Unfortunately, many Canadians assume unity is a problem only for the predominantly anglophone state and its francophone minorities. But aboriginal people see the future of the country and the issue of national unity in a different way. Canadian unity does not belong exclusively to the white colonizers, any more than it is the fate of aboriginal people to accept their displacement from their ancestral homeland. And so I see two potential scenarios for the day after the unity debate ends, one of an exclusionary Canada, the other of inclusionary Canada.

The first scenario, exclusionary Canada, presumes that Quebec and the Rest of Canada have reached a new understanding that brings unity for anglophones and francophones, but that once again excludes indigenous peoples from the unity talks. Too cynical? Perhaps. But such marginalization of aboriginal peoples is well documented by history and by our contemporary experience within Canada. One need only remember the vision of Confederation chosen in 1867 and, more recently, during the Meech Lake Accord.

The second scenario, inclusionary Canada, I leave for my next essay. I now begin my journey into the crystal ball of exclusionary Canada - "the day after".

It is hard for me to imagine how this has happened again. How can national unity be achieved without the participation of the aboriginal people who possess a pre-existing title to the very soil that Canada now claims as its territory?

Aboriginal peoples have long feared that any mission to rebuild Canada without them can only be achieved at the expense of their rights, including their sovereignty over their lands and territories. Their fears were well founded.

Canada's justification for excluding aboriginal people this time was the same excuse used in the negotiations leading to the Meech Lake Accord. They told us our concerns would complicate matters, would distract from the issue paramount to the country's survival - Quebec's status within Canada. They assured us our place in Canada would be dealt with later, after national unity was achieved between Quebec and the rest of the federation. And so, only two groups of people were deemed to be the natural architects of Canada's survival: the English and the French.

This great achievement (at least in the minds of the colonizers) is received across the country with jubilant celebrations, except in aboriginal communities. Now that the two titans are finished fighting over the scraps of power and jurisdiction - their idea of building unity - what is left to share with the aboriginal peoples?

Governments failed once again to understand that recognizing aboriginal peoples as equals in the process of reforming Canada is the road to justice and reconciliation. There is no other. Without aboriginal peoples' participation, no one will ever find the elusive medicine needed to cure disharmony, separation and regional conflict. To find peace between Quebec and the rest of the country without securing unity with aboriginal peoples would be to do as the white fathers of confederation did in Charlottetown: to build a country for two races, ignoring the original peoples as if they were irrelevant, a hindrance to the dream of building a new country.

Do the white politicians not realise that the future belongs to everybody, not just a select few? Aboriginal peoples have a human right to shape their own destiny as distinct peoples; the continued exclusion of aboriginal peoples diminishes the great potential and glory of this country as a haven for people from different cultures.

The argument that our place in the future of this country can be dealt with after national unity is achieved ignores our history. We have lived on this land for centuries. Do the English and the French have a greater claim? If so, on what is it based? The principle of occupation, or of racial superiority? Our roots in this land precede by centuries those of Quebec and the Rest of Canada. Today aboriginal title is law in Canada. How can anyone hope to hide from that truth?

We can all agree that the participation of aboriginal peoples in the restructuring of Canada might bring more challenges in the quest for unity. But to exclude aboriginal peoples, because too many challenges increase the likelihood of failure, is dishonest and cowardly. To favour political expediency rather than to face reality mocks Canada's deeply cherished principles of democracy and fairness for all.

The reaffirmation of the status quo - "two founding nations" - is a betrayal of the higher vision that calls for the establishment of a new country inclusive of all people, including aboriginal people. In reinforcing the myth of the "two founding nations", Canada chooses to remain a nation-state anchored in an outdated national identity. For the majority of Canadians who voted "yes" in a referendum on keeping Quebec within the federation, the exclusion of indigenous peoples was a small price to pay to preserve national unity. Very Canadian, eh?

But somewhere in Canada an indigenous elder shakes her head in disbelief. She speaks gently to her grandchildren: "My grandchildren, the white people are not ready to accept us. We have to wait. The road ahead will not be easy. It was hard for us. It may be even harder for you. But we must not give up hope. In time the white governments will have to honour their promises made to our people, long time ago. The Creator is kind; someday we will walk a lot easier on our road. Be patient my grandchildren, you will see this come to pass."

Somewhere else in Canada, a loud noise is heard as a hydro line comes crashing down on the new "O CANADA". In the halls of aboriginal assemblies across the land, a debate is raging on the great betrayal. Many leaders of the first peoples advocate non-violent civil disobedience. Many aboriginal people agree, for the first time, that separation and sovereignty for the first peoples is the only real option available.

Somewhere in the halls of power of the new Canada, the police are put on notice to maintain peace and order for the new country; white politicians in every part of Canada urge aboriginal people to respect the rule of law.

A delegation of the first peoples' strongest leaders and elders are on their way to the United Nations to appeal for their human rights, including their right to self-determination. Indigenous peoples from all over the world join in the call to establish a mechanism under the United Nations for the decolonization of indigenous peoples and lands. Indigenous elders and visionaries welcome this movement as a fulfilment of ancient prophecies predicting the establishment of a New World of peace and harmony for all peoples, not just a world controlled by nation-states.