The Move Forward to Colonialism

This week the Harper regime announced that they would be changing the name of "Indian Affairs" to "Aboriginal Affairs", seemingly the politically correct thing to do.

Immediately, several First Nations' leaders spoke out against the change, because it lumps all such nations into one. A legitimate argument.

On the other hand, aboriginal advocacy groups, believe that it will mean broader qualifications for government services. And indeed as part of the press release, Andrew MacDougall, a spokesman for Stephen Harper, said that “Changing the term used in the minister’s title from ‘Indian’ to ‘aboriginal’ better reflects the scope of the minister’s responsibilities" as they would now include Inuit and Métis.

However, to me, the name change means nothing, because it still fails to address the special relationship between the modern Canadian state and our indigenous people. The term "responsibilities" has the familiar paternal tone.

In his 2000 Massey lecture: the Rights Revolution, Michael Ignatieff wrote of us:

We are British North Americans, a colonial people in refuge from the republican experiment to the south. We are a community forged by the primal experience of negotiating terms of settlement among three peoples: the English, the French, and the aboriginal First Nations. This gives us a particular rights culture and it is this rights culture that makes us different. (1)

Those terms of settlement have been breached, and what we have created instead is a form of colonialism, where many First Nations people are subjugated.

Todd Gordon in his book Imperialist Canada, rightfully states that Canadian Imperialism begins with our Empire at Home.

The Canadian state's relationship with indigenous people provides a sharp example of the policy of accumulation by dispossession, and serves as a potent reminder of Canada's imperialist history. Any discussion of Canadian imperialism really must begin at home. Indigenous nations are Canada's very own Third World colonies, created and managed as part of an intensive, ongoing colonial project ... (2)

So while we can look at the living conditions on many reserves, with disgust, we can't make any significant changes until we understand the severity of the crimes against the people living there.

As Gordon reminds us.

There were hundreds of indigenous nations living across present-day Canada on land rich in resources, that did not wish to participate in the state and big business's plans for them and their land. But it was precisely the natural wealth of indigenous land and the labour of indigenous peoples (and poor immigrants) that provided the necessary basis for Canadian capital to grow and prosper in the first place, and to eventually move abroad to become a globally competitive force. It was on indigenous lands that mines were developed, oil discovered, private farms to feed the growing urban centres established, railways connecting the vast Canadian market laid, roads to transport goods carved out of the landscape and tourist resorts built. The whole foundation of Canadian capitalism rests upon indigenous land and resources. (2)

So this nation's prosperity was only possible because of negotiated terms of settlement. Terms of settlement that we are constantly abusing.

And that abuse is justified through a sense of racial superiority. A notion that will be accelerated with Fox News North reducing land claim issues to a struggle between "Indians and White People".

In Jack Layton's book, Speaking Out, he says:

I've learned from my years in municipal government that healthy public policy should shift resources to communities themselves, empowering those who live there to implement their ideas rather than live under the dictates of others. In the case of Aboriginals and Metis in Canada, the principle of social justice demands it. (3)

A good baby step, but then throughout the book he speaks more of the horrible living conditions and resulting community advocacy from non-aboriginals, but it doesn't address the big issue.

Any policy must start from a place of respect, and that means making First Nations equal partners in the development of our country.

Self government is essential, but it also means recognizing the validity of those governments.

A Unique Opportunity

Jack Layton has been given a rare opportunity to separate himself from Stephen Harper. And it comes with the election of Romeo Saganash.

A James Bay Cree, Saganash has experience in government, having served as director of governmental relations and international affairs for the Grand Council of Crees, for 30 years, and has advised parliamentary committees in Quebec and Ottawa.

And he worked very hard to get his seat, vigorously campaigning, in an attempt to garner the needed 9,000 votes. He earned 14,000.

He's intelligent, well liked and has the kind of face you instantly warm to.

Layton needs to appoint him as the "Aboriginal Affairs" critic. The Conservatives love their tokenism, keeping count, as if on a scorecard. But Saganash is no token anything. Another new MP that I just know I'm going to like.

Let's hope Layton recognizes the importance of his experience and capabilities. We are sorely in need of a change in direction.

Continuation:

A Harper Majority and Native rights

The “Coup D’etat at Barriere Lake and Why it Matters

Sources:

1. The Rights Revolution: CBC Massey Lectures, By Michael Ignatieff, Anansi Books, 2000, ISBN: 978-0-88784-762-2, Pg. 14

2. Imperialist Canada, By Todd Gordon, Arbeiter Publishing, 2010, ISBN: 978-1-894037-4507, Pg. 66-68

3. Speaking Out: Ideas That Work for Canadians, By Jack Layton, Key Porter Books, 2004 ISBN: 1-55263-577-5, Pg. 143

Conservative John Duncan Decries Corruption on Reserves -- I mean Duncan Involved in Corruption on Reserves

Murray Dobbin has an excellent piece on Rabble: John Duncan: Another Conservative hypocrite

In it he reminds us that in 1995, then a Reformer, Duncan raised holy hell because of an incident on a Metis reserve, he claimed was supported by the Liberals, despite the fact that they had already dealt with four years prior.

Duncan denounced the Metis group as "a haven for patronage, cronyism and grossly irresponsible spending."

Now Duncan is front and centre in the Bruce Carson scandal, that involves "patronage, cronyism and grossly irresponsible spending". Do as we say not as we do.

Harper refused to discuss Carson during the debates, and I can see why.

Vancouver Island North Have a New Liberal Candidate to Challenge the Bumbling John Duncan

This past summer when the Forestry Union protested at the offices of John Duncan, he proved what kind of man he was by attacking them in the press. They had legitimate complaints, but like a typical Reformer, they were union members and therefore the enemy.

I read Mike Holland's resume, and I think he will make a great MP for Vancouver Island North.

A tireless worker for just causes, he represents what this government is sorely lacking. Compassionate and intelligence.

As a life-long resident of the North Island, Mike Holland has spent all his life working to improve and build the community he calls home. Whether it has been as a Courtenay city councilor, a volunteer, or as a husband and a father, Mike has dedicated himself to our community.

Mike has worked all his life on the North Island, working at Elk Falls and Western Mines out of high school. For 25 years he has practiced law in Comox and built a reputation as a champion for the community, volunteering his time, energy and legal skills to advance vital issues of community importance.

When charities across B.C., such as Glacier View Lodge, faced the threat of losing their assets without receiving any compensation, Mike fought the legislation in court for four years as a volunteer, and he won won the battle. He was described by the B.C. premier as "a David, who single handedly took on the Goliath of government."

Later, when the promise to add 5,000 long-term care beds in BC was in jeopardy, Mike took up the cause, working with the community to ensure the provincial government kept its promise. And in the end, over 200 long-term care beds were built in Vancouver Island North.

Mike has been recognized for his contributions with the Comox Health Award, the George Muir Award for Courage, and the Glacier View Lodge "Volunteer of the Year" award.

Mike is a Charter member of the Crisis Center, Past Director of Lillian Lefcoe Society (for adults with mental disabilities), a past member of the Regional and St. Joseph’s Hospital boards, Rotary Club, Kinsmen Club and the Sid Williams Theatre Policy Board. He has served on the Comox Valley Water and Sewer Board and the Comox Valley Recreation Committee.

Mike has lived in the riding since 1959 when the Canadian Air Force sent his family to Comox. He is married and has two daughters

More Candidates:

1. Good Luck Ken Beck Lee Running in the Byelection for Coquitlam, New West Minister, Port Moody