There are few things more tiresome than hearing our government wheedle on about engagement, apathy and motivating participation from under-represented groups in society. I can say this because I’m the target of some of this would-be attention. As a young person, I’m bombarded by facts and figures about my generation’s lack of concern for world affairs or political issues and subjected to the concerned clucking of pundits and politicians who claim that a special effort is needed to make people my age feel part of the process.

There’s an awful lot of heat being generated on this topic, but precious little light. Do bureaucrats and their elected paymasters presume that by concocting insipid target campaigns such as the abysmal “Rock the Vote” or the embarrassing (to all concerned) “Get Your Vote On”, a sudden surge of interest will materialize? Hopefully not, and at least Elections Canada seems less determined to waste everybody’s money this time around. The youth voting campaigns have, by-and-large, dropped off the face of the earth this winter, and not a moment too soon.

There is a significant segment of young Canadians who are interested and engaged and will vote on January 23. There also exists a portion of the population, young, old or otherwise, who care not a whit for Pompous Paul, Scary Steven, Deceitful Duceppe or Lecherous Layton. If there is legitimate interest in converting some of the latter into more of the former, then the path is clear. Treat these soon-to-be engaged citizens with respect. Imagine that they are, in fact, intelligent enough to grasp the fundamental rationale behind a representative democracy. Finally, accept that some people won’t be swayed by any temptation to care, no matter the stakes.

If young people make up the most cited demographic in need of “being engaged” in ways other than the matrimonial, then aboriginal Canadians must not lag far behind. This is particularly true given recent events, as politicians realize that throwing money at reserve issues can only go so far.

Once again, pandering to and patronizing the target group is to be avoided at all costs, but in order to be taken at their word, governments at every level have to make sure that opportunities to legitimately engage aboriginal groups should not want for attention or consideration.

This is something for federal employees here in Jasper to bear in mind as they deal with the potential for an aboriginal cultural heritage centre. Representatives from the Sawridge Band brought the concept to Parks’ attention several years ago, and after a period of inactivity, are now interested in pursuing the project. Parks’ response seems a standard one —  provide a proposal, and then we’ll see.

On the face of it, this appears to be an acceptable approach. However, this is a real bricks and mortar opportunity to engage and collaborate with an aboriginal group, something that Parks Canada and the federal government join in announcing as a priority at every opportunity. Officials from Jasper National Park should take the initiative and contact the Sawridge to reinvigorate the process. Is it the usual way of doing business? Probably not, but then again, an aboriginal cultural centre is not a usual scenario for development. It’s a very unique opportunity that has potential benefits that would accrue to the community at large.

Any actual development would take extensive discussion and negotiation with a variety of parties and would face a legion of possible roadblocks. But Parks loses nothing by taking the first step on this journey. On the contrary, they stand to gain by proving the sincerity of their claim to be interested in involving aboriginal groups in the future of the park.