A well-informed rabble reader corrected me about the Bloc Québécois’ racist “slip” against First Nations in the Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik Eeyou riding. Indeed to his credit and honour, Gilles Duceppe said that the attack against Roméo Saganash (NDP candidate) was wrong and reiterated the importance of First Nations candidates. I apologize for my mistake although Duceppe’s statement came a bit late. In any case, it is comforting to see that Quebec nationalists have evolved. The “issue” with First Nations is not about Quebec nationalists. It is about the Canadian state, and the way it expropriated and discriminated against First Nations. Indeed, the real power regulating First Nations is the federal government through its monstrous ministry of “Indian Affairs.” Despite the usual rhetoric, the federal government is unable to deal with First Nations except through manipulation and control. It is worse with Stephen Harper, but that is not new.

Nonetheless, the situation is not simple in Quebec, with provincial governments, political parties and the society at large. It is a bit ironic (or sad) because at the beginning of the colonial process, French settlers and First Nations found themselves in a sort of alliance. After battling for the control of the Saint-Lawrence, they finally concluded in 1704 that they had a common cause and concluded the “great peace.” The “deal” was of course asymmetrical; however, First Nations were allowed to conduct their own businesses and even participate in encircling British colonies with the French. This was known in Boston and New York as the “French-Indian wars,” during which colonial expansion in what was not yet the U.S. was checked. When Britain conquered the St. Lawrence valley and expelled the French administration, that was the end of that alliance.

Later, that legacy of “metissage” continued, for example in another strange alliance in the West where the Métis uprising (1869-1885) was heavily supported in Quebec. 50,000 people demonstrated in the streets of Montreal when Louis Riel was hanged after a kangaroo “trial” supervised by the “honourable” PM of that time, John Macdonald and his millionaire buddies of the nascent Canadian Pacific Railway.

Later in the next century, the colonization of northern territories created a new situation filled with tensions and conflict. It became particularly hot in the 1970s with the gigantic James Bay project where the Cree Nation faced losing its land. René Lévesque, the founder of the PQ, was conscious of that problem and he felt it did not make sense for the Quebecois to fight for their rights if the PQ would ignore First Nations demands. In the 1980s and the 1990s, new conflicts arose. In 1990, a Mohawk uprising in territories very close to Montreal led to ugly confrontations. However, the pressure from social movements in the streets of Montreal was able to link up with the Mohawks and the then Liberal government had to backtrack.

Today, popular movements, trade unions, the women’s federation (FFQ) and countless others are working with First Nations organizations such as the dynamic Quebec Native Women Association. It is more difficult and conflictive in the north where territorial conflicts abound, such as in Abitibi and the North Coast (Sept-Îles, the biggest city there is actually a twin-city with the two communities coexisting).

Quebec nationalists all in all have taken stock of these developments. In the 2003 election, Innu PQ candidate Alexis Wawanoloath won the Abitibi riding against the racist Liberal candidate who was elected later (2008) with the support of Big Mining.

However, the “fundamental” issue remains. The right of First Nations to self-determination is not acknowledged by Quebec nationalists. One of the arguments is that this could lead to indigenous sovereign claims and fragment Quebec territory. The fear is not totally unfounded, especially given that the federal government and the main political parties (Conservatives and Liberals) have often threatened Quebec with dislocation if ever the Québécois would be crazy enough to fight for their own self-determination!

Nonetheless, one cannot have it both ways. This is why Quebec Solidaire, now gaining strength and popularity, is not ambiguous about the “fundamentals.” First Nations have the same rights that Québécois are fighting for; no less, no more.

The hope is that a common struggle against the Canadian elites will be a step in the right direction. Corrupted First Nations elites (they exist) will claim that Ottawa is giving them “protection” and they want to remain in a “united Canada.” But more and more First Nations, especially the younger generation, reject that “protection” — which does not necessarily mean taking sides with Quebec against Canada, but refusing to be instrumentalized. A common fight?

New alliances between oppressed nations? A dream many would say… but so is our world. It cannot be “repaired” here and there; it needs to be radically changed.

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Pierre Beaudet

Pierre was active in international solidarity and social movements in Quebec, and was the founder of Quebec NGO Alternatives, and Editor of the Nouveaux cahiers du socialisme. He blogged on rabble.ca in...