Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

Having started to contribute, and then read through the posts on this thread, tends to back up my opinion that I should stay well away from them and not try to discuss rationally.

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

+1

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

I wanted to throw this in here too, I stole it from Facebook, was a young native girls status, but its good for a little clarification.

1.) Indians living Tax Free - We don't live 100% tax free, we still pay into EI, Pension, we pay GST and PST even on reserves we still pay a small tax on goods purchased there. Not only that but Kainai alone contributes around 40 million to the Lethbridge economy on a yearly basis; purchasing goods, fuel, attending school, paying rent etc so the money that the community has doesn't stay on the reserve it goes into the city, in purchasing those goods we are contributing to the local economy. Those who work off the reserve and live off the reserve pay taxes just like anyone else, those who own property or houses off the reserve are still subject to paying taxes that apply to them. Most people don't live on the reserve either, a large portion of our population live in urban centers....paying taxes

2.) We get a "Free" ride from tax payers - Okay first off we pay taxes too, therefore we are also tax payers. Tthe money that is given to Indian Reserves is not made up of revenue collected by taxes, there is actually a Trust Account which the Government of Canada established to hold the monies that came from Treaties, the interest from that account is what pays for Indian Reserves. There is only 32 million Canadians in Canada, they all pay taxes but where does the rest of the money (the billions?) that the government get to run the country?? There are different accounts that they have that collect revenue, and there is one for Indians too.

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

Yes your defence of Alberta residents against popular prejudice is most effusive.

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

I'm not sure I follow her point 2. The money to run the rest of the country comes out of accounts? Maybe Chinese bank accounts if we run any more defecit!

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

I think it goes back to what earlier posters were saying about transparency. Accounting accountability and transparency, where does the money go? Does anyone know?

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

No, and that is a big problem. Out of the folks I know who live on reserves (and they have no issues with telling indian jokes!), the chief, his family and a few select others on the band council have heaps of money, expensive cars, large houses in the West end of Edmonton etc. Whereas the majority of the said nation live in abject poverty in various crappy properties, even the newly built ones, many of which have no running water.

It's interesting to see that most of the protesters that I have seen are chiefs, as they are the ones getting the money to supposedly hand down to their people but it would appear that that just isn't happening. Thay are also the ones who protest the loudest when the government wants to put in place systems to ensure that the money goes directly to the people.

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

Idle no more is a peoples movement, there are chiefs, like chief Spence who are tying to take over the movement. She and many other chiefs benefit from your average Canadians wilful ignorance to the situation. As long as people keep turning a blind eye, corrupt leaders can keep reaping the rewards whilst the people suffer. The situation on reserves is awful, the people on the reserves want change, the leaders don't because they have it good right now.

As long as the corrupt First Nations leaders show support to movements like Idle no More, your average Canadian is going to stand against it, seriously, who wants to stand side by side with corruption.

If your average joe Canadian stood with the First Nations people against the corrupt leadership that is all too prevalant, we would have a chance to make a change and do some real good.

If you just look at this pipeline business, one hand washes the other, the corrupt of the first nations leaders and the prime minister are working together.

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

I suspect that they are not the type to agree with everything posted that implies that all problems faced by First Nations are the fault of others.

I suspect that would have commented in a similar fashion if the butt of the joke had been, let's say, chavs in the UK (with a different punchline).

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

How about the Canadian government solicit tenders from builders to construct suitable housing, schools and infrastructure for First Nations to current building standards. Train and employ First Nations workers to do the work, and pay for the materials by reducing the amount bands receive from the government.

Bands should be given money every three months, with regular financial reporting as with any other organisation, and financial irregularities should be penalised the same way they would be for any other Canadian who did the same.

All of the new homes should be exactly the same for each size house, with the homes owned 50/50 by the government and band, and rented by residents. Residents should also be able to apply for a mortgage to buy the property after say 5 yrs, under the same rules everyone else has to abide by.

I realise that this is probably a pipe-dream, but discussion needs to start somewhere.

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

Maybe, but that's not answering the question. Which I guess is an answer in itself;)

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

Haha, you are hilarious man. Don't bother asking them what they think 'cus you be able tell them yourself.

+1 Having done a fair share of work for INAC on reserves this post holds true from what I've seen and then some, although there is always exceptions like the Osoyoos and Westbank nations.

Re: Was it really a hunger strike?
 

Yes, Chief Clarence Louis seems to have done a great job in Osoyoos, my wife had quite a bit to do with the financial side of some of the development at Spirit Ridge and it all went swimmingly. It is helped by the weather and environment there though, not so easy to do the same thing in Northern Ontario for example.

Thought this was interesting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6PlbhAF7Fk