First Nation, Last Served

Native Chief Shawn Atleo is out for change. He wants to replace the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (one department with two task) with two…yes, two…new departments (with one task per), one to focus on Government-First Nations relationships and the other on Government-First Nations handouts.

This “simplification” is the latest step toward self-governance for Aboriginal tribes, according to Mr. Agleo. As it is, many tribes already police their own streets, educate their children, operate successful casinos that generate income and create employment in their communities, provide recreational facilities, and so on. They have a culture that has shown superhuman resilience in the face of tremendous outside pressure and influence. It’s clear, after more than two hundred years, that we—the White Man (the Borg?)—will not assimilate them, as we have so many other cultures around the globe.

Whether or not these endeavours of self-rule are successful is arguable, and entirely besides the point. These people are trying. Good for them. In the main, the FN leaders want what’s best for their people. They want control of their lives, without interference by governments and organizations (I’ll throw in the Church here, just for good measure). They want a more active partnership in the Resource Industries that ravish their lands, including the right to veto projects, or support projects, but on their own terms.

(finger on chin, pace back and forth, look pensive)

So, what to do, what to do?

If any of this sounds familiar, you may be recalling Quebec, during its last attempt to gain self-rule. They, too, were (and are) tired of the feds telling them what to do (in English!), and trying to strip them of their beloved and ancient culture. It also smells a lot like several recent union negotiations, where the “cap of reality” had also been left behind in the locker room, while the hand extended ever-further out, palm up.

We all know (or belong to) the family with the grownup son who, after much encouragement, finally gets his own place, but returns to the family home five days a week for a hot meal, brings along his laundry for his mother to do, and hits Dad up for enough cash to cover rent and utilities, because he’s spent the last of his own money on beer.

During the last referendum, Quebec admitted that, if they won, they would continue to use Canadian currency, even though they would no longer be a part of Canada; they would still expect protection, if ever needed, by the Canadian Armed Forces, even though Canada would be under no obligation to offer any such protection; and, of course, they still expected the Canadian government to give them cash—child support, if you will. Seems to me, as a sovereign nation, Quebec would have to appeal to the IMF for a bailout, just like Greece or Spain. Again, the cap of reality misplaced somewhere in an empty office building, abandoned by another English corporation fleeing to Canada proper.

The unions, too, feel they have been victimized for decades by the powers that be. So they dig in their heels, shut their eyes and dream of the old days in the future, when they will get everything they want and more…

Back to Chief Atleo, and his dream of a New World.

He and Stephen Harper have been bonding. Things are so good, he looks forward to the day when Ottawa and the FN can operate as “equals.” He aims for less governmental “intervention” in native affairs. He strives for more “power” in negotiations with miners and oil companies.

But lets, for a moment, don that elusive cap of reality. The Canadian government will never…I repeat: Never…deal with the First Nation as an equal. A government is equal only to another government, and that is only a theoretical equality. Just ask America. Down the road, the FN may be permitted to operate with less government interference, but the cost will be less government money. Quid pro quo, baby. Just ask Stephen Harper; he has said as much—but not in Latin. And don’t forget, any degree of interference, no matter how small, eventually grates. It may be seen as progress to some, from an academic standpoint, but most aboriginals will continue to feel “controlled” by outside forces. This is basic human nature. As for the business of big business, neither the Feds nor the Big B’s will permit something like “sacred lands” or “treaties” or “historical rights” or any form of “activism” to prevent them from raping the land, whosever’s land it is. Just ask the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources (hey, I can’t always pick on Harper).

Don’t get me wrong. I admire the First Nations people; they are braver than I, willing to put up a literal fight for their beliefs, which is at odds with the rest of milquetoast Canadians. And they are certainly more connected to the Earth than I could ever hope to be. I only wish that Mr. Atleo were able to speak in “realities.” Because what he is really saying is, he’d like his people to have more say in their lives and communities, he’d like the government agency (whatever you call it) that deals with Aboriginal Affairs to be efficient and well-intentioned, and he’d like a better deal from those oily rapists. The government will only ever give them so much freedom, and so much money, and so much power. They will be permitted to self-govern to roughly the same degree any province is self-governing. To a point, and no further. You can’t talk about autonomy, and in the same breath recommend substituting two government agencies for the existing one, and simultaneously assure your people that the government will continue to pay pay pay. The last two are at odds with the first.

On one level, I appreciate Mr. Atleo’s optimism, if that’s what it is, especially in the face of the government’s historical track record. But because of the obvious futility of his stated dreams, it’s harder to take him seriously. He comes off as just another unwitting patsy for Stephen Harper. Which is too bad.

If true sovereignty is in the cards for the Native People, it is two centuries away (don’t worry, the time will fly!), and will by necessity involve civil war. This is reality. In two hundred years, Quebec will hold another referendum, which it will win. But it will take another two hundred years for them to leave home for good (merci pour le déjeuner, Maman). By the time the FN have their hard-fought (better late than never) victory over the White Man, unions will be nothing but an historical footnote.

You may now remove your cap of reality. Put it somewhere safe.