First Nation's frustrations just under the surface

With the First Nations day of action last week focused on areas outside of the Northwest, people should not think that there are not any issues of interest in our part of the country.

To the contrary there are a number of things that local First Nations would like to see examined regarding relations between the First Nations and the Federal Government. Those are some of the thoughts of the local MP for the region.

Nathan Cullen, the MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley spoke out about some of the frustrations in the Northwest, issues that are just under the surface and need to be addressed.

He shared his thoughts with the Daily News, which featured his observations as part of a front page story for Wednesday's paper.

‘Frustration’ in region is below surface, says MP
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Although most of the rallies for the Aboriginal Day of Action took place down south, that does not mean there is no discontent among aboriginal communities in the Northwest, said Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen.

The National Day of Action took place on Friday and aboriginals across the country gathered in the hundreds of thousands in peaceful protest to call on the federal government to address the poverty that continues to exist in many First Nations communities.

"I would suggest there is a lot of frustration particularly just under the surface," said Cullen, of the state of federal government-aboriginal relations in the Northwest. "Certain communities are getting something done but overall I still don't think the pace has picked up enough but I will give it this - it has improved over the last year in terms of settling things."

The Coast Tsimshian - including Lax Kw'alaams and Metlakatla - has been expressing frustration with the federal government's negotiations about the Fairview Container Terminal since 2005. The federal government was only willing to consult over the new dock extension, but not any of the existing terminal that was built in the 1960s.

A coalition of First Nations from around the Northwest banded together to support the Coast Tsimshian, saying they would take action to stop the port's operation unless the federal government came back to the table. Finally, this June the federal government appointed a special representative to assist in its discussions with First Nations on the Fairview Container Terminal project.

Cullen said the issues that are at the heart of the day of protest exist in the Northwest; including poverty, substance abuse and teen suicide, and there are few economic options available.

"All the elements of the real problems that cause these protests exist within our region so I don't think they can let up and hope everyone will just stay civil forever," he said.

In Vancouver, hundreds of First Nations members from across B.C. marched across the Burrard Bridge to Library Square, protesting against the loss of their rights to land, culture and liberty.
Shawn Atleo, B.C. regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations, called for a moment of silence for those living on the Downtown Eastside or dying on the Highway of Tears between Prince George and Prince Rupert.

Cullen said he believes a lot of the day of action was born out of frustration with the Conservative government.

"They cancelled the Kelowna Accord, they cancelled a bunch of support that was going to First Nations communities and people are understandably frustrated," said Cullen.

"I can understand people being upset and people being frustrated but I can also see a lot of hope. Some communities are taking some new directions and figuring out their own paths.

There's nothing like strong leadership. When First Nations have strong leadership and good support from the community it's amazing what gets done."