[StuntmanMike]

Brenda wrote:

They want to live their lifes according to their culture, live off the land. So why do they DEMAND to be built a better community? If I want to live in the boo-f*cking-middle-of-nowhere, it is my choice, and my responsibility to get my kids schooled and my food on the table, right? If my house is a shack because I don't maintain it, it is MY problem. No one is gonna pay me to change it, right? Why isn't it enough for them? Why can't they figure out how to live as their ancestors did?
Because the world changes. For them too. They don't live in Tipi's anymore. They have internet, and demand access... Yet, here in the sticks, it is not that common...
They can't have it both ways.

Yeah, the whole debate is full of double standards.

There's probably not one northern residence in Canada that doesn't have satellite T.V. and a brand new snowmobile sitting outside the house.

But very few have running water.

It's just a totally dysfunctional system. But it works for a few interested parties, and nobody's willing to take them on, for fear of being labelled "racist."

[PJB]

Let's do something about this. Let's take the monies out of the hands of the chiefs and councils who always seem to find other places to spend it rather then on the kids education. Let's set up some sort of scholarship type program that gives the funds directly to the education institution so it can go towards the tuition and books for the student and then provide an allowance paid directly to the student for living expenses, etc. Let's keep tabs on the student to ensure that he/she is actually attending and then provide follow up once that student graduates.

Yes it sounds almost like babysitting but then again it is taxpayers dollars that are paying for this and, personally, I want to spend my money on a student that has a definite potential rather than some chiefs house.

[Brenda]

Obviously, it is needed. Their Chiefs ain't doing it, yet demanding it...

I think it's a good one, PJB

[PJB]

The only problem with my idea is that the chiefs would never allow it. They need that control of funds in order to control their people.

[Brenda]

PJB wrote:

The only problem with my idea is that the chiefs would never allow it. They need that control of funds in order to control their people.

Maybe when the old chiefs die, the new ones get some common sense. Especially when they have been educated

[PJB]

Brenda wrote:

PJB wrote:

The only problem with my idea is that the chiefs would never allow it. They need that control of funds in order to control their people.

Maybe when the old chiefs die, the new ones get some common sense. Especially when they have been educated

One can dream. Hopefully some of the educated chiefs that really care about the problems that their people face will have the intestinal fortitude to break away from the 'woe is me' and 'you owe me' ideals that seem to be the mindset of a bunch of the current chiefs and realize that it is up to them to help their people break free from the institutionalized dependance on others and make something out the true potential that every child no matter where he/she comes from has.

[Donny_Brasco]

I agree with all of you... Mind you there are some very good cheifs and some that have no clue.

Just like there are some white politicians in Canada that have no clue and others that are clueless.

[Brenda]

Donny_Brasco wrote:

I agree with all of you... Mind you there are some very good cheifs and some that have no clue.

Just like there are some white politicians in Canada that have no clue and others that are clueless.

Of course there are chiefs that know... They probably don't DEMAND anything either...
I think that is the worst part... The demanding and not changing...

[StuntmanMike]

Donny_Brasco wrote:

I agree with all of you... Mind you there are some very good cheifs and some that have no clue.

Just like there are some white politicians in Canada that have no clue and others that are clueless.

You're right, there are some excellent chiefs and there are some well administered reserves.

But the best chief with the best intentions in the world still isn't going to make an isolated northern community ravaged by alcohol and sexual abuse a viable, successful entity. It's beyond the power of one man, or even an entire band council.

[PJB]

Donny_Brasco wrote:

I agree with all of you... Mind you there are some very good cheifs and some that have no clue.

Just like there are some white politicians in Canada that have no clue and others that are clueless.

There are a few good chiefs that cannot contend with the Grand chiefs etc. Those who continue the 'I am native and I am owed'.

[Donny_Brasco]

Brenda wrote:

Donny_Brasco wrote:

I agree with all of you... Mind you there are some very good cheifs and some that have no clue.

Just like there are some white politicians in Canada that have no clue and others that are clueless.

Of course there are chiefs that know... They probably don't DEMAND anything either...
I think that is the worst part... The demanding and not changing...

If you look at a tree grow for an hour there is not much change. If you look at a tree grow for 30 years there is lots and lots of change.

Take a look at us 30 years ago.

[PJB]

Welcome back Donny...How's the new truck? Hope you had a great Christmas. So what do you think of my idea of establishing a scholarship type program instead of giving the bands control of the post-secondary education funds? I think it would benefit students that really want to persue post-secondary education.

Any ideas on the selection process?

[Donny_Brasco]

StuntmanMike wrote:

Donny_Brasco wrote:

I agree with all of you... Mind you there are some very good cheifs and some that have no clue.

Just like there are some white politicians in Canada that have no clue and others that are clueless.

You're right, there are some excellent chiefs and there are some well administered reserves.

But the best chief with the best intentions in the world still isn't going to make an isolated northern community ravaged by alcohol and sexual abuse a viable, successful entity. It's beyond the power of one man, or even an entire band council.

Look at Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Good story there. Quite remote, yet spent their land claims money on economic initiatives and are doing quite well.

Don't forget, these remote communities also serve to promote Canadian sovereignty in remote areas. Send them all to the city and you’ll have Denmark sending ships and making settlements in their place.

[Donny_Brasco]

PJB wrote:

Donny_Brasco wrote:

I agree with all of you... Mind you there are some very good cheifs and some that have no clue.

Just like there are some white politicians in Canada that have no clue and others that are clueless.

There are a few good chiefs that cannot contend with the Grand chiefs etc. Those who continue the 'I am native and I am owed'.

A treaty is a contract. We don't win land claims and legal battles over treaty rights because the government or the courts pity us.

We win because we have solid legal recourse for our actions.

[PJB]

Donny...I asked you a question previously and I would respect your response. I am not going to get into a treaty discussion with you as the treaties are open to a wide array of interpretations. The courts in this country are stuck on being politically correct so they are biased.