National Aboriginal Day prompts reflection on what's changed, what hasn't

A lothas changed since the federal government began observing National Aboriginal Day on June 21 two decades ago, but more remains to be done to improve the lives of Aboriginal people in Quebec, community leaders say.

Events todayaimed torecognize and celebrate the heritageand contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Mtis peoples.

• National Aboriginal Day: Where to celebrate in Montreal
• Should National Aboriginal Day be a holiday across Canada?

Ellen Gabriel, a longtime Mohawk activist, said celebrations inMontreal and across the country are "a great signifier of good intent and good will" on behalf of Canadians.

However,progress has beenslow at theprovincial and federal government levels, according to Gabriel.

'A long way to go'

Therea number of issues she would like to see addressed, from following through on therecommendations laid out inthe Truth and Reconciliation Commission to more Aboriginal content in the provincial school curriculum.

"I think education is key to fighting racism and dismantling colonialism and changing the vernacular," she said.

Systemic racism remains a problem in the province, she said,pointing in particular to the allegations of abuse facingSretduQubecofficers inVal-d'Or.

• Aboriginal women's claims of police sex abuse under investigation

Gabriel, who has been involved in Aboriginal activism since the 1990 Oka Crisis, said it's not out of the questionanother such conflict could bubble up.

Last month, some Mohawks inKanesatakeraised concernthe prospect of a housing developmenton disputed land in Oka could stir up another conflict like the one that shook the province 26 years ago.

"Things on the surface look like they've changed but, in reality, not a great deal has changed," Gabriel said.

"We have a long way to go with respect to decolonisation."

Signs of hope

Inthe view ofNakuset, another prominent Aboriginalactivist, there are signs of hope.

"I think that now indigenous people are stepping up to the plate. They are creating their own projects, they're gettingeducated, they are the ones making change," she said.

"Instead of getting weaker, we've been getting stronger."

Theexecutive director of Native Women's Shelter of Montrealandco-organizer of National Aboriginal Day for Montreal, Nakuset alsospearheadeda new training program for Montreal police officers.

The program is part of a larger agreement signed with by police Chief Philippe Pichet last June.

Making connections

Timothy Armstrong, another activist and Kahnawake radio host, said the Idle No More movement, which gained traction in 2012, helped activists across Canada get connected.

While Idle No More eventsno longer drawthousands to the streets, there are now Facebook pages linking Aboriginal activistsacross the country, where people share information and organize events.

"People think it has gone away. It hasn't gone away," he said.