The corporate sector in Canada has failed to make progress in its attempts to reconcile with First Nations, Metis and the Inuit, according to the non-profit group Indigenous Watchdog.
The Indigenous Watchdog, which tracks the state of reconciliation in Canada, says corporations have not even started tackling Call to Action #92. It has been 11 years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission led by the late Senator Murray Sinclair filed its report.
Number 92 calls for a commitment to “meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships and obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples before proceeding with economic development projects.” The recommendation involves using the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) as a framework for economic reconciliation.
The findings come as Prime Minister Mark Carney is trying to rally support among Indigenous groups for major infrastructure developments and energy projects during a deepening trade war with the United States.
“We are working in full partnership with First nations, with the Metis and the Inuit. As allies from the start, not at the end,” Carney said during the Liberal caucus planning meeting earlier in September.
The Prime Minister said that Indigenous communities will not just be allies, but also “owners in the initiatives that will save the country.”
Not for sale
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks doesn’t buy Carney’s vision.
“Look at my forehead. Do you see ‘for sale,’ or ‘for lease’ or ‘for rent’ on it? “
In an interview with CTV News, Chief Na’Moks said that the Carney’s promise of economic benefits is an attempt to “buy you off.” He says the purported benefits will be short term construction jobs that will disappear once pipelines are built and he’s angry about the loss of environmental protections.
In 2020 the hereditary chiefs led protests against the development of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C.
The RCMP intervened to remove protestors who blockaded railways and ports on unceded territory.
The Chief says First Nations abide by L-A-W, “the law of land, air and water.”
“We don’t want more than what we have. We just want to maintain what is there. Why should somebody else come in (and) destroy it? They leave a mess. They get to go home, but this is our home. We live here. (Carney) does not.”
On Tuesday, when new U.S. import bans on some Canadian goods took effect, Chief Na’Moks said the federal and B.C. governments are using tariffs as an excuse to dismantle over two decades of work on UNDRIP.
“They’re dismantling that – taking away the human rights, the Indigenous rights and all the environmental protections that we depend on.”
Na’Moks is also angry with Carney’s plans to pass Bill C-39.
An overly ambitious timeline?
The “Build Canada Strong Act” aims to speed up permitting for infrastructure, energy and transportation projects by simplifying the approvals process and imposing a one-year deadline to make decisions.
The Prime Minister often repeats his new policy mantra: “One project. One review. One year.” But even supportive Indigenous leaders question if that’s too ambitious.
Mark Podlasly is the CEO of the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC), a national alliance of 205 Indigenous nations, representing about one-third of the country’s 634 reserves.
The group is seeking equity ownership in 20 major projects, including pipelines, electric utilities and mining developments.
While the FNMPC supports the big projects, Podlasly says Carney’s fast-tracking timeline may be too ambitious.
“Engagement by Indigenous people in projects has taken longer than a year in the past, but this is going to be a challenge for all sides.”
Podlasly says consultations must be “meaningful” and start as soon as possible if there is to be any chance of meeting Carney’s deadlines.
The chief executive officer says that means engaging Indigenous communities from the start and considering their input in financing and building projects.
“In the past, Indigenous people have been pushed to the side and have had projects imposed on us. This is a chance to do it right,” says Podlasly.
The federal government has recently offered 129 First Nations along the Trans Mountain pipeline route a collective 15 per cent ownership stake. The pipeline carries crude oil and refined petroleum from Edmonton to the British Columbia coastline.
Unlike Na’Moks, Podlasly doesn’t view this as a bribe, but as a step forward in reconciliation.
“Economic opportunities derived from the lands on which we have founded our nations is not crass. Involvement of Indigenous people into all aspects of Canadian society is the baseline for a just society.”
It’s likely First Nations will want to discuss access to basic infrastructure as part of major projects consultations.
The Assembly of First Nations estimates it would require $376.1 billion to close disparities over the next ten years.
Currently, 36 First Nations communities have gone without access to safe drinking water for more than a year.
Dozens of remote communities lack adequate housing, healthcare and roads.
And this year, 83 reserves were impacted by wildfires.
