Act has grassroots support

Page 5

Dear Editor:

The media plays a major role in disseminating information about the First Nation governance act. The Assembly of First Nation chief Matthew Coon Come only reports the fabricated negative impact, but does not address the real issues and benefits of the First Nation governance act.

The First Nation governance act came from the grassroots level. It is our idea and it is what we want, the ordinary people of First Nation communities. We support Robert Nault, the Minister of Indian Affairs, for initiating our request.

Matthew Coon Come, national chief of the Assembly of First Nation, is fighting his own people. The door was open for him to participate in the joint ministerial advisory committee or JMAC. Matthew Coon Come is elected by the chiefs of Canada at their annual general meeting. The Aboriginal people of Canada do not elect him. How can he say he represents the Aboriginal people of Canada?

The First Nation governance act came about because of complaints by Aboriginal people and litigations filed on elections, dismissal from administrative positions and lack of financial accountability.

The First Nation governance act is about my rights, your rights, and everybody's rights. It's about having elections codes, administration and policy codes and financial policy codes. For the most part we don't have these codes in place and those that do exist evidently are vulnerable. That is why there is so much corruption and favoritism in our communities. When a new chief is elected into office, staff get nervous they will be fired.

The First Nation governance act has nothing to do with the 1969 White Paper and it does not even come close to that. It does not infringe our treaty rights or our existence as Aboriginal people. These are already protected and guaranteed under Section 35 of the Constitution Act. It's about power to the people. It's about accountability and transparency.

The First Nation governance act is something we can use, a tool we can use in our communities. Matthew Coon Come is right when he said it will not build one more house, it will not end suicides in our communities. Honestly, it has nothing to do with building more houses or to end suicides. That's a poor excuse to get public attention. Aboriginal people with high profile positions need to be educated. It is time for Matthew Coon Come to listen to the Aboriginal people of Canada.

The caravan to Ottawa in April, we were told that some of these protestors had no idea why they were there and what they were doing on Parliament Hill. Assembly of First Nations may have the resources to make noise, however, we don't have any money or other resources to make noise. We are making ourselves known through the media.

We are seeking support from First Nation individuals and do not be afraid from intimidation from chiefs or people who oppose FNGA. You have a right to speak out just like anybody. There is only one person I am afraid of. It is not man, but the Creator.

Make yourself known by writing a letter of support to your local MP. It's our idea, it came from us. It was there already long before Robert Nault was the Minister of Indian Affairs.

Yes to First Nation governance act.

John-Paul Nakochee