First Nations Issues

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

It's the race card again: Native leaders lose credibility in false claims

By TOM BRODBECK | Winnipeg Sun | Wed, August 6, 2008

The reason aboriginal leaders in Manitoba have no credibility when alleging police racism is because even when they're presented with clear evidence that cops sometimes have no choice but to shoot armed suspects, they still cry racism.

Anybody remember the case of Donald Miles? He was an aboriginal man fatally shot by police outside a Winnipeg gas station in 2001.

He lunged at an officer with a knife and cops had no choice but to shoot him.

The case was investigated by homicide detectives and reviewed by an outside agency, as per the law.

The case went to a coroner's inquest in front of a provincial court judge, which is also mandated by law.

All of the evidence was laid on the table, examined, questioned and tested. The conclusion by the judge was cops did everything in their power to stop Miles -- including emptying three canisters of pepper spray on him -- and had no choice but to shoot.

Did aboriginal leaders come out and condemn Miles for his actions when presented with the facts? Did they recommend to their own people that if asked by police to drop a weapon that they comply?

No.

We all remember the case of Matthew Dumas, the aboriginal man fatally shot by police in 2005 after he lunged at a cop with a screwdriver.

The case was investigated by homicide and was reviewed by an outside police agency.

It went to a coroner's inquest where all the facts were scrutinized and all the witnesses examined and cross-examined in court.

It was a thorough probe and the evidence clearly showed the cop had no choice but to shoot.

Two civilian witnesses -- both of whom were aboriginal -- testified in court they saw Dumas lunge at the officer with a screwdriver.

Did any aboriginal leaders come out and condemn Dumas for his actions? Did they state the obvious, that he was the author of his own misfortune?

Nope.

Instead, they maintained the shooting was an act of racism. In other words, it doesn't matter what the facts of the case are.

Aboriginal leaders will always stand up at press conferences and say cops are shooting native people for no reason. I don't know how they expect the public to take them seriously.

Craig McDougall, an aboriginal man, was fatally shot by police over the weekend.

Cops say he was brandishing a knife. We don't know the facts of the case yet. But we will.

Because, just like the Dumas and Miles cases, it will go to a coroner's inquest where all the evidence will be examined and scrutinized.

If cops used excessive force and shot when they shouldn't have, we'll find out.

If McDougall was not brandishing a knife as his family alleges, we'll find that out, too.

In the meantime, using the McDougall death as another soapbox for aboriginal leaders to make blanket statements about how cops are running around shooting native people for no reason is not only irresponsible and preposterous, it hurts their own cause.

Because every time they make these false claims, they lose credibility with the public.

Their claims recommendations from the 1991 Aboriginal Justice Inquiry have not been acted upon are also bogus.

It's simply not true. The former Filmon government acted on many of them and the Doer government has acted on many more.

Despite that, many aboriginal leaders refuse to even acknowledge some of the progress that's been made.

I guess it's just easier to keep playing the race card.

The whole "race card" issue has been clear to me for many years now. It's easier to play this card rather than to face the reality of the situation.

Again, there are reasons why many Canadians are becoming less and less sympathetic towards aboriginals, and this is one of them.

[rrskylar]

Peguis chief pockets pay packet he panned

By: Alexandra Paul FP



A year after criticizing a pay packet for his predecessor, new documents show Chief Glenn Hudson of Peguis First Nation is earning nearly as much as Louis Stevenson ever did.

Financial statements obtained by the Free Press show Hudson took home nearly $300,000 his first year in office.

The exact amount for 2007-08 was $293,950, including $100,891 in base salary, $63,687 in travel expenses and a $120,751 sum vaguely listed as "other remuneration."

Hudson disputes $37,000 of it, saying Indian Affairs unfairly tagged him for some of his councillors' travel costs.

He hasn't commented on the total package.

One year ago, audited statements showed Stevenson was paid more than $240,0000 in his final year as chief of the Interlake community, 200 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. Stevenson ruled for 25 years.

Hudson ran against Stevenson four times before ousting him from office in 2007.

The same year, Stevenson logged an additional $133,000 for travel expenses, bringing his total to $373,000 -- more than $350 a day for every day of the year.

Stevenson said he's still smarting over the headlines criticizing his final take-home pay packet, all of it tax-free.

Word that Hudson's pay is almost as high deserves the same public attention, Stevenson insisted.

"Here he was making an issue of my salary, saying I was making more than the mayor of (Winnipeg) and the premier of Manitoba!" Stevenson said. "He's paid himself the same salary I was being paid," the former chief fumed.

Premier Gary Doer earned $149,000 that year.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca

[sledhead35]

what a f#@*ing joke

[Greco Roman]

Man in custody, two kids safe

By ROB NAY, SUN MEDIA

A man is taken into custody following a standoff at a housing complex on Newdale Avenue that lasted more than 10 hours today. (CHRIS PROCAYLO, Sun Media)

Police safely rescued two young children Saturday during an anxious standoff with a man that lasted more than 10 hours in Fort Richmond.

Officers were called about 6 a.m. to a Manitoba Housing complex at Newdale Avenue and Pembina Highway.

“We were alerted to a family disturbance matter. We attended and at that point members were alerted to the fact there was a very distraught individual barricaded within a residence with two young children,” said Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen.

Police had “reason to believe that a weapon or weapons” might have been involved with the incident, said Michalyshen.

In response, officers called in resources from the heavily armed tactical support team, along with crisis negotiators and resources from the RCMP. Police were “extremely cautious” to ensure people’s safety, said Michalyshen.

A nearby resident said he phoned 911 after hearing what sounded like a man physically assaulting a woman about 6 a.m.

“We heard an unbelievable amount of yelling, screaming, banging,” said Bryan, who would only give his first name.

Police quickly arrived on scene and the standoff began, he said.

The woman in the suite where the incident took place is pregnant and is due in November, said Bryan, calling the events “a nightmare.”

The woman lives at the apartment with her two young children, a 13-month-old boy and a five-year-old girl, and her common-law husband, said Bryan.

After police arrived the woman managed to get out of the apartment, said Bryan.

“She was yelling in fear for her kids,” he said.

Police said the woman suffered minor injuries. No one else was hurt.

Officers have been called to the suite before for past incidents, said Bryan.

Michalyshen confirmed police have had “significant contact” in the past with the 32-year-old suspect at the centre of yesterday’s incident.

During the standoff, police were in phone contact with the young girl, who played “a big part” in the resolution of the standoff, said Michalyshen.

The girl left the suite on her own and was quickly scooped up into the arms of police officers who took her to safety about 4 p.m.

Police later entered the suite and safely removed the boy before the suspect was taken into custody about 4:30 p.m.

Police couldn’t confirm whether weapons were recovered from the scene. The investigation is continuing.

The man arrested faces a number of charges but police couldn’t confirm the range of them Saturday afternoon.

Source: http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winn...5/7202716.html

I posted this as the family in question is native.

[hexrae]

While a fairly newsworthy story, is this really a board to air out the dirty laundry of others? Can I start posting news bits of the exploits of my neighbors (whom are of various cultures)? I guess so if they make it on the Sun or Free Press

[socialisthorde]

I hate to ask, but... what is your point with this one Greco?

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by socialisthorde

I hate to ask, but... what is your point with this one Greco?

Then don't; pretty simple solution to your problem, eh?

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by Greco Roman

Then don't; pretty simple solution to your problem, eh?

I already did. If there is not an answer that is fine.

[Only The Lonely..]

Katz takes on city's native file
Says he's tired of all the talk, wants to see results instead

Updated: November 5 at 02:50 AM CST | Winnipeg Free Press

Mayor Sam Katz is personally assuming responsibility for making concrete improvements in the lives of Winnipeg's aboriginal residents.

Tired at what he considers the city's limited progress on native issues, Katz recently named himself secretary of Urban Aboriginal Opportunities, a responsibility he will assume this week.

Katz said he had already started meeting with First Nations and Métis leaders on an agenda involving five goals: bolstering cultural identity, ensuring economic prosperity, providing education and training, helping at-risk youth and diminishing the impact of aboriginal street gangs.

Katz promised "to get some constructive things going" by the beginning of 2009.

"For years, I've seen a lot of talk, I've seen a bunch of people get together, have a press conference or (put out) a press release, a lot of nice words, but I don't really see what I call action," Katz said. "So, this is my call to action."

The mayor sidestepped questions about whether his involvement would result in more money toward aboriginal programs in the next city budget.

Last year, the city made a one-time, $1-million commitment to aboriginal youth programs.

"Put it this way -- it's positive that I've taken over the file," Katz said. "Obviously, if I believe in something I'm going to fight hard for it."

His success or failure could define his political career, Katz agreed.

"I have a minimum of two years left as mayor," he said. "And I guess, I don't want to be mayor and not tackle this problem."

Winnipeg has more aboriginal residents than any other city in Canada: 63,745, according to the 2006 federal census. About 15 per cent of Winnipeggers under the age of 25 are aboriginal. That number -- about 30,400 -- is expected to grow to about 43,500 in the next 20 years.

Ron Evans, grand chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who meets with Katz about six times a year, welcomed Katz's takeover. "I can see a lot of good things happening here," Evans said.

In 2003, the city devised the Municipal Aboriginal Pathways report, with 11 of the report's 15 recommendations being implemented. Three councillors -- Lillian Thomas, Mike Pagtakhan and Dan Vandal -- have held the post of aboriginal opportunities secretary since Katz became mayor in 2004.

Vandal, who has held the aboriginal file for the last two years, dismissed Katz's charge that little has been accomplished to improve aboriginal life.

"Obviously he forgets that I was the one fighting for the $1 million in 2008," Vandal said.

"I'm the one who fought for an aboriginal youth strategy about a year ago, and I'm going to keep fighting for more funds in future budgets."

joe.paraskevas@freepress.mb.ca

[DowntownWpg]

Wonder if Katz's people are known to read this board. I was getting all preachy on the importance of Aboriginal issues in the last few weeks, in both the Construction Thread (sorry about that), and the MB Provincial Politics thread. Maybe they got some talking points, or at least the idea to attach the mayor to these issues as it could score some political points for addressing a vital facet related to downtown revitalization... all from yours truly (though, I'm not that narcissistic to believe that it is likely I inspired the mayor's office... then again, when you've got no vision...).

Anyway, this was one portfolio that Vandal was probably the best suited for of the lot in city hall. As a social worker, and a Metis person (I believe), he would have a relevant perspective. I really worry now, that Katz is on the file. Apparently, from what I understand, he made some shocking racial comments a year or so ago at the Manitoba Club (then again, apparently he was talking about the guy from Phoenix who knocked up his wife, so perhaps even I can cut Our Worship some slack).

[rrskylar]

Free education could vanish

By: Deyra Fontaine Freep



Ottawa is considering turning post-secondary grants for aboriginal students into repayable loans under a review that critics say will erode treaty rights for First Nations and hamper efforts to solve Manitoba’s labour shortage.

Patricia Valladao, a spokeswoman for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, confirmed the Post-Secondary Student Support Program is under review.

She wouldn’t say if the department has decided to transfer control of $314 million in student grants for First Nations university and college students to the existing Canada Student Loans Program, administered by provinces.

The review is raising worries among aboriginal leaders and university officials across the country.

The Quebec-based First Nations Education Council is circulating a web-based petition against any changes. More than 13,000 supporters have signed it since it was launched Nov. 13.

Manitoba has a higher proportion of aboriginal residents than any other province and a shortage of skilled workers. Labour market analysts warn the future of the province’s economy depends on improving education for aboriginals so they can fill the gap.

Statistics Canada reported this month that the employment rate for aboriginals who have not graduated high school is 50 per cent, but it jumps to 80 per cent for those with a post-secondary education.

University of Winnipeg president Lloyd Axworthy said fewer aboriginals will attend university or college if they have to apply for a loan.

According to the 2006 census, 35 per cent of the aboriginal population had graduated from a trade, college or university program, compared to 51 per cent of the general population.

“The gap is actually widening over the last couple of years,” Axworthy said. “Before they change the policy, I really think there has to be, and should be, a much broader consultation with the universities and with the aboriginal student groups and others to come up with a formula that really makes sense…”

University of Winnipeg student Ryan Bruyere graduated from the aboriginal governance program last summer. He said he was funded by Sagkeeng First Nation, 145 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, because they could see he was determined to improve his life.

“You just won’t get that through a bureaucrat,” Bruyere said. “They’re looking at us as numbers, whereas we’re (now) being looked at as community members.”

Before attending university, Bruyere was involved in petty crime. Now he’s considering a master’s program.

Sagkeeng First Nation Chief
Donavan Fontaine said transferring funds to a loan agency ignores the real issue of underfunding.

“Why should you pay back a loan for something that is a right? We’ve paid many times over for our rights and resources.”

“Off-loading to the province is dangerous,” Fontaine added. “Our treaties are not with the province.”

Education is a treaty right, but the Indian Act makes no reference to training at the post-secondary level. For that reason, the federal government often argues that support for post-secondary education is a matter of public policy rather than a treaty obligation.

Gilbert Whiteduck, chief of the Kitigan Zibi First Nation, 130 kilometres north of Hull, Que., said Ottawa justifies the change by claiming First Nations abuse the grant by diverting student funds toward other reserve programs such as emergency housing.

“Those are tough choices, when Indian Affairs does not provide those basic needs at a level that would meet the needs of First Nations and the growing family,” Whiteduck said. “I don’t buy at all into their criticism of mismanagement to the level that they claim.”

Status First Nations and Inuit people hold treaty rights granting them access to federal funding for education. The money is distributed by individual bands, but no student is guaranteed sponsorship.

The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation said in a 2008 report that aboriginal students prefer grant-based education funding through their bands to repayable financial assistance.

Valladao said there’s no deadline for the review.

A year ago, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine accused Ottawa of denying post-secondary education to 10,000 aboriginals because of underfunding.

At the same round table at the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s senior cabinet minister, Vic Toews, said the shortage of skilled labour could be alleviated by educating young natives.




At what point do you stop giving a group an advantage over other segments of society, when is it no longer economically viable, when the population of that said group hit's 15% of the overall population, 25%?, 30%? How long should this group be given this benefit of free post secondary education, 50 years? 100 years? forever?

[vid]

I'd rather they expanded it so that everyone got free post-secondary education.

Most of them don't have decent schools to get to anyway, the amount of native people that make it to university is disproportionately small compared to the amount of white people that do.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by vid

I'd rather they expanded it so that everyone got free post-secondary education.

Most of them don't have decent schools to get to anyway, the amount of native people that make it to university is disproportionately small compared to the amount of white people that do.

alot of native people don't even know about the programs out there... and when u tell them about the programs they think ur bullshiting them

[Spocket]

^Agreed. It makes more sense to expand the program to include everybody. Really, why not ? If that's too expensive then why not just make tuition available to anybody signing up for specific trades or skills that are in demand ?

I thought about this some time ago and realized that the only way I could get a free education would be to become the "right kind" of disadvantaged person and frankly, that's silly. I don't make enough money to qualify as rich by any standard. I'm certainly comfortable but like everybody else, I can't afford to simply quit my job and go to school in order to get a better-paying job. Few people can and nobody wants to be saddled with thousands of dollars of debt that effectively negate the first few years of their economic benefits from having a better paying job. So I figure that if it's costing the country more money in lost productivity than it would to pay for the education of more workers , why don't we shell out the cash ? Seems to me that everybody wins.

As for this review of free tuition for Natives , well , maybe it is time to re-examine the idea but that's not necessarily the same thing as saying to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Just as Vid said, things aren't fixed yet. As for this being a treaty-rights issue, well no, apparently it isn't actually. So if this initiative isn't having the desired effect then obviously it does indeed need to be reviewed.

I've never understood why the feds insist on relying on the honour system when it comes to Natives. "We won't give YOU the money...we'll give it to your chief and HE'LL give it to you." Well what business does any chief have getting his or her hands on money not intended for the community in general anyway ? The government doesn't give student loans out to you or I "C/O Your Boss" so why is it doing anything any differently for Natives ? Sure, most chiefs are exactly what they're elected to be which is community leaders but enough of them aren't. Just like employers , most may be good but enough of them aren't. Why should anybody's future be dependent on being in the good graces of a third party ?

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by vid

I'd rather they expanded it so that everyone got free post-secondary education.

By everyone, you mean ALL Canadians?

If so, I fully agree. Although, we all know the likelihood of this happening. Unfortunately, we aren't in Europe.

[1ajs]

they do that with the trades allready...

and if u want free education john the army..

[newflyer]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

they do that with the trades allready...

and if u want free education john the army..

.. and if that doesn't work you can join the army.

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

and if u want free education john the army..

Why should any Canadian have to join an army to get free education? This never made sense to me.

[1ajs]

they do that in most countries...... do your yrs get an eduction

[Greco Roman]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

they do that in most countries...... do your yrs get an eduction

Well, by this logic, many European countries offer their youth free post secondary education; not to mention free health care (absolutely everything) to the public.

Why can't they do this here in Canada?