Hi Friends
The papers are full to bursting with Indigenous news today, and though I had hopes of there being good news, this was sadly not to be.
Once again the greed of the First Nations chiefs and councils were highlighted,as if they were the only government waste going on, and are a primary reason for poverty among indigenous people. Are we the only ones with untrustworthy politicians?
Is greed and abuse of the public purse only to be found in Aboriginal communities? Would a few overpaid councilors in a handful of Canadian towns be blamed for Canada's entire budget deficit?
Having just come through the municipal elections here in Ontario, I can answer that with a resounding no. Yet do the main stream media ask that the less then stellar mayors or their councils hang their heads in shame over their "selling out" to the land developers, or answer for their conflicts of interest around the same issues? What of the incumbents who have their best friends heading up their "charities" with little or no thought to the openness and accountability, mantra trumpeted daily at the Chiefs and councilors of the reserves.
What of INAC's openness and accountability. They too are on the public purse, heading up a massive bureaucracy of some 5,137 workers, up from the 3300 in 1996, and then add in the cost of the ever growing Indian industry a small army of consultants, lawyers, and other assorted ghouls feeding on the most impoverished citizens of this country.
I'll bet INAC's funding hasn't been capped at the mean two percent, as the reserves have had to struggle under since 1996, with increasing populations and crumbling infrastructure, eroded health, and educational services, along with the growing populations? The 1985 amendment brought up the populations of status Indians from 300 thousand to 600 thousand status Indians in Canada. With yet another amendment due this coming January, which will once again increase the status population by an estimated 45 thousand, and possibly more.
These amendments were achieved through court challenges, first launched by Jeanette Corbiere-Laval, and later taken up by Sharon McIvor, to address the sexual discrimination in the Indian Act, and finally as a constitutional challenge, won in the Supreme Court of Canada in November of 2009.
Now I have to say right here, I am not very enamored of this current sitting Canadian Gov. and have watched them take this nation from internationally respected, to our current state of collective decline. This I am sorry for and do not expect much in the way of solutions from this "band of thieves,and miscreants" as to solving the current state of affairs on the reserves. Not that there isn't a blue print, if you will, in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (an investigative commission set up in 1996 to study these issues within the Native communities, and the many recommendations that came out of this investigation) should they actually WANT to solve the problems. I personally don't expect much from a government who has trampled on it's own constitution, as has been done in the Omar Khadr, child solider case currently being tried in Guantanamo...or the abuse of enemy combatants in Afghanistan, or the suspending of civil liberties here in Toronto during the G-20-G-8 weekend this past summer.
No doubt there are some greedy Chiefs but they are being outed by their own. Can we expect the same from INAC?
regards Debra
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Starlight Tours Revival
Hi Friends
Today I feel compelled to comment on a story that I had hoped was put to rest with the conviction of the police officers responsible for the death of young Neil Stonechild in Saskatoon in the nineteen nineties. The Saskatoon police were picking up young Indigenous men and women and driving them to the outskirts of the town, in the dead of night and in the dead of winter leaving them to find their way back home, or not. Several were found frozen to death, and ultimately judged to be authors of their own misfortunes. While on the way to their "starlight tour" these men and women were abused by these officers by way of sudden starts and stops, leaving the handcuffed prisoner to slam face first into the mesh partition between the front and back seat of the cruiser. This little game was dubbed "screen testing" by the officers.
What could possibly be the crimes that these men and women were accused of that would elicit such a response from the men and women of law enforcement? Mostly public intoxication, but in all cases just being Aboriginal was enough. This was an open secret in the city of Saskatoon, among the police officers, as well as the Aboriginal community.
The officers who, targeted this boy, (Neil Stonechild was after all only 17 yrs. old when he was taken on his "starlight tour" that ended his life) brutalized him, and ultimately murdered him were given eight months in jail for this premeditated murder...Am I alone in seeing this as not much of a deterrent for police to engage in this type of behavior? Are we really surprised that it is happening all over again? Is it wrong to expect to be treated like any other citizen when we are being dealt with by the police?
What are we the people to do if the very institutions set up to deal with crime and the criminal element are them selves criminal in their treatment of our kind? Maybe it is time for us to ride to our own rescue. We are the object of pity from many well meaning groups, and pseudo governmental bodies, but that seems all that is forth coming. Pity is not what I want.
Solutions and dignity should be our ultimate goal. To that end we must all ask ourselves how do we achieve this. What can we as individuals and as communities do to get there?
regards Debra
Today I feel compelled to comment on a story that I had hoped was put to rest with the conviction of the police officers responsible for the death of young Neil Stonechild in Saskatoon in the nineteen nineties. The Saskatoon police were picking up young Indigenous men and women and driving them to the outskirts of the town, in the dead of night and in the dead of winter leaving them to find their way back home, or not. Several were found frozen to death, and ultimately judged to be authors of their own misfortunes. While on the way to their "starlight tour" these men and women were abused by these officers by way of sudden starts and stops, leaving the handcuffed prisoner to slam face first into the mesh partition between the front and back seat of the cruiser. This little game was dubbed "screen testing" by the officers.
What could possibly be the crimes that these men and women were accused of that would elicit such a response from the men and women of law enforcement? Mostly public intoxication, but in all cases just being Aboriginal was enough. This was an open secret in the city of Saskatoon, among the police officers, as well as the Aboriginal community.
The officers who, targeted this boy, (Neil Stonechild was after all only 17 yrs. old when he was taken on his "starlight tour" that ended his life) brutalized him, and ultimately murdered him were given eight months in jail for this premeditated murder...Am I alone in seeing this as not much of a deterrent for police to engage in this type of behavior? Are we really surprised that it is happening all over again? Is it wrong to expect to be treated like any other citizen when we are being dealt with by the police?
What are we the people to do if the very institutions set up to deal with crime and the criminal element are them selves criminal in their treatment of our kind? Maybe it is time for us to ride to our own rescue. We are the object of pity from many well meaning groups, and pseudo governmental bodies, but that seems all that is forth coming. Pity is not what I want.
Solutions and dignity should be our ultimate goal. To that end we must all ask ourselves how do we achieve this. What can we as individuals and as communities do to get there?
regards Debra
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Electoral Reform
Hi Friends
There has been a lot of talk in Indian country around electoral reform. Do I think reform is needed? Yes. Do I think it will please all the Nations that it will impact? No. Just as all the Nations are not exactly happy over the INAC election rules.
If you're unhappy with your elected officials, you need only look in the mirror, as it is you who have elected them. If you do not demand more of your elected representatives than they be a relative, then this is what you get! It is said that you only get the government you deserve. This may sound harsh, but believe me this is what the Canadian people are thinking as well.
With out constitutions' written and membership worked out, then we will always be at the mercy of Ottawa and the INAC ministers making these decisions for us. There is not a one size fits all solution to electoral reform, yet this is exactly what I expect from INAC on this issue. In as much as the Nations themselves are not united on what way we should be headed, then maybe the best course of action, is to stay the course. Accept the reforms and lobby for better down the road.
Some have advocated bringing back(or bringing in) a hereditary chief system. In researching this system of governance, I found out that these were mainly patriarchal systems, and as a grown woman used to making my own decisions I could not in good conscience recommend this system. This system was in place for some reserves, in days gone by where all members were living on the territory. Here I must point out, once again that 70% of any reserve lives off. What of these members? This system is not just exclusionary to the off rez membership, but could also be protectionist in keeping cliques in power. They are also not always traditional, and traditional or not are unfair and undemocratic. If you are unhappy with your democratically elected governments what would make you think this would be any better? If it is a hereditary system you want then by all means nominate these men, and vote them. It has been said democracy is not the best system of government, but it will have to do till something better comes along...I will always opt for democracy.
Still others have been advocating for a referendum on all new reform policies. This would be costly, and time consuming and not likely to be endorsed by INAC. As a realist, I know not all will be pleased with the reforms offered. My question then is "Should we fight against or refuse them, in the hopes that INAC will revisit the issue in any sort of effort to appease the First Nations? Or just get on with them and call it what it truly could be! A good first step!"
regards Debra
There has been a lot of talk in Indian country around electoral reform. Do I think reform is needed? Yes. Do I think it will please all the Nations that it will impact? No. Just as all the Nations are not exactly happy over the INAC election rules.
If you're unhappy with your elected officials, you need only look in the mirror, as it is you who have elected them. If you do not demand more of your elected representatives than they be a relative, then this is what you get! It is said that you only get the government you deserve. This may sound harsh, but believe me this is what the Canadian people are thinking as well.
With out constitutions' written and membership worked out, then we will always be at the mercy of Ottawa and the INAC ministers making these decisions for us. There is not a one size fits all solution to electoral reform, yet this is exactly what I expect from INAC on this issue. In as much as the Nations themselves are not united on what way we should be headed, then maybe the best course of action, is to stay the course. Accept the reforms and lobby for better down the road.
Some have advocated bringing back(or bringing in) a hereditary chief system. In researching this system of governance, I found out that these were mainly patriarchal systems, and as a grown woman used to making my own decisions I could not in good conscience recommend this system. This system was in place for some reserves, in days gone by where all members were living on the territory. Here I must point out, once again that 70% of any reserve lives off. What of these members? This system is not just exclusionary to the off rez membership, but could also be protectionist in keeping cliques in power. They are also not always traditional, and traditional or not are unfair and undemocratic. If you are unhappy with your democratically elected governments what would make you think this would be any better? If it is a hereditary system you want then by all means nominate these men, and vote them. It has been said democracy is not the best system of government, but it will have to do till something better comes along...I will always opt for democracy.
Still others have been advocating for a referendum on all new reform policies. This would be costly, and time consuming and not likely to be endorsed by INAC. As a realist, I know not all will be pleased with the reforms offered. My question then is "Should we fight against or refuse them, in the hopes that INAC will revisit the issue in any sort of effort to appease the First Nations? Or just get on with them and call it what it truly could be! A good first step!"
regards Debra
Monday, October 11, 2010
How to Grow a Man
Hi Friends
I've been thinking of our ancestors on this day, and on this the occasion of the Thanks-Giving Day weekend. It was at this time of the year that our people gathered to enjoy each others company, and to celebrate the harvest. This was also the time to do our trading of goods, as well as other preparations for the winter to come.
I also know that things hadn't changed much for my grandparents even when I was a child. I didn't grow up on reserve but did visit with my mother, as my grandmother and grandfather harvested their garden and chopped and stacked wood for the coming winter. It was an all hands on deck time, with even the youngest child expected to help with all manner of chores.
After we'd finish the pickling, and jamming of their gardens yield, it was back to our home where we did the same preparations. I have been a gardener for all my married life, and have passed this past-time on to my own (now) married son.
While we waited for the turkey to cook, I asked him just what it was about this past time that he and his wife enjoyed so much. They are both professionals with demanding jobs, and more than an adequate income. He told me, " I guess it's the feeling of self sufficiency that it gives me! I know that I can always buy pickles, or jam but it's knowing that I possess the knowledge of how to make them, as well as having grown them that inspires me."
I couldn't have said it better myself!
We are the descendants of a very self sufficient people. Our Nations had been up-rooted from their home regions and dropped off in entirely foreign surroundings, and adapted to these new circumstances and eventually thrived. So now lets talk about the old ways honestly. I am heart sick when I listen to the tales of old when our people were shut out of the Canadian way of life; when we were held back from real growth and a chance to participate in all that this country had to offer. We are making our ways slowly back to that time long ago when we were our own men and women. Is it fast enough? I don't know.
The old days I remember were of my grandparents self sufficiency. Their growing a garden, smoking fish, and game. Hauling wood out to be chopped up for fire wood, and of quills being dyed to be used by my mother and grandmother throughout the winter in the decorating of the willow and birch bark baskets they made to sell in the spring.
There exist today entire university study programs devoted to the study of fairy tales. I myself remember well the tale of Jack and the Bean Stalk. The story of an impoverished mother and son with one old cow, traded in for the handful of magical beans. What on the surface looked like a bad trade, turned out to be the salvation of them. This is how I view gardening.
There is something magical about the planting of a seed and watching it's growth to eventual fruition, and there further exists the feeling of self sufficiency that comes with the gardening experience that can make a man! I have seen this magic myself with my own son.
Happy Holiday All.
Debra
I've been thinking of our ancestors on this day, and on this the occasion of the Thanks-Giving Day weekend. It was at this time of the year that our people gathered to enjoy each others company, and to celebrate the harvest. This was also the time to do our trading of goods, as well as other preparations for the winter to come.
I also know that things hadn't changed much for my grandparents even when I was a child. I didn't grow up on reserve but did visit with my mother, as my grandmother and grandfather harvested their garden and chopped and stacked wood for the coming winter. It was an all hands on deck time, with even the youngest child expected to help with all manner of chores.
After we'd finish the pickling, and jamming of their gardens yield, it was back to our home where we did the same preparations. I have been a gardener for all my married life, and have passed this past-time on to my own (now) married son.
While we waited for the turkey to cook, I asked him just what it was about this past time that he and his wife enjoyed so much. They are both professionals with demanding jobs, and more than an adequate income. He told me, " I guess it's the feeling of self sufficiency that it gives me! I know that I can always buy pickles, or jam but it's knowing that I possess the knowledge of how to make them, as well as having grown them that inspires me."
I couldn't have said it better myself!
We are the descendants of a very self sufficient people. Our Nations had been up-rooted from their home regions and dropped off in entirely foreign surroundings, and adapted to these new circumstances and eventually thrived. So now lets talk about the old ways honestly. I am heart sick when I listen to the tales of old when our people were shut out of the Canadian way of life; when we were held back from real growth and a chance to participate in all that this country had to offer. We are making our ways slowly back to that time long ago when we were our own men and women. Is it fast enough? I don't know.
The old days I remember were of my grandparents self sufficiency. Their growing a garden, smoking fish, and game. Hauling wood out to be chopped up for fire wood, and of quills being dyed to be used by my mother and grandmother throughout the winter in the decorating of the willow and birch bark baskets they made to sell in the spring.
There exist today entire university study programs devoted to the study of fairy tales. I myself remember well the tale of Jack and the Bean Stalk. The story of an impoverished mother and son with one old cow, traded in for the handful of magical beans. What on the surface looked like a bad trade, turned out to be the salvation of them. This is how I view gardening.
There is something magical about the planting of a seed and watching it's growth to eventual fruition, and there further exists the feeling of self sufficiency that comes with the gardening experience that can make a man! I have seen this magic myself with my own son.
Happy Holiday All.
Debra
Friday, October 1, 2010
Eco-warrior James Cameron
Hi Friends
James Cameron noted director of such blockbuster films as Avatar, and Titanic has made his promised visit to the Alberta oil sands. Mr. Cameron is not just a very wealthy Hollywood director, but is also a green activist. He is well known as the guy who will bump up against convention, and speak openly about environmental issues, and this has not won him many friends. Yet I get the feeling he doesn't care what may be said about him personally, or more correctly, he has enough money that it affords him the luxury to not care.
I was surprised at the news coverage of the entire event. Though Fort Chipewyan is a small community of about one thousand people, Mr. Cameron's visit brought out the national media.
It was pointed out on nearly every news station that the community of Fort Chip enjoyed plenty of amenities, provided by the oil money earned in the Alberta oil sands. My question is, what does that have to do with their very real concerns for their community and their communities health? Why were the media wanting to point out the relative wealth of the community? I'd be willing to bet the others who have prospered from this blight on the planet are not themselves suffering the consequences of their oil recovery from the tar sands, and certainly not the same way as the community of Fort Chipewyan.
You can read more of James Cameron's interview here
Rich people with a conscience are not altogether a rarity. Rich people with a conscience as well as ability to articulate the issue in an intelligent manner is quite another thing. The people of Fort Chip seem to have happened upon just such an individual in Mr. Cameron.
Mr. Cameron for his part seems committed to this issue and is passionate enough about the planet to take it on. I"m hopeful for a better out come than what we were seeing before James Cameron's involvement.
regards Debra
James Cameron noted director of such blockbuster films as Avatar, and Titanic has made his promised visit to the Alberta oil sands. Mr. Cameron is not just a very wealthy Hollywood director, but is also a green activist. He is well known as the guy who will bump up against convention, and speak openly about environmental issues, and this has not won him many friends. Yet I get the feeling he doesn't care what may be said about him personally, or more correctly, he has enough money that it affords him the luxury to not care.
I was surprised at the news coverage of the entire event. Though Fort Chipewyan is a small community of about one thousand people, Mr. Cameron's visit brought out the national media.
It was pointed out on nearly every news station that the community of Fort Chip enjoyed plenty of amenities, provided by the oil money earned in the Alberta oil sands. My question is, what does that have to do with their very real concerns for their community and their communities health? Why were the media wanting to point out the relative wealth of the community? I'd be willing to bet the others who have prospered from this blight on the planet are not themselves suffering the consequences of their oil recovery from the tar sands, and certainly not the same way as the community of Fort Chipewyan.
You can read more of James Cameron's interview here
Rich people with a conscience are not altogether a rarity. Rich people with a conscience as well as ability to articulate the issue in an intelligent manner is quite another thing. The people of Fort Chip seem to have happened upon just such an individual in Mr. Cameron.
Mr. Cameron for his part seems committed to this issue and is passionate enough about the planet to take it on. I"m hopeful for a better out come than what we were seeing before James Cameron's involvement.
regards Debra
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