First Nations leaders ponder options in light of Federal Budget

Canada's First nations leaders are warning of the potential for a confrontational reaction to the recently delivered Federal budget earlier this week. Chiefs from across Canada want to make the Federal Government aware of a growing sense of militancy and frustration in the nation's aboriginal youth, with the possibility of blockades and other protests for this spring and summer.

The reaction comes as a response to Jim Flaherty's budget, which First nations leaders suggest virtually ignored their people. Describing the budget as a black day for First Nations, with the Conservatives not pledging the same level of support that was offered in the Kelowna accord.

There is a growing desire for a return to the Kelowna accord of 2005, which many felt was a template for improvement of relations between First Nations and the Federal and provincial governments. The accord was scrapped by the Conservatives after last years federal election.

The possibility of blockades and growing discontent was the featured topic on CKNW's the Bill Good show on Thursday, Good used the 10-11 am hour to discuss First nations issues and the possibility of protest actions with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, the president of the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs.

You can listen in to the conversation and the variety of opinions offered on the open lines by exploring the CKNW Audio Vault, click on the Thursday listing and select 10-11 am for the full hour of information.

A press release from the Union of B. C. Indian Chiefs, outlined their frustration with the recent budget and in the state of relations at the moment.

Budget Backlash Shall Surely Trigger a "Summer of Protest" Across Canada
VANCOUVER - COAST SALISH TERRITORY, March 21 /CNW/ -

"As sure as spring, follows winter, Stephen Harper's Budget 2007 shall trigger a summer of
Aboriginal protests from one end of this country to the other," predicted
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs.

The rage and anger of Aboriginal leaders continues to reverberate across
the country in the aftermath of the release of Harper's Budget 2007.

"In our view, this latest deliberate attack against Aboriginal people
represents 'strike three' for the Harper government. First it was the complete
rejection of the Kelowna Accord, second it was Canada's refusal to support the
United Nations' Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People and now we have
the announcement of $21 million in new spending for Aboriginals in the face of
a $9 billion dollar surplus," added Grand Chief Phillip.

"Enough is enough. Our communities have long since reached their breaking
point," stated Grand Chief Phillip. "The internalized violence of poverty in
terms of increasing infant mortalities, suicides, homicides, drug-related gang
violence, child apprehensions and massive unemployment is dangerously close to
flashing over to an outward expression of externalized violence in the form of
roadblocks, rail blockades and more Caledonia-style occupations of disputed
lands."

Grand Chief Phillip continued, "Let's be clear. We do not need more
Federal government welfare payments. What we do need is for the Government of
Canada to fully meet its Constitutional and lawful obligations in the area
outstanding land rights issues. We need the Government of Canada to take heed
of the recently released Senate Report, entitled, 'Negotiation or
Confrontation: It's Canada's Choice' which outlines the over 1000 outstanding
specific claims across Canada. We need the Government of Canada to recognize
and accommodate our Aboriginal and Treaty entitlements to the Lands and
Resources within our respective territories. Further, economic development
needs to become a major priority within Federal Government spending.
Currently, economic development represents only 4% of Federal Government
Aboriginal program spending," stated Phillip.

"Obviously the Government of Canada is not listening. Perhaps a summer of
barricades, balaclavas and burning tires will serve to draw attention to the
urgency of the desperate situation of the Aboriginal people of Canada,"
concluded Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.

For further information: For further comment: Grand Chief StewartPhillip, (250) 490-5314, President