Urban Aboriginal Rights
Time for Unity Strategy

One Man's Opinion

by Tehaliwaskénhas - Bob Kennedy

"We're talking about our rights to be who we are, wherever we are". These are the passion-wrapped words of one of aboriginal British Columbia's most forceful urban political voices. Scott Clark, vice-president of the United Native Nations was calling out to fellow UNN members at the recent annual assembly at the Ki-Low-Na friendship centre. His words form the foundation of a fight that promises to grow by leaps and bounds throughout urban aboriginal Canada.

In essence, it is the fight for the recognition of, and the portability of aboriginal rights. The implications of those words will resonate for years to come throughout non-aboriginal Canada, its' courtrooms and within First Nations' reserve-based communities.

"We've got to straighten out the Constitution so there will be the same rights for all aboriginals", said Harry Daniels, president of the Congress of Aboriginal People, a group that does nationally what the UNN does in BC.

Clark and Daniel's words are far from shallow politics. There are no pipe dreams here, only the pure power of righteous change, and of course the Supreme Court of Canada's Corbiere decision. That's the high court ruling that struck down part of the Indian Act as unconstitutional because its' residency requirement for voting discriminated against Indians living away from their reserve communities. It's one of the ingredients paving the way for the zealous nature of events these days amongst urban aboriginal peoples.

However, the realities of life for most urban aboriginals are enough to stir it up on their own. Disparities are great. So the fight is also for dollars and services to go along with the rights. UNN members, many of them women reinstated when Bill C-31 amended the Indian Act in 1985, are quick to tell you about the financial and service inequities between on-reserve and off-reserve communities.

One resolution passed by the assembly calls on the leaders to negotiate with federal and provincial governments to get equal services and programs for the reinstated population ---an urban population--- many who have faced prejudice and disrimination at the hands of their own people. Finger pointing and blame lingered. But by the end of the assembly they were lessened by a unified determination to move the fight forward.

Reflected here is the regeneration of the strength of the past, the rebirth of consensus amongst Native peoples, a drive toward unity regionally, provincially and nationally. They are rallying around the immediate need for urban aboriginal strategies.

Another directive from the assembly to the UNN leaders was clear --- negotiate protocols with all traditional, tribal, indigenous nations and organizations and collaborate in creating collective actions. The membership spoke often and in no unertain terms, and by way of numerous resolutions. The United Native Nations must focus on political activity, actively support direct action campaigns by indigenous peoples, lobby the provinces and Canada for rights and funding, and ensure it participates in meaningful consultations regarding changes to the Indian Act.

The challenge for on and off-reserve people is monumental but perhaps can be stated simply. Unite to gather political strength, build joint strategies --- develop dialogue, cement relationships, and demand from governments a recognition of rights for all the people no matter where they live. And 'tell them to put their money where their mouth is'.

As stated by Harry Daniels, "On behalf of urban aboriginals I have a message for Canada and the provincial premiers. Show me your plan for aboriginal people. Show me your plan". He and others intend to repeat that message often wherever they can, including inside Canadian courtrooms.