First Nations Dynamics

The Basic Issue

"Make the world go away
Take it off of my shoulders
Say the words you used to say
And make the world go away."

Ah, if life could be as easy as the words of that song we grew up on!

But the words of that song sum up a great deal of the dynamic of our community's "First Nations Dynamic":
   ..the dynamic of the Nations who were here on this continent first...
        ...the dynamic of those of us who followed...
            ...and the dynamics of our interface.

The First Nations say, "If they would just go away all would be better...but would it?
We say "Why don't they just go away, blend in, or stop being so different, all would be well" but would it?

It seems to me that the key issue in the area of "First Nations Dynamics" is the question of "How are we going to live together on this continent in the future?" One of the biggest problems in this area is our lack of credibility at the bargaining table. We have not behaved exceptionally well over the years. As a result, our credibility is less than nil, it is negative. Our record is less than spotless when it comes to keeping up our end of our treaty obligations, agreements, and commitments.

It seems to me that what's needed is a massive act of generosity on our part, not to resolve any particular issue, but rather to deal with the more fundamental issue of credibility. For example, take the issue of outstanding land claims which we have dragged our feet on far too long. Suppose we were to arrive at the table one day and say "Here, here's your land. Here's all the land that is rightfully yours which we have unjustly taken from you in the breaking of our agreements...and here's some more for the trouble, no strings attached", and just dump it on the table in one great act of generosity.

It seems to me that then we could say, "now, lets talk about our life together on this continent in the future."

Until that point, I do not think we have any credibility to even raise the topic. I believe the ball is in our court.

I think that is the basic issue.

Off-Line Resources

• Jensen, Anica C. "American Indian Gaming Operations and Local Development". Rural Development Perspectives. Vol.10,No.2,(nd)Reprinted in Ferrazzi, Gabe. Course Reader, Rural Community Development, Brandon University, 2001.
  The reserves which run casinos in the USA are concentrated in six states. It has now been taken up by many bands in Canada as well. The money generated is used in a variety of ways, but one main use is economic development funds. Whether or not this remains a viable source of revenue for bands, it is one of he few activities that generates cash at this time.

  An example of just why many bands have turned to this source of revenue is seen in the statement by one band counselor who sated "the federal government has allocated $50,000 a year foe economic development on our reserve, where there is 95% unemployment - you can't even hire an economic development officer for that, let alone have any budget for that person to work with."

• (no author) "Integrating Aboriginal Values into Land-Use and Resource Management Second Quarterly Report: April-June 2000.(p1-11).Reprinted in Ferrazzi, Gabe. Course Reader, Rural Community Development, Brandon University, 2001.
  This report is of an innovative project which took place along the eastern edge of Lake Winnipeg in Eastern Manitoba. In order to bridge the gap of differing understandings about the forest ecosystem there, a four-season video was created by the band to serve as a communication base for dialogue with the government people. An excellent example of the role of media in RCD.

On-Line Resources