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National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
THE ECONOMICS OF RECONCILIATION The Economics of Reconciliation 
The Canadian Club of Toronto
April 23, 2012

I am honoured to be with you here again. I remember well being here last year speaking about the enduring relationship between First Nations and the rest of Canada. 

I spoke of the proud heritage of indigenous nations and the Treaties made between our nations and the newcomers. The relationships set in Treaty are important to Canada and represent the way forward. As we discussed, the stark and tragic inequities First Nations face today reveal that this relationship has been denied too long. We shared views of the possibility of a new story – a story of hope and opportunity for First Nations

Today, I want to continue this conversation but turn our focus sharply to the economic side of the story. Reconciliation is a complex concept but we can all agree it compels action – right now.I will suggest that reconciliation can be best approached as the building of a re-newed foundation with four cornerstones: rights recognition, healing and education, capacity and a fourth which will be my principal focus today – seizing economic potential. 

On January 24th of this year, First Nations leaders and representatives of the Government of Canada – including the Prime Minister and the Governor General – joined together at the Crown-First Nation Gathering. The purpose was clear: it was a first step to ‘re-new’ our relationship. In the words of Governor General David Johnston:

“We have deep roots together, of shared promise and partnership. This was reflected in the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which sought to achieve balance by allowing Aboriginal and nonAboriginal people to co-exist and work together in the land we now call Canada. The Royal Proclamation pre-dated Confederation by more than 100 years and is the foundation of our modern relationship.”

Moving forward and genuine commitment. In plain language, it will be hard work.

My Elders have always counselled me that in reality we have only two choices: “we can do things the hard way. Or the harder way.” There is no easy path. But we can achieve our goals.The first point of our struggle to renew and re-balance our relationship was achieved through political advocacy of many great First Nation leaders of the past. Thirty years ago this month, section 35 was enshrined in the Constitution of Canada. Section 35 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal rights and Treaty rights. It is a relatively brief and straightforward clause, but it changed Canada’s legal landscape forever. 

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