RE:re Natives and Fat of the Landyaponski wrote:
The Native bands of BC sure haven't been living off the fat of the land in the 50 years I've been in BC (from Ruprt to the Charlottes to the Skeena Valley to the Nass to the Chilcotin to the Okanagan to the coastal areas such as Bella Bella, Bella Coola, Namu).
As in any organization, be it tribal, corporate or religious, the money gravitates to the top (just like shart, it floats).
Well, I can't disagree about the floating to the top and I certainly do agree that there is a huge amount of poverty on reserves. No question.
Still when I look at the total $$s that allocated exclusively to natives I find it distasteful. For example, 1st nations children get paid to go to university while ordinary Canadians, born and raised here, get access to student loans. I'd be ok with the funding for natives if it helped natives but it doesn't. Reserves can't get doctors, nurses or teachers to work on reserves. Yet virtually zero native kids study these professions. The most popular choice is law and then going to work for some federal agency dedicated exclusively to native issues. This country does not need more lawyers. Would be a better place if randomly strung a few dozen lawyers ever week :)
As to New Prosperity, the native bands have been blindsided by the huge amounts donated to the BC Liberal party by the corporations and individuals associated with Taseko.
Elections BC shows that Taseko was a major contributor to the BC Liberal party since January 1, 2005 (the first year Elections BC put the contributions on their website). If you add in the contributions made by Taseko's associated corporations (vendors, JVs, etc,) and the contributions from corporations associated by way of in-common directors/pfficers and insiders, the total will near the $3-million mark.
Those were shareholders' funds, given for political purposes, not back to the shareholders as dividends or used to move the projects forward.
On campaign contributions, and all things government, all I can say is we would all be better off if there was 100% transparency of government, including political contributions.
As far as fair goes however, look at all of the lawyers and scientsts in Ottawa working to provide arguement to halt the project. Is that fair? And we allow Indians to provide hearsy as evidence to support their land claims from events that happened 100s of years ago. I have travelled across the country as well and have never seen anything close to a sign of anything resembling civiliation or habitation of any land. Indieas roamed but never did anything with the land. Not that this bad but just because you grandfathers grandfather said he once p*ss*d on the side of Cow Mountain doesn't give Indians exclisve control of Cow Mountain.
If Indians want to block development of New Prosperty then fine its blocked. But I will also demand that the Harper government cut all aid programs to such selfsufficeint bands. Block resource development then give up your 50 inch plasma TVs and forget about that hockey rink complete with Zambonie.
Look up Theresa Spence, chief of less than 1600 Indians, and then look at the moneys flowing to that group, the salary she pays herself and her whinning for more money to help her poor. Canadian Indians should travel to Africa and see what really bad is like at how much those people would welcome opportunities to integrate that Canadian Indians p*ss on.
I have never volted Conservative in my life but I may well vote for Harper in the next election if stays on course to resolve our Indian crisis.
So, I stand pat. I support Harper's efforts to put an end to special treatment of Indians. Period. If there is going to be public support for disadvantaged, then it can NOT be race based.
Wow...this is deja vu as I have heard these sentiments years ago from relations [family and friends of family] ...[my parents generation...]...
Your correct as in not much has changed in almost 3 generations....
I think we can all empathize with the 'dances with wolves' effect where ones lifestyle gets completely turned upside down...and at one point or another we would all embrace the 'one with nature' peace and tranqulity life of equilibreum...
Listening to some of the history of how the treaty's were formed and how those in power handled the 'integration' efforts would certainly leave most of us embarrased and ashamed...and i would like to think we have all learned and evolved since those primitive days...
However, there comes a time when enough is enough...perhaps the integration timeline needs to be reviewed...adjusted...shortened...or cut off entirely.
Its like my own children...over 18 but still living at home...at one point or another they need to be weined off of free this and free that for little or no effort...my generation is guilty of raising kids who cant fend for themselves...because they never had to.....so now I force myself to 'stop cooking with cheese'....
I certainly hope the first nations embrace change and engage themselves in forward progress...actually I hope we all do that....and faster than the rate the universe seems to be expanding [re the big bang].....
To reel this back to BGM, perhaps some questions around first nations support or integration into the prosperity of COW or other BGM projects culd be put forward at the AGM....
Those reading your messages who have not been exposed