Although it's just as likely that they needed to do something, after having made a royal mess of the Aboriginal issues file so far, beginning with killing the Kelowna Accord (which was a pretty good package of realistic policies with a real budget to improve conditions for Aboriginal peoples that the previous government had painfully worked out with all provinces, territories and a very broad group of representatives of Aboriginal groups) immediately following the election.
They did some very stupid things, like fire experienced land claim negotiators in the middle of working out specific settlements and replace them with totally inexperienced friends and supporters.
They've also been ignoring horrendous living conditions, health problems, suicide rates, on First Nations reserves.
Not that they're all that much worse than most of the previous governments, but things had been starting to change, and then once the Conservatives came in, all the real progress was lost.
So we have a symbolic gesture instead.
Next, we get a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Which could be a good thing, especially if non-Aboriginal peoples get involved and understand that there is truth to be spoken and heard, and reconciliation to be sought, on all sides.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-06-13 10:54 pm (UTC)Although it's just as likely that they needed to do something, after having made a royal mess of the Aboriginal issues file so far, beginning with killing the Kelowna Accord (which was a pretty good package of realistic policies with a real budget to improve conditions for Aboriginal peoples that the previous government had painfully worked out with all provinces, territories and a very broad group of representatives of Aboriginal groups) immediately following the election.
They did some very stupid things, like fire experienced land claim negotiators in the middle of working out specific settlements and replace them with totally inexperienced friends and supporters.
They've also been ignoring horrendous living conditions, health problems, suicide rates, on First Nations reserves.
Not that they're all that much worse than most of the previous governments, but things had been starting to change, and then once the Conservatives came in, all the real progress was lost.
So we have a symbolic gesture instead.
Next, we get a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Which could be a good thing, especially if non-Aboriginal peoples get involved and understand that there is truth to be spoken and heard, and reconciliation to be sought, on all sides.
But it's not enough, by any means.