Recent stories in the Whig-Standard paint a worrisome picture of the state of relations between our governments and the First Nations of Canada.
One concerns the firing of Larry Hay as police chief of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory ("Tyendinaga police chief Hay 'relieved of duties,' " Jan. 30). I have met Hay and have seen him work in a highly emotional, cross-cultural situation in which his skills and belief in restorative justice helped the participants to a successful resolution. His empathy and credibility were valued by all involved.
OPP officers on the front lines, some of whom are going out of their way to create trust and understanding with the individuals on both sides of ongoing protests, must feel undermined by the institution they serve. OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino's claim that the band council was consulted in the firing has been refuted. The "consultation" was a short meeting informing council of the decision ("Fired police chief suing province," Jan. 31). This patronizing approach is consistent with the way our governments have dealt with First Nations throughout our mutual history.
Another story in the Whig ("Restore rule in Caledonia, Tory urges," Feb. 14) outlines Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory's opinion that the Liberal government is "letting the respect for the law - the backbone of our entire system - crumble." How ironic that statement must seem to aboriginal people whose rights and lawful land claims have been given lip service throughout the period of colonization.
Treaties are law. Why is Tory not outraged that they have been ignored for so long? Does that show respect for the rule of law? How would the governments of Ontario or Canada react now if we had been treated in this way by people we had welcomed to our land in friendship? From that perspective, doesn't the "rampant lawlessness in First Nations communities" seem restrained?
Numerous articles and letters published in the Whig have highlighted the struggles of the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) to find sustainable funding. Supporting culturally appropriate education is a way of helping First Nations regain the pride, identity and strength their long history merits. By helping build this capacity, governments could begin to build trust, allowing new energy to be put into reunifying First Nations internally so they can again deal as equals in solving conflict with governments.
In order for FNTI to accomplish this, our governments have to work together for solutions rather than looking for loopholes to avoid their responsibilities. It is unproductive for the "Catch 22" gamesmanship to continue, with the province insisting that First Nations are in the federal jurisdiction through the Indian Act, and the federal government countering that education is a provincial matter.
Hay should be reinstated as police chief and invited to use his skills and credibility with many to build genuine dialogue so as to restore relationships between governments and First Nations. Do bureaucrats and politicians have the courage to deal with him in an open and restorative manner? Doing so could be a first step toward Ontario, and eventually Canada, moving into a relationship with its First Nations of which we can finally be proud.
Dave G. Stewart
Kingston