We all recall that the last time a Trudeau tried to do something major in the way of aboriginal issues and "the Indian problem" it did not go so well (Google "the white paper").
Yet, a mere 48 years later, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trying to renovate the relationship between Canada and First Nations by reorganizing Indian and Northern Affairs Canada into two new departments - one that will focus on governance, policy and consultation, another that will focus on service delivery.
I must, for the first time since his election, give our prime minister a smidgen of credit: the job of INAC is indeed far too deep and wide for a single department to handle, as years of chronic mismanagement has shown. In simple governmental terms, by reorganizing it into two different departments - one for "software," the other for "hardware" - our PM is not only acknowledging the difficulties but showing he's serious about refocusing the bureaucracy.
What is absolutely key to understand in all of this is that breaking apart INAC and reconstituting its cabinet ministers is just about everything the federal government can do in a large sweeping gesture; the rest will be up to the quality of the policy crafted by the interns and the aboriginal leaders' acquiescence to a new relationship with the feds through this new framework. Those are some big variables but for the first time since 2015 I have cause to hope.
To be clear, this doesn't absolve the government of trying to buy off aboriginal leaders' support by repealing accountability legislation for band finances, nor does it show that clean drinking water and better infrastructure are just around the corner. There is still an awful lot to be done, and it is clear that many aboriginals throughout Canada are losing patience with Trudeau's rhetoric not matching the funding and political support needed to get projects started.
But in a rare moment of clarity and goodwill, it would appear that prime minister and his band of merry cabiniteers might have tacitly admitted that things weren't working so they needed to change. I would argue we all need to show some gratitude for this action.
Final words of caution are in order, however. First, the rhetoric citing colonialism during the announcement for these new departments is a complete waste of air. I don't need my story or my people's story constantly put through a single spurious language filter that has been endorsed by radicals making hay at TRC meetings. If you're here to help, just say you're here to help, and skip the litany of sins recited in their appropriated, incomprehensible Marxist tongue.
Second, if people are really serious about "returning to the original spirit and intent of the treaties," we need to recall that two-row Wampum Belts really do have two rows, which infers an organic, living exchange. All that to say, the post-white paper, boomer nullity of protest-based aboriginal identity needs to end; aboriginal communities need to have something to gain as well as something to offer in federal agreements.
That inevitably means economic development.
Third and last, the government needs to use this reset to release some aspects of hardware from the evil of politicization. It's not just pipelines - it's the lack of infrastructure going north period.
This is both a question of development as well as truly living as one, united Canada. There ought to be ways for fellow citizens and investors to get into our most abundant regions easily by rail, ship or automobile. Investments there will make the north flourish.
I look forward to what the breaking up of INAC might do for aboriginal people across Canada.
Yes the relationship between the Crown and we, the Indians, has always been difficult; but as one reads the Royal Proclamation, it becomes clear that the relationship really did start with the best of intentions.
I hope we live up to the principles of our ancestors, white and red.
