According to the New York Times, "The Egyptian military, complying with most of the principal demands of the opposition, said Sunday that it had dissolved the country’s parliament, suspended its constitution and called for elections in six months, according to a statement by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces read on state television. It also said it would honor all of Egypt’s international agreements, including the peace treaty with Israel." The article can be found at this link: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/egypts-military-rulers-dissolve-parliament-85196
Congratulations to the Egyptians on their quest for democracy, i.e. the right to participate in decision-making, the right to vote in free and fair elections, and the right to build accountable and transparent institutions that will hold your leaders accountable!
I have a message for the Offices of the "National Chiefs" of the National Aboriginal Organizations (NAO's) called the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) and the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC). The following message is not intended for the Chiefs on the ground. It is a message only for the Offices of the "National Chiefs" and the one and only, Senator Patrick Brazeau, the former "National Chief" of CAP.
We, the grassroots First Nations people, are worthy and deserving of human dignity and democracy, just like the Egyptians! We have a right to participate in decision-making on issues that affect us. You can no longer make decisions for us without asking us and advise mainstream society that you represent our interests. You do not represent our interests. It is up to the grassroots people to decide who will represent their interests and what that representation will encompass.
It is time for the NAO's to examine the crisis in Egypt and give First Nations citizens in Canada the same dignity and respect. We have rights, just like the Egyptians, and we deserve democracy!
I have a message for the grassroots First Nations people, including their Chiefs:
The NAO's were created by the federal government to implement the federal government's "Indian" agenda. The NAO's are also funded by the federal government. The "National Chiefs" of these organizations are paid by the federal government for their work and if they say "no" to a proposed federal government "Aboriginal" initiative, the federal government withholds funds from the NAO's until the NAO's agree to the initiative. The result: the NAO's do what they are told and sell off our rights without asking the grassroots people. The grassroots people suffer and live in poverty due to the lack of representation provided by these NAO's and the deplorable services provided by the federal government.
The NAO's are not traditional governments nor did First Nations people govern themselves under national organizations. The NAO's are corporate entities comprised of a Board of Directors like other corporate entities in Canada. These NAO's also do not allow the grassroots people to vote for the "National Chiefs" in free and fair elections nor do they allow the majority of us to participate in decision-making. Their by-laws are narrow and they exclude the grassroots people from participating in decision-making. This is not democracy. It is an archaic and paternalistic Indian Act regime that is in dire need of reform. The grassroots First Nations people should be directing these NAO's, and not vice versa. The NAO's have no right to make decisions on our behalf.
It is time for change and time to start the process for repealing the Indian Act so that First Nations people can enjoy democracy. However, the NAO's should not be guiding the process as they have never represented the grassroots people before and they will likely not do so now. Remember, they are paid by the federal government. The grassroots First Nations people should be guiding the process just like the grassroots Egyptians!!
Stay tuned. I will add more blogs on Indigenous governance and my own personal opinions on how the process for repealing the Indian Act should take place to ensure that democratic and accountable institutions are in place to meet the needs of First Nations people.
All it takes is PEOPLE POWER! The Egyptians have shown us that change is possible.
WHO IS WATCHING OUT FOR YOU?
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