Re: Happenings in Canadian Indian country
Alex Roslin (alex_roslin@babylon.montreal.qc.ca)
Fri, 1 Apr 1994 21:38:38 -0000
> in what ways does the decentralization move in Manitoba which was announced
> recently mark a significant step over what has been happening over the past
> decade and more? I see decentralization towards self-government as being
> both a push from the feds to down-load re costs, i.e. to save some money,
> and also a response to democratic demands from First Nations. But, at that,
> what needs to be done to prevent a simple re-casting of neo-colonialism?
You're right, but there's also the issue of the federal strategy to fight
Quebec nationalism. That's really important in figuring out what Ottawa is
trying to do. They're hoping to win over the First Nations in Quebec to their
side by appearing to offer them a better deal than Quebec will or can. The
First Nations can totally derail the PQ strategy and timetable for
orchestrating a favourable public sentiment to separation within Quebec. If
the First Nations in Quebec make enough of a stink against separation, Quebec
will have a very hard time leaving.