Because the 2010 Olympics is not a boon for First Nations communities despite what AFN and a few “Indian Act Chiefs” might have people believe.
Just another tale of,show me the money…
h/t Liberated Yet
The Assembly of First Nations are disputing 2006 census statistics.
Specifically the numbers that purport to show that the majority of First Nations peoples live off of reserves.
Apparently it’s all in the interpretation…
Last-minute changes made Jan. 15 just before those numbers were released did not fix the problem, says Dan Wilson, a special adviser to the assembly.
He was incensed to learn early that day that the agency had once again based its on-reserve figures on how many people “identify” as being North American Indian. That initially led StatsCan to say that 60 per cent of First Nations live off reserve, while 40 per cent live on.
Minutes before reporters filed related stories, census staff suddenly clarified they should refer more specifically to status Indians and said , 55 per cent live off reserve while 45 per cent live on.
In Wilson’s view, both sets of figures were wrong and could potentially affect funding to cash-strapped First Nations.
So AFN would have people believe.
When in fact this whole dispute is but another shot in the on going battle between AFN & CAP to convince the Conservative government that they are in fact the more relevant .
There’s a political twist to any hint that reserves are emptying. The federal Conservatives have increased the focus on off-reserve needs, most visibly by aligning themselves politically with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.
The congress says it represents off-reserve people across Canada, but its membership is disputed by rival groups like the Assembly of First Nations that are more closely identified with reserves.
Conservative reaction to the census was predictable, said Wilson of the AFN. He cited newspaper comments by Tory MP Rod Bruinooge that public funds are too skewed toward reserves.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is in direct competition with Assembly of First Nation and has been trying to muscle in on what has for a long time”traditionally” been AFN territory.
Both organizations claim to represent Canada’s First Nations Peoples.
Funny thing is if one were to ask First Nations people which of the two supposedly represents them,they would say neither.
Both AFN & CAP are concerned about one thing money, white man’s money,and which of the two will administer the largest proportion .
Their authority does not come from First Nations peoples it comes from the Indian Act.They are not elected nor are they in anyway accountable to First Nations peoples or communities.
They are agents of the government or in CAP’s case want to be.
The biggest problem in Indian country and the cause of so much waste,and incompetence is the Indian Act.
While AFN and CAP fight each other for scraps and validate the Indian Act.
First Nations peoples continue to be ignored and marginalized by both the government and their own self appointed “leaders”.
Nothing new there.
Upon closer inspection,Harper’s proposed Land Claims Bill fall far short of being “revolutionary”.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the bill to be co-written with the Assembly of First Nations would “revolutionize” a discredited settlement process and help clear a backlog of more than 800 cases.
As does AFN’s “National Chief”,Phil Fontaine’s statement that described this announcement as representing something truly historic.
The reality is, AFN does not represent First Nation Peoples.And the proposal of the Harper government to appoint the six judge panel,makes this proposed bill undemocratic,therefore mute.
Same old shit[we dictate you listen]different day.
First Nations peoples must play a real role in the panel selection process.
By that I mean, F.N peoples as a whole must decide[through some form that respects the democratic process] who/whom will speak for them or represent their interests on this proposed panel.
The government and AFN have no right to decide who represents First Nations peoples.
They sure as hell have no right to decided unilateral on the process that will have a major affect on the lives and future of F.N’s peoples.
These are very important decisions that go to the very core of what it means or could mean to be First Nations.
But to be fair,it is good to see Harper finally stepping up to the plate,and addressing the screwed up Land Claims process.
His acknowledgment that Land Claims must be settled is also welcomed.
Harper has an opportunity to make a huge positive contribution,to this long standing injustice.But again,only if Harper allows for a process, designed and mandated with the input and direct participation of First Nations peoples from across the country.
First Nations peoples does not mean the “Assembly of First Nations” .They are not representative or the representatives of First Nations peoples despite their claims,or what’s posted on the AFN website.
CAP and AFN are apparently “scrapping” each other yet again.
Each seeking to claim that they,not the other is the preeminent “representative” of First Nations peoples.
To be seen in this light would give that organization that much more “credibility” in the eyes of the government.A creditability needed to attract funding and support.
But the operative word(s) here are,not credibility in the eyes of their own people,but credibility in the eyes of the government.
CAP read the tea leaves “correctly” and endorsed Harper(just before the last election) and his Conservatives .Knowing full well that this endorsement might translate into funding and government support for CAP.
Liberals support AFN,Conservatives support CAP.,goes the “logic”.
Dwight Dorey was almost a year into his third three-year term as national chief of CAP. Having endorsed the Conservative Party of Canada during the federal election campaign, he and his organization were nicely poised to capitalize on that decision as Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government took power after almost 13 years of Liberal rule. Because of that endorsement, and as funding negotiations are completed over the next several months, CAP could find itself breathing the same rarified air as the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), currently Canada’s best-funded national Aboriginal political organization.
CAP endorsed the same Conservatives,who immediately upon assuming power,over turned the “Kelowna Accord” to the horror of many.
The truth of the matter is that the, “Assembly of First Nations” and the “Congress of Aboriginal People” only represent themselves.
Both buy into and work within the “Indian Act” .
An act that can only be described as racist.One that instead of helping First Nations peoples .Is part of the problem,along with it’s spawn the “Band Council System”.
Both CAP and AFN are not accountable to F.N peoples nor communities.Nor are F.N people(as a whole) involved in the process of electing the “National Chief”.
Which begs the question how can they possible claim to represent anyone.
The old adage applies,”follow the money”….
That said,there are sincere and committed people in both these organizations. But I believe they are kidding themselves if they think either of these organizations or working within the “Indian Act” is going to make much difference in the real lives of their peoples.
In the short term or long….
That,First Nations peoples are losing patiences. And Canadians should understand the anger that leads to civil disobedience.
“Living without hope is perhaps the worst aspect of life for so many of Canada’s First Nations,” Mr. Fontaine told a luncheon gathering at Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier hotel.
But of course Phil won’t come out and just say so.To do so might threaten his pay check from his government task masters.
While not explicitly condoning calls for rail blockades and civil disobedience advocated by others, the national chief urged a Canadian Club to understand the anger and frustration among aboriginals who have not seen results from years of federal talks and Royal Commissions.
But then we are talking about the “national chief” who along with the AFN ,are always courting rich white guys,always going to hifalutin dinners.
One place one will never find Phil, AFN,or many of the “Indian Act” Band Chiefs, is on the front lines standing with First Nations communities.
Because the truth of the matter is AFN is not relevant in the lives of many First Nation peoples or communities.
read more here
