Hi Friends
I've been consumed with the taxing efforts of the Ontario government, of the Indigenous peoples here. This is not to say that there haven't been a myriad of other First Nations issues to opine about.
Just yesterday in the Toronto Star was an article of interest for me and all other First Nations people.
Yeah...I believe Tom Flanagan is concerned about the impoverished First Nations in this country.
Yes this is Mr. Harper's mentor and the author of the racist ramblings "First Nations, Second Thoughts"
What a turn around in thinking. I wonder why? He grew a heart?... at his age? He's been visited by three ghosts...ala Scrooge in a Christmas Carol? I hope I'm not being too wary here, but lets look at all the possible ramifications of his radical plan, shall we?
True Toronto doesn't lose the land base when he (Flanagan) buys a lot, but then, Toronto isn't considered a Nation with in this Nation Canada is it? The fact is, there are many poor people in the GTA who have this right to own property, yet do not, now, nor will they ever be able to own property. Has this made it easier on them to alleviate their impoverished circumstances? Of course not. How will this be so for First Nations citizens then?
Just the idea of one nation asking another one for "title" of it own land is patently ridicules. Did America ask Canada for its land base, or Mexico ask America...
What does Flanagan think the land claims process is all about? We own the lands, not them.
Property rights for some cultures are around the out right ownership. Here in Canada the property rights only extend to usage, but not exclusively to the title holder. We only have to look at Ipperwash Provincial Park, and the situation around that issue.
What happened was in 1942 under the war measures act the Government of Canada appropriated the land of the Stoney Point Reserve. This was to be returned to the band once the war was over and no military instillation was judged to be of use at the site. This is around the Canadian property laws where all land in Canada is judged to be owned by the crown.
Ownership of land can be held separately from ownership of rights over that land, as was the case in Ipperwash.
The reserves here in Canada do not have economies to engage the populations and this leaves a large number on social assistance. To qualify for welfare of any kind you can not own property. So the peoples only options would be to either have to either sell or rent or starve. Their properties could then be sold off to non-aboriginals and the land base of the Nations lost. In the cases of corp. take overs, the corporation need only lend money (given you have real property, you now have collateral) and they have an avenue of exploitation of reserve lands.
Could this be the reason for Mr. Flanagan's deep concern for the First Nations of this country? I could be wrong, but I think this is just another of his attempts in his quest at assimilation of the First Nations in this country.
Regards Debra
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Newly minted Indians... coming soon...to a rez near you!
Hi Friends
The First Nations communities are facing an influx of about 45,000 new members added to the status lists within the next few months. Good news, bad news.
This is a redressing of the second generation cut off, and it will keep the numbers of our citizenry up, for the time being, but is it a true fix? It still remains a made in Canada Government fix. This is still a colonialist policy that ultimately goes toward the assimilation of the Indigenous peoples.
Within two generations the Indigenous First Nations will be effectively wiped out by this policy. The dominant society is still setting the rules as to who is a citizen of the First Nation.
It is imperative that the First Nations utilize the constitutional provision set out in section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act and make their (and here I'll say citizenship) codes to protect their rights to name their own citizens, or face legislated extinction.
In the mean time lets congratulate the heroic women that we owe such deep gratitude to, Jeanette-Corbiere-Laval and Sharon McIvor. Teach your children these names and give our youth and especially our girls a sense of pride in these women and their great accomplishments, taken on at enormous expense personally and financially to the benefit of all the nations. These cases started out as personal trials, but quickly morphed into something much bigger and they stood their ground on behalf of all the women of the various First Nations. They quite simply personify the best in us.
regards debra
The First Nations communities are facing an influx of about 45,000 new members added to the status lists within the next few months. Good news, bad news.
This is a redressing of the second generation cut off, and it will keep the numbers of our citizenry up, for the time being, but is it a true fix? It still remains a made in Canada Government fix. This is still a colonialist policy that ultimately goes toward the assimilation of the Indigenous peoples.
Within two generations the Indigenous First Nations will be effectively wiped out by this policy. The dominant society is still setting the rules as to who is a citizen of the First Nation.
It is imperative that the First Nations utilize the constitutional provision set out in section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act and make their (and here I'll say citizenship) codes to protect their rights to name their own citizens, or face legislated extinction.
In the mean time lets congratulate the heroic women that we owe such deep gratitude to, Jeanette-Corbiere-Laval and Sharon McIvor. Teach your children these names and give our youth and especially our girls a sense of pride in these women and their great accomplishments, taken on at enormous expense personally and financially to the benefit of all the nations. These cases started out as personal trials, but quickly morphed into something much bigger and they stood their ground on behalf of all the women of the various First Nations. They quite simply personify the best in us.
regards debra
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
better late than never
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
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
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
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