That appears to be how the Day of Action ended for news organizations out looking for video of snarled highways and cops busting the heads of Mohawk warriors. All the bravado of self-styled FN leader Shawn Brant (above) seemed to burn out as quickly as the bonfires his followers set in the middle of an eastern Ontario highway. This might have been attributable to the fact OPP forces were obviously primed and ready for a Day of Reaction.
Meanwhile on Parliament Hill, MPtv joined the sizeable protest march through the streets of the capital on Friday afternoon, where our crack news crews managed to snag fresh interviews with AFN Chief Phil Fontaine, Opposition Leader Stephane Dion and MPs Sue Barnes and Anita Neville. The crowd lightened up considerably as the speeches started, and then melted away in the June sunshine.
Was anything accomplished by all of this? I guess if you’re reading this, the answer is obvious.
To view the video, click here.
45 comments ↓
Was Brant a WANNABE Rock Star turned Barricader for attention?
http://image.com.com/mp3/images/cover/200/drd100/d135/d135449jg5b.jpg
Garth,
Lots of video, and I am going to give you an extremely honest critque.
First, the only person that seemed to grasp the issues was the little old lady at 05:30 in the first video. Otherwise, it was like listening to Rick Mercer’s ‘Taling with Americans’.
Stephane Dion was TOO political. He should stick to speaking from his heart, and not a script.
Phil Fontaine as even more political than Dion, and looked more White than FN.
Missing were comments by the members of the Harper government. Perhaps they could not speak, but I, for one, would have liked to have heard them either say something intelligent or bomb.
At least Fontaine and Dion have taste in their suits, eh? LOL
Bottom line is no solutions were presented, merely rhetoric, IMHO!
I am told the Conservatives boycotted the event. — Garth
I am told the Conservatives boycotted the event. — Garth
That is of no surprise. Thanks for letting me know, and have a pleasant night!
Of course the Cons “boycotted” the event. Heaven help them if by chance, a reporter spotted them and actually asked them a question! How could give their own opinion when they aren’t allowed to have independent opinions?
A boycott? More like a cop-out.
Hi Garth,
Seems to me a lot of people missed the point on both videos and topics.
We can only hope that the actual walks across the country were as well received as I have been hearing.
Great topic Garth, thanks. Geo
I don’t know where Harper got his idea that the “west was in!” because there was nary a peep or show of a tail feather from the Harper Party at the First Nations Day of Action in Vancouver today.
Only Libby Davies was on-site as far as I could see. (I did stop by to tell her that I appreciated her efforts in the HoC for standing up for Canada’s first people.) She truly has been stalwart and stellar in this endeavour.
Vancouverites traveling through the city, some inconvenienced, were mostly supportive. The people gathered were far less unruly than the grads I was beholden to celebrate last night… but that’s another story.
Lots of media at the event in Vancouver, most media reporting after was good.
Which “west” was Harper talking about? Don’t tell me he’s working off Flaherty’s map of Canada.
Vancouverites and the GVRD are supportive of First Nations, and celebrate their inclusion in the rainbow tapestry Canadians weave here “out west.”
Happy Canada Day!
I guess I shall have to head on down to Emerson’s riding of Vancouver-Kingsway and see if he has the jam to show up to cut the Canada cake…
Film at 11.
I am told the Conservatives boycotted the event. — Garth
By Bill-Muskoka on 06.29.07 8:52 pm
Yeah – like they actually were working on the file. Jim Prentice held a news conference, which was shown on CTV during Mike Duffy Live.
Stephen Dion was, IMHO, campaigning – “Vote for me, vote for me….”. Not the right place at all – given they screwed up this file too!
Garth:
As a proud Mohawk man I was asked several questions by those who know me and most if not all both respect and understand the cuases of FNP. Perhaps the older can see how this goverment in particular is taking from them also and have witnessed first hand many broken promises while our younger generation especially those new Canadains have first hand experience of govermental abuises. Happy Canada Day one and all, let’s hope all who suffer have a better year>
Garth –
It is ironic and typicaly hypocritical for idiot liberals to join the protest march through the streets of the capital on Friday afternoon.
There goes the liberal short memory thing again.
It is Harpers government that will resolve this situation and they are not required to lower themselves like liberals and take part in a protest march.
Like our military, the native situation got much worse under 13 years of sick liberal governments.
Only idiots would fall for this two faced, shameless, liberal grandstanding.
Now I know your with the right party Garth.
It is my opinion that liberals are fools, and that liberal leader know their followers are fools. It is my opinion that Liberal leaders knowingly manipulate the weak minded in our society. Liberals do nothing and yet they pretend to care.
How sad is that.
To Mohawk David Bakody -
What do your people do with the billions you are given each year.
I think we should pay you for, or turn over land that is rightfully due to you.
Once this is done however, I think all moneys paid to natives should stop.
Period.
As Marlene Dietrich advised Ernest Hemingway: “Never confuse movement with action.” (Reported in Carlos Baker’s Hemingway biography.) One would almost swear that she was thinking of Canadian politics.
So problems and desired end-states were expressed once again, but not causes and proposed solutions. “Consciousness was raised” for a day or so, and it’s back to the normality of dealing with intractable problems by following the line of least political resistance.
I heartily second Muskoka-Bill’s 8:52 PM critique. Happy Canada Day to all of us anyway.
I
Stephen Dion was, IMHO, campaigning – “Vote for me, vote for me….â€. Not the right place at all – given they screwed up this file too!
By Catherine on 06.30.07 5:40 am
Sorry to say, but honesty demands it…I agree with you!
Like I said, Dion does very well when he speaks from his heart, but like most politicians the prepared speech bombs.
Compare Tony Blair’s delivery…Jeez, the guy has a real knack for speaking to people, not merely AT them!
There is the difference I always look for. Is there a connect between the speaker and the listeners, or is it purely rhetorical in nature?
Catherine: “They???” were working on the file. Jim Prentice was in cofnerence with Fontaine–getting their heads together to make sure they were on the same page after the event so that Prentice wouldn’t look discombobulated.
How many Cons are in Parliament? How many showed up at any event to show support for the First Nations issues?
Then find out how many showed up to show support for the Sikkh’s celebrations in B.C. Quite a few Con M.P.’s voiced solidarity with the Sikkh population even when they were feting the masterminds of the Air India bombings!!!
I believe the Cons have their priorities mixed up.
Happy Canada Day one and all, let’s hope all who suffer have a better year>
By David Bakody on 06.30.07 6:32 am
Please see my comment in O’ Canada
Halton John: I hope you protested when the Con M.P.’s marched in support of the Sikkh separatists in B.C.??? Even when told that the celebrations were honoring the “martyr’s” and those cited as having involvement in Air India–the Cons continued to fully support the Sikkh celebrations.
So, you agree that it is O.K. for the Cons to support a known terrorist group, but not for the Liberals to support a First Nations protest?? How bout joining in the farmers “protest”? When they shut down the 401 with their tractors en route to Ottawa? Was this action not unlawful?
There were several road blocks across Ontario and in Caledonia a group of 15 armed masked DCE protesters who tried to start a barricade – too bad the media failed to report these examples.
For full coverage of the protest – see http://www.caledoniawakeupcall.com/june29/june29.html
Halton John is one sample of CPC supporter hatred and bigotry. I read some of the Blogging Tories blogs yesterday and it would make you sick. Think about it – these hateful people are CPC supporters and if the First Nations think there’s hope with Harper they are kidding themselves.
It’s time to get something straight here – so, listen up Halton John and the like. The Liberals have never, never denied they didn’t do enough. In fact, Paul Martin said that ALL governments have let the natives down – ALL governments. Do you understand that? Then, Paul Martin said it was time to do something and they worked on the Kelowna Accord which took 18 months – you get that? 18 months with First Nations chiefs and ALL premiers from ALL the provinces to talk and agree. That was a huge undertaking. Brian Mulroney agreed that historically ALL governments let them down and Mulroney endorsed the Kelown Accord.
Harper is misleading Canadians deliberately when he says there was no money or no plan. Harper and the Reform has a history of not respecting the First Nations people.
This is FACT whether you bigots like it or not and hopefully you have enough of a conscience to feel ashamed of yourselves.
I thought yesterday went very well and I gained more respect for the First Nations people across Canada with the exception of Shawn Brant who has not real authority – he’s not an elected chief or representative of the First Nations people and unfortunately, he could ruin it for the others.
As hard as it is for me to say it, I agree with most of what Halton John is saying. This FN thing didn’t appear overnight and the military was gutted by the Liberals. (Remember the soldiers going to a desert operations theatre in green uniforms? Why not just paint a target on our brave people?)
I too ask the question what is done with the billions on dollars allocated to FN causes? I had an uncle in the OPP who told me that on one reserve in Northern Ontario new houses were built for the people living there. He went back there about a year later and the people to whom these house were given had torn up the floor boards to use as firewood. I didn’t see it but my uncle is trustworthy.
Also, there can’t be any unemployed FN people here in Alberta. Businesses are begging for people to work.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2007/02/26/alberta-jobs.html
I’m sure I don’t understand all of the issues but the allocation of money doesn’t seem to be one of them.
Halton John: I hope you protested when the Con M.P.’s marched in support of the Sikkh separatists in B.C.???
By Judy on 06.30.07 9:09 am
Judy, Judy, Judy who screams for ‘links’; got one for this?
This is FACT whether you bigots like it or not and hopefully you have enough of a conscience to feel ashamed of yourselves.
By slg on 06.30.07 9:28 am
I find it funny actually, when some people get blocked by facts, they resort to name calling; bigot & racist seem to be the favourites. What was said here on this blog many times, the problem with Martin’s accord was that there were again, no accountability attached. None. We all see where $14.6 billion has got us. Of course the provinces are all going to agree to throw more money at the problems. At least they feel they can buy some peace that will take them through their mandates. Back to the drawing board. We need audits and accountability, and we need the money to actually address the real problems on reserves & with Native issues in general.
So, okay SLG, feel free to call me a bigot any time now. Have a happy day.
L
This is FACT whether you bigots like it or not and hopefully you have enough of a conscience to feel ashamed of yourselves.
I thought yesterday went very well and I gained more respect for the First Nations people across Canada with the exception of Shawn Brant who has not real authority – he’s not an elected chief or representative of the First Nations people and unfortunately, he could ruin it for the others.
By slg on 06.30.07 9:28 am
So slg, you are calling people bigots. Many of those, who you call bigots, want our Native Canadians to have normal type lives; our Native Canadians to have the same rights as the rest of us have; our Native Canadians to have gainful employment, so that they can look after themselves; etc. Those, who you call bigots, don’t want photo ops and hear lip service. Those, who you call bigots, want to see the Auditor General to audit the 10+ Billion yearly funds – right from the federal coffers to the individual bands.
If you slg and you Libbers wanted to really help our Natives, you would to see real action instead of feel good photo ops and lip service. I certainly do not hear some feel good motherhood statements and “vote for me” crap.
Canada’s First Nations People are proud people with a history steep in culture and respect. Many good things have been adopted by the white man over the years, least of all is respect for mother earth and grandmothers for which all live lives. Natives never could understand the monetary value that was put on the land, for it really belongs to the great spirit. I could not help but think of one World Leader (Tony Blair) who open heartenly joined “The World Leader” (George Dubya Bush) who has been responsible for millions of destroyed lives, hundreds of billions of dollars wasted and counting topped off with thousands of lives lost forever all over land (oil) for what? Peace? and he has now moved on to some high profile appointed world position only to blame the next so called leader for the mistakes. hmmmmm “The more things change the more they remain the same” Until any person mends the mistakes of his/her past they is no future, Canada is a good country dispite it’s mistakes and mistreatments of the North American Indians, but we do have a chance to provide all who live on a speck of this earth to make it better for our children and grandchildren. Those who wish to continue to dam things and people, you even have rights within the law, BUT! in the end before they read over grave “Ashes to ashes dust to dust” remember not one person will remember anything good you either wrote and said>
Garth Turner and those who spoke yesterday on making amends will be rememberd. Thank you.
Judy and SLiG
Get back to work. You don’t get Saturday off.
Your opinion is immaterial to me.
You are just liberal minions.
Minion: a servile follower or subordinate of a person in power.
Canada on the world stage now!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6252218.stm
Was anything accomplished by this, asks Garth. Oh yes there was, it demonstrated an appalling lack of interest by Canadians, whose opinions of course, are shaped by the bought and paid for media.
Now the guv can says, C’s don’t care, we can continue stalling. Sheesh in 140 years, with total Liberal dominance I’d say it is high time for a 3rd way.
Reading these posts tells me something else: there is a fear that exists with the dominant white ethnic group, a fear of FN. Wonder where that came from? We always fear the unknown but after 140 years, well come on……
Did anybody see Jack Layton’s raving rant at the protest? He looked like Lenin standing on a soapbox, and he condemned all of Canada for treating the aboriginals so badly. It looked like Layton had lost it so badly as he trashed non-native Canadians for causing the aboriginal problems. It was shocking.
Reading these posts tells me something else: there is a fear that exists with the dominant white ethnic group, a fear of FN. Wonder where that came from? We always fear the unknown but after 140 years, well come on……
By Marie on 06.30.07 12:02 pm
Marie,
I’ve been reading the responses. Some of which are so shallow and foolish it breaks my heart. Obviously few have read their history. Or if they have they are perfectly willing to repeat it for another 140 years. It must be the way it’s meant to be (rattles about in their brain) but they don’t say it out loud. They just blame it on the most recent governments.
Fear of treating FN as regular people (xenophobia?). Fear of allowing their children an education, a future, a language or culture (many languages & cultures) of their own. Fear of treating anyone with respect and dignity (we see that in here all the time).
Easy to label a person, a group, an entire people as undesirable or unworthy. Just put a price tag on them to hide the fear.
You are all so weak and pathetic. You should spend your Canada Day Weekend brushing up on your history. The Early Days. Look up things like smallpox blankets, residential schools, slavery, and the like. Very noble stuff.
Only we can help fix it. Mistakes have been made on both sides but it’s time to stop blaming the victim.
Geo
Leasa – if you took the time to read some of the Blogging Tories rants you too would say bigot!
Halton John – when you don’t have a decent answer your resort to nonsense as usual.
Hey, did any of you complain when the farmers blocked the 401 with their tractors last year? Uh, huh.
Good, more shock please.
By Allan on 06.30.07 12:10 pm
You expect something other than a n emotional based rhetoric from Layton? I do not!
What do your people do with the billions you are given each year.
I think we should pay you for, or turn over land that is rightfully due to you.
Halton John-
There is very litle money turned over to us every year. Actually it is about 5 cents for every tax dollar that is allocated to Indian Affairs. There are more than seven government Ministries that are given money for aboriginal programs all of them charge three dollars for every one dollar that they deliver and then the pie gets cut down from there as different levels of government takes their cut including FN and Metis Governments.
Fact is most aboriginal people living off the reserve (70%)pay taxes just like you do but because more than 65% of aboriginal people are under 25 years of age and less than 5% of aboriginal people are homeowners compared to more than 65% of Canadians there is a large disparity between tha amount of taxes we pay and the amount of taxes we could be paying with a more equitable system in place.
Number #1 Clean up the government mismanagement of the tax dollars as recommended by the Auditor General.
Number #2 If we dealt with the aboriginal housing issue it has been estimated that Canada’s GNP would rise by as much as 2%.
Right now any money given to aboriginal people goes to perpetuate a corrupt morally bankrupt status quo that brings shame on us all.
The success stories that are in the aboriginal communities are built on sound business practices and economic development strategies not handouts
Here is a thought for today!
Movie quote from “The Sands of Iwo Jima”, attributed to John Wayne when Wayne, playing the role of Sergeant Stryker, says to a new Marine in his trademark voice, “Son, life is tough, but it’s tougher if you’re stupid.”
Was anything accomplished by all of this? I guess if you’re reading this, the answer is obvious. – Garth
I suspect it has only further polarized Canadians between those who want to go on a guilt trip and those who reject the incessant protesting. I sense a backlash against the aboriginals given they cost Canadian taxpayers so much money and they contribute so little to Canadian society.
Oh Allan,
I just hope you one day receive everything you have coming to you, everything you are worthy of. And I really hope it comes down all at once too. Hard.
Geo
WRONG, we’re not angry enough. Check out the Pastor on Vive le Canada. Get angry you sheeple! You may one day become a Vulnerable Group. Oh and don’t trip on your way into your employers business.
Most Canadian schoolchildren have heard of the great warrior Tecumseh, who led the Six Nations in alliance with the Canadians and the British against the Americans in the War of 1812. And many have heard of Joseph Brant, the legendary Mohawk warrior who fought on the side of the British during the Seven Years War with France and the American Revolutionary War. But how many have heard of Lieutenant Cameron Brant? At the age of 28, Lieutenant Brant lost his life while commanding a platoon of the 4th Canadian Infantry Battalion near Ypres in 1915. He was the great-great-grandson of Joseph Brant.
Few people know that Canadian Natives assisted British troops overseas during the siege of Khartoum in the Sudan in 1884, rallying to the call for volunteers to accompany and guide British soldiers up the Nile River. Of the 400 Canadian boatmen, known as the “Nile Voyagers”, 56 were Mohawks, mostly from the Khanawake Band in Quebec and 30 were Ojibway from Manitoba and Northern Ontario.
Canadian Aboriginal soldiers served in the plains of South Africa during the Boer War a century ago. They also served in the mud and trenches of the Great War of 1914-1918, earning medals and participating in every major land battle.
The 1918-19 Indian Affairs’ Annual Report stated:
“In this year of peace, the Indians of Canada may look with just pride upon the part played by them in the Great War, both at home and on the field of battle. They have well and nobly upheld the loyal traditions of their gallant ancestors who rendered invaluable service to the British cause in 1776 and in 1812 and have added thereto a heritage of deathless honour which is an example and an inspiration for their descendants.”
In the Second World War, Aboriginal servicemen played a significant role in all the services. Later in Korea, they served in a brigade group, the Canadian Army Special Force for Service, which was raised by voluntary enlistment and trained as part of the regular army.
This spirit of service and sacrifice continues internationally to this day, with Aboriginal soldiers deployed in peacekeeping missions around world. And it continues here at home. I see it in the Rangers and Junior Rangers, who help to establish a sovereign presence in Canada’s Far North. The thousands of miles that Aboriginal soldiers travelled over the course of more than two centuries to help defend this country make up a thousand memories, so many of which have been ignored or lost. Yet these are the details of our history which we must remember, which we must commemorate. In the witness of all of the people gathered here today – and in the special witness of our proud Aboriginal Veterans of the First Nations, the Metis and the Inuit.
For, as much as we commemorates specific battles and campaigns, we also honour the eternal spiritual elements that are so essential to the culture of Aboriginal peoples.
We wonder why so many thousands of volunteers came from Aboriginal bands, communities and land across Canada during our time of need, during our time of war. They came from some of the remotest parts of our country – in some cases, quite literally right out of the bush. Some barely understood the French and English to which they were instantly exposed. And far too many – hundreds – were awaited by death. They stood shoulder to shoulder in mutual reliance and trust with their fellow soldiers. They paid the supreme sacrifice, so that we could live in peace, in security and in freedom.
Those who returned had other wars to fight. The trenches of the First World War ravaged some veterans with tuberculosis. There were also the scars of the mind and spirit.
To these soldiers, we can now say – you are with us again, your whole spirit joins us here where the Eagle sees all.
May the harmony of the natural world and the strength of Aboriginal peoples’ beliefs and dreams prevail.
Preceding from a Speech from Gov Gen Adrianne Clarkson at the dedication of the
Aboriginal Monument
Leasa: Quit getting your news from the Con love-in page.
Jim Abbott and Nina Grewal both Cons attended and endorsed the Sikkh celebrations in B.C.. Even when they realized that the event was honoring “martyrs” including those linked to the Air India bombings, they continued to support the Sikkh event.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/04/19/parade-politicians.html
By the way: I have never asked for links!! You have me confused with someone else. Follow the above link and you will see both Abbots and Grewals responses (actually Grewal hid from the reporters and would not respond)
Garth,
Lots of video, and I am going to give you an extremely honest critque.
First, the only person that seemed to grasp the issues was the little old lady at 05:30 in the first video. Otherwise, it was like listening to Rick Mercer’s ‘Taling with Americans’.
Stephane Dion was TOO political. He should stick to speaking from his heart, and not a script.
Phil Fontaine as even more political than Dion, and looked more White than FN.
Missing were comments by the members of the Harper government. Perhaps they could not speak, but I, for one, would have liked to have heard them either say something intelligent or bomb.
At least Fontaine and Dion have taste in their suits, eh? LOL
Bottom line is no solutions were presented, merely rhetoric, IMHO!
I am told the Conservatives boycotted the event. — Garth
By Bill-Muskoka on 06.29.07 8:52 pm
Sounds like that Moron Observer or Purist.
By Helfarch Mawrth on 06.30.07 10:21 pm
You are sounding like you are JCLH, aka Helfarch Mawrth, aka, Sean P. Hogan, aka, Observer, aka Miltonman, aka, all the others. Has your MPD finally fully flared to where you are creating opponents to insult and argue with merely to fight the horrid boredom of being you?
My, my, you were certainly busy last night flinging doo doo in all directions. Bad day, eh?
Judy, do you even read these articles before you go accusing people of things? I have to wonder. You said that even after CON MPs knew the event was for terrorists they continued to support the event. That is totally false. You know it.
“Had we known that this particular event was going to have that kind of an element of extremism, I don’t think our MPs would have been there and we’ll be very mindful about who’s organizing that particular event next year,” said ”
Also you don’t mention the Liberal MPs or the NDP MPs there. Heck, Jack even went back to worship at the temple.
All MPs were mislead about this event. All of them. They thought they were paying respect to the Sikh community.
I know that you live and breath 24/7 to bash members of the CPC, but at least be a little bit factual, eh?
L
Leasa: My point was that several posters here mocked the Liberal/NDP support for the First Nations day of action.
Yet, not one, mocked the Con M.P.’s who supported the Sikh separatists day of action.
And if you read more you will see that it took days for any Con to speak out against the Sikh event. To this day I do not believe the Ms. Grewal has denounced the event.
Seems the Cons are good at pointing fingers until they are pointed back at them. When they err, it is “if only we had known”. When the opposition errs, it is wilful disregard.
The Cons think they are above the fray in such happenings, and they are not.
FORE!
http://othernews.ca.myway.com/article//20070701/31055023.html
Yet again I see more or less nothing but rehtoric flowing so freely it should be a river. And even still only a couple of inidividuals has actually tried to present any solution to the overall situation.
Granted that the solution(s), if any, is/are numerous and honestly not capable of being corrected overnight. Perhaps Martin was able to bring everyone to the table and to agree on at least part of the issue.
Now I do not agree that throwing more money will be nothing more than a band aid solution at best. More like another finger in the dyke and praying that another hole does not appear. So, this is where we should try to come up with ideas.
Well, since apparently, and I admit to not confirming this, but if only 5% of all available funds are being diverted by more than just Indian Affairs then that would be a good place to start I would think. Would anyone care to disagree on this point? After all, an efficiency of only 5% is to me anything but. What are some possible methods to increase the use of the money being diverted? How many departments of the government should be accessing the money for this situation and better yet, why?
As for any claims of poverty on the reserves, which would not surprise me if it was to include living conditions is a near laughable acqusation. This is one thing that I fail to understand as to why such conditions are being encouraged. This will lead into my next point on possible solutions.
As I have stated before and I will state again, if you are guaranteed to be given a set amount of income and have no hope in hell of doing anything with yourself, it is no wonder that housing is no better than shanty towns in Africa for example. So, how do we change this attitude? Well, I think it would come down to instilling the meaning and value of money and also time. These are aspects of our society that are, by and large, lost once the boundary is craossed into a reserve.
I am not interested in completely destroying any culture that can be salvaged and rebuilt. Rather, I would prefer to try to encourage it’s own growth with the understanding and expectation that things are different than the time of Mr Brant from the 1800′s.
The whorship of certain traditional land, sea or air animal spitis in an urban environment is a fruitless gesture as they do not exist anymore. Well, at least not in a city. One must look at what spirit animals would be around in any city or urban environment to draw strength upon as it is available. For example, the bison (buffalo) is not an urban creature. It needs the open plains or wooded areas to survive in. On the other side of the coin the raven is a survivor that can thrive in a city. Like that of a rabbit/hare or even a small family of mule deer I saw a lot in a small mountain town of Canmore. It is this principle of adaptation that needs to be instilled in life today and not ‘many moons ago’.
As for any comparison of corruption from any one party or even leader, that is a cop-out for anyone to keep pointing the finger and screaming well he did a really bad job at it so that is why things are hapening now. Sorry but that is another load of crap just being added to the pile that has already grown from before. As the saying goes, those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it is very valid and very true.
To those that point the finger at the past 13 years of Liberal ‘screw ups’ with the FN situation, please tell me, what would you have done differently with your ignorant view points of how the departments are run versus your idealogical points of view? As I expect no one to really answer my questions I will take things as they are and no one really has a brain to use on this issue.
Finally, the attitude of the FN leaders needs to change as well. This is fundamental if all the FNs are to be taken seriously. I do not blame the prisoners, rather I am more upset with the guards and wardens than anything else. If the guards are keeping the prisoners in line by encouraging the hate durectly through gossip or any teachings, I think this needs to stop, as well as indirect encouragement of hatred by looking incompetent and blaming the provincial and federal governments.
So, I ask anyone here with some potential, please make some suggestions on how to make this embarrassing situation one that we can turn around and lead the world with.
If the guards are keeping the prisoners in line by encouraging the hate durectly through gossip or any teachings, I think this needs to stop, as well as indirect encouragement of hatred by looking incompetent and blaming the provincial and federal governments.
By Steve on 07.02.07 3:43 am
Spot on…and the primary key to needed change.
The Conservatives under Mulroney completed the most comprehensive ($50 million) study ever conducted by any government called the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) it contains all the required data, complete with recommendations to resolve all the outstanding issues including land claims and socio-economic concerns and economic development solutions.
The Auditor General has made very specific observations and recommendations on how to solve the accountability issues around the tax dollars. All the information is there but there is no political will because their are many, not all, but many aboriginal political and community leaders that have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo of poverty and abuse so they can maintain their own empires. Think of all the unemployed social workers and corrections officers as well as the many government workers put out of work by the resolution of the “aboriginal problem”.Excuse my cynicism but the ways to resolve have been there for many years for all parties to act upon but it means acting in the best interests of the grassroots aboriginal community people and not the many paid aboriginal leaders who mask their command and control agenda at the expense of the vast majority of aboriginal people who need the help now.
Robert Nault came the closest to dealing effectively with these issues but he was prevented from acting by the bureaucrats and the AFN because he was not giving control to the AFN or consulting with DIAND. The fact that he went through three Deputy Ministers should tell you something.
Maybe Prentice can break the bottleneck at the top and move the resources back to the community and ignore the political rhetoric at the top.?