[PJB]

This is friggin' ridiculous!

Manitoba chiefs want cellphone revenue
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 | 9:41 AM CT
CBC News
Manitoba First Nations are seeking compensation from Manitoba Telecom Services for every cellphone signal that passes through First Nations land, saying the airspace should be considered a resource like land and water.

'When it comes to using airspace, it's like using our water and simply because there's no precedent doesn't mean that it's not the right thing to do.'
—Ovide Mercredi, Grand Rapids First NationAt a recent economic development summit, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs resolved to negotiate revenue sharing with MTS for transmissions signals that cross the land, water and air space of their reserves and traditional territories.

"[The request is] based on the understanding that we do have some fundamental rights as indigenous people to land, water and airspace," said Chief Ovide Mercredi of the Grand Rapids First Nation.

"When it comes to using airspace, it's like using our water and simply because there's no precedent doesn't mean that it's not the right thing to do," he said.

Mercredi says that signals over a significant area of the province would be affected, noting that the Cree Nations claim rights to a large portion of the north.

Proposal may inspire more negotiations
Anna Hunter, a University of Saskatchewan professor of political studies specializing in aboriginal governance, says the AMC's request is unique but she says other First Nations groups across the country will likely follow suit.


"On a provincewide basis, this is definitely an innovative approach but I think it's an approach that other provinces' First Nations groups will probably take forward," she said.

MTS officials have declined to comment on the issue until they see the group's proposal.

[icekarma2752]

too late dude...this topic's already covered....but it sure is ridiculous isnt it??

[2Cdo]

PJB wrote:

This is friggin' ridiculous!

Manitoba chiefs want cellphone revenue
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 | 9:41 AM CT
CBC News
Manitoba First Nations are seeking compensation from Manitoba Telecom Services for every cellphone signal that passes through First Nations land, saying the airspace should be considered a resource like land and water.

'When it comes to using airspace, it's like using our water and simply because there's no precedent doesn't mean that it's not the right thing to do.'
—Ovide Mercredi, Grand Rapids First NationAt a recent economic development summit, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs resolved to negotiate revenue sharing with MTS for transmissions signals that cross the land, water and air space of their reserves and traditional territories.

"[The request is] based on the understanding that we do have some fundamental rights as indigenous people to land, water and airspace," said Chief Ovide Mercredi of the Grand Rapids First Nation.

"When it comes to using airspace, it's like using our water and simply because there's no precedent doesn't mean that it's not the right thing to do," he said.

Mercredi says that signals over a significant area of the province would be affected, noting that the Cree Nations claim rights to a large portion of the north.

Proposal may inspire more negotiations
Anna Hunter, a University of Saskatchewan professor of political studies specializing in aboriginal governance, says the AMC's request is unique but she says other First Nations groups across the country will likely follow suit.


"On a provincewide basis, this is definitely an innovative approach but I think it's an approach that other provinces' First Nations groups will probably take forward," she said.

MTS officials have declined to comment on the issue until they see the group's proposal.

Wow, what a surprise. Natives want compensation for something they can't even see, feel, taste, or even sense. What's next a breathing tax.

[Brenda]

You don't have a breathing tax yet?

[PJB]

If this goes through I guess their next step will be charging all the airlines for flying over..Perhaps even any satelites that happen to pass overhead.

[Blue_Nose]

PJB wrote:

Perhaps even any satelites that happen to pass overhead.

Then they can charge Google Maps for rights to their satellite photos.

[PJB]

Blue_Nose wrote:

PJB wrote:

Perhaps even any satelites that happen to pass overhead.

Then they can charge Google Maps for rights to their satellite photos.

I wonder if I should send a bill to every airline for flying over my house. I wonder how that would go over.

Natives want equality so tit for tat! LMAO

[hurley_108]

This is stupid, but interesting.

Stupid for the obvious reasons, but interesting in that it does take a look at broadcast signals in a new way.

I've thought for a long time that it's incredibly galling of satellite TV companies to blanket my roof and yard with their transmission but say "nope, you can't watch unless you give us money." I can't refuse their signal, why can they refuse me use of it?

[icekarma2752]

hurley_108 wrote:

This is stupid, but interesting.

Stupid for the obvious reasons, but interesting in that it does take a look at broadcast signals in a new way.

I've thought for a long time that it's incredibly galling of satellite TV companies to blanket my roof and yard with their transmission but say "nope, you can't watch unless you give us money." I can't refuse their signal, why can they refuse me use of it?

i see you caught that episode(a mans got to eat) of the trailer park boys too

[hurley_108]

icekarma2752 wrote:

hurley_108 wrote:

This is stupid, but interesting.

Stupid for the obvious reasons, but interesting in that it does take a look at broadcast signals in a new way.

I've thought for a long time that it's incredibly galling of satellite TV companies to blanket my roof and yard with their transmission but say "nope, you can't watch unless you give us money." I can't refuse their signal, why can they refuse me use of it?

i see you caught that episode(a mans got to eat) of the trailer park boys too

Actually I've never seen a whole episode of the show. Maybe I'll have to start watching... =]

[PluggyRug]

hurley_108 wrote:

This is stupid, but interesting.

Stupid for the obvious reasons, but interesting in that it does take a look at broadcast signals in a new way.

I've thought for a long time that it's incredibly galling of satellite TV companies to blanket my roof and yard with their transmission but say "nope, you can't watch unless you give us money." I can't refuse their signal, why can they refuse me use of it?

It's not really that new. The British government for many years made us buy a radio and then television license.

This charge was for use of the "ether" a medium on which radio waves were thought to travel. As the "ether" covered all of the British Isles the government charged for it's use.

We could erect a Faraday cage over native lands to block the RF (radio frequency) spectrum, but then they wouldn't be able to watch the Simpsons.

[ziggy]

Radio waves are public,no one can own them,if you can intercept them then its legal.

[grainfedprairieboy]

Like unions, feminism and liberals; reservations have outlived any useful purpose they may have had and certainly do not uphold their original intent. When any group is left to drift looking for a purpose or seeking a grievance to justify their existence we shouldn't be surprised when they find yet another one.

[stratos]

hurley_108 wrote:

icekarma2752 wrote:

hurley_108 wrote:

This is stupid, but interesting.

Stupid for the obvious reasons, but interesting in that it does take a look at broadcast signals in a new way.

I've thought for a long time that it's incredibly galling of satellite TV companies to blanket my roof and yard with their transmission but say "nope, you can't watch unless you give us money." I can't refuse their signal, why can they refuse me use of it?

i see you caught that episode(a mans got to eat) of the trailer park boys too

Actually I've never seen a whole episode of the show. Maybe I'll have to start watching... =]

Try tv-links.co.uk it has the first 6 seasons and a lot of other stuff. Trailer Park boys had me cracking up way to often here at work. Even got my co worker into it.

[BartSimpson]

Like I said in my brief campaign to be PM - the Native land claims should have a deadline set past which no more claims or other nonsense (like this) will be entertained or tolerated.