CALL FOR A MEETING BETWEEN PRIME MINISTER, THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA & INDIGENOUS LEADERS
This letter is in response to your decision to ignore the call of the Chief who will die for her people in pursuit of justice and truth for all indigenous people in Canada. Standing with her on this path are two warriors, Raymond Robinson and Jean Sock who will embrace the certainty of an eventual outcome with open arms, regardless of where that path ends. The call for a meeting is not to be misconstrued as a call for continued Indian Act policy management by way of creating process or more talk at 'high levels'; it is a call for truth in the relationship.
It is very well known by many Canadians and indigenous persons (who may or may not agree on whether they are Canadian or not), that your meeting that happened on January 11th, 2013, was not a follow-up to your "historic" Crown-First Nation Gathering in 2012, but rather a reaction to appease the power of Chief Spence and the growing 'Idle No More' peace movement. We also know that you are facing increasing pressure from industry and pressure from your own spirit to recognize what needs to be done to alleviate the situation at hand. Many people are praying for you and hope that you will recognize that by continuing to apply political strategy and Indian Act policy in this very delicate time will only serve to reinforce the growing dissent in your leadership. This is not just happening amongst the Indigenous people, it is happening amongst your constituent Canadians. Although it is apparent that growing political dissension is of no consequence to you, we will continue to try and appeal to your higher sensibilities of humanity and love for others to preserve life when given the choice.
The request from Chief Spence is a very simple one and despite representations to the contrary, it has been consistent. Humanity and compassion dictates that we all continue to pursue with her, the request to meet on Treaty implementation with you, the Governor General of Canada, and our people in a venue that can accommodate all parties involved. The Manitoba Chiefs ongoing push to help invoke your higher sensibilities is only an expression of their deep commitment to preserve the life of three people who are loved by so many. It is not about political opportunism or any other political dynamic that compromises truth and understanding.
In order to promote a fulsome participation from grassroots people and treaty and non-treaty leadership, our office would be more than happy to secure a safe, secure and accommodating venue in Ottawa or in the province of Manitoba at your earliest convenience. Our people would respect your agreement to participate in a dialogue with us and the Governor General. In addition, I am confident that your participation would create some certainty that lives would be spared in the process.
If your office is willing to proceed with an immediate discussion, please contact my Senior Political Liaison, Wally McKay at (204) 956-0610 or cell (204) 803-9480. We will follow-up with your Chief of Staff, Nigel Wright, to discuss your consideration of this request.
Time is of the essence.
Respectfully,
ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS
Derek J. Nepinak, LLB, B.A. (Hons.)
Grand Chief, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs |
