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The tabling of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report is a new beginning, rather than an ending, said the Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the TRC.

Let’s hope he’s right, but native leaders have been let down before.

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The Liberal Party has a spotty track record in following through on its promises when it comes to First Nations policy.

That is not to say the Conservatives did better — they just didn’t raise false hope by promising transformational change, as the Liberals did with their Red Book and the 1993 election platform.

Twenty-two years ago, the Chrétien Liberals said they would recognize the inherent right to native self-government in areas ranging from culture to language, from education to health.

They claimed that once in government they would support major reforms to land claims policy; establish a separate aboriginal justice system; introduce significant increases to the education budget; bring in an exemption from the GST; and negotiate new fiscal arrangements.