The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples just released the following statement that began this way:
“I have been in communication with the Government of Canada to express my deep concern about the dire social and economic condition of the Attawapiskat First Nation, which exemplifies the conditions of many aboriginal communities in the country.
In diplomat-speak, that’s opening with a body slam.
The Rapporteur, James Anaya (left), then goes on to suggest that the situation on First Nations in general in Canada is a result of widespread systemic discrimination by this and previous federal governments. Anaya raps Ottawa on the wrist for resisting investigations into this allegation and demands to know more:
… the Government has allegedly been resisting efforts by the Canadian Human Rights Commission to inquire into allegations of discrimination on the basis of national or ethnic origin related to disparities in funding provided to First Nations as compared to non-aboriginal communities, inquiries that have been requested by First Nations themselves.
In a communication sent to the Canadian authorities on 19 December 2011, I asked the Government to express its views about the accuracy of this information, and requested further details regarding official programs currently in place to address the disparate social and economic conditions of First Nations communities, as compared to non-Aboriginal communities, as well as the disparate social and economic conditions between and among First Nation communities.
UPDATE: A response from the federal government:
Our Government will correct the inaccuracies in this statement, beginning with the fact that the Special Rapporteur did not name Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs correctly. Our Government is focused on the needs of the residents of Attawapiskat – not publicity stunts. We are also focused on addressing deep-rooted issues that have plagued Canada’s First Nations communities for generations. As we are delivering for Attawapiskat, we will continue to strive for real and lasting results for our First Nations population.
Considering the Conservatives like to cut and run rather than live up to their obligations, can we expect gov to close down the CHRC? Perhaps they’d rather just pull out of the U.N. to avoid having abused Canadians take their plight to the international stage?
Maybe if we found out where the $90 million went in the last 5 years!!!! Maybe the Chiefs invested the money elsewhere perhaps!(Cuba) But the left always want to blame Government, but when the Govt. wants to open the books, OH, bloody murder, we can’t do that, can’t make anybody accountable.I have a feeling that jail terms would follow for many Chiefs and such. The left though wants to throw more money at the problem instead of finding the root cause.THAT’S THERE WAY.