News from Canada’s Assembly of First Nations
(A Brief Note from NAL – Praise for Canada’s First Nations for standing up for environmental protection and the possibility Harper’s anti-terrorist/secret police bill could be used to legally harass Canadians who join them in standing up for our environment.)
Canada’s Assembly of First Nations chief Perry Bellegarde speaking out with passion against a Harper bill that could gut our rights to speak out for our environment.
Ottawa, Ontario, March 2015 – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde told the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (this past March 12th, 2015) to withdraw Bill C-51, the proposed federal anti-terrorism legislation.
“I am calling on the government to withdraw this Bill and consult properly with First Nations about the impact of any such legislation on First Nations rights,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “We believe in safety and security but the federal government’s rush to ram this legislation through is undemocratic and it violates our individual and collective rights. First Nations will vigorously oppose any legislation that does not respect and protect our rights.”
The National Chief told the Committee that Bill C-51 sets up “conditions for conflict” by creating circumstances where First Nations people will be labelled as threats when asserting their rights as First Nations citizens.
National Chief Bellegarde said the Bill will infringe on First Nations’ rights to freedom of speech and assembly, the right to be free of unreasonable search and seizure, rights as peoples under section 35 of Canada’s 1982 Constitution which recognizes and affirms inherent Aboriginal rights and Treaty rights, and the right to self-determination, which includes the right to protect and make decisions about activities and laws affecting First Nation territories.
The National Chief stated that the legislation was developed in a way that does not meet the federal government’s duty to consult and accommodate First Nations and that makes it subject to legal challenge if the government tries to impose it.
The National Chief further recommended that Canada discuss with First Nations options for a review process to examine all federal legislation that could impact the assertion of rights recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution.
National Chief Bellegarde stated: “Because of our history, First Nations know better than anyone how easy it is for governments to ignore, erode and eradicate our most basic human rights and freedoms until you barely recognize the land you’re living in. Canada must do better and it must do more to meet its constitutional and Treaty responsibilities to First Nations.”
The National Chief’s remarks to the Committee are available here.
The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.
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Niagara At Large 
The Reality of a Dictator
The Aboriginal nations of Canada have been the “ONLY” true obstacle to HARPER’S complete control of Canada and they are aware that this “SINISTER” Bill C51 is HARPER’S way of negating every Treaty entered into by the Nations. I honestly feel they will protect their rights and HARPER, his Goons and the inept RCMP better think different if and WHEN they attempt to run rough shod over these proud peoples.
After the war of 1812 they got a territorial shafting considering the reality that without their allegiance we would NOW be singing the American National Anthem instead of wondering where we might be after the next election if this evil person is re-elected. In fact I wonder where I might be due to my honest to God verbal and written condemnation of this person, his goons and his brain dead disciples. What can I say except every time I see this Harper I think of a 1976 movie rightly called “The Omen” and I think of what he has done to this Country, to it’s pride and to a reputation that distinguished Canadians as a caring, Compassionate people deeply involved in PEACE Keeping….Not War Mongering as It seems this Harper and his Goons have transformed this country into. You be the Judge Canadians …sit on your hands and let it Happen or Fight to make this Country your HOME and Native Land… The Aboriginal People should not be shouldering the FIGHT ALONE.
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Your accusations and obvious paranoia are baseless. If you were living in a different time, say in 1867, would you label the fathers of Confederation “Goons” too? Wake up and smell the coffee, and put something in it if that helps. There are many benefits to this country and this government which you probably aren’t even aware of, while not-so-quietly criticizing it, or more specifically, PM Harper, the target of your obsession and pathological abhorrence… http://canadiancincinnatus.typepad.com/my_weblog/2015/03/stephen-harper-the-incrementalist.html
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