Canada's Next Great Prime Minister Entry - Alika Lafontaine

My name is Alika Lafontaine and I'm a 25 year old Aboriginal Physician from Saskatoon, SK.

Its been said by many government officials that the state of our Aboriginal peoples is a "National Disgrace." I think most Canadians agree that something needs to be done, but the question is what?

In my platform I suggest a redefinition of the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the rest of Canada and the replacement of the Indian Act with a third seat of government called the Aboriginal House.

Aboriginal peoples currently make up a high percentage of our impoverished, imprisoned and soon to be ill. They also make up a high percentage of our youth.

Helping Aboriginal peoples will help all of Canada. It will help our Health Care system with a lower burden of illness. It will help our overstretched penal system with lower crime rates and lower gang involvement. It will help our economy with better educated, more skilled young people.

Creation of a new relationship between Aboriginal peoples and Canada can help Aboriginal people to finally be empowered, take responsibility for our own future and be a partner in sustainable development.

For more discussion, check out my Facebook group:
http://usask.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5714082918

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[nationalismus]

I disagree with ur idea of creating a separate seat for dealing w/ aboriginal issues. I'm not Canadian but I'm from a place where aboriginal ppl have also been neglected, although in a more subtle way. I think a process of integration w/o victimization is the best way to go. U'r a proof of the achievement that a certain minority group can reach. When society starts seeing many more doing that, it is just a matter of time for this group to be fully integrated and regarded for its particularities.

[Saskdoc]

Its important to differentiate between rights and issues. Right now, the rights of Aboriginal Peoples are split into a very convoluted, disparate, disconnected system with elected, non-elected and self-appointed leaders making decisions that affect Aboriginal Peoples across Canada. So the idea of a third level of government is not about dealing with issues, its about dealing with the system currently in place to provide the rights all Aboriginal Peoples already have.

[Saskdoc]

Part II

Canada is unique in that the rights of Aboriginal Peoples are enshrined within our constitution, acknowledging at the highest level of law that Aboriginal Peoples were one of the founding Nations of Canada. Although we are a minority group within Canada, our rights do not flow from being a minority but from being a founding Nation. The 3rd seat of government was a way to respect that unique history and move to a potentially more effective system of governance.

[Saskdoc]

Part III

Aboriginal Peoples don't just have particularities, we have a shared Canadian history that goes to the legal and governmental foundations upon which Canada is built. That's not hyperbole, that's historical and legal fact.

I agree that we need to move away from victimization and focus more on achievement. But the shared history Aboriginal Peoples have with Canada needs to still be remembered and respected.

Thanks for your comment!

[Saskdoc]

I think many Aboriginal people have done a great job integrating with the rest of Canada. We have jobs, we pay taxes. We are Aboriginal, but are also part of the Canadian identity and want to do our best to build up this country not only for ourselves but also for other Canadians. I'm not quite sure what you mean?

[Saskdoc]

Interesting last couple of comments. Have either of you ever been to a reserve? Have you seen the free roads, houses, university education? What I see is lack of clean water, proper sewage systems, grocery stores and proper education. I'm sure if you took the time to actually visit a reserve in Saskatchewan you'd see the same.

I didn't receive a dime from Indian Affairs for my education. I've paid taxes every year since I was sixteen.

[Saskdoc]

I don't blame 'Whitey' for my problems. I'm not crying for you to support me. I'm not quite sure what you're both so angry about.

Treaty rights give benefits to everyone, both Aboriginal People and non-Aboriginal People. They're so integral to Canadian history that they're enshrined within the constitution, the most respected legal framework we have. If you're a Canadian Citizen you share in that history and agreement, its not a backroom benefit Aboriginal People receive just because.

[Capitalme79]

I'm concerned that a third house of parliament for 3% of the population is disproportionate and sets a precedent for other groups (ie French Canadians) to desire parliamentary bodies. While you suggest that limiting it to Aboriginal issues will curb this, many solutions to these issues affect non-aboriginals. How do you deal with areas of mixed jurisdiction?

I realize that part of my question was asked by Meg, but you seem to be more willing to accuse her of racism than respond to her points.

[Capitalme79]

I'm still unclear on how this Aboriginal House could handle areas of overlapping jurisdiction. Could you clarify how exactly the Senate would be able to moderate this?

[gundamWWW]

I liked you video, I just wanted to ask you 1 question.

If a non Aboriginal person (let's say another minority) asked for the blessing from an aboriginal leader or tribe, do you think that they should receive it?

And from then on should they be allowed to refer to the aboriginal people as "my people". even if they don't have the ancestry of the aboriginal people?

[annabodhi38]

Oh for crying out loud... that's all we need... more big government telling us what to do, how to think, what to be...!! Let's deal with the racism that is rampant in Saskatchewan. I have never in my life lived in such a racist place! It's so backwards and unsophisticated. Indians hate whites and whites hate Indians..... it's completely sick! I can't wait to leave this hell that is Saskatchewan...

[larrydallas187]

Natives have always had it hard here and in the US, like I'm talking big-time. It's insane what the "white man" did to Indians.

The Senate should be elected and Natives should be guaranteed a seat.

They should also

[lucy9359]

Oh yes and by the way I agree with this guy I think we should invest in the aboriginal people of this country. Perhaps we should come together as whites and aboriginals as our youth are not doing well either. Drug abuse is rampant in every high school in this country. Something has gone really wrong in this nation white or aboriginal. I love both races!

[lucy9359]

Why do you believe half of the stuff you say. I was watching all your comments on another video where you had a real hate on for white people. My mother was native descent my father was Irish. I have done many great things for the native people in this land. I don't hate white people I know many of them have helped me to help your people. If your going to be so angry why not direct it a little better to where it belongs instead of singling out an entire race of people!

[lucy9359]

What is it that the native people want from self government. I think that they should try to educate the white public in this country as opposed to critisizing them as most of us them don't have a clue about what native affairs are or why. My grand mother was native which caused me to notice the native people. I respect this man who wants to make a difference for his people but respecting and understanding are two seperate issues.

[GWARCUM]

Its kind of hard to feel sorry for a people who show no acountability for their own actions . ie ...FNU How can you be pissed off at the Government for pulling the funding when your So called Chiefs are steeling from your own eductaion system ???

[crazycoyotie]

this guy is on the right track but this movement must move fast due 2 the cia bankers are moving fast 2 take the little the word has left

[MrIndianSupporter]

The third seat of government an Aboriginal House, yes that should be the case after all Canadian government is a foreign government on indigenous North American land and the indigenous people have the right to self governing. No, indigenous people should not be equal with foreigners the indigenous should have more privileges since this is their land and their natural recourses.

Great idea, hope you spread it around.