New NDP leader says prioritize treaty talks

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Carole James became the first Aboriginal leader of a major provincial political party when she was chosen to lead the B.C. New Democratic Party recently.

With little prior political experience, the Metis mother of two adult children is out on the road trying to rebuild a party soundly defeated by the Liberal Party in 2001.

James talked to Raven's Eye about her priorities regarding Aboriginal and other issues.

"My priority is get the economy going, so we can have the tax base to support our health programs and our education programs, because I think those are key, and to provide jobs.

"When it comes to Aboriginal issues," James continued, "I think one of the outstanding issues in the province of B.C. certainly are treaty negotiations ... I think getting treaties settled is a high priority ... not just for Aboriginal people, but ... for everyone in the province, because if we're looking at things like economic development and stimulating the economy in our province, we need to have those treaties settled."

She said currently the province is "dealing away from the table or refusing to consult" and claiming "the Delgamuuk agreement is null and void after five years," which it believes frees the government from any obligation to consult.

"One of my main strategies is when you are looking for solutions to some of the challenges we face, whether it is treaty (or other) issues, you sit down with First Nations and community leaders and environmentalists and forestry workers ... Because I think we under-estimate the solutions that communities can find if you give them the opportunity.

"I think the bigger issues that in fact impact all people in the province, but perhaps disproportionately Aboriginal people because of the poverty issues, are the cuts to income assistance in our province. And we haven't seen the worst yet. We know that come April 1st, B.C., sadly, is going to lead the way across the country.

In April, the province will introduce the "two-year rule," which means "if you have been on income assistance two of five years, you are basically kicked off. You no longer will be able to collect income assistance because the government believes it has provided enough job training and opportunities to find work."

James said this is occurring in the face of one of the highest unemployment rates ever-200,000 people out of work-and the second-highest deficit in the province's history. British Columbia is tenth among the provinces in economic growth.

Single parents with children will not be denied income assistance as of April 1st, but "if they have been on income assistance two of five years, they will have their income assistance rates reduced by $100 a month."

Health care cutbacks are another priority of James.

Delegates at the NDP convention before Christmas put together an Aboriginal policy advisory committee. One of its tasks is to recruit more Aboriginal political candidates, provincial and municipal. James finds communities are increasingly making the connection between provincial cutbacks and poverty on the reserves. She expects more Aboriginal candidates to come forward and that her party will reach out more to Aboriginal communities.

"I believe the job of government is to be stimulating the economy and supporting job creation, so that people can get off income assistance and find work."