Chief Dismayed Over Tories’ Snub Of AFN Survey
Tuesday, October 07, 2008 at 14:57
The chief of the FSIN is pleased that four out of five political parties responded to a recent Assembly of First Nations’ questionnaire, but has concerns that the fifth party did not.
Last month, the AFN sent a questionnaire to the five main political parties running in the current federal election campagin, seeking their positions on First Nations issues.
The Liberals, New Democrats, Bloc Quebecois, and Green Party all responded, but the Conservatives did not.
Lawrence Joseph, who’s also an AFN regional chief, says that is disappointing and almost scary.
He says First Nations leaders will work with any political party — but warns that if First Nations issues aren’t even considered, it could lead to confrontation.
Joseph says two key issues are the Kelowna Accord and the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
He says First Nations leaders are willing to work with any party, provided it’s a relationship of mutual respect.