Canada’s First Nations have put the Harper federal government on notice that they expect concrete action to improve the lives of aboriginal people, said Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council President Cliff Atleo.
Atleo represented the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations at the Jan. 24 Crown-First Nations Gathering in Ottawa, and while there were no big announcements on the part of the feds, Atleo believes it was “a good beginning.”
“The ceremonial part was important, the speech by the prime minister was important and the presentation was well done by the national chief,” Atleo concluded.
“I felt it was important to take that step [Tuesday] and to set the tone. Now First Nations and the people of Canada are going to be watching and they are going to want results.”
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo reinforced that message in a media release issued the day following the event.
“I look forward to an early demonstration of that commitment from the Government of Canada,” he wrote.
Realistically, NTC president Atleo said the goal was to set up the architecture for change, rather than to demand immediate remedies and funding to address the many outstanding issues faced by Canada’s First Nations, such as unemployment, substandard housing and education.
“You know, when you’re dealing with the federal government, very few things happen overnight,” he said.
Tseshaht Chief Councillor Les Sam attended the event by videoconference in Vancouver, where he joined a large delegation of B.C. chiefs.
“I think we were proud to have a B.C. leader in the lead role,” Sam said of A-in-chut, adding that people in the non-aboriginal community have been equally impressed with the hereditary chief of Ahousaht First Nation.
“Our B.C. leader was very assertive, but he was very diplomatic. That’s a role he carries well.”
Sam said a national leader always faces a balancing act, representing the needs both of progressive First Nations that are making strides in developing their economies as well as nations on remote reserves where members are living in Third World conditions.
“I praise Shawn for being able to pull everybody together like that and to bring the forum together, but I was disappointed that there wasn’t another date set for the next meeting,” Sam said.
In a joint press release issued just hours after the event, the parties announced they would work together to address key issues: to build a renewed relationship, to remove barriers to First Nations governance, to advance the treaty and land claims process, to improve education and to create an economic action plan. The parties have further committed to release a progress report no later than Jan. 24, 2013.
Many First Nations leaders, including the national chief, were angry when Prime Minister Stephen Harper refused to commit to scrapping the Indian Act, which impacts nearly every aspect of aboriginal life. Sam cautioned, however, that while it would be emotionally satisfying to toss the detested legislation overboard, it could result in some disastrous unintended consequences.
“For some bands that are in desperate shape, the Indian Act can still be a protection, but for those nations that are moving forward with economic development, it can be a hindrance,” Sam said.
Hupacasath Chief Councillor Steven Tatoosh, who followed the entire conference online from his own office, said it was obvious that the Indian Act was a looming obstacle at the conference. He believes, however, that Harper and the Conservatives are moving in the right direction and have taken positive steps, such as the apology for residential school abuses and setting up the Crown/First Nations Gathering.
“The prime minister was quite genuine in his words, but the big stumbling block is going to be the Indian Act,” Tatoosh said.
The Indian Act was enacted in 1876 and continues to govern the political, economic and social lives of aboriginal people across the country, as well as administering education from kindergarten through Grade 12.
Tatoosh said that throughout the 136-year history of the Indian Act, any amendments that have been made have been without consultation with First Nations.
He believes it is likely that Tuesday’s gathering will result in adjustments to the Act to bring about at least some of the promised changes, but added, “Amending it without First Nations consultation is unacceptable.”
In Wednesday’s press release, National Chief Atleo dialed back the temperature somewhat, urging all parties to “move beyond the colonial control of the Indian Act,” rather than calling for it to be scrapped outright.
But it is the day-to-day presence of Ottawa that creates so much irritation for First Nations, Tatoosh said.
“Right now, we are working on water service for our Kleekoot reserve on Sproat Lake. We are connecting to the Tseshaht line at the [Tseshaht] Market,” Tatoosh said.
“The pre-design work has already been done, but now everything has to wait for [Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada].”
Tatoosh suggests few Canadians would tolerate having Ottawa involved in such basic decisions, but that is life under the Indian Act.
Sam said urban nations such as Tseshaht have the advantage of being plugged into the mainstream economy. But nations in remote communities like the high-profile and troubled Attawapiskat in Ontario have no economic base.
They live in low-quality European-style housing that has to be trucked in at high cost, and there are few jobs to be had. That is despite the fact that these communities are situated in the midst of bountiful natural resources.
“That’s why those nations are there in the first place. It was not their choice that their lives would be changed,” Sam said. “First Nations need to get a portion of the resources from their traditional territories.”
Resources are foremost in the mind of Jack Thompson, chief councillor for Ditidaht First Nation. Thompson said he did not follow the conference, but has discussed the results with other Nuu-chah-nulth leaders.
Ditidaht is currently in treaty negotiations in partnership with Pacheedaht First Nation.
“They’re our neighbours to the east, around Port Renfrew. They’re part of our family, although they are no longer NTC [members],” Thompson said.
In the current process, Thompson explained, the two nations are not dealing directly with Ottawa.
“We are talking about incremental treaty with the province only, in bilateral negotiations,” he said. “They give you a parcel of land prior to treaty. That is attractive for us to do.”
Thompson explained that while Ditidaht is “not doing too bad,” and his members are close to services in urban centres like Port Alberni, his community is affected by some of the issues facing more remote nations, particularly the need to transport virtually everything over rough seasonal roads.
National Chief Atleo summed up the Crown/First Nations Gathering by emphasizing that bringing about change will require a concerted effort from all levels of society.
“We must act now on this renewed understanding, addressing the urgent needs and creating lasting change for our peoples and for all of Canada,” he concluded.
