To the Editor,
As a non-aboriginal, it’s apparent to me that Canada’s First Nations’ demands—as recently described in the media—are not “vague” but varied like everyone else’s.
And there aren’t “divisions amongst First Nations peoples” any more than there are among non-aboriginals who also have individual ideas and opinions.
So why hold First Nations to any different standard than applied to non-aboriginals?
At least First Nations (and their non-aboriginal supporters) all agree that it’s time to end governments’ 21st century version of paternalistic colonial governance and properly honour nation-to-nation treaties.
It’s also agreed that it’s time for First Nations’ self-determination, which includes freedom of authority over their territorial lands protected within treaty.
Like non-aboriginals, however, various First Nations individuals will have different ideas on how to achieve their ends.
More power to them as they are ‘idle no more’.
Liz Stonard,
Port Alberni