First Nations Self Government
First Nations Self Government
17 Roadblocks to Self-Determination, and One Chiefs Thoughts on Solutions
LEROY PAUL WOLF COLLAR
Copyright 2020 Leroy Paul Wolf Collar
20 21 22 23 24 5 4 3 2 1
Printed and manufactured in Canada
Thank you for buying this book and for not copying, scanning, or distributing any part of it without permission. By respecting the spirit as well as the letter of copyright, you support authors and publishers, allowing them to continue to create and distribute the books you value.
Excerpts from this publication may be reproduced under licence from Access Copyright, or with the express written permission of Brush Education Inc., or under licence from a collective management organization in your territory. All rights are otherwise reserved, and no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, digital copying, scanning, recording, or otherwise, except as specifically authorized.
Brush Education Inc.
www.brusheducation.ca
Cover and interior design: Carol Dragich, Dragich Design;
Cover images: iStock/liquidfog
Proofreading: Shauna Babiuk
Reviewers
Cameron Alexis, former Chief, former Grand Chief of Treaty 6, former AFN Regional Chief, and current CEO for Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc., Alexis Stoney Nakota Nations
Dr. Andrew Bear Robe, Bear Robe Management Consulting & Indigenization Consultant
Carolyn Buffalo, BA, LLB, former Chief of the Montana Cree Nation
Brian Calliou, LLM, Director, Indigenous Leadership, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, member of Sucker Creek First Nation
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Title: First Nations self-government : 17 roadblocks to self-determination, and one Chiefs thoughts on solutions / Leroy Paul Wolf Collar
Names: Wolf Collar, Leroy Paul 1961 author.
Description: Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20190119837 | Canadiana (ebook) 20190119845 |
ISBN 9781550598216 (softcover) | ISBN 9781550598223 (PDF) | ISBN 9781550598230 (Kindle) |
ISBN 9781550598247 (EPUB)
Subjects: CSH: Native peoplesCanadaPolitics and government. | CSH: Native peoplesLegal
status, laws, etc.Canada. | CSH: Native peoplesCivil rightsCanada. | CSH: Native peoples
Canada Government relations.
Classification: LCC E98.T77 W65 2020 | DDC 323.1197dc23
Contents
by Vincent Yellow Old Woman
ROADBLOCK NO. 1:
First Nations Governing Institutions
ROADBLOCK NO. 2:
The Crown Ignores Treaty Promises
ROADBLOCK NO. 3:
Control over First Nations Citizenship
ROADBLOCK NO. 4:
Provincial Government Involvement
ROADBLOCK NO. 5:
First Nations Portfolio System
ROADBLOCK NO. 6:
Lawless First Nations Communities
ROADBLOCK NO. 7:
Leadership Competencies
ROADBLOCK NO. 8:
The Functions of the Band Administration
ROADBLOCK NO. 9:
Dependency on the Canadian Government
ROADBLOCK NO. 10:
Per Capita Distributions
ROADBLOCK NO. 11:
High Unemployment
ROADBLOCK NO. 12:
A Lack of Strategic Planning
ROADBLOCK NO. 13:
No Plan for Youth
ROADBLOCK NO. 14:
On-Reserve Housing
ROADBLOCK NO. 15:
Intergenerational Impacts of Indian Residential Schools
ROADBLOCK NO. 16:
Constitutionally Limited Calls to Action
ROADBLOCK NO. 17:
Diverse Political Needs, Overlapping Political Organizations
Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge my wife, Marsha Rose Wolf Collar, for her love and support throughout the time it took me to complete this book. She always encourages me to share my knowledge and experience as a former Councillor and Chief, in hopes that I can inspire future First Nations leaders into becoming stronger, healthier leaders representing their communities.
I thank my former colleagues from years past, who served with me from 1993 to 2010. They were a positive influence in my political journey as a Councillor and Chief; I couldnt have done it without them. I especially want to recognize the Chiefs and Councillors I served with who are not with us today. They too were true leaders whose goal was to create a better quality of life for our members, equal to that which is enjoyed by ordinary Canadians.
I want to also take this time to acknowledge the following people, who I consider experts in the areas of Indigenous law and governance. These individuals took time out of their busy schedules to review my book and then offered constructive feedback and recommendations aimed at improving the content. They are as follows: Cameron Alexis, Dr. Andrew Bear Robe, Carolyn Buffalo, and Brian Calliou.
Finally, I want to thank the Creator for always being there for me and my family.
Foreword
Oki, I am honoured to be writing the foreword for this long-awaited book. Ive had the pleasure of spending a lot of time discussing what Leroy wrote in this book, and I often encouraged him to share his knowledge and experiences through literature. Ive always appreciated and acknowledged Leroys gift of writing.
One day, I walked into Leroys study in his home and observed the many books placed neatly on the bookshelves. I inquired as to how many of these books he had actually read, to which he replied, Ive read all of them. Leroy is an avid reader, keen listener, rigorous researcher, accomplished public speaker, and a talented writer.
Leroy is also fluent in our Siksika language. He shared a story with me about how he overheard two individuals engaging in a Siksika dialogue and the surprise on their faces as he entered their conversation. Leroys ability to understand and speak the Siksika language has assisted him in mitigating communication barriers for community members and creating meaningful interchanges.
Leroy credits his Siksika upbringing, family members, and Elders who were instrumental in teaching him the language, values, teachings, culture, and the strengths of who we are as Siksika people.
Ive shared with people that if you want to engage in a conversation with Leroy on political matters, you better have your facts and know what youre talking about; otherwise, listen and you will learn from his expertise.
As a former Chief with experience in First Nations governance, I strongly encourage readers who want to understand the political world of First Nations issues to read this book. Any politician, whether seasoned or novice, may find that this book can assist in facilitating discussions surrounding self-determination. My only regret in commencing my political career is that I didnt have a book like this one to reference or guide me. Thank you, Leroy, for a book I believe will help all First Peoples!
May the Creator help all those who read this book and help them in their own way to achieve their goals. This book will create critical conversations and challenge us to work hard for our children, grandchildren, and future generations. Many blessings.
Vincent Yellow Old Woman (former Siksika Nation Chief)
September 2019