Phil Fontaine: Negotiation or Confrontation (3/4)

AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine makes a passionate address about the desperate situation of First Nations communities to the Canadian Club of Ottawa, May 15, 2007. Fontaine talks about the Conservative government reneging on the Kelowna Accord; 1100 outstanding land claims, and the attempts First Nations people have made to work with the Canadian government to resolve land claims and other issues. "How can we make this right for Canada? What can we do together to create the kind of country that we all deserve to live in?... Our people will simply no longer be put off... or dismissed as second-class citizens or an afterthought.... Canadians, we know, want these issues resolved fairly and justly."
"What did we do? What wrong did we do to Canadians? What harm did we inflict on people? What do they expect from us?... We've tried every approach, we've tried to do better, not just for First Nations people but for all Canadians." (Part 3 of 4.)
Part 1: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr3KsWu9q1M

Part 2: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz4fGnRSLSs

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veIiPgWiKKU

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• AFN
• National
• Chief
• Phil
• Fontaine
• Assembly
• First
• Nations
• Aboriginal
• poverty
• Canada
• land
• claims
• Kelowna
• Accord

[ruapraia]

For some reason white people can't seem to understand why Brown and black people are so angry. They can't see our humanity , or empathize with our pain.

But we all felt their pain on 911 we pulled them closer and wrapped our arms around them, and said we are with you on this. They can't see whats in front of them. They base their whole lives on fear, selfishness, and hate. But i wont spend my time hating them, its to detrimental to the soul. i pray they will wake up before its too late.

[bruyerey]

@ruapraia - I'm a white person and I can totally understand why others are angry. I'm very ashamed of the way my people have treated other people. You're right, there are a lot who don't get it, who have no compassion, and are very vocal in their racism. But there are lots of us who do get it, are sorry and want to make amends. I'm very grateful that First Nations people in particular are still willing to work with us, and I join you in hoping that we all wake up before it's too late. Miigwetch.

[ruapraia]

@bruyerey Thank you for saying so. Lets do what we can, each one teach one.

A great opportunity has been missed here, we all have been focusing on the wrong things, and making enemy's where there really were none. What we don't understand is the hate,and indifference what exactly did we do to you to provoke that? Whites were not our slaves, and never suffered under Jim Crow, or institutionalized racism.Why is it Whites are so angry with us and the indigenous Natives? Thank you for the dialogue. 

[bruyerey]

@ruapraia - my theory is that we white people are very greedy. If someone else has something we want, we'll demonize them and make excuses to steal it - like North America, for example. Just a theory. Other people think it's just about being different, but I think we did the same thing in Europe to other white people before we came here and messed up the Americas. Some of us want this to stop now - and that's why I posted these videos, to help educate people. Miigwetch.

[compassfusions]

Well done Phil, much respect.

[quote3000]

@bruyerey More like, Caucasians conquer other people because it is much easier to secure from others who have what they need or want: food, living space, resources, buffer zones and trade routes. Such actions go all the way back to Ancient Greece. Even Babylon, China, Rome, India, Russia, Ghana, Mali, and Assyria have done so in the past.

[ruapraia]

Well done. its not easy to step up to the bat, and or eat ones proverbial hat. (hehe)

At least you have taken a step in the right direction, i for one will do my part. Lets start a daisy chain of friendship and respect here on youtube. Its to easy to be a coward and say ugly things to each other as we hide behind a keyboard. I enjoyed your postings so much even though they saddened me, sometimes painful things must be shown. It can't all be (Charlie bit my finger) hehe thanks for posting.

[acerb45666555]

hey? if theres no more British Empire, why they still call lands here "Crown Lands"?? all youre agreements were with corrupt British powers based in Ottawa! this British power is no more! which of course, means treaties made with this Crown long ago may now be seen as now defunct. meaning you regain title and the right to defend it!

[DDSDTV]

Our Creator has made him a messenger for his Creation

[monster1134884]

@ffchatter hey!!!! you probably dont know me but its how our system runs we are ruled by the capitalist