Throne speech promises a positive future for Natives

Following a landmark year, where two Treaties were signed and approved by both First Nations and Government, the B.C. government is promising to continue to make progress.
"History has taught us that we all move forward by moving beyond the positions that have held us back." said Lt. Gov. Steven Point in the Throne Speech.
"That is the essence of your government's effort to build a new relationship with First Nations."
The speech from the Throne generally highlights what the government has accomplished and lays out a broad plan for the future. Having it read by B.C.'s first Aboriginal Lieutenant-Governor gives it added credibility, especially because Point has such respect and a solid reputation.
The province didn't appear to be using their new appointee for political posturing on this front, instead championing the collaborative success seen through a concentrated effort to find what it calls "certainty".
"Working together, we are opening new doors for progress," the L-G went on to say, championing how effective treaty negotiations have been and what a difference the process can make.
"It aspires to a brighter future for all Aboriginal Canadians, built on self-reliance and self-determination, and based on mutual respect, recognition and reconciliation."
Hope for a better start for youth was also highlighted, coming on the heels of a recently announced decision to adopt a common-sense principle regarding children.
"The journey to reconciliation is about bridging the barriers that have divided Aboriginal Canadians from everyone else in Canada," said Point. "Nowhere is that more important than in caring for our children."
"It is time that all of Canada embraced Jordan's Principle. Simply put, that principle says the interests of Aboriginal children must always be paramount, and that no child, on- or off-reserve, should be put at risk due to jurisdictional disputes."
"Your government will work with First Nations and the federal government to put Jordan's Principle into action, and to strengthen services for Aboriginal children and families."
Support services and resources are needed for any family member or child, and that is something the government is trying to address.
The speech once again touched on the cornerstone of the Liberal Government's philosophical doctrine of trying to redress the past and help build toward a positive future.
"The Transformative Change Accord calls on us to close the gaps for B.C.'s First Nations in health, housing, education and economic opportunity."
But the glowing words have not necessarily translated into more money to address some challenging, if not outright desperate, situations.
In her final budget as Finance Minister, Carole Taylor focused on climate change, opening new doors to the Asia-Pacific region and the film industry; all laudable and generally supported by the public.
But for First Nations, this can't be seen as a big windfall.
There is money pledged for the ongoing "reconciliation" toward the "new relationship", but little in many other areas. Some money will be spent to address the needs of Aboriginals currently incarcerated, focusing on cultural and spiritual needs, in order to make their time more rehabilitative and ease their re-integration into society.
And money for a new First Nations museum has also been committed, along with re-iterated support for the Indigenous Games, slated for this summer in Duncan on Vancouver Island. There is talk of dealing with addictions issues and pledges to focus on aboriginal children and the family unit, but the bucks pretty well stop there.
In his ministerial service plan, a required submission for all cabinet ministers as part of the fiscal planning process, Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mike de Jong stated three defined goals for the ministry.
The first is, closing the socio-economic gaps between aboriginal people and other British Columbians.
The second goal is building respectful relationships with Aboriginal people.
The last goal for the ministry is reconciliation of Aboriginal rights and title through lasting agreements
That doesn't vary much from previously stated objectives. On one hand, that can be seen as positive, as some 98 First Nations are now at either Stage 4 (agreement-in-principle) or Stage 5 (final agreement) of the treaty negotiation process.
But many groups can look at the government's budget surplus, billion dollar funding announcements for transportation, health care and the 2010 Olympics and ask "what about us?"
Perhaps more in the way of concrete promises will come out, especially since an election in B.C. is about a year away.
Hardly a day goes by now where a long-term, sore-thumb, issue isn't remedied by a surprising pile of cash and splashy, coordinated announcement.
Until then, the words of Steven Point are all that now stands as proof of what might come: More progress, more agreements, more steps toward a brighter future.