The chief of the Northern Ontario reserve who declared a state of emergency over the living conditions of her people is calling on first-nations leaders across Canada to oppose the federal government's imposition of a third party to manage her community's finances.Chief Theresa Spence told a meeting of chiefs from across Canada Tuesday that “it's time to get really aggressive with the government.”
It's time to tell Ottawa that first nations aren't going to take it any more, Ms. Spence said. “It's always their terms, not our terms.”
The people of Attawapiskat kicked out the third-party manager when he arrived on Monday. The Conservative government sent him to the community after the Red Cross went there to provide emergency assistance.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan have pointed out that the community of fewer than 2,000 people, has received more that $90-million in federal funds since 2006 and they allege there have been some accountability issues.
But Ms. Spence says she has provided a comprehensive account of the spending, which has gone to a myriad of things including health care, education and social programs. “It's time to tell the government to stop it,” she said, “and really work with us, not to blame anybody.”
The government, Ms. Spence said, is sending a message to all first nations that, if they make noise, Ottawa will swoop in and take over.
Motivated by the situation in Attawapiskat, the chiefs unanimously passed a resolution demanding a fundamental structural change to support all first-nations communities in crisis.
It calls for all the chiefs to support the leadership and citizens of Attawapiskat, to support all first nations facing problems with living conditions, to ask the Aboriginal Affairs Minister to work with the chief and council of Attawapiskat to address its immediate and long-term needs, to demand the government work with all first nations to provide basic necessities, and to ask the United Nations to monitor Canada's actions.
“It's been a rough journey,” Ms. Spence said, telling the other chiefs that the government ignored her repeated cries for help. “The real heroes are the people who are living in the tent frames and sheds. Their lives are at risk right now. Winter is here.”
Shawn Atleo, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said the imposition by the government of a third-party manager in Attawapiskat shows the deep divide that remains between Ottawa and his people.
“It uncovers, I think, a deep misunderstanding that I have been referring to that we've drifted apart from the original treaty relationship,” Mr. Atleo told reporters after addressing the meeting of chiefs.
In his speech, the national chief said the images of Attawapiskat have opened many Canadian eyes to the problems facing first nations. “Canada saw for the first time last week what we see every day,” he said. “This is a national disgrace. We have reason to feel angry and betrayed.”
These conditions in Attawapiskat exist on first nations right across the country, Mr. Atleo added. “The way forward is based on respectful treaty implementation and an equitable share of resources from [first-nations] land, not imposed punitive unilateral action,” he told fellow chiefs.
Attawapiskat could be a turning point for the relationships between first nations and the Crown, Mr. Atleo said – but not if the federal government continues to dictate from above. “This really has to be about breaking the unilateral, externally imposed solutions.”
It's nothing new for chiefs from coast to coast to be called out for accountability, Mr. Atleo acknowledged. Ms Spence “has demonstrated transparency and accountability,” he said, adding that it's time “to dig deep into the history of why we have the kinds of challenges that we do. The truth is beginning to come out.”
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Source: Globe&Mail
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