The next government should start to think of working with new partners and allies
Who said that the road to Aboriginal reform must go through the Assembly of First Nations (AFN)? No matter which party wins, the next government is not obliged to work only with the AFN to pass legislation benefiting on-reserve First Nations people. The Conservatives sought to build consensus for legislation with AFN’s National Chief Shawn…
At least the Harper Conservatives have a plan, beyond expressing platitudes
Before those suffering Harper Derangement Syndrome get their shorts in a knot (as if that will not ever happen), let me enumerate the reasons why First Nations peoples – especially those at the grassroots level – should strongly consider voting for the Conservative government. First, let me agree that the Tories are not perfect and…
First Nations need not give up their status to become citizens
When the Canadian Parliament ratified the Nisga’a Final Agreement – a modern treaty granting substantial powers of self-government to a B.C. First Nation – a Nisga’a leader observed that the Nisga’a representatives in the public gallery stood and sang O Canada. Perhaps for those standing in the public gallery, there was no feeling that one…
Building a new relationship between Metis and the federal government
“Canada’s forgotten people” – the Metis – have chosen an independent path to survive. Now, bolstered by recent court decisions in their favour, they are well-positioned to negotiate a long-sought goal: a land base. Rather than wait for further court decisions, Canada should proactively negotiate with Metis people about their rights to self-determination as a…
Implementing these recommendations may allow us to turn a corner in Aboriginal relations
The recent release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report provides all political parties with an opportunity to renew policies regarding Aboriginal Canadian peoples as we go into a fall election. Not all 94 recommendations in the TRC report are achievable or practical, but parts of the report contain the start of a road…
The budget delivers on some of First Nations’ most deeply held political and economic desires
While the recent federal budget did not offer many benefits to Aboriginal peoples, there is some money that will advance First Nations communities. Much of the money in the budget earmarked for Indigenous peoples was simply a continuation of funds promised in previous budgets. The budget invests in First Nations communities that are entering the…
But only if the premier-designate lives up to her promises
The change of government in Alberta from Progressive Conservative to NDP could spell change for Alberta’s disadvantaged Aboriginal peoples, but only if the premier-designate lives up to her promises. Alberta premier-elect Rachel Notley says she is committed to a renewed relationship with Alberta’s Indigenous peoples and to consulting with and learning from them. Although Aboriginal…
First Nations, Canada have more in common when it comes to property rights than first thought
Opposition to the federal government’s plan to transfer title to reserve lands from the Crown to a First Nation government may be based on a misunderstanding of how property rights actually work in Canada. Under the proposed First Nations Property Ownership Act (FNPOA), once land title is transferred to a First Nation government that government…