For weeks the Canadian public has been bombarded with the
plight of Chief Spence’s hunger strike; after many demands to meet with the
Prime Minister and the Governor General, it seems that nothing has been
resolved or can be resolved under the current blackmail environment.
Not being a lawyer I will not try to interpret the contents
of The Treaty between Queen Victoria and the First Nation. However as a
Canadian with a financial background I will provide my point of view of the
current conflict, which it seems, is always about money, either in dollars or
resources.
First let us start with the ‘Idle no More’ movement, which
is threatening to create havoc with the economy through blockades and civil
disobedience if their demands are not met. The problem is that very few, even
members of the Assembly of First Nation (AFN) really understand the contents of
the demands. At first sight the protest is very reminiscent of the ‘Occupy’
movement. Both these movements seem to be made up of a bunch of left anarchist
who has no coordination and leadership. Under these conditions it is very
unlikely that anything will be achieved.
As for Chief Spence hunger strike and demands, her latest
refusal to meet with the Prime Minister and just attend, for a short time, the
meeting with the Governor General shows that even the poster child for the
protest has no clear idea of her demands.
Chief Spence of the Attawapiskat reserve has been under
public scrutiny since the demise of the reserve was reported and an independent
audit was called to examine the financial affairs of the reserve. As it turns
out expenditure for millions of dollars do not have any paper trail. Over the
past six years the reserve received some $100 million from the government.
While the Chief and her spouse/partner received hundreds of thousands of
dollars many resident still live in virtual squalor. The release of the audit was immediately
branded as a ploy by the government to embarrass the Chief. Could we also say
that the Chief’s hunger strike may have been a ploy to pre-empt the findings of
the audit?
Most Canadians are sympathetic to the problems of the First
Nation, but by the same token, they are also aware of the amount of money being
allocated by the government and yet there is no accountability in many cases. Let’s
be clear; not all reserves have the same problems and are not managed the same
way. However since it is taxpayers’ money it would be nice to have greater
accountability. In my view, First Nations should be viewed as another form of
local government. They may be independent, yet they require funds from the
federal government. In this case they should be subject to the same accounting
rules as any other recipient of government funds. Financial reports under
current accounting standards should apply. The public deserves more
transparency and accountability.
As for the latest demands, whatever the Prime Minister does
will not be enough. Since many Chiefs do not want to be at the table, the Prime
Minister who has agreed to meet again should come to a new agreement which
addresses the issues put forward by those who are willing to attend. Chief
Atleo should be given credit for coming to the table. To acquiesce to the
request to meet with Governor General or the Queen for that matter shows that
the ‘Idle no More’ movement have no intention to ever come to a final solution.
The treaty may have been signed by Queen Victoria, but times have changed, The
Queen of England has also been stripped of many of its royal powers. Decisions
of importance are made by elected officials and not the monarchy. So let us get
off this horse and move on. For sure
there are grievances to be addressed, but it should be done in a more
consensual manner and with more respect for the First Nations and
acknowledgement of a new era. Most of all the media has a role to play in
reporting the facts and not just the sensational and political issues. Former
or current political figures have used this conflict to further their agenda or
undermine the current government. Former Prime Ministers who have made their
views public are equally guilty, since they did not solve the problem when they
had the chance; to come out now and critique, is purely hypocritical.
Not all members of First Nations are destitute. Many of
their members thrive in the current economy.. Most First Nation members who
live off the reserves are better off. Staying on the reserve under the rule of
Chiefs who exploit them may be the real cause of the problem. It is said that to give a man a fish, feeds
him for one day. Teach him how to fish, feeds him for a lifetime. The new
agreement, while addressing land and resources sharing, should help to create
viable independent First Nation communities through education, proper housing
and proper utilities with greater transparency. The AFN must also take
responsibility for the current failures. Welfare without proper accountability
is no longer the solution.
Marcel Latouche
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