No quorum was present at the meeting time at 10:15 a.m. on February 17, 2010.  After calling for quorum, the Clerk called the roll at 10:15 a.m. and recorded the following members present:

Isidra Cruz

Ruby Dreger

Larry Frost

Sharon MacAlpine

Kim Murray

Kenn Richard

Frances Sanderson

The meeting proceeded on an informal basis due to a lack of quorum, at the request of the members present.  Opening prayer was heard by George Bruce.

Frances Sanderson assumed the Chair.

Due to lack of quorum, this item will be considered at the next meeting of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee on April 14, 2010.

The Aboriginal Affairs Committee had before it background materials that were reviewed by the Sub-Committee on the City of Toronto Urban Aboriginal Framework Aboriginal Affairs Committee.  The materials contained:

1.         Timetable/workplan;

2           Draft Consultation questions;

3.         Consultation Plan;

4.         Compilation of materials from other cities; and Statement of Commitment from Toronto Police Services;

5.          For Reference – City Manager's Report (May 2009) regarding the development of the strategy.

Those members of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee present requested that:

1.          the item be tabled at the next meeting of the Committee for receipt; and

2.         that members of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee provide comments back to the Sub-Committee on the Target Groups and Recruitment Section of the handout (February 17, 2010).

Due to lack of quorum, this item will be considered at the next meeting of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee on April 14, 2010.

Suzanne Field, Strategic and Corporate Policy, gave a progress report on the City of Toronto's Urban Aboriginal Framework.  She is looking for assistance to help with the consultation process.  Seven Focus Groups have been established, 2 – with Aboriginal Community's at-large; 2 – with Aboriginal Organizations /Academic/Research areas; 2 – with City of Toronto staff; and 1 – with other levels of government. TTC tokens will be given out to those attending the Focus Groups.  Child Care reimbursement will be given to those that attend the Focus Groups.

Due to lack of quorum, this item will be considered at the next meeting of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee on April 14, 2010.

The Committee has requested that the following items be on future agendas:

1.         Invitation of Fiona Creen, City of Toronto Ombudsman to inform the Committee of her role and responsibilities for the City of Toronto.

2.         Invitation to Barbara Shulman, Director, Staffing, Compensation and Employment Equity, Human Resources to inform the Committee of the hiring and programs for the Aboriginal Community.

3.         Update from Phil Brown, General Manager, Shelter, Housing and Support, Community and Neighbourhood Services.

4.         Larry Frost asked for information on what the Aboriginal Affairs Committee has accomplished in this last Term of Council.

5.         Kim Murray asked about the possibility of Aboriginal representation on the TTC Bill of Rights Panel for riders. She will draft a letter from the Community and a letter will be prepared from the Chair, Aboriginal Affairs Committee, for the Toronto Transit Commission.

6.         It was suggested that Arthur Beauregard from Parks, Forestry and Recreation also be invited to attend a meeting of the Committee.

The Committee asked Rosemary Foulds, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration if there was a question about Aboriginal origin in the 2006 and 2009 surveys.  She informed the Committee that the following question regarding Aboriginal origin was used in the 2006 and 2009 surveys; and that the same question was used in both years.

3. a)        Would you identify yourself as being Aboriginal?
  Yes       No      Refused/No answer

  b)     If yes, do you identify as: (read each answer)
 First Nation       Other (specify) ________________
 Inuit        Refused/No answer

There was no question in either survey about a preference for service from aboriginal agencies.

Due to lack of quorum, this item will be considered at the next meeting of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee on April 14, 2010.

Due to lack of quorum, this item will be considered at the next meeting of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee on April 14, 2010.

Native Earth Performing Arts - Isidra Cruz, informed the Committee of an upcoming Opera performance, staring Maria Newman and Gilbert Anderson; titled, Giiwedin, to be held at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue from April 8 - 24, 2010.

Native Women's Resource Centre - Sharon MacAlpine, informed the Committee that the Centre has a new George Brown Course that runs Mondays and Tuesdays on Speaking Groups. The course is called Pontiac's Daughters.

Native Canadian Centre of Toronto - Larry Frost, informed the Committee of First Nations History Month being held June 1, 2010.  The kickoff event is June 1 at Dundas Square.

Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto - Kim Murray, informed the Committee that they are having their 20th Anniversary on February 20, 2010.

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto - Kenn Richard, informed the Committee that the organization was having financial problems; and that it has been resolved for the moment, but is not a permanent solution. Stated that 1 in 10 children are in foster care, and the good news is 9 - 10 go back home; although more work is needed.

Manager of Diversity Management for the City of Toronto - Ceta Ramkhalawansingh asked that nominations be submitted for the Human Rights Award. Deadline - May 3, 2010.

The informal meeting closed with prayer by George Bruce.

Also present (non-members):

Mae Maracle, Diversity Management and Community Engagement Consultant,

Ceta Ramkhalawansingh, Manager of Diversity Management for the City of Toronto,

Suzanne Field, Diversity Management and Community Engagement,

Winnie Falkenstein, Diversity Management and Community Engagement,

Rosemary Foulds, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration,

George Bruce, and

Steven Tremblay, Student