The Winona LaDuke Chronicles by Winona LaDuke

Author:Winona LaDuke
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fernwood Publishing
Published: 2016-03-17T04:00:00+00:00

GIIJIMIJ HARPER: CANADA ESCALATES WAR ON FIRST NATIONS

(with Frank Jr. Molley)

“It’s blackmail and it’s the most illegal thing ever done…We told the Minister it’s like you’re putting a gun to our head and telling us to sign.”

—CURTIS BARTIBOGUE, COUNCILOR, MI’KMAQ FIRST NATION

A small Mi’kMaq reserve in Nova Scotia may be the first battle in a new round between the Harper government and First Nations. The Harper government, feeling piqued by international support for the Idle No More Movement, has thrown down the gauntlet one more time, this time in terms of a “Starve or Sign” set of consent agreements with First Nations. Burnt Church is one of the first reserves to stand up and face down the Harper agenda.

At stake is title to lands, minerals, and a host of choices on the future direction of Canada, at the center of which First Nations are exercising their rights. While the Canadian government moves ahead with a legislative and policy agenda intent upon de facto termination and confiscation of many rights and assets, United Nations observers are closing in on Canada, and asking for some accountability to international law, and—for instance—the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada in fact signed.

Although the United Nations has asked Canada to admit Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues James Anaya into Canada, the Harper Government had not yet allowed entry. The UN Rapporteur has asked to come to Canada to take formal testimony beginning in 2012, and has yet to receive a formal invitation. It turns out that doesn’t mean there aren’t problems.

As the story unfolds, the Harper government is facing much more opposition than they had expected. In short, things aren’t exactly rolling Harper’s way. And frankly, First Nations Band Councils may have their own awakening now as a movement that was sparked in the deep of Winter grows and takes root in Spring.

Burnt Church (Esgenoopetitj)

Burnt Church is a Mi’kMaq First Nation, which has some bragging rights. They are the poorest postal code in all of Canada: Poverty ranking number one.

In mid-March they received an annual contribution agreement form from the Canadian Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, a usual set of transfer agreements which come as a part of peace treaties signed and legal issues negotiated between the Crown, Canada and First Nations. This time the agreement was different: it looked different and was clear in intent, which is to have First Nations sign away their rights in return for money.

What happened next surprised many, perhaps the Harper government most of all. Despite the dire conditions of the community of Burnt Church (i.e., some 80% unemployment, and essentially full dependency on the promised funding allocation), Burnt Church said “No”, that it would not sign the agreement with the Harper government.

The Band Council spoke with the community and found deep concerns with signing what is an essential agreement, but which had been presented with some significant changes.

“It’s blackmail and it’s the most illegal thing ever done,” says Councilor Curtis Bartibogue. “We told the Minister it’s like you’re putting a gun to our head and telling us to sign.

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