Former MP says Natives shabbily treated

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The treatment of Native people in Canada is shabby and unjust, says a former Liberal member of Parliament.

Keith Penner, who chaired a 1983 parliamentary committee on Native self-government, want an end to the withering away of aboriginal rights. He is calling on the federal government to stop "the century old habit of alternating between two ridiculous policies that have been used to deal with Natives."

"The first is one of protectionism where the federal government plays a parent role with Natives and the second is assimilation. Both methods are absolutely wrong."

The only right policy for the government, said Penner in a telephone interview from Thunder Bay, is the recognition of aboriginal rights, which he said is the oldest outstanding human rights issue in Canada.

"I urge the government to sit down with Indians and work out unacceptable arrangement. There must be a great deal of give and take from both sides."

He said there is a high degree of frustration among Natives because Ottawa has dragged its heels on self-government, although the question of the right of Native people to self-government was answered hundreds of years ago during British rule of the colonies. More recently the Supreme Court has reaffirmed aboriginal rights, he noted.

"The government has to consider human rights before economics. If economics or anything else comes first, there will be very serious injustices in this country.

"Even though they are the founders of this land, they've been pushed to the margins of our society, so Natives have always been forced to fight for their rights as minorities."

"As long as these matters remain unresolved, it follows that human rights are being abused."

For centuries Natives have lacked the political power to be able to influence the direction of Canada, said Penner, who spoke to the Alberta branch of the federal Liberal Party in Edmonton Oct. 13.

Meanwhile, he said the government must honor treaty obligations. "Treaties were made in good faith so they are binding in their letter and spirit. Treaties need to be interpreted liberally and in 20th century terms."

Penner is also calling for a 20th century treatment of aboriginal hunting and gathering rights. He said Natives should be given as part of self-government control over fisheries, wildlife and forestry in their area.

"You can't have self-government without an economic base. Unless Natives are allowed to run their own economic affairs, there will always be sting attached to the money they get from the federal government."