The feedback from the First Nations leadership summit on the federal government’s push to build big projects — first introduced under Bill C-5 — has been almost universally negative. After attending last week’s gathering in Gatineau, Que., Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs provided a scathing, albeit representative, summary.

“The sole purpose of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s First Nations summit was to serve notice on Canada’s First Nations that Bill C-5 is now the law of the land,” Phillip said in a statement. “Further, First Nations are now expected to fully accept and accommodate that reality.” Or even more pointedly, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation Chief Craig Nootchtai called it a “subjugation session — not a consultation session.”

Neither of them were wrong.

~

But the day before I was due to depart, I received a notice from the organizers cancelling my participation, and apparently reneging on the commitment to reimburse me for my non-refundable flights and hotel.

And I wasn’t the only one. Chiefs of Ontario told the Canadian Press in a statement, “It’s disappointing that technical staff, experts and lawyers from organizations and First Nations who were going to attend this meeting were uninvited after they were allowed to register. They all spent money on travel and accommodations to support chiefs during this critical discussion.”

On the first day, Privy Council deputy clerk Christiane Fox said, “If this is a protest for you, it’s an opportunity for us to listen.” But they spent so much time promising to listen that few First Nations leaders had time to speak at all. By the second day, the moderator had to ask cabinet ministers and members of Parliament to limit comments to no more than two minutes, to give space for First Nations leaders to speak.

Jfc. Politicians just can’t fucking shut up long enough to open their ears.

I truly had high hopes for Carney, but with each passing day I’m realizing he’s no fucking different than every other idiot on Parliament Hill.

On the first day, Privy Council deputy clerk Christiane Fox said, “If this is a protest for you, it’s an opportunity for us to listen.” But they spent so much time promising to listen that few First Nations leaders had time to speak at all. By the second day, the moderator had to ask cabinet ministers and members of Parliament to limit comments to no more than two minutes, to give space for First Nations leaders to speak.

Jfc. Politicians just can’t fucking shut up long enough to open their ears.

I truly had high hopes for Carney, but with each passing day I’m realizing he’s no fucking different than every other idiot on Parliament Hill.

He’s a neoliberal banker. He’s no different from the rest.

He’s a hell of a lot better the Poilievre but he’s far from the leader we need

The feedback from the First Nations leadership summit on the federal government’s push to build big projects — first introduced under Bill C-5 — has been almost universally negative. After attending last week’s gathering in Gatineau, Que., Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs provided a scathing, albeit representative, summary.

“The sole purpose of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s First Nations summit was to serve notice on Canada’s First Nations that Bill C-5 is now the law of the land,” Phillip said in a statement. “Further, First Nations are now expected to fully accept and accommodate that reality.” Or even more pointedly, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation Chief Craig Nootchtai called it a “subjugation session — not a consultation session.”

Neither of them were wrong.

~

But the day before I was due to depart, I received a notice from the organizers cancelling my participation, and apparently reneging on the commitment to reimburse me for my non-refundable flights and hotel.

And I wasn’t the only one. Chiefs of Ontario told the Canadian Press in a statement, “It’s disappointing that technical staff, experts and lawyers from organizations and First Nations who were going to attend this meeting were uninvited after they were allowed to register. They all spent money on travel and accommodations to support chiefs during this critical discussion.”