Chief’s message - Understanding ‘idle no more’

Story by: Jason Louie, Chief, Lower Kootenay Band

As citizens of Canada we have been afforded rights and freedoms that allow us to voice concern, opposition and injustice through demonstration protests that can be public, or through the media or social networking.

This luxury of freedom of speech is relatively new to First Nations of Canada. During the First and Second world wars, as well as the Korean conflict, aboriginal people were not citizens of Canada yet answered the call of duty and fought alongside their non-native brothers.

First Nations were not permitted by the laws of the land to vote in federal elections until 1960. An aboriginal woman could not cast a vote until approximately 1969. Until then, native people living on reserves had been specifically disqualified, although Inuit people had been qualified to vote since 1953.

Throughout history, the average Canadian citizen has had an opinion of First Nations that may be based on assumption and rumour. The understanding of official Indian status has meant free education, free land, tax exemption and a card to the good life.

The reality of the Status Indian card is a reminder that aboriginal people remain a ward of the government. The status card was the federal government’s attempt to keep tabs on the native people.

Using the numbers on my status card as an example, 606 denotes my band (Lower Kootenay) and 00142 is my identification. My daughter would have a “02″ at the end of her digits to indicate she is my child.

At a time in our history, I would need this card and permission from the Indian agent to leave the reserve. If I did not have the card and the permission letter there would be severe consequences.

Fast forwarding to today, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has introduced Bill C-45, which is quite lengthy to describe in its entirety but, to sum up the basics, entails the following information: the legislation removes regulatory environmental protective measures over the lands, resources and waters and seeks to terminate constitutionally and legally protected rights for all Canadian and First Nations peoples.

Bill C-45 includes changes to complex land provisions in the Indian Act that only compound existing problems. This bill was developed with little or no consultation with First Nations and without our consent. These actions only erode democracy and compromise the integrity of our prime minister and Parliament.

First Nations rights are an integral part of Canada’s constitution. Our rights are affirmed in the United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. The federal government should address this situation in good faith. Reconciliation is a crucial component of this matter.

In Saskatchewan, a group of aboriginal women sparked the “idle no more” movement, which gained popularity worldwide to voice the injustice of Bill C-45. Demonstrations at malls, ports of entry and city centres have appeared everywhere.

The Lower Kootenay Band applauds the leadership shown by aboriginal peoples and supporters through the “idle no more” movement to bring about awareness of how the Harper government is operating. It is unfortunate that a hunger strike and Canadian/worldwide protest are necessary for First Nations to bring attention to violations of human rights.

Should the LKB choose to demonstrate the injustice of Bill C-45 we will do so in a manner that does not obstruct the operation of businesses or ports of entry or other organizations. The demonstration would be peaceful and would send a message that we want to protect our lands and environment and raise awareness and educate others about the negative impacts of the passing of Bill C-45.

We wish not to create a division between the Lower Kootenay community and the residents of the CrestonValley but attempt to unite us to right what is wrong, to stand together and educate our children and families that this bill is an injustice to all Canadians.

This is not the Canada I envision. The Canada that I want my children and family to be part of stands for justice and equality. The Canada I hope for is a country in which diversity is embraced and all its citizens have a democracy that is fair and just.

I thank you for reading and hope this may provide some insight into the complex issue of Bill C-45.

(Jason Louie can be reached by phone at 428-4428 ext. 235, e-mail at mjasonlouie@gmail.com or on the Web at www.lowerkootenay.com.)