Boycott resolution may crumble after AGM

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Windspeaker has learned that a motion was passed at a recent Assembly of First Nations executive council meeting that would see a proposal to abandon the boycott of the First Nations Governance Act consultations be put before the chiefs at the AFN general meeting in Halifax from July 17 to 19.

Manitoba vice-chief, Ken Young, verified that fact during a phone interview on July 11.

"It's just another option, something we're going to present to the chiefs for their consideration," he said.

The vice-chief is aware the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs president, Stewart Phillip, sees the executive committee's actions to be an affront to the membership and an indication the executive members have exceeded their authority and violated the AFN charter by planning an action that is contrary to a Confederacy of Nations resolution. He said the letter Phillip wrote to British Columbia vice-chief Herb Satsan George making those allegations was "full of inaccuracies."

"There isn't end-running of the resolution, nor is there any end-running of the charter," Young stated. "That's all . . . they're all exaggerating the way things are. It's just another option like the resolution was an option. We'll accommodate that resolution if the chiefs want it to be that way. Resolutions can be changed."

The vice-chief, a close advisor to Phil Fontaine during his tenure as national chief, said the executive members believe a new approach is needed to the governance consultations because the federal government is left with unchallenged control of the First Nations governance agenda when the First Nation leadership isn't part of the picture.

"There was so much government press advantage in relation to the governance issue that we thought we'd better have a solid position in place coming out of Halifax so that if we need to take on the government in the public forum through the media, we have a position to take. It'll be a position that'll be offered to the government and if they don't accept it then we have to deal with what it is that they want. I know what [government] want[s] but what they want is not acceptable," he said.

Young said the national chief attended the executive meeting where the motion to re-examine the position on consultation was passed. He did not say how or if the national chief voted on the issue.

"It's a consensus type of meeting. [The resolution] was adopted by a motion. The national chief was there," he said.

Young was asked if the AFN budget cuts had anything to do with the decision to suggest a reversal of position to the chiefs.

"Not really," he answered. "I don't know whether the minister has deliberately put pressure on us through withholding money. Maybe he has, I don't know. But that should not be the basis on which we make decisions on an important issue like this, based on finances. Absolutely not. It wouldn't be appropriate."

The move to get involved in the consultation and take on the government directly was first proposed by the British Columbia vice-chief, Young said.

"Herb initiated it and he sent it along the network to the other executive committee members and we all said it was a great idea, let's see if we can pitch it to the chiefs," he said.

Redefining and Expanding the First Nations Governance Initiative: A Strategic Proposal is the executive committee proposal that will be presented to the chiefs, Young said.

"For many years First Nations have recognized the need to change the outdated and oppressive Indian Act. Legislation is required that will reflect the cultural, economic, social, political and legal realities of First Nations today. The proposed governance initiative and consultation process initiated by the government does not have the full support of First Nations. The current process was developed without First Nations input, is costly and is creating divisive relations," the document's introduction reads. "The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) blieves that the proposed lgislation will only provide an interim measure that does not address First Nations rights and aspirations of governance. The financial and human resources allocated to the two year governance process could be directed towards a strategy based on a respective First Nations consultation process that is supported by all First Nations."

The strategy outlined in the document appears to seek to get rid of an issue that is severely dividing First Nations-some are participating in the boycott and some aren't-while at the same time gaining a seat at the table and the opportunity to influence the process.

"The AFN will provide creative leadership and will also enter into a joint consultation process with the government to determine a more appropriate approach to a First Nations' governance process. The AFN will meet the strategic challenges of First Nations' governance through the following:

The AFN will ensure a governance process that is respectful, appropriate and acceptable.

The AFN will have a clear and realistic community process that will assist First Nations develop governance positions.

The AFN will facilitate considerations of governance matters at the community and regional level," the document states.

If the chiefs give them the mandate, the executive members propose that they "approach the Minister of Indian Affairs and secure a commitment from him to discuss a redefined and expanded approach to First Nations' governance issues. Take a much more critical and realistic look at the governance initiative as currently designed, and clearly identify what is acceptable and what is unacceptable. Devise a new strategy that accomplishes meaningful progress in the short run while laying the foundation for addressing more fundamental changes. Enter into serious negotiations with the Minister of Indian Affairs to alter the current governance initiative and turn it into one which includes First Nations perspective as well as that o Canada."

The executive members areprepared to recognize there is a need for immediate changes to the Indian Act. They want the government to commit to provide an "acceptable level of recognition and commitment to more fundamental First Nations governance goals."

They will also insist on a recommitment by the government to the inherent right of self-government as a constitutionally-protected right.

The executive members are aware they're running out of time if they want to get on board the consultation process.

The executive proposal calls for a redesigned First Nations governance process that would include a "National Joint coordinating committee to oversee implementation of the redefined and expanded initiative and consisting of representatives from the Assembly of First Nations and Canada supplemented by provincial and territorial committees."

The AFN would ask that the government slightly change the timelines to allow for the changes they propose but the executive members seemed willing to bow to the minister's demands that the process be focused and aimed at producing results in a relatively short period of time.

Because the information has not been officially released, Indian Affairs Minister, Robert Nault was not prepared to comment on the proposal. His press secretary, Nancy Pine, said, "I think the minister has been open all along and has been consistent in saying that it's unfortunate our partners (have boycotted the consultations so far) but we're not closing the door at this point in time. We're still open. We'd like them to come to the table. We encourage them to take part in this process."