Editor:
The government of the Right Honourable John Diefenbaker unconditionally extended the franchise to Canadian Aboriginal people in 1962. Before this historic act, Aboriginal people were required to give up their native rights in order to vote. Here is a link to the letter Diefenbaker signed at the time:
http://www.usask.ca/diefenbaker/galleries/virtual_exhibit/enfranchisements_of_aboriginals/dief_to_hurley.php.
In the same year, Senator Gladstone became Canada's first Aboriginal senator.
The government of Canada needs to follow the late Diefenbaker's lead and oppose with all its might the radical agenda of Harper's gang, which represents an all-out attack on the rights of indigenous people and indeed on the very earth upon which all Canadians stand. Bill C-45guts environmental protections,runs roughshod over indigenous rights, and ignores Aboriginal title. All this displays an impoverished interpretation of the honour of the Crown.
Before Dec. 4, Canada had 2.5 million protected rivers and lakes. As of Dec. 5 with the passage of this bill, Canada has only 82 protected rivers and lakes. This legislation is unacceptable and must be repealed.
We have an inclusive view of Canada, which acknowledges that Canada's First Nations have inhabited this land since time immemorial.We do not seek to extinguish Aboriginal title. On the contrary, we acknowledge it and celebrate it. We wish for continued generations of Canadians to learn stewardship from the diverse Aboriginal cultures that have thrived across this vast and rich land.
We do not seek to ignore or minimize Aboriginal rights, but rather to extend them and to redress past injustices and build a bright future for all Canadians in partnership with Indigenous groups. We take the view that, to the extent that economic stratification is desirable, the First Nations of Canada belong not at the bottom of the economic ladder but at the very top.
Roger Lagassé
Halfmoon Bay
