NAN Grand Chief and Mishkeegogamang children deliver strong message to Canada
We need to listen to Native leaders
By CHRISTINA BLIZZARD -- Sun Media - June 14, 2007
PICKLE LAKE (Sun Media) -- It was the children who captured the heart of Governor General Michaelle Jean on her first visit to a remote Ontario aboriginal community.
At a small welcoming ceremony at Pickle Lake airport, it seemed as if everyone in this tiny, isolated community 2,200 km northeast of Toronto had turned out to meet her.
The Canadian Rangers, an aboriginal group attached to the military, stood stoically on the sweltering tarmac awaiting Jean's inspection.
School children waited patiently, carefully holding up a Canadian flag for the vice-regal visitor.
On cue, they burst into a heartfelt rendition of O Canada. They waved their flag and sang at the top of their lungs for her.
It touched the hearts of the visitors not just, I suspect, because adorable children doing lovely things always touch our hearts.
In this case, you also look at their young faces and wonder whether that flag and the government it represents deserve such passionate loyalty from this group of disadvantaged children.
Poverty is intense in isolated aboriginal communities. You see the ramshackle homes, the poorly-equipped schools and you come to the conclusion this is our Third World -- in the backyard of a First World country.
That's the view of Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy, who was on hand in neighbouring Mishkeegogaman First Nation, where 134 chiefs from around the province welcomed Jean to their annual three-day conference. He noted that the 100th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 9, which established his nation, happened two years ago -- so a visit from a government official is overdue to celebrate the centenary.
That said, he's glad Jean battled the blackflies to meet with them.
The Grand Chief added that treaties have worked well for the rest of us in the province -- but not for aboriginals: "Canada and Ontario have benefitted greatly from the agreement we made 100 years ago, but from our side, we haven't benefitted at all."
Beardy isn't a hothead. We should take heed when he says he'd like to see First Nations people share in the rich resource revenues. They need a cut of the economic pie.
Aboriginal young people want training in mining, forestry and the pulp and paper business but Beardy points to the De Beers diamond mine near the James Bay aboriginal community of Attawapiskat as an example of goverment meddling.
First Nations leaders negotiated a revenue-sharing deal directly with the multinational diamond company. But those revenues have now been sharply reduced by a massive hike in mining royalties announced in Finance Minister Greg Sorbara's spring budget.
Beardy represents 50 communities over a 5-million hectare area. Two-thirds of the population is under 29 and unemployment in that age group is 85%.
In Ottawa, Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice announced a new process to speed up land claims this week.
At least it's a start.
Beardy says the native Day of Action June 29 isn't about blockades and disruption. He hopes it will be an opportunity to peacefully educate the rest of the country about the disgraceful conditions on remote reserves.
"I hope we can create awareness for the general public that yes, there are treaties that are legally binding," Beardy said.
We should listen to him. Then when aboriginal children like those at Pickle Lake proudly wave their red maple leaf, we can look them in the eye and tell them we will not fail them.