Important week for First Nations

IT has been a remarkable week for Northwestern Ontario First Nations. Both senior governments announced substantial project funding for long-standing issues of health care and energy, and the lengthy inquest into the deaths of seven aboriginal students is drawing to a close. In each case those who are legally and morally responsible for overseeing indigenous affairs have striven to address matters of utmost concern to the First Nations of this region — first and foremost, their children.

The farther away from centres of political power one gets in this country, the less one is apt to be fully serviced by those powers. Some of that stands to reason. No one would reasonably expect a paved highway to Fort Severn. But surely secondary school education on remote First Nations is not out of the question.

The alternative is to force parents to send their children far away to receive the education essential to the future well-being of any young person. Sadly, the separation and culture shock of moving to billeted homes in Thunder Bay can prove to be too much for some impressionable youth.

The inquest into seven young deaths is nearing an end. Most evidence appears to point to misadventure, but some lawyers have put forth darker scenarios.

We must all hope that this complex process satisfies the basic human need for answers to seemingly unexplained events. More to the point, perhaps, would be an acknowledgment of responsibility by First Nation organizations in Thunder Bay for the welfare of the children of the communities they serve while arrangements are made to establish high school education on all First Nations.

The province stepped up this week with what it calls the largest investments in indigenous health care in Ontario’s history to increase medical services, culturally appropriate, and provide fresh food for 13,000 young people among other initiatives.

For its part, the federal government came up with $2.7 million to create a renewable energy micro-grid development company aimed at providing energy solutions for off-grid and remote First Nation communities, most of which rely on diesel power. New opportunities will be created including training, jobs and business, and new market opportunities.

If Ontario, Ottawa and First Nations can finally get together with the mining industry anxious to pursue the massive Ring of Fire development, relations among all three governments, and their municipal partners, will reach a level that matches this country’s best intentions.