On October
16, 2013 the Harper government introduced their plans for the next year and on. Some important items relate to balancing the 'fiscal books' by 2015 to reeling back spending. These points, as well as the problems that exist with these goals, have, and are,
being pointed out already by major Canadian media outlets. However, what is
also deplorable, and not mentioned by the majority of media outlets is the fact this government claimed, through its throne speech, that prior to European settlement
there were no established nations.
My first
reaction was a resounding ‘WHAT THE HELL?!?!” Before going further into the
many issues that the statement “they were
undaunted. They dared to seize the moment that history offered. Pioneers, then
few in number, reached across a vast continent. They forged an independent
country where none would have otherwise existed” creates, lets look at the
sections that relate to Indigenous nations and peoples.
What the Throne
Speech Says about Canadian/Indigenous Relations:
Point 1:
“…we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Royal
Proclamation. This extraordinary document is part of the legal foundation of
our country. It recognized the rights of [Indigenous] people in Canada for the
first time and established the basis of their relations with the Crown.
(Governor General, Throne Speech, October 16, 2013)
Problem:
Where do I even start.
First, they express Indigenous people as if we are all one (highlighting
the lack of recognition of our ethnic differences as well as the differences in
relation with Canada and the Crown). Secondly, the Royal Proclamation did not
recognition, for the first time, in Canada – Canada didn’t exist – there were
tiny colonies not even equal to the size of present day Ontario or Quebec. Lastly, the Royal Proclamation did not, for
the first time, establish the basis of relations with the Crown – relations had
been ongoing long before 1763.
Fact:
The Royal Proclamation, 1763, was designed to alleviate
tensions between English Settlers, the newly acquired French colony of Quebec,
and to bring forth peace and friendship with the various Indigenous nations who
fought alongside the French Empire, as allies and separate individual nations. Peace was sought after decades of feuding
that was brought over from Europe by the two major empires and encompassed
various Indigenous nations as independent allies - on both the English and French sides. The
Royal Proclamation would be followed by the Treaties of Niagara, 1764, to
further entrench ‘peace and friendship’ as separate and individual nations. In
closing of point one – I have no clue what Royal Proclamation they are
celebrating or speaking of, it doesn’t exist.
Point 2:
“Our government will take further steps to see that those
traditionally under represented in the workforce, including people with
disabilities, youth, and [Indigenous] Canadians, find the job-training they
need.” (Governor General, Throne Speech, October 16, 2013)
AND
“Our government recognizes the tremendous potential of
Canada’s First Nations, Metis, and Inuit populations to strengthen the growing
Canadian economy. It will continue working with First Nations to develop
strong, more effective, and more accountable on-reserve education systems.”
(Governor General, Throne Speech, October 16, 2013)
Problem:
Job-training is indeed important. However, how can job
training be achieved when this current government is ‘maxing-out’ the
paternalistic views in how this can be achieved for Indigenous peoples?
Top-down approaches have not work and still do not work. Telling Indigenous
peoples in isolated communities that, in order to obtain social assistance,
requires you to take job-training courses is problematic and stereotypical.
Furthermore, controlling what types of education Indigenous peoples are allowed
to access, while preventing proper and equal funding to elementary, secondary,
and post-secondary students, will not fix the issues.
Fact:
Work with our nations rather then trying to control us – its
not 2003, 1969, 1942, or 1876.
Point 3:
“Canada’s natural wealth is our national inheritance and our
Government will ensure that the jobs and opportunities it brings are available
to all Canadians. In particular, Canada’s [Indigenous] peoples must have every
opportunity to benefit.” (Governor General, Throne Speech, October 16, 2013)
AND
“Our government recognizes that the future prosperity of the
North requires responsible development of its abundant natural resources.
Northerners must benefit from this treasure. Our Government will work alongside
Inuit, First Nations, territorial governments, and industry to ensure that
Northerners are well trained to take their full place in this new economy.”
(Governor General, Throne Speech, October 16, 2013)
Problem:
How is this properly achievable for Indigenous peoples (and
I specify it this way because Canada’s Indigenous peoples expresses ownership –
To the Harper government: You do not own me or any other Indigenous peoples –
stop with the paternalistic terminology) when this government has imposed
legislation after legislation – especially the Omnibus Bill in December of 2012
that infringes on Indigenous rights over lands?
Fact:
Respect the treaties and stop being paternalistic – Canada
has been told this since confederation and many documents highlight this.
Point 4:
“[Indigenous] women are disproportionately the victims of
violent crime. Our government will renew its efforts to address the issue of
missing and murdered [Indigenous] women.” (Governor General, Throne Speech,
October 16, 2013)
Problem:
How can this government express this when it is simply
focusing on the issues of abuse that impacts Indigenous women in their
communities? Don’t get me wrong, it is important to deal with all violence and
murder – but what about outside of the communities? What about in Canada’s
cities, towns, villiges and along its roads/highways? How can this be achieved
when this government refuses to, despite the call of International forces, the
provincial governments, Indigenous organizations, Indigenous peoples, and
Indigenous governments, to hold a public and national inquiry?
Fact:
Establish an Inquiry and actually deal with the issue, the
inaction of doing so only leads to an increase in missing and murdered
Indigenous women and girls.
Point 5:
“Our government will continue our dialogue on the treaty
relationship and comprehensive land claims.” (Governor General, Throne Speech,
October 16, 2013)
AND
“Our government will continue to work in partnership with
[Indigenous] peoples to create health, prosperous, self-sufficient
communities.” (Governor General, Throne Speech, October 16, 2013)
Problem:
What dialogue? Since 2006 the Conservative government has
unilaterally made decisions on its own, through the specific use of ideology
from Tom Flanagan, Manny Jules, Patrick Brazeau and the C.A.P – most specifically when Brazeau was in
charge, to bolster their continued colonial and paternal mentality. If the
dialogue the Conservative government refers to means lacking proper
consultation, forcing legislation upon the Indigenous nations and peoples, infringing
on Indigenous jurisdiction and rights, as well as ignoring the
treaty/nation-to-nation relationships – then yes that is ‘dialogue.’ In 2013,
it is clear this government has not, and is not willing to learn from past
mistakes.
However, one must wonder why they would bother to move past
colonialism and paternal mindsets? Especially when they just expressed in the
Throne Speech that Indigenous nations didn’t exist?
Pre-European
Encroachment:
Despite the
claims made by Stephen Harper and the Conservatives, (re: the challenges
settlers faced were “[undaunting]. [But]
dared to seize the moment that history offered. Pioneers, then few in number,
reached across a vast continent. They forged an independent country where none
would have otherwise existed,”) there were vibrant and highly developed
societies (nations) on Turtle Island.
I will not
go into detail because of how long this blog already is – but I strongly
suggest taking the time to look into it. For instance, Kiera Ladner has done
some amazing work on Nehiyaw and Blackfoot governance; Taiake Alfred, Patricia
Monture-Angus, and Susan Hill on the Haudenosaunee Confederacy; Leanne Simpson,
John Borrows on the Anishinaabeg nation; to
name but a few (see below for sources on various nations). In fact, Indigenous
nations comprised anywhere between 30-40 different and unique establishments –
some who had federated with one another and others who had not.
Most
interestingly to point out is that many Indigenous nations had a form of
governance that was representative of its population and spoke of forms of
democratic values long before European states deposed of absolute rule by a
King and/or Queen. They all had their own laws, citizenship codes, and
spirituality. However, in some way this, in the eyes of the Conservative
government, entails the mentality that there were no nations or ‘countries, in
a more modern context’ prior to European encroachment. Then again, no one
claimed that to become a politician means you must understand the true
formation of the Canadian state.
Responses/Reactions Post-Throne Speech:
As I
mentioned, I was shocked when I learned of the Conservative government’s
blatant ignorance on Indigenous nations pre-European encroachment. However, I
have not been the only one – many people from the various Indigenous nations,
as well as non-Indigenous allies, took to social media to express a massive
‘WTF.’ Unfortunately, while following the reactions on twitter the only one I
saw deplore this clear violation of history and Indigenous nationhood and
recognition was the Liberal Member of Parliament for St. Paul’s (Carolyn
Bennett). I did not see anything from CPC MPs Leonna Algukkaq, Rob Clarke,
Shelley Glover, or Rod Bruinooge; Nor did I see anything from the NDP
Aboriginal Affairs Critic. So, I thank Carolyn Bennett for pointing this out to
the social media – allies like her are important.
It doesn’t
help that many non-Indigenous peoples did not even second guess or call into
question what the Governor General, on behalf of the Conservative government,
said about pre-European settlement. It also doesn’t help that almost all media
outlets ignored it as well. Even worse,
the current Canadian government continues to use this ignorance to its
advantage in its ‘divide and conquer’ mindset for keeping control.
Conclusion:
This
morning, there was still a lack of discussion on what the governments comments
entailed and how it negatively impacts every other point relating to Indigenous
peoples that they said in the Throne Speech. However, what did make the news
was the ‘twitter feud’ between Green Party Leader, and MP, Elizabeth May and
CPC Minister, and MP, Jason Kenney. May mentioned there were no monuments to
victims of Capitalism. Kenney’s
response: “Or perhaps that’s because free societies didn’t murder tens of
millions in gulags, planned famines, etc.” (Kenney October 17, 2013).
To Jason
Kenney I say: This is true, it was not done in gulags when relating to Canada.
To Elizabeth May, I express it wasn’t entirely done based off of capitalism.
For the genocide and atrocities committed in Canada it related to racism,
imperialism, religion, and colonialism.
Additionally,
to Kenney, I express that ‘free societies’ do murder - they murder when its government refuses to
recognize history (such as John A. Macdonald’s restriction on food to
Indigenous groups in the prairies to starve many to death in order to prevent
uprisings against Canada’s oppression and the pre-existence of nations before
Europeans coming to North America). Free
societies murder when they try to assimilate and steal children away from their
families. Free societies murder when they ‘beat the Indian’ out of the child.
Lastly, free societies also murder when their government looks the other way as
Women and girls go missing in their cities and towns as well as along their
roads and highways.
What may be
the worse of this entire situation? That Conservative MPs Leona Algukkaq, Rob
Clarke, Shelly Glover and Rod Bruinooge (who claim Indigenous background) sat idly by as these misconceptions were
perpetuated in their governments Throne Speech of 2013.
References and Suggested Readings:
Alfred,
Taiaiake. Peace, Power,
Righteousness: An Indigenous Manifesto. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 2008
Alfred,
Taiaiake. Wasase: Indigenous
Pathways of Action and Freedom. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2009.
Borrows,
John. Canada's Indigenous
Constitution. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press, 2010.
Borrows,
John. "Seven Generations, Seven Teachings: Ending the Indian Act."
Research Paper, National Centre for First Nations Governance, Ottawa, 2008.
Borrows,
John and Learnard Rotman. “The Sui Generis Nature
of Aboriginal Rights.” Alberta
Law Review 36,
no. 3, (1997): 9-45
Epp,
Roger. “We Are All Treaty People: History, Reconciliation, and the “Settler
Problem.” In We Are All
Treaty People: Prairie Essays,
by Roger Epp, (2008):121-141
Gordon,
Todd. Imperialist Canada. Winnipeg: Arbeiter Ring
Publishing, 2010.
Henderson,
James Youngblood. “Empowering Treaty Federalism,” Saskatchewan Law Review 58, 1994: 241-300
Ladner, Kiera L., “Governing Within an Ecological Context:
Creating an Alternative Understanding of Siiksikaawa
Governance”, Studies in Political Economy,
(2003), pp. 125-152.
Ladner,
Kiera. Peace and Good Order:
A Treaty Right to Parliamentary Representation? Ottawa: Carleton University,
1996
Ladner,
Kiera. “Treaty Federalism: An Indigenous Vision of Canadian Federalisms.” In F.
Rocher and M. Smith’s New
Trends in Canadian Federalism,
2nd Edition. Peterborough: Broadview Press,
(2003): 167-194
Mecredi,
Ovide and Mary Ellen Turpel. In
the Rapids: Navigating the Future of First Nations. Toronto: Penguin Books. 1993.
Montour-Angus,
Patricia. Journeying
Forward: Dreaming First Nations Independence. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing,
1999.
Simpson,
Leanne. Dancing on Our
Turtle's Back: Stories of Nishnaabeg Re-Creation, Resurgence and a New
Emergence. Winnipeg:
Arbeiter Ring Publishing, 2011.
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