OTTAWA - What was billed as the historic coming-together of the federal government and First Nations began with the two sides polarized over the future of the Indian Act.Though there had been fears the prime minister would beat a hasty retreat from Tuesday's meetings, he extended his stay well past lunch and was expected to close out the day.
But that show of goodwill didn't move the two sides any closer by midday to deciding whether they could jointly agree on the next steps for the Crown-First Nations relationship or would remain divided.
The Indian Act became a flashpoint that high-profile chiefs seized upon to showcase the gap between the two sides.
Prime Minister Harper said he sees the act as something that can be updated to reflect modern practices.
But Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, led a parade of speakers who described the century-old legislation as a boulder blocking the path to collaboration.
They laid out their views in back-to-back speeches Tuesday as the opening of the major meeting of leaders and government ministers and officials.
The Indian Act, first passed in 1876, gave Ottawa exclusive jurisdiction over "Indians and Lands Reserved for Indians." The legislation, which was last amended in 2000, defines who is recognized among First Nations and sets out rules on everything from how reserves operate to the effect of marriage on status.
Harper conceded that the act led to problems over the years, but the government has no plans to repeal the legislation.
"After 136 years, that tree has deep roots," he said. "Blowing up the stump would just leave a big hole.
"However, there are ways, creative ways, collaborative ways, ways that involve consultation between our government, the provinces and First Nations leadership and communities, ways that provide options within the act, or outside of it, for practical, incremental and real change."
But Harper's trademark incrementalist approach isn't what aboriginal leaders are looking for.
Atleo was just the first of several native speakers who bitterly condemned the act.
"Built on the disgraceful premise of our inferiority, aimed at assimilation and the destruction of our cultures, it was a complete abrogation of the partnership between respectful nations," said Atleo.
"Largely unchanged, it remains a painful obstacle to re-establishing any form of meaningful partnership."
Jody Wilson-Raybould, regional chief of British Columbia, followed with a fiery denunciation aimed straight at the prime minister seated in the front row before the dais.
Calling the Indian Act "an act of neo-colonialism," she said Canada's natives require "core governance reform."
"When we do, the Indian Act tree will topple over. No gaping hole, Mr. Prime Minister, but strong and self-determining First Nations," she said to loud applause.
Ovide Mercredi, a former national chief, also tossed Harper's words back, saying the act "is not just a big hole, it's an obstacle."
"Our treaties should govern our relationship with Canada, not the Indian Act," said Mercredi, who suggested First Nations return to Britain for redress of historic legal contracts made by the Crown.
Chiefs speaking with reporters after the morning session said the main issue isn't the Indian Act.
It's about the process, said Ghislain Picard, regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador.
"To me, if I look at the six previous years with this government, in many ways what we've inherited at the outset of this meeting is a situation where this government has imposed many bills ...," he said.
"And if that's the approach we're considering in renewing this relationship, then we're on false tracks."
Many chiefs take as a starting point the need for the government to honour treaties signed between First Nations and the first settlers of Canada.
The spirit of tradition and treaty obligations infused the meeting, which opened with drums, chants, prayers and a smudge ceremony.
A historic wampum belt — a replica of the 1764 Treaty of Niagara belt — was used for the first time in centuries to signify the re-binding of the relationship between First Nations and the Crown.
Sewn from 10,076 purple and silver shells, the belt symbolizes the link forged between First Nations and the Crown in the year following the 1763 Royal Proclamation that defined the relationship between the two groups.
Harper spoke of the need to build trust and respect. He pledged to empower First Nations.
"The greatest respect that we can show to First Nations men and women is to provide them with the tools, to credit them with the capacity and then allow them to move forward," he said. "We all need to move forward. So let us be willing partners."
Harper had originally been expected only to remain for the opening speeches, but he stayed put, going so far as having lunch with members of the Blood Nation of Southern Alberta, who named him an honorary chief last year.
But away from the official meeting site, a member of that nation said he was looking for more from the prime minister.
"I've heard a lot of these speeches coming from the government,"said Frank Weasel Head. "But they say 'We should do this,' but not mention how are they going to do it. They say 'Working together.' Well, how are we going to work together? What are they going to do? And what are they going to do about education?
"That's the problem. They don't go into the root of the problem. They just say 'Well, this is the problem,' but they don't know how to fix it. They don't say how to fix it.
"And yet I heard lots of good things — if they can keep up the promises to do those things."
The audience at the summit site, made up largely of chiefs and elders, whooped their support for Atleo's speech, but gave Harper a muted response.
"The prime minister's comments around the Indian Act, the approach of incremental change, I don't think that First Nations are prepared to take that and to accept that," said Chief Isadore Day Wiindawtegowinini of the Serpent River First Nation.
"We must continue fundamental change and if fundamental change is what's being called for, the foundation of the relationship must change."
The day-long meeting involves native leaders, cabinet ministers and senior civil servants.
After lunch, Harper sat in on each of the three sessions being held on specific First Nations issues, after holding private meetings with regional chiefs and some delegates on Monday evening.
Chief Arlen Dumas of the Pukatawagan First Nation of Manitoba said the meetings led to an agreement to collaborate, but no concrete decisions.
"I think it would be erroneous of us to think that there's a push-button approach where everything is going to reset," he said.
"There are things that need to be put in place, and plans that need to be developed and we need to move forward in a systematic way."
Original Article
Source: Huff
Author: Stephanie Levitz
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