I've been asked to respond to a recent Twitter attack from Chief Theresa Spence's account. First, I would like to say that it is heartening to learn that Ms. Spence has agreed to end her protest. Like most Canadians, I have been greatly concerned for her well-being for some time. It was over a month ago now that I tried to visit Ms. Spence on Victoria Island. Unfortunately, I was turned away, as were all my colleagues in the Conservative Government who made the effort to speak with her. It is great news for the citizens of Attawapiskat that Ms. Spence will be returning to her community to answer their questions about the recent audit.
Aboriginal Canadians, like all Canadians, deserve to know how public funds are managed. One's racial heritage should not interfere with the right to know how public funds flow through the community. Many Aboriginal Canadians have reached out to me pleading for assistance in confronting their own chiefs and councils about funding. Many question how it is that those with friends on the council receive funds for education, housing and transportation, while those without such connections receive nothing. Many are afraid to speak out for fear of retribution.
While I am untroubled by personal attacks, I am very concerned for those Aboriginal Canadians who live in fear of speaking out. If an Aboriginal Canadian questions Chief Spence, ask questions about Idle No More, or expresses contrary opinions, they will find themselves targeted and marginalized by a small, but vocal group that claims to speak for all. They will be called an apple -- red on the outside and white on the inside. They will be called colonized and other such insulting terms.
I would encourage all Aboriginal Canadians to ask to see the financial records of their local bands. And to do this fearlessly. How can you vote for your chief and council without thorough knowledge of how band finances are managed? At best, you will be guessing. Many First Nations governments have indeed put into place sound accountability practices that ensure transparency and help build confidence among community members. Why not Attawapiskat? Why not all communities? Aboriginal Canadians deserve nothing less.
guess you don't like people who poke sticks into this hornets nest.
My comment was NOT derogatory in anyway shape or form but you seemed to think it must of been.
Not really promoting freedom of speech are ya?
Harper is the figurehead against the poor and marginalized, but cheers for the free and greedy amongst us. Do you even know what you are doing?
Funny how those get swept under the rug when the offender has connections.
What to do...what to do?
So glad you asked! Well, the government could start by settling land claims and honoring the treaties. They could stop stealing the land and resources in the meantime and compensate for the billions already stolen. Further, they could account for the little compensation provided which they generously hold in trust for First Nations. They could stop mismanaging that trust and turn it over to the First Nations themselves to manage as they see fit as the courts have already instructed them to do.
Billions of First Nations dollars are sitting in the federal government coffers for which the federal government pays a pittance in interest. Realistically, that money is earning much much more but where do those funds go? To the federal government of course for the use and benefit of the rest of Canada. First Nations don't see a dime. Even when some of our own money is transferred to bands to fund our programs it's micromanaged to the hilt by the feds. The band literally has to ask the feds for permission before any expenditure is made. And yet it's the First Nations who are attacked and smeared in the media for taking "handouts" and not being "accountable" for "public" funds.
What to do...what to do indeed.
The peace treaties which existed prior to the colony of british crown, ensures that FNP are always paid and cared for. However, if you think removing the peace treaties is the way to go, then start writing letters to your monarchy.
I am also curious about the false equivolencies. So if the Harper government has mismanaged their finances... it is okay for Band leaders to mismanage theirs? Or are you saying the government can not comment on the way FN funding goes because their own record is also tarnished?
Their are no smoke screens here... only issues and more issues that need to be addressed. No more excuses. No more finger pointing. We all know there are problems... its time to roll up your sleeves, address, and start working towards solutions to those problems.
Then you have to think about their pensions they receive after such a short employment period. Hmmm, the guys in ottawa shifting focus to the First Nations again.
http://www.debtclock.ca/
The financial machinations of anyone else are NOT the subject,so stick to it,and let's have some accountability from the Band leaders who claim to have so much respect for their people.
It is time for Ottawa and Harper's gov't to act and no more dancing around photo ops
Such a short employment time should not earn some politician (popular kid on the block) a pension off the backs of taxpayers. Therefore, this politician has no right to speak out against any other payroll.
The conservatives can say what they want, but the fact remains First Nations people in Canada have historically gotten the short end of the stick. This is chump-change in comparison to what we, Canadians, have taken as ours. This land, that we appropriated, was never ours... the monarchy realized that and wrote the treaty. It's not perfect, but it was agreed to and signed. Who does this government think they are to change the treaty without consulting First Nations?
I just hope that in 2 years when we, the Canadian public, have an opportunity to vote we do so strategically and morally, and vote this authoritarian excuse for a party out!
It breaks my heart that so many Canadians are duped by this nonsense.
I suggest you take a look at the following link: http://elizabethmaymp.ca/news/publications/press-releases/2012/10/18/bill-c-45-greatly-diminishes-right-to-unimpeded-navigable-waters/
and then think of a favorite waterway and check and see whether it is currently unprotected.
http://elizabethmaymp.ca/is-your-lake-safe
I have never voted Green, but I truly appreciate that this party has been so helpful to me as I strive to understand the impact of the omnibus bills that the conservatives have been passing. One must remember that they were not elected by a majority of Canadians, and they must be held accountable for their obvious disregard for the parliamentary process.
It is not just about the past, or even the present. There must be some account for the future as well. The impact of removing protection of 2,500,000 lakes and rivers to now 159, is mind-boggling and frankly, unacceptable.
This environmental offense lies squarely on the shoulders of the current government. In two years, we Canadians must go to the polls and hold them accountable. All of us need to be idle no more. We are blessed that leadership from our First Nations have lit the path to a better, more fair, and more just future, but we must be weary of the tools that work