I have never stated an opinion on Aboriginal issues. I am not very well informed, actually. Everyone seems to have a position of one kind or another so degree of knowledge is practically irrelevant. I have an opinion based upon the knowledge that I do possess.
I once knew a not-too-bright individual (American recent immigrant) who once stated in all seriousness that the Aboriginals should all be sent back to Australia where they belong (no kidding). So, I think I can do a bit better than that, at least with respect to rights and dignity of person.
If I had my way I would terminate the Indian Act and distribute the budget (% of GDP) of the Department of Indian Affairs, annually, to the respective nations according to the percentage they are receiving now. Rather like a federal transfer payment to a province. In fact, the nations would become pseudo-provinces … provinces in all but name. No receipt of federal monies then no pseudo-province. No more paternalism; immediate self-government by their own means; no right of the federal government to interfere.
My position is that Aboriginal peoples have a distinctiveness that needs to be recognized in some way. And as I am decentralist and supportive of community and culture, I like to think that I would empower the Aboriginal community -- including membership within it. So if they don't want you or me as a member then they can determine that. Or, if they wanted you or me as a member then they can determine that, too. This, by the way, a power real provinces do not possess.
Plus third-party arbitration of the 1000 or so existing land claims with a mandatory four year deadline. Probably get South Africa to be the arbitrator as we, ourselves, have proven to be incapable negotiators. But that's just me. I see no reason why problems require hundreds of years to resolve when resolution is known to be necessary.
Does this thinking make me an aboriginalist? In any case, it is the position from which I observe and interpret all information as may flow my way on Aboriginal issues.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Aboriginal Issues
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The issues is very complex. As I understand it, the aboriginal tradition treats ownership much differently than does our consumption based competitive society. Land ownership was a completely foreign concept to a people that viewed themselves as part of the land, not the masters of it. In some respects I think their way was better than our system which allows private interests to consume our water and land to produce oil with barely a passing thought to the mess we are leaving for future generations.
ReplyDeleteCan the aboriginal issue be solved with money? Probably not. Can all the land claims be resolved? Perhaps, but it will be difficult. Can we respect the aboriginal peoples sufficiently to acknowledge that their traditions are at least as worthy as our own? This is something we can and must do. It is only when we treat them as worthy and honorable neighbors and friends that progress can be made. If your radical approach helps move that along then I say “have at it”.