Dancing Around the Table – Part 1

During viewing the film “Dancing Around the Table Part 1”, a lot of emotions had risen within me, specifical anger towards the Government of Canada. This video was very informational and eye-opening. Throughout the entirety of the video, you can see the Indigenous representatives pushing for what they know their people need, which was attempting to inherit their Indigenous right to self-governance within the constitution. The Government of Canada and the premiers were more specifically concerned about obtaining control over the land in which the resources Indigenous people residing in Canada need. The Government of Canada was not, and to date are still not, completely caring about the conflicts and problems that occur within Indigenous reserves, or within Indigenous people themselves. It is severely disgusting to be a Canadian citizen watching the Government of Canada, who is supposed to better our country, treat the Indigenous people and concerns laid on the table as if they were nothing. Sadly, this has been happening for many years, including decades. The Canadian Government is sadly known to abandon and betray Indigenous people in Canada. Although much of this film raised emotions in me, I was very shocked to see the Prime Minister and Premiers meeting behind the backs of the Indigenous leaders. Looking at a government I would like to see authority, protection, honesty and integrity. Rather the Government of Canada is seemingly showing their residents that they can not be trusted, especially by Indigenous people. These specific actions by the Government of Canada and the Premiers within also explicitly show their respect towards the treaty relationship in which was established by the two before contact of acting with mutual respect and peace towards each other and meeting to discuss solutions as a whole. It is very disheartening to be a Canadian knowing how my country treated Indigenous people, and how many within Canada still treat Indigenous people poorly. I was truly shocked with how rude the Government of Canada was during the conference and at how nothing was accomplish.

References:

Bulbulian, Maurice (Director).  (1987).  Dancing Around the Table, Part One [Film].  National Film Board of Canada.