In a kind of back to the future moment, the issue of the status of the Indian Act which established the reservation system in Canada and led to the debacle of the White Paper is now circulating in Ottawa and among aboriginal activists. Earlier in the week, I discussed the historical backdrop of agitation concerning the Indian Act with a video of Saul Alinsky visiting Rama First Nation where young First Nation activists gave Alinsky a quick overview of the Indian Act. This was in the early 1960's and the issue remain currents 40 years later! The abolishment of the Indian Act is something many, but not all, First Nation activists and leaders have been calling for.
Atleo provided some important historical context in his prepared remarks. He discussed the Royal Proclamation of 1763 which established land rights for indigenous people and which pledged that the Crown would ensure that those rights were secured for generations. He criticized the Indian Act although did not go so far as to publicly advocate for its repeal.
For his part, Stephen Harper has offered to reform the Indian Act.
I think that since its inception in 1863 the Indian Act has created a cycle of government dependency, ghettoized native people and has slowly eroded any sense of well being and self determination. While I am not in favour of sudden lurches in policy, the repeal of the Indian Act should be a goal of the government and First Nation people. It was eloquently advocated by the activists in the story I posted a few days ago.
Read speeches here:
Governor General Johnston, Prime Minister Stephan Harper, Assembly of First Nation Chief Shawn Atleo.