AIAI WILL FORGE AHEAD WITH OR WITHOUT THE CROWN
For Immediate Release:
January 25, 2012
Ottawa, ON – The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians viewed yesterday’s historic Crown-First Nation Gathering as an opportunity for the government of Canada to reset the relationship with First Nations that would pave a path for peace, equality, trust and reconcile the Treaty and Nation to Nation relationship.
It seems that the Harper government has not taken full advantage of this opportunity. Instead they have chosen to continue the status quo, by forming task forces and continuing to work within the antiquated Indian Act.
The AIAI proposed real and achievable solutions that would see the government of Canada and First Nations taking concrete steps with clear milestones for accomplishing the dismantling of the colonial system, including the phasing out of the Indian Act, the creation of government to government mechanisms, and the clear acknowledgement of the inherent and treaty rights of Indigenous Nations.
Grand Chief Stonefish stated, “Our Chiefs offered realistic solutions to the Prime Minister, he appeared to be listening but it is obvious that he and his government did not or chose not hear our message.”
One distressing concern is that the Prime Ministers intends to “work around the Indian Act”, by creating legislation specific to First Nations. This patchwork method has not worked in the past and has only offered delegated authority to First Nations. The root of Canada’s policy of extinguishment and colonization will remain, the Indian Act.
Chief Sandra Moore of the Hiawatha First Nation states, “Our communities, families, and children are tired of waiting for action from the government. It is our responsibility to forge ahead, making a better world for our future generations. The Canadian government can either walk with us and support us in this effort or it can step out of our way.”
Chief Dean Sayers, Batchewana First Nation shared similar sentiments, “The Federal government has Treaty obligations that it refuses to recognize, we must implement our treaties with or without them.”
Regardless of the message the federal government has put out, AIAI First Nations will continue to work towards developing and implementing solutions that will improve the situations of their citizens and future generations.
AIAI is mandated as a political territorial organization to defend and enhance the Aboriginal and Treaty rights of its eight member First Nations. Visit them online at www.aiai.on.ca, www.facebook.com/aiai.pto, https://twitter.com/#!/aiai_comms , www.youtube.com/user/AIAIAdmin.
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For more information, please contact: John Jones, Communications Coordinator - AIAI at 519-434-2761 or jjones@aiai.on.ca .
