Jan 13
11
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right
In all societies, the pendulum swings, public sentiment changes and things once thought impossible become increasingly likely. Such is the case regarding Canada’s broken relationship with the descendants of her First Nations. The shameful treatment of aboriginal people by European settlers and their successive governments has been documented extensively in recent years: how they colonized, occupied and expropriated land held for generations by the diverse people-groups now collectively known as Indians, natives or First Nations. From the loss of traditional territories to the introduction of destructive drink and diet, from scenes of violent conquest and the distribution of wasting disease to residential school tragedies and unfair discrimination in the polling booth, First Nations peoples have endured crippling abuse across a span of generations and most Canadians now know that. A variety of approaches to alleviating the accumulated harm of these centuries of mistreatment—all well-intentioned—have failed to satisfy the deeply-felt needs of First Nations. The clock keeps ticking.
This year the timer has gone off. Most Canadians recognize that there is a new urgency in the calls for serious talks and beyond that, serious action to find solutions for the broken and unsustainable relationship between Canada and her aboriginal citizens. Sparked by the apparent lack of consultation in the changes to the Indian Act and other legislation rammed through Parliament by the Harper Government’s Bill C-45 (the 2nd Budget Implementation Bill), the streets of Canada have suddenly become the scenes of numerous demonstrations by the loose-knit group Idle No More. From an initial attempt by some chiefs to enter the House of Commons where they were rebuffed by Commons security guards, “spontaneous” protests have been held across the country which have been highly publicised by the mainstream media. In the midst of that, the dramatic efforts of Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat to engage the Prime Minister and the Crown in fresh discussions have gotten more Canadians involved in the conversation, even though she has since been thoroughly discredited for her mismanagement of federal funds ($34 million per year to her community of about 300 homes). Nevertheless, her “hunger strike” on Victoria Island in Ottawa has been a visual rallying-point for thousands of First Nations people and sympathetic non-natives across the country. Although the outcomes are not yet known, a meeting between Stephen Harper and some representative chiefs has been scheduled and the timing and significance of this development should not be underestimated.
Just this week, a Federal Court has released its judgment granting greater recognition and unspecified new rights to non-status Indians and Métis, adding another 600,000 Canadians to the existing 700,000-plus status Indians currently recognised by the Government of Canada and the Indian Act. If this ruling stands, it will have enormous implications for these people and for other Canadians not included in this judgment. Will current financial commitments towards status Indians be extended to Métis and non-status? Will existing funding be further diluted? What about income taxes and sales taxes? What about government responsibilities in regard to health and housing?
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo and the chiefs standing with him are calling for immediate transformation and the replacement (not repair) of the Indian Act with other legislative tools. Specifically, they are calling for full implementation of treaty provisions, many of which predate both the Indian Act and Canada’s patriated Constitution of 1982. They have a good point regarding the failure of the government to abide by its own solemn treaties and agreements. C-38 and C-45 were pushed through Parliament with little opportunity for consultation or debate and the unilateral alteration of native voting procedures as well as the perceived removal of environmental protection from streams and rivers became the catalyst for this explosion of frustration and clamour for change. The crazy patchwork of legislation, negotiated settlements, outdated Indian Act provisions, treaties, resource agreements and other half-measures have muddied the waters but have not resolved the conflicts or settled outstanding issues. Soaring social costs and demoralising conditions have created a very complex situation and one that must be resolved quickly if Canada is to avoid protracted conflict and uncertainty.
There has been no shortage of ink and airtime devoted to Idle No More, Chief Spence’s demands and the hastily-scheduled meeting of the PM and the Chiefs. There can be no illusion that five centuries of conflict, mistrust and disappointment can be resolved in four or five hours of talks. However, meeting is the first step. It would be easy for critics on all sides to point fingers, lay blame and set goals or demands that are unattainable. Such antics may make good ratings for the cable networks and may win hearty approval from the folks who are on side but will not help move the practical issues of housing, employment, health, education and culture forward.
The PM and the Chiefs have a golden opportunity to renew the understandings and the expectations reflected in our Constitution, our treaties and our laws. They must agree to change the things that are holding us back from achieving the ideals on which we agree. They must seize the moment and work together to achieve full equality of opportunity for all Canadians. May God the Creator give them wisdom, grace, humility and courage to address complex issues, seeking justice under the banner of grace. The Great Chief Cornerstone once said: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. That would be a tremendous foundation for constructive talks as we begin this new year.