b'AIAI RALLYPHOTO CREDIT: IRA TIMOTHY, COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR, AIAI.Halting the FrameworkBY ASHLEY ALBERTAssociation of Iroquois and Allied Indians rally halts the federal governments Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights FrameworkO ver 500 people fromauthority as bait for people to consentIndian Act that making more First different Nations acrossto agree to not assert their rights, saysNation legislation is not the way to do Canada met on ParliamentGrand Chief Abram. it. They might as well call it an amend-Hill in Ottawa in earlyResolutions calling to stop thement to the Indian Act, because they December for a rally planned by theframework were passed at differentare not decolonizing, they are further Association of Iroquois and Alliedchiefs assemblies for AIAI, the Chiefsentrenching First Nations within the Indians (AIAI) youth council. Theof Ontario and the Assembly of FirstCanadian construct more than we rally was planned in response to theNations. Grand Chief Abram says thatalready are.federal governments Recognition anda resolution passed at the Chiefs ofThe main message the AIAI youth Implementation of Indigenous RightsOntario assembly means that a majoritycouncil wanted to convey at the rally is Framework.of First Nations in Ontario are opposedthat First Nations are sovereign Nations The framework consisted of legisla- to the framework. The resolutions wereand will not become a fourth level of tion and policies that the government offollowed up by the AIAI youth rally.government. The council hoped that the Canada committed to reform in partner- But apparently by then, the govern- rally would uplift and empower both ship with First Nations, Inuit and Mtisment decided not to move ahead withyoung Indigenous people and Indig-peoples. Through the framework, thethe legislation. The government thenenous people in general to learn more federal government wanted to ensure thatmoved to a more piecemeal approachabout the issues and assimilation tactics it recognizes, respects and implementsby using recognition tables and signingused in the framework. Indigenous rights, including inherent andagreements. This is done regionallyKathleen Doxtator, AIAI youth treaty rights, and provides mechanisms towith various First Nations, says Grandrepresentative from Oneida Nation of support self-determination. Chief Abram.the Thames, felt that the rally itself was a Grand Chief Joel Abram from AIAI,He says that governments have topositive experience. Minister (Carolyn) who emceed the rally, says they startedstart being honest with First NationsBennett asked to meet with us prior to seeing warning signs about the frame- about their intentions. The federalthe rally to discuss our concerns; she work last year. The federal governmentgovernment doesnt realize that if theylistened to them, and tried to assure us was using promises of funding andare serious about getting out of thethat the framework has the potential 30l ISSUE 1 2019C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE'