My parents were foster parents and worked with one of the local reserves years ago so we got to see some of this corruption and ineptitude first hand. I'd like to think that all the reserves in the country are not as you've described them, but I'm sure the majority are.
What is sorely needed here is a well-documented expose published in a major paper. I understand why few would want to open themselves up to the kind criticism that would undoubtedly ensue, but I'm still a little surprised no one has done that yet. Maybe now that we're finally in the age of independent media, something like that could realistically happen and then the people would demand change.
A very enlightening and equally disturbing article which should be front page on the main stream media. Our glad hand politicians either don't know or don't want to know and prefer the comfort of burying their heads in the sand to avoid any real constructive or progressive action on this issue. Their leader, of course, the colorfully dressed Pied Piper of Ottawa, quite happily leads the children of his cabinet on a joyful journey on the road to Shambala ignoring all the danger signs along the way.
A definite purpose, like blinders on a horse, inevitably narrows its possessor's point of view.
Full of many important and accurate assertions but too shrill and too eager to paint all reserves and all indigenous leaders with the same sloppily applied brush.
Fair points. It is an opinion piece from someone with "lived experience." The author does seem to project a singular analysis in a generalized manner. But might that be becuase what he is describing fits the vast majority of reserve situations? If anything, the value is in the author's unapologetic break from the accepted (and enforced) narrative. Readers should take opinion pieces (including mine) with a grain of salt. In my view, opinion pieces, and personal stories, are emotional and reactionary, but not without value.
I also think part of truth-seeking is being truthful about opinions. Even your own. Why not? Can't we all just speak freely? Can we rely on readers to distinguish between articles with zero footnotes and full of generalities and opinion, from others that are well referenced and put forward specific arguments?
I think a balance can be struck -- although I don't claim to have struck it. But I'm in the process of striking -- sometimes hitting, sometimes missing, always searching and getting closer to the truth, at least I think so on most days.
Thanks Hymie. It's never good to genraliz when describing people. I lived on reserve, worked in the "Indian Industry ", have many family and friends who are Indignous. The same things make us laugh, the same things make us cry, we want the same things for our children. There is no difference!
It's the system. The race based "Special Status " we have legislated, This societal separation is not entirely un like pre-war Germanys separation of its Jewish citizens. Makeing them targets for raceism and all its attendant virtues of discrimination, prejudice and hate., Albeit the underlying motive being well intended and benevolent in our Indians case, unlike the intended Genocide of German Jews. This "Special Status " has Inadvertently resulted in the gehttoization of the reserve system. The reserve system was never intended to be a perpetual state. It was to facilitate an eventual transition into modern society. Instead the reserve system now embodies all the attributes of ghettos wherever they exist all over the world.
Mainstream media are at a distance from honest commentary like this: “It is important to understand that the First Nations People in Canada are a ‘kept race’ of people and that the Canadian taxpayers are on the hook for paying the bill to keep them rolling in monies and resources with no end in sight.”
I have received a number of questions about the Trudeau quote at the top of the piece. I have added the following blurb to the post:
(According to the author of this article, Trudeau said this during a conference with Aboriginal/Indigenous chiefs in Ottawa in 1970, during the "Indian White Paper Crisis").
Its clear reform is needed. This subject isnt my area of expertise, but its clear I need to get a better handle on what is going on. Thanks for this commentary.
Never forget Trudeau gave the Algonquin national council a total of $50 BILLION total in 2 installments just before 2019 election and shortly after but those same government Indians claiming “squalor”, always demanding more via lying deceitful government media! All crony thieving corporatism by Marxists, fascists alike of the Liberals, NDP, “ self government” treaty Indians
I remember when Alan Rock proposed to do away with the Indian Act. It was the chiefs who protested the loudest as they had the most to lose. The article is largely true, but tarring all native bands with the same brush is a mistake.
I do not find this too strident, and I think it far more persuasive than the “graves” narrative claiming “disappeared” children. Here we know we have “disappeared” billions. In addition, these stories have been in circulation for a long time. The first I heard this was listening to a Peter Gzowski programme in the late 90s about nepotism on reserves (although I’m not sure that was the actual topic). An elderly woman was speaking. Her toilet was on the other side of bare floor joists which she couldn’t get covered because she was on the wrong side of the ten year, or so, cycle of which group was in favour. (She was a Vernon or Westbank native.) I have been told directly of such nepotism on Cortez and Quadra, and seen it among the Salish in the Squamish area. I think we all saw it associated with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en. For what it is worth, it is also a theme in FN FB pages I’ve stumbled into. And that is not even to mention the gangs on various reserves, such as Anaheim Lake, and probably the Mohawk. One even sees them speaking against the graves narrative.
Sure, it is likely not true of every tribe. However, where is the money? Why or so many living in such devastating poverty while a few others enjoying such prosperity? Yes, I may be guilty of confirmation bias, but this article also fits with the little that seeps out of the highly secretive places where residents claim they are unable to learn anything about where the money is going? How are these people ever to get any help to access the funds meant for them if we stand back and worry this article is too strident or too lacking in objectivity? Such voices are finding it impossible to break out from behind the well-financed wall of secrecy.
I'd like to see some factual basis for the assertions in this article. I don't doubt they are true, but without pointing to facts to back up these claims it isn't much better than settler Carleton's commentary.
I agree with you. And I think you are smart to ask for facts/evidence to backup these assertions. This piece is an opinion piece. The author made no effort to provide links to stats or other things that would substantiate his arguments. However, I do think there is a place for opinion pieces, and a piece like this should hopefully result in more people looking more closely at reality of life on Canadian reserves.
Is the author Indigenous, James? These are the sentences that made me think so:
<< The poor people on reserves see the chiefs and councillors getting richer and themselves getting poorer with each passing day. And there is no place to take our concerns or complaints. There is no freedom of speech or expression since the band councils have totally suspended the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for everyone but themselves and their families. >>
One only needs to ask whom are the guilty of providing the lawful ways of obtaining the rights to succeed in making demands of the public purse other than the mighty filthy rich lawyers! The system and the laws are designed to protect them from anyone that questions or asks for accountability. If people want the truth they must be willing to be cancelled, labelled deniers,or wear the biggest RACISTS SIGN EVER! Yes, the powers that are in control are all in Ottawa in our government. Why are they not representing the rights of All Canadians including the people suffering on reserves in numbers totalling at least 75%. Are they too part of this corrupt system? It must be more than just votes, what? Corruption at the highest levels seems obvious otherwise Real Justice would be seen! Only Government can change the laws of the country, why are they not taking action to correct this corruption?
One cannot miss the parallels between how the Canadian government has treated its citizens and how the Chiefs treat their people. Same sh_t, different group of parasites.
I consulted the financial results of Uashat Mak Mani Utenan band, one of the richest indigenous band in Quebec. Very difficult to see how all the tax payers money is affected and spent. Part of their revenues comes from mining companies direct taxes in order of 17 millions $, helping cumulate 37 millions 'surplus' for the year. I would really like to know how band members outside the management succeed. https://www.itum.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Innu-Takuaikan-Uashat-mak-Mani-Utenam-Etats-financiers-combines-31-mars-2024.pdf
My parents were foster parents and worked with one of the local reserves years ago so we got to see some of this corruption and ineptitude first hand. I'd like to think that all the reserves in the country are not as you've described them, but I'm sure the majority are.
What is sorely needed here is a well-documented expose published in a major paper. I understand why few would want to open themselves up to the kind criticism that would undoubtedly ensue, but I'm still a little surprised no one has done that yet. Maybe now that we're finally in the age of independent media, something like that could realistically happen and then the people would demand change.
American Indians need to break free of their slavery and be independent for real. Total sovereignty. Stop asking the master for more treats.
A very enlightening and equally disturbing article which should be front page on the main stream media. Our glad hand politicians either don't know or don't want to know and prefer the comfort of burying their heads in the sand to avoid any real constructive or progressive action on this issue. Their leader, of course, the colorfully dressed Pied Piper of Ottawa, quite happily leads the children of his cabinet on a joyful journey on the road to Shambala ignoring all the danger signs along the way.
A definite purpose, like blinders on a horse, inevitably narrows its possessor's point of view.
Robert Frost
Full of many important and accurate assertions but too shrill and too eager to paint all reserves and all indigenous leaders with the same sloppily applied brush.
Fair points. It is an opinion piece from someone with "lived experience." The author does seem to project a singular analysis in a generalized manner. But might that be becuase what he is describing fits the vast majority of reserve situations? If anything, the value is in the author's unapologetic break from the accepted (and enforced) narrative. Readers should take opinion pieces (including mine) with a grain of salt. In my view, opinion pieces, and personal stories, are emotional and reactionary, but not without value.
I also think part of truth-seeking is being truthful about opinions. Even your own. Why not? Can't we all just speak freely? Can we rely on readers to distinguish between articles with zero footnotes and full of generalities and opinion, from others that are well referenced and put forward specific arguments?
I think a balance can be struck -- although I don't claim to have struck it. But I'm in the process of striking -- sometimes hitting, sometimes missing, always searching and getting closer to the truth, at least I think so on most days.
James
Thanks Hymie. It's never good to genraliz when describing people. I lived on reserve, worked in the "Indian Industry ", have many family and friends who are Indignous. The same things make us laugh, the same things make us cry, we want the same things for our children. There is no difference!
It's the system. The race based "Special Status " we have legislated, This societal separation is not entirely un like pre-war Germanys separation of its Jewish citizens. Makeing them targets for raceism and all its attendant virtues of discrimination, prejudice and hate., Albeit the underlying motive being well intended and benevolent in our Indians case, unlike the intended Genocide of German Jews. This "Special Status " has Inadvertently resulted in the gehttoization of the reserve system. The reserve system was never intended to be a perpetual state. It was to facilitate an eventual transition into modern society. Instead the reserve system now embodies all the attributes of ghettos wherever they exist all over the world.
"Special Status " and the reserve system must go.
Mainstream media are at a distance from honest commentary like this: “It is important to understand that the First Nations People in Canada are a ‘kept race’ of people and that the Canadian taxpayers are on the hook for paying the bill to keep them rolling in monies and resources with no end in sight.”
Everyone should read this. I had no idea it was this bad. And we even have MPs like Randy B scamming the gov.
Can I run this on my SubStack? I have over 1000 subscribers.
I have received a number of questions about the Trudeau quote at the top of the piece. I have added the following blurb to the post:
(According to the author of this article, Trudeau said this during a conference with Aboriginal/Indigenous chiefs in Ottawa in 1970, during the "Indian White Paper Crisis").
James
Its clear reform is needed. This subject isnt my area of expertise, but its clear I need to get a better handle on what is going on. Thanks for this commentary.
Never forget Trudeau gave the Algonquin national council a total of $50 BILLION total in 2 installments just before 2019 election and shortly after but those same government Indians claiming “squalor”, always demanding more via lying deceitful government media! All crony thieving corporatism by Marxists, fascists alike of the Liberals, NDP, “ self government” treaty Indians
I remember when Alan Rock proposed to do away with the Indian Act. It was the chiefs who protested the loudest as they had the most to lose. The article is largely true, but tarring all native bands with the same brush is a mistake.
I do not find this too strident, and I think it far more persuasive than the “graves” narrative claiming “disappeared” children. Here we know we have “disappeared” billions. In addition, these stories have been in circulation for a long time. The first I heard this was listening to a Peter Gzowski programme in the late 90s about nepotism on reserves (although I’m not sure that was the actual topic). An elderly woman was speaking. Her toilet was on the other side of bare floor joists which she couldn’t get covered because she was on the wrong side of the ten year, or so, cycle of which group was in favour. (She was a Vernon or Westbank native.) I have been told directly of such nepotism on Cortez and Quadra, and seen it among the Salish in the Squamish area. I think we all saw it associated with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en. For what it is worth, it is also a theme in FN FB pages I’ve stumbled into. And that is not even to mention the gangs on various reserves, such as Anaheim Lake, and probably the Mohawk. One even sees them speaking against the graves narrative.
Sure, it is likely not true of every tribe. However, where is the money? Why or so many living in such devastating poverty while a few others enjoying such prosperity? Yes, I may be guilty of confirmation bias, but this article also fits with the little that seeps out of the highly secretive places where residents claim they are unable to learn anything about where the money is going? How are these people ever to get any help to access the funds meant for them if we stand back and worry this article is too strident or too lacking in objectivity? Such voices are finding it impossible to break out from behind the well-financed wall of secrecy.
I'd like to see some factual basis for the assertions in this article. I don't doubt they are true, but without pointing to facts to back up these claims it isn't much better than settler Carleton's commentary.
I agree with you. And I think you are smart to ask for facts/evidence to backup these assertions. This piece is an opinion piece. The author made no effort to provide links to stats or other things that would substantiate his arguments. However, I do think there is a place for opinion pieces, and a piece like this should hopefully result in more people looking more closely at reality of life on Canadian reserves.
Is the author Indigenous, James? These are the sentences that made me think so:
<< The poor people on reserves see the chiefs and councillors getting richer and themselves getting poorer with each passing day. And there is no place to take our concerns or complaints. There is no freedom of speech or expression since the band councils have totally suspended the protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for everyone but themselves and their families. >>
yes.
One only needs to ask whom are the guilty of providing the lawful ways of obtaining the rights to succeed in making demands of the public purse other than the mighty filthy rich lawyers! The system and the laws are designed to protect them from anyone that questions or asks for accountability. If people want the truth they must be willing to be cancelled, labelled deniers,or wear the biggest RACISTS SIGN EVER! Yes, the powers that are in control are all in Ottawa in our government. Why are they not representing the rights of All Canadians including the people suffering on reserves in numbers totalling at least 75%. Are they too part of this corrupt system? It must be more than just votes, what? Corruption at the highest levels seems obvious otherwise Real Justice would be seen! Only Government can change the laws of the country, why are they not taking action to correct this corruption?
A one word answer to that one. COWARDICE !!!!!
One cannot miss the parallels between how the Canadian government has treated its citizens and how the Chiefs treat their people. Same sh_t, different group of parasites.
I consulted the financial results of Uashat Mak Mani Utenan band, one of the richest indigenous band in Quebec. Very difficult to see how all the tax payers money is affected and spent. Part of their revenues comes from mining companies direct taxes in order of 17 millions $, helping cumulate 37 millions 'surplus' for the year. I would really like to know how band members outside the management succeed. https://www.itum.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Innu-Takuaikan-Uashat-mak-Mani-Utenam-Etats-financiers-combines-31-mars-2024.pdf
I will drop a podcast about real Canadian history tomorrow; you will be surprised.
I define and talk about accountability in my podcast here:
https://soberchristiangentlemanpodcast.substack.com/p/s1-ep-6-scgp-rebroadcast