But a far more dangerous rift is now developing between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadians.
And
Non-aboriginals are angered over what they see as a two-tiered justice system that favours aboriginals.
Why, they ask, are protesters allowed to occupy public and private lands to press for a settlement of their land claims?
They say that if any other group of Canadians adopted such illegal tactics, they'd be promptly removed, probably jailed.
While violence was avoided in the latest confrontation between the two sides a week ago, the message
It tells aboriginals that if they want politicians to take their land claims seriously, they need to seize and occupy land.
It tells everyone else that there are two sets of laws in
The longer this goes on, the greater the wedge being driven between the two sides.
In that context, how much sympathy does Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, or Prime Minister Stephen Harper, think Canadians are going to have for a report released last week by the federal ombudsman for inmates that says aboriginals are being discriminated against in federal prisons?
Ombudsman Howard Sapers reports aboriginals -- who make up less than 3% of Canada's population but comprise almost 20% of inmates -- are more likely to be put into maximum security than other prisoners and more likely to be denied early parole and rehabilitation programs.
Sapers says it's because the correction system discriminates against aboriginals. We'd say it's because aboriginals -- for reasons such as high unemployment, poverty, illiteracy and addiction -- commit a disproportionate amount of crime, and repeat crime. Thus, it's hardly surprising they face a tougher time when it comes to things like obtaining early parole.
Either way, the best method to attack the root causes of this problem is by addressing the appalling social conditions many aboriginals face, particularly on reserves. But standoffs like