AFN Chief Bellegarde appeals to Canadians to help Close the Gap

By Kelly Anne Smith

NORTH BAY  — Assembly of First Nation Chief Perry Bellegarde was in North Bay last week, to lecture on ‘Closing the Gap’ — the 2015 federal election priorities to raise the level of First Nation’s wellbeing to that of the rest of Canadians.

About 100 people heard Chief Bellegarde say the statistics on the wellbeing of First Nations is rated extremely low compared to the average Canadian. There are dismal facts on health, education and treaty rights.

We heard that half of First Nations children live in poverty. 25-percent of people in jail are First Nation but are 4-percent of the total population. And that 132 First Nation reserves are under a boil-water advisory.

The National Chief said he came to Nipissing University to offer solutions to close the gap in opportunities. By appealing to a university audience, Bellegarde hoped to induce critical thought about a balanced way forward with English, French and Indigenous people sitting on the boards and in the boardrooms of Canada.

Bellegarde said two crucial changes first must happen on parliament hill. He called for the 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be enacted. And Chief Bellegarde said the Indian Act must be amended to be a nation to nation legislation.

A Nipissing First Nation staff asked what First Nation’s Chiefs and Councils could do to close the gap. Bellegarde answered, “They should mobilize their people to vote.” The audience, including Liberal candidate Anthony Rota, NDP candidate Kathleen Jodouin, and Green Party candidate Nicole Peltier, erupted into a large applause.

Bellegarde also suggested what could be done for better relations between First Nation’s and non-First Nation’s. “Integration is key. Go out to the rez. Go out to a pow-wow. Embrace Indigenousness.”
AFN Chief Bellegarde praised Nipissing First Nation for their work in economic development with a strategic plan in place.

Chief Bellegarde expressed his joy after witnessing non-First Nation and First Nation children at Nbiising School speaking Objibway. Bellegarde said that is reconciliation in action.
National Chief Bellegarde is from the Little Black Bear First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory.

For a close reading on the 2015 federal election priorities, click the link. http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/closing-the-gap.pdf