Hi Friends
The First Nations in Ontario are about to embark on a protest in effort to halt the imposing of the HST on their citizens. Since I am an off reserve citizen, I do indeed pay taxes. Income tax as well as property taxes. In the immigration hand books the government states, that First Nations, of this country do not pay taxes.
Lying by omission is still lying.
The truth is many members of any First Nation pay taxes. If they live or work off their reserve, and ( I think the number is 70% of most reserve populations live and or work off their territory,) I would say then that we as Nations have been being taxed for quite some time.
Right about here I wonder aloud, where is our First Nations leadership? Where is our representation from the AFN? Who is ultimately responsible for protecting the rights of those members living off reserve? Our rights are diminished by our addresses. Does that sound right or fair?
As to my personal feelings about this tax, my position is that the Nations are a day late and a dollar short on this issue. The Canadian government can truthfully claim they have been taxing the First Nations of this country for the past twenty five years (at least) and no one sought to protest then. Some hard truths just don't lend themselves to sugar coating.
But, in conclusion, I'll say it is still better late than never.
regards Debra
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Language is Everything
Hi Friends,
I've been thinking about the language used by various levels of government when dealing with First Nation issues. I have taken the time to look up the varied names used by the various groups to define us.(the indigenous - aboriginal people of this, the north American continent)
These definitions include aboriginal, native, and Indian, as well as the correct term indigenous.
Aboriginal is defined as earliest known inhabitants. The trouble with this term still leaves us as immigrants in our own country. (ab) Latin for: away from. Native: born or connected with a place of birth. Any new Canadian who has a child born here, hence is raising a native Canadian.Then the truest misnomer: Indian. This has come to be a definition of American indigenous peoples (except the Metis or Inuit) as well as any citizen of India or of the East Indies. First Nations is a term born here in Canada and as such can easily be piggy backed onto any other definition for what ever purpose.
The more correct term (one the Canadian Government is loath to use) is indigenous. Meaning to have originated in. The problem with the Canadian Government, or any other colonizing governments use of this word is around the term, terra nullius, which is a Latin term meaning "land belonging to no one"
This goes a long way in explaining Canada's reluctance and even out right opposition to the signing of the indigenous peoples bill of rights,... or is that just me?
I would caution all the Nations out there making your membership/citizenship codes to use proper terminology around this very important issue.
Here is an interesting site (follow the links) to check out. All other information and definitions can be gathered from Wikipedia.
The Canadian government has sought to do away with us in many ways...linguistic genocide can be yet another...beware.
def. for terra nullius
def. of indigenous plus just a great site to check out.
Regards;
Debra
I've been thinking about the language used by various levels of government when dealing with First Nation issues. I have taken the time to look up the varied names used by the various groups to define us.(the indigenous - aboriginal people of this, the north American continent)
These definitions include aboriginal, native, and Indian, as well as the correct term indigenous.
Aboriginal is defined as earliest known inhabitants. The trouble with this term still leaves us as immigrants in our own country. (ab) Latin for: away from. Native: born or connected with a place of birth. Any new Canadian who has a child born here, hence is raising a native Canadian.Then the truest misnomer: Indian. This has come to be a definition of American indigenous peoples (except the Metis or Inuit) as well as any citizen of India or of the East Indies. First Nations is a term born here in Canada and as such can easily be piggy backed onto any other definition for what ever purpose.
The more correct term (one the Canadian Government is loath to use) is indigenous. Meaning to have originated in. The problem with the Canadian Government, or any other colonizing governments use of this word is around the term, terra nullius, which is a Latin term meaning "land belonging to no one"
This goes a long way in explaining Canada's reluctance and even out right opposition to the signing of the indigenous peoples bill of rights,... or is that just me?
I would caution all the Nations out there making your membership/citizenship codes to use proper terminology around this very important issue.
Here is an interesting site (follow the links) to check out. All other information and definitions can be gathered from Wikipedia.
The Canadian government has sought to do away with us in many ways...linguistic genocide can be yet another...beware.
def. for terra nullius
def. of indigenous plus just a great site to check out.
Regards;
Debra
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Ethnic cleansing comes to Indian country
Hi Friends
the newspapers are all aflutter over those damn Mohawks kicking the non natives out of their territory.
Here
After reading some of the comments I believe that this is exactly what the Mohawks had in mind. Creating dialog around essentially what the Canadian Government has been doing to First Nation people across the country with the narrow ( and ever narrowing) stipulations around "who is an Indian" according to the Indian Act.
It never ceases to amaze me how when it's happening to your kind, it's racist, and an out-rage yet First Nations have been living an apartheid, race based, government sanctioned, existence for many many years. To the detractors read a history book, remember the apology offered June 11 2008, and, remember what it was all about.
Your thoughts?
regards Debra
the newspapers are all aflutter over those damn Mohawks kicking the non natives out of their territory.
Here
After reading some of the comments I believe that this is exactly what the Mohawks had in mind. Creating dialog around essentially what the Canadian Government has been doing to First Nation people across the country with the narrow ( and ever narrowing) stipulations around "who is an Indian" according to the Indian Act.
It never ceases to amaze me how when it's happening to your kind, it's racist, and an out-rage yet First Nations have been living an apartheid, race based, government sanctioned, existence for many many years. To the detractors read a history book, remember the apology offered June 11 2008, and, remember what it was all about.
Your thoughts?
regards Debra
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
urban Indian meets urban Elder
Hi friends
I have been an atheist for all of my adult life, and have had no problem with it. Nor have I ever been tempted to be anything but.
My biggest issue with religion, and those who claim religiosity is the lack of compassion around their beliefs.
As a First Nations person, and given the residential school fiasco, I'm enormously suspicious of religions
of all types. Religion in my opinion seems to be there as either a crutch, or even an excuse to prop up the outrage that some members of these institutes spew. Pat Robertson's assertion that the Haitian earthquake is in response to the Haitian peoples pact with the devil.???
That being said, I was not very enthusiastic
at the prospects of meeting an aboriginal urban elder.
A spiritual leader to the community.
In the exploration of my culture and my curiosity around the issues that impact my community I was to attend a talk by an elder, around the residential schools.
I didn't expect to get anything of a personal nature out of this, because as I've mentioned in previous blogs, my mother was thankfully spared this unholy experience.
My reason for being there, I convinced myself was to bear witness. A validation of what these survivors had endured in the name of god.
The meeting turned out to be more around issues I already knew quite well, plus I was expecting company for dinner, so I excused myself and explained to the gentleman teaching that I felt, though a valuable lesson, not exactly for me. I told him I was unaffected by the whole residential school experience as my mother had not attended one, and as I had just been recognized as a First Nation citizen since the 1985 amendment to the Indian Act, myself had not even been considered an Indian until then.
He didn't seem offended,and even asked me to come back to the center for other cultural sessions I might be interested in. He then laid his hand on my shoulder and asked, "so, then, do you speak the language?" I had to admit, "no, I do not." This is when I truly understood, as he had gently pointed out, that I had indeed been impacted by the residential schools, much like so many others. A defining part of my heritage was lost to me.
One week later I was back to hear another talk around healing and reconciliation. The elder who spoke this day had been a hard living younger man who had in his life, been to the brink and back. Through the stories he shared with us that day I felt a renewed hope for the Nations. With many such generous individuals willing to share their exceptional wisdom and kindness with, us, who need their guidance there is a real chance at healing, and eventually moving forward from this dark chapter we have just come through.
Am I walking the Red Road? I don't know but, I have definitely taken a few tentative steps. Old habits die hard, though, and I
understand that Native spirituality is based on turning your self over to a higher power, I'm not entirely sure that I can do this. I do however know that I can take comfort in it, without having to make any declaration around it, and that will be perfectly fine with the elders I've met, thus far, at least.
regards Debra
I have been an atheist for all of my adult life, and have had no problem with it. Nor have I ever been tempted to be anything but.
My biggest issue with religion, and those who claim religiosity is the lack of compassion around their beliefs.
As a First Nations person, and given the residential school fiasco, I'm enormously suspicious of religions
of all types. Religion in my opinion seems to be there as either a crutch, or even an excuse to prop up the outrage that some members of these institutes spew. Pat Robertson's assertion that the Haitian earthquake is in response to the Haitian peoples pact with the devil.???
That being said, I was not very enthusiastic
at the prospects of meeting an aboriginal urban elder.
A spiritual leader to the community.
In the exploration of my culture and my curiosity around the issues that impact my community I was to attend a talk by an elder, around the residential schools.
I didn't expect to get anything of a personal nature out of this, because as I've mentioned in previous blogs, my mother was thankfully spared this unholy experience.
My reason for being there, I convinced myself was to bear witness. A validation of what these survivors had endured in the name of god.
The meeting turned out to be more around issues I already knew quite well, plus I was expecting company for dinner, so I excused myself and explained to the gentleman teaching that I felt, though a valuable lesson, not exactly for me. I told him I was unaffected by the whole residential school experience as my mother had not attended one, and as I had just been recognized as a First Nation citizen since the 1985 amendment to the Indian Act, myself had not even been considered an Indian until then.
He didn't seem offended,and even asked me to come back to the center for other cultural sessions I might be interested in. He then laid his hand on my shoulder and asked, "so, then, do you speak the language?" I had to admit, "no, I do not." This is when I truly understood, as he had gently pointed out, that I had indeed been impacted by the residential schools, much like so many others. A defining part of my heritage was lost to me.
One week later I was back to hear another talk around healing and reconciliation. The elder who spoke this day had been a hard living younger man who had in his life, been to the brink and back. Through the stories he shared with us that day I felt a renewed hope for the Nations. With many such generous individuals willing to share their exceptional wisdom and kindness with, us, who need their guidance there is a real chance at healing, and eventually moving forward from this dark chapter we have just come through.
Am I walking the Red Road? I don't know but, I have definitely taken a few tentative steps. Old habits die hard, though, and I
understand that Native spirituality is based on turning your self over to a higher power, I'm not entirely sure that I can do this. I do however know that I can take comfort in it, without having to make any declaration around it, and that will be perfectly fine with the elders I've met, thus far, at least.
regards Debra
Monday, January 25, 2010
Third world Canada
Hi Friends
The former Aboriginal affairs Minister for Ontario, Brad Duguid has brought the third world charity group, "Right to Play" to the northern reserves.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/news/canada/article/754270--right-to-play-takes-hockey-north
Is this an admission, finally, by the Canadian Government that the First Nations are living in third world conditions? Has Canada decided to turn over their responsibility for the reserves' child welfare system to charitable organizations?
here
The effects of colonization still plague the Nations. The residential school system reigned supreme here for generations of abuse and mistreatment for these people. The apology in June of 2008 has not removed the generational damage done to them.
It has been said over and over in many ways by sage after sage;" A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members."
regards debra
The former Aboriginal affairs Minister for Ontario, Brad Duguid has brought the third world charity group, "Right to Play" to the northern reserves.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/news/canada/article/754270--right-to-play-takes-hockey-north
Is this an admission, finally, by the Canadian Government that the First Nations are living in third world conditions? Has Canada decided to turn over their responsibility for the reserves' child welfare system to charitable organizations?
here
The effects of colonization still plague the Nations. The residential school system reigned supreme here for generations of abuse and mistreatment for these people. The apology in June of 2008 has not removed the generational damage done to them.
It has been said over and over in many ways by sage after sage;" A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members."
regards debra
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Save the Children, funding debacle
Hi Friends
The Canadian Government is to be taken to court over the inequitable funding of child welfare on reserves. Human rights activists, concerned citizens and child advocates, are distressed over the latest move by the Canadian Government's attempt to dodge their responsibility on this issue. The Canadian Government has chosen to mount a court challenge, over the issue, rather than just pony up the funding in an equitable way, to all it's citizenry.
click here
I suggest that the Canadian Government accept their responsibility, and quit complaining about it and realize that they can't have things both ways. It is the Canadian Government who has sought to make all the First Nation people, wards of the state, through the Indian Act.
These are genocidal policies the government is pushing much like the Khmer Rouge did when they took over Viet Nam in the seventies. Exactly as the Canadian Government did when they opened the residential schools, and again as they did in the sixties sweep.
As you can see these are not new ideas, and it can be argued that these policies have been implemented before, not just here, but around the world ,especially when one nation attempts to usurp another nation.
"There is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian residential school to ever prevail again..."
Excerpt from official apology offered by the current P.M.June 11th 2008
click here
Do You Believe?
regards debra
The Canadian Government is to be taken to court over the inequitable funding of child welfare on reserves. Human rights activists, concerned citizens and child advocates, are distressed over the latest move by the Canadian Government's attempt to dodge their responsibility on this issue. The Canadian Government has chosen to mount a court challenge, over the issue, rather than just pony up the funding in an equitable way, to all it's citizenry.
click here
I suggest that the Canadian Government accept their responsibility, and quit complaining about it and realize that they can't have things both ways. It is the Canadian Government who has sought to make all the First Nation people, wards of the state, through the Indian Act.
These are genocidal policies the government is pushing much like the Khmer Rouge did when they took over Viet Nam in the seventies. Exactly as the Canadian Government did when they opened the residential schools, and again as they did in the sixties sweep.
As you can see these are not new ideas, and it can be argued that these policies have been implemented before, not just here, but around the world ,especially when one nation attempts to usurp another nation.
"There is no place in Canada for the attitudes that inspired the Indian residential school to ever prevail again..."
Excerpt from official apology offered by the current P.M.June 11th 2008
click here
Do You Believe?
regards debra
Friday, January 8, 2010
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
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
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