The indigenous people of Canada have been fighting for rights through the courts for decades. Now Canada has a Prime Minister who wants to change the narrative. But facts on the ground? Some Native leaders are not so sure.
“It’s almost easier to fight the bully government than it is the oozing ‘we love you so much’ government,” she says. “But the facts of the matter, and their actions, speak far different.”
And by "the ground" I mean mining, logging, fishing, hunting and building pipelines. I mean tar sands. Justin Trudeau is Canada's Barack Obama- talks a good game, delivers just enough piece meal reform to woo liberals, but falters on the system change level because he believes deep down that it works.
The paradox the Natives must work through, much like the Valve Turners here in the US, is claiming the system is broken while using the courts. Yes courts can provide remedy, yes there is tension between courts, government and capital, but they are also the kindness of the slave master. Many of the tribes are in desperate straits. Like they are down here. And in Latin America. They can't have their old life back- too much has changed. What does the new life look like?
The Gates Foundation saves many many lives through its global health initiative. It relieves suffering "on the ground". But with a warming planet disease will spread and thrive. A walk through the Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh will tell you why. Bill and Melinda believe the system works.
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