Last week, Chief Nepinak from Manitoba was threatening to bring the economy of Canada to it's knees as a protest against the Conservative's Bill 33, the bill on First Nations education negotiated between Prime Minister Harper and former Grand Chief Atleo of the AFN. Many Chiefs felt that Atleo did not properly consult with the chiefs and Chief Beardy of Nishnabi Aski feels "Atleo did not have the power to enter into and sign agreements, as the AFN is only a negotiating or lobby group on behalf of the chiefs."
The controversy surrounding this education bill forced Chief Atleo to step down as grand chief, and the organization seems to be in disarray. Many feel the political and public attacks against Atleo were based on the differing political and career ambitions of his detractors and the informed First Nations person is able to see beyond the rhetorical posturing and feather ruffling of the more vocal First Nations chiefs.
The chiefs of the AFN recently brought into motion a little used section of the AFN constitution - the Confederacy of Chiefs. This confederacy was last brought into use in 2003 and although it is legal within the AFNs constitution, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Valcourt dismissed this confederacy as nothing but a few "rogue" chiefs.
The chiefs want more control of education funding, and also more, if not total, control of the whole agenda of First Nations education, with little or no involvement of the government. This sounds well intentioned and no doubt a lot of First Nations like Whitecap Dakota and La Ronge are perfectly capable of managing their own destinies, but here in the Battlefords, the possibility of the chiefs having control of education funds has many First Nations people concerned. It is a well-placed concern when you consider that many of our local leaders have tread a well-worn path to the courthouse, not for fighting for their people like Big Bear and Poundmaker, but for questionable election and financial practices, if not, outright criminal activity and convictions.
Despite the flow of money from gaming and from land leases and oil exploration, many of the region's First Nations remain limited to selling gas and cigarettes to their own people. The casinos turn a fair profit, but the profits don't seem to translate to youth activities, cultural and language development and real economic development. Many of the First Nations operate with deficits and are poor credit risks, making it almost impossible to get into a viable business where one needs to put up some funds or get loans.
These obstacles are ones that we as a collective have created - leaders, voters and supporters - and the result is, poor governance. I fear that if we have more control over education funding, we will just squander this opportunity, in the same way some of our First Nations have squandered their Treaty Land Entitlement land purchases by selling the land, or renting it out at below market value. Isn't land sacred? Isn't that what defines us as a nation?
What to do? One option being discussed on social media is that the AFN allow all First Nations people to vote for their leaders. I imagine that we would vote for a local or provincial representative and this person would be our voice at the national forum. We have so many talented and educated people who are not at the table representing us due to the deep flaw in our current political structures. Some of our communities resemble what are called "liberation dictatorships" in Africa. That being, the leadership of former colonized states impose a corrupt dictatorship upon their people that robs their land of its riches. There is little room in these regimes for talented people to flourish. Here, the chiefs have total control over their communities and it would be up to them to listen to, or suppress, or ignore an AFN representative elected by the people.
The other problem is that the government and past First Nations leadership have set up a structure where the voices of the people are the chiefs. Realistically though, the chiefs are not the real voice of the people. It is common knowledge elections are manipulated in our area. Money and promises are a factor, as well as having a large family and this ensures a certain chief will hold power for many years and often this chief is there for personal economic interests and, to be frank, is oftentimes not the best person for the job.
Journalist Wab Kinew is said to be expressing interest in running for AFN leadership. It doesn't matter who runs and who wins, it could be Chief Nepinak or FSIN Chief Bellegarde. The new AFN chief is still beholden to, and chosen by, the chiefs across Canada and therein lies the problem.
If only some of our leaders could draw inspiration from our past leaders, Poundmaker and Big Bear, whose legacy the province has desecrated by placing their portraits on the outer walls of the liquor store. These are some of the thoughts why we are where we are at as a people, and it is with fear and trepidation that many of us common folk wait for the dust to settle in regards to this First Nations Education Act.
