The Chiefs of Ontario maintains its position opposing the Nault
Governance Initiative in accordance with Resolutions 02/01 and 01/40.
- The shape and content of the Nault Initiative was pre-determined
by the federal Cabinet in March of 2001. There was no First Nation
participation in the development of the package. Minister Nault
has made it clear from day one that he is determined to proceed
regardless of First Nation opposition. He has no mandate to vary
from the menu of Indian Act amendments pre-determined by Cabinet.
- In spite of a huge investment of financial and human resources,
the INAC consultation process has been largely unsuccessful. This
is because the AFN Chiefs in Assembly have not supported the process.
- INAC reports that they have consulted with 7,000 people in
Canada. However, Canada’s census 1996 identifies 799,010
Aboriginal people in Canada and further reports 1,101,960 people
of aboriginal origin. Even if we give INAC the benefit of the
doubt on the 7,000 members consulted, it adds up to less 1% of
the population consulted. This is not consultation.
- From the very beginning, the result of the consultation process
has been pre-determined. The purpose has been to support the Indian
Act changes sketched out in Cabinet in March.
- The consultation process closed at the end of October. Even
if the Penultimate Draft Work Plan is endorsed, there will be
no re-opening of the consultation. Therefore, the work on the
Nault Initiative in 2002 would be based on the bogus consultation
of 2001. That practically ensures a package of Indian Act amendments
prejudicial to First Nations.
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