Did you know that in 1969, unveiled by none other than Pierre Elliot Trudeau and Jean Chrétien, the Canadian government called for the repeal of the Indian Act, the termination of federal responsibility for First Nations, and the decentralization of “Indigenous” affairs to the provincial governments?

Picture a Canada where the descendants of First Nations enjoy the same rights and freedoms as every other Canadian, which, as Jan pointed out, they already do, and more. But the “more” part would go away. We would all pay the same taxes based on income, get the same exemptions, go to the same schools, and be fully involved in the country’s economic and social life. We could finally fulfill Canada’s promise of equality and fairness for all of its citizens, with those of “Indigenous” descent empowered to determine their own futures in a truly united nation.

We would have billions more flowing into the economy and society overall because we wouldn’t be endlessly funneling money into segregated communities, where it often seems to vanish without any real impact.

If we had scrapped the Indian Act, who knows? Our first female prime minister might have come from an Indigenous background, advocating not just for “her people” but for the rights of all Canadians with dignity, love, and pride.

What I believe is that reconciliation and unity can only happen when we dismantle the segregation that the Indian Act represents. We could and, I believe, would all enjoy a more inclusive and equitable society where all Canadians have the same chances to succeed and contribute to the nation’s growth.

What do you think?