"Diplomacy Ends Today"

Indigenous resistance to Doug Ford's "Special Economic Zones"

There is another Canada.

A Canada that’s not in the tourist brochures.
A Canada that’s rarely mentioned in the media.

You might only hear about this Canada when people are being evacuated from climate fires, floods or because of a horrific youth suicide crisis.

Think of Haiti at minus 40, and you might get a sense of the conditions faced in the northern First Nations of Canada. On top of overcrowded and mouldy houses, people face insecure water, poor educational facilities, and terrible health services.

But this other Canada is also one of incredible resilience, determination, and pride — and they are about to teach Premier Doug Ford and the Canadian government an important lesson in resistance.

---

Let’s be clear: Doug Ford is not interested in building a better future for northern First Nations. He’s after the wealth beneath their lands.

His government has shown little regard for basic responsibilities such as consultation and respect for the environment.

Now Ford has brought in legislation that will establish "special economic zones."

Bill 5 gives a blank cheque to any grifter company, donor developer or mining company to start making money in Ontario without having to bother with troublesome zoning or environmental laws. It also exempts resource companies from their duty to consult Indigenous people.

Never mind that Canada has signed treaties with First Nations or that there is extensive legal precedent on the duty to consult.

Canada is also a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which commits governments and companies to respect the prior and informed consent of Indigenous people before exploiting resources on their lands.

But in true MAGA style, Ford is determined to defy the legal obligations.

He has cut short debate. And earlier this week, the Ontario Legislature forced Indigenous MPP Sol Mamakwa to leave the chamber for calling out Ford's lies to First Nation people.

But Doug Ford is about to meet the power of grassroots Indigenous resistance and this will be a teaching moment for all grifter politicians.

Standing with the chiefs at Queens Park after the bill was forced through, Sol Mamakwa laid down a simple warning: “Diplomacy ends today.”

The people will fight.

---

Let me tell you about Neskantaga First Nation.

It’s a community, with beautiful people, located in the heart of the so-called Ring of Fire, a region rich in mineral deposits within the isolated and fragile ecosystems of the James Bay lowlands.

Neskantaga has gone 30 years without clean drinking water.

How is it possible that in a country as rich as Canada and in the province of Ontario, which has some of the most abundant water resources in the world, the people of Neskantaga have been on a boiled water advisory for 3 decades?

I have visited Neskantaga and many other northern First Nations communities that are now facing the erasure of their traditional land rights by foreign multinationals. The price paid in these communities for bad water, mouldy, substandard homes, and a lack of opportunities for young people is staggering.

Charlie Angus examining severe skin damage on the legs of a woman who has bathed in Neskantaga water.

---

The First Nations have put up with a great deal but they will not put up with the destruction of their traditional lands. Leaders from the First Nations are advising Canadians to get ready for Idle No More 2.0.

"This fight is not over, but we will meet you on the ground.” - Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler

Idle No More was the incredible grassroots movement that shook Stephen Harper’s Conservative government with their ability to shut down roads, major intersections and busy shopping districts with joyful, defiant peaceful protests and massive round dances.

First Nation people and their allies know what is on the line. Breaking the treaties has long been the oldest con in Confederation. And it can't continue.

This teaching moment of resistance is essential for our nation.

---

Canada's greatest resource isn’t the gold, the critical minerals, or the oil and gas. It lies in the strength and potential of this generation of Indigenous youth.

As allies, our first responsibility must be to stand with the young people — not the politicians who would steal their land, their rights and their future.

When we begin to invest in Indigenous youth, Canada will become the nation it was meant to be.

---