By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

OTTAWA, Canada — The Canadian government pledged to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in addressing at least some of the demands by First Nations communities, which have protested for better treatment.

Canadian leaders promise more talks with First Nations leaders after ongoing aboriginal protests demanding protection of rights and better living conditions on native reserves. (Photo Courtesy of CBC News)

Talks between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a group of native chiefs ended Friday, leading to a promise to spend C$330.8 million during the next two years to improve water systems on aboriginal lands.  The government also promised further “high-level dialogue.”

“Our Government is committed to addressing water and wastewater issues on reserves to ensure that First Nations communities have access to safe drinking water,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan in a statement.

The government’s pledge will improve water systems in more than 50 First Nations communities on reservations where complaints target poor infrastructure and housing.

Since November 2012, natives have held protests in a movement called “Idle No More,” which quickly spread.  The demonstrations are aimed at attacking a proposed legislative budget bill called “Bill C-45,” which would change the Navigable Protection Act and the Indian Act, leading many to believe it would breach aboriginal treaty rights.

Native leaders have demanded more federal money, a greater say over what happens to resources on their land, and more respect from the federal government.  Protestors have held demonstrations in a movement called “Idle No More” since November.  At times, the protests have blocked roads and included hunger strikes, including the liquid-only diet of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence since December 11.

Prior to Friday’s talks, native groups warned that the protest was large enough to hurt Canada’s national economy unless the government addressed natives’ deplorable living conditions and high jobless rates.

“We have the warriors that are standing up now, that are willing to go that far,” Grand Chief Derek Nepinak from Manitoba said on Thursday before the talks.  “We’re not here to make requests; we’re here to demand attention.

“We have had enough,” Nepinak added.  “Our young people have had enough.  Our women have had enough.  We have nothing else to lose.”

Aboriginal leaders claimed that the federal government has ignored treaties signed with British settlers and explorers that granted their people rights over their territory.

Canada has 1.2 million natives and more than 600 indigenous reserves dating back to 1763.  The Canadian government spends roughly C$11 billion every year on its aboriginal population, but many reserves are plagued by poverty.  Living conditions on the reservations are low, and some communities have high rates of addiction, unemployment, and suicide.

For further information, please see:

Reuters — Canada Pledges Better Water for Aboriginals Amid Blockade Threat — 13 January 2013

CBC News — Idle No More Protests Go on After PM Meets AFN Leaders — 12 January 2013

BBC News — Canada Native Meeting Ends with Pledge of Further Talks — 11 January 2013

PressTV — Canada Chief Warns of Native Retaliation — 11 January 2013

Author: Impunity Watch Archive