Here are a number of good pieces I’ve come across concern indigenous groups in Canada exerting their rights both politically and economically.
First up, on the West Coast there’s this story of the Squamish who are “transforming the land (seen above) into one of the largest Indigenous-led development in Canada’s history, on its own terms — free from the rules that bind most urban developers. But not everyone is happy about the nation’s power and autonomy over its project”. Second, in Central Canada, there’s this story of an Indigenous cannabis shop in London that could be major test for Ontario. I also came across this story on the Innu out East fighting for what’s theirs. It states that although “they’re getting financial compensation, the Innu have yet to receive the rest of what was agreed upon: self-governance.”
I strongly believe that indigenous people of Canada need to have more than political power to succeed: they also need economic power. So I am glad whenever I see stories like this of a Group of First Nations and Metis communities acquiring minority stake in 7 Enbridge pipelines. There’s still much to be done, of course, as this story shows: 25 years after the Delgamuukw case the fight for land is contentious.
Despite setbacks and roadblocks, there’s progress, as this story illustrates, when the federal government and 325 First Nations agree to settle a class-action lawsuit that sought reparations for the loss of language and culture brought on by Indian residential schools, for $2.8 billion. Not all progress is financial, but it still matters: Residential schools described as genocide by House of Commons.
Some other stories of note:
- This doesn’t seem good: Assembly of First Nations CEO Janice Ciavaglia resigns.
- A very good view of the struggle between Colonial America and indigenous America over the centuries.
- I liked this piece on how to explore Canada’s Indigenous food culture.
- Tiny home village for people without housing welcomes 1st residents. Good to see this.
Smart People I Know 