Northern Land Management National Forgiven Summit Poverty
Hon. Nick G. Sibbeston: Honourable senators, a few weeks ago a major deal was announced between Canada's forestry industry and a consortium of environmental organizations in respect of the boreal forest area that runs across the middle of Canada. This agreement
ended years of conflict between the two sides and created a process that will ensure the protection of critical ecosystems and the revitalization of the forest sector. It is a win-win scenario that marks a distinct advancement over years of bitter struggle.
Some of the same players were involved in the agreement in British Columbia a few years ago to create the Spirit Bear reserve and to implement an ecosystem-based land-use plan that will protect the environment, while permitting sustainable forestry, mining and tourism with First Nations involvement. This approach is the wave of the future and proves that environmental protection can go hand in hand with economic development and growth.
Currently, the federal government is seeking to improve regulatory processes in the Northwest Territories. They could well take a page from the two agreements described above. Land management will not improve in the North if the federal government takes a heavy-handed approach that does not respect Aboriginal rights and the wishes of Northerners. Rather, they need to take a collaborative approach to address the issue.
Recently, I released Seeking Certainty, New Approaches to Land Management in the Northwest Territories. This paper, written by well-known Yellowknife consultant Jamie Bastedo and supported by the Senate Liberal caucus research fund, outlines the challenges of regulatory reform and recommends practical solutions. I highly recommend it to the government and urge they follow its suggestions.
Hon. Nick G. Sibbeston: Honourable senators, this past weekend I attended the three-day National Forgiven Summit in Ottawa at the Civic Centre. Thousands of Aboriginal people from across Canada came together in response to the Prime Minister's apology of two years ago. Many church leaders representing the denominations in our country as well as thousands of non-native people attended in support of this undertaking by Aboriginal people to forgive.
In his apology, the Prime Minister asked for forgiveness by Aboriginal peoples for the wrong done in residential schools. This conference was held in response to that request. Aboriginal people are willing to forgive.
A Charter of Forgiveness and Freedom was presented to Canada. It was a moving ceremony as elders from all regions of the country signed the document and youth witnessed the process. Minister Chuck Strahl accepted the charter on behalf of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister was given many beautiful gifts from Aboriginal people from one end of the country to the other.
As Chief Kenny Blacksmith, the organizer of this event, said, forgiveness "is an individual choice that can break the generational cycle of victimization and accusation."
Forgiveness is necessary to heal and live a free life. It was deeply moving to watch and listen to many people who described their journey from hurt to healing. It gave me hope for reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples in our country.
This coming weekend, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established as part of the Residential Schools Agreement, will hold its first public event in Winnipeg. The commission is not only for Aboriginal people but also for all non-native people in our country who understand what Aboriginal people have gone through and, in this way, understand the situation.
I hope and trust this process will allow all Aboriginal peoples to eventually share in the gift of forgiveness that I witnessed these last few days. I believe that what I saw this weekend is a movement that has begun. The summit has been held for a number of years, and it is growing larger each year. It will be held in different parts of the country and, in this way, the hope is that there will be a nation-wide healing of the peoples of Canada.
Poverty
Hon. Nick G. Sibbeston: Honourable senators, my statement is about poverty. On October 5 to 7, more than 80 participants from 20 Northern communities took part in an anti-poverty workshop, called "No Place for Poverty." Organized by the Yellowknife YWCA and Alternatives North, the workshop opened with a talk by our colleague the Honourable Art Eggleton. It also featured a presentation of the documentary film Poor No More, by actor, comedienne and social activist Mary Walsh. More importantly, the workshop brought together a wide range of Northern social organizations and community representatives to address the serious problems of poverty.
I have always been proud of the North and always felt that, with our strong economy and close-knit communities, poverty was a problem faced mainly by the South. Like many Canadians, I was not always aware of the depth and extent of poverty in our country or even in my own backyard. I always knew there were those who were less well off in NWT communities, but it is only in recent years that I have realized how many Northerners are impacted by poverty and homelessness, particularly in the bigger centres in the North, like Yellowknife.
The workshop participants recommended that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop an anti-poverty strategy similar to those already in place in a number of provinces. The strategy would focus on more affordable housing, debt reduction programs, accessible child care and community-based solutions.
I commend the work of these caring Northerners. I urge the federal government to follow their example by adopting their own comprehensive strategy to eliminate poverty. The North is no place for poverty, and neither is Canada. (See follow up letter)