First Nations processes translate to Afghanistan

(Op-ed piece in Winnipeg Free Press, May 30, 2013 by James Wilson)

Photo Source:  Thompson Citizen

Sometimes we have to travel far away to realize the answers are right here at home. At least that's one of the lessons Renee Filiatrault learned when she was a diplomacy officer in Kandahar, Afghanistan, negotiating between Canada, the military and the Afghans.
At first glance, there seems to be little relevance between aboriginal issues and the work she did in that country. But as Filiatrault delved into her past, there were definite similarities that were both informative and somewhat shocking.
As a former press secretary to minister of Indian affairs, Robert Nault, she visited and worked with many First Nations amidst a dynamic and challenging political atmosphere.
I was curious to know what lessons time and separation from First Nations issues had given her and how she compared experiences in both Canada and Afghanistan.

You can read the entire article here.

Note:  James Wilson is commissioner of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, and will be the keynote speaker at Project Peacemaker's Eco-Friendly dinner on June 6.  More information about the Eco-Friendly dinner to be found in previous posts. 

- submitted by Gareth