Whereas approximately one-third of the population of any Aboriginal Community in Canada has a disability - which is twice the national average; and

Whereas Aboriginal people with disabilities (APWD) often face a " double jeopardy " in terms of challenges, barriers and issues due to being both Aboriginal and having a disability;

Therefore be it resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) develop and apply an appropriate " Disability Lens " to policies, initiatives and activites; and

Be it further resolved that CAP make all reasonable and appropriate effort to ensure that its facilities and communications (i.e., website) are more easily accessible to APWD.

Whereas the various levels of government do not presently collect statistically valid or reliable data on Aboriginal people in urban, rural and remote off-reserve areas throughout Canada; and

Whereas there is a vital need for adequate information for the purposes of informed decision-making on policies, legislation, programs and negotiations concerning Aboriginal people residing in these areas; and

Whereas Statistics Canada only has the " Aboriginal identifier " on the " long census form " rather than the " short census form ";

Therefore be it resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples initiate appropriate steps and lobby to have the Aboriginal identifier put on the short-Census form for the 2011 Census and thereafter.

Whereas the United Native Nations (UNN) has been delivering a provincial-wide Family Reunification (FR) Program since 1988; and

Whereas Family Reunification is committed to the following : to help individuals who were separated by adoption or foster care (Adoption Circle) with search and reunion; to liaise, advocate, and mediate between individuals and government bodies administering services to Adoption Circle individual needs and act as referral agency; to maintain an inventory of programs and services that best meets the needs of Adoption Circle individuals; and to maintain a registry of Adoption Circle individuals who are searching for one another; and

Whereas the UNN is currently undertaking a multi-phased project funded by the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS) funding in British Columbia (BC) to develop and implement a national database that could benefit all Aboriginal Peoples wishing to reunite with their families and ancestral communities; and

Whereas the UNN is in the process of seeking additional funding for the projects from the UAS pilot funds in BC and other government and non-government sources; and

Whereas the national database can benefit all Aboriginal Peoples throughout Canada - including CAP PTO's and other Aboriginal organizations -both politically and service delivery organizations;

Therefore be it resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and its PTO's provide appropriate lobbying support to the UNN so that it can successfully obtain funding from the UAS and other funding sources as necessary; and

Be it finally resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples provide various Letters of Support that the UNN can use in obtaining funding.

Whereas representation and youth participation at the provincial level is incremental to the success in the development of our youth and the CAPNYC; and

Whereas there are a number of PTO's who have been successful in retaining funding for youth initiatives and or councils through Heritage Canada's UMAYC funding;

Therefore be it resolved that CAP begin a National campaign which would provide politicial support and assistance to these PTO's who wish to establish youth councils.

Whereas Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has put in place a one-year extension of the former Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreements (AHRDA's); and

Whereas the Provincial/Territorial Organizations (PTO's) of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) need to negotiate their own respective AHRDA's (where possible) to best deliver services to the Aboriginal people that they represent; and

Whereas the CAP needs to provide -to the greatest degree possible, appropriate assistance, resources and political support to those PTO's wishing to negotiate their own AHRDA's so that services can be delivered at the community level;

Therefore be it resolved that the CAP engage and assist those PTO's that wish to negotiate their respective AHRDA's through bi-lateral agreements between the PTO's and the HRSDC.

Whereas after two decades of study and research into the horrendous dilemma, a reality surfaces that Canadians and the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada must begin to learn the truth about the situation of nuclear waste throughout Canada; and

Whereas the Nuclear Waste Management Act is an attempt to raise the issue and mechanisms to evade Canadians about this issue; and

Whereas the right to be consulted is a recognized basis of reconciliation and the intent of section 35 of the Constitution Act to protect the survival of the distinct Aboriginal Peoples of Canada; and

Whereas CAP has begun work on the matter with Natural Resources Canada and Nuclear Waste Management Organization to provide options for a model of Aboriginal consultation, which may be most appropriate;

Therefore be it resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples :

1) That Natural Resources Canada and the Nuclear Waste Management Organizations provide CAP with the necessary financial support to establish a Secretariat at CAP to monitor and facilitate an effective consultation process with its large constituency throughout Canada; and

2) To provide those affiliates with necessary support and financial resources to undertake consultation, communication and education about nuclear fuel waste management and mismanagement; and

3) That CAP secure other sources of funding from PCO to further advance the CAP Nuclear Waste Disaster Secretariat in furtherance of its visition to have interfacing and monitoring of the consultation.

Whereas Aboriginal people make-up approximately 4% of the Canadian population yet they comprise 17% of inmates in federal institutions; and

Whereas forecasts predicts a 40% increase in the federal Aboriginal offender population for the periode 1998-2007; and

Whereas the majority of Aboriginal offenders will be released from custody into urban and rural communities and require community support for their reintegration efforts;

Therefore be it resolved that the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples engage in a process with the Correctional Services of Canada for the purposes of obtaining resources and/or building capacity for regional community development officers to enhance community involvement in corrections initiatives.