Conservative government plans backdoor restructuring of First Nations governance

By Corvin Russell

Created Feb 25 2009 - 1:13am

I blogged about this important story here [1], including links to the leaked documents.

So far, other than APTN, the Globe has been the only outlet to cover the story [2], as far as I can tell. Their editorial [3] on it suggests they are completely buying the government's line. Because we know the federal government has always acted in good faith in its dealings with Canada's first peoples, and with full respect for their inherent and treaty rights.

Comments

Submitted by RevolutionPlease on February 25, 2009 - 1:36am.

Great blog Corvin, thank-you.

Quote:

From the days of Jean Chretien's White Paper in 1969, federal governments have dreamed of completing the process of colonization and assimilation by making Aboriginal rights disappear through a strategy of deceit: denying Aboriginal rights in the name of "giving" Canada's Indigenous peoples the "same" rights as other Canadians.

snip

Quote:

Here's a memo to cabinet: start by acknowledging and respecting Indigenous rights. Sign on to and respect the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. End the policy of extinguishment of Aboriginal title. Respect Indigenous Peoples' rights to self-determination and their right to determine their own systems of government. End the exploitation of Indigenous lands without free, prior, and informed consent. And make the "apology" for residential schools real by making restitution and implementing far-ranging programs to restore Indigenous languages, cultures, and ceremonies.

Submitted by Makwa on March 3, 2009 - 3:42pm.

Good one CR, che meegwetch.

When the madness comes, let it flood on down / and over me sweetly, let it drown the parts of me weak and blessed nd damned, / let it slake my life, let it take my soul and living completely, / let it be who I am.

Links:
[1] http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/corvin-russell/leaked-memo-harper-government-plans-backdoor-restructuring-first-natio
[2] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090224.wreserves24/BNStory/National/
[3] http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090224.EAFN24/TPStory/Comment
[4] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/aboriginal-issues-and-culture/conservative-government-plans-backdoor-restructuring-first-nati#comment-992016
[5] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/aboriginal-issues-and-culture/conservative-government-plans-backdoor-restructuring-first-nati#comment-994176
[6] http://rabble.ca/user
[7] http://rabble.ca/user/register