It’s time to ensure Indigenous representation in Canadian institutions
OTTAWA—There is nothing sacrosanct about governmental structures. They are no more “divine” than past rulers who sought celestial sanction. Canada’s structure of bilateral federalism, with the provinces and Ottawa having separate and overlapping sovereign powers, is a reflection of 19th century political compromises accommodating, if not uniting, diverse peoples. Its survival for more than 150 years […]
Let’s talk sovereignty: how Canada can help stop lingering colonial attitudes towards Indigenous peoples
OTTAWA—The value-laden words of truth, apology, reconciliation, compensation, and nation are all being used repeatedly in the national exchanges involving Indigenous peoples. Lurking in the background are the larger words of sovereignty, self-determination, self-government, and possibly, independence—words that must be acknowledged if we are to emerge from this period of introspection and fragmentary answers. In […]
Cannabis bill a concern for Indigenous communities and ‘ripe for amendment’: Sen. Sinclair
The effect legal marijuana will have on historically “over-policed and under-resourced” Indigenous communities is cause for concern, according to Independent Senator Murray Sinclair, who is calling on the government to address gaps in services he said will be further strained by legalization. “Right now, Indigenous communities have a significant amount of drug problems without them […]
True reconciliation will only happen when the feds stop interfering with Indigenous governance
When Europeans arrived in North America in great numbers after 1600 they assumed that their civilization was superior in every respect to that of First Nations. They were wrong in a number of ways, and Canadians who cling to such views are still wrong. Grudgingly, those first visitors had to accept that First Nations did […]
New Indigenous Services Ministry takes over responsibility for infrastructure, healthcare, and education in Indigenous communities
The newly created Indigenous Services Ministry has been handed the responsibility for improving physical and social infrastructure in First Nation communities across the country, including an expanded number of water systems, and health and education services. The announcement was made Tuesday as part of a briefing on the priorities and mandate of the department, which was […]
New Senate committee to place spotlight on Arctic
A new Senate committee dedicated to studying issues affecting Canada’s North, is planning to “hit the ground running” when the Upper Chamber resumes at the end of January, says the new group’s deputy chair. Approved by the Senate on Sept. 27, the new Special Committee on the Arctic held its first meeting on Dec. 13, […]
Legislative framework essential for UN declaration
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides a crucial framework to achieve reconciliation. In December, NDP MP Romeo Saganash opened the second reading debate on his private member’s bill, C-262, with support from the Trudeau government. In The Hill Times, Dwight Newman and Ken Coates assert that Bill C-262 on the […]
‘We’ve got things moving,’ AFN national chief Bellegarde touts new federal money in re-election pitch
Assembly of First Nations national chief Perry Bellegarde, who’s running for re-election in July 2018, says he’s the best person to continue the unprecedented momentum right now in Crown-First Nations relations, despite some criticism that’s he’s a “sellout” for being too close to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal government. “When were First Nations’ […]
Internet as an act of reconciliation
It’s been 897 days since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) outlined its 94 calls to action towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and to say we’re progressing at a snail’s pace would be generous. Canada’s human rights challenges with regard to Indigenous communities are numerous and not simple to fix. Among them, more […]
Investing in the north is investing in Canada’s future
“Political equality cannot come without economic equality.” That’s a quote from a recent discussion paper on the Arctic Policy Framework entitled, We Are One Mind. Funded by the Gordon Foundation, We Are One Mind is the product of a collaborative effort by three northern youth groups—Dene Naho, based in the N.W.T.; Our Voices, primarily based […]
