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ome Muslim Canadians are becoming Courchene referred to his proposal as a spiritual sensitized to the sufferings of their fellow citiagreement. Dawood Zwink, one of the Muslim leadzen—in fact, the original owners of the land. ers at the meeting, considers this as a gateway to One such effort was in 2010, when Elder a new future. Dave Courchene Jr., of the Anishnabe Nation, Eagle The seeds of friendship were planted in the Clan, in Sagkeeng, Manitoba met with a group of summer of 2009 when Elder Courchene first met Muslims in Toronto on Aug. 8, 2010 and presented a with Muslim leaders and elders at the Islamic InstiElder Dave Courchene Jr., proposal to develop a relationship of brotherhood tute of Toronto, and he also spoke to students at the and sisterhood between the Aboriginal peoples Islamic Foundation of Toronto. and Muslims. This was the outcome of yearlong contacts, which Martha Troian (Lac Seul Ojibway), an Ottawa-based journalist, have also involved U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Oh.). interviewing a young Inuit convert to Islam, Maatalii Okalik, notes, “It’s The proposal, “Agreement Of Kii Zhay Otti Zi Win And Ukhuwa not known exactly how many have converted, but some Indigenous (An Agreement of The Spirit of Friendship, Kindness, Broth- Muslims report seeing more and more people like them praying at erhood/Sisterhood, Sharing And Gentleness),” states that it Ottawa-Gatineau mosques.” will be a gateway to furthering a relationship of knowing and Reports continue to flow of Muslim outreach among First Nations supporting each other in the sharing of each other’s unique communities such as distribution of qurbani (sacrificial) meat and contributions to Canadian society, for the common good. essential supplies. Courchene is the visionary behind the Turtle Lodge, an Indigenous The Winnipeg Free Press meanwhile reported that during 2011 Eid center which hosts a range of spiritual, educational and social events Al-Adha the Zubaidah Tallab Foundation of Manitoba provided food for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. It seeks to establish baskets to the most needy 200 families in two remote First Nations relationships with communities across North America and the world. communities in the province.
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Aboriginal groups are fighting their land claims in court. Canada’s Constitution Act of 1982 “recognized and affirmed” existing Aboriginal and treaty rights. Ultimately, Aboriginals were herded on small reserves and governed by the Indian Act of 1876, which controls the lives of the Aboriginals while conferring some benefits. Canadian columnist Michael Den Tandt of the “National Post” described the reserves as a “national disgrace” and “incubators of misery.” Today, Aboriginal number about 1.3 million with 868,000 registered Indians and 615 bands. Metis—mixed EuropeanAboriginal ancestry—are 404,000 and Eskimos, or Inuit, number 53,000. The Canadian
government has ruled that all Aboriginals, Metis and Inuit are “Indian” under the Constitution Act. On reserves, the Aboriginals suffer heart diseases, diabetes, tuberculosis, and hepatitis and suicide rates far higher than those for other Canadians. Life expectancy, employment and salaries are much lower. The situation is complicated by divisions within the Aboriginal communities, clash between federal, provincial and municipal jurisdictions, the changing landscape and lifestyles of Canada compared to the slow pace of life for Aboriginals and different outlooks—Aboriginals seek harmony with nature.
Aboriginals erupted after the government made changes to the Indian Act and passed Bill C-45 and C-38 which removed federal environmental protection from rivers and lakes across Canada. They felt this was another major violation of the treaties and would result in ruthless exploitation of their lands for others’ benefit. Earlyer this year, Attawapiskat reserve Chief Theresa Spence’s liquids-only fast in Ottawa, near Parliament Hill, attracted international attention. Aboriginal leaders across the land seek serious talks with the federal and provincial governments to address their grievances. Harper has pledged to cooperate and opposition parties are pressing him to do so. Provincial governments are also feeling the heat. It is possible that these developments will restore to the Aboriginal people their rightful place in their ancestral land. But the situation is complicated and sustained effort, wisdom, patience, and determination are needed to resolve it. Aboriginals live on reserves as well as outside. Different organizations represent those on reserves and those outside. Canada also adopted the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights in November 2010. But Aboriginals still live in poverty on reserves and, generally, elsewhere also. Canadian authorities would have to be much more serious if they wish to make Aboriginals part of Canada rather than of the Third World.
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Gladys Radek has had an enormous amount of tragedy in her life. Islamic Horizons May/June 2013
Mohammed Azhar Ali Khan is Canadian journalist, and a retired civil servant and refugee judge.
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