20th Century Historic Gathering

Uniting First Nations---Tecumseh's Vision
Joint Annual General Assembly
Assembly of First Nations and the
National Congress of American Indians

Different Perspectives---Different Strategies
Common Understanding---We Need Change

by Tehaliwaskénhas
Outside Vancouver's Trade and Convention Centre summer's warm evening breeze off Burrard Inlet gently nudges the leaves. Nearby, Indian chiefs, elders and youth share the outdoors with the tourists in this very popular part of the city's seductive waterfront.

Meanwhile, two of Canada's top aboriginal leaders talk of the troubles in Indian country. But while they have come to this historic gathering for the same apparent reason---to find ways to help their people and communities, they speak a different language. Not one of those disappearing aboriginal languages, but the language of strategic politics.

The following is based on exclusive interviews by Turtle Island Native Network.

Stewart Phillip, Chief of the Penticton First Nation and head of
the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs
with Councillor(and wife) Joan Phillip

Chief Phillip isn't someone non-aboriginal governments embrace as a friend. He speaks bluntly, in their minds militantly and aggresively. He is their worst nightmare! Just ask him about Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart. He called her speech "condescending and paternalistic".He rejects the government's aboriginal policy-Gathering Strength as a failure.

Fresh from supporting the Cheam Nation fishermen's protest on the Fraser River and confronting gun-toting department of fisheries officers, he is intense and a man on an obvious mission and with an unpopular message. "Many of our leaders are in a high level of denial about the true state of affairs in Indian country today". He believes too many of the aboriginal leadership support the government to the detriment of the people.

Phillip reminds us reality is only a few blocks away from all this wealth and rhetoric. His reference is to Vancouver's downtown eastside with its extreme poverty, most of which is experienced by aboriginal people.

Councillor Joan Phillip pulls no punches as she describes the situation in Indian country today. She explains people are starting to choose tough leaders to serve them, and more and more the elders are insisting that First Nation politicians take a more aggressive approach.

These two people, husband and wife are political bookends, and that fits nicely with Chief Phillips belief that, "nation-building has to be a family event for Indian people". He personalizes what he believes and reflects on his concerns for his three grandchildren ages 9 months to two and a half years. Then to reinforce his point, he recalls the story his wife told him upon her return from a trip to China where she heard the expression, 'women hold up half the sky'.

Chief Phillip doesn't hold out much hope this gathering will produce the right results to create the change being demanded by aboriginal people. "Indian people are at the crossroads, and they will not stand idly by and wait for the leadership to awaken. They will mobilize and take the necessary actions". He is almost certain the people and communities now will take matters into their own hands. He predicts it is only a matter of time before Canada sees another major confrontation with Indian people...somewhere.

Asked if she agrees, Joan Phillip describes the situation in one word, "volatile".

Phil Fontaine, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

His optimism is based on the fact this gathering is taking place, plus other milestones such as the government of Canada's statement of reconciliation and the $300 million healing fund to assist people abused in Indian Residential Schools. He is quick to remind me that money is not compensation and he is hopeful this matter can be resolved through an alternative dispute resolution process the AFN is helping to develop.

How does he feel about the state of affairs for First Nations and how significant is this gathering? Fontaine beams with pride and optimism, "I feel good, I am energized and more commited." He feels a tremendous energy coming from this assembly and cites the huge turnout. Estimates suggest in the neighbourhood of five thousand Canadian and American Indians are here.

Unlike Chief Phillip's prediction, Fontaine scoffs at the suggestion that because of all the disputes First Nations are facing, another 'Oka' type crisis is imminent. The standoff by Mohawks against the military in 1990 is a reference point cited by observors of the growing unrest within Native communities.

Phil Fontaine doesn't buy the comparison at all, "We're at a different place and I'm confident in our collective ability to make change in our communities. " Is this an illustration of the denial that has Phillip worried? Not at all, says Fontaine. "I have absolute confidence in our leaders to represent the interests of the people fairly. We are not going to be cheated. I don't accept the status quo."

Fontaine and Phillip agree change is needed, but that's where agreement ends. The AFN leader believes in an essential strategy of negotiating change and says it has produced results. But when pressed on the issue of how much change is needed and how soon, he responds, " I am not dependent on one single approach. I believe in a multi-faceted strategic approach."

Although he would not endorse specific acts, his comments seemed to leave the door open for the approach taken by Philip and others who are leading the move toward asserting their aboriginal rights in a visible way. As he headed for a celebration--a feast with the Squamish Nation, Fontaine was confident his is the right way, and he dismissed the naysayers and critics of this assembly of people, "I am full of hope and optimism."

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The Boston Globe Reports on Vancouver's Historic Gathering

Canadian and American Indians Join Forces

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BBC Reports on Vancouver Gathering

Summit to produce Historic Docment--Fontaine

Indian/First Nations Summit:Renewal of Historic Ties

CBC Vancouver Reports
Vancouver Province Reports

National Post Reports