Yesterday, many First Nations chiefs from across the country had the ear of the Prime Minister at the Crown-First Nations summit. Last fall, Samara listened, too – but not to any chiefs. We gathered a group of politically disengaged urban Aboriginal peoples living in Toronto as part of a series of focus groups across the country. Samara’s report, The Real Outsiders, shares the findings from this research. However, limited space meant that the richness of voice and stories in each focus group could not be fully fleshed out. This is the first in a series of blogs that will provide greater detail and insight into the conversations of each group Samara spoke with.
More than any other focus group, participants expressed concern about environmental issues: water and air quality, increasing pollution, accelerating climate change, and severe famines throughout the world. Many also expressed fear and worry for subsequent generations who will have to deal with ongoing challenges, such as environmental degradation. “What’s going to happen for my grandchildren?” wondered one woman, aged 62, who works in the justice system.
Despite sharing such concerns, participants did not view traditional political engagement as an effective means of achieving any improvement: “I just don’t like dealing with politicians because the track record of watching a politician in Canada from any level, municipal right up to federal,” said one middle-aged man working to pick up some carpentry skills, “It just seems what they say and what they do is two totally completely different things.”
One woman, a 23-year old mother, felt that the best way to express her dissatisfaction with the political status-quo was actually through non-participation: “just don’t vote.” Her frustration was informed by her limited sense of efficacy: “Well personally, as one person to make change, it’s kind of impossible. Unless you have resources and connections to certain things … If you don’t really have those kinds of connections, I don’t see how you could really make a difference.” Another young, single mother felt intimidated by the idea of engagement without someone supporting her: “I feel like I can’t – no one will back me up.”
The collective histories of Aboriginal peoples – past and present – also came to the fore during the discussion. Many raised the neglect and abuse from the ruling political system over several generations. From the loss of their lands to the policy of residential schools, it was clear that such experiences continue to shape the Aboriginal peoples’ views of the Canadian politics today.
Not surprisingly, there is a residing mistrust towards politicians and government. One 31-year old student captured a sense of injustice, eliciting many nodding heads: “Why should we have to fight for our land? The political leaders who are supposed to help us, go on about how we’ve been through so much...why should we have to give up our status rights? That’s our kids’ future, education.” Another called for the creation of a First Nations political party: “What are we doing with these people? Why do we even consider supporting them? Why don’t we have our own party that comes from our own cultures?”
When the Aboriginal focus group was asked what might be done to make them feel more positively toward both democracy and politics, a number of changes were raised:
- “We need more Native rights…they’re cutting our dental care…they shouldn’t be doing that."
- “…one thing would be to see our land claims and our treaties honored…that would give me a little smidgen that they might be alright.”
- “Make me feel safe…I don’t feel safe in my neighbourhood…I’m scared to walk out of this room with my daughters. I’m scared for them to get shot.”
- “When they’re talking about things in the House of Commons, City Hall they should have a big list - like a TV guide - that’s publicized for the public can say, ‘that peaks my interest, I might get involved’.”
In response to this same question – “what would make you care?” - one voice captured a simpler refrain: “If you want to voice your opinion, you know someone is going to listen to you and take action”. This idea was at the heart of yesterday’s First Nations-Crown summit – not just recognition, but action. And the stakes of this meeting should be seen as more than a shift in policies. It is also linked inextricably to the political engagement and empowerment of First Nations people.