News & Events
Be wary of the dangers of party politics
June 16, 2009
The old-style thinking of the Gary Doer government - its' outdated attitudes toward First Nations - is haunting the provincial government.
Problems that surfaced June 4 regarding an agreement with First Nations on the east of Lake Winnipeg are a product of the provincial government's outdated attitudes toward First Nations.
Some of the First Nations warned the province that they would pull out of the Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin (WNO) governance process if the province does not defer a crucial legislation in the fall sitting of the legislature.
This spring the NDP government and Progressive Conservative opposition made a deal, where a number of bills were to be dealt with before the MLAs took their summer recess. Included in this package was
Bill 6, the East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act.
This issue may or may not be resolved by the time this column is published and distributed by Grassroots News, but the point I am arguing remains the same. This government takes a paternalistic attitude towards First Nations.
We've seen this with the regard to Treaty and Indigenous rights, resource use, gaming, and child and family services. I know that I've said before there is no better way to put it: "The Doer government's attitude is one of Daddy "Knows Best." They see themselves as "Daddy" and First Nations as children.
This government says it deals with First Nations on a government to government basis. Conservation Minister Stan Struthers is one of the cabinet minsters who repeat this line. He and other members of the government also like to give lip service to the concept of "consultation" with First Nations.
With Bill 6, some First Nations were upset because the legislation was being rushed through without adequate consultation and opportunity for examination by First Nations.
The NDP views consultation the way parents view their relationships with young children. Parents may listen to children, but ultimately parents determine what is or isn't allowable. Parents believe they know what is best.
This may be a good formula for parenting, but it is a horrible way to treat other adults, but that is how this government - and many other provincial and federal governments - try to treat First Nations. They want to keep us suspended in childhood...forever.
This attitude led to the dispute over fishing for pickerel this spring at Dauphin Lake. The government decided that it would stop spring time fishing on two tributaries flowing into the lake. This was a direct infringement on Inherent rights of First Nations fishers.
The province held a couple of meetings that basically consisted of giving notice of the government's plan. The government insisted it had consulted with First Nations, but this action falls far short of legal requirements.
Two Keeseekoowenin fishermen ended up being charged with defying the ban that was imposed by the province. This issue could end up being argued in the courts as a rights issue. A victory by First Nations would result in an embarrassing loss for the province.
With regard to child and family services, the attitude of "Daddy Knows Best" has characterized the "devolution" where Indigenous people were supposed to take over responsibility for their own peoples.
However, this change has been an illusion. There are more Aboriginal people working within the system, but it is still a provincial system and ultimately the province is still in control.
All of these issues - fishing, gaming, CFS, duty to consult - I have written about repeatedly in the past, but I feel it is worth mentioning again: our problem with the Doer government is one of attitude.
The thinking of this government is tied to time that has long passed. When the NDP were elected 10 years ago, many First Nations people were delighted. They thought the new government would be a big improvement over the Filmon Conservatives, who hade been in power the previous 11 years.
Actually, anyone who watches Doer closely sees that his attitude on many issues, not only those involving First Nations, could be summed up with one comment: "Hey, we are better than the Conservatives. Do you want them back instead?"
But, I say: "Why should we continually settle for accepting the lesser of the evils?"
This brings me to another question. Should First Nations people become involved in the mainstream political parties or should they stay out of party politics?
There are pros and cons to this type of political involvement and all people are entitled to their own choice. However, to me one thing is clear, I will never become involved in party politics while I am a Grand Chief.
I am committed to serving only one set of interests and, given what I've seen of political parties, I probably never will enter that political arena even after I leave First Nations politics. I have seen people lose track of who they are and wind up being used by a Premier, a Prime Minister or a party leader.
We should all remember who we are. Keep the Circle Strong!
Grand Chief Morris J. Swan Shannacappo