‘It is an important moment for us’

Wawatay (WWT): There has been another Crown-Treaty gathering with the federal government since the last Annual General Assembly (AGA). How does what was discussed there and what has or hasn’t happened since then influence what happens at the AGA and influence the agenda?
Shawn Atleo (SA): The agenda itself has come together around that sense of empowerment. But where the AGA is happening, in the Yukon, for 20 years the majority of the Yukon communities have been outside of the Indian Act. They’ve displaced the Indian Act with an umbrella agreement that they arrived at 20 years ago. It’s a very unique jurisdiction of the country to be having an assembly take place. There will be major discussions about displacing the Indian Act with our own solutions, and First Nations leaders from different parts of the country will be there to discuss displacing the Indian Act with their own solutions. And that has happened in the Yukon. The Indian Act does not apply there, and they are driving their solutions on their own merit.
That doesn’t mean that they are without their challenges, in implementing these agreements and to see the spirit and the intent of the agreement upheld by Canada. Which are words that First Nations in other parts of the country who have treaties have yet to see them implemented in the spirit and intent. So these are where we have chances to find areas of common and the links between them to bring forward to Canada. These are major priorities, these areas of rights treaties and comprehensive claims. And the press since the January 11 meeting is to push Canada to match words with actions. There is some conversations where treaty leaders are stepping forward to test the will of the government to make good on those words, and I think that will be a major part of the discussion in compelling government to match words with real action in a timely way.
WWT: The Yukon is, as you say, a very interesting example. Do you look at that example as something for First Nations in other regions of the country to take some of the positives of what’s happened in the Yukon and see how those can be incorporated in the different regions?
SA: I think my role and the role of the AFN, is just as the title says, is to assemble. To bring the First Nations together to exchange ideas about how, while recognizing the diversity and supporting each other’s autonomy, to build strength by finding areas in common. I think that’s the potential of every AGA when we come together. Its also about me clarifying that its not my role to negotiate with the Prime Minister. It is really up to the First Nations to themselves come to the table. Our job is to push the government to sit with the nations on a treaty by treaty, nation to nation basis. So when you see the two major topics, big topics like comprehensive claims and the relationship between treaty implementation challenges, where you’ve got a government that consistently brings about unilateral legislative initiatives that attempt to overstep both treaty and in some cases modern day agreements, it’s a chance to exchange these notes and to recognize the diversity, that it is not one-size fits all, but its about respecting the approaches of the nations and working with the First Nations leaders and their citizens. And for us at the assembly, it’s a chance to reflect on the past six months to a year, and to keep considering the role of how best to bring about our role.
WWT: This has been an interesting past year with Idle No More, which really captured a lot of excitement and attention. There are a lot of people who believe Idle No More is a grassroots movement, without the chiefs, without AFN. The title of the gathering and some of the workshops, with the focus on empowering citizens to drive change, how does that fit into the Idle No More discussion?
SA: I think its about being inspired by, you know, when you’ve got youngsters walking 1,600 kms from the shores of James Bay, to me they are part of a major group that I consider leaders of this generation. They are saying that what is happening in our communities needs to change. It is by and large an incredibly powerfully positive and inspirational message of coming together and raising the consciousness of Canadians, and of standing up for the environment. I think the level of consciousness with the growing youth population is what is particularly inspiring at this moment, and is a position of strength.
I know since I’ve been in this role as national chief we’ve seen the advent of social media. I’ve said lets do more online programs, lets make sure we involve as many people as possible other than our standard meetings, including web-based platforms. We’ve found that reaching out has helped to enhance both the involvement of a greater diversity of voices. This organization is, I compare it to the United Nations, where I hold meetings to bring nations together and its up to them to work through and find solutions together and in turn for the leaders to work with their citizens and to respect that that is the role of First Nations government. And the chiefs have been very supportive in finding ways to include the voices of citizens, even when we’ve had reduced funding and resources.
This is what this invitation includes at our assembly in asking Marilyn Jensen, the Yukon Idle No More representative, to lead a panel discussions on this work of how it is we work together as First Nations leaders and citizens. We need to work together, that is where our strength lies. What I hear when I speak to people in every region is the notion that we might be diverse, but we’ve got to keep finding ways to come together. We’re stronger when we work together, and that continues to be the theme that I’m hearing as we head into Whitehorse.
WWT: Its quite a broad range of issues to be discussed at the AGA. What for you is most exciting, or what sessions are you going to make sure not to miss?
SA: Well I hope to be a part of all of it. There are major reflective pieces, like this is the 250th anniversary of the royal proclamation and the Elders are going to be leading a discussion that has to do with our lawmaking, our unity and preparations for this commemoration. What does it mean for us to be in this relationship with the Crown and with this country?
There will be honourings of some people like the late Jim Sinclair and Elijah Harper, those are going to be incredibly poignant moments, as we have many leaders who have stood steadfastly in this challenge for a long time. We’re only the latest generation to do so.
I think there’s some interesting elements here that show there’s increasing consciousness amongst Canadians. You have Jim Prentice prepared to come and speak about First Nations leading sustainability. You’ve got people like Bob Rae who left government to support First Nations negotiating in the area of natural resources. We’ve got both opposition leaders who will be present in different moments. Its important both in the consciousness raising amongst our own people most importantly, but also amongst Canadians to understand that they are a part of these challenges as well as the opportunities. If First Nations are empowered to become strong, healthy and prosperous, that’s going to be good for Canada. To hear prominent Canadians stepping forward and being prepared to be part of this discussion, I think that’s really important.
WWT: When you sit down, and the leaders sit down in these strategy sessions, how important is it in your view to come up with a national strategy or a cohesive approach across the regional differences?
SA: I think firstly its nations and regions finding those approaches between and amongst themselves that has to be the highest priority. There’s no question the AFN was struck initially with a shared national priority to push back on government-led initiatives that were intended to overstep the right of First Nations to say for themselves. There are these moments of shared consensus that unilateral decision making on a bill that is creating regulations for water but doesn’t deliver clean drinking water is not the way forward. Or an attempt to drape all First Nations with a singular education legislation is not the way forward. So we find these areas in common. And I think the next piece is to press the government to go to those nations and for the nations themselves to articulate what is their vision for education, how is it that education can and must be delivered. First Nations have had a vision for education for 30 years, Indian control of Indian education. So there are longstanding points of consensus. Treaty implementation, for example, is a shared sense by everybody. How to accomplish it and how to get the government to come to the table, well, so many of us have fought court cases. We’ve got over 40 court decisions affirming treaty rights. The real challenge has been how to get the government to come meaningfully to the table. And I don’t believe its about choosing any one strategy or option. Idle No More has been one of the most powerful movements to pierce public consciousness and compel governments to come to the table. The court decisions have been an important aspect. Going to the United Nations. Challenging Canada at the Canadian Human Rights tribunal on child welfare funding. I’ve had very blunt messages to the government about legislation. If this is a real partnership based on treaties, they need to come to the table with those treaty nations. This is going to be an important element of this assembly, because I do think its an important moment for us.