A statement prepared by Archbishop Hambidge regarding the removal of roadblocks by armed police was discussed.
Text
That we endorse this as a statement of the House. CARRIED
SEE APPENDIX B
Notes
APPENDIX B
STATEMENT BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW WESTMINSTER THE MOST REVEREND DOUGLAS HAMBIDGE NOVEMBER 6, 1990
PUBLIC REMOVAL OF INDIAN BLOCKADES
I was dismayed to hear that the Provincial Government of BC intends to use armed police to overrun the roadblock on the Duthie Lake Road.
Anyone who has ever had dealing with native people could tell the Provincial Government that this is never the way to meet Indian people. Their culture has taught that negotiation is the way to settle differences, not force.
The blockade, which has been there for months, is a plea to negotiate. This issue could have been settled the day the blockade appeared if the Provincial Government had met with the native people.
Meanwhile, what is the federal Minister of Indian Affairs doing ? Has no one told him yet that he has a mandate to be protective of the rights of Indians, and to be their advocate ?
This issue is over land under dispute. Surely, the federal minister has no option but to insist that no action be taken which prejudges the land rights question.
Government inaction has exacerbated the tension between native people and loggers, both of whom are victims of this situation.
My fear is that the kind of action now being contemplated only encourages native people to meet violence with violence.
Is Oka already forgotten by the Provincial and Federal Governments, that they can so lightly risk another such confrontation in which there are no winners, and all Canadians are the losers ?
"Written and edited by Ed Bianchi, Maura Hanrahan, Jennifer Henry, Shannon Neufeldt, and Chuck Wright". p. iv.
"The article, 'Understanding Treaty as Covenant', was graciously provided by Stan McKay". -- p. iv.
"'In Peace and Friendship' is a response to those who faith or conscience compels them to understand more deeply the struggles of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. It provides an opportunity, particularly for non-Aboriginal people, to open themselves to a new perspective by exploring a relationship with the original inhabitants of this land that recognizes their unique nationhood. .... [It] is an educational resource for groups of youth or adults, within a congregation, a regional church body or as an open community event. There are five sessions. This resource could be used as a series of weekly workshops for a local group or linked together for a 2-day conference or retreat. The first and fifth sessions assume a Christian perspective". -- p. i.
Contents: [Prefatory Material i.e.] Purpose -- Uses -- Facilitators -- Format -- Before You Begin -- Terminology -- Table of Contents -- A New Relationship: Contextual Article -- Session 1: Renewing the Covenant -- Faithful to God's Covenant: Theological Reflection -- Session 2: Nation to Nation -- A Continent of Nations: Background Article -- Session 3: Collective Rights -- In Common: Background Article -- Session 4: A Case in Point -- Reclaiming Land in Caledonia: Background Article -- Session 5: Churches in Solidarity ? -- The Churches' Role in Recognizing Aboriginal Rights: Background Article.
"[E]ditors John Bird, Lorraine Land and Murray MacAdam."
Includes index.
28 essays on a variety of subjects by 32 contributors.
Contents: Reconciliation / Rebecca Tababodong -- Introduction / John Bird -- Canadian History : An Aboriginal Perspective / Georges Erasmus and Joe Sanders -- The Basic Dilemma : Sovereignty or Assimilation / Tim Schouls -- Rooted in Creation / Stan McKay -- Reclaiming Stolen Land / Olive P. Dickason -- Treaty-Making with the Crown / Sharon Venne -- Land Claims : Stuck in Never-never land / Lorraine Land and Roger Townshend -- Self-Government in the New Millennium / Michael Aesch -- Liberating Canada from the Settler Mythology / Andrew Chapeskie -- Recognizing Traditional Environmental Knowledge / Joanne Barnaby -- Rebuilding Community after Residential Schools / Maggie Hodgson -- Honouring Alternatives in the Criminal Justice System / Irene Fraser -- Restoring Women's Values / Bernice Hammersmith -- Gathering Dust or Gathering Strength : What Should Canada Do with the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples ? / Lorraine Land -- Kicking Out the Indian Agent / Burton Jacobs -- From Cedar Lake to Easterville : Mourning for What My People Lost / Elsie Fiddler -- Nitiassinan : Caribou and F-16s / Napes Ashini -- The Lubicon Cree : Still No Settlement After All These Years / Bernard Ominayak and Ed Bianchi -- The Fall of Dimlahamid : The Gitxsan Wet'su'weten and the Fallout of the Delgamuukw Decision / Terry Glavin -- Nisga'a Patience : Negotiating Our Way into Canada / Rod Robinson -- From Non-Citizen to Nunavut / John Amagoalik -- Not in My Time : Native Issues as a Point of Entry / Murray Angus -- Friends of the Lubicon : How a Small Group of People Can Change the World / Kevin Thomas -- Gunboat Diplomacy in Canada / William Payne -- Romancing the "Other" in Aboriginal Support Work / Jennifer Baron -- Outrages Too Many : Teaching Aboriginal Studies / Ann Pohl -- Once More with Honesty : Christian-Aboriginal Solidarity / Murray MacAdam -- "Are You Willing to Listen ?" / Rene Fumoleau -- The Healing Journey : the Bridge between Cultures / Shirley Harding -- Note on the Editors -- Note on the Public Justice Resource Centre and Citizens for Public Justice.