USW petition calls on federal government to help First Nations leaders address poverty on reserves.
from the United Steelworkers
It is deplorable and unforgivable that any person lives in poverty in a nation as rich as ours. That so many First Nations communities are without safe water or adequate housing is shameful. The government of Canada's ongoing lack of respect for Treaty Rights and for the human and democratic rights of First Nations and aboriginal people must be addressed.
Here is the letter the USW invites people to modify and sign.
I am writing to ask you as my MP to urge Prime Minister Stephen Harper to engage in meaningful dialogue with First Nations leaders about restoring respect for the rights of First Nations and aboriginal people.
It is deplorable and unforgivable that any person lives in poverty in a nation as rich as ours. That so many First Nations communities are without safe water or adequate housing is shameful. The government of Canada's ongoing lack of respect for Treaty Rights and for the human and democratic rights of First Nations and aboriginal people must be addressed.
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence's hunger strike has inspired the growing movement Idle No More that is bringing together First Nations activists and supporters to call for action on the shameful treatment of aboriginal people by the Government of Canada – both recently and historically.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's anti-democratic omnibus budget bills have made sweeping changes to our country's laws without adequate consultation with Canadians, and without the consent of or consultation with First Nations, whose lands and livelihoods will be severely affected.
Democratic and environmental rights have been ignored. First Nations' Treaty rights have been ignored.
We are not a poor country. We have the resources and the know-how to address poverty and ensure that aboriginal communities have safe water, good housing and are treated with dignity and respect.
What we need is the will to engage in dialogue.
I support the Idle No More movement Chief Spence has inspired. As your constituent, I ask you to ask Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take action on respect for First Nations and treaty rights.
Please let me know what you and your party are doing to address the shameful disregard for the rights of First Nations.
Sign the petition on the United Steelworkers website.
About United Steelworkers
The USW represents about 850,000 working men and women in Canada and the United States in a wide variety of industries, ranging from glass making to mining, paper, steel, tire and rubber and other manufacturing environments, to the public sector, service and health care industries.
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