From: robinc@bnr.ca (Robin Collins)
Newsgroups: can.politics
Subject: Re: Aboriginal nationalism?
Keywords: oka
Date: 9 Apr 92 17:14:45 GMT
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd., Ottawa, Canada

In article <1992Apr09.035604.10697@oneb.wimsey.bc.ca> kmcvay@oneb.wimsey.bc.ca (Ken Mcvay) writes:
>In article <1992Apr06.165958.7976@bmerh2.bnr.ca> robinc@bnr.ca (Robin Collins) writes:
>
>> We all have a common-ness of interest in this regard, just in terms of
>>being democratic. I am the first to demand recognition of title and fair
>>settlement of land claims based on TREATY not RACE, ie based on who lives
>>there, not what was so-and so's bloodline.
>
>What would you do to handle those bands that have never negotiated,
>let alone signed, a treaty?

I would seek a resolution at an international tribunal where all
the documents can be handled.
If status is sought, then surely the highest court is the place to go.
      

>>They may wish centralized forms of government for their lands claimed by
>>treaty. They may wish to secede and form nation states (I don't recommend
>>it.) They may want decentralized networks. This is up to every people.
>
>and if the government steadfastly refuses to negotiate a treaty, or
>sets insane limits on the number of land claims permitted to be
>settled per year? (Did you know that the maximum number of land claims
>that the government will negotiate at one time is SIX?)     

 In my opinion, now is the time for the aboriginals to win maximum support
within this country. Push for resolution of these claim conflicts.
Go to the international bodies.
This is what they are doing, isn't it.
And they are succeeding (just look at what happened to James Bay.)


>"Six other claims (the maximum that the government will negotiate at
>any one time) remain unresolved at time of writing [ed note: 1989],
>and it may be noted that none of them has been on the table for less
>than ten years. Another nineteen claims have been accepted for
>negotiation, eight are under review, and anther twenty are expected to
>be submitted. So, with fifty-three claims either submitted or awaiting
>access to the process, at the present rate it will take 160 years to
>resolve these problems." (DRUMBEAT - Anger & Renewal in Indian
>Country, ISBN 0-929091-03-5)  

 I recognize their frustration and I support their efforts to speed things
up. What's your point?


>>>In my opinion aborignals have suffered a greater
>>>oppression than the Quebeqouis. It should be noted that my opinion
>>>does not state that Quebecers don't have the right to claim their own
>>>distinct society. I think their claim is just, what some of the
>>>politicians are asking for is unrealistic and downright dangerous. 
>
>> Aboriginals certainly live in miserable circumstances (at least
>>a disproportionate number do.) A lot of people live miserably.
>>However, I refuse to "solve" that problem by falling into ethnic
>>apartheid, where aboriginals have one law and non-aboriginals have 
>>another.
>
>Then you'd best do something, and fast, because that is EXACTLY the
>situation that has existed from Day One in Indian country. Since you
>refuse to accept it, please tell me what you are planning to do to
>make the government STOP, and obey its own laws for a change.



I have supported a number of aboriginal campaigns in the past.
I have demonstrated my support. I support court challenges. 
I support aboriginal efforts at the UN (I belong to the UN Association.)
I attended Boyce Richardson's film showing on the Cree.
I talk. I debate. I debate you. 
I insist that the same principles apply to all peoples.
I criticize Mercredi (in letters to the editors of newspaper and
magazines) when he makes racially-based statements. 
I write letters to oppose racist statements against aboriginals
(or anyone else.)
I wrote a letter attacking Jeanne Sauve' when she claimed Canada
should be anglo-franco in heritage, pointing out that she seemed
to have forgotten half the population. (It was letter of the day,
on that occasion.)

However, I don't own the newspapers. I can't force them to print
what I write.
I submit articles to pa rogressive newspaper that does publish what
I think.
What else do you want me to do?  Support aboriginal leaders when
I think they are wrong?
Never.


Frank