Green Party supports collaboration to address Aboriginal issues

Green Party supports the call from First Nation for political collaboration to address Aboriginal issues

Green Party leader, Elizabeth May and Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini of Serpent River First Nation, have joined together to issue a call for continued and sustained political cooperation on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis issues.

“Chief Isadore Day, has called for the creation of a political coalition comprised of First Nation leaders and Aboriginal Affairs Critics from the Green Party of Canada, New Democratic Party, the Conservative, Bloc and Liberal parties to cooperate and share solutions to address the plight of First Nations in Canada.  The widening gap between Aboriginal people and Canadians continues to grow daily, and we cannot afford to let this important issue fall between the cracks in partisan politics,” said Elizabeth May.

“The delay in Canada signing the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights (UNDRIP) is just one example of how progress can be slowed by political partisanship.  Canada was poised to sign the UNDRIP up until there was a change in government in 2006.  The Conservative government only recently decided to sign the UNDRIP after much foot dragging.  Meanwhile years slip by without action. The Kelowna Accord is another example of a well- conceived plan and budget that was waylaid because of political partisanship, “ said Lorraine Rekmans, Aboriginal Affairs Critic for the Green Party of Canada.

“Our First Nation communities are dealing with critical issues.  There are 116 First Nations in Canada without access to clean drinking water. Statistics state that one in four First Nation children are poverty-affected, and sadly we are still under a 1996 two-percent funding cap that perpetuates these travesties. This dire state of inaction needs political attention now.  Our issues have been ignored in the national media during this election campaign.  We need a commitment from all parties and their Aboriginal Critics to transform our issues into options being brought forward in a proactive and collaborative manner,” said Chief Isadore Day. The Serpent River leader will be calling on the successful MP in his riding to assist in bringing the process forward.

The Greens and Serpent River First Nation have joined together to call on all parties to commit to the creation of a coalition that will work cooperatively on Aboriginal issues within 120 days of May 2nd, 2011.

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Contacts:
Kieran Green
Director of Communications
C: 613-614-4916
Kieran.green@greenparty.ca

Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini
Serpent River First Nation
Lake Huron Region Grand Chief
iday.srfn@ontera.net
1-705-844-2418
1-705-844-1865