, the Liberals declared the start of a new relationship with aboriginal people amid much "fanfare and much beating of the chest."
"After the television cameras departed, nothing much was done on it," Hampton said. "First Nations are tired of hearing the speeches. They want to see some action."
