Jean Lane----IT IS MY OPINION----The native people|"original inhabitants"| owned the land before white man arrived-- and ran a fur trade very well!They managed very well living from the land without the"ANGLO CULTURE"!!THE ANGLO SAXONS quickly placed the first nation people into reserves and disallowed them to own any land period!They signed treaties with these fine people promising them much---BUT, the Anglos failed to honor the treaties I believe!In the USA many of the NATIVES were allowed to own land and have prospered--but the colonization failed miserably for the natives here in this country!!BUT NOT SO FOR THE ANGLOS!!!!They pompously went about bringing many Europeans to the hinterland--It got so bad that many of these non anglos had to change their names to that of english in order to be hired for employment!Where could these people find employment when they were classed as the savages I believe???And the system perpetuated itself--to where prejudice such as yours makes life unbearable---And yes if the governments provided programs to the First Nation People like they do for all the new immigrants they too could prosper. Now in Saskatchewan new immigrants are provided with a home and money and language programs and training programs until they are fully integrated.What is offered in northern communities-- I lived many years in the NWT--The government imposed an affirmative action law where possible to hire first nation people---It worked very well and happy to say the people in the NWT are fully integrated and lead the country in my opinion.It can be done!!!But governments have to work side by side-- throwing money alone will not help in my opinion.I am both disappointed and disgusted by your remarks because you have never experienced nor have any knowledge about the history of these people---and yet you present such hateful remarks.I too pay more than my share of taxes--I prefer to spend it on people--not fighter planes and useless wars and dead and maimed soldiers!!I prefer a benevolent government and not a mean spirited one man dictator!Only people working in close proximity together can problems be solved---It is my opinion I believe for a better world--
Jean Lane - 12 years ago
I think NOTHING is going to change if the Natives want their Cake & Eat it too. Most people( other than the Natives ) who want to make a better life for themselves and their families , will seek out a job& proper housing . You can't sit back on the reserves and complain THE GOVERNMENT isn't doing enough for "US" when you destroy the houses you were given because of your CULTURAL . Thats whats wrong with the picture. Plus WHY did everyone in government and BAND Council wait till there is snow on the ground to say there is a disaster happening on the ATTAWAPISKAT RESERVE . I am dam sure the living conditions didn't just happen, so WHY is it a disaster NOW instead of this summer. The conditions have gotten worst not better , so why wait ???? The biggest part of the Fault lies within the Native Cultural its self. You can't live in the 21 century and act like it's the 18 century it just doesn't work. You also can't expect the GOVERNMENT and the rest of the citizens of CANADA to keep bailing you out. Quit destroying what is provided for you the rest of the citizens of CANADA don't get new housing if they destroy the one they are living they have to get out and work to provide for their families so why do the NATIVES in Canada think they should be given every thing they want with out working for it . It's been proven over and over again if you work for something you look after it if your given it SO WHAT !!!!No amount of funding will change the CULTURAL of the Natives if they want to be hand fed. There are many Natives Canadians living in the 21 century and have made a good living for themselves. It's the few that think the world OWES them a living that are the problem. The government should only provide the Natives living on RESERVES with monies ONCE and when the BAND Chiefs blows it on other than proper housing and education then the Band either MOVES to a place they can get jobs and make a living or there on there own GOOD LUCK. I too wish someone could pay for things I need or WANT .When is the GOVERNMENT going to get a back bone and say ENOUGH is ENOUGH !!! One last comment!!!! Where does ther NATIVES think the money comes from last I looked it wasn't on TREES.
Totally Disgusted TAXPAYER
Jean Lane
old enough - 12 years ago
Perhaps notalib should do a little research of his/her own. This "mess" did not start with the previous government. It was initiated many, many years ago with the way native peoples have been treated since the white man arrived. I'm interested on what grounds the statement is made "houses which they destroy in short order and then ask for another one". Is this based on research, personal experience or just prejudiced, biased thinking?
Beth - 12 years ago
The first priority should be to ensure the safety of the residents, which I don't know if the government is doing actively enough. Once their safety is assured, then we must definitely ask hard questions, such as the government is starting to do. However, the government must also ask hard questions of themselves - $92 million over 5 years sounds like a lot, until you look at all it's supposed to pay for in a remote, northern community? Having a frank discussion around location, education & training, funding, and self-sufficiency are required. Unfortunately I truly fear that this will not be possible, as everytime we try, screams of racism, elitism, colonialism, and the like drown out all reasonable voices.
notalib - 12 years ago
Evan what kind of an investagative reporter are you, why did you not ask C Bennet what the Liberals did in all the twelve years they were in power. The Conservatives inherated this mess from the Liberal government, it didn't start when the present government was elected.
Are there any trees in the area that can be used to build log cabins. I am sure there are a lot of men who have nothing to do that would be able to do this. Why do these people sit around and wait for the "white man" to build them houses which they destroy in short order then ask for another new house. Can they not do anything to help themselves? Now I know you will call me a racist for telling the truth and will refuse to print this comment.
Alice Martin - 12 years ago
This is the most arrogant, incompetent and ignorant government that we have ever had in this country. I don't know how we will survive the next four years. It's a crying shame!!!
Jean Lane----IT IS MY OPINION----The native people|"original inhabitants"| owned the land before white man arrived-- and ran a fur trade very well!They managed very well living from the land without the"ANGLO CULTURE"!!THE ANGLO SAXONS quickly placed the first nation people into reserves and disallowed them to own any land period!They signed treaties with these fine people promising them much---BUT, the Anglos failed to honor the treaties I believe!In the USA many of the NATIVES were allowed to own land and have prospered--but the colonization failed miserably for the natives here in this country!!BUT NOT SO FOR THE ANGLOS!!!!They pompously went about bringing many Europeans to the hinterland--It got so bad that many of these non anglos had to change their names to that of english in order to be hired for employment!Where could these people find employment when they were classed as the savages I believe???And the system perpetuated itself--to where prejudice such as yours makes life unbearable---And yes if the governments provided programs to the First Nation People like they do for all the new immigrants they too could prosper. Now in Saskatchewan new immigrants are provided with a home and money and language programs and training programs until they are fully integrated.What is offered in northern communities-- I lived many years in the NWT--The government imposed an affirmative action law where possible to hire first nation people---It worked very well and happy to say the people in the NWT are fully integrated and lead the country in my opinion.It can be done!!!But governments have to work side by side-- throwing money alone will not help in my opinion.I am both disappointed and disgusted by your remarks because you have never experienced nor have any knowledge about the history of these people---and yet you present such hateful remarks.I too pay more than my share of taxes--I prefer to spend it on people--not fighter planes and useless wars and dead and maimed soldiers!!I prefer a benevolent government and not a mean spirited one man dictator!Only people working in close proximity together can problems be solved---It is my opinion I believe for a better world--
I think NOTHING is going to change if the Natives want their Cake & Eat it too. Most people( other than the Natives ) who want to make a better life for themselves and their families , will seek out a job& proper housing . You can't sit back on the reserves and complain THE GOVERNMENT isn't doing enough for "US" when you destroy the houses you were given because of your CULTURAL . Thats whats wrong with the picture. Plus WHY did everyone in government and BAND Council wait till there is snow on the ground to say there is a disaster happening on the ATTAWAPISKAT RESERVE . I am dam sure the living conditions didn't just happen, so WHY is it a disaster NOW instead of this summer. The conditions have gotten worst not better , so why wait ???? The biggest part of the Fault lies within the Native Cultural its self. You can't live in the 21 century and act like it's the 18 century it just doesn't work. You also can't expect the GOVERNMENT and the rest of the citizens of CANADA to keep bailing you out. Quit destroying what is provided for you the rest of the citizens of CANADA don't get new housing if they destroy the one they are living they have to get out and work to provide for their families so why do the NATIVES in Canada think they should be given every thing they want with out working for it . It's been proven over and over again if you work for something you look after it if your given it SO WHAT !!!!No amount of funding will change the CULTURAL of the Natives if they want to be hand fed. There are many Natives Canadians living in the 21 century and have made a good living for themselves. It's the few that think the world OWES them a living that are the problem. The government should only provide the Natives living on RESERVES with monies ONCE and when the BAND Chiefs blows it on other than proper housing and education then the Band either MOVES to a place they can get jobs and make a living or there on there own GOOD LUCK. I too wish someone could pay for things I need or WANT .When is the GOVERNMENT going to get a back bone and say ENOUGH is ENOUGH !!! One last comment!!!! Where does ther NATIVES think the money comes from last I looked it wasn't on TREES.
Totally Disgusted TAXPAYER
Jean Lane
Perhaps notalib should do a little research of his/her own. This "mess" did not start with the previous government. It was initiated many, many years ago with the way native peoples have been treated since the white man arrived. I'm interested on what grounds the statement is made "houses which they destroy in short order and then ask for another one". Is this based on research, personal experience or just prejudiced, biased thinking?
The first priority should be to ensure the safety of the residents, which I don't know if the government is doing actively enough. Once their safety is assured, then we must definitely ask hard questions, such as the government is starting to do. However, the government must also ask hard questions of themselves - $92 million over 5 years sounds like a lot, until you look at all it's supposed to pay for in a remote, northern community? Having a frank discussion around location, education & training, funding, and self-sufficiency are required. Unfortunately I truly fear that this will not be possible, as everytime we try, screams of racism, elitism, colonialism, and the like drown out all reasonable voices.
Evan what kind of an investagative reporter are you, why did you not ask C Bennet what the Liberals did in all the twelve years they were in power. The Conservatives inherated this mess from the Liberal government, it didn't start when the present government was elected.
Are there any trees in the area that can be used to build log cabins. I am sure there are a lot of men who have nothing to do that would be able to do this. Why do these people sit around and wait for the "white man" to build them houses which they destroy in short order then ask for another new house. Can they not do anything to help themselves? Now I know you will call me a racist for telling the truth and will refuse to print this comment.
This is the most arrogant, incompetent and ignorant government that we have ever had in this country. I don't know how we will survive the next four years. It's a crying shame!!!