Patrick Brazeau has not taken the time to think this through. His suggestion that there should be less chiefs, and the First Nations be re-nationed into about 70 nations is unclear. What does he mean by the reserve system? Does he mean that the 600+ reserves should no longer exist? He is a fool if he thinks First Nations would ever give up the small amounts of land they have now. We are tied to our communities in ways that he obviously does not understand. These pieces of land are also part of the terms of the treaties that we have signed with settler governments, treaties that were signed by the "Crown".
The reserve "system" is not working because we do not have the resources or the authority to make decisions that will be beneficial to our communities. This is what RACP meant when "it recommended
recreating those nations as the foundation of native self-governance, combined with financial control of the resources on their ancestral (read traditional) lands."I have said elsewhere in these forums, that the price Canada paid for our lands and resources was too low, and the price we paid and (are still paying)was too high.
The federal government and provincial governments would not like to see a nation of first nations united. They like to deal with us on a small band basis, where we do not have to capacity to deal with larger economic, social, and environmental issues. What would happen if we all decided to work together, and support one another. People like to mention our differences, but I think that our similarities would help to bind us together as a people and make us stronger.
If Patrick Brazueau was a true leader of the off-reserve people, (of which I am one) he would be building bridges, instead of fostering divisions. I could also say the same of the leadership of the AFN.
I'm not sure about something: Were the "reserves" created by treaties, or by the 'Indian' Act?
In any case, one thing most Canadians do not understand is that exclusive use of some lands (eg reserves) did and does not 'extinguish' Aboriginal rights (including possible titles) on the rest of the Nations' traditional lands. 'Duty to consult and accommodate' applies to all traditional Indigenous lands, and is generally defined as the right to "A say in development and a share in revenues". There are many examples across the country of agreements based on this. Other communities in Canada, like Caledonia and Brantford, are still trying to use force of police, and force of arms to suppress legitimate Aboriginal rights. (aaarrrgh!!)
I am certain that 'Canada', now and always, fosters divisions among Indigenous Peoples, as you suggest. A common front would indeed be powerful, and perhaps there is yet another organization or leader to emerge who can accomplish that.(?)
Though I am not an Indigenous person, or not of this land anyway (lol), my interest in these issues is both familial and political. Canada needs a big wake up call, imo.
-edit to add-
Re:
He is a fool if he thinks First Nations would ever give up the small amounts of land they have now.
From the RCAP highlights, which appears to be Brazeau's reference for this ...
We have concluded that the right of self-government cannot reasonably be exercised by small, separate communities, whether First Nations, Inuit or Métis. It should be exercised by groups of a certain size - groups with a claim to the term 'nation'.
The problem is that the historical Aboriginal nations were undermined by disease, relocations and the full array of assimilationist government policies. They were fragmented into bands, reserves and small settlements. Only some operate as collectivities now. They will have to reconstruct themselves as nations.
Self-government is a right they never surrendered and that they want to exercise once more
We believe strongly that membership in Aboriginal nations should not be defined by race. Aboriginal nations are political communities, often comprising people of mixed background and heritage. Their bonds are those of culture and identity, not blood. Their unity comes from their shared history and their strong sense of themselves as peoples.
The work of reconstructing their nations poses great challenges for Aboriginal people. They will need to
- reconnect communities split apart by years of band or settlement administration
- develop constitutions, design structures, and train personnel to make laws and administer decisions
- - negotiate new relations with the other two orders of government in Canada.
- and much more detail is available here, that may answer your questions about "how" ...
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ap/rrc-eng.asp
I will also say that the government appears to be still playing divide and conquer games with nations trying to "reconstitute" themselves. (eg, Six Nations; Algonquins) The recommendations of the RCAP have not really been implemented. Nice words on paper, but it won't be implemented by Canada without 'urging'.