New party to battle old problems

I have seen the future and it is right now. I was at the inaugural meeting of the All Nations Party that took place in Kamloops recently and felt for the first time that I was doing something that really mattered.

I know there are sovereigntists in our community that believe we should not be engaging in the "white man's system of government," but I do not believe in that approach. There are those who also believe that we should be developing our systems of government based on our traditional forms of government. Both arguments have merit but ignore the fact that we need solutions to our problems right now and we can't afford to stand still waiting for someone else to come up with solutions to our problems.

The sovereignty argument about not participating in the larger society's government ignores the fact that we are here right now and we have huge problems in our community. We need to explore new ways of approaching those problems because the status quo is not doing that. They are entrenched in a system that is intended to keep us in a state of dependence and something that is comfortable. We need to find solutions for ourselves and in my mind that is real self government.

We know that system of dependence and it is welcoming because it is familiar and our leaders are not willing to shake it up because they depend on it for funding, power and influence. It is called the Department of Indian Affairs and gives out plums and gifts to our chiefs and councils for good behavior and does not encourage new thinking or new ways of doing things. We are dependent on that system for our welfare and other forms of dependence that is sucking away our will to live.

It is time to try something different and I believe that is the All Nations Party. They have dedicated themselves to working on the question of Aboriginal title and Aboriginal rights here in this province. While that is not original, it is something that other mainstream political parties have avoided discussing. It is not a sexy or vibrant issue and will require some painful discussion but needs some new minds and new approaches to solve what has become a monster-sized issue in this province and even Canada.

This is one of the attractions that I witnessed at the first meeting of the party. The party professes to be open to all people who wish to work on this problem, regardless of race, gender or age. It is also about finding your voice and using it. Everyone who was there at the meeting is encouraged to speak to the issues. Chiefs in attendance were the same as every other party member. Of the rank and file, they left their titles at the door. Everyone was equal in that room. That was a revelation just by itself. It frees up the mind and gives a person confidence when you are in that type of environment.

In order to work on the problem of dependence you must first step outside of the problem itself and examine what the problem is and then you can begin working on solutions. That is powerful and good just by itself.

I do not for a moment think that this party is the solution to all of our problems, but it can bring new approaches and new people to bear on a problem that has eluded our best minds since the colonization of this province.

Don Moses, the interim party president, has taken tremendous risks both financially and personally to start this party and should be congratulated for his vision and determination.

Another key aspect of the creation of this party is that party members will fund it with fundraising efforts that are not tied to federal or provincial governments programs. I believe this new party is the evolution of our continued growth as First Nations people of this province and Canada. The first leadership convention is scheduled for Feb. 24 and will take place at the Chief Louis Centre in Kamloops and people should come out to see what they can contribute.

The keynote speaker for this first meeting of the party was the leader of thFirst Nations Party of Saskatchewan and his name is Brandan Cross. He is a young, ambitious, determined leader who is paving the way for a national party of like-minded Aboriginal people right across Canada. His speaking power is undeniable and he comes prepared. His topic to the assembled people at this first party meeting was focused on leaders who have had the courage to stand up for their convictions: Jesus Christ, Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Moses, and other visionaries.

Witness the fact that he burned the Canadian Alliance's policy book on stage in front of Stockwell Day during the last federal election and you see someone who is unafraid of taking chances and willing to take chances for his people. The poor Canadian Alliance crowd was stunned by the audacity of this articulate, powerful young man. They were facing their worst fears-an Aboriginal with vision and an education and someone who could articulate a vision that other people could join without fear of repercussion.

The status quo now has reason to be afraid.

That is the way I see it anyway...putucw.

Editor's note: Keith Matthew is volunteering his time and knowledge as a media advisor to the All Nations Party of B.C.