For far too long Canada has paid lip service to indigenous issues.
This week, the country’s new justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould, announced the realization of a Liberal campaign promise to launch a national inquiry into murdered and missing indigenous women.
That is a good thing providing it is not just a prelude to more talk and little action. Let us not forgot the former prime minister refused to engage in an inquiry because he said it was time for action. Only he didn’t take action. He actually ended up admitting “...it isn’t really high on our radar, to be honest.”
He was right, though, it is time for action, but we cannot forget this problem has extremely deep roots.
Beginning in the 1700s, the British Crown started signing treaties with First Nations. After confederation the Canadian government did so, as well. Treaties, it must be underscored are supposed to be binding agreements between sovereign nations. It also must be noted that these treaties were constitutionally recognized and affirmed in the Constitution Act (1982).
We have never treated them that way though. Instead, we entered into a series of paternalistic and racist policies and laws, most notoriously the Residential Schools Act.
Famously, Harper apologized for that on behalf of the country. His speech in the House of Commons contained strong words, but they were just that.
The new prime minister, Justin Trudeau, also spoke strong words when he addressed indigenous leaders this week in Gatineau, Quebec promising “a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations people, one that understands that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of First Nations in Canada are not an inconvenience, but rather a sacred obligation.”
Strong words indeed. And words that we all ought to take to heart.
These are huge national issues, but that doesn’t mean it is not a case where people can “think nationally, act locally.”
It starts with a very simple shift in attitude that there is not “us and them” there is only us.
The Liberal five-point plan to address indigenous issues is ambitious, but even if it turns out to be comprehensive and effective, there is one issue it does not and cannot address, the entrenched racism in society.
Remember, if you start a statement by saying, “I’m not racist, but...” you’re probably about to say something racist.
We all have a role to play in renewing the relationship with indigenous people. It starts with seeing them first as people.
