At a rally in West Edmonton Mall over the weekend, some First Nations leaders warned against setting up blockades, fearing that it would turn public opinion against Idle No More.
Bruneau said any ire from the public at large should be directed to the government, not the protesters.
“They need to be getting after the federal government, they shouldn’t be getting after us,” he said.
Good luck with that. I wouldn't be surprised if more people side against INM just out of spite.
See this is what they don't understand, the government has actually been the reasonable ones here.
The FN Chiefs with their bluster, the refusing to meet with the PM and Government, and while some Idle No More are trying to seperate from Spence we are seeing more and more Idler's holding her up as the face of this movement, while the rest of us see her as a fraud and a crook.
Idle No More is going to start losing the PR battle that they so desperately need to win to stay legit.
Idle No More co-founder tries to seperate from blockades and Spence
Today: Wed January 16, 2013 there are events being held across the land. These events include Road Blockades and Railroad Closure as well as Marches. The organizers for IDLE NO MORE DO NOT SUPPORT these events. Because some do not have the support of the City Police or the RCMP making a potential risk for escalated violence. We do not support this approach. But WE DO however support their desire for positive CHANGE and so we are CALLING OUT globally for PRAYERS from all faiths and all walks of life. We will be supporting them with LOVE and PEACE and envisioning a positive outcome for each one. May these People be surrounded with Angels and the Creators Light
I have little sympathy for the First Nations people simply because they are their own worst enemy. The rampant corruption amongst all the FN chiefs is what's really doing them in. The government can give them ten times the funding and it won't make a difference. All it will do is line their leaders' pockets with even more money.
A little self reflection is in order. Clean yourselves up before you go complaining to the government.
Protests by native Canadians appear to have done little to gain public support as a new poll suggests attitudes are hardening on aboriginal issues.
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The survey found that 64 per cent of respondents think native Canadians get too much support from taxpayers. A similar percentage, 62 per cent, believes that aboriginal peoples are treated well by the federal government.
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Conversely, only 27 per cent of Canadians believe that federal money spent on reserves is managed well by native leaders and communities.
OTTAWA -- An influential lobby group with close ties to the federal Conservatives is recommending that Ottawa ditch the Indian Act and give First Nations more control over their land in order to end aboriginal poverty once and for all.
On the surface of it, those are goals that First Nations could agree with. But any agreement ends at the superficial level.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation -- architects of a campaign to open up chiefs' books to the public that was instrumental in recent federal legislation to publish salaries and benefits -- is now urging Ottawa to treat First Nations people like everyone else.
The only problem I see with doing away with the Indian Act and the reserve system by basically handing over title to the FN bands is the level of corruption and incompetence among many chiefs will multiply many times over. Whats to stop a chief from simply selling the land and pocketing the money, or any number of things one can do with a massive clear title property?
I don't like that idea at all. I'm all for getting rid of the Indian Act and the reserves but only if it means taking control away from the FN leaders.
The only problem I see with doing away with the Indian Act and the reserve system by basically handing over title to the FN bands is the level of corruption and incompetence among many chiefs will multiply many times over. Whats to stop a chief from simply selling the land and pocketing the money, or any number of things one can do with a massive clear title property?
The CTF isn't suggesting turning land over to the councils, but rather individual families.
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The CTF proposed five policy recommendations to improve conditions for aboriginal people:
1) Treat All Canadians the Same – While abiding by treaty contracts and the constitution, phase out non-treaty laws and programs that single out aboriginal people. A few examples:
The Indian Act
b. Section 718(2) of the Criminal Code; gives judges flexibility to give aboriginal people reduced sentences.
c. Aboriginal Arts Office (an arts grant program specifically for aboriginal people; all other ethnicities apply through a different program.)
2) Give Reserves Full Land/Housing Control – Give aboriginal reserves full control over their land by the end of 2013; no more requiring reserves to seek Ottawa’s permission prior to development, leasing or sale of reserve land (while respecting current environmental laws). Also, transfer ownership of homes on reserves to families living there.
3) Transition Support – Investigate how to help people in remote, economically bleak communities transition to where there are better jobs and educational opportunities.
4) Full Accountability – Reserves must be accountable for public funds they receive. Period. No more situations like Attawapiskat; audit found 81% of files lacking supporting documentation.
5) Fund People on Reserves Directly – Start pilot projects whereby funding to reserves goes directly to band members, with the band council taxing band members to pay for services. This would ensure more funds reach people in need, rather than getting caught in administration.
Here's some interesting poll results among Canadians regarding the Idle no more protest:
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Ipsos Reid Poll Findings: Majorities believe that:#No additional taxpayer money should go to any Reserve until external auditors can be put in place to ensure financial accountability (81% nationally), with residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (92%) most in agreement with this and Atlantic Canadians (77%) and Quebecers (76%) least.
Canada’s Aboriginal peoples receive too much support from Canadian taxpayers.#Two thirds (64%) nationally share this view — unchanged from July 2012. Canadians from the Prairies (83% – Saskatchewan/Manitoba and 74% – Alberta) most believe this while Eastern Canadians (53% – Atlantic Canada, 60% – Ontario, and 62% – Quebec) are least to do so.
Canada’s Aboriginal peoples are treated well by the Canadian Government.#Two thirds (62%) nationally share this sentiment, down from 66% in July 2012. Western Canadians (74% – Saskatchewan and Manitoba, 69% – British Columbia, and 63% – Alberta) most agree that this is the case, while Eastern Canadians (57% – Atlantic Canada, 58% – Ontario, and 61% – Quebec) least agree.
Most of the problems of native peoples are brought on by themselves (60% nationally, up 25 points from 35% in 1989).Canadians in the Prairies (76% – Saskatchewan/Manitoba and 68% – Alberta) are most likely to believe this, while Quebecers (58%) and British Columbians (58%) are least likely to do so.
Much of the money spent by the federal government for on-reserve services is managed well by the native leaders and communities who receive it (27% nationally)—Quebecers (36%) and British Columbians (34%) most agree with this, while those in the Prairies (8% – Saskatchewan/Manitoba and 16% – Alberta) least agree.
Taken together, these data suggest that last week’s protests have done little to build sympathy for First Nations issues, and have instead created a new issue for First Nation leaders to struggle with – financial accountability.
Approval?
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Canadians were asked a number of questions to gauge the credibility of the various players involved in last week’s events. In terms of overall approval of how the various groups/people have been dealing with First Nations issues over the last few weeks, the survey shows:
The national leaders of Canada’s First Nations, including the Assembly of First Nations#– 51% nationally approve (61% among Atlantic Canadians and 56% among Quebecers and British Columbians)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper#– 46% nationally approve (78% among Conservative voters and 62% among Albertans)
The Idle No More Movement#– 38% nationally approve (54% among Atlantic Canadians and 47% among British Columbians)
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence#– 29% nationally approve (highest at 38% among British Columbians)
Transition Support – Investigate how to help people in remote, economically bleak communities transition to where there are better jobs and educational opportunities.
One of the major problems with first nations is that they don't want to abandon their land despite the fact that it may be economically unviable. I had a huge discussion about this in my Sociology of Health course. Everyone thinks that the government should just build more hospitals and infrastructure for these remote, isolated, tiny communities but they don't understand that those things cost money. Money that those communities aren't producing.
When a town is no longer economically viable, people move away and it dies. But on the reserves, they stay and hold their hand out.
^^^
1(b) will never fly. It's just too entrenched in the judiciary.
3) is interesting, seeing that in many instances the federal government relocated native families from their traditional lands to ones where they had no means to support themselves or maintain their way of life in order to provide a Canadian presence in parts of our country that lacked it for a show of sovereignty.
The rest of the points make sense and could be implemented in a reasonable amount of time.
One of the major problems with first nations is that they don't want to abandon their land despite the fact that it may be economically unviable. I had a huge discussion about this in my Sociology of Health course. Everyone thinks that the government should just build more hospitals and infrastructure for these remote, isolated, tiny communities but they don't understand that those things cost money. Money that those communities aren't producing.
When a town is no longer economically viable, people move away and it dies. But on the reserves, they stay and hold their hand out.
Very true for the majority of those communities I would assume, however the Canadian government does require a population in small communities typically in the far north to strengthen future claims about sovereignty and land control in the arctic. Also, you can't just take someone from Resolute Nunavut and place them in Calgary. They just won't know how to adjust. I'm no expert but I would assume it would take generations before they were able to fully integrate fully into "southern Canadian" society
One of the major problems with first nations is that they don't want to abandon their land despite the fact that it may be economically unviable. I had a huge discussion about this in my Sociology of Health course. Everyone thinks that the government should just build more hospitals and infrastructure for these remote, isolated, tiny communities but they don't understand that those things cost money. Money that those communities aren't producing.
When a town is no longer economically viable, people move away and it dies. But on the reserves, they stay and hold their hand out.
Granted, this is the eternal problem of remote areas
In general, the larger countries is difficult to control such problems
Very true for the majority of those communities I would assume, however the Canadian government does require a population in small communities typically in the far north to strengthen future claims about sovereignty and land control in the arctic. Also, you can't just take someone from Resolute Nunavut and place them in Calgary. They just won't know how to adjust. I'm no expert but I would assume it would take generations before they were able to fully integrate fully into "southern Canadian" society
The arctic is different because it part of another political agenda which would be funded differently.
As for the adjustment argument, they don't have to move to Downtown Calgary. There are plenty of communities that they could choose that are economically viable. Even other FN lands.
The arctic is different because it part of another political agenda which would be funded differently.
As for the adjustment argument, they don't have to move to Downtown Calgary. There are plenty of communities that they could choose that are economically viable. Even other FN lands.
In either case, it is true that it will take a couple generations for the distrust and racism on both sidesto mostly dissipate. But choosing to live in desolate areas with no economic future hasn't worked...
A group of about 15 natives paraded down 8th Ave at lunch. There were as many cops escorting as there were people protesting. No clue what specific issues they were addressing.
A group of about 15 natives paraded down 8th Ave at lunch. There were as many cops escorting as there were people protesting. No clue what specific issues they were addressing.
A group of about 15 natives paraded down 8th Ave at lunch. There were as many cops escorting as there were people protesting. No clue what specific issues they were addressing.
Participaction? You should have congratulated and applauded them for their intent to get into better physical shape.
