Harper heading for trouble on native issues By Doug Cuthand, Times ColonistDecember 17, 2011 2:39 AM The past few weeks have seen a sea change in relations between First Nations and Canada's Conservative government. The government's reaction to the events at the northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat has cast a chill across Indian Country. Its tactic of blaming the victim has not been well-received. It appears future humanitarian disasters will receive the same shabby treatment. Assembly of First Nations leader Shawn Atleo had been trying to make nice with the government, but Attawapiskat has changed that. The chiefs are angry, and Atleo must get in front of the parade if he expects to lead them. His tactic of being a conciliator and partner with the federal government has blown up in his face. In any event, Atleo was most likely wasting his time. This is a government that doesn't know how to negotiate or compromise, and Stephen Harper is running the country as if he has been handed a blank cheque. While Attawapiskat had serious housing and financial issues, these were overlooked with the appointment of a third-party manager. I imagine that the Prime Minister's Office told the colonial office to deal with the issue, and it responded with the heavy hand of third-party management. Attawapiskat already was under an agreement that placed a co-manager in charge of the band finances, and the financial control issues were being addressed. Chief and council were working to improve things. The third-party manager was introduced after the chief and council brought international attention to their plight. The message is clear: This is a narrow-minded, vindictive government, so don't step out of line. Third-party management is the imposition of an Indian agent on the First Nation. Chief and council are left powerless to lead their community. The cost to the First Nation will be $180,000 for six months of colonial control, plus expenses. The payment will come from the band's existing budget, and will mean layoffs. Third-party management has a spotty record of success. Most often the situation does not improve, which indicates that underfunding of First Nations communities, rather than band mismanagement, is the issue. Chief Theresa Spence and council kicked the third-party manager out of the community, and rightly so. They saw it as an affront to their people. They needed help, but the government sent in an auditor. As the week wore on, it became apparent that Aboriginal Affairs Minster John Duncan was not up to the challenge. But as is so often the case in Ottawa these days, the PMO is running the show and it's giving free rein to the colonial office bureaucrats. Duncan is a mere passenger on a runaway train. The Conservative government's policies in relation to First Nations lack direction and clarity. What is its end game? Does it even know? So far, the Conservatives have focused on chiefs' salaries and election reforms. In reality, many First Nations post their audits online and the "band custom" option in the Indian Act allows First Nations to enact election regulations. Many First Nations have gone the band-custom route and, in the process, reduced the size of council and created a fairer election process. The Harper government is merely catching up with reality and trying to dress it up as progress. The old Reform party policies of accountability and privatization of First Nations land are not an end in themselves. Rather, they appear vindictive, and a way to teach Indians a lesson. These policies are getting old. The issue that faces Attawapiskat and other First Nations communities is the development of reserve economies. Without an economic base, these communities will continue to wallow in poverty and dysfunction. But as history has proved time and again, the answers must come from the communities. We need a multi-pronged attack. First, we need to deal with the immediate humanitarian crisis and improve living conditions. Then we need a serious look at developing First Nations funding that's on par with provincial levels for services such as education and welfare. Third, we need a comprehensive look at First Nations economies with action plans and financial incentives. Will the government be proactive or will it continue to blame the victim? We could be entering the winter of our discontent, to be followed by a summer of unrest. Doug Cuthand writes on First Nations issues for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix.
