Symposium looks at healing First Nations, Canadian relations

How do we develop respectful and just relationships between First Nations and Canada?
It was the key question asked at a symposium hosted jointly by National Centre for First Nations Governance and academics at the University of Toronto.
Hundreds of people representing different interests, including business and industry, the government, First Nations leadership from across Canada, students, youth, faculty and even the Supreme Court of Canada converged in Toronto Feb. 9 and 10 to be part of the discussion.
“The relationship between First Nations and settler nations has evolved over hundreds of years since the time of contact,” said Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse in his welcoming remarks.
Toulouse said that relationship started out on the basis of peace, friendship and co-operation.
“It unfortunately changed to one of domination by Crown governments that included control of lands and resources and policies of assimilation that resulted in the impoverishment and disempowerment of Indigenous nations across this country.”
Toulouse also said that most Canadians are familiar with the policies of forced assimilation that were imposed on Canada’s First Nations.
He spoke of the Indian Act, the residential school system and of the failure of the Crown governments to honour and implement the treaties that were signed on a nation-to-nation basis.
“We will never forget our history, but this does not mean we want to wallow in these historical injustices,” he said. “We are working hard to identify the way forward – out of grinding poverty to provide greater opportunities for our nations to succeed and prosper. I believe that when we become more involved in the economy of this province, this province and all Ontarians will benefit.”
Lt.-Gov. David Onley lauded representatives from the Ontario government, private sector, Aboriginal communities and academics who came to reach out to one another in their bid to come to a responsive, community-specific approach to achieving reconciliation.
“Reconciliation is about creating something new with full recognition of the past,” he said. “It needs two sides to acknowledge something (inappropriate) happened. Both parties need to address the situation truthfully, understand its profound impacts, learn lessons and then rebuild.
“I commend you each for embarking on this journey. Let us encourage the present generation by proceeding with courage on the path to true reconciliation.”
Toulouse said First Nations recognize joint work and dialogue is required to repair the relationship with Crown governments and with all Canadians.
“True, lasting reconciliation will take time and must involve both parties – and cannot be dictated by one party – there must be a genuine effort to respect and listen,” he said. “First Nations have more access to government and are at the table with cabinet ministers and other decision-makers more often, but what happens is for the most part, still determined by government.”
Doug Carr, assistant deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs for the province of Ontario said it is actions that count and not words.
“If reconciliation is to be genuine, practitioners have to be inspiring as to what they are doing and to share that passion with people in the broader society and to carry that idea that reconciliation is essential to everyone in Ontario if we are to flourish in a fair and healthy society,” he said.
Commitments were made by those who participated at the conclusion of the conference to continue to work together to develop concrete practices for realizing true reconciliation.