Changes to Indian Act discussed at Crown-First Nations gathering in Ottawa
Posted January 24, 2012 6:08 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Words of hope and talk of a new path forward helped launch the Crown-First Nations gathering taking place in Ottawa.
It is the first summit of its kind in six years.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston opened the discussions with a call for change.
Harper said he wants to update the Indian Act and bring it in line with modern practices.
“Where it is not working for First Nations we must act, act aggressively and act together,” he said.
National Chief Shawn Atleo welcomed the pledge but is still calling for the act to be abolished, saying it is meant to destroy his people.
“It is well past time that we begin to undo the damage that act has inflicted on our peoples and to our partnership,” explained Atleo.
Harper said he wants to make several amendments to the act but not scrap it all together.
“After 136 years that tree has deep roots. Blowing up the stump would just leave a big hole.”
Atleo called the act a boulder in the path of progress but said that whether it is abolished or not, they cannot fail to make some major changes in the months ahead.
“It is up to us, all of us, to ensure that this time we deliver new hope and new opportunity, not the bitter ashes of disappointment to our peoples,” he said.
Both sides agree they want to work collaboratively to expand economic opportunities for reserves, deal with housing problems and improve education for young aboriginals.
