Indigenous educators optimistic, but skeptical of Trudeau's promises

Indigenous leaders in Manitoba are cautiously optimistic about the new Liberal majoritygovernment and whether the record number ofnewly elected indigenous members of Parliament can bring about change for First Nations.

"I think healthy optimism is good but I am a little skeptical of promises," said Niigaan Sinclair, a professor and actinghead of the department of native studies at the University of Manitoba.

The real fundamental issue is to break downthe controlling and assimilative parts within Canada's constitution.- Niigaan Sinclair

Sinclairsaid his skepticism is based on a seriesof Liberal government-backedpolicies over the years that arenow considered regressive. Specifically, he referenced the funding cap on First Nations education spending,the introduction of the white paper in the '60swhich would have abolished the Indian Act and put an end to Indian status for First Nations people as well as the First Nations Governance Act, "sort of a new Indian Act that was draconian and controlling."

"I also appreciate the newdialogue that Trudeau is adopting, the nation-to-nation relationship. That's a pretty new trend amongst the Liberal party," said Sinclair, adding he doesn't think those plans will be easily executed based on how things are currently structured.

"I think the nation-to-nation relationship is virtually impossible in the current structure of the Canadian government because the way in which we are treated is as children;we're wards of the state."

8 indigenous MPs

Of the 18 indigenous candidates the Liberals ran, eightwon seats. Only one, Yvonne Jones from Labrador,was an incumbent.

Indigenous educator TashaSpillett said she is optimistic about the "new indigenous faces in Ottawa," but whether those indigenous MPs were elected to represent indigenous peoples remains to be seen.

"It's important that these people do have a responsibility to their nations back at home,"saidSpillett."Not only are they participating in the settler-colonial electoral system and governance, but they also have responsibilities to their nations and keeping their own government accountable to those responsibilities."

Aboriginal affairs minister

Spillettsaid she isn't sure whether an indigenous aboriginal affairs minister would make a difference for First Nations.

"The position itself would be to enforce the mandate of Indian Affairs, so I am not exactly sure how big of a difference [it will make]," she said, adding she was happy to see outgoingAboriginal AffairsMinister BernardValcourt unseated.

"I know that's definitely not a job that I personally would want to do. I think it would put that person in a kind of precarious relationshipwith indigenous peoples."

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SinclairsharesSpillett'strepidation.

"It wouldn't make a difference.The real fundamental issue is to break downthe controlling and assimilative parts within Canada's Constitution," he said, adding an indigenous minister of Indian Affairs would face an uphill battle.

"Maybe that person could manoeuvre their party in such a way that they'd be able to have such a dialogue; however, I see such monumental obstacles in the way."

'Awoke a sleeping giant'

DerekNepinak, grand chief of theAssembly of Manitoba Chiefs, said Monday that outgoingPrime Minister Stephen Harper "awoke a sleeping giant" in First Nations people this election, adding"aLiberal majority government is going to have to deal with thegiant inindigenous people of these lands."

Sinclairsaid indigenous people involved ingrassroots movements such as Idle No Moreare particularly engaged in the political process right now and need to be likewise engaged by the Liberal government.

"They are the new voices that Grand ChiefNepinakis talking about," he said.

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Spillettsaid she thinks whatever happens in Ottawa going forward, indigenous people are already working within their communities across Canada to improve life for First Nations.

"We've had an outcryfor a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, but families have already been doing this work for a very long time without the intervention of systems,"Spillettsaid.

"Going forward, my faith is completely resting in the resilience of our communities ensuring that no matter what government we work with, with that we are going to move forward for the well-being of our communities."

Sinclairremains "nervous" but he's encouraged byTrudeau'sfirst days.

"One day in office andTrudeau'salreadyannouncing, 'I'll move speedily into the murdered and missing indigenous women national inquiry,'" he said.