WAR ON DRUGS CONFERENCE IN WHITEFISH

The Anishinabek Nation is taking significant steps in eliminating
illicit drug abuse, trafficking and associated organized crime in
their 42 First Nations across Ontario.

Grand Council Chief John Beaucage has announced the framework for the
War on Drugs strategy that was declared by the Anishinabek Nation
Chiefs-in-Assembly last November.

We will eliminate the drug problem on First Nations," Beaucage said.
Our leadership and communities are fully committed to the war on
drugs. This is another significant step in re-claiming our own
jurisdiction and eliminating a difficult barrier to wellness,
community healing and ultimately, our nationhood."

Last fall, the Chiefs of the Anishinabek Nation communities
unanimously passed a resolution giving First Nation councils the
authority to rid their communities of drug dealers.

Beaucage said First Nations are prepared to be aggressive, to take
extraordinary steps to rid our First Nations of drug abuse,
trafficking and associated organized crime. Our chiefs told their
citizens they are willing to go to any lengths to make their
communities safe -- to use force if necessary."

The war on drugs will encompass four pillars, based on a strategy
developed by Vancouver to combat drug problems in Canada's most
notorious area, the Downtown Eastside.

Those pillars include the following:

* Prevention -- A specific focus will be on Youth, including the
development of new youth-specific initiatives, including counselling,
recreation, education and community support programs

* Treatment -- An important facet of this strategy is to establish
First Nation-based outpatient and peer-based counseling and on-going
medical care.

* Ogitchidaawin: Protecting Our Own -- The Anishinabek Nation will develop
new customary laws to address who can come onto Anishinabek Nation Land
including provisions to forcibly remove drug dealers.

* Enforcement ---- The Anishinabek Nation and member First Nations
will support the investigation, enforcement and prosecution of
illicit drug activity.

A War on Drugs policy conference will take place Feb. 16 and 17 at
the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (Whitefish Lake First Nation) Community
Centre, about 19 km west of Sudbury.

Partners in the War on Drugs will include the provincial and federal
governments, Ontario Provincial Police and Anishinabek Police
Service, as well as community and tribal police services.

To register, complete a form on the UOI's website at
www.anishinabek.ca and return it to the Conference
Coordinator.

Registration is free.

A travel subsidy of $500 is available for up to two participants from
each of the UOI Anishinabek First Nations only.

The UOI anticipates that all UOI Anishinabek First Nation delegates
will pay their travel and hotel costs up front. Immediately following
the Conference, the UOI will reimburse each UOI Anishinabek Nation
$500 for up to two participants that attended the Conference.

All other conference participants are responsible for all travel and
hotel costs.

REGISTRATION

SHARON VISITOR, conference co-ordinator

Toll-free: 1-866-778-4610 ext. 13 Phone: 819-779-4610 ext. 13 E-mail to:
sharon@huntercourchene