Sign in Subscribe
Political parties

Aboriginal Leaders Worry About Harper's Approach to Aboriginal Issues

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The election of Stephen Harper as the new Prime Minister-elect has raised concerns among Aboriginal leaders about the future of their community. Monte Solberg, a former Reform Party of Canada member and now a member of the new government's caucus, has expressed skepticism about the Kelowna agreement, a $5.1 billion investment commitment to Canada's Aboriginal population. However, Jim Prentice, the Conservative's Indian Affairs critic, had previously stated that his party supported the agreement. The two differing opinions have left Aboriginal leaders wondering which ideology will prevail in federal Indian policy: Prentice's Progressive Conservative approach or Solberg's Reform Party stance. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and several Metis groups have urged their members to vote and endorsed the Liberals, while the Conservative Party's letter to the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) leader Dwight Dorey has been met with criticism from some Metis people. The letter, signed by Harper, makes commitments to reducing Aboriginal poverty, amending Section 67 of the Human Rights Act, and providing clearer jurisdiction over provincial-federal responsibilities. Harper has also pledged to review the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and to realign federal Aboriginal expenditures to better meet the needs of off-reserve and non-status Indians.

Key Takeaways:

  • Monte Solberg, a former Reform Party of Canada member, has expressed skepticism about the Kelowna agreement, a $5.1 billion investment commitment to Canada's Aboriginal population.
  • Jim Prentice, the Conservative's Indian Affairs critic, had previously stated that his party supported the Kelowna agreement.
  • The two differing opinions have left Aboriginal leaders wondering which ideology will prevail in federal Indian policy: Prentice's Progressive Conservative approach or Solberg's Reform Party stance.
  • The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and several Metis groups have urged their members to vote and endorsed the Liberals.
  • The Conservative Party's letter to the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) leader Dwight Dorey has been met with criticism from some Metis people.
  • The letter, signed by Harper, makes commitments to reducing Aboriginal poverty, amending Section 67 of the Human Rights Act, and providing clearer jurisdiction over provincial-federal responsibilities.
  • Harper has also pledged to review the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and to realign federal Aboriginal expenditures to better meet the needs of off-reserve and non-status Indians.
  • Chief Stewart Phillip of the Penticton Indian Band warned that a Conservative government would essentially declare war on the Aboriginal people of Canada and lead to a decade of conflict and confrontation.

Statistics:

  • $5.1 billion: the investment commitment made in the Kelowna agreement.
  • 5-10 years: the timeframe for reducing Aboriginal poverty as outlined in the Kelowna agreement.
  • 2 years: the amount of time spent on nationwide consultations and conferences before the Kelowna first ministers meeting.
  • 8 pages: the length of the letter signed by Harper to CAP leader Dwight Dorey.
  • 4 decades: the amount of time spent on "passing the buck" in federal Indian policy.

Sources:

  • CJWW Radio interview with Monte Solberg
  • Press release from the Penticton Indian Band Chief Stewart Phillip
  • Letter from Harper to CAP leader Dwight Dorey
  • Assembly of First Nations website
  • Congress of Aboriginal Peoples website
  • Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples report
  • Windspeaker article by Paul Barnsley

Read more