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Is democracy in Canada dead?

Freedoms and quality of life should be experienced by all
27841372_web1_220120-NTS-Letter-Thomson-letters_1

To the editor;

Having read former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Jody Wilson-Raybould’s book – ‘Indian in the House’ – was a well-articulated insight into the socio-economic and political challenges and ambitions facing not only the indigenous people, but all Canadians.

A common theme in the book is her reference to our political system being dysfunctional, and that democracy in Canada is dead.

What she fails to recognize is that not only is the indigenous tribal-colonial organizational structure not compatible with our current colonial party-structure, neither of those systems will ever produce democratic governments.

Her principal pre-occupation through the book is self-government, and the indigenous people have made considerable progress, by organizing and building local and national political networks.

It’s encouraging that the indigenous community already have well-established government-to-government relations with municipal, provincial, and the federal government on many issues and jurisdictions, under the umbrella of our federal government.

They also are well represented in all levels of government by having elected Members actively participating in the nation’s business at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, including herself, as a well-respected former Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Defining the roles and jurisdictions for their Chief’s should be a very high priority, and it would make sense if the Hereditary Chief’s were the stewards of their heritage and culture, including the preservation of their many languages, and the elected Chiefs being responsible for land and resource development.

It’s interesting Wilson-Raybould’s is not promoting electoral reform to help them implement the UNDRIP protocols to make sure the indigenous people have the same democratic rights and opportunities as everyone else in the country.

A Proportional electoral system is a natural to represent all cultures and societies, and would allow the indigenous community to form political parties that would better represent them, no matter where in Canada they live.

The industrial revolution and two world wars have insinuated dramatic changes in our economic and socio-political structures around the world, including the Atlantic Charter, banning colonial rule by restoring the post-war independence of European colonies.

A Proportional ballot will open the doors to transform Canada into a truly sovereign democratic society, that will help the indigenous people abandon yesterday’s unsustainable tribal-colonial lifestyles, and open the doors for them to experience the same freedoms and quality of life we all enjoy.

Andy Thomsen

Kelowna, B.C.

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news@starjournal.net

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