RE: [Marxism] Different periods, different politics

["David Quarter" <davidquarter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

From:                   "Craven, Jim" <JCraven@xxxxxxxxx>

>
> Response Jim C: Well I am also from both sides of the border with
> extensive experience with the NDP. This comment is typical of the
> eurocentric nature of many in the so-called "left" in Canada. The NDP,
> in my experience, has not only had nothing to say about First Nations
> issues that is of any substance, the NDP has been every bit  as
> treacherous<>>>> on the provincial and national levels on First
Nations
> rights/issues as anything the Tories or Liberals have produced>>> snip

 As disgusting as the provincial and federal governments of *all*
political affilitions in Canada have been towards First Nations
groups,"Every bit as treacherous...on First Nation rights/issues"
suggests that  NDP governments have taken nearly identical
approaches and carried out nearly identical policies to their liberal
and conservative counterparts vis-a-vis Aboriginal people.

 I think this statement is a stretch of reality, if just a tad.

You might say there is no fundamental difference between the two
on First Nation issues. For example, the standard of living for
aboriginal people was probably just as deplorable in BC during the
NDP years as it was/is in other parts of the country.  Then you
could say the  poor in BC as well.

On the other hand, to their credit the  (BC) NDP had fulfilled a
number of their treaty obligations while in power and were in the
process of 'negotiating' others at the time when they were turfed
out of officet. (As far as I'm aware, the NDP in Manitoba have
followed a similar path with treaty 'negotiations').

The current *liberal* government in BC, on the other hand, had as
one of its electioins platforms the elimination of all treaty
'negotiations' with the Native people. As opposition party, they
demanded a provincial referendum on negotiations tghat have been
near completion between some Turtle Island bands and the then
NDP government.

Not quite "every bit a treacherous" as you make them out to be...



DOQ




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