Indigenous « Social Policy in Ontario

Posts Tagged ‘Indigenous’

After the Indian Act

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Sept. 17, 2010
First Nation leaders have been calling for the end of the Indian Act for decades… it is widely recognized that the act is paternalistic, distorts First Nation democracy and locks reserves out of the economy… Recognizing problems is only the start of useful reform. The real challenge is replacing the Indian Act with something that’s actually better… The elephant in the room is economic self-sufficiency… First Nations need a realistic plan, not just to free themselves from federal dependency, but to become independent.

Tags: Indigenous, standard of living
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »

It makes good sense to study native land use

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

September 6, 2010
… the federal Indian Affairs department… has now undertaken a study of 65 of Canada’s most successful native communities-about 10 per cent of the total… The study is to be focused on land-use policy, which seems reasonable but has set off alarm bells among some chiefs and others, who are jealous of their powers and wary of conservative thinkers, in and around the Conservative federal government, who have long denounced collective land use on reserves.

Tags: economy, ideology, Indigenous, poverty, rights, standard of living
Posted in Equality 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 »

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

Monday, August 9th, 2010

August 9, 2010
CASW draws attention to the inequitable treatment of First Nations children in our own country, demanding that the Government of Canada relent on its resistance and sign the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “Only two countries have not signed the declaration,” stated CASW President Darlene MacDonald. “The Harper government’s refusal to sign is in itself appalling, especially given that its own Progress Report on Aboriginal Initiatives (2009-10) boasts about developing and implementing a practical and results-driven vision for Aboriginal policy.”

Tags: Indigenous, rights, standard of living
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Premiers urged to get serious about aboriginal education

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Aug. 05, 2010
Assembly of First Nations national chief Shawn Atleo challenged provincial and territorial premiers to improve education, boost earning power, purge violence against women and enshrine human rights among Canada’s 1.3 million aboriginals during a meeting with the Council of the Federation… “We’ve talked about the economic benefits as well to this country. Our studies show that by 2020, if we close the education and employment gap, it would result in a $71-billion contribution to Canada’s GDP.”

Tags: Indigenous
Posted in Education Debates | No Comments »

Premiers set nation’s agenda

Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

Aug 04 2010
While Ottawa has been mostly consumed with “gotcha politics” over the past decade, the premiers have focused on substantive issues. As a result, their annual conference has become an agenda-setter for the nation… Given that the premiers span the political spectrum from left to right, a meaningful consensus on most of these issues is unlikely… Given that the premiers span the political spectrum from left to right, a meaningful consensus on most of these issues is unlikely.

Tags: economy, Health, Indigenous
Posted in Governance Debates | No Comments »

How to reform the Indian Act

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Jul 29 2010
First, the federal government needs to be more experimental in the range of approaches it is willing to consider. Many of the bottom-up, incremental approaches adopted in the past were rooted in capitalistic thinking… Second, policy-makers need to actually listen to what aboriginal groups want. This means paying attention to what aboriginal groups think is best for them and providing support… Colonialism is a stubborn stain on our nation’s history. It’s time to try a new approach to reforming the Indian Act in Canada.

Tags: Indigenous, participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »

Battling aboriginal tradition

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

July 27, 2010
The ideology of contemporary aboriginal Canada is about self-government, self-determination and allowing people to remain on their traditional territories. Against this ambition are the facts… “people are running away.” Running away from reserves that are economically defunct or marginal, running toward cities, where they hope to find better education, better jobs… The overwhelming voice of aboriginal Canada, Mr. Podlasly argues, is owned by the chiefs and their councils, whose mantra of self-government is mocked by facts on the ground…

Tags: Indigenous, participation, rights, standard of living
Posted in Equality Debates | No Comments »

Scrap the Indian Act

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

Jul 25 2010
… lately, Indian leaders themselves have talked about their desire to get out from under the act and the Indian affairs department. They want to build a new relationship with the federal government as equals, not vassals. Atleo outlined several basic steps to be taken, starting with a comprehensive agreement with Ottawa that would affirm existing treaties, rights and aboriginal title and lay out the course for change in the relationship. Federal funding would be transferred directly to First Nations rather than filtered through the Indian affairs department.

Tags: Indigenous, rights
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.