Iran want's to to sell in future it's oil, are the 'First nations' their 'useful tools'?

Iran want's to sell in future it's oil in North America, are the 'First nations' their 'useful Ftools'?

N.B. clash, UN investigator’s visit highlight Canada’s chronic inability to solve aboriginal problems.(Source).

It hasn't been a good week for Canada and its aboriginal peoples.

The United Nations special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people wrapped up a nine-day visit at the behest of aboriginal peoples and came to the inevitable conclusion that the country is failing First Nations.

"Canada consistently ranks among the top of countries in respect to human development standards, and yet amidst this wealth and prosperity, aboriginal people live in conditions akin to those in countries that rank much lower and in which poverty abounds," Joseph Anaya said Tuesday, according to CTV News.

The week ended explosively in a clash between aboriginal protesters in New Brunswick clashing with RCMP officers and torching police cars as the Mounties tried to break up a blockade aimed at stopping testing for natural gas-fracking exploration, which they see as an environmental threat.

Dozens were arrested for violating the court injunction against the blockade, as well as firearms charges, making threats and intimidation.

“I knew it was going to come to this because the government doesn’t want to listen to the people,” Elsipogtog First Nation member Donald Sanipass told The Canadian Press. “They didn’t handle this right at all.”

Toronto Star national affairs columnist Thomas Walkom echoed the observation that Ottawa only caters to First Nations when its own interests are at stake.

"Specifically, Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs First Nations on side if his government is to push through its ambitious resource development plans and reap the requisite political awards," he wrote this week.

"British Columbia’s native communities have the capacity to tie up — perhaps indefinitely — Harper’s proposed oil pipeline to the Pacific Coast. They have promised to do just that."

Mining development in northern Ontario's so-called ring of fire can only happen if First Nations agree, he added, which means Ottawa must pay attention to their concerns.

"Whether Harper fully understands all of this is unclear. He’s reputed to be a master tactician," said Walkom. "But with a few exceptions, the prime minister has been remarkably tone deaf about Indian, Métis and Inuit issues."

Modern First Nations now seem to recognize implicitly now that after two centuries of selling their birthrights cheaply or allowing them to be eroded, they must use what clout they have carve out a place in Canada.Read the full story here.


Related: Concern that First Nations will be ‘used as pawns’ as former chief to meet Iranian leaders

Iran using First Nations leaders as “pawns” in “sad game,” says Foreign Affairs

Canadian First Nations leaders meet with Iranian regime.

Manitoba chiefs cozying up to Iran