Referendum offend First Nations

Page 5

Dear Editor:

I take offense at various media attempts to minimize the effects the referendum will have on First Nations rights. For example, BCTV news writers claim that none of the questions are explosive, but I greatly disagree.

The referendum questions are explained as somewhat misleading, and that the package is somewhat laborous. There is a failure to interpret the sense of urgency and the monumental and detrimental effect that the potential results will have on the hard-won rights of the First Peoples.

If you look at the hand we have been dealt throughout history, and if you look at our losses of freedom, opportunity, land, use of our oceans, forests, and waterfronts for food gathering, hunting, fishing, traveling, and if you look at the genocide, you must accept that the referendum is yet another imposition and block to our natural and entrenched rights.

The government push for so-called public consultation is to consult those who have no understanding of the complicated process that First Nations leaders have been negotiating through for decades. The general public is going to respond from an emotional level, not as objective and informed. This appears to be obvious to the Campbell party, who are treating British Columbians as goons.

Unfortunately many British Columbians believe that what Campbell is doing is best for all. But, if we were to take a step back and look at the overall, it appears that Campbell's Liberal government is adhering to the Darwinian approach of survival of the fittest, or Hitler's Neitchian ideology. Get rid of the weak, the poor. The heck with the sick, and cannibalize the rights of the ones who pose the most risk to the regime of capitalistic supremacy.

Since first contact, First Nations have suffered through one loss after the other. Look at some of the words we have learned since first contact: Deception, destruction, suppression, exploitation, segregation, condemnation, repression, and, of course, now justification. Where in all of this do you see fairness? The structure of the laws that govern Aboriginal peoples have always been based on racism and serves to control all facets of our lives.

First Nations are offended, disappointed and frustrated. We have survived throughout the Canadian government style of apartheid and the constant change of legislation and this new tactic is another slap in the face to our basic Indigenous and human rights.

In one of our local Native publications they have published a list of questions that parallel the Referendum questions. One question: do you believe that the government can simply ignore and violate its own laws when it is politically expedient to do so? Another: Do you want to see British Columbia viewed in the international community as a pariah regime where the government actively commits and encourages human rights abuses?

Kathie Norris