Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

"On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, I extend my congratulations to the Prime Minister in his impressive victory in the Federal Election.

In his victory speech, the Prime Minister spoke of the government's duty to play a positive role in people's lives. He also spoke of the country's generous spirit and the generosity of the land. Today, the election is over and it is time for Mr Chrétien to make good his words and to take action. If he is correct, and this country is indeed generous, and if in fact his government is committed to become a force for good, it is now time to prove it.

This Liberal government, with its huge majority in Parliament renewed and a massive budgetary surplus at its disposal, has an unprecedented ability to carry out its responsibilities to our people. There is before us a great opportunity to address some of the fundamental problems facing this country in the manifest legacies of racism, oppression and dispossession among our people. The Liberal platform does in fact address some needs in areas such as housing, disease and childcare, and I do trust that the government will act on these commitments. However, the platform fails to make any specific commitment to address the underlying causes of these highly visible problems. To get beyond a short-term surface solution to our problems, we need to engage in a deeper discussion of history and our political relationship; and we need to begin a serious negotiation to redistribute resources and power.

The heart-breaking images of our Innu Brothers and Sisters in Labrador have pushed the government to make commitments for treatment programs and integration of those communities into the Indian Affairs system. We should not forget that these actions simply bring the Innu to a place the rest of our First Nations have been for generations, and they do not address the root problems which create the situation that makes our children want to destroy their own bodies in despair. On November 26, 2000, a communiqué signed by the Band Council, the Provincial and the Federal Governments outlined the agreement by all parties to pursue solutions with the community of Sheshatshiu. The Federal government confirmed its commitment to register the Innu under the Indian Act. Both the Federal and Provincial governments agree to work together with the Innu to explore the short and long term solutions facing the community. The Prime Minister's actions do show compassion for human catastrophe, but it shouldn't take a catastrophe to make the government take action on the injustices First Nations face every day all over this country. I believe the Prime Minister is in a position of understanding that can inform his government's response to issues such as youth suicides in First Nations communities. I am prepared to work with the Prime Minister in addressing these social problems.

There is one central and unrelenting catastrophe faced by all of our First Nations: the loss of resources, lands and governmental powers - these are the root causes which lead to the ugly social problems plaguing our communities. I remind the Prime Minister that we have been advising successive governments that the fundamental problems cannot be addressed adequately within the existing legal and political structures. For instance, the extinguishment policy, which is part of the Comprehensive Claims Policy for Land Claims, remains a great impediment to fair and just land settlements. And of course, another example is the Indian Act itself. And I say to Mr Chrétien today, as he stands with all that power and those resources at his disposal, unless his government makes a serious effort to rectify the political and economic injustices causing our social and health problems, he will leave office in a few years bearing a heavy personal burden for the continuing distress and suffering of our children.

I challenge this government to work with us to create a framework to resolve Canada's most fundamental problem: the injustice of our peoples' dispossession. It is time to get to work repairing the damage to our communities, and to figure out a way to share the wealth of this land. We must negotiate a future that is built on an ideal of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence. This election has created the conditions for Canada to transcend its past and to begin to build a truly just society; let us hope that Mr Chrétien has the vision to recognize this great opportunity.

I call upon the Prime Minister to establish a Permanent Political Forum that would engage the Federal Government and Indigenous Peoples in discussions that will lead to the solutions to existing problems and the redistribution of wealth and power in Canada. I believe the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, made a recommendation that the Prime Minister convenes a First Ministers Conference on Aboriginal Peoples with a view of implementing the recommendations of the Commission. We support this recommendation and also believe that the recommendations could become part of the agenda of the Permanent Political Forum.

What has been missing in this country has been the presence of our leadership in decision making mechanisms, therefore, we need to establish new inter-governmental institutions where our jurisdiction and authority as Indigenous Nations is recognised and utilized in decisions made by other governments affecting our destiny.

I am willing to meet with the Prime Minister at his earliest convenience to present this framework to him in detail, so that our people and his government, can begin to work together in earnest to provide the opportunities our people need - for their progress and their development.

Canada must restore justice to Indigenous Peoples and I believe this can be accomplished outside of the status quo".

For additional information, contact Jean LaRose, phone: 613-241-6789 (ext.251), cell: (613) 795-9664 or or send e-mail to: jlarose@afn.ca