OTTAWA – Addressing the ongoing calls for government commitment to pursue First Nations issues, Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a statement to Aboriginal leaders this Friday morning about uniting in an effort to support Israel.
“Canada cannot stand idly by as a nation continues to have its existence threatened,” Harper told an assembly of First Nations chiefs. “I know that many aboriginal communities face great challenges. That is why, as Canadians, we are morally obligated to take a stand in defence of Israel.”
“Just as Aboriginal leaders continue to call for an investment in social welfare programs to address the long standing economic and welfare issues present in First Nations communities, I continue to call for Canada to spend billions of dollars to defend the welfare of people located thousands of kilometres away. It is the right thing to do.”
In recent months, the First Nations have been both supported and criticized regarding long standing land claims and systemic problems affecting their communities. Opinion is divided between viewing the First Nations as a people who have been unjustly treated by an uncaring government, and viewing them as a people who are not Israel.
“We have a duty to defend the vulnerable,” Harper said. “It is all too easy to get along, and go along with this anti-First Nations rhetoric. And it is important to state, that whatever their shortcomings, neither Israel’s existence nor its policies are responsible for the pathologies present in that part of the world.”
Theresa Spence, who is credited with bringing the Idle No More movement to national attention, responded to the Prime Minister’s message with mixed feelings. “It’s not really what we were after, but at least he’s acknowledging us, which seems to be the best we can hope for.”
