The referendum is part of a decades-long racist campaign by the capitalist rulers of Canada to deny Native peoples their rights and to deny them full and equal employment, education, housing, and access to health care and other social benefits. This forced marginalization of indigenous peoples and portrayal of them as savages allowed the capitalist class to take control of and plunder the land and resources of the Native peoples.

The referendum, spearheaded by the British Columbia Liberal party, which controls the provincial government, is nothing more than an attempt to defend the second-class status of Native peoples and cover up the systematic oppression and discrimination they have faced since their lands were stolen by British and French colonialism.

The questions in the referendum seek to limit what Natives can negotiate when they make treaties, making the referendum itself a rejection of the right of Native people to self-determination. The questions are posed as if the recognition of the rights of Native peoples is at the same time an abrogation of the rights of "all British Columbians."

But the widespread support for the boycott is a sign that these kind of divide-and-rule tactics are not finding fertile ground among working people, who face a sustained assault from the Liberal government. Many recognize that a rejection of the referendum would strengthen the capacity of all workers and farmers to fight back against the bosses and their government.

Fighting to defend the right to self-determination of Native people by joining the boycott campaign is a way to aid the fight of the Quebecois for their independence. Both the federal parliament under the Liberals and the courts have sought to dictate what a referendum for Quebec sovereignty must contain. But as with Native peoples, only the Quebecois have the right to decide on their future. It is by fighting along these lines that the unity of the working class will be forged on the road to a workers and farmers government.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home