Throne Speech: Whither the First Nations?

Despite growing civil conflict in South-Central Ontario (never mind poverty unknown in the rest of this country), Aboriginal people garnered approximately one sentence in the throne speech. It is as follows:

“ …[we] will seek to improve opportunity for all Canadians, including Aboriginal Peoples and new immigrants.”

I am wholly unsurprised by the Tory tendency to abandon these issues; I understood what this party was before it was elected. What is astonishing to me is their inability or unwillingness even just to toss out empty platitudes.

Harper, Prentice et al have made no secret of their disinterest in the “expensive” promises made by our government to First Nations communities. First Nations leaders have reacted with little surprise – not exactly the first instance of failing to honour promises. But this is simply unacceptable – at least something must be offered in the short term to indicate good will. That something cannot be self-government accountability (not bad legislation, but it is offensive and illogical to prioritize it). So I humbly submit one promise to be met in the first budget: Residential Schools compensation, coupled with a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This is not the $5 billion commitment made at Kelowna. It is a relatively minor expenditure, but one that will have a fundamental impact.

The importance and effectiveness of this fairly simple legislation will be developed in future posts.