Dene leader Georges Erasmus reflects on rights, resistance and politics
Georges Erasmus, a prominent Indigenous leader, sits quietly in a hotel room in downtown Ottawa, reflecting on a pivotal moment in his 50-year fight for Indigenous rights. It was 1996, and Erasmus had just co-chaired the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP), presenting a groundbreaking vision for change to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. However, the meeting left Erasmus feeling discouraged as Chrétien showed little interest in the milestone report.
In his new memoir, “Hòt’a! Enough!”, co-authored with Wayne K. Spear, Erasmus recounts the highs and lows of his remarkable career. While there is no single highlight that stands out, the meeting with Chrétien stands as a low point. The lack of response from the Prime Minister was disheartening for Erasmus, who felt that the recommendations of the RCAP were being ignored.
Born in the Tłı̨chǫ community of Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T. in 1948, Erasmus had a challenging start in school, failing Grade 1 before mastering English. As a youth, he became involved in the Indian Brotherhood of N.W.T., a radical organization that resisted the government’s White Paper plan to assimilate Indigenous peoples. Erasmus was elected president of the brotherhood in 1976 during the Mackenzie Valley pipeline inquiry, where Dene people demanded recognition of their nationhood.
After his work with the Indian Brotherhood, Erasmus was elected national chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 1985, inheriting a debt-ridden organization plagued by corruption. He implemented reforms to unify the assembly and address longstanding grievances. Erasmus’s diplomatic approach earned him the nickname “the 11th premier,” but he also warned of potential violence in 1988 if Indigenous issues were not addressed.
The Oka crisis in 1990 and the subsequent formation of the RCAP in 1991 highlighted the deep-rooted problems in the Crown-First Nations relationship. Despite the commission’s comprehensive recommendations, Erasmus was disappointed by the government’s lack of action and the subsequent closure of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, which he helped establish in 1998.
Erasmus’s story continues with his role as chief negotiator for the Dehcho First Nations self-government process, a position he held for 12 years. Despite setbacks and challenges, Erasmus remains committed to advocating for Indigenous rights and educating Canadians about the injustices faced by First Nations communities.
Through his memoir and ongoing work, Erasmus hopes to inspire the younger generation and raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights in Canada. His story serves as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
