Canada needs a new partnership with indigenous peoples
TheStar.com – Opinion/Commentary – We can focus on building a future where indigenous and non-indigenous people work together to develop Canada’s vast potential.
Dec 23 2014. By: Stephen Kakfwi
First Peoples once thrived in this vast land as strong self-governing nations, meeting the challenges of existence in a harsh environment and living from the bounty of the land. Modern history changed that reality and not for the better. We cannot turn back the clock but we can and must focus on building a future where indigenous and non-indigenous people together share in a true partnership to make Canada and our indigenous nations the best that they can be.
Most Canadians are aware of the appalling statistics that represent life for too many indigenous people. The sheer magnitude and seeming intractability of these problems leave most Canadians feeling exhausted, frustrated and overwhelmed. As a consequence, even when presented with possible solutions, the tendency on the part of many people often is to view them as either unworkable or unfair.
This is the situation today and has been for all of my 62 years. So two years ago, challenged by my adult children, I made a decision that I would refuse to pass this legacy on to my grandchildren. I also decided I would ask others to join me in a new vision to make a difference.
On Sept. 4, a group of us signed a declaration dedicated to a new relationship based on the principles of mutual respect, better understanding, mutual recognition, mutual responsibility, sharing and co-operation. On that day we invited all Canadians to join us as we set out to write a new chapter in the evolution of our nation.
The group — Canadians for a New Partnership — included young emerging leaders as well as former prime ministers Paul Martin and Joe Clark, former national chiefs Phil Fontaine and Ovide Mercredi, national Inuit leaders Mary Simon and Sheila Watt-Cloutier, former auditor general Sheila Fraser, former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci, Métis leaders Tony Belcourt and Maria Campbell, and former governor general Michaëlle Jean.
We took this initiative because over the years I have come to believe that our efforts — no matter how many or well-intentioned — to improve the health, education and welfare of indigenous people are destined to the same failures of the past unless we can restore the trust that has been eroded by a litany of historic and ongoing wrongs. Put simply, we want to begin a new dialogue among Canadians about our relationship with indigenous peoples. We want to forge a new partnership.
To be partners in an idea — that a better Canada is in reach.
To be partners in a belief — that notwithstanding the deplorable inequity that continues in this country that, with goodwill and trust, progress is still possible.
To be partners in a commitment — one that honours aboriginal treaties and rights and is dedicated to reconciliation.
And to be partners in a dream — where indigenous people see the full recognition of the treaties and aboriginal rights and share in the bounty of this magnificent country and where their collective contributions are recognized, valued and celebrated.
We recognize that all too often we have made the wrong choices or failed to deliver on the right ones. But we also know that — notwithstanding these failures — there is common ground between indigenous and non-indigenous people. We hold the same hopes and dreams for our children and grandchildren. And we have agreed before and we can agree again.
Progress is possible. But if the seeds of agreement in this common ground are ever going to take root and grow, we must start down a path that will rebuild trust, remedy a broken relationship and lead to a new partnership.
We have been very heartened and encouraged by the response to this initiative and we have learned a great deal about the many positive efforts across this country by individuals and groups, small and large, indigenous and non-indigenous, young and old working to bring about reconciliation.
Our goal with our partners is nothing short of creating a public climate where it becomes politically unacceptable for the nation’s leaders to ignore and/or fail to act on significant issues that negatively affect indigenous peoples and their communities.
There is much to be gained by repairing relations between indigenous and non-indigenous people — and much to be lost if we fail to reconcile our differences. The Constitution enshrines our rights and the courts have consistently upheld them. We can either develop the vast potential of Canada together or we can continue the paralysis that flows from misunderstanding, betrayal and neglect.
There is no question which path this partnership chooses to travel. Our challenge to the rest of Canadians now is “come with us.” As a start, I ask you to sign our declaration, which can be found on the CFNP website.
Stephen Kakfwi is the founder and CEO of Canadians for a New Partnership. He was premier of the Northwest Territories from 1999 to 2003.
< http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2014/12/23/canada_needs_a_new_partnership_with_indigenous_peoples.html >
Tags: featured, ideology, Indigenous, participation, rights, standard of living
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