From CBC.ca

Paul Martin says Ottawa has 'no understanding' of native issues

Former prime minister was the architect of the 2005 Kelowna Accord

By Jennifer Clibbon, Jan 17, 2013

Paul Martin has a keen interest in the issues raised by the Idle No More movement.

As Canada's 21st prime minister, Martin oversaw the signing of the 2005 Kelowna Accord, which envisioned the investment of $5 billion over 10 years for education and social welfare programs for aboriginal Canadians. The project fell apart when Stephen Harper took over that year as prime minister, and cut the funding.

Since his retirement from politics, Martin has continued his work with aboriginal communities and has invested his own money in organizations such as the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative (MAEI) and the Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity and Entrepreneurship (CAPE) fund.

He spoke with CBC News about the moral and economic imperative for Canada to heal its relationship with aboriginal peoples.

Q: The Kelowna Accord was criticized by some as overly ambitious and expensive. Do you feel this type of mass funding in social welfare programs for aboriginal communities is exactly what's needed now?

A: The Kelowna Accord was not mass funding. It was very targeted to education, healthcare, clean water, economic development, housing and accounting - which is to build up financial capacity, to provide coherent books of account and that sort of thing.

It was very directed. [For example], there is a gross underfunding in terms of primary and secondary schools for education on reserve. The students there are receiving 20 to 30 per cent less per capita than a school off-reserve funded by the provinces. That's immoral and it's discrimination. It's one of the reasons why graduation rates are so much lower for First Nations kids.

Q: The relationship between aboriginal peoples and the rest of Canada seems to be at an impasse. How would you assess this era of activism?

The Idle No More movement has galvanized native and non-natives alike, says Paul Martin. (CBC)

A: Idle No More, while not unique - there have been other historic examples of it - is nonetheless a very different approach. It's not violent. This is a huge grassroots movement in which a lot of non-aboriginals are participating. It arose from an issue that all Canadians should be outraged about - which was the slipping into budget bills [of] pieces of legislation that would gut, as an example, environmental assessments on freshwater rivers and lakes. I think what's happening here is that aboriginals of all kinds are saying, "We're not going to take this any longer." And Canadians who understand the issues are saying, "You're right, and we want to join with you." If this isn't unique, it's certainly welcome.

Q: Prime Minister Harper faces an aboriginal movement with varying and often contradictory demands. What's the best way to approach the multiple agendas within the aboriginal community?

A: I actually challenge your premise. There are not multiple agendas. At the recent meeting last week, the AFN [Assembly of First Nations] came up with a comprehensive list of the issues they want dealt with, whether it be treaties and land claims or education and healthcare. They had a concentrated list. And there was complete agreement on that list.

Where the differences occur is on how to deal with a government that refuses to give you respect and demonstrates no understanding of the issues. I think Shawn Atleo has shown great courage in trying to work with the government. But a number of his chiefs have said, "Look, they won't listen." None of the issues that have been raised are new issues. But the government has turned its back and given aboriginal Canadians the back of their hand. It's because of that that you see a difference of opinion. How do you deal with a government that does that?

Q: What are your thoughts on the complex debate over privatization of reserve lands?

A: Manny Jules [Chairman of the First Nations Tax Commission], who is First Nations and who has pioneered this idea, makes a very strong case. But it is not one that has been accepted by the vast majority of the bands across the country. This [privatization] is an issue that the bands themselves must decide. It's not up to the federal government to decide for them. What happened here is the federal government refused to debate the issue and refused to let Parliament debate the issue. It just simply slipped it into a budget bill.

The old way of deciding whether there could be privatization of these lands was that you had to have a double majority. You had to have majority of those who voted, and of those in the community, which is not unreasonable given low voting levels. What the government did was [to establish] that now 20 or 30 people, if they're the only ones who voted out of a thousand, can decide the issue.

The government never talked to the First Nations about this. Given that the majority of bands were against it, it's not unreasonable to say, "Sit down and talk with us" before you act.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Indian Act? It's an outdated piece of legislation, but there's huge debate about how to replace it. How do we move forward?

A: I don't know anybody who thinks the Indian Act is the answer today. It's largely a racist act. It was established a long time ago when people weren't as understanding as we are today. Everybody thinks it should be changed. But you can't make piecemeal changes without talking to people - which is what the government is seeking to do. And you can't do it without a really good debate about what is going to replace it. There has to be agreement between the First Nations and the government about the structure of the relationship. I don't think it can be changed by the federal government unilaterally.

Q: How should Canada move forward on unresolved land claims by aboriginal communities? Is this even achievable given the huge amount of money involved?

A: We can't do what we've been doing for 200 years, which is to make commitments and then ignore them. It is the honour of Canada that is at stake. You can't do everything overnight, but you can demonstrate your preparedness to deal with them as expeditiously as possible, which the government has refused to do.

This question of land claims is an issue that governments of all stripes must bear the responsibility [for]. So the only way to solve it is to get at it.

Q: So, settle the land claims even though there are billions of dollars at stake?

A: This money won't be lost to the country. Nobody says this money will be frittered away. The First Nations themselves are the first to say that the money would be going into trust funds for generations to come. They would build businesses, help fund education, schools, universities. It's money that would go to building a far stronger country. It's compensation that is owed. The commitments were made. The real issue is that the people who are suffering, because these things aren't being done, are young children. If you want to build a stronger country, then you don't turn your back on children. They are the ones who will benefit from it. If you invest in young aboriginal children today, they will make major contributions in the future. If you don't, they will be a major draw on the economy. It's as simple as that.

Q: If one were to draw up a master plan to heal this relationship, what would be the key measures to take now?

A: Explain to Canadians the truth of the issues that are being raised. Canadians do not receive an adequate explanation of this. Some of the incredible misconceptions are fostered by the fact that Canadians don't know and have never been taught aboriginal history adequately. I think that Idle No More is going to force that kind of explanation of why it is that so many people are taking to the streets.

And then you need to establish priorities. But you can't build a strong economy without decent education or fair and good healthcare. So let's have that. It's not reasonable to expect people to drink toxic water. It is not reasonable to say that you are going to come and explore on traditional lands without sitting down with the people who claim those lands and who you are going to eventually want to employ. Those are the issues that I think are the priority ones.

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Idle No More needs more awareness: Paul Martin8:49

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From CBC.ca

Paul Martin says Idle No More needs more awareness

'Canadians would be 100 per cent behind them,' former prime minister says

CBC News - Jan 16, 2013

Former prime minister Paul Martin said today on the Idle No More movement's national day of protest that he backs efforts to make Canadians more aware of the unique issues facing First Nations.

Martin, speaking in an interview with CBC News Network from West Palm Beach, Fla., also urged aboriginal leaders to better help Canadians understand what they're fighting for, saying "that the biggest most important thing right now is to get Canadians onside, and they will get onside if they are aware of the fact."

On Wednesday, First Nations chiefs and activists who are part of Idle No More have promised to stage a series of rallies and demonstrations across Canada to raise awareness about aboriginal issues.

Traffic disruptions are expected as demonstrators promise to march through the streets of a number of cities, while simultaneously blocking some major highways and railway lines.

The activities and rallies are linked to protests against the federal omnibus budget Bill C-45. Aboriginal interests claim the bill gives federal authorities more control over reserves and violates treaty rights.

Paul Martin, shown in May 2012 while receiving a Companion of the Order of Canada honour, said Wednesday that First Nations leaders need average Canadians to understand the lack of prosperity faced by aboriginal communities. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

"Canadians are fair people," Martin said in the interview. "If Canadians were aware of the terrible tragedies in terms [of] the underfunding of education and health care, there's no doubt in my mind that Canadians would be 100 per cent behind them."

Martin urges both side to work together

Aboriginal leaders are upset over a lack of prosperity among First Nations communities, where they say many people live without adequate education, housing, health care or drinking water.

"The issues that they're talking about are the same issues we dealt with in Kelowna," Martin said. "Their education, their health care, their economic development, and those are, in fact, the fundamental issues that make any society healthy."

As prime minister, Martin helped negotiate the Kelowna Accord with First Nations people in 2006. The accord set aside $5 billion to improve education, health-care, housing and economic development for First Nations communities.

However, Martin's minority Liberal government fell to the Conservatives in the 2006 election, and while the Tories said they were committed to meeting the targets of the Kelowna Accord, only $450 million were set aside for aboriginal issues in the Conservatives' first budget.

Martin said the government can't impose a solution on aboriginal leaders. Rather, both sides need to work together as partners to find a solution.

"I don't think that's too much to ask."

Video Content

Idle No More needs more awareness: Paul Martin8:49

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Idle No More protests, activities planned nationwide

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ANALYSIS: Waubgeshig Rice: A peoples' movement that is Idle No More

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From CBC.ca

Idle No More protesters stall railway lines, highways

5-hour blockade of railways between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal

CBC News - Jan 16, 2013

First Nations demonstrators stopped passenger railway traffic lines between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal today, while others stalled major highways and rail lines in parts of Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick and Ontario as part of the Idle No More Movement's national day of action.

Protesters also gathered in Windsor, Ont., near the Ambassador Bridge to Michigan, slowing down traffic to North America's busiest border crossing for several hours, the CBC's Allison Johnson reported.

Activities including rallies, possible blockades and prayer circles were planned across the country Wednesday as part of the grassroots movement calling for more attention to changes that were contained in Bill C-45, the Conservative government's controversial omnibus budget bill that directly affected First Nations communities.

Aboriginal leaders say there has been a lack of consultation on changes to environmental protection regulations.

Idle No More protesters set up a blockade that lasted about five hours east of Toronto, halting railway traffic between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, Via Rail said. The demonstration blocked traffic between Belleville, Ont., and Kingston, Ont., Wednesday afternoon, affecting 10 trains and delaying more than 850 passengers. It ended at about 7 p.m. when protesters left the area without incident, Ontario Provincial Police said.

Rail line shut down in northern B.C.

In northern B.C., over 100 people from Gitwangak First Nation blocked a CN Rail line east of Terrace. CN Rail spokesman Jim Feeny said it is an important line that carries both passenger and freight traffic and links the port of Prince Rupert with the rest of North America.

The line was shut down due to safety concerns and at least one train was re-routed. The blockade, which began Wednesday morning, was scheduled to continue until 6 p.m. PT, CBC's Marissa Harvey reported.

Earlier Wednesday, several hundred protesters on Vancouver Island blocked traffic on the Pat Bay Highway, which connects the Victoria airport with the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.

Traffic slowed at Ambassador Bridge

Meanwhile, area traffic near the Ambassador Bridge was slowed Wednesday afternoon, Johnson reported.

The Windsor, Ont., bridge is a key border crossing for trade between Canada and the U.S., she added, with roughly 10,000 trucks crossing daily.

Idle No More protesters gather near the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont. on Wednesday as part of the grassroots movement's national day of action. (CBC)

"Any flow of traffic stoppage is a pretty big deal, [but] we are told that is not the goal here today," she reported from Windsor.

Organizers said it was an "economic slowdown" and "not a blockade."

"We don't want to inconvenience people too much, but we want to be in places that are going to get us noticed and allow us to get our information out," said organizer Lorena Garvey-Shepley.

Elsewhere in Ontario, Idle No More protesters set up a blockade near Highway 6 and Caledonia Bypass, according to CUPE.

In Toronto, demonstrators gathered in the downtown core near the British consulate. And in downtown Ottawa, crowds gathered outside World Exchange Plaza near Parliament Hill for a round dance. Traffic was rerouted this afternoon.

Calgary-Edmonton highway blocked

In Alberta, a few dozen activists delayed traffic on QEII, which connects Calgary and Edmonton, near Gateway Park, the CBC's Briar Stewart reported. Demonstrators from the Papaschase First Nation ended their protest at around 3 p.m. local time.

About 150 Idle No More activists in Calgary attended a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening outside city hall. Earlier in the day, protesters briefly disrupted traffic at a downtown intersection.

In Manitoba, Idle No More protesters gathered outside of the Manitoba Legislature. About an hour west of the city, protesters blockaded a railway line near Portage la Prairie, the CBC's Angela Johnston reported.

About 15 demonstrators, led by former Roseau River First Nation chief Terry Nelson, waved placards at a freight train early Wednesday morning, then took over the crossing, forcing another train to be halted by police at the scene. Service was stopped on the blocked rail line, which CN Rail spokesman Feeny described as a "critical link" in its network.

CN Rail obtained a court injunction to deal with the blockade, which it said was illegal, and protesters heckled officers serving the papers at the rail line. Although demonstrators initially said they would stay put, even if that meant they could be arrested, some left after the court injunction was given to the group.

Four protesters who remained blocked the Yellowhead Highway late in the afternoon, but they had left the area by 6 p.m.

Members of two Shoal Lake First Nations also blocked a section of the Trans-Canada Highway near the Manitoba-Ontario border for about three hours Wednesday afternoon. During the protest, Ontario Provincial Police kept one lane of traffic open to ease the congestion.

March across N.B. bridge in Miramichi

In New Brunswick, hundreds of demonstrators marched across a bridge along a major highway in Miramichi, the CBC's Jennifer Choi reported.

RCMP officers blocked the entranceways to Miramichi bridge from either direction as roughly 200 to 300 protesters marched, stalling traffic for nearly 2.5 hours, she added.

While many of the protests Wednesday were peaceful, Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said he worries some protesters might take things too far.

"I think it's very important to recognize that we do not, at this time, condone the use of any kind of force," Nepinak said.

"We can't win in any kind of environment where we're using force."

Other chiefs said that today's action would be peaceful, but that if nothing changes to improve First Nations conditions, blockades will follow.

"At this time we have no plans to organize or facilitate the organization of roadblock on Highway 63 for Jan. 16 or any set date," said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabaska Chipewyan First Nation, referring to the northern Alberta highway to the oilsands region.

"However, the people are upset with the current state of affairs in this country and things are escalating towards more direct action."

PMO has no plans to revisit bill

First Nations activists are also planning a demonstration in front of the Canadian High Commission in London in the U.K. on Thursday.

A key demand of the protesters and chiefs alike is for the government to back down on changes to environmental oversight in two recent omnibus bills.

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"The complete gutting of all environmental approval, regulatory and enforcement mechanisms in Canada ... mean that the reassertion of aboriginal and treaty rights are the last best hope to protect both First Nations' and Canadians' water, air and soil from being poisoned forever by big oil and mining corporations," said Clayton Thomas-Muller from the Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign.

The government opposes any changes.

Andrew McDougall, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's spokesman, said: "The government has no plans to reconsider its legislation."

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