Tip O' My Hat...Flip O' the Bird

Hi Friends

Since there are all sorts of New year's lists coming out, I thought I'd add my own: Tip O' My Hat and Flip O' the Bird to the fray (inspired by Stephen Colbert).

My first Tip O' My Hat goes to : Sharon McIvor for her admirable efforts in taking on the Government of Canada (at great cost, both personally and financially), in hopes of ending the sex discrimination legislation in the Indian Act for First Nations women all across Canada. A twenty-five year fight,( taking time away from her own family) even as the Government canceled the court challenges program (fighting on, with funds raised at bake sales and speaking engagements around the country). Having the integrity to stay with it, for all the affected families, even after the Government offered to recognize her child. A true hero! Yeah!! Sharon.

Sean Atleo for his monthly web addresses in an effort to engage the off-reserve membership and keep us in the loop. Go Sean!

All the dedicated aboriginal men and women who are working tirelessly on the Sisters In Spirit campaign to find our lost sisters and bring them home and hopefully, end this sad chapter in our shared marginalization. Best of luck to us all.

Theoren Fleury, for his courageous accounting of his pro hockey career and the exposing of the vultures and their exploitation of the vulnerable youth entrusted to their care. Phoenix rising. Welcome home brother.

The whistle blowers on the Peguis reserve who shone a light on their own. You did the right thing. Way to go at keeping them honest.



Flip O' the Bird goes to the Canadian Government for their never ending attempts to grind us down. Not signing the Indigenous peoples act, but also, and in my opinion more nefariously, campaigning, in an effort to get other countries... not to sign as well...Shame on you!

Chuck Strahl for being... well, you! With all your lying, miserly ways, towards communities under your portfolio . Uninhabitable houses and molding schools as well as unsafe municipal buildings, caps on child welfare funding, unpotable water, massive suicide rates, unsettled land claims, continued theft and marginalization, these are your legacies. What other segment of Canadian society would be forced to live with such an impotent mean spirited minister handling their affairs? Shame shame on you!

The Federal and Provincial governments for playing ping-pong with the HST and the abrogation of our treaty rights. No Nation has the right to tax another Nation. Hence diplomat cards. If you bring out your army, against us, as was done in the conflict between the Canadian Government, and the First Nation of Kanesatake, you demonstrated your recognition of us as separate nations within the country of Canada. No taxation ever.

Last but by no means least, our own political leadership. The Chief's and council's out there willing to victimize their own. Shame-shame on you and, on us for electing your types. Power corrupts...( I think you all know the rest...)


Bring on 2010 and lets hope and, if you're of that mind set, pray for a better showing this time next year!

Happy New Year
debra