By JORGE BARRERA
June 23, 2007
Ottawa Sun
Prime Minister Stephen Harper warns that violence will "kill" public sympathy for the plight of Natives.
Harper is also defending his government's recent land deal with Roseau River, Man., Chief Terry Nelson -- who recently called off a rail blockade for June 29, the day of action on Native issues. Despite Nelson's change of heart, the threat of blockades looms.
"I think that violence -- or the threat of violence -- will kill any public sympathy for getting on and fixing this problem. I don't think that is where (Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine) and most aboriginal people are," the PM says.
Harper says Canadians understand why so much anger exists in Native communities. "Treaties that were signed 100 years ago have been violated for 70 years and no one will do anything about it."