In The Way Of Progress
National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine is packing it in, his term up; moving aside for another edgy First Nations politician with the smarts and the experience and the determination to represent Canada's aboriginals. He's been a fairly good representative. He has had good relations with government and their agencies, while defending the needs of First Nations and swallowing his aggravated disappointments.
On the other hand the Assembly of First Nations appear all too often to have their singular agendas dedicated to themselves, their power and celebrity status, and there are times that their devotion to the struggle for attainment of better conditions for their people has seemed to take second place. They have not been sterling administrators, somewhat reflective of too many native band councils whose main agenda is self-availment.
There are 633 chiefs whose votes could be cast in the search for a replacement for Phil Fontaine, but disaffection within the community of First Nations appears to ensure that one-third of that number will simply not bother; somewhat like the general Canadian electorate. "I think there are a number of chiefs who are so disillusioned that they won't even go to Calgary", one observed.
There exists an estimated 750,000 aboriginal Canadians whose interests the National Assembly defends. And there are five candidates running for office, some of whom appear to have really excellent qualities as prospective candidates for Grand Chief. The man seen as first-choice is progressive in outlook and conciliatory in nature, with a master's degree in education; chief interests being education, social justice; poverty, and violence against women.
Another is known for being confrontational. While another seems to represent the old-boy system whose experience is his main asset, but whose future relationship with government at any level would be problematical at best. Another elder with experience is taking a page out of Barack Obama's campaign by using Facebook to further his agenda: "The alleviation of poverty by building bridges to government but more important, industry, is the way out of the mess we're in."
And fourth has a business administration degree, promoting leveraging private-and public-sector partnerships to help First Nations move toward economic self-sufficiency. "The AFN has to be more responsive, more relevant and respectful of [the] diversity across Canada." And finally, another who is an economist who wants to move aboriginals toward self-determination and self-government, to spur economic growth and help eliminate poverty.
Three possibilities, two also-rans. But it is time that someone genuinely responsive to the needs of First Nations and capable of mustering inner strengths and resources to unify and instill confidence and determination has an opportunity to look to the best interests of aboriginals, and in the process relieve the country of its shame in its neglect of aboriginal needs.
While they're at it, if they're halfway successful to spurring aboriginals themselves to look to their own needs and do it intelligently and responsibly, the problem will have gone a long way to being solved.
On the other hand the Assembly of First Nations appear all too often to have their singular agendas dedicated to themselves, their power and celebrity status, and there are times that their devotion to the struggle for attainment of better conditions for their people has seemed to take second place. They have not been sterling administrators, somewhat reflective of too many native band councils whose main agenda is self-availment.
There are 633 chiefs whose votes could be cast in the search for a replacement for Phil Fontaine, but disaffection within the community of First Nations appears to ensure that one-third of that number will simply not bother; somewhat like the general Canadian electorate. "I think there are a number of chiefs who are so disillusioned that they won't even go to Calgary", one observed.
There exists an estimated 750,000 aboriginal Canadians whose interests the National Assembly defends. And there are five candidates running for office, some of whom appear to have really excellent qualities as prospective candidates for Grand Chief. The man seen as first-choice is progressive in outlook and conciliatory in nature, with a master's degree in education; chief interests being education, social justice; poverty, and violence against women.
Another is known for being confrontational. While another seems to represent the old-boy system whose experience is his main asset, but whose future relationship with government at any level would be problematical at best. Another elder with experience is taking a page out of Barack Obama's campaign by using Facebook to further his agenda: "The alleviation of poverty by building bridges to government but more important, industry, is the way out of the mess we're in."
And fourth has a business administration degree, promoting leveraging private-and public-sector partnerships to help First Nations move toward economic self-sufficiency. "The AFN has to be more responsive, more relevant and respectful of [the] diversity across Canada." And finally, another who is an economist who wants to move aboriginals toward self-determination and self-government, to spur economic growth and help eliminate poverty.
Three possibilities, two also-rans. But it is time that someone genuinely responsive to the needs of First Nations and capable of mustering inner strengths and resources to unify and instill confidence and determination has an opportunity to look to the best interests of aboriginals, and in the process relieve the country of its shame in its neglect of aboriginal needs.
While they're at it, if they're halfway successful to spurring aboriginals themselves to look to their own needs and do it intelligently and responsibly, the problem will have gone a long way to being solved.
Labels: Canada, Crisis Politics
posted by Pieface | 7:22 PM
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