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The Liberal government’s reform of the Senate appointment process is a missed opportunity.

The problem it tackles — patronage appointments by the prime minister — is a non-issue compared to our broken covenant of friendship with First Nations. The Senate’s role should be to uphold this friendship, as a shared assembly for aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples.

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A disclaimer: I am not aboriginal, and I do not speak for them. I especially do not intend aboriginal representation in the Senate to cost First Nations the autonomy the Crown owes them. My intent is instead for this representation to support existing Nations’ rights to self-governance by placing politicians in a relationship of sustained commitment, accountability and partnership with aboriginal people.

This approach is not new. In 1995, Chief Elijah Harper gathered a Sacred Assembly of aboriginals and non-aboriginals in a spirit of healing and reconciliation. In 1996, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended an aboriginal Parliament. New Zealand instituted Māori-only electorates (seats) in 1867.