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First Nations must be partners, not an afterthought
Monday, August 27th, 2012
22 August 2012
The old approach of limited, back-end consultation must be swept away. It only leads to frustration, injunctions and conflict. The new standard, as articulated in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, is “free, prior and informed consent.” From a practical standpoint, this means “engage early and engage often” with First Nations – right from conception to the last spike… Together, we can create the conditions for shared success.
Tags: economy, Indigenous, participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
It’s time to reset the relationship between First Nations and Canada
Monday, October 10th, 2011
Oct. 10, 2011
… we need to move forward in new ways. The original treaties signed between First Nations and Canada speak to partnership and sharing. This is our shared heritage – both First Nations and all newcomers. We are all treaty people… In 2010, Canada endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, representing another important step forward in realizing what was always intended: partnership and mutual respect in all aspects of the relationship… the overarching [recommendation] is for Canada and First Nations to work together.
Tags: ideology, Indigenous, participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »
Say no to tinkering [First Nations]
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Sept. 3, 2010
The Harvard Project identifies the factors critical to economic success, and it’s not location or private property. It’s real decision-making authority supported by capable governing institutions that are culturally appropriate. In this way, first nations have the ability to make decisions, take responsibility for those decisions, and set a strategic direction. This is not possible under the Indian Act, which forces first nations to implement federal policies and decisions that often have no relevance to their circumstances.
Tags: economy, Indigenous, poverty
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
It’s time to end the Indian Act
Saturday, July 24th, 2010
Jul 24 2010
… the question is: Do we want to continue reacting piece-by-piece, blow-by-blow to the federal agenda trying to protect a status quo we already regret? Do we want our current leadership to be quoted 60 years from now saying the same things? Or is it time to boldly suggest that within two to five years, the Indian Act will no longer be part of our lives? … an approach that would include: • A national First Nations-Crown… agreement on a comprehensive plan for change… [that] would have legal force and it would affirm our treaties, rights and aboriginal title.
Tags: Indigenous, rights, standard of living
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »
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