Possible First Nations Protests During 2010

Phil Fontaine, the national chief of First Nations peoples in Canada, acknowledged today at a press conference unveiling May 29 as the second annual National Day of Action for First Nations, that there has been some discussion among chiefs to use the Vancouver 2010 Olympics as an opportunity to gain international recognition of the plight that many First Nation's Communities face.

This revelation that protests may occur is "a bit odd" according to Chuck Strahl, the federal minister in charge of Indian Affairs. This especially true since the four bands who's homeland will host the games has been extensively consulted with throughout the Olympic process, ensured a positive economic impact, and given a significant role in planning the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.

But the fact remains that many of Canada's poorest residents are members of the First Nations. The poverty that some of these bands deal with is simply inhumane. Some reserves are without basic medical or education facilities. Other bands who have economic optimism are often bogged down in years of legal bureaucracy when trying to develop 'their' lands because the properties no longer fall under city or municipal planning rules but under separate, vague guidelines.

Canada has work to do, but the potential protesting at the Olympics, in a province trying very hard to settle native land claims in good faith, is quite interesting.

More from Canada.com.