The fact is that Quebec has the best record on native rights in
comparison with any other government in Canada and probably
superior to the U.S. record. Nonetheless both nationally and
internationally Quebec is the focus of massive attention on this
question. Why? Why does the execrable record of Manitoba,
ridiculously described by one poster as better than Quebec's, not
receive similar scrutiny? Why is Manitoba or British Columbia
not the subject of rallies and concerts in Central Park, N. Y.?
There is only one, blindingly obvious, answer. It is the same
answer as the answer to the question as to why the U. S. focusses
all of its concern for human rights on the alleged abuses
committed by its' enemies. Quebec is being attacked as its'
people prepare for a critical battle over their national rights.
There is a concerted effort to thwart Quebec's moves towards
sovereignty, and creating divisions between Native peoples and
Quebecois is an ideal divide and rule tactic. The tactic is even
better if people of good will in English Canada and elsewhere
fasten on these (often falsely created) contradictions to attack
Quebec.
The situation is so volatile that all of Canada's media have
engaged in serious discussions of taking 2/3 - 3/4 of Quebec's
territory away from it "for the sake of the natives" should
Quebec try to separate. Canada's national newsmagazine
"Maclean's" has a cover story this week on the use of violence
against Quebec's separation. Unfortunately the leader of the
Assembly of First Nations, Ovide Mercredi, played into this
dismal scenario by stating recently that should Quebec separate,
the Native peoples would seek Canada's assistance in helping them
"separate" from Quebec. Why Natives would not find Quebec a
negotiating partner equal to or better than the federal
government in their quest for autonomy is a serious question
which Quebec bashers must answer.
In any event the facts themselves answer some of the hysterical
assertions posted in this and other conferences about James Bay
and Quebec's treatment of Native peoples.
1. In 1985 the Parti Quebecois government of the late Rene
Levesque adopted a resolution recognizing 11 aboriginal nations
in Quebec as distinct and their rights to autonomy.
2. After the 1981 constitutional accord excluding Quebec, Rene
Levesque and the Chief of the Crees formed an alliance to obtain
recognition for Quebec and for aboriginal rights.
3. Only one government in Canada has initiated a process leading
toward responsible aboriginal government and that is Quebec in
Nanavik for the Inuit in Northern Quebec.
4. Billy Diamond: "The Cree School Board (in James Bay area) has
inherent powers and functions which are not emulated by any other
provincial board and certainly not given to any other native
educational body in Canada." [1986]
5. In Manitoba, 10% of the population is Native, while 50% of
the prison population is Native. In Quebec 0.8% of the
population is Native, while 0.3% of the prison population is
Native. Quebec is in fact the only province in Canada where
Natives are less represented in jails than their numbers in the
overall population.
6. The average Native family in Manitoba earns 55% of the
average Manitoban family income. The comparable percentage for
Quebec is 75%, the highest in Canada.
7. On reserves in Manitoba, 49% of homes lack central heating.
The comparable figure for Quebec is 17%, again better than
anywhere else in Canada.
8. More than 50% of Native families in Manitoba live below the
poverty line. The comparable figure for Quebec is that 32% of
Native and 26% of non-Native families live below the poverty
line.
9. Quebec Natives have retained their languages to a greater
extent than Natives anywhere else in Canada.
10. The percentage of Natives in Quebec having at least a Grade
11 education is the highest in Canada.
11. The James Bay 2 project is neither an ecological disaster
nor a disaster for aboriginal peoples. See my earlier postings.
As to mercury:
a. Mercury is found in the environment naturally and is
contributed to by such things as industrial emissions and
fossil fuel power stations.
b. Greenpeace is misinformed about mercury problems in
Quebec. NO health problems resulting from mercury have been
recorded in Northern Quebec. The only Candaian Natives
recording such problems are in the Grassy Narrows reserve in
Ontario, caused by the pulp and paper industry.
c. The Cree, the Quebec Government and Hydro-Quebec signed
the Mercury Agreement in 1986 with a budget of $18 million.
The James Bay Mercury puts out an annual report in Cree,
French and English and people should consult it before
jumping to conclusions. The highest levels of mercury are
found in Cree communities with NO contact with Hydro-Quebec
reservoirs, as the natural levels of mercury in fish in the
Canadian Shield is high.
Quebec nationalism is neither racist nor exclusivist. This is an
accusation is familiar to all peoples fighting for self-
determination.
There is much more to be said. Let us leave with this thought.
When Quebec is struggling for its rights, and those who would in
some cases violently deny Quebec its' rights suddenly "find"
groups within Quebec to "save", we better think twice before
jumping on the bandwagon.
Remember the Miskitos of Nicaragua. Remember the Maine.
David J.