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Yan Roberts

Activist and Farmer

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Theresa Spence Has Stirred our Sense of Participation

Posted: 01/09/2013 7:55 am
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My goodness, what a brave thing for Theresa Spence to take on a distracted and disinterested world with only the perseverance to simply restrain from eating food. It's the same braveness the Idle No More movement has shown, to be taking on a disconnected world with only togetherness.

Now that the discrediting machine has apparently begun its work on Chief Spence (see the news of the Attawapiskat audit), we are reminded again to take all little matters brought to our attention and turn them over for examination of actual value. We are reminded also that as we become more aware, becoming more respectful is also helpful.

We were prepared for this discrediting when Spence-bashing began hitting the news cycle as a replacement for other forms of journalism. It is of little use countering the big opinion spin machine with facts (even though Spence was Chief of Attawapiskat for only the last year of the six years audited, and headlines are creating thoughts of misspending, while the audit only notes spending being poorly documented, etc.) because opinion is an emotional thing only. You must remain in charge of your own emotions. This is a new form of danger: While looking for truths, many of us risk the damage of becoming cynical. We all share in this problem, as blame in general is one of the commonest of human failings.

Speaking plainly, let's analyze how we got here. Governments speak their intention in a language of bills, laws, sound bites and budgets. This second Omnibus Bill is the federal government embarrassingly admitting that it is no longer in control: it is no longer capable of protecting our Canadian waterways from the big industrial interests, nor is it capable of continuing to protect Reservation lands from the same threat.

As the case often is, the things that are taken away from us remind us of what we have willingly given up. We the people have been the protectors and stewards of our rivers all along! It makes perfect sense in hindsight that a large and lumbering institution like government could never paddle an ageless river -- and if it could, it wouldn't be able to feel the presence of beauty. And without knowing that beauty, or needing rivers for sustenance, an institution like this isn't going to be able to link arms and join a blockade to protect what is important to us all from what is unnecessarily profitable to a few. We the people have been the protectors all along; the federal government is simply reminding us of our responsibility. Bill C-45 is an open invitation for you to protect your own values and our environments as you see fit.

Now this is where the bravery of Chief Spence comes in as an inspiration. Being provoked in this manner by your own government there are certain anticipated reactions you may have that they are well prepared to deal with. If they can fray your patience and tolerance into outward frustration there are systems in place waiting to deal with you. Calm engagements of legislative activism are met with eons of bureaucracy that far exceed the short attention span of media.

Chief Spence's hunger strike is the perfect unexpected act; it is asymmetrical action in the face of controllable expectations. She is laying everything on the line in attempts to reclaim the sacredness of her community and she is succeeding. Use this as inspiration for your own acts.

It is indeed frustrating to have your passions met with absent effect, so start with something small. Use whatever golden melancholy you may have been given to create the positive changes you can see. Chief Spence chose a difficult tactic but you can break loose with simple actions. Heck you are even living treason today to get by and be happy without much "stuff."

We've seen growth of spontaneous community with Idle No More. While other causes over the generations have eventually fizzled, Idle No More will succeed because it has an already connected people at its core. History and hardships have brought them together. So go and be part of the group, yes, but be clever on your own too -- using the gifts of your own personality. Dress your actions in your own dreams. Maybe you will march, but also periodically march away from the banners. The sense of participation has been stirred.

We live in the presence of this long past and what has it taught us? If something shows itself as not worthy of our trust, then maybe it's worthy of our forgiveness. Give forgiveness if you see failings, and then take up the reins.

Loading Slideshow...

  • 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 />


 

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My goodness, what a brave thing for Theresa Spence to take on a distracted and disinterested world with only the perseverance to simply restrain from eating food. It's the same braveness the Idle No M...
My goodness, what a brave thing for Theresa Spence to take on a distracted and disinterested world with only the perseverance to simply restrain from eating food. It's the same braveness the Idle No M...
 
 
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StanMeinne
4 Fans
 
07:41 AM on 01/11/2013
So True, Beautiful and Inspiring. Thank You! Thank You!
Permalink  |
Dave s Not Here
7 Fans
03:12 PM on 01/10/2013
You're not serious....... are you?
Permalink  |
charley0008
89 Fans
03:20 AM on 01/10/2013
If commentors here are concerned about the money why aren't they concerned about the facts? Why these virulent, personal attacks on Chief Spence? Why make up stuff about her? She goes to take a shower & that turns into her staying at a fancy hotel? It's all vile bs.
She became Chief in 2010, works full time, earns 70,000 @ year to raise her children in a high cost of living area & lives in a trailer.
What's the other side to this story?
"Spence’s partner, Clayton Kennedy, who is also the band’s former co-manager, said financial accountability had improved over the last two years in Attawapiskat, which posts all its financial documents online. He said none of the money was ever misappropriated and every dollar could be tracked by simply approaching the vendors and the banks involved. He said the department should call in the forensic audit requested by the community back in 2004."
This does not sound like an accountant worried about where the money went.
"Kennedy said the band was previously co-managed by BDO Canada from November 2009 to April 2010, but the band council decided to not continue with them after the firm asked for $400,000 a year over five years to do the job. Council was suspicious of the fact they hadn’t done anything in six months in terms of producing financial statements,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy said he earned about $140,000 by comparison.
"APTNews
Why refuse the request for a forensic audit?
Permalink  |
fleefx
0 Fans
12:13 AM on 01/10/2013
"My goodness, what a brave thing for Theresa Spence to take on a distracted and disinterested world with only the perseverance to simply restrain from eating food." Except that she's, you know, eating food. She's -- it turns out -- been on a fish broth diet the entire time, which provides more than enough protein and nutrients to subsist.
Permalink  |
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jarnakak
fava beans and sweet breads are for sissies
166 Fans
07:30 PM on 01/09/2013
yan, you've also shown your bravery and courage by writing this essay. i've been looking through some of the comments that are not only hurtful but violently so. as an aboriginal i find so much of this ignorant vitriol sad and disconcerting; i mean how does one try and reason with the insane hatred when one is confronted by it for simple being of the wrong race and skin colour? the one thing i take from all this is at least we can no longer pretend that canada is a place of tolerance and apologetic dullards. where we go from this awakening is the true measure of our humanity.
Permalink  |
doodood
0 Fans
11:00 AM on 01/10/2013
That's a load of bunk, cry me a river !

She is not being discriminated against because of her race and skin color. Would you like me to provide numerous examples of Alberta politicians who are being accused of exactly the same thing and not native !?!?! We are against the indiscriminate waste of taxpayers dollars and the sense of entitlement that comes along with lack of accountability. Multiple guilty politicians and CEO's are being accused of the same thing, lack of transparency, accountability and due diligence in reporting. Heck, our premier Alison Redford is one of the biggest culprits in the news today.

This is not about being native, but being a minority allows you to scream racism whenever someone in your race is accused ????... you don't see guilty caucasian politicians and CEO's doing this. Grow up and read the facts.
Permalink  |
Crazee Flutterby
0 Fans
01:29 AM on 01/11/2013
You answer as though you are the only person commenting on Aboriginal issues. Racism is out there.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Colin Speth
A Claymore for your thoughts
54 Fans
07:04 PM on 01/09/2013
I love when the Huffpo prints comedy posts.
Permalink  |
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JUSTBAKERS135
42 Fans
02:06 PM on 01/09/2013
She is not on hunger strike - he's just not eating solids!

Attawapiskat got $67,000 per resident in federal funding in 2012 - That's a middle class lifestyle for every man woman and child.

Maybe she should give up her $250,000 annual salary!!!! We owe her NOTHING!
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ami2much
54 Fans
02:59 PM on 01/09/2013
that doesnt include other perks like deboers, and who knows what else?
Permalink  |
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Jeffrey from AB
47 Fans
05:53 PM on 01/09/2013
I have researched it, reply if you want to know.
Permalink  |
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jarnakak
fava beans and sweet breads are for sissies
166 Fans
07:36 PM on 01/09/2013
over the five years in question it worked out to $11,000/per year per person (the lump sum figures are intended to elicit a respoonse like you just showed); spence's income was $71K. you personally owe nothing (your taxes probably wouldn't equal $11,000 a year, anyhow); why do you act like an overbearing mother all the same?
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
waynerism
20 Fans
01:59 PM on 01/09/2013
Not only is thios article mistaken but it is so far off the mark as to make it sad!!! This Chief who just might be a Thief has doen more harm to the FN's peoples than any other person in a long time - had Idle No More stayed away from the railway track and road blockades and stuck to flashmobs and sat local malls they would have been miles ahead - instead now you have the AFN and the IDLNM groups start slowly but surely throwing her under the bus - when millions and lmillions of dolllars go POOF!!!!! you know th writing is on the wall
Permalink  |
charley0008
89 Fans
11:48 PM on 01/09/2013
Actually he is not off the mark, he is dead on. She has only be Chief for a very short time and she is the one that called a state of emergency on behalf of her people to try and get help for the crisis.
There is no suggestion by anyone or any report that Chief Spence is suspected of theft, this phoney audit based on a past government was used to cast that shadow over her knowing that racists like you would pick up the ball and try to destroy her credibility even though it had little if anything to do with her.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
waynerism
20 Fans
01:56 PM on 01/09/2013
GOOD GRIEF!!!!! I don't know how to commment on this one except GOOD GRIEF !!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Warren Yuill
Jesus Built My Hot-Rod
210 Fans
01:43 PM on 01/09/2013
Consider the fact the whole purpose of this hunger strike has been about obstructionand obfuscation
Couple it with the recent expulsion of CTV jounalists and the only reasonable explanation is corruption.
If you want to ignore that and seek some higer purpose to the ladys actions thats your perogative.
But don't blame those who would seek the truth.
And I would argue this whole movement is about bill C-27.
Bill C-45 being so widely missinterpreted as to give foundation/plausability to this Idle no more movement
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James Rankin
3 Fans
01:25 PM on 01/09/2013
I too have chosen to take on a distracting and uninteresting topic in my every day world; Theresa, why is it that through this sham of a "hunger-strike" and living in a teepee out there on Victoria Island, you have the audacity to go sleep and shower at one of Ottawa's finest hotels? Please help me feel this pain and suffering that you say the people on your reserve and others are forced to endure because of broken promises by the Canadian government, and quit with this hypocrisy already! Unless of course part of the entourage you and your boyfriend have been soliciting donations from the public to bring to Ottawa with you include the residents of Attawapiskat that DON'T have comfortable accommodations to comfort them when they're cold and tired, or running water with which they can bathe! Then perhaps you'll deserve my support and not your band deserving my sympathy for the pain that YOU ALONE are causing them!
Permalink  |
Brucious
33 Fans
 
01:16 PM on 01/09/2013
Yeah, right. As the IRS says, follow the money. No matter how long she has been in power, she is accountable to be a leader. If she has nothing to hide, then why is she hiding behind what can only be called a diversion? Based on the preliminary findings of the audit, there are many unanswered questions about where the money has gone – she needs to be part of the fact finding, part of the solution. I would suggest she get back to eating as she is going to eventually need her energy to do just this. If she chooses to continue with this silly protest, she is abrogating her responsibility - and living down to the vision the cynical tax-payer has of Indian bands and their leaders. She is in fact a very bad example of what leadership is about.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Ike Awgu
57 Fans
01:04 PM on 01/09/2013
By 'discrediting machine', he means facts.
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Caelian Dennis
71 Fans
12:45 PM on 01/09/2013
I'll admit, Spence has done a great job attracting attention to the plight of Native Indians.

Even though it has clearly put them back 10 steps and exposed the truth about how money is spent, Canadians will be keeping a sharper eye on Native Indians.
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yan piebird
9 Fans
11:42 AM on 01/09/2013
Speaking generally, when the information stream seems compromised, no matter your current viewpoint, when the data seems suspect -- what can we do? Return to the basics perhaps. We all have this dormant ability to break free from the addiction to a news-facts mandated reality. If we recognize the limitations inherent in this and choose to not engage then it won't spark our impulse to blame. The power of human creative intelligence is wasted on blame. We can do much more!
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