Deciding Who Gets to Decide

I have always been both proud and happy that I live in a democracy. I recognize that most days it is not a particularly effective democracy. In spite of the fact that for the last 800 or so years there has been a sporadic evolution in terms of suffrage and access to the political process, our democracy still does not represent all of the people even part of the time. It has been argued with some justification that democracy's primary clients are those who control the means of production - that is the capitalists; that the primary function of the democratic state is to ensure that the political environment is sufficiently stable to allow commerce to occur freely. However, as inadequate as our system is, it, at the very least, does allow me to participate in the process of choosing who will speak on my behalf in Parliament. I, theoretically have even more control or at least input at the municipal level.

Democracy for many First Nation communities has traditionally been less useful for their members. At a federal level, Indigenous peoples have felt (with good reason) that their needs and issues have not been accurately carried to Ottawa. At the local level, partially because of the imposed system of band councils (and their election every two years) as well as chronic underfunding and the lack of resources (or the capacity to develop them), some band councils have struggled to meet the needs of their constituents. For other communities, band councils have been effective advocates for the people. Those successful councils have in part been flourishing because they have developed resources independent of the federal government that have allowed them to enhance employment, education and health resources.

The Government of Canada has just signed an agreement with the Elders of the Wet'suwet'en Nation that may make it more difficult for that community to move forward. The agreement appears to create a two-tier system of government where one - the elected and councils will have the continued responsibility to manage the services for the community. They will need to continue to beg or advocate for an increase in federal funding to meet their community's needs. The second layer of government -the self-appointed elders; individuals who in some cases inherit the right to decide - will have effective control over any outside development of the natural resources. No development can occur on the land by outside corporations without the agreement of the Elders.

How the Wet'suwet'en decide to manage their land is up to them. I should have no input into any part of that decision-making process. It is their land and they, ideally collectively, will get to decide what should happen. But it seems to me that whenever one political body gets to decide that someone else loses the right to democratically decide what should happen - we have all lost something.

Late last winter a number of Canadians across the country braved the cold to protest the fact that the traditional elders of the Wet'suwet'en were not being listened to. I wonder if anyone will now protest that individuals have lost the right to be part of deciding how that nation's land gets used.

I suspect not and that is a shame.

From Almost Just inside the Pandemic

It has been an interesting few days. I woke up at some point Saturday night feeling rather damp. My t-shirt was wet as were my sheets. I had a fever. I didn't know why but clearly my body was overheated. I went back to sleep only mildly curious as to what was happening. Sunday morning I got up and felt fine but within 10 minutes I felt clammy all over. I got concerned. We have all, for the last two months been inundated with warnings about COVID-19 and the need to be ever vigilant so I did the "right thing". I went online, answered a few standard questions and then was directed to call a 1-800 number. I answered a few more questions and fairly quickly was given an appointment time to be tested first thing Monday morning. Given my age, my minor heart and lung issues - I was not surprised.

The testing area was in a large drive-through tent at the back of the hospital. I, in my anxiety, got there early and had to wait a few minutes as the staff got organized. It was quite a production as the nurse had to put on a plastic gown with sleeves that ended up in a loop that her thumbs went through to ensure that the sleeves stayed in place. She then put on regular surgical gloves. Then, on one hand, another glove was put on. This glove looked like the ones that veterinarians use to examine animals. It went all the way up to her shoulder.  She then put on her mask. Poor lady - it was going to be so hot in that outfit.

I stayed in my car, answered a few questions, had a stick shoved up my nose and was told that with 24-48 hours I would get a call explaining the results. I was gone from my house for less than thirty minutes.

Two remarkable things about this experience. One is that everyone I spoke to from the person who took my name and identifying data to the nurse who did the swab - were quite wonderful. I generally am not inclined to praise people for just doing their job. I can appreciate that there are many health care providers who are working in potentially dangerous jobs, but the folks on the phone or even the nurses at the testing station were working in low-risk situations - they do not get extra praise for doing what they get paid for - BUT they do get my thanks (and praise) for doing what they did with grace and most importantly with humour. They did their job well, efficiently, politely and professionally. Well done indeed.

The second thing that was remarkable about this experience was that it was my birthday. What a present! A stick up the nose!

24 hours later I was feeling anxious, waiting for that phone call. I have all kinds of symptoms, most of them, I suspect are imaginary. Due to my lung condition - I cough more than most people. Am I coughing more than normal - who knows? My breathing is always a bit laboured - I get out of breath easier than some. But is it harder to breathe than it was a week ago? Again, who knows - I certainly don't.

I know I have been careful. I have gone out no more than I thought I needed to. I have worn gloves in public and have done my best to stay six feet away from everyone. I know no one who has traveled out of the country. In fact, I have not spoken to anyone who has travelled more than20 kilometres from where I live. I do not know anyone who knows anyone who has been tested positive for the virus. I think the nurse said that they have not had a positive test in almost a month. So I should not be worried.... but I am.

The waiting is difficult. I don't want to be too far away from the phone in case I miss the call.

I finally got the message around 4:00. It was a bloody long day but at least I know that I do not have the virus. Perhaps it was a pretty damn fine birthday after all.