Subject:  Aboriginals will risk another Oka for real input on governance |
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Date Posted: 22:44:31 07/25/01 Wed
Aboriginals will risk another Oka for real input on governance
By SUE BAILEY
Click to enlarge photo
HALIFAX (CP) - Some aboriginals are willing to risk another crisis like the 1990 Oka standoff if that's what it takes to win real input into Indian Act changes, says Canada's top chief.
"We lived through Oka, we lived through Ipperwash, we lived through Burnt Church," said Matthew Coon Come, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. He made the comment Thursday as a three-day meeting of chiefs from across Canada wrapped up.
"We're not going to go away. We're going to continue to push the government for our issues. They'll have to deal with treaties. They'll have to deal with aboriginal title. Because it's in the constitution; because the courts (have) recognized those rights."
The new hardline stance helped silence grumblings from those among the 1,300 assembly delegates who have been unhappy with Coon Come's leadership.
What began Tuesday as a fractious meeting marked by an abortive plot to oust him, ended with a re-focus of hostilities toward Ottawa.
However, cracks showed in the unified front later Thursday when an embarrassing rift opened over a vote on four new fiscal initiatives that some chiefs want to see drafted into law.
The resolution first passed but was then suspended when a dispute over the voting process arose.
Still, the chiefs were united in their concern over the core problems on First Nations reserves.
Crippling poverty, substandard housing, social chaos and rampant joblessness are fuelling frustration, Coon Come said.
Protests like the Oka fight over a Quebec town's plans to extend a golf course on native-claimed land; the 1995 Ipperwash land claims clash in Ontario; and last year's lobster wars at Burnt Church, N.B., could take other forms across Canada, he suggested.
"I think there are some people that are willing to take drastic measures. If you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose. You've got no job, your land is taken away, you've got no future."
Talk of road blockades and other disruptive peaceful protest is very real, he added. And the assembly, Canada's largest native advocacy group representing about 700,000 of 1.4 million aboriginals, will support such action, he said.
"I think the reaction will depend on the federal government that hasn't listened to First Nations or respected the Supreme Court or constitution recognizing aboriginal rights and how to implement them."
But not everyone in attendance agreed with Coon Come.
Perry Bellegarde, the chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations said provincial Indian bands are concentrating on self-government negotiations with Ottawa rather than blockading highways.
"For us, we have a treaty implementation process," Bellegarde told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
"As a region, we have an alternative to what (Indian Affairs Minister Robert) Nault is proposing. That's the road we're taking."
Three hundred chiefs gathered for the meeting this week voted Wednesday to give Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault an ultimatum.
They've given him 30 days to abandon ongoing consultations with aboriginals on how to revamp the 1876 Indian Act. The chiefs boycotted the process, saying it's too rushed and narrow to allow real input on legislation expected to be introduced this fall.
Should Nault refuse to include the assembly's 633 chiefs in a broader, longer-term consultation, an "aggressive strategic plan of action" has been promised across Canada.
Nault has offered to meet with the assembly to discuss its proposal, but has said talks with other chiefs and aboriginals will continue.
The assembly is planning an end-run around Nault by lobbying other Liberals and opposition leaders for support.
Senators, cabinet ministers and opposition leaders from all parties will be asked to help stop the new legislation from being unfairly forced on aboriginals, Coon Come said.
"Certainly, I think that there's certain ministers that would like our issues to be dealt with."
Former national chief Ovide Mercredi, who oversaw the assembly through the Oka and Ipperwash conflicts, said negotiation is always preferable to blockades and protest.
But when forced, aboriginals must use peaceful means to advance their cause, he added.
Walter Robinson, federal director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, says it's "reality check time" for Coon Come.
Federal and provincial taxpayers contribute about $10 billion to aboriginals each year amid "troubling" reports of mismanagement, he said in a statement.
"Moving to a system of individual property rights on reserves, transparent band governance and a welcoming stance to build further financial capacity would help Canada's aboriginals more than vicious rhetoric," the statement said.
Aboriginal leaders say Canada should account for decades of unfulfilled treaty obligations, and that under-funding is the real problem.
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