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

[polak]

Originally Posted by smoothpops

Whether I agree with them or not, they should atleast be applauded for taking a stand for something they believe in. Too many of us Canadians are too apathetic to take any stands these days, apart from voicing their opinions online or at the dinner table.

They have more pressing issues that need to be addressed internally which they should focus on before disrupting others.

[smoothpops]

So they can't say anything about new laws that are being passed without review periods, because they have corruption in their midst? And that's the point of the name of this movement, "idle no more", because too many of them have been silent for too long. Everyone has issues, under your criteria, no one would ever be able to protest. Had Canadians stood up against this omnibus bill, and the ridiculous nature in which it was passed, they wouldn't have to do all this.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Really? Outside of the Japanese during World War II, which group has seen the majority of discrimination, hate crimes, racist sentiment, etc., during the 20th and 21st century?

But today black people are the most frequently discriminated against in terms of hate crimes based on ethnicity while the Jewish faith has the reported most hate crimes committed based on religion reasons. And it's not like either of those groups were having a swell time before the turn of the century. I understand, or let's more accurately say as a non-visible minority try to understand, the plight of the Aboriginal but I feel at one point self-responsibility needs to be accounted for. And I know for a large portion of the Aboriginal's it is, it's the minority of Aboriginals who perpuate the negative stereotypes.

Now I know it's easy to say whitey over here doesn't understand, and that's maybe true. But as the grandson of an Irish immigrant who came to Canada with nothing (fleeing after being shot because of the unrest over there) and was spit on here because of his heritage my own background isn't completely different from their's. And growing up in the NE I know enough folks who've had it extremely rough from where they came from, I mean my neighbour escaped a concentration camp in a crate.

[polak]

Originally Posted by smoothpops

So they can't say anything about new laws that are being passed without review periods, because they have corruption in their midst? And that's the point of the name of this movement, "idle no more", because too many of them have been silent for too long. Everyone has issues, under your criteria, no one would ever be able to protest. Had Canadians stood up against this omnibus bill, and the ridiculous nature in which it was passed, they wouldn't have to do all this.

I meant that as they're picking an odd issue to finally stand up for. Why haven't they started raising awareness for the other more pressing and damaging problems?

You'd think their HIV rates, Infant Mortality, Education and Drug Problems and overall health concerns would have got them out there before this. I guess protesting legislation is easier. Just seems odd that they don't seem to be very vocal about the other issues (as far as I have seen at least. Maybe I'm missing their outrage with those)

[smoothpops]

The protest is meant to raise awareness about First Nation issues, and attempt to act as a rallying cry to other First Nation members. Clearly, judging by this thread alone, Canadians are not fully aware of what's actually happening in those communities. People are pointing out the corruption, substance abuse, the high suicide rates, high poverty levels/low standards of living, and what Polak pointed out are symptoms of the relationship between First Nations and the Government of Canada. Some (including First Nation Members) will argue that they allowed this to happen, and others will point out the government has adopted measures, such as the Indian Act that effectively attempted to eradicate their culture. They've finally reached the tipping point, where they're saying "enough is enough" and for the sake of their future they can no longer allow Canadian society/government to malign them anymore. If you go back and look at every major decision regarding First Nations, they've either been left out of the discussion or screwed over, (for example, the Meech Lake accord, the Kelowna Accord, and now this bill). I'm not going to sit here and pretend that First Nations haven't had their screw ups along the way, but the way the Government has dealt with them has been akin to a genocide of their culture, and until Canadians find appropriate solutions that don't rely on throwing money at the problem, we're going to continue to see those symptoms for a many years to come.

[moon]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Yep, because these types of things would be posted about white people doing the same thing. There was also a fat joke thrown in for good measure that I didn't include. As I said though, pretty predictable responses.

Tons of things like that and worse were said about the Occupy protestors and they were mainly white so yes if there was a stupid protest by white people I am sure similar things would be said.

Also as fotze said where are the racist comments in the thread? Did they get deleted?

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

One thing the internet has taught me is, given the anonymity of being behind a computer monitor, people are often willing to let their inner bigots out. There are no reprucussions for anything said afterall.

I think that Penny Arcade said it best nearly a decade ago (NSFW? Language?):

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19

[1stLand]

First Nations claim to have 'special rights' because they were here first.
They should merely be viewed as the 1st wave of immigrants to the Canadian continent.
Sure they were here hundreds of years before us, but that is all irrelevant.

Should 1st and 2nd generation Canadians be given special entitlements when new waves of immigrants enter our country every year? of course not.

[MelBridgeman]

I'm aware of native issues. But it's time for a lot of folks to look in the mirror and take some responsibility for their issues. Native leaders have let their own people down.

It's time to admit that 21st century segregation isn't fracking working.

[Vulcan]

[smoothpops]

[QUOTE=MelBridgeman;3980387]I'm aware of native issues. But it's time for a lot of folks to look in the mirror and take some responsibility for their issues. Native leaders have let their own people down.

You're correct, and many First Nations people have come out and spoken against their leaders. The problem is, The Government of Canada, with some exceptions, have tried to dictate what that community needs in order to alleviate some of their problems. they've done so, without the consultation of First Nation people's or even academics. And the few times First Nations were consulted, Meech lake and the Kelowna Accord, which had the best chance of helping, politicians on both side of the aisle shot them down.

As for your 2nd point on segregating them, the last time the Gov. tried to "integrate" them into society, First Nations were put into residential schools where they were beaten, killed, raped, tortured, and stripped of their culture/heritage, hence we allow for their segregation as means to preserve what's left of their culture.So while you say you're aware of their issues, I gota say i disagree.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Here you go people since all most of you can do is write racist comments.




http://www.newstalk650.com/story/abo...ill-c-45/88307

Thanks for the link.

On the second part I think this is actually progress for Aboriginal Self Government. The current Indian Act requires the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs to approve any land sales. This has been a huge issue for the more progressive bands who likely support this part of the motion.

Bands should essentially be treated in the same manner as provinces and in that case their elected officials should be allowed to sell land and mineral rights to investors to develop their reserves. The current system creates bottlenecks and all kind of problems. Giving more power to reserves to control their own fate is a positive step. The corruption issue on the reserves needs to be handled as well but if elected officials are making bad decisions don't re-elect them.

So why you might see one group of native protesting that part of the bill you will have other groups, and groups I feel we want to encourage to be the model for the first nations in the future supporting the granting of simple land rights to reserves.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by smoothpops

the last time the Gov. tried to "integrate" them into society, First Nations were put into residential schools where they were beaten, killed, raped, tortured, and stripped of their culture/heritage, hence we allow for their segregation as means to preserve what's left of their culture.So while you say you're aware of their issues, I gota say i disagree.

I wouldn't consider that integration, it's still segregation.

Attawapiskat gets 34 million a year from various government agencies and levels for a place of about 2K. There is no way Attawapiskat should be in the situation it is. There is something wrong and a lot of it has nothing to do with the Government of Canada. Ditching Kelowna was a good thing - it isn't working for anyone.

[king_amonte]

They had a big rally at the mall here in Lethbridge tonight after blocking some of the highways today, thank god i'm done my shopping!

Lethbridge News ‏@lethnews #IdleNoMore rally at Park Place pic.twitter.com/kIJ0zceB

[OffsideSpecialist]

They had a protest here today too. I saw the folks from Tyendinaga with their blankets in the mall.

[Azure]

There was a rally at Polo Park Mall in Winnipeg today as well. Lots of people there. Could barely see what was happening.

Good on them for trying to attempt to raise awareness.

There are various different ways to possibly fix things, but any real solution will involve abolishing the reserve system, and shutting down the practice of racial segregation.

[MelBridgeman]

So 3 weeks in and Chief Spence doesn't look like she lost any weight....mmmmmmmmm

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by MelBridgeman

So 3 weeks in and Chief Spence doesn't look like she lost any weight....mmmmmmmmm

The woman is slimy, I don't doubt that they're sneaking her big macs behind the scenes.

I have no real trouble with the protests, except for the fact that they should be protesting for Spence and some of the other more crooked councils to open their books.

I hate to say it but they have been blinded by their own bad leadership and to an extent become what Stalin called useful idiots.

[Slava]

Do you think Harper and the GG should meet with her and other First Nations leaders though? My understanding is that she wants to discuss treaties and how they're both effective at this point (although I'm not well educated in this whole thing).

I think they should meet. Have some open and honest discussion about a treaty/reserve system that is clearly doing no good for either side and maybe make some progress toward a better future. When you see the conditions on the reserves and the corruption you have to wonder what "culture" is being preserved here. I say that not based on anything meant to be racist or derogatory towards the First Nations either; its just that with as much corruption and terrible conditions as we've seen (and that's a whole other concern, in that its largely self reported), is there a lot of culture left to preserve?

I'm not a fan of hunger strikes either. I actually think the other methods used here are great, and there has been nothing wrong with them. I just think the hunger strike is worse because its pure martyrdom. I know, that's the point. I suppose I can just picture being on the other side and would just say "OK, don't eat then, its your decision."

[moon]

Originally Posted by Slava

Do you think Harper and the GG should meet with her and other First Nations leaders though? My understanding is that she wants to discuss treaties and how they're both effective at this point (although I'm not well educated in this whole thing).

I think they should meet. Have some open and honest discussion about a treaty/reserve system that is clearly doing no good for either side and maybe make some progress toward a better future. When you see the conditions on the reserves and the corruption you have to wonder what "culture" is being preserved here. I say that not based on anything meant to be racist or derogatory towards the First Nations either; its just that with as much corruption and terrible conditions as we've seen (and that's a whole other concern, in that its largely self reported), is there a lot of culture left to preserve?

I'm not a fan of hunger strikes either. I actually think the other methods used here are great, and there has been nothing wrong with them. I just think the hunger strike is worse because its pure martyrdom. I know, that's the point. I suppose I can just picture being on the other side and would just say "OK, don't eat then, its your decision."

I think that if they go through the proper channels then yes they should meet but I would hope that they don't meet with the chick on the hunger strike as that seems to promote the idea that people pulling stupid stunts will get the meeting rather than people doing things the right way.

Not sure much will come out of the meetings because the people at the top have the most to gain by keeping the system the way it is with them stealing money from the general folk, keeping them reliant on the band and promoting the idea that they are being held down by the man and that staying away from "the whites man" world is the best thing for them.