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https://theconversation.com/treaties-truth-and-equality-how-nz-australia-and-canada-are-all-struggling-with-colonial-politics-243575>
"With the ACT Party’s Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill having its
first reading in parliament last week, the debate and protests have been –
understandably – focused on the local historical and political landscape.
But New Zealand isn’t alone in struggling with ideas about the truth of
colonialism and its impacts, and how these should influence policy debates and
legislation.
Similar debates are playing out in British Columbia in Canada and Queensland in
Australia. In both cases, the question of colonialism’s relevance when thinking
about social, political and economic equality has become politically
contentious.
ACT leader David Seymour says his Treaty principles bill aims to promote
equality by limiting the influence of te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
in public life – because, he argues, it is too often interpreted to give Māori
more say in decision-making than others.
The counter arguments have been well canvassed: that te Tiriti does, in fact,
protect Māori rights to authority over their own affairs and to participate in
public life with a distinctive cultural voice; and that these are essential
components of equality.
But in New Zealand, as in Canada and Australia, there is still no general
consensus on colonialism’s role in the poor and often violent relationship
between the state and Indigenous peoples. And because the truth of these
relationships remains contested, so does the possibility of genuine equality."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
