First Nations leaders debate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s commitment to Indigenous rights
Chiefs concerned PM’s promises are empty platitudes
The Trudeau government’s commitment to finding new ways to recognize and strengthen Indigenous rights faces a major litmus test as the Assembly of First Nations annual special assembly examines several pieces of federal legislation that deal with restoring and promoting Indigenous rights and languages.
Assembly Chief Perry Bellegarde says chiefs and elders will be able to find out more details about the progress of the legislation, ask questions and provide input.
“We have forged many avenues and created many opportunities to make progress, but we also need time for questions, time for you to work out the details as First Nations, time to make sure things are going in the right direction,” Bellegarde told the participants on Tuesday.
A key focus of the assembly is the rights recognition and implementation framework, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February.
Bellegarde says there is hope the new framework could be a turning point towards significant progress in recognition of Indigenous rights and title and in fixing Canadian laws, policies and practices.
But questions remain on how this framework will be structured, how it will impact treaties, bands and reserves and how it will fit with the federal government’s stated intention to “move beyond the Indian Act.”
“Recognition of our inherent right to self-determination — that’s what we’ve got to get to. That policy is so important,” he said.
Sessions are scheduled to examine the progress of several pieces of legislation, including: the Indigenous Languages Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Cannabis Act, environmental and regulatory reviews, and Bill C-262, a private member’s bill that aims to ensure Canada’s laws are in harmony with the United Nations declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples.
As discussions got underway Tuesday, a number chiefs raised concerns that consultations on the framework promised by Trudeau have been lacking and that legislation on rights and Indigenous languages are being rushed in order to get them passed before the 2019 election.
Others expressed distrust of the federal government, dismissing Trudeau’s pledges to approach Indigenous relations in a new way as empty platitudes.
Carolyn Bennett, minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, addressed the assembly and stressed that no final decisions have been made on the rights recognition and implementation framework, saying it has not yet been written.
“We know that the process isn’t perfect and we welcome any advice. We want your communities to know that and we want to continue to improve how we engage,” she said.
“The era of Ottawa determining how and when and where your rights are implemented is over and you need to hear from me directly — nothing will be imposed.”
Bennett said she recognizes the government needs to get out of the affairs of Indigenous nations and “disentangle from the colonial practices of the Indian Act.”
“We’re still working hard to prove that we are in no way on any ‘white paper’ path. We are determined to work with you on a path to vibrant, proud Indigenous nations that are in charge of their lives and their land. This is the opposite of assimilation.”