Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Bandustan plan

The hereditary chiefs want to talk to Canada “nation to nation.” Fine. Let’s work out a way for that to happen. South Africa faced similar issues a few decades ago.

The hereditary chiefs want to talk to Canada “nation to nation.” Fine. Let’s work out a way for that to happen.

South Africa faced similar issues a few decades ago. They created “Bandustans”, tribal homelands that had nation status (not that many other states recognized them).  We could do the same here, with modifications.

Take the Wet’suwet’en Nation. The territory it now claims would become a nation, entitled to pass its own laws and police them. As as a separate nation, Canada and the provinces would cease any funding. The band could decide if it wished to be ruled by elected leaders or hereditary chiefs. Some Bandustans were more independent than others and that might be necessary here too.

So many problems solved!  

First Nations people now living in urban areas could chose to remain in Canada and be equal to everyone else under law or to return to their homelands. The bands could decide who would be or would not be a member.

Pipelines and other such projects would be negotiated between the band and the companies. Given past and present performance, I cannot see too many companies investing much with any band, but one never knows.  

This would apply only to bands without a treaty in place so areas covered by the numbered treaties and others would not change. British Columbia would have the most bandustans as Governor Douglas did not sign many treaties thinking all would become equal in a few decades.

If a vote were to be taken by First Nations to become independent or to remain in Canada, I doubt it would pass.  Practicality would rule over idealism. For those that remained in Canada, hereditary chiefs would have the same powers as our Queen and elected leaders would govern the whole territory claimed.

Problems solved.

Willow Arune

Prince George