FIRST NATIONS

Feds spying on First Nations

Shortly after his election in 2006, Stephen Harper stepped up federal government surveillance of First Nations communities all across Canada.

Recently released files show that the Conservatives wanted to identify so-called “hot spots”—locations where protests or occupations for indigenous sovereignty might happen. The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs was instructed to track leaders, activists and their allies, and then to monitor their activity. The RCMP and CSIS were involved in the gathering and sharing of information.

Among the “hot spots” named were Caledonia, Belleville and Grassy Narrows in Ontario—all sites where First Nations activists have led campaigns and solidarity actions to defend their land. The documents revealed the government’s anxiety about its inability to predict, prevent or contain protests for indigenous sovereignty. They also demonstrate the government’s complete mistrust of First Nations people, warning that all indigenous leaders have the potential to become “extremists.”