Grand Chief Small Potato
In an even slightly better world, Cindy Blackstock would not have to write the opinion piece she has in the Globe and Mail today, When will Ottawa end its willful neglect of First Nations children?
Unfortunately for First Nations children, the answer is, not anytime soon. I respect Cindy's optimistic faith in our electoral process; "...this October we can all vote in the federal election for a comprehensive and public plan to end the inequalities in First Nations public services..."
But isn't that what we thought we were doing last time around? Wasn't Justin going to usher in a new era of nation-to-nation dialogue with our indigenous peoples, based on mutual respect?
What happened?
In a nutshell, little of consequence. I think people, native and non-native, are generally apprised of the issues.
You can continue with studies. You can throw more money at inquiries. And by all means, let's have some more apologies, a cost-efficient way of saving face while doing nothing. But what's required is not more empty gestures; it's long past time for meaningful action.
It's not that Canada doesn't have the money to address the issues facing First Nations, its that we lack the political will. Look at how blithely our politicians are willing to throw multiple billions of dollars at warships and fighter jets.
While I respect Cindy's optimism, I don't share it. Unless some new force emerges between now and October, I see little cause for optimism. Electoral politics have been failing our First Nations for generations.
Perhaps its time to try something else.
