As protests and Idle No More rallies continued across the country, with some escalating to temporary blockades of roads and railways, Lake Babine Nation Chief Wilf Adam described his take on events of the past few weeks.
Adam credits Chief Theresa Spence and her hunger protest with playing a large part in why Prime Minister Stephan Harper agreed to meet with chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) at a mini-summit in Ottawa on Jan. 11, 2013. For Adam, who was in Ottawa at the time but not at the event, it was a productive meeting.
Chief Shawn Atleo, AFN National Chief, told Adam that it was his intention was to 鈥榮et the table for First Nations to negotiate with the federal government on a high level.鈥�
鈥淚 think he achieved that,鈥� said Adam.
Atleo鈥檚 achievements aside, Adam expressed some frustration with what he called the 鈥榤oving goalpost鈥� of demands that Chief Spence iterated regarding conditions that would end her fast from solid food.
鈥淥riginally, when Chief Atleo went to see her [Spence], she said that she wanted a meeting with the prime minister and then she would end her fast,鈥� said Adam.
When it became clear that the Harper would have a meeting with Spence and representatives of the AFN, the chiefs worked together to develop a framework for discussions.
鈥淎ll the executives of the 10 provinces [provincial assemblies of First Nations] and of the two territories unanimously agreed to an eight-point plan to present to the prime minister,鈥� said Adam. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 just ask for a meeting with the prime minister without having something in place.鈥�
The eight-point agenda calls for a renewal of high-level 鈥榥ation-to-nation鈥� treaty talks, resolution of land claims, resource revenue sharing, the repeal of some aspects of C-38 and C-45 omnibus bill legislation, a transformed fiscal relationship, a national public inquiry into violence against indigenous women, schools in every First Nation, and a special cabinet committee dedicated to First Nation/Crown relationships.
In the final days leading up to the meeting, Spence modified her demands. She now wanted to include the governor general in the meeting with all the chiefs present.
鈥淭hat really took things off keel for a while,鈥� said Adam. 鈥淭hey lost focus a little bit.鈥�
As of Jan. 16, 2012, Spence was maintaining her hunger action despite calls from some chiefs to end her fast as the meeting between the AFN and Harper had happened.
The Jan. 11 meeting was accompanied by many Idle No More rallies across the country in support of the 鈥榙ay of action鈥�.
Adam supports Idle No More, although he is concerned by the possibility that the grassroots movement could be co-opted by more militant activists.
鈥淪ome of the chiefs in the prairies were very militant and wanted to shut down the whole province, anything that moves,鈥� said Adam. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a big concern. I hope they heed the words of the co-founders, that it is a peaceful movement to educate the public.鈥�
Adam continues to work with the B.C. Assembly of First Nations to deal with the local challenges his band faces, like solving housing and treaty issues.
鈥淗ere in B.C. there鈥檚 only a few First Nations that have signed treaties,鈥� said Adam. 鈥淚n our case, we do have a treaty of 1906, but it鈥檚 not recognized by the government. That鈥檚 one of the things we鈥檙e putting on the table.鈥�
Adam expects the agenda set forth in the eight-point plan will continue on track under the direction of the AFN.
鈥淥ur next step is to meet in Vancouver on Jan. 24 and 25 with all the chiefs in B.C.,鈥� said Adam. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 our next step so that we can move the agenda forward.鈥�
亚洲天堂 Lake Band Chief Albert Gerow shares Adam鈥檚 sentiments regarding keeping things under the direction of the AFN.
鈥淚 would like to call upon all chiefs from across Canada to join together and follow the direction of our National Chief Shawn Atleo, and your respective Regional AFN Chiefs,鈥� said Gerow. 鈥淚t's only through the strength we bring forward collectively, that will achieve the change we desire, and our people deserve.鈥�
