Canadian Government Executive - Volume 24 - Issue 06

INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS clear of extremism and negativity – the clear enemies of progress and agree- ment – in our project to build a more just Canada? One thing should be clear to us by now: Compromise is a self-evident part of achieving a shared future. • Formalized sharing mechanisms: Embedded in the treaties is the notion of sharing. A more just and equitable future means some kind of institution- alized sharing of the country’s wealth. The Government of the Northwest Ter- ritories’ Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement is an excellent example to consider. Could other such funds offer Canada a solution? • Forming shared histories: Some have proposed that the 1764 Treaty of Niagara might more appropriately be regarded as Canada’s first Confederation. As the Canada 150 controversy demonstrates, we should discuss and determine with Indig- enous partners what our shared history is and how we should celebrate it. • Putting our best selves forward: The path towards common ground will re- quire openness and creativity. Only by putting our best selves forward – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike – can we hope to find creative solutions and achieve progress. • An act of commitment to the new Canada and a shared future: Criti- cally, a majority of us need to formally commit – perhaps through a Royal Proclamation – to a new future. While not everyone will get on board, an act of commitment is key because we must collectively bear the responsibility and achieve a harmonization of sovereignty such that we can function as one coun- try of many founding nations? How do we adequately and appropriately recog- nize each founding nation in the fabric of this country? How do we leverage this for our continued and increasing diversity? • Establishing partnerships inspired by treaties: The establishment of the Edéhzhíe Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area – done in partnership between the Dehcho First Nations and Canada – is an example of how you work from the inspiration of treaties and co-manage the land and wildlife in a modern Canada. • Compromise by all parties: Have we opened our minds to the need for compromise? Are we carefully steering undertake this important work in part- nership – the only way progress will be achieved. Charting what an appropriate future might be will involve some really tough discussions, and it will inevitably include many a disagreement. Today more than ever, we must remind ourselves of Barack Obama’s wise call to be able to “disagree without being disagreeable.” Now more than ever, we must show an ability and commitment to translating criticism into positive paths forward. In doing so, let justice and pragmatism be our guiding lights. Without either, we are lost. This country will never be perfect, but nothing should prevent us from building a more harmonious coordination of peo- ples and interests. It is up to us to build the country we want and not simply ac- cept the country we’ve inherited. A better Canada awaits us, and if we seize this mo- ment with our Indigenous partners, we can make it so. C hristian A llan B ertelsen is the A/ Regional Director of the Canadian Wildlife Service’s Northern Region of Environment and Climate Change Can- ada. A proud northerner, his research interests focus on identity, discourse and ethics. Please note the views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not neces- sarily reflect the policy or position of the Government of Canada. Now more than ever, we must show an ability and commitment to translating criticism into positive paths forward. In doing so, let justice and pragmatism be our guiding lights. Without either, we are lost. December 2018/January 2019 // Canadian Government Executive / 29