I
do not wish to carve up Canada, but I would be interested to see what
it would take in order for the First Nations of Canada to form their own
true, independent nation(s), which could be recognized by the UN and
given greater control over their own affairs from top to bottom.
It seems to me that ever since the European settlers arrived, the First Nations peoples have been treated as second-class citizens of this Earth. While it would take a long time to set up the necessary infrastructure, this process would stimulate both the economies of the nation(s) to emerge, and the Canadian economy.
It is true that if the current First Nations were all to declare unilateral separation from Canada to form their own nations that they would end up being like islands to themselves in the short term, but I do not believe this to be a hindrance to their potential for overall growth and prosperity.
Japan is a country composed of many islands separated by water, and they have grown to become one of the most important economic engines of the world economy, owing to the strength and determination of its own people.
Separation of the First Nations from Canada could be very bad, instantly plunging them into Third World status with the cutoff of government funding, but it also could be very good if they formed a unified front. The cutoff of direct Canadian government funding to First Nations would force these nations to be innovative, and promote industrial and commercial growth. I believe in the power of the free market, as long as it is carefully regulated and monitored by responsible third parties (the people).
There is no doubt that people in positions of power, such as the chiefs of some First Nations, could abuse their power, and may have done so. So this plan is not foolproof. But it is a suggestion which I believe needs to be explored.
The United Nations charter states that “nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and fair equality of opportunity have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or interference”. I think it is time that the First Nations were recognized as nations.
It seems to me that ever since the European settlers arrived, the First Nations peoples have been treated as second-class citizens of this Earth. While it would take a long time to set up the necessary infrastructure, this process would stimulate both the economies of the nation(s) to emerge, and the Canadian economy.
It is true that if the current First Nations were all to declare unilateral separation from Canada to form their own nations that they would end up being like islands to themselves in the short term, but I do not believe this to be a hindrance to their potential for overall growth and prosperity.
Japan is a country composed of many islands separated by water, and they have grown to become one of the most important economic engines of the world economy, owing to the strength and determination of its own people.
Separation of the First Nations from Canada could be very bad, instantly plunging them into Third World status with the cutoff of government funding, but it also could be very good if they formed a unified front. The cutoff of direct Canadian government funding to First Nations would force these nations to be innovative, and promote industrial and commercial growth. I believe in the power of the free market, as long as it is carefully regulated and monitored by responsible third parties (the people).
There is no doubt that people in positions of power, such as the chiefs of some First Nations, could abuse their power, and may have done so. So this plan is not foolproof. But it is a suggestion which I believe needs to be explored.
The United Nations charter states that “nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and fair equality of opportunity have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or interference”. I think it is time that the First Nations were recognized as nations.
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