Good. I’m glad the Conservatives are putting their foot down on this. That seems to be the only thing ’spoiled children’ understand….

A really good example of what? Normality?

Onoe of the key points raised in the conference was that the current bristly crop of Conservative know-nothings are pretty much limited in their assimilationist drive by their utter ignorance of law, treaty and claim histories. They can fulminate to their heart’s content, but that’s pretty much it. Fortunately the law remains the arbiter: and there is a limit to how long the Government can stall.

No Dave Olie, not put down, we do after all live in a free society, and Jeff is entitled to his views, thoughts, and opinions.

Our friend Jeff is a good example of what we should all be aware of as existing. We need to know that there are Jeffs among us, and, as a society, we need to know what their attitudes are, and down what road they would take us if they had their way — all in aid of guiding ourselves accordingly.

My, my Jeff… such language, and after I went on public record stating that you are entitled to your views, thoughts, and opinions.

I’m actually quite interested in what Canadians, and non-Canadians, think. As a matter of fact that’s the very reason that I started a discussion forum way back when, and moved to blogging later on.

I care about lots of things other than Aboriginal people and their independence (which, if you bothered to do any research at all you would find a fallacy).

Having said that I am concerned that the federal government is in significant breach of many different legally binding agreements - breaches that both expose them as utterly dishonourable, and which cause significant hardship to Canadian Aboriginal people.

To be perfectly honest Jeff I like giving people like you the opportunity to show people who they are and what they stand for, it’s good to have these things out in the open.

“I am concerned that the federal government is in significant breach of many different legally binding agreements - breaches that both expose them as utterly dishonourable, and which cause significant hardship to Canadian Aboriginal people.”

You’re putting your finger on a point that was widely discussed at the conference, and is quietly acknowledged throughout government. Treaty and Claims obligations are obligations of the Crown - not of INAC, or any specific government. Four major independent reviews (most notably the Auditor General and Berger) have held that the conduct of government regarding the treaties miserably fails to maintain the “honour of the Crown”. There is simply no question: Canada is defaulting on its agreements, and Canada is unequivocally at fault.

Treaty and Claims obligations are obligations of the Crown - not of INAC, or any specific government.

This ultimately will be the point to hammer home, although it might end up operating in a loop (in how the Crown and the government operate in Canada) that might be a bitch to resolve. I say Michaelle Jean should just demand that the government negotiate in good faith or it’s “off with their heads!” Apparently, she can still do that.

It’ll be fun watching the ideologues come unhinged, as they seem to doing everyhwere on the Right these days.