Ignatieff's Indigenous Agenda

Ignatieff today released the details of his plan for Aboriginals in Canada. It's worth a read. Much of it is genuinely exciting.

The Aboriginal Nations Recognition and Reconciliation Act is as dramatic a suggestion as any that he has made this campaign. It is an opt-in formula, which recognizes the varying capacities of each First Nation at this instant. By transferring the responsibility of citizenship issues, it rights a dramatic and farcical wrong that has survived a century and a half.

The Treaty and Land Claim Agreement Commissioner is a fine addition, but not the radical overhauling of the land claims resolutions process that is badly needed. It doesn't alter the power imbalance. If it was coupled with active support - financial and otherwise - for First Nations pursuing their claims, it would make for a decent start.

Unfortunately, the ticker headline on CBC Newsworld today was (approximately) "Ignatieff promises to revitalize the Kelowna Accord" - which is the position of every single Liberal leadership candidate.

There was much good on this front from Dion recently as well. Again, he unfortunately developed no media traction.