Shawn Atleo, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is getting and saying it right. When the FIrst Nations of Canada ARE clearly Nations in their own right , will we see a respect of their Peoples , culture , spirituality , history , language and contribution to the mosaic of Canada. Much more to be said on this and I expect that we will see a further shaping of their Soverignty in the ongoing future .
“The treaties that were written before Confederation, the international courts, and the courts in this country have affirmed that negotiations between a government and indigenous people should be on a nation-to-nation basis, said Mr. Atleo. “What we have yet to have is a government with the political will to honour and uphold the recognition of the treaties and of aboriginal title and rights,” he said.
The time has come for a complete transformation of the relationship between Ottawa and the first nations, he said. “And I am really hopeful that the signals that have been sent by the Prime Minister and our work here in Moncton will result in the kind of change that our communities have been working for … ” “
via First Nations seek government-to-government relationship with Ottawa – The Globe and Mail.
