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maverickeastwood · 06-29-2008, 11:00 AM

I have read the first bit of this thread and was a bit turned off by the terms used to describe those involved and the stereotypical attitudes of some.

Many Natives in Canada have problems that go back a long ways. From residential schools of the past to current affairs (reserve living, personal attempts at integration, substance abuse, etc). Just being part-native is challenging enough, as I am. From being stereotyped in job interviews, in stores and worse to being monikered as Tonto (no malice intended) and all the other stereotypical comparisons (lysol-drinking, uneducated, lazy, so on and so forth). Do not judge unless you want to be judged. I have been to school and am a highly qualified individual, no external monetary assistance and of my own volition. I also hold a well paid position in the oil and gas industry and pay taxes like everyone else. I have no "native status", by choice.

As for a solution to problems faced by natives today...Some of it can be remedied from within, but seeing as there are issues on both sides, it has to be a co-operative effort. The Indian Act has done nothing more than create two distinct peoples in Canada...Indians and others. Is this fair? I don't think so. I thought this was Canada and everyone should be equal under one law. This is the ideal, but isn't. As long as Natives live on these reserves and push entitlement, this will not go away. They have to leave these reserves, give up their "status" and join the rest of Canada. Now for the flip side...

A native walks into a job interview, gets an "up-and-down look", has his application handed back to him and is told no before the interview even starts. A native walks into a store and minds his own business. He may be the only one in the store. 30 seconds later, a staff member strolls up and asks, "can I help you?", to which I reply "no, just looking, thank you". This repeats itself 3 more times and other customers walk in are not "assisted" like I was. A native woman walks in and puts a spray bottle of lysol in her cart, alongside the milk and bread, and is told that she can't have the cleaner. The worse scenarios I won't get into.

In order to have harmony, you need co-operation on both sides. There may be too much animocity to get that though.

06-29-2008, 11:00 AM	#199
maverickeastwood Crash and Bang Winger Join Date: Nov 2006 Exp:	I have read the first bit of this thread and was a bit turned off by the terms used to describe those involved and the stereotypical attitudes of some. Many Natives in Canada have problems that go back a long ways. From residential schools of the past to current affairs (reserve living, personal attempts at integration, substance abuse, etc). Just being part-native is challenging enough, as I am. From being stereotyped in job interviews, in stores and worse to being monikered as Tonto (no malice intended) and all the other stereotypical comparisons (lysol-drinking, uneducated, lazy, so on and so forth). Do not judge unless you want to be judged. I have been to school and am a highly qualified individual, no external monetary assistance and of my own volition. I also hold a well paid position in the oil and gas industry and pay taxes like everyone else. I have no "native status", by choice. As for a solution to problems faced by natives today...Some of it can be remedied from within, but seeing as there are issues on both sides, it has to be a co-operative effort. The Indian Act has done nothing more than create two distinct peoples in Canada...Indians and others. Is this fair? I don't think so. I thought this was Canada and everyone should be equal under one law. This is the ideal, but isn't. As long as Natives live on these reserves and push entitlement, this will not go away. They have to leave these reserves, give up their "status" and join the rest of Canada. Now for the flip side... A native walks into a job interview, gets an "up-and-down look", has his application handed back to him and is told no before the interview even starts. A native walks into a store and minds his own business. He may be the only one in the store. 30 seconds later, a staff member strolls up and asks, "can I help you?", to which I reply "no, just looking, thank you". This repeats itself 3 more times and other customers walk in are not "assisted" like I was. A native woman walks in and puts a spray bottle of lysol in her cart, alongside the milk and bread, and is told that she can't have the cleaner. The worse scenarios I won't get into. In order to have harmony, you need co-operation on both sides. There may be too much animocity to get that though.