First nations will blockade roads as part of 'Idle No More' protest

[CaptainCrunch]

thanks for your view-point, we'll have to agree to disagree on it however.

After reading some articles, it sounds like there were some major disruptions across Canada, more disturbing was the appearance of AIM at one of the blockades.

The smart move now would be not to disrupt anymore, they've shown the capability to cause economic harm.

My guy though is that Idle No More is being linked pretty heavily to these disruption and that public opinion is swinging against these Native Protests.

Especially with all of the stuff happening in the background.

IF they were to double down they would agree to meet with Harper wherever and as soon as they can, and come up with a actual for real list of demands that are reasonable.

[Jets4Life]

Not sure if anyone has heard anything about this, but a couple of "protesters" tried to forcefully enter my work camp east of Conklin. They pulled a gun on a security woman, and tried to enter the work area, before being intercepted by two RCMP patrol cars. There was a brief standoff, before both men were arrested.

I am shocked that this has not made the news, as everyone at my camp is talking about it...

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Jets4Life

Not sure if anyone has heard anything about this, but a couple of "protesters" tried to forcefully enter my work camp east of Conklin. They pulled a gun on a security woman, and tried to enter the work area, before being intercepted by two RCMP patrol cars. There was a brief standoff, before both men were arrested.

I am shocked that this has not made the news, as everyone at my camp is talking about it...

crazy. it's almost like the rcmp were expecting it, if they were that close by and reacted that quickly.

[Voodooman]

This is going to come across the wrong way, and is totally politically incorrect, but after having to cut my workday short in Edmonton so that I didn't get caught up in the QEII blockade, I just feel compelled to rant a bit.

There are times when I really have to wonder why, over 150 years later, we are still paying for the alleged sins of our forefathers. I'm not disputing that European explorers came to North America and conquered and displaced those that were already here, but isn't that the point of war and conquest? Throughout the course of human history, groups of people have entered into conflicts with other groups for land, resources or just because they didn't like the look of them. First Nations peoples did the same long before the arrival of the white man; their history is rife with inter-tribal wars and conflicts, with brutality and suffering that easily rivals the colonial period.

So why is it that this specific conquest has resulted in the current situation where the government and citizens of our country are required to support the descendants of those who were conquered? What makes the colonialization of North American unique when compared to Australia or any number of African nations?

I am not disputing that the colonization of Canada was brutal and that white Europeans caused the death and displacement of thousands of First Nations peoples. European civilization had significantly progressed in the field of science, and the colonists possessed an ultimately unassailable edge in the art of warfare. But isn't that the nature of war? There's a winner and loser in every conflict, and if the tables had been reversed and the First Nations had the advantage, then the Europeans would have been driven out and perhaps been conquered on their own soil.

Anyways, these are just some random thoughts by one random individual. I certainly don't know what the solution is to the current situation, but it seems that significant changes are required. As a country, we are spending over $7 billion a year on this portfolio, and it certainly doesn't seem like the money is well spent, from the perspective of either side.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

This is going to come across the wrong way, and is totally politically incorrect, but after having to cut my workday short in Edmonton so that I didn't get caught up in the QEII blockade, I just feel compelled to rant a bit.

There are times when I really have to wonder why, over 150 years later, we are still paying for the alleged sins of our forefathers. I'm not disputing that European explorers came to North America and conquered and displaced those that were already here, but isn't that the point of war and conquest? Throughout the course of human history, groups of people have entered into conflicts with other groups for land, resources or just because they didn't like the look of them. First Nations peoples did the same long before the arrival of the white man; their history is rife with inter-tribal wars and conflicts, with brutality and suffering that easily rivals the colonial period.

So why is it that this specific conquest has resulted in the current situation where the government and citizens of our country are required to support the descendants of those who were conquered? What makes the colonization of North American unique when compared to Australia or any number of African nations?

I am not disputing that the colonization of Canada was brutal and that white Europeans caused the death and displacement of thousands of First Nations peoples. European civilization had significantly progressed in the field of science, and the colonists possessed an ultimately unassailable edge in the art of warfare. But isn't that the nature of war? There's a winner and loser in every conflict, and if the tables had been reversed and the First Nations had the advantage, then the Europeans would have been driven out and perhaps been conquered on their own soil.

Anyways, these are just some random thoughts by one random individual. I certainly don't know what the solution is to the current situation, but it seems that significant changes are required. As a country, we are spending over $7 billion a year on this portfolio, and it certainly doesn't seem like the money is well spent, from the perspective of either side.

Because the FN people weren't actually "conquered". The government 'bought' their land from them (even though they didn't understand the concept of land ownership and thought they were pulling a fast one on the white man) and have been paying for it ever since. If they HAD been conquered, like any other conquered folks out there, this wouldn't be an issue these days. It would be like any other 'conquered people' situation you are outlining.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger

Because the FN people weren't actually "conquered". The government 'bought' their land from them (even though they didn't understand the concept of land ownership and thought they were pulling a fast one on the white man) and have been paying for it ever since. If they HAD been conquered, like any other conquered folks out there, this wouldn't be an issue these days. It would be like any other 'conquered people' situation you are outlining.

Some of them didn't even have that. In BC, many natives don't have treaties, and in Ontatio, some hadn't signed any until the 1930s... well after the colonial period.

[Tron_fdc]

This comment isn't specifically aimed at this thread or at anyone here in particular, but I'm getting the sense that this "uprising" isn't just creating some kind of awareness of First Nation issues, it's also creating a platform for people to air some pretty serious greivances with natives without fear of being labelled racist.

It's entirely possible public opinion sways entirely against this "cause" and the whole thing blows up in their face. You want the white mans attention? You got it. Because now it seems that people want more transparency with all the money heading out to Indian Affairs, and it's beginning to be ok to question where it's all spent.

[MelBridgeman]

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

This comment isn't specifically aimed at this thread or at anyone here in particular, but I'm getting the sense that this "uprising" isn't just creating some kind of awareness of First Nation issues, it's also creating a platform for people to air some pretty serious greivances with natives without fear of being labelled racist.

It's entirely possible public opinion sways entirely against this "cause" and the whole thing blows up in their face. You want the white mans attention? You got it. Because now it seems that people want more transparency with all the money heading out to Indian Affairs, and it's beginning to be ok to question where it's all spent.

I agree completely. This could be the beginning of the end for the current system, or lack there of, of government on the reserves.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

Isn't that a white guy with the beard?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Isn't that a white guy with the beard?

My neighbour is white and blond. He has his status card.......I should really post this in WRGMG

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Isn't that a white guy with the beard?

My wife just told me last night her great great great grandfather was Metis. I told her to start getting some free stuff, but she said the paperwork makes it damn near impossible. Anyways, maybe that is the case with the guy with the beard, but he can identify with the movement more and is participating.

[Northendzone]

must be nice to have untold free time on your hands to go and hold up folks that are generating taxes. Maybe some of these folks should ask their band leaders why they need to make $250,000 per year, while many folks on the rez are living in salid conditions.

hard for me (average white male) to get on board with this protest.......

[DuffMan]

Starting to get more annoying than Quebec.

[Canehdianman]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

must be nice to have untold free time on your hands to go and hold up folks that are generating taxes. Maybe some of these folks should ask their band leaders why they need to make $250,000 per year, while many folks on the rez are living in salad conditions.

hard for me (average white male) to get on board with this protest.......

Given that they can more or less hunt at will, why would anyone on a reserve live in salad conditions?!?!?!?!

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I ran into a blockade today outside of Russell, MB. Not being from the area I asked how to best detour around them. They were pleasant enough and directed me around the blockade.

What were you doing in Russell, if you don't mind me asking? We have a cabin only 30 minutes away from there.

[Reaper]

Last night on the CTV news they showed some footage from a "blockade." One of the native women was yelling at a vehicle "White man go home." All I could think was "wow, you really have no idea how to garner support for your cause."

[AR_Six]

Originally Posted by Reaper

Last night on the CTV news they showed some footage from a "blockade." One of the native women was yelling at a vehicle "White man go home."

Haha, what was the response? "I'm trying but you're in the way!"

[icecube]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

My wife just told me last night her great great great grandfather was Metis. I told her to start getting some free stuff, but she said the paperwork makes it damn near impossible. Anyways, maybe that is the case with the guy with the beard, but he can identify with the movement more and is participating.

What free stuff do the Metis get? Care to enlighten us all? Can't wait for this response...

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by icecube

What free stuff do the Metis get? Care to enlighten us all? Can't wait for this response...

I would much rather hear more about this post:

Originally Posted by icecube

I could sum up this thread with a few words. Paternalistic, colonial, bigotted, redneck, ignorant, racist etc. etc.