NDP MP Nathan Cullen believes the Trudeau government needs to be more respectful of the rights of the a group of Wet’suwet’en people in their opposition to a gas pipeline project.
In fact, Cullen said Trudeau ignored the confrontation between the Wet’suwet’en and RCMP earlier this week.
“That’s why the pain is so sharp when the Wet’suwet’en standing on their land are being forcefully removed and can’t get the ear of the federal government,” said Cullen on Nation to Nation Thursday.
The clash between the RCMP and opponents of a proposed natural gas pipeline began Monday when police moved in to make arrests armed with an emergency court injunction and high-powered rifles in Northern British Columbia.
The area in question falls within the federal riding of Skeena-Bulkley Valley, which is represented by Cullen.
“This is the place and the people who fought to the Supreme Court and won the right to have their traditions respected,” said Cullen.
Nation to Nation also spoke to Cindy Blackstock who was back to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal on child welfare.
The federal government doesn’t want to apply Jordan’s Principle to critically-ill non-status children.
“That’s not good enough for me. If you or I saw a child in urgent need across the street from us, we wouldn’t keep on walking. We’d go over there and do what we can to help,” said Blackstock who has been fighting Canada for over a decade to even the playing field for Indigenous children.
“We’re saying to the tribunal any non-status child who is recognized by their First Nation as a member. And who is First Nations themselves should be covered under Jordan’s Principle. I can’t believe we’re arguing about life-threatening situations.”
Also, Nation to Nation took a look at a big court win for signatories of the 1850 Robinson Huron Treaty in Ontario.
A judge recently ruled their $4 a year annuity should be increased.
Mike Restoule, chair of the Robinson Huron litigation committee, said the decision will affect nearly two dozen Ontario First Nations that should see a big raise.
“Pretty huge win because we’ve been at this case for a long time. And spent a lot of money getting to where we are today. So we’re pretty pleased about it,” said Restoule. “In the treaty it says the annuity ought to be increased if the government gains more revenue in the territory.”
