That’s essentially what they have now, and having not worked for over a century, it seems misplaced to think it might start working anytime “soon”.
People have to work for the things they own ... without work there is no pride ... and without pride you have what you see in many First Nations reserves.
It’s a tough and unpleasant thing to say out loud, but being politically correct and NOT saying it serves no one ... especially not First Nations.
Any advance in First Nations “reconciliation” has to begin with the removal of the Indian Act as the benchmark document in the life of the average First Nations person.
It's not really what they have now in the Indian Act reservation system. Reservations are completely dependant on the federal government because of the Indian act.
True reconciliation (IMO, for whatever that is worth) would give First Nations a good degree of autonomy (for things entirely within their community), including economic autonomy. Property rights would probably be a good start.
Some FNs are quite large and would have the economies of scale required for many of their own services (police, school boards, permit granting authority for development, etc). A level of independance and responsibility somewhere between a Province and a municipality might fit.
It would take a lot of work, there won't be a 'one size fits all' solution. Each FN has it's own values, needs, and of course size/capacity to administer services and governance responsibilities. I'm not going to pretend I know the nuances of what the answer would be. But I'm in agreement that the Indian Act is helping no one.
Edited by Mattjvd, 31 December 2018 - 03:05 PM.