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Federal Government Response to the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples From Thomas Bressette, Ontario Regional Chief,January 14, 1998 |
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In the wake of the Oka Crisis, the federal government of Brian Mulroney appointed the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) in August of 1991. One of the two co-chairs of the Commission was Georges Erasmus, the former National Chief. The Commission had a very broad mandate, initially drafted by Brian Dickson, the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. The Commission held hearings across the country and oversaw an extensive analysis of Aboriginal issues. The Commission did not issue its final multi-volume report until November of 1996, i.e. approximately five years after its creation. However, during its five year term, the Commission issued several interim reports on a range of important topics; for example, self government, suicide, justice, and the modern Treaty-making process. The final report (in volume 5) featured over 100 pages worth of detailed recommendations. In the fiscal area, the Commission recommended a massive investment in Aboriginal communities over a twenty-year period. |
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Initial Reaction To The RCAP Report There was a great
deal of public interest when the RCAP Report was finally released
in November of 1996. However, First Nation governments and the Canadian
government did not move immediately toward implementation. This
was caused in part by the sheer size of the Report, time was required
to read it and digest. As well, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
and the federal government were engaged with other short-term priorities;
for example, the optional Indian Act reform bill . Finally, consideration
of the RCAP Report was slowed by the federal electoral in June of
1997 and the AFN electoral process in July of 1997. |
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Process Leading To The RCAP Response Of January 7, 1997 The federal and AFN electoral processes of the summary of 1997 produced two leaders willing to work cooperatively on the RCAP Report, i.e. Nationally Chief Phil Fontaine of the AFN and Indian Affairs Minister Jane Stewart. Another positive background development was the emerging realization that the annual deficit of the federal government had been reduced to practically zero. Therefore, the federal government had money to spend on RCAP implementation. These positive factors led to an intensive negotiation between the federal government and AFN, starting approximately in August of 1997. Representatives of the other Aboriginal organizations (eg. Metis and Inuit) were also involved. By November of 1997 the basic elements of the RCAP response were in place. However, some additional time was required on the federal side to obtain various approvals (Cabinet, Treasury Board, etc.). It is important to emphasize that the response of January 7 emanated from a bilateral negotiation process. The final product was federal, but it strongly reflected the input of the AFN. |
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| The January 7, 1998 RCAP Response The RCAP response is set out in a relatively brief document entitled, "Gathering Strength". It was released at an historic ceremony in Ottawa on January 7. Many Ontario First Nation leaders were present, including members of the Planning and Priorities Committee (PPC) and Ontario Regional Chief Tom Bressette. Generally , First Nation leaders were very supportive of the RCAP response at the ceremony. It is important to emphasize that the January 7 response is recognized by all parties as a start for RCAP implementation, rather than an end. The RCAP response has basically two parts. First, there is the "Statement of Reconciliation" or apology, dealing principally with residential schools. Second, there is an array of measures dealing with employment, training, economic development, claims reform, etc. These two basic parts to the RCAP response form "Canada’s Aboriginal Action Plan" and are described in accordance with four themes or directions, as follows: Renewing the Partnerships Strengthening Aboriginal Governance Developing A New Fiscal Relationship Supporting Strong Communities, People and Economies The Statement of Reconciliation is essentially an apology from Canada to Aboriginal peoples for past wrongs. In particular, the Statement acknowledges the great harm caused by the residential school system. Building on the historic apology, the Statement goes on to express in a solemn way Canada’s desire to engage in a new respectful nation-to-nation relationship with Aboriginal peoples, including First Nations. It is possible that in future years, the Statement will come to be regarded as a kind of national treaty of friendship. Linked to the Statement is a new healing fund of $350 million, to be spent over 4 years. The primary focus of the fund will be to work with the individual and community victims of the residential school system. After the Statement of Reconciliation, the second part of the RCAP response sets out a broad range of positive measures in areas such as economic development, education reform, claims reform, and self-government. For example, in the area of self-government, it is proposed that a "governance institute" be established to build capacity, develop models. Approximately, $250 million has been committed for 1998-99 to begin implementation on these various measures. This sum includes approximately $60 million, as the Aboriginal share of an enhanced national child benefit program. At least some of the $250 million will be built into the base budget of INAC, and will therefore be repeated after 1998-99. It is important to emphasize that the themes and policy announcements of the RCAP response are general in nature. The detail of program design and implementation has been left to subsequent discussion between Canada and First Nations. |
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Meeting On January 12, 1998 Between Diand Minister Stewart And Ontario First Nation Leaders As a follow-up to the official release of the RCAP response, the Minister met on January 12 with Ontario Regional Chief Tom Bressette, NAN Grand Chief Charles Fox, Anishnabek Grand Chief Vernon Roote, AIAI Grand Chief Doug Maracle, and Six Nations Chief Wellington Staats (for the Independents). GCT#3 Grand Chief, Francis Kavanaugh was unable to attend due to transportation difficulties. The meeting was positive. The leadership was particularly supportive of the healing program attached to the Statement of Reconciliation. All of the PTO’s will be working to ensure that the money is distributed based on actual need, and not according to a mechanical formula. Apart from the Statement of Reconciliation, the leadership emphasized different priorities from the RCAP response; for example, economic development, education, and capacity building. All expressed an interest in working cooperatively on RCAP implementation. There was a certain emphasis on bilateral (Canada and First Nations) work, in view of the relationship difficulties with the current government of Ontario. Still, provincial involvement may be possible in particular fields (eg. economic development). |
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Next Steps The Minister will be visiting different parts of Ontario to discuss the RCAP response. Therefore, First Nations, Tribal Councils, and PTO’s will have an opportunity to raise questions, state priorities, etc. Beyond the initial announcement and information-sharing stage, it will be necessary for First Nations and organizations to work on implementation detail. This work will be intensive from January through March, given that there is a spending commitment of approximately $335 million for 1998-99 ($250 million + 1 year allocation of healing fund). The Ontario Regional Chief, Tom Bressette, and the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) staff are prepared to assist and support all PTO initiatives on RCAP implementation. |
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For Further Information Please contact Ontario Regional Chief Tom Bressette or Executive Director Andrew Reuben at (416) 972-0212 Chiefs of Ontario 344 Bloor Street West, Suite 602 Toronto, Ontario M5S 3A7 Tel: (416) 972-0212 Fax: (416) 972-0217 |
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