Questions about Canada's poor human rights record
From THunder Bay Native Rights Group
Canada's Universal Periodic Review at the UN - The situation of aboriginal peoples is denounced by 35 states GENEVA, Feb. 5, 2009 The image of Canada, as the great defender of human rights does not hold water when it's a matter of First Nations' rights. Two days ago, within the scope of Canada's Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, the representative of the Canadian government was unable to defend and justify Canada's numerous acts of negligence towards the First Nations. Out of 47 countries who interrogated the representative of Canada, some 35 of them raised profound concerns for the fate of Canada's Aboriginal Peoples. Numerous countries, including Austria, Mexico and Norway strongly criticized Canada, and enjoined it to reconsider its decision of not supporting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007.
Canada was among the four countries to vote against the document. Later on, Canada remained silent when Denmark asked questions about a letter signed by one hundred lawyers from Canada who were questioning its reasons for not supporting the Declaration. As a means of defense, the representative of Canada affirmed that the Declaration "does not provide for equilibrium between the rights of Aboriginals and Non-Aboriginals". "This position is ludicrous and hare-brained", replied the Chief of the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL), Ghislain Picard, emphasizing that Canada's laws, policies and programs, and more particularly the Department of Indian Affairs, have created and maintained since a very long time, numerous injustices towards the Aboriginals. " If the Declaration doesn't sit well with the Harper government, it's definitely because it respects our fundamental rights ", stated Chief Picard.
Violence suffered by Aboriginal Women The adoption of the United Nations Declaration was not the sole concern put forward in regards to the First Nations. Numerous States also questioned Canada on the violence which the Aboriginal women are subjected to, while over 500 of them have gone missing or have been killed up until recently in Canada. On this matter, the representative of Canada had difficulty explaining that Aboriginal women in Canada are five times more at risk than the rest of the female population of being victims of domestic violence or to die from a violent death. "The large number of questions asked by the other countries shows that, as far as the rights of Aboriginal Peoples are concerned, Canada does not project the image of a country that champions human rights", stated John Martin, the political adviser of the AFNQL, who was on site in Geneva. "We are hoping that this international pressure will bring Canada to change its ways of doing things and to recognize our rights", concluded Mr. Martin on behalf of the AFNQL. The Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador is the regional organization regrouping the Chiefs of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. For further information: Alain Garon, Communication Officer, AFNQL, (418) 842-5020, Cellular: (418) 956-5720
Well,
It's not as simple as it seems.
Norway has long held a policy of assimlitation for its various ethnic groups and currently ensures all immigrant applicants can speak Norwegian, so they are hardly a model for tolerance.
Austria's record on the treatment of the Roma is just as appaling.
The problem is this:
First Nations have asked for self-government. They want to control their own health care, they want to control their own justice system. It isn't working. Nunavut has the worst disparity betweeen rich and poor in Canada.
So what is the current government supposed to do?
If we encourage a policy of assimilation as Trudeau suggested, we're trampling over their culture.
If we make the transition to self-government, it becomes rife with corruption and inefficiency.
If we maintain some controls and safeguards, then the bands get upset with us.
As an aside, when I was chair of a local anti-poverty organization, we worked with inmates being relaseased. One of the programs that we worked with ensured that upon release someone was there to assist them, get them a place to stay, money to get by initiall, help them with their paperwork, and start them in the direction of finding work.
But, we were not allowed to assist First Nations, as that interfered with the Band - who controlled the budget to help First nations members being released. They did nothing for them. They were released to find no help, nowhere to live, no support - and more often that not ended up being reincarcerated.
It's nice to talk about self-government and freedoms, but it's tough to stand by on the side lines and see it fail time and time again.
So, what exactly should be done? Please let me know.
Well,
It's not as simple as it seems.
Norway has long held a policy of assimlitation for its various ethnic groups and currently ensures all immigrant applicants can speak Norwegian, so they are hardly a model for tolerance.
Austria's record on the treatment of the Roma is just as appaling.
The problem is this:
First Nations have asked for self-government. They want to control their own health care, they want to control their own justice system. It isn't working. Nunavut has the worst disparity betweeen rich and poor in Canada.
So what is the current government supposed to do?
If we encourage a policy of assimilation as Trudeau suggested, we're trampling over their culture.
If we make the transition to self-government, it becomes rife with corruption and inefficiency.
If we maintain some controls and safeguards, then the bands get upset with us.
As an aside, when I was chair of a local anti-poverty organization, we worked with inmates being relaseased. One of the programs that we worked with ensured that upon release someone was there to assist them, get them a place to stay, money to get by initiall, help them with their paperwork, and start them in the direction of finding work.
But, we were not allowed to assist First Nations, as that interfered with the Band - who controlled the budget to help First nations members being released. They did nothing for them. They were released to find no help, nowhere to live, no support - and more often that not ended up being reincarcerated.
It's nice to talk about self-government and freedoms, but it's tough to stand by on the side lines and see it fail time and time again.
So, what exactly should be done? Please let me know.
I beg your pardon? That's a pretty generalized and offensive statement, even racist! How appallingly ignorant and disgusting.
And Canada is not "rife with corruption and inefficiency"? Oh please!
Canada and the provinces are in the pockets of the megacorps and many municipalities are still run by friggen Tory family compacts that also run the local courts of 'justice', ffs!! That's how we stole Indigenous land and children and tried to destroy them, or didn't you know that?
You don't have a fucking clue keystone!
Just out of curiosity, which white supremacist organization do you belong to? Northern Alliance? RaHoWa? CPC?
Further, KeyStone's statement says nothing with regard to Canada's shameful behaviour at the UN.
" If the Declaration doesn't sit well with the Harper government, it's definitely because it respects our fundamental rights ", stated Chief Picard.
Absolutely true. The Declaration is consistent with international law, which means it isn't acceptable to Harper who has his own 'law'.
You may have experienced an instance of sink or swim for the newly released in one area, Keystone, and you overly ready to generalize from that to condemn the practise of all bands!
You have the very narrow perspective of the redneck, mate.
You are far too kind, Geo V .!
The Fed's record on honouring treaty rights is dismal and to blame Aboriginal communities for failing to get their rights fully applied is wrong and racist.
Stargazer, seeing all that info together highlights Canada's shameful behaviour on the world stage. Harper's idiotic and insulting "apology" in 2007 in the face of such blatant inaction, and active denial, speaks volumes.
And the First Nations women who have gone missing, crimes which have been ignored by the various police authorities, is further proof of how little Aboriginal people are valued in Canada.
This isn't only about Harper. Shame.
This isn't only about Harper. Shame.
Thanks Maysie. Shame on us. I'm not optomistic that the Canadian population will ever see the wrongs. Without rabble, I'd have no clue.
I am optomistic however that if the truth was presented, Canadians wouldn't be so anti-FN.
What saga said.
Maysie, a request for moderator guidance here ..... The whole Universal Periodic Review process by which all countries review the human rights record of each member is fascinating -- I've thought it a whitewash but the criticisms levelled at Canada (especially fascinating line developed by Cuba) make me rethink it. However, since this is the aboriginal issues forum, should that broader discussion go somewhere else? Or would a thread elsewhere distract from this one?
From the UN report on Canada, which has as yet no outcome and likely won't:
From Canada's pathetic presentation to the commitee:
10. Reconciliation work between Aboriginals and the rest of Canadian society is ongoing.
Canada acknowledged the particular challenges faced by Aboriginal peoples and welcomed the
opportunity to highlight progress and the need for improvement. Reconciliation and a renewed
partnership with Aboriginal people are key pillars in Canada’s Aboriginal Agenda. In June 2008,
the Government offered a historic formal apology to former students of Indian Residential
Schools. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement includes compensation to former
students and the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Closing a long-standing
legislative gap the Canadian Human Rights Act was amended in 2008 to allow addressing of
issues of discrimination arising under the Indian Act.
11. Violence against Aboriginal women is of significant concern. Canada is working with
Aboriginal women and organizations on family violence prevention programmes and services on
reserves. The Government supports the Sisters in Spirit initiative undertaken by the Native
Women’s Association of Canada to better understand and define the problem of missing and
murdered Aboriginal women.
12. Canada seeks to reconcile the rights of Aboriginal peoples over traditional lands with the
sovereignty of the Government, including the recognition of existing treaties, and the negotiation
of new land and self-government agreements. The Government seeks to balance the rights and
interests of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in a manner consistent with the
Constitution. Canada recognizes the collective nature of Aboriginal peoples’ interest in lands and
resources and that the nature of this collective interest may vary.
13. While unable to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples because the text failed to address Canada’s key concerns and lacks clear guidance for
States in several areas, including lands and resources, the concept of free, prior and informed
consent and self-government, Canada remains committed to fulfilling its existing human rights
obligations and commitments to Aboriginal peoples in Canada and is active internationally in
working to improve the situation of indigenous peoples.
In juxtaposing Bolivia's statement with the federal government's pathetic "response" to the U.N., you have pointed up the difference between a politicized aboriginal population and one divided - intentionally so - by conservative politicians who understand the Bolivian example very well.
When the people of the Bolivian Andes brought Juan Evo Morales to power in 2006, they were after better conditions for themselves in the face of centuries of repression - colonial and then class-based. They are now in a struggle to realize their hopes.
I think it is very good that a clearer picture of Canada is out there for the world to see.
Hey Ze,
First, since Stargazer started this thread with information from the Universal Periodic Review, I think that any discussion of Canada in this context is on-topic in this thread.
Second, seeing Bolivia's and Canada's response together was really fucking depressing and infuriating. The word "milquetoast" comes to mind. Canada's reads like a PFO letter. Ever get one of those? PFO=Please Fuck Off. Basically it's a letter you get when the person or organization is not going to do what you want (hire you, advocate for you, etc). Bullshit.
I'm really glad this is out there for the world to see, but I have no expectation that Canada will receive any international response from this reality, such as trade sanctions or something like that. Something, anything to get us in line with countries that have a more human and humane approach to actively righting past (and present) wrongs and injustices. Not going to happen.
In other words, the status quo will continue. Whichever party is in the government at the federal level will either wring their hands and do nothing or give empty apologies and do nothing. People will continue to die and live in sub-standard conditions and be marginalized.
Here is a poem by Chrystos, because it fits.
WE CUT OFF OUR HAIR
as our children kill themselves at fourteen or seventeen
in mass explosions
one after another until ten or twenty-three
are dead
on one reservation after another
multiplied across our land
Breathing this colonized air they take poison
into their hearts listening for the message
of genocide so much easier when we do it to ourselves
& save whites the trouble
Grief cuts out our hearts & laughs
din of this cruel survival breath to breath
going on through this pain we know strips us
crushes us beneath bulldozers & booze
We pray for you our children
LIVE
Become the river of our continuing hoop
LIVE
Become the breath of our never silent drums
LIVE
Become the future red & remembered
LIVE
Become our voices singing up the sun
LIVE
From Dream On, Press Gang Publishers, 1991.
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Village/8654/chrystos.html
http://voices.cla.umn.edu/vg/Bios/entries/chrystos.html
I just wanted some clarification on what you mean by a politicized aboriginal population. I am not quite sure exactly what you mean by that.
Thanks.
Stargazer, Do you have a link to this article or at least a link to information about the group that put this article out? I am having trouble finding them.
Refuge:
"I just wanted some clarification on what you mean by a politicized aboriginal population. I am not quite sure exactly what you mean by that."
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The people who elected Morales are, like him, descendants of the people who inhabited Bolivia when the Spanish invaded. They have discovered the power of the ballot (been politicized), and because they outnumber the people of the valleys (who tend to be descendants of the Spanish) they got their president. He is now trying to undo several centuries of injustice toward them.
--------------------------------
The aboriginal people of Bolivia, newly politicized and now able to speak out of their experience through their government, can describe the situation of the FN people of Canada to the world community.
Maysie's reaction represents the political consciousness of perhaps a majority. And I guess the demographics of Bolivia favour the election of a turned-on president by a turned-on aboriginal population.
But it is worth noting the situations of the two peoples in prominent juxtaposition.
Refuge, this is from the facebook group, called Thunder Bay native Rights Group. You can look for them on facebook.
In case it's of any help, the AFN/QL press release is in French at http://www.apnql-afnql.com/fr/actualites/pdf/comm-2009-02-05.pdf. The original press release comes from the chiefs of Quebec and Labrador, the regional affiliate of the Assembly of First Nations. More info about the AFN/QL through www.apnql-afnql.com. Because they're Quebec-based, most of the info will be in French, of course. There will be much more on the AFN's web site.
http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/archive.asp?go=090203
You can watch the Canadian rep speak, in theory, at http://www.un.org/webcast/unhrc/archive.asp?go=090203 although I'm getting error messages when I try to view it.
One more bit from the report:
deeply on its previous role as an advocate for the third world. It noted that Aboriginals are
disadvantaged in terms of self-generated income, education and health, with the highest ranks in
suicide and poverty indexes, asking about measures to repair this historic injustice, in line with
the Declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. Noting that approximately 125 Canadian
NGOs expressed concerns at the lack of appropriate and transparent procedures on
implementation of treaty body recommendations, it asked about reform, especially regarding
recommendations made during the UPR. It asked why funding of HIV/AIDS programmes was
cut. Consistent with CESCR’s comments, it recommended that Canada (a) integrate these rights
in its poverty reduction strategies in a way that can benefit the most vulnerable groups in society,
especially the Aboriginals, Afro-Canadians, migrants, persons with disabilities, youth, women
with low incomes, and single mothers, and (b) adopt all necessary measures, including the full
implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to guarantee Aboriginals
full enjoyment of their rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, so that their
standard of living was similar to that of the rest of the citizens in Canada.
Sadly this UN committee has no power to do or recommend anything. That's because China (also under review this month) managed to gut the Human Rights Council of any actual power. So all we'll get from tis process is a Canadian government response by June, and these questions. Although as the press release pointed out, the questions themselves carry power.
Canada's opposition to the indigenous rights declaration is, I think, especially appalling since this is the culmination of a 30-year process going back to the 1970s when the Haudenosaunee presented their "Basic Call to Consciousness" to the UN working group in Geneva. Which was itself a repeat of the 1920s "Redman's Appeal for Justice" when first nations (in the person of Haudenosaunee chief Levi general, who was Deskaheh at the time) made their first appeal to a world body for help against Canadian government oppression. That conflict still goes on in Ontario; meanwhile the Canadian government responds today almost exactly as they did at the League of Nations in 1922. Canada has learned nothing.
Thanks Stargazer, I found them! And thanks Ze, I was wondering where the actual press release came from as the facebook group does not make it clear.
I hope that the public shaming will have some kind of effect.
Martin, I do not know very much about Bolivia but it does sound like it is working well there.
I do, however question how well that would transfer to up here, though.
When I say that I am thinking specifically of the groups like the Haudenoshaunee. There is a huge political movement afoot there however, from the people I have talked with, they say it is based on the Two Row. This is an agreement made by the Haudenoshaunee with the Europeans which essentially states that the Europeans would look after their own affairs and the Haudenoshaunee would look after their own affairs. This agreement seems to have been based on as much cultural outlook as political. Wouldn't Canada be great if it had stuck to it's side of the agreement?
Now, a couple of centuries later the Haudenoshaunee are trying to rebuild their culture after Canada tried to take away their culture, their language, their self identity and their self respect. They come back to Canada and say alright, you guys really messed up but you know what we don't want to play that game. Our original agreement was Two Row so you need to let us start handling our own affairs again. And thus the battle ensues.
From what I see from a political stadpoint it does make complete sense to have a FN PM to stragten everything out. But for the Haudenoshaunee, specifically, and other communities who think the same way, they don't seem to want to control all of Canada and from a cultural political standpoint it may do them more harm than good because it takes them further from their own cultlure.