Canada is going on trial. A dozen Elders and other Native jurors will converge on Toronto from across the country and as far away as New Zealand to hear arguments at the first session of the First Nations International Court of Justice next April.
On trial will be the Canadian government and its treatment of the First Nations.
“They will hear all the evidence that will be presented against Canada,” said Fred Plain, an Elder from Ontario who is helping the Assembly of Ontario Chiefs organize the trial.
“A lot of issues have not been dealt with, and if they have they’ve been dealt with unfairly.” The first session of the court will be devoted to taxation. First Nations are supposed to be exempt from taxes, but governments have continuously eroded that exemption, said Plain. The jurors will hear arguments from both sides and then render their judgement.
“We’re dealing with a law that was formulated in this continent by the settler nations. They do not recognize the property laws that were in place before they came. Basically, they do not recognize anything before 1492.” Plain said the message is that Canada should wake up.
“Even though we feel Canada will not respond, we feel the coverage of the international court will cause Canada to take note that we have problems with its justice system.”
