Mark Carney is Doing Better on Indigenous Relations, But He Must Not Be Dazzled by Donald Trump’s Bravado.

Associated Press photo.

Prime Minister Mark Carney was all smiles, approval-seeking and almost giggly in his latest meeting in the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump, but unlike his demeanour at that meeting, the previous week Carney sounded a note of honesty and sincerity in speaking at the National Truth and Reconciliation Day observances.

Incongruously wearing a Truth and Reconciliation Day tee shirt under his banker’s suit, Prime Minister spoke eloquently and meaningfully the previous week on that somber day. He has not always done so well in his dealings with First Nations peoples.

He had previously forged ahead in his statement for the government’s advancement of projects of “National Importance”.

In doing so, he did not discuss his ideas for a plan with First Nations. Instead, he broke the cardinal rule of relations with First Nations: “Discuss and consult first and work with, before finalizing a plan.”

Speaking to the large gathering for National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Carney drew applause when he recalled the painting on 11 wooden panels by indigenous artist Luke Parnell, which depicts first, a vibrant cultural scene, which then is literally white-washed over in the middle panels, and then in the final series of panels a  full view as a spirit of reconciliation is gradually taking hold.

Carney said that when forming his new government, he had directed that these panels be relocated to a very visible place outside the government’s cabinet room, so they are the last thing that members see when they enter the cabinet room.

“Truth is the foundation of justice,” the Prime Minister asserted.

The Symbol of National Truth and Reconciliation Day

​Meanwhile, on his fourth visit to Washington DC, Carney did his best to pin Trump down on his commitments about improving the relationship between the two countries.

Trump said at the outset that he believed that the Canadian delegation will walk away “very happy” from the talks.
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In fact, there was very little progress evident in front of the gold-laden and ornate wall decorations and picture frames in the Trump-era version of the oval office at the White House.

Trump was in an ebullient mood with what he described as the great progress toward “everlasting peace” in the Middle East.
 
A breakthrough is apparent, as both Hamas and the Israeli government have agreed on the first stage of a peace agreement with the return of all remaining Israeli hostages as well as Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

But there are many more stages before a lasting peace can be accomplished, including the establishment of a two-state solution for the region. Thus far, the Netanyahu Israeli government has not even accepted the creation of a Palestinian state.

With the recent beginning of announcement of annual Nobel prizes, there have been rumours, perhaps encouraged by some of Donald Trump’s acolytes, that he is being considered for the coveted Nobel Peace prize.

In the view of the Against the Flow blog, it would be totally inappropriate for Trump to receive this recognition. We must remember that Trump has recently ordered the deployment of the U.S. National Guard against Democratic-governed American cities. In doing so, he has spoken about using “some of these dangerous cities as training ground for our military.”

He has also ordered the destruction of small vessels and their crews off the coast of Venezuela that are alleged, with no proof, are commanded by “narco-terrorists” running drugs to the United States.
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This is the self-congratulating Trump which the world is dealing with, and Mark Carney should not be jollied along by the US President’s bravado about imminent progress in Canadian American relations.