Lament For Conferation

Lament for Confederation

How long have I known you, Oh Canada? A hundred years? Yes, a hundred years. And many, many seelanum more. And today, when you celebrate your hundred years, Oh Canada, I am sad for all the Indian people throughout the land.

For I have known you when your forests were mine; when they gave me my meat and my clothing. I have known you in your streams and rivers where your fish flashed and danced in the sun, where the waters said 'come, come and eat of my abundance.' I have known you in the freedom of the winds. And my spirit, like the winds, once roamed your good lands.

But in the long hundred years since the white man came, I have seen my freedom disappear like the salmon going mysteriously out to sea. The white man's strange customs, which I could not understand, pressed down upon me until I could no longer breathe.

When I fought to protect my land and my home, I was called a savage. When I neither understood nor welcomed his way of life, I was called lazy. When I tried to rule my people, I was stripped of my authority.

My nation was ignored in your history textbooks - they were little more important in the history of Canada than the buffalo that ranged the plains. I was ridiculed in your plays and motion pictures, and when I drank your fire-water, I got drunk - very, very drunk. And I forgot.

Oh Canada, how can I celebrate with you this Centenary, this hundred years? Shall I thank you for the reserves that are left to me of my beautiful forests? For the canned fish of my rivers? For the loss of my pride and authority, even among my own people? For the lack of my will to fight back? No! I must forget what's past and gone.

Oh God in heaven! Give me back the courage of the olden chiefs. Let me wrestle with my surroundings. Let me again, as in the days of old, dominate my environment. Let me humbly accept this new culture and through it rise up and go on.

Oh God! Like the thunderbird of old I shall rise again out of the sea; I shall grab the instruments of the white man's success-his education, his skills- and with these new tools I shall build my race into the proudest segment of your society.

Before I follow the great chiefs who have gone before us, Oh Canada, I shall see these things come to pass. I shall see our young braves and our chiefs sitting in the houses of law and government, ruling and being ruled by the knowledge and freedoms of our great land.

So shall we shatter the barriers of our isolation. So shall the next hundred years be the greatest in the proud history of our tribes and nations.

Chief Dan George (24 July 1899 - 23 September 1981)

best laid plans?

Here is a brief quote from Terry Fallis' book The Best Laid Plans:

"On Parliament Hill, the pendulum of power swings between the

cynical political operators (CPOs) and the idealist policy wonks

(IPWs). It’s a naturally self-regulating model that inevitably transfers

power from one group to the other – and back again. It can take

years, even multiple elections, for the pendulum to swing to the

other side. It was just my luck that I – a member in good standing

of the idealist-policy-wonk contingent – would arrive in Ottawa just

as the backroom boys were starting their swing back up to the top.

To be fair, governments work best when the pendulum is somewhere

near the middle – with the CPOs and IPWs sharing power.

When the CPOs are dominant, as they were when I arrived in

Ottawa (and when I left, for that matter), they tend to erode public

confidence in the democratic process and infect the electorate

with the cynicism, self-interest, and opportunism that flow in their

veins. In the mind of a hardcore CPO, the ends always, always justify

the means. At least, that’s my balanced, impartial view.

On the other hand, when the IPWs are at the helm, however

well-meaning we may be, we often lack the necessary killer

instinct and political acumen to push our vaunted policies across

the finish line. We can’t seem to accept that selling the policy is

just as important as coming up with it in the first place. We seldom

get to the ends because we mess up the means."

Final Results

The priority resolutions that were preferred by En Famille voters are as follows:

Supporting Canada's Aboriginal People

Supporting Agricultural Producers and Expanding Trade

Making Poverty History at Home and Abroad

Foreign Trained Credentials

Creating a National System of Early Learning and Childcare

Climate Change

Alternate Energy

Preserving High Quality Public Health Care and Health-Performance Indicators

Access to Information

Vision of Rural Canada

Poverty Reduction & Guaranteed Annual Income Strategy

Development of an Integrated Transportation Policy

National Water Policy

I did take the time to read and vote on everyone - some, I tried to understand what the issue was but went with the majority.

12 resolutions

80. Canada's Urban Aboriginal Population

WHEREAS 50% of Canada's Aboriginal population now reside in urban areas. Canada's largest Aboriginal community is not located on an Indian reserve, it is located in the City of Winnipeg; and

WHEREAS Aboriginals are leaving their rural communities for urban centres in search of employment and opportunity; and

WHEREAS informal networks in urban areas exist between those who have left the reserve with band members and family who remain on reserve. These traditional networks are maintained through the advancement of technology and communication, which have not been factors in the past; and

WHEREAS Canadian policy makers continue to focus primarily on the reserve-based system, even though the facts show then Urban Aboriginal population is undeniable; and

WHEREAS existing Aboriginal networks could provide a means to circumvent constitutional barriers to assist Aboriginal people no matter where they live and for First Nations, such policies would give on reserve members a vested interest in their urban counterparts. These networks could be used as a repatriation of skills that contribute and invest in improving home reserve infrastructure.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada recognizes the cross-jurisdictional support systems that could be used to generate growth on reserves and recognize these informal networks as a means of advancement for reserves and small Aboriginal communities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada uses the UN program, the Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) as a model of Aboriginal community development.

Aboriginal Peoples Commission


139. Renewed Pan-Canadian Funding Model for Aboriginal Peoples

WHEREAS currently, a significant gap exists between the standard of living for Aboriginal Canadians and the standard of living for the rest of Canada

WHEREAS considerable investments in education, housing and infrastructure, health services, and human resources for aboriginal Canadians are needed to close the living standards gap and stimulate economic development

WHEREAS the Liberal Party of Ontario is committed to the fair and equitable standard of living for all people in Canada

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ontario Liberal Party advocate for a renewed pan-Canadian funding model for aboriginal peoples in order to rectify the existing living standards gap

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the new funding model address key areas such as education, health care, housing and infrastructure, and human resources.

Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)

79. Healing Beyond the Residential School

WHEREAS the Government of Canada has the responsibility for Indians and lands reserved for Indians by virtue of 24 (2) of the Constitution of Canada, which responsibility included the education of Indian children which in turn created the Residential School system; and

WHEREAS the Government of Canada administered most of these schools, with certain religious organizations and provinces administering the remainder; and,

WHEREAS the Government of Canada issued an historic apology on June 11, 2008 to all aboriginal people who attended these schools as part of its Indian Residential School Settlement; and,

WHEREAS the Government of Canada's settlement only applies to aboriginal people who attended government-run schools; and,

WHEREAS aboriginal people who attended a residential school run by a religious organization or province have suffered similarly to students who attended government run schools;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to offer equivalent settlement to residential school survivors who attended schools that were run by religious organizations, provinces or were day schools.

Aboriginal Peoples Commission

78. Police Relations with First Nations

WHEREAS the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is a respected institution within Canadian Society; and

WHEREAS the RCMP is often the Police service which polices First Nations and Aboriginal Communities in Canada, and that First Nations are overrepresented in Correctional facilities and are more likely to be involved in confrontations with the RCMP; and

WHEREAS the RCMP have had issues with First Nations in Canda which often arise due to RCMP in-experience such as the Delbert Pelletier's shooting death in Saskatchewan, and Cst. Christopher Worden who was shot in Hay River, N.W.T. with a mere six (6) months of training.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to ensure that any officer of the RCMP or any officer from a Provincial Police Force like the Ontario Provincial Police have at least five (5) years training of police experience prior to being posted in a First Nation or Aboriginal Community.

Aboriginal Peoples Commission

82. Unfinished Treaty Business

WHEREAS the Government of Canada entered into eleven (11) numbered Treaties with First Nations across Canada including certain smaller First Nations by "temporarily" amalgamating them into larger units; and,

WHEREAS the Government of Canada would later issue Orders-in-Council that recognized each component bands as separate, individual entities; and,

WHEREAS the Government of Canada failed to complete its administrative work for some of these bands, thereby keeping them locked into artificial, government-created units; and,

WHEREAS a number of these bands who entered into these treaties based on promises made to them by the Government of Canada are calling on the Government of Canada to complete its unfinished Treaty business with them,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to complete its unfinished treaty business by granting Orders-in-Council to recognize of all bands that were "temporarily" amalgamated into larger artificial units, and today are still seeking recognition of their individual status.

Aboriginal Peoples Commission

72. Fundamental Human Rights

WHEREAS many Aboriginal communities in Canada live in Third World-like conditions; and

WHEREAS many Aboriginal Peoples in Canada suffer from illnesses caused by these conditions including: inadequate social housing, poor quality drinking water, and poor quality sewage infrastructure; and

WHEREAS all federal political parties publically apologized to Canada's Aboriginal Peoples for the cultural genocide caused by the residential school experience and have committed to begin a new positive chapter in Aboriginal-Canadian relations; and

WHEREAS many Aboriginal communities, especially those far removed from urban centres, such as the Kachechewan First Nation, continue to live in poverty as a result of the Eurocentric-like policies associated with the residential school experience.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to immediately develop and implement a comprehensive social living strategy that would address the issues of poor drinking water, inadequate sewage facilities, and subpar housing within the next five years.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada commit to developing and implementing its own social living strategy upon returning to government of the benefit of all Aboriginal Canadians.

Aboriginal Peoples Commission

Liberal Party of Nova Scotia

121. Amendments to the 1985 Indian Act

WHEREAS Canada and its legislation continues to refer to those under the Indian Act as "Indians within the meaning of the Indian Act (Chapter 27, Statutes of Canada - 1985);

WHEREAS a majority of the Indigenous populations take offence to being referred to as Indians as the term is generally in meaning to those who are culturally/ethnically linked to the nation of India;

WHEREAS it is the 21st century and Canada continues to use a colonial and archaic term when referring to the first peoples of North America;

WHEREAS currently those elected to Chief and Council are not held accountable to the people who elect them into office;

WHEREAS the only people Chief and Council must report to/listen to are the Federal Government of Canada, specifically the Minister of Indian Affairs and those within the Ministry of Indian Affairs;

WHEREAS this clause has allowed many Chief and Councils to take advantage of those who elect them all in order to benefit themselves or those who they deem fit to;

WHEREAS the lack of accountability/recall to those who elect them has led to undemocratic methods and the current system allows them to continually do this with no negative consequences on themselves until their mandate is up;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada meet with various First Nations groups, leaders, and communities to discuss a possible changing of name for the Ministry of Indian Affairs and all legislation related;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada take no longer than one year to work on a name change for Indian Affairs in order to allow a proper amount of time to discuss what is best suited in the eyes of those who are within the Indian Act (Chapter 27. Statutes of Canada - 1985);

BE IT RESOLVED THAT once a new name is changed, the Federal Government of Canada has up to five (5) years to amend/change any items that must be updated to reflect the name change;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada amend the Indian act to enforce accountability of Chief and Council to the people who elect them into their offices;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada only amend these two items with the consensus of the First Nations population who are recognized under the Indian Act (Chapter 27, Statutes of Canada - 1985).

Young Liberals of Canada

75. Supporting Canada's Aboriginal People

WHEREAS the Aboriginal population (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) is increasing in Canada, comprising 3.8% of Canada's population (15% in Manitoba and Saskatchewan) and has grown by 45% in the last decade;

WHEREAS a large segment of this population has been shut out of the economic benefits accruing to most Canadians;

WHEREAS the Kelowna Accord negotiated by the Liberal government, provinces/territories and Aboriginal groups was cancelled by the current government;

WHEREAS Canada was one of only four countries to vote against the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and endorses the principles in the Kelowna Accord;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide resources for Aboriginal people to establish a preferred future for themselves by strengthening their identity, governance relationships, and accountability among themselves and others;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada take immediate steps to provide clean drinking water on reserves

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada improve housing for Aboriginal peoples both on and off reserves

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide programs and services to improve living conditions by addressing substance abuse and violence in particular

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to devise and provide education programs that include cultural, lifestyle, employment and academic components.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to create economic development

Saskatchewan Liberal Association


73. First Nations

WHEREAS there is significant dissatisfaction expressed by Aboriginal peoples on numerous issue;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party liaise with Aboriginal leaders to develop a process whereby the Indian Act is examined with a view to either its modernization or deletion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the context of the above, the Liberal Party include the Kelowna Accord in discussions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party immediately introduces measures to preserve First Nations Languages, possibly by providing funds to those Canadian Universities with both Language Departments and Departments dedicated to First Nations studies. These departments would be expected to work in a partnership with appointed First Nations leaders and academics, which include First Nations, Métis, Inuit and non-status Aboriginals.

Liberal Party of Canada (British Columbia)


76. Prosperity and Empowerment for Aboriginal Women

WHEREAS Aboriginal women in Canada suffer from social and economic inequality and continue to experience these negative effects as a result of their marginalization within Canadian society; and

WHEREAS a result of these poor conditions, Aboriginal women in Canada are exposed to increased levels of violence, a overall lower degree of personal safety, inadequate access to education and health, and still face a struggle when dealing with sensitive issues such as matrimonial and real property; and

WHEREAS the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to equality, prosperity and social justice for all Canadians;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada will work with the Government of Canada to establish an agency dedicated to the pursuit of empowering Aboriginal women with the tools required to build stronger foundations for life and opportunity; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada will create a branch within ,the Department of Human Resources and Social Development in conjunction with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs as a directorate specifically for the benefit of Aboriginal women in Canada.

Aboriginal Peoples Commission


77. Métis Economic Development Policy

WHEREAS the Constitution Act of 1982 s.35 recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, which includes Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada; and

WHEREAS the principle of equality is entrenched within the Constitution Act 1982, s. 15; and

WHEREAS a broad range of economic development programs and services are provided by the Government of Canada to Indian and Inuit peoples but not to the Métis; and

WHEREAS the Métis people of Canada seek to develop economic opportunities and the creation of wealth within their communities; and

WHEREAS the lack of economic development programs and services to Métis people within Canada is a significant barrier to the economic progress of the Métis Nation without Prejudice to current funding levels provided to the Indian and Inuit within Canada.

THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Canada acknowledges the concept of equality as a fundamental principle in Aboriginal economic development programs and service delivery; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Métis specific economic development programs and services be developed and funded by the Government of Canada which do not negatively impact funding levels and/or program components of existing Aboriginal economic development programs and services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government of Canada undertake a process of consultations with the full participation of representatives of the Métis people, leading to the development of a range of economic development programs and services to ensure the full participation of Métis people in the economy of Canada.

Aboriginal Peoples Commission

Resolution #75

WHEREAS the Aboriginal population (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) is increasing in Canada, comprising 3.8% of Canada's population (15% in Manitoba and Saskatchewan) and has grown by 45% in the last decade;

WHEREAS a large segment of this population has been shut out of the economic benefits accruing to most Canadians;

WHEREAS the Kelowna Accord negotiated by the Liberal government, provinces/territories and Aboriginal groups was cancelled by the current government;

WHEREAS Canada was one of only four countries to vote against the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and endorses the principles in the Kelowna Accord;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide resources for Aboriginal people to establish a preferred future for themselves by strengthening their identity, governance relationships, and accountability among themselves and others;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada take immediate steps to provide clean drinking water on reserves

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada improve housing for Aboriginal peoples both on and off reserves

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide programs and services to improve living conditions by addressing substance abuse and violence in particular

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to devise and provide education programs that include cultural, lifestyle, employment and academic components.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to create economic development

Saskatchewan Liberal Association

Repost: Why Is Free Speech Important

I recall hearing this from some movie and came across this website that had this poem...

Why is Free Speech so important?...

Why speak up about things that don't seem to affect you?
Perhaps Pastor Martin Neimoller's view in one version of his quote will answer that question.
He supported the Nazis until he realized, too late, what they were really about and was sent to Dachau concentration camp.
He was one of the fortunate to be freed and live until 1984.

First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Social Democrats,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Social Democrat.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up,
because I wasn't a Jew,
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.