Indigenous Nationhood
I get frustrated reading this sort of thing. I really, really do. Because I agree with most everything the author says. However, within, I feel it's close to ineffective, this sort of report.
It's slapping on a piece of paper to the Canadian government saying, "See, even these people think you're treating us awfully!" The Canadian government, in response, would probably yawn at us and then have security to take us away.
For over a hundred years, the Canadian government has had one policy when it comes to First Nations that it seriously pursues. One. Not two. Not three. Only one. It is simply, "Enough to keep them alive".
Anything more than that for the First Nations of Canada is absolutely contrary to what it, the Canadian government, has done over a century.
Stephen Harper and his government will never accept First Nations rights. Never. Not one person in his government will ever accept First Nations to have any valid historical claims. Not ever.
He and his people will forever use any method at their disposal to reject and defeat our demands.
We cannot work with this man or his subordinates. All we can do is wait out this government, as all governments must fall. However, we must not give in to this man's ploys and bribes. He'll offer us chump change in exchange for our surrender. Never give him the satisfaction of our failure.
Update: to clarify, I'm not criticizing Palmater for drawing attention to this report, but am instead complaining about how it's one report, which is unlikely to create any change. I'm not criticizing the report either, as such is important. What I wish to get across is the fundamental importance of everyone who supports First Nations' historical rights and claims needs to speak up, and speak loudly. In fact, people need to shout and scream out their support for First Nations, and their opposition to the government's assimilationist policies.
I get frustrated reading this sort of thing. I really, really do. Because I agree with most everything the author says. However, within, I feel it's close to ineffective, this sort of report.
It's slapping on a piece of paper to the Canadian government saying, "See, even these people think you're treating us awfully!" The Canadian government, in response, would probably yawn at us and then have security to take us away.
For over a hundred years, the Canadian government has had one policy when it comes to First Nations that it seriously pursues. One. Not two. Not three. Only one. It is simply, "Enough to keep them alive".
Anything more than that for the First Nations of Canada is absolutely contrary to what it, the Canadian government, has done over a century.
Stephen Harper and his government will never accept First Nations rights. Never. Not one person in his government will ever accept First Nations to have any valid historical claims. Not ever.
He and his people will forever use any method at their disposal to reject and defeat our demands.
We cannot work with this man or his subordinates. All we can do is wait out this government, as all governments must fall. However, we must not give in to this man's ploys and bribes. He'll offer us chump change in exchange for our surrender. Never give him the satisfaction of our failure.
Update: to clarify, I'm not criticizing Palmater for drawing attention to this report, but am instead complaining about how it's one report, which is unlikely to create any change. I'm not criticizing the report either, as such is important. What I wish to get across is the fundamental importance of everyone who supports First Nations' historical rights and claims needs to speak up, and speak loudly. In fact, people need to shout and scream out their support for First Nations, and their opposition to the government's assimilationist policies.
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