Welcoming remarks from Alfred Linklater, Executive Director
First Nations Statistics Advisory Panel
The creation of the First Nations Statistical Institute is in response to the lack of a credible information base on First Nations socio-economic conditions.
The final report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recognized the need for authority over data and information management in the evolution of Aboriginal governance over fiscal matters.
The institutes creation will also play a significant role in ameliorating some of the concerns raised by the Auditor-Generals report of 2002 on how First Nations information is managed and used by government.
The development of First Nations Statistics is sponsored by the Union of Ontario Indians. An Advisory Panel and Chairperson have provided the direction and advice on the development of the institute.
During the past year and a half, the primary focus of the Advisory Panel and developmental team has been the framing of legislation the First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act (FNFSMA which provides the legal framework and authority for the First Nations Statistical Institute (FNS).
During this period, we have also had the opportunity to provide information and awareness on the development of the institution with First Nations at conferences, trade shows and other events.
The legislation to create the institute was reinstated into the House of Commons, on March 10, 2003. Only when this legislation receives Royal Assent, will work be undertaken to begin the pre-implementation process, which will involve informing the process for the search and selection of a Board of Directors and other key personnel as well as preliminary infrastructure needs assessed and a strategy developed for its implementation. The timeline for the coming into force of the legislation is January 2005 when full implementation will begin.
Legislation provides the framework on how FNS is to evolve. The challenge will be to work together to make operational the vision that First Nations want to meet the needs of First Nations.
We look forward to working with First Nations.
Alfred Linklater |
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