Good move by the PM...respectful.  Attentive.  Even conciliatory. I like it.  

I am very interested in the comment by Trudeau that, "“We have to move beyond the Indian Act, we have to end the Indian Act but we can’t do it with the stroke of the pen from Ottawa..."  I understand Ottawa tried before, in 1998, with Bill C-49.  

C-49 took Natives OUT of the Indian Act, in that their community leaders (chiefs, council members) would act on bands' behalf in matters regarding reserve lands and resources, replacing federal administrators. One stipulation: band members had to understand the change and agree to it.  In B.C., Squamish members were stunned to learn their leaders had already signed the agreement--which they knew nothing about.  The public was  stunned to learn Squamish dissidents said "No" to the concept; it would have given chiefs and council members even MORE power than they already had abused. The House passed it anyway.  

Who does the PM really represent?