January 31, 2008 • 10:22 pm 0
Aboriginal groups say B.C.’s AG is double dealing
Vancouver – The United Native Nations, B.C.’s largest urban aboriginal group, has called a meeting of other urban aboriginal organizations for next week to discuss a formal response to what it calls “double dealing” by B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal in relation to the Frank Paul inquiry. Read the rest of this entry »
• 9:26 pm 0
For immediate release, January 31, 2008
Vancouver – The United Native Nations, B.C.’s largest urban aboriginal group, has called a meeting of other urban aboriginal organizations for next week to discuss a formal response to what it calls “double dealing” by B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal in relation to the Frank Paul inquiry.
“The Attorney General met with us on July 18, 2007 and assured us that everyone that was involved in Frank Paul’s death would be subject to the inquiry he was calling,” says David Dennis, vice-president of the United Native Nations Society. “Now he’s hired two of the best lawyers in Canada to argue that his own ministry should be immune from scrutiny.”
On January 17 and 18, the Commissioner for the Frank Paul Inquiry heard arguments from Richard Peck, Q.C. and Michael Code, former Assistant Deputy Attorney General in British Columbia that the crown prosecutors involved in the Paul case should be excluded from testifying at the inquiry. A decision is expected on the issue shortly.
“We’re calling on the Attorney General to withdraw his application for immunity from the Commissioner and to let the Commission get on with its work,” says Dennis. “Whether the application is successful to protect the crown prosecutors is successful or it fails, the impact of this double dealing on aboriginal and government relations will be the same.”
United Native Nations is calling the urban aboriginal groups that supported its application for standing at the inquiry together for a meeting to discuss their response to the Attorney General’s application for immunity. The groups include the Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee; the Aboriginal Mother Centre; Circle of Eagles Lodge; Healing our Spirit; Helping Spirit Lodge; Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Alliance Society; Lu’ma Native Housing; Pacific Association of First Nations Women; the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society; the Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Program; Vancouver Native Health Society; and the Vancouver Native Housing Society.
The Frank Paul inquiry has been sitting since November of 2007 and is inquiring into the death of Frank Paul, an urban aboriginal man who was left in an alley by the Vancouver Police Department in December of 1998 and died of hypothermia. The inquiry is expected to sit until March of 2008. The B.C. Ambulance Service, Coroner’s Service, VPD, and the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner have all been required to participate in the inquiry.
For further information contact:
David Dennis, Vice President, UNNS – 604-868-4283
Cameron Ward, Counsel for UNNS – 604-833-8538
Filed under: All News, Justice, Youth Section , Aboriginal Death, Frank Paul, Inquiry, United Native Nations
• 6:32 pm 0
Submissions are invited for an original logo design and name to represent the United Native Nations Provincial Urban Aboriginal Youth Governance initiative. Submissions can be made either together or separately for a name or logo. Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: All News, Youth Section , 2008, Aboriginal, Contest, LOGO, Youth
January 30, 2008 • 9:55 pm 0
>>>>>>There will be a Provincial Youth meeting February 9-10, 2008 in Kelowna…
>>>>>>Regional Women’s Forum on February 16-17, 2008 in Vancouver….
—-The Women’s Forums are an opportunity to discuss a provincial structure for Aboriginal Women…would you like to see a Provincial Aboriginal Women’s Secretariat, Council, Advocates group, etc…
It is also a time to talk to UNN’s Leadership about what you think priorities are for Aboriginal Womens Issues, also to recommend solutions or to highlight key programs, opportunities in your community… Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: All News, Youth Section
January 25, 2008 • 11:09 pm 0
“When I attended my first UNN Provincial Board Meeting in 1990, I was the Altrernate for Local 112 Prince George, I met this very strong, dedicated and no nonsense woman, Caroline Wesley. Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: All News, Membership Letters, Women's Section
