I can't wait...

To hear the shrill screaming tomorrow... about cultural genocide... when the government attempts to redress this longstanding inequity on native reserves...

Right now, if a marriage breaks down for a couple living on an aboriginal reserve, there are no divorce laws.

Federal and provincial laws don’t apply. The band has jurisdiction. It is a situation the government has long promised to rectify.

Tomorrow at 12:15 PM, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, and the minister responsible for women, Josée Verner, will announce legislation to cover people who live on reserves.

The CBC has learned it will be the Matrimonial Real Property Rights Legislation. The proposed law would divide assets and property after divorce or common law relationships breakdown.

Now you'd think there would be widespread support for this, especially among aboriginal women.

Well, as usual... it ain't that simple.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) has long pushed the government to act, and in fact has been suing the government since 1989, on this very issue. Ironically, even though the NWAC has been calling for legislation for 18 years, the organization is unlikely to support the legislation.

NWAC wants money to accompany the law to assist bands in implementing the changes, and the organization won’t be satisfied if money only goes to the RCMP and judges because it fears many couples are poor and live in remote areas.

Yup... the never-ending cry for more baksheesh.

I'm shocked.

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