Strike while the iron is hot

It appears that AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo may be more open to progressive proposals for change than originally thought.

In a recent story published in the National Post, it was stated that, "Mr. Atleo did indicate he would not stand in the way of moves allowing native Canadians to own freehold title over more on-reserve property, which has been suggested as an encouragement to entrepreneurship."

Here's the column in reference: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2461464#ixzz0deqXKmE5

If this is true and Atleo is open to radical proposals like increased private property ownership on Indian Act reserves, then it makes sense that the federal government run with this and develop proposals for the AFN to study and perhaps support.

It would be great for the national chief to lead a campaign in support of on-reserve private property as a means of encouraging entrepreneurship. This is the only way First Nation communities are ever going to hope of putting a dent into poverty. No one is saying private property rights will transform reserves into meccas of opportunity overnight, but they will open up new possibilities for investment and opportunity that hitherto did not exist.

If I was the Minister of Indian Affairs I would seek discussions with Atleo and develop proposals that be supported by band governments.

Prof. Tom Flanagan and Prof. Chris Alcantara of Wilfrid Laurier University are coming out with a new book (with a foreword written by Manny Jules, a lifetime indigenous proponent of First Nation self-taxation) in March. In this work, the authors propose a First Nation Land Ownership Act where title to reserve lands is removed from the Crown and given over to First Nation governments, who in turn have the option of handing that over to individual band members.

Perhaps the time has come for this Conservative government to work with this particular national chief in delivering lasting change for all Indian Act bands by working to pass this land ownership legislation. This would require an amendment to the Indian Act. If the Tories had a majority government, they could likely expend the political capital to work with Atleo in passing this.

I have no faith in the other parties to do the right thing. They always seem to equate band leaders with indigenous opinion. They always come down on the side of vested Indian Act interest over democratic change on First Nations.

I will be watching Chief Atleo much more closely now and hope that he continues along this progressive path.