In the wake of the Idle No More protests that have blocked railway lines and have hinted at more mischief, multiple grievances have been advanced in place of clear-headed analyses. But none of the slogans, clichés and guilt-tripping get to the bottom of why some aboriginals, especially on reserves, are in a sorry state.
First, some misinformation about one supposed reason for the protests, that reserves will be broken up by Bill C-45, should be debunked.
That recent federal legislation allows First Nations to lease some of their land to others if they so choose.
In British Columbia, the Westbank and Osoyoos First Nations have prospered using such lease arrangements to create housing subdivisions and commercial complexes. The money flows back to the reserve's owners.
All Bill C-45 would do is to allow even more reserves to imitate those successful models. But the bill does not mandate that path nor does it allow for reserve land to be sold (as has been incorrectly claimed).
Another mistaken assertion is that taxpayers have not done enough for Canada's native peoples.
Let's be clear about the benefits some First Nations and Inuit peoples receive that other Canadians do not.
To use one example, every Canadian has access to universal and taxpayer-funded health care through their provincial ministry of health. However, Health Canada runs the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program which gives additional health care benefits to First Nations and Inuit peoples.
Health Canada notes that 846,024 First Nation and Inuit peoples have access to "medically necessary drugs, dental care, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, short-term crisis intervention mental health counselling and medical transportation." The cost of dental treatment, eyeglasses, ambulatory services and everything else on that list is not cheap: in 2010/11, the bill to taxpayers was just over $1 billion.
That amounts to a $1,200 health care benefit per eligible enrollee, this while the other 34 million Canadians must buy insurance for such services and goods or pay out of pocket.
In the federal department of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, the main ministry for aboriginal spending, $115 billion will have been spent on services and programs for Aboriginals between 1994/95 and this year, according to that department and the public accounts. That figure excludes other federal departments and provincial government spending.
This year, 84 per cent of that department's money will go directly to aboriginals, band governments or programs for aboriginals. (The remaining 16 per cent is chewed up in departmental operating costs.)
One could argue more money should be spent. But that would ignore the broken governance structure on too many reserves. Such structures already allow some chiefs, such as hunger striker/Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and her colleagues, to earn salaries far above those earned by other politicians in similar-sized hamlets.
For example, in the remote Ontario township of Algonquin Highlands (halfway between Toronto and North Bay), which has 2,100 people, the entire council was paid just $119,220 in 2011. In Attawapiskat, which has 1,500 people, the total bill for political salaries in 2011 was $607,364. Moreover, all of that came tax-free to Spence and her band colleagues.
Ironically, that tax-free status is courtesy of Section 87 of the Indian Act, the act that is routinely (but quite properly) derided for interfering in the lives of Canada's "Indian" and Inuit peoples.
Double-standards aside, Idle protesters miss a critical reason why so many reserves are in poor shape: they are in the middle of nowhere and cannot be sustained by the local economy because there isn't one.
It is impossible to bring the opportunities available in urban Canada to rural Canada. Even in non-reserve villages, educational, health and career options are severely limited. That's why the only people who live in such remote areas are those who already have money, or have the skills to work in nearby mines, mills, or in other industries (where they exist). Otherwise, poverty is guaranteed.
Additionally problematic for reserves is the lack of proper governance. In non-native towns and cities, most money flows up from local taxpayers via property taxes. That creates a natural taxpayer-politician link and accountability.
On reserves, taxpayer money mostly flows down from Ottawa into reserve coffers. That creates a demand for more cash from far-away taxpayers, or from the nearby resource company, rather than answers from reserve politicians about existing money flows.
Just as tragic, that structure allows band politicians to spend money on unreasonable political salaries and on housing for friends, family and political allies first, with everyone else put in the queue.
Such fundamental problems with how reserves are run — and the unsustainable nature of some of those rural collectives — is what protesters should ponder. That would be more useful than making up grievances about private companies and taxpayers.
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A native dancer looks on during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Native dancers rally during an 'Idle No More' gathering on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Idle No More Mall Protest
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A First Nations Drummer plays during a protest at Intercity Shopping Center in Thunder Bay, Ontario
It's about the future
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/630755180/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/LJ_Henshell">LJ Henshell</a>:<br />A child protests in Thunder Bay, Ontario
United we stand
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/805699678/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Doug_Cleverley">Doug Cleverley</a>:<br />At the #IdleNoMore rally in Owen Sound (Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory), during a spontaneous round dance at the main downtown intersection.
Killer Whale Dance
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More actions, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC
Idle No More #J11
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC
Idle No More #J11 March
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC
Tla'Amin Prayer Song #J11 Idle No More
Tla'Amin Prayer song on #J11 2013 Idle No More, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River BC
Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore
Tla'Amin Killer Whale Dance, #J11 #IdleNoMore, Coast Salish Territories, Powell River, BC
C45 affects all Canadians! Join the fight.
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/840875359/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Eleanor_Kure">Eleanor Kure</a>:<br />At the Idle No More protest in Halifax Nova Scotia. with an eco-justice article in pocket, spreading the word that Bill C45 affects every Canadian, not only First Nations. Thank you FN, for beginning this movement.
Piyesiw Awasis
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/3183681.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/mizzren">mizzren</a>:<br />Thunderchild First Nation @ Lloydminster Flash Mob. January 16, 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/01/16/idle-no-more-queen-elizabeth-2-highway-blockade-alberta_n_2490009.html">Idle No More supporters jump onto a truck</a> as they are pushed by a driver trying to pass, as the protesters block Highway 2 as part of a planned national day of action, in Edmonton, Alberta on Wedneday January 16, 2013.
Aboriginal protesters march down Huron Church Road towards the Ambassador bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.
Aboriginal protestors pray at the end of their blockade of a CN railroad track just west of Portage La Prairie, Man., on Wednesday, January 16, 2016. They ended their protest without incident.
Aboriginal protesters demonstrate at the base of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor Ontario, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. About 1000 demonstrators disrupted traffic to the country's busiest border crossing for several hours.
Idle No More demonstrators block a CN east-west track just west of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba Wednesday, January 16, 2016.
Mississaugas of the New Credit support INM
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/750500023/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Vicki_King_Jamieson">Vicki King Jamieson</a>:<br />New Credit Youth supporting INM
Montreal Idle No More
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Caillum">Caillum</a>:<br />Thousands of people, both Native and Canadian, show their support at an Idle No More protest in Montreal on January 11th, 2013.
#Denendeh #J11 #IdleNoMore #YZF #NWT Yellowknife "Northwest Territories"
Video of the Global Day of Action rally in downtown Somba K’e (Yellowknife)on the Akaitcho territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Denendeh (Northwest Territories).
#IdleNoMore March and Round Dance in Yellowknife Denendeh NWT
"Today (Friday, December 21, 2012) in Denendeh and across the globe, we made an impact, a statement for true justice to be brought forward and acknowledged. But it will not stop, for the 8th fire has been lit and will only grow. Mahsi for all who showed up and united, we felt the support....we felt the fire!! And there's more to come in the new year."
On Facebook By Lawrence Nayally, Melaw Nakehk'o and Eugene Boulanger
https://www.facebook.com/events/112403725595655/
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, wearing a headdress, takes part in a drum ceremony before departing a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, centre, departs a Ottawa hotel to attend a ceremonial meeting at Rideau Hall with Gov. Gen. David Johnston in Ottawa, Friday January 11, 2013.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with First Nations leaders in Ottawa on January 11, 2013.
Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence makes a brief statement on Victoria Island near Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa. Spence is speaking out for the first time about how her reserve spends government money, saying most of what flows to her isolated James Bay reserve actually gets spent outside the community.
Aboriginal Chiefs stand at the main gate to Parliament Hill during a protest Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.
Idle No More protesters listen to speakers during a rally on Parliament Hill Friday January 11, 2013 in Ottawa.
Gordie Odjig of Wikwemikong stands at the west gate to the Langevin Block during the aboriginal meeting in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.
Idle No More at UBC Vancouver
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />
Idle No More at UBC Vancouver
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/100001602753648/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Randall_Gray">Randall Gray</a>:<br />
Los Angeles Rally In Solidarity with First nations
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/contributors/melinda-gopher/headshot.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Melinda Gopher">HuffPost Blogger Melinda Gopher</a>:<br />Brock Conway, Blackfeet activist,
with Saulteaux Actor Adam Beach and companion. Photo: Morning Star Gopher
Native protesters march up Wellington Street in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.
Four-year-old Phoenix Sky Cottrelle,from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, holds a sign as aboriginal protestors gather on Victoria Island before they march to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.
Aboriginal protestors hold signs as they march from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.
Gordie Odjig, an aboriginal protestor from Wikwemikong, shouts as he marches from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, January 11, 2013.
Woman's Voices
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4441016.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Courtney_Harrop">Courtney Harrop</a>:<br />Idle No More event Dec 30th,2012. Tla'Amin Nation Coast Salish Territories Powell River, British Columbia.
Idle No More Edmonton
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/twitter_profile_img/4411530.png" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/AUPELOCAL6CHAIR">AUPELOCAL6CHAIR</a>:<br />Planned overnight and what a turn out!
IdleNoMore March, Dauphin, Mb
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/1354341984/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Phyllis_Racette">Phyllis Racette</a>:<br />#IdleNoMOre Dauphin, Mb
Chicago Idle No More @ the Canadian Consulate
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/644015258/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Jolene_Aleck">Jolene Aleck</a>:<br />Chicago's Idle No More 1.5.2012 rally @ the Canadian Consulate
VancouverC Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
A man waves a flags as aboriginal protesters and supporters in the Idle No More movement block the Blue Water Bridge border crossing to the United States in Sarnia, Ont. on Saturday, January 5, 2013.
VancouverA Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverB Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverD Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverH Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC, January 2, 2013.
VancouverF Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverE Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
VancouverG Jan 2 2013
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/gerrybates">gerrybates</a>:<br />Idle No More at Waterfront Station, Vancouver, BC
Flag Planting
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://s.huffpost.com/images/profile/user_placeholder.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/seawaytoday">seawaytoday</a>:<br />Akwesasne Idle No More att Cornwall, ON
Dec 21st 2012 Idle No More Ottawa: Berdine
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher"><img style="float:left;padding-right:6px !important;" src="http://graph.facebook.com/535670179/picture?type=square" /></a><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Gail_Chicky_Gallagher">Gail Chicky Gallagher</a>:<br />
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1967)
Busy "correcting facts" is no doubt a highly paid profession, huh?
2) Know the content of the treaties that relate to the land on which you live. It’s something every adult should do, like reading the fine print on your lease or mortgage. Know what the contract you have with the First Nation in your area is, and insist that your government representatives and the private businesses with whom they work honour that contract.
3) Tell your political representatives to support Native cultural programs. For generations government legislation outlawed Native language, culture and practices. Insist that your government put at least as much effort into preserving and promoting Native language and culture as was put into eliminating it.
4) Challenge anti-Native and imperialist remarks when you hear them. Don’t wait for a Native person to do it for you. There is no such thing as a neutral stance on racism, colonialism or genocide.
5) Join with Native groups in protesting on key issues, such as land claims, self-government, poverty, or murdered and missing women."
http://postcolonialnetworks.com/2011/04/22/looking-for-the-lost/
Reports to Parliament by Topic
Aboriginal Affairs
2011 June Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada—Chapter 4—Programs for First Nations on Reserves
2009 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada—Chapter 6—Land Management and Environmental Protection on Reserves
2009 March Status Report of the Auditor General of Canada —Chapter 4—Treaty Land Entitlement Obligations—Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
&
http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/search/?entqr=0&access=p&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&ie=utf-8&lr=&btnG=Search&client=e_frontend&q=Management+of+Indian+&filter=0&ud=1&site=&oe=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=e_frontend&ip=192.168.100.5&start=20
Overall, we found that the federal government's progress has been unsatisfactory.
Today, I would like to focus on three issues that are important to the health and well-being of First Nations people, and that require particular attention:
mould contamination in houses on reserves,
monitoring of prescription drug use, and
review of major entry points for the food mail program.
Where did the money go?
There is an "aboriginal industry" in this country, run by white people, that soaks up far too much of our money, money that should be going to cleaning up the mess. The "Great White Father syndrome" needs to be put out of its misery and First Nations people need to start to learn how to do things by, and for, themselves. There are plenty of examples of how that already works for some of them, and there is no reason why it can't work for all of them. The drug/alcohol/gasoline sniffing problem needs to be met head-on and dealt with. No more cover ups, no more denial. F/N people cannot handle alcohol, and nobody can handle drugs or gasoline sniffing. Stop the pussy-footing and get it handled, "political correctness" be damned.
The only important comparison is reserve by reserve plus location.
I am usually wary of the Fraser Institute, but this time, I need specific and clear refutation of its report.
"Just as tragic, that structure allows band politicians to spend money on unreasonable political salaries and on housing for friends, family and political allies first, with everyone else put in the queue"
What do people (Natives) living on reserves think about that. Is it true that the funds go directly to the Chief and he/she distributes it unevenly and unfairly? Does everyone get a Living Allowance from the band council? Would you change the system if you could? I would just like to hear your views.