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Bob Rae

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

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This Land Was Their Land

Posted: 01/07/2013 3:19 pm
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Canadians like to think of ourselves as living in a peaceable place, where the values of caring and sharing are hallmarks of who we really are as a country. This cheery self-image fails to face up to some harsh facts about our history and current reality.

Prime Minister Harper once said that "we have no history of colonialism." This is simply false. When Europeans came to these shores centuries ago, they did not find an empty wilderness, a "terra nullius" where no one lived.

Quite the contrary. Aboriginal people had been living here in vital, complex communities, for thousands of years. For millennia before the European settlement, this land was their land.

The encounter between these two civilizations was brutal and violent, and we live with its consequences today. Many Canadians have been baffled by the decision of Theresa Spence, the Chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation to carry out a hunger strike to demand that Prime Minister Harper meet with her and other aboriginal leaders.

Why not just follow the accepted channels? Why upset the normal ways of communicating?

Let the social scientists try to explain how deference has disappeared in our increasingly divided society. The great American writer James Baldwin once wrote of the growing demands of American blacks for justice as The Fire Next Time.

Chief Spence's hunger strike, carried out with dignity and determination, and the broader Idle No More campaign, which has gone beyond the traditional politics both within and outside the Aboriginal community, are based on a deep sense of frustration, of promises broken, of conditions that no people in Canada should have to accept. Federal and provincial governments face a fire of resentment and anger not next time, but this time. To ignore it, as the Conservatives and some provinces have done, is to court disaster.

It is a universal in life that people want recognition and respect. The deeper meaning of last year's summit, and the Prime Minister's eloquent apology in the House of Commons, is that there is a hunger for this respect, and appreciation when it is offered and followed with effective action. The Prime Minister faces a deep challenge. Many in his party are opposed to the recognition and constitutional protection that Aboriginal people have achieved, and to its implications. At the same time, the old bromides of assimilation and "let's concentrate on education and the economy" completely ignore the aspirations for self-government, autonomy, and a real transfer of power and resources that have the deepest roots in today's aboriginal politics. Mr. Harper's apology in the House of Commons, and the summit he called last year, have simply not been followed by effective action.

Mr Harper has wisely, if belatedly, agreed to a meeting next week. But the confrontations will continue unless meetings are followed by substantive change. Mr Harper has to come to terms with a difficult truth -- the political doctrines of the Reform Party have nothing to contribute to what needs to be done. His decision to cancel the Kelowna Accord, signed with the aboriginal leadership and every Premier, was a sign of profound disrespect as well as a massive cut in investment in housing, education, and self government. It was worse than being dishonourable. It was a mistake. He needs to accept that change starts with him and his government.

In November National Chief Shawn Atleo sent a letter to the Prime Minister complaining that by any measure the plans set out last year after the much touted summit were not being met. The letter was ignored. A year ago Chief Spence's community was forced into third party administration, a clear sign that those who complain will be slapped down -- and this was followed by a sustained media attack against her by the Conservative propaganda machine that believes the only good defence is to attack, attack, attack. But the courts found that there was no basis for the government's decision, and that a continuing lack of money, not any alleged "maladministration" was the real cause of the housing crisis in Attawapiskat.

The issues Chief Spence is raising -- issues of terrible living conditions, of deep neglect, of poverty and powerlessness -- will not go away, and will not disappear in the face of attack. They are the shame of our nation and they must be addressed.

The Conservatives have rejected replacing the Indian Act with a real transfer of power, and the implementation of the self government agreements which all Canadian governments agreed to do in Charlottetown twenty years ago. They show no understanding of the significance of treaties and the meaning of a "nation to nation" relationship.

They have offered nothing that even begins to address the issues, and we shall all pay a heavy price for this lack of leadership.

Loading Slideshow...

  • A native dancer looks on during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

  • Native dancers rally during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

  • Idle No More Mall Protest

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A First Nations Drummer plays during a protest at Intercity Shopping Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • It's about the future

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A child protests in Thunder Bay, Ontario

  • United we stand

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/805699678/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley">Doug Cleverley</a>:<br />At the #IdleNoMore rally in Owen Sound (Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory), during a spontaneous round dance at the main downtown intersection.

  • Killer Whale Dance

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More actions, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Idle No More #J11

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Idle No More #J11 March

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • Tla'Amin Prayer Song #J11 Idle No More

    Tla'Amin Prayer song on #J11 2013 Idle No More, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River BC

  • Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore

    Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC

  • C45 affects all Canadians! Join the fight.

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/840875359/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure">Eleanor Kure</a>:<br />At the Idle No More protest in Halifax Nova Scotia. with an eco-justice article in pocket, spreading the word that Bill C45 affects every Canadian, not only First Nations. Thank you FN, for beginning this movement.

  • Piyesiw Awasis

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/3183681.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren">mizzren</a>:<br />Thunderchild First Nation @ Lloydminster Flash Mob. January 16, 2013

  • <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/16/idle-no-more-queen-elizabeth-2-highway-blockade-alberta_n_2490009.html">Idle No More supporters jump onto a truck</a> as they are pushed by a driver trying to pass, as the protesters block Highway 2 as part of a planned national day of action, in Edmonton, Alberta on Wedneday January 16, 2013.

  • Aboriginal protesters march down Huron Church Road towards the Ambassador bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.

  • Aboriginal protestors pray at the end of their blockade of a CN railroad track just west of Portage La Prairie, Man., on Wednesday, January 16, 2016. They ended their protest without incident.

  • Aboriginal protesters demonstrate at the base of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.

  • Idle No More demonstrators block a CN east-west track just west of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba Wednesday, January 16, 2016.

  • Mississaugas of the New Credit support INM

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/750500023/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson">Vicki King Jamieson</a>:<br />New Credit Youth supporting INM

  • Montreal Idle No More

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum">Caillum</a>:<br />Thousands of people, both Native and Canadian, show their support at an Idle No More protest in Montreal on January 11th, 2013.

  • #Denendeh #J11 #IdleNoMore #YZF #NWT Yellowknife "Northwest Territories"

    Video of the Global Day of Action rally in downtown Somba K’e (Yellowknife)on the Akaitcho territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Denendeh (Northwest Territories).

  • #IdleNoMore March and Round Dance in Yellowknife Denendeh NWT

    "Today (Friday, December 21, 2012) in Denendeh and across the globe, we made an impact, a statement for true justice to be brought forward and acknowledged. But it will not stop, for the 8th fire has been lit and will only grow. Mahsi for all who showed up and united, we felt the support....we felt the fire!! And there's more to come in the new year." On Facebook By Lawrence Nayally, Melaw Nakehk'o and Eugene Boulanger https://www.facebook.com/events/112403725595655/

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, wearing a headdress, takes part in a drum ceremony before departing a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, centre, departs a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.

  • Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.

  • Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence makes a brief statement on Victoria Island near Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa. Spence is speaking out for the first time about how her reserve spends government money, saying most of what flows to her isolated James Bay reserve actually gets spent outside the community.

  • Aboriginal Chiefs stand at the main gate to Parliament Hill during a protest Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.

  • Idle No More protesters listen to speakers during a rally on Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.

  • Gordie Odjig of Wikwemikong stands at the west gate to the Langevin Block during the aboriginal meeting in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Idle No More at UBC Vancouver

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />

  • Idle No More at UBC Vancouver

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />

  • Los Angeles Rally In Solidarity with First nations

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/contributors/melinda-gopher/headshot.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher">HuffPost Blogger Melinda Gopher</a>:<br />Brock Conway, Blackfeet activist, with Saulteaux Actor Adam Beach and companion. Photo: Morning Star Gopher

  • Native protesters march up Wellington Street in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Four-year-old Phoenix Sky Cottrelle,from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, holds a sign as aboriginal protestors gather on Victoria Island before they march to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Aboriginal protestors hold signs as they march from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Gordie Odjig, an aboriginal protestor from Wikwemikong, shouts as he marches from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.

  • Woman's Voices

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More event Dec 30th,2012. Tla'Amin Nation Coast Salish Territories Powell River, British Columbia.

  • Idle No More Edmonton

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4411530.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR">AUPELOCAL6CHAIR</a>:<br />Planned overnight and what a turn out!

  • IdleNoMore March, Dauphin, Mb

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1354341984/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette">Phyllis Racette</a>:<br />#IdleNoMOre Dauphin, Mb

  • Chicago Idle No More @ the Canadian Consulate

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/644015258/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck">Jolene Aleck</a>:<br />Chicago's Idle No More 1.5.2012 rally @ the Canadian Consulate

  • VancouverC Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • A man waves a flags as aboriginal protesters and supporters in the Idle No More movement block the Blue Water Bridge border crossing to the United States in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday, January 5, 2013.

  • VancouverA Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverB Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverD Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverH Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC, January 2, 2013.

  • VancouverF Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverE Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • VancouverG Jan 2 2013

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC

  • Flag Planting

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday">seawaytoday</a>:<br />Akwesasne Idle No More att Cornwall, ON

  • Dec 21st 2012 Idle No More Ottawa: Berdine

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/535670179/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher">Gail Chicky Gallagher</a>:<br />

 

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Canadians like to think of ourselves as living in a peaceable place, where the values of caring and sharing are hallmarks of who we really are as a country. This cheery self-image fails to face up to ...
Canadians like to think of ourselves as living in a peaceable place, where the values of caring and sharing are hallmarks of who we really are as a country. This cheery self-image fails to face up to ...
 
 
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mrthm
2 Fans
09:09 PM on 01/29/2013
Well Bob what did your new party, the LPC do when they were in power, just like every political party of all stripes before them. SQUAT. Stop trying to score cheap political points and just retire already.
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polearch
1 Fans
 
09:02 PM on 01/28/2013
I grew up beside a reserve in northern Ontario 70 years ago and when I was about fifteen or so the government built the native people people there new homes within a year the homes where in a terrible disarray they had used the partitions for firewood so they had one big room. The windows where broken and they used cardboard to cover the hole, The mines that where there would hire the natives to work but they would only work for a day or two and demand that they get paid instead of waiting till payday which was every two weeks. They were told that they have to wait till payday. Then they would just quit and then they had to be paid out or if they did wait till the payday you never seen them again until they were broke For my point of view is to stop any more money because they get millions from the government and squander it .Most of the protesters do not work and it is my tax dollar goes to feed them The money they receive is very poorly accounted for. It is to bad this happens but enough is enough
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Debbie777
2 Fans
06:53 PM on 01/23/2013
"I explained to them that, whether treaty was made or not, they were subject to the law, bound to obey it and liable to punishment for any infringement thereof; that it was designed for the protection of all and must be respected by all the inhabitants of the country, irrespective of colour or origin; and that, in requiring them to abide by it, they were only being required to do the duty imposed upon all the people throughout the Dominion of Canada. I dwelt upon the importance, in their own interest, of the observance of the laws respecting the protection of fish and game.

It was explained that the assistance in farming and ranching mentioned in the treaty, is only to be given when the Indians are actually prepared to go into those industries. It is not likely that for many years to come, there will be a call for any but a small expenditure under these heads. It is not probable that the Indians will, while present conditions continue, engage in farming further than the raising of roots in a small way. As to cattle, I stated that the agent who will be sent to make the next treaty payments, would be asked to discuss the matter with them, but that those only who are considered able and willing to take good care of cattle would receive assistance in that form.
Your obedient servant,
THOS. A. BORTHWICK,
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
techhie
27 Fans
02:02 PM on 01/26/2013
Excellent piece of history. It provides a context for conditions under which the "treaty" was negotiated. No mention of oil or mineral deposits, or forestry or hydro electric projects. It is time the negotiations over the present condition of Aboriginal peoples acknowledged that fact.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
techhie
27 Fans
02:10 PM on 01/23/2013
This land WAS their land. After that this whole piece is nonsense. It is no longer "their land", as it is NOW Canada. Why does this take so many paragraphs and words to say?

This whole essay is not about solving outstanding issue of today, but instead pondering what might have been.
Permalink  |
Jay upnorth
12 Fans
08:53 AM on 01/11/2013
hmmm by your point of view maybe I should sue FN for compensation? My family settled in Canada before it was Canada, at one point a member was killed by a FN wihout just cause. But...I'm a realistic person, the people that have committed this have long passed away.
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Cambre
1 Fans
02:08 PM on 01/11/2013
So you and the rest of your family obviously survived and thrived in the land of the FNs, so what exactly would you sue for?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Harry Bradford
898 Fans
12:14 PM on 01/12/2013
Why are you so determined to be unjust and heartless?
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turkeylurky
Just keepin it real........
140 Fans
10:24 AM on 01/10/2013
This land was their land.

-------------------------------------------

"Some recent DNA studies suggest additional migration from Europe around the northern fringe of the Atlantic possibly as long ago as either 36,000 to 23,000 years ago or between 17,000 to 12,000 years."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas

So as a Euro decendent, this could also be my ancestors land.
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ButTHISguy
0 Fans
01:38 PM on 01/11/2013
Bad resource. Buy a book or something because anybody could've written that crap. Didn't you learn that in college? Er sorry. Didn't you learn that at all? Watch this, I'm gonna fo in and change it.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Harry Bradford
898 Fans
12:16 PM on 01/12/2013
That's why Europeans encountered so many blue-eyed, blond haired people when they got here.
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turkeylurky
Just keepin it real........
140 Fans
02:21 PM on 01/12/2013
Indian tribes were pretty good at wiping out (aka ethnic cleansing) rival tribes, so if the Euros of that time were as `progressive`and pussy-footed as their progeny living here today then they would`d have lasted long against their more aggressive Asian counterparts.
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BlackRabbit
174 Fans
10:10 AM on 01/10/2013
Politically correct pablum, without any solid ideas for resolving a brutally difficult problem.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Rich Turner
Lies , Deception, No Exception...
77 Fans
 
09:55 AM on 01/10/2013
Sorry Bob, no dice. We cant look back at the civilization you talk about. They were here first but there was rampant infighting between tribes all over the continent. I would like to see the natives elevated from the squalor they are in but coddling them isnt the way to do it. Chief Spences band lived the "old way" in the 50's but how long can you really live like that? Live off the land but have fiber internet? Juice cost a lot of money to fly in? Dont fly food in if you want the "old" lifestyle. It has to be modern or not, not half and half. Canadians dont hate these people. We are sick of the lack of a solution to our neighbors problems. We wants whats good for them as we would anybody. Its my Canada too, why cant we just be one strong country together?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
techhie
27 Fans
02:06 PM on 01/26/2013
Well said and it needs to be repeated, and often...............

I don't think for a minute that the AFN will be willing listeners. They will need to be told.
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Foltbolt
5 Fans
09:58 PM on 01/09/2013
You know, Bob Rae, it is simply false to claim that Canada "was their land." In point of fact, there is no First Nations person alive today who lived before Canada was founded. Those who lived and "owned" the land are long gone.

Why should I, a first generation Canadian, recognize the claim of the modern day descendants of the First Nations peoples? The lands belonging to my peoples were twice as large as they are today at some point in history, until our neighbours took it from us. Yet, if I were to return to a former part of my people's homeland demanding reparations, I would be rightly laughed at and ignored.

My family arrived in this country long after the original settlers had bought and/or conquered the land. We have had no direct hand in the dealings with the First Nations. Why are we expected to inherit the guilt that Bob Rae clearly feels?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
techhie
27 Fans
03:38 AM on 01/10/2013
It was not a part of Indian culture to "own" land. They used it as a resource to support their tribe and fought off tribes who would take it and use it for their own. So it is a bit of a misnomer to say it was "their" land.

As for Treaties, I agree with you in that it is irrelevant to talk about what used to be. It is 2013 and we should acknowledge that fact. That is not to say we should refuse to treat these people with respect and admit the terrible treatment they have received from our ancestors. make amends by all means, but this self flagellation experience that Rob Rae is so eager to have us all share is just plain silly.

AS you so rightly point out, the Aboriginals of North America lost the clash with the Europeans. No more hand wringing.
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Lee Claus
9 Fans
11:45 AM on 01/10/2013
You forget... that all the money (wealth) that you so 'rightly earned' comes from resources that were there, long before your family ever came here. It's yourself, your parents, your grandparents, etc., who are also treaty people. If you want us to pay taxes, then stop stealing our resources.
I know it's impossible to turn the clock back, so, we need to find good ways to be people together in this place.
Also, in proportion, more FN people served Canada in the European wars, than did the new-comers...
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IndomitableSam
14 Fans
09:42 AM on 01/10/2013
You've basically said everything I wanted to say. Do First Nations people know the plight the Irish went through and their reasons for coming to Canada? The poor treatment of Home Children? Today's immigrants? No different.

I'm sure if we asked around to those who first arrived in Canada and were promised land by the government we'd find they were screwed over as well. Those people who arrived here hundreds of years ago - do their ancestors still own the land promised to them? Is that any different?

How far back do we want to go? The first peoples in North America crossed the Bering Strait during the last ice age - they weren't here originally either. It's not their country - they just conquered the land before anyone else... and then time passed, and others came and settled here too.

Am I allowed to go back to the UK and say "my family came from here generations ago - I demand the government pay me because the Romans came and took over my land a thousand+ years ago."

... How far will that get me, you think?
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samlee
49 Fans
02:08 PM on 01/09/2013
Pay every single Indian one hundred thousand dollars now - to them personally. Hand over the reserve they currently exist on. Stop any further funding of any sort to any special interest group. If the reserves want to pool their money and build a community, they can do that. If they want to move, they can do that. They are free to do what they will but continuing to blame everyone else for their problems is something they will be forced to stop doing when they are 'free' to do what they want. The nonsense of 'taking' land from one group of people and expecting generations of 300 years to keep paying them to live is not only unreasonable, but totally without respect and responsibility for the rest of Canadian society. A great many people were massacred during the British/French/Indian/USA wars - either pay restitution and give allowances to EVERY single Canadian with ancestors who arrived to build this country then or stop it all. We are asking seniors to fork over more of their money for healthcare, slashing pensions for seniors - how about we start treating ALL CANADIANS the same. Aboriginals are no more special than any other culture - ALL are unique in their own way. We want immigrants to build this country and always have and yet, we feel they don't deserve a hand out as we continue to tax them all higher to pay for special people. Ensure equality for ALL people.
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mbradt5
0 Fans
11:23 AM on 01/10/2013
Agreed! As a 6th generation Canadian, born in Northern Ontario, my family help to build this country, farmed, and fought in wars for this country. When I first attended college, I went looking for some sort of financial assistance from the school. I was told that since I'm a white Canadian with a mixed European background, there was little assistance for someone like me. However, I found out that my fellow classmates, who were aboriginal, had all of their schooling paid for and even received money just for showing up to classes. I soon found myself having contempt for my fellow classmates, not based on their cultural background but on the fact that as much as my family has contributed to this country, I will never be treated the same. I took no ones land, nor did my great, great grandparents when they arrived on a boat from Ireland. Let's even the playing field for all Canadians. Shame on you Rae.
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Debbie777
2 Fans
12:46 PM on 01/23/2013
This is one of the best comments I have read. I've thought it myself many times. But we know it wouldn't end there. They will always complain about how bad they have been treated and keep riding on their ancestors Coattails.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
techhie
27 Fans
02:15 AM on 01/09/2013
This notion of independence for all the reserves in Canada was a bad idea twenty years ago, and remains a bad idea today. Canada is a huge and diverse country, difficult to govern at the best of times. This mania for recognizing the sovereign rights of ANY identifiable group, to the point of making or creating sovereign States, with a claim on the taxpayers of the country as a whole would doom this nation. It is a position that is not sustainable.

Recognize the sovereignty of Quebec, the Cree of Northern Quebec, the Province of BC, and any other section of the country that sees itself as getting the raw end of the deal since Confederation, or before. We will no longer need fear political events in Ottawa, because Ottawa will become irrelevant. Time to get a grip, folks, and stop this train dead in its tracks. Just as Prime Minister Trudeau attempted to do all those years ago.
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Cain Jenkins
1 Fans
01:27 AM on 01/09/2013
That's right Mr Rae, blame the Conservatives. You make it sound like the Liberals could solve this mess so easily, but didn't they have the chance so many many times already?
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gups-y-bees
18 Fans
09:58 PM on 01/08/2013
Okay here are a few points that need to be considered.

Canada is indeed a racist society that has through the Residential School system as well as other means attempted both physical and cultural genocide against the Indians.

Chief Spence is on a no eating solid food strike. This is not at all the same as a Gandhian fast. Traditional fish broth is highly nutritious.

The finances in Chief Spence's village were in terrible shape. They needed outside help to sort things out. This was not a 'slap down' this was an attempt to help the people of the community when their own leaders (one was receiving $850.00 a day plus expenses as a salary) were not doing much for them.

Chief Spence started this no solid food protest during the Christmas Season in an attempt to bring Harper on board through shame tactics. Let us not be surprised that Harper would use the same tactics.
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TheWendybird
41 Fans
09:47 PM on 01/08/2013
Thank you, Bob. Great blog.
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procrustes13
506 Fans
05:52 PM on 01/08/2013
The Conservatives are openly anti-aboriginal. They play off anti-aboriginal prejudice and populism. They say that neoliberal economics and the adoption of Calvinist values in these communities is the answer to all, as they do really think that this will solve the problems of all peoples all over the world. They mean war and they have unfortunately a large number of supporters in that war effort.
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Foltbolt
5 Fans
10:00 PM on 01/09/2013
War?! That's horrible! Let's put a stop to the armed invasion of First Nation Territory! Why has NATO failed to intervene to stop the senseless slaughter of these innocents!
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