Stage is set for summer standoffs

Page 6

Summer approaches and anyone who is a student of Native current affairs can hear the rumblings beginning to sound. It's going to be another long, intense summer in Indian Country.

A phone call from a CBC news program to Windspeaker this last month got us shaking our heads. CBC often picks Windspeaker's collective brain to short-cut actually researching the issues most affecting Canada's Aboriginal people.

"Is there going to be more action at Ipperwash?" a representative of Canada's broadcasting giant asked.

"Has anything changed since last summer?" was our answer. "Has there been any substantive progress made in resolving the outstanding issues of the Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation? Has there been an inquiry into why Dudley George had to die at the hands of a provincial police officer? Has the political climate changed in any way that would make the people change their methods of forcing Canada's hand?"

No. So the safe bet is that Aboriginal people are still frustrated at the generations it's taken to get their issues dealt with and they are not willing to wait any longer.

Why is Canada constantly shocked at the tactics Native people have had to embrace in order to make their concerns a priority in this country? Canada's governments get plenty of warning of the brewing problems, but they regularly choose to ignore them.

A perfect case in point is the tension that grew in northern Ontario last summer with the Chippewas of Nawash and the non-Native fishery. Native fishing boats were sunk, people stabbed and nets vandalized. The Chippewas have called for help in resolving things before the situation turns ugly. But this is not warning enough for Canada's bureaucrats. The feds are choosing to do nothing.

So CBC, here's a scoop. Pack your bags and book your hotel rooms. Owen Sound, Ont., may be your next Ipperwash - or Penticton, B.C. - or Kahnawake, Que. - or . . ..