The United Nation's issue regarding Indigenous People

Part 1
Oh! Canada: roadblocks to glory

The Canadian song goes on to say, "our home and Native land." Native land, has always been an issue, toNatives/First Nations and the government. Land is vital for any Nation, it stands for a homeland,it gives people that firm foundation if you will. All nations that build tend to need land and its resources.Canada's First Nations are in the process of nation-building. A group of people (First Nations people)who were originally debased, lacking any foundation whatsoever, and now on the threshold of new beginnings,who is setting up the roadblocks now?
Autonomy is the road of all Nations, it is what makes people strong. Native people would do more for themselves if they took the proverbial reins. In that case who then has the reins?
When a person grows up, it is their parents that hold the essential moral agency position: but the time comes when the children have to be more independant. The good parent will see that their child's independance works in their favor and becomes their strength. It is not about losing power, but gaining allies: And becoming that "community of communities," that we so despartely need.
Let all fears be allayed, that First Nations want to tear down Canada. For one thing this is our Canada just as much as anybody else. The Quebec Cree made it clear that they will not leave Canada. On has to ask, How do you leave your home?

Now having said all that, Canada's position with its First Nations is anachronistic, it was certainly for another time. So, today in all maturity it is time to let those reins go, and to encourage a little independance, it is time to stop such dominance/colonialism, and see that First Nations strength will be Canada's strength.

The reason for this blurb is that I feel disappointed that the presiding government has taken such an unwarranted position against its First Nations. Nations need land, resources, if they are refused then who is creating such an unnatural and dependant relationship. Normally, such a circumstance would be quickly frowned on.
But unfortunately there is a degree of control and powermongering when it comes to our First Nations, and moreover anyone who does not concur is missing an integral part of understanding First Nations people. That has to change, standing against the worlds position, does not take us on the progressive road. Is it about keeping that dominance, or is it about putting lop-sided economics over the well-being of our fellow countrymen? I Hope Not! I recall, a historical incident, that went like this, refferring to the treaty and how the Queen was going to look after her red children; one person said, that she must be pretty rich. My paraphrase, would go like this, he was shocked that the Queen would put herself in a position to look after all the native people and their coming generations: Either that was one exemplary foot-in-the-mouth situation or there was no real honest effort, thus the good faith was certainly not operaable.

Native people did not say, I want to be in a helpless and dependant position, if a person is helpless they will certainly need lots of help. The ground-up kind of help, and the longer we put that off, the deeper will become the pit of needs. I think it is time to start, by putting a stop to blind ignorance, when it comes to our First Nations. That whole thing about pointing the finger without the facts, only perpetuates a problem. The UN declaration took more than 20 yrs to develop, in that case there was plenty of time to debate and question.
Why should one people, look on while others enjoy liberation? Why can't they have the mechanisms and tools to become a strong nation?
I have to understand, why, of all things, positive efforts for Indigenous people can be deffered?
But before I take a psychoanalysis approach, I would like to believe that our government is holding out for a better alternative. That maybe all good things take time.
I held back when it came to the Kelowa Accord, thinking their was more to it than just opposing First Nations. Its pretty perplexing, to see the helping-hand pulled back with no explanation, and now today world efforts to encourage progress have now been opposed. How long does a person have to scratch their head before they say something. Native people have always been dealt with, via the high-handed approach. Moreover, you certainly do not want to perpetually think in the same vein, and thus there is room for something, anything.
Obviously, this is now creates a circumstance for debate and communication. It certainly can not be a time to tuck away our First Nations from the rest of society.
It is a problem that will not go away, and until all the chips are on the table, only then will we have a circumstance that will create an honest effort. The quick fix days should not suffice, give this issue to those who are willing to make an honest and lasting effort.
Man has tackled some difficult circumstancesand there is no reason we do not have the same capabilities, today.

May great men rise and lead our country to better days.



Part 2

Yahoo!

Reading that the declaration in the UN was passed, begins a new era. There is more than one way to forward justice. Being a Christian, lets you know and hope that there is a way out of oppression, and sujugation. That there is a greater thing than just man-made circumstances. That even the greatest and strongest will bow down to the will of God. God is for justice: He is for lifting up those who are cast down. That is pretty awesome, can we all say a big AMEN!

Native people will not tear down society, it will be injustice. Plainly put, the more you have, the more is expexted of you. Bring that into conventional wisdom.

Here is a small com[pliation of those injustices: Canada is a supposed Democracy, democracy says that we have the right to complain about our government, and that we can chose another. Moreso, I would think if that government's initiatives border on control. (eg the Indian Act) Native people did not construct the Indian Act, and certainly any "people(s)" have to have a part in the chosing and making of their government, it is the democratic way.

Prairie life: Canada has alway been about getting help from the government. This country was put together, by government initiatives, medi-care, CPR ect, ect. Government policy has been about helping the have-nots, example-equalization. Prairie people should know how it is to scrap up from the bottom. That is what makes them unique. 1930 was when they (The Prairie Provinces) finally had access to their own resources. Hey! no resources, could that put you on the path of growing poverty. Tranfer funds who may I ask does not get that needed help?
I am starting to think that being in such a circumstance people would develope a little problem with their pschy. Lacking a little ego - or maybe we think we got everything by the sweat of our brow, never mind by the backs of anybody. The problem is, as I see it, how can any Prairie person turn arround and do things that might suggest otherwise. Like putting down people in simular circumstances, like being so intolerant will that not go against your deep character? "Sadness is the great partner of happiness:" Seeing all that the prairie people have had to go through, and that part of their rising happiness is a direct link to those troubles.
Native people need help. like any needy person, or does help only go to those who are like us? Who then creates those divisions and distinctions. When in fact, are not all people created equal? Can you see the injustice, now?

I want to go on, and go into another area, that will wait for another time.

Part 3

UN ARTICLE

Firstly, regarding this article, how does such an important issue find itself on the last page. Yet weeks ago there wasa article on the klan on the front page. I hope this does not reflect a bias and indifferent attitude which seems tobe conventional wisdom when it comes to our First Nations.
(Story found at: http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/national/story.html?id=23df9769-3423-4f43-b828-a755725c2719&k=23677

Saying the UN is about only the Indigenous, is to sadly assume that the collectivity of humanity is not considered. When in fact the well-being of our indigenous people means the well-being of all. The Un is about development and as far as I can see the indigenous people are the only ones yet to develop in many needed areas. It is not about injustice in terms of equality, as the liberal ideology would have us beleive, but about taking steps in ratifying past indiscretions. If we really and firmly believed in equality, we would consider all times and circumstances: because moreover those past acts of inequality still effect things today. So how we can just jump on the "Equality" liberal-bandwagon without considering past affecting circumstances, is beyond me. No wonder why we are so divided.
It is our responsibility to become informed on how we arrived at where we are today.

Lastly, it seems ironic that Strahl would use the all encompassing "you need to consider the people who also lived on those lands" It seems to me native people have always had that position, the reason being, they have always been excluded.I am thinking that if we are to get anything out of this issue, we should realise it is certainly not good being excluded.

In totality, Steven Edwards Sept. 14th article on the United Nations is a good one.