First Nations Issues - Page 8

socialisthorde · #**141** Posted **Jun 12, 2008, 5:59 AM**

I must say, my snide prediction with regard to Mr. Harper's lack of charisma was incorrect. I think he did a very good job, and it sounded genuine and heartfelt. Just what was needed. Geez, I can't beleive I just said that.

rrskylar · #**142** Posted **Jun 12, 2008, 5:23 PM**

^Congratulations, another conservative in this forum!

socialisthorde · #**143** Posted **Jun 12, 2008, 5:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrskylar

^Congratulations, another conservative in this forum!

If I am a conservative, I am in serious denial. Maybe a closet conservative?

Echoes · #**144** Posted **Jun 12, 2008, 5:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrskylar

^Congratulations, another conservative in this forum!

Yep, cuz the "socialist" part of his name screams conservative.

socialisthorde · #**145** Posted **Jun 12, 2008, 5:52 PM**

really the "socialist" part is just baiting. I don't really consider myself a socialist any more than a conservative. I try not to be dogmatic.

rrskylar · #**146** Posted **Jun 16, 2008, 5:58 PM**

Breaking News
Roseau River in debt to Hydro

By: Aldo Santin

MANITOBA Hydro is prepared to have the financial control of Roseau River First Nation placed into the hands of a receiver if the band continues to withhold payment for outstanding bills.

Hydro spokesman Glenn Schneider said the utility was forced to disconnect power to two buildings on the Roseau River First Nation over the past 10 days, adding it has no plans to disconnect any more buildings.

"Normally in situations like this, when the band refuses to pay, Ottawa gets involved," Schneider said, adding when dealing with other bands that refuse to pay their bills Indian Affairs has the band placed in third party management, where an independent accounting firm handles the day-to-day financial management.

A spokesman for Roseau River FN could not be reached for comment.

Schneider would not say how much Roseau River owes or how long it has withheld payment, but added it’s more than the customary three months when Hydro would normally cut off power to customers.

Schneider said Hydro disconnected power to a community centre and later to a government building where band council meetings are held.

Schneider said there is no truth to rumors that the utility plans to disconnect power to the community’s school or any homes on the reserve.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

rrskylar · #**147** Posted **Jun 17, 2008, 2:46 PM**

Has this place been around this long, seems like only a few years ago they were doing the landscaping.

Aboriginal centre faces seizure for unpaid taxes

By: Bartley Kives

Aboriginal spiritual centre Thunderbird House could be seized by the city before the end of the year over an unpaid property-tax bill.

The copper-roofed roundhouse at the corner of Higgins Avenue and Main Street owes $128,000 in property taxes and compound interest dating back to 2005.

If the bill is not paid in full by Dec. 3, the city could snap up the Douglas Cardinal-designed structure, thanks to an encumbrance against the land title registered late last year.

Thunderbird House is owned by Neeginan Development Corporation, a non-profit aboriginal organization. But it's run by Circle of Life Thunderbird House, a separate non-profit group that operates the programming inside the centre.

The two entities have been embroiled in an ownership dispute that appears to be complicating city efforts to collect the taxes, said Nelson Karpa, Winnipeg's assessment and taxation director.

"Part of the issue is, they are non-profit boards, and perhaps there could be communication issues," Karpa said. "They have not been in communication with me as to why they haven't paid the bill."

Back in 2006, Neeginan attempted to evict Circle of Life, claiming the building was not being used properly and its decrepit state threatened to tarnish the reputation of the aboriginal community. Neeginan relented when a deal was struck to hand the building over to Circle of Life, which had staged a three-day sit-in.

But the title was never transferred and a second eviction attempt was made in 2007. That ended in a court injunction that allowed aboriginal elders to remain in the building.During this dispute, the city has issued annual tax bills of approximately $28,000, plus monthly interest of 1.25 per cent. The outstanding bill of $128,000 must be paid in full to avoid a situation where the building's owner must rescue the property, Karpa said.

An administrator with Neeginan declined to comment and referred Free Press queries to Circle of Life board members, who in turn did not return phone calls.

But the groups have asked why Thunderbird House must pay property taxes when churches, mosques, synagogues and gurdwaras do not.

"But right now, there are no religious ceremonies and there is no religious aspect to the institution," Karpa said. "So that does not make them exempt."

Karpa said he believes Thunderbird House would be exempt in the future if Circle of Life takes over the title and holds spiritual ceremonies inside the building. Exemptions are offered if a spiritual organization owns and occupies a building -- and uses it as a place of worship.

But even if Neeginan transfers the Thunderbird House title over to Circle of Life, the exemption will not be retroactive, Karpa said.

That means somebody must pay $128,000 in unpaid taxes for Thunderbird House.

In 1999, the Winnipeg Development Agreement, involving federal, provincial and city governments, granted the project $6.19 million through six programs, including $2.25 million for land acquisition and $1.5 million in on-street enhancements. A sweat lodge built in 2003 cost a further $443,000. The property is assessed at $1.5 million.

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca

Thunderbird House

Built in 1999 at the corner of Main Street and Higgins Avenue

Owned by Neeginan Development Corp., but run by Circle of Life Thunderbird House, a non-profit organization that runs the spiritual programs

Neeginan attempted to evict Circle of Life in September 2006, claiming the building was not used or maintained properly. The eviction was averted after Neeginan agreed to hand the building over to Circle of Life - but the transfer of title did not take place

A separate group of elders facing eviction by Neeginan in July 2007 won a court injunction and was allowed to stay

In December 2007, the City of Winnipeg registered an encumbrance against the title due to $128,000 in unpaid property taxes

The city could seize the building if the taxes are not paid in full by Dec. 3, 2008

socialisthorde · #**148** Posted **Jun 17, 2008, 2:54 PM**

Another example of wasted educational funding?

cf: http://www.firstperspective.ca/

Hard work pays off for Métis brothers

June 11, 2008 — By Jamie Saari

Three Métis Winnipeg brothers have proven that hard work and determination can lift you to endless heights, no matter where you come from.

Raised by their father in a single-parent, low-income household, Conrad, Murray and Gerald Hoy rebelled in their school years and sometimes struggled academically. Murray and Gerald were even high school drop outs for a short period of time.

Now all three brothers are doctors - an accomplishment even their former high school track-and-field coach finds surprising.

"When I found out they were all becoming doctors I was a little bit shocked, to say the least," said Bill McDonald, their former coach.

"Academically Murray and Gerald really struggled, but they were amazing athletes with a determination that was visible even back then. It was just a matter of focussing their energy in the right direction." Now McDonald tells the story of "The Hoy Brothers" to motivate his current students.

Middle and youngest brothers, Murray and Gerald, just opened their own medical practice, Turtle Mountain Medical Clinic, at 968 Main Street (Selkirk and Main St.) in Winnipeg this past January. The oldest brother, Conrad, runs his own practice as a physiatrist out of the Fairview Health and Wellness Clinic at 1850 Main St. in Winnipeg.

Reflecting back on their lives, even the brothers are in disbelief of how far they have come.

"If you would have asked anyone back in high school where I would be in 10 years, they would have said 'in jail or dead'," said 38-year-old Gerald.

Being of Métis descent and from a low-income household sometimes left the brothers feeling like outsiders during their school years, something they now look back on as a positive thing.

"I think that is probably what gave us the drive to work so hard at what we have done," said Conrad. "We had to work hard to get everything we have. We didn't get anything handed to us on a silver platter."

After dropping out of school and working a series of dead-end jobs, Murray and Gerald returned to adult education in their early twenties and both eventually went on to nursing school (at the encouragement of their older brother). Murray and Gerald then worked as nurses for several years on reserves in Northern Manitoba. The oldest, Conrad was the only brother to enter medical school right after high school.

"After we graduated from nursing school, Conrad kept on encouraging us to go to medical school," said Murray. "Because of the nature of our work up North in isolated communities, we had an advantage."

The University of Manitoba gave them special consideration because of their Aboriginal ancestry and previous medical experience. So Murray and Gerald decided to follow the same career path as their older brother.

"It's pretty exciting. In a lot of ways I put the idea into both of their minds," said Conrad.

Murray and Gerald always knew they wanted to practice medicine in areas where Aboriginal populations are largest in Winnipeg. At their clinic, approximately 80% of the patients that come through the door are Aboriginal.

"We enjoy working with Aboriginal people because they are generally easygoing, down to earth and appreciative of our work," said Murray.

"After working up North on reservations as a nurse, we always knew we wanted to continue working with them."

The name of their clinic, Turtle Mountain Medical Clinic, is in part named after their father, James Hoy, who passed away in November 1998. All three brothers were very close to their father, who raised them on his own.

"I never thought we'd all be doctors one day. It's too bad our father isn't around to see this." said Gerald.

"Our dad was disappointed when we (Murray & Gerald) dropped out of school at teenagers. He had a community college diploma and education was very important to him. I think he'd be proud."

socialisthorde · #**149** Posted **Jun 17, 2008, 2:57 PM**

These things never work out?

cf: http://www.firstperspective.ca/

Grand Rapids Fishers reach Agreement with Province

June 5, 2008 — By Chris Webb

The Grand Rapids fishers who blockaded a section of Highway 6 on May 16 have reached a breakthrough agreement with the Manitoba government.

The province and members of the community have been in negotiations for the last month over inefficient quotas and an inequality in fishing rights between the north and south basins. "The negotiations have been a very positive first step," says Christine Melnick, Minister of Water Stewardship. "What we really need to see is the creation of a northern basin board that includes the fishers in all the decisions that are made."

The community of Grand Rapids is located at the north-western shore of Lake Winnipeg and has a population of around 400. The community's economic base is built on commercial fishing of the whitefish and pickerel stocks in the basin.

A letter sent by the province to all fishers in the Grand Rapids area outlines a "one year trial basis" plan that will "provide additional economic opportunities and increase utilization of available resources within sustainable resource levels." After the one year trial is over, the changes will be evaluated for their benefits to the fishers and the overall sustainability of the fisheries.

Included in the "trial" is an increase in the whitefish quota, which pushes up the quota of Whitefish to 500kg per fisher per station in the northern basin. "We'll let the community decide how they want to allot this quota. This will allow them to participate in the decision making process," Melnick says. Whitefish fleet quota holders will be allowed to add their whitefish catches from their fall and winter quotas onto their fleet quotas. Finally, the tolerance applied to the pickerel/sauger quota will be increased from 10 to 20 per cent.

Fisher's frustration with outdated quotas-that were last negotiated in 1983-boiled over when more than 100 people partially blockaded a section of Highway 6 on May 16. The blockaders were mostly fishers and their families who were demanding quota-equality from the provincial government. The blockade came after previous protests by the fishers at the Manitoba legislature demanding quota reforms.

The old quota system favoured those fishers in the southern basin of the lake. There are no restrictions on pickerel fishing for southern fishermen, but there are for those around Grand Rapids. Albert Cross, president of Grand Rapids Fishermen's Co-op said the old quota doesn't address the needs of fishermen and they'd like a level playing field.

But Melnick says the overriding concern has to be the sustainability of the fisheries. "We need to work together with these communities. That's why we're proposing a co-management process that allows these fishers to have a voice at the table 12 months of the year."

The province says a co-management process would review existing quotas and work with the fishers to ensure economic stability within their communities.

socialisthorde · #**150** Posted **Jun 17, 2008, 3:00 PM**

Heavy handed non-Aboriginal government bumbling. When will it end ?

cf: http://www.firstperspective.ca/fp_co...th=20080604ki6

Lessons Learned from the KI6 Trial

June 4, 2008 — By Chris Webb

Seven indigenous leaders from North West Ontario who were jailed for protecting their land were released on May 28. Their case caused national embarrassment for the Ontario provincial government and revealed just how easy it is for companies to mine on First Nation's land without their permission.

The six from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation -plus Bob Lovelace from Ardoch Algonquin First Nation-were charged with disobeying court orders in an ongoing dispute with mining companies Platinex Inc and Frontenac Ventures. Companies that they say did not consult with their communities before beginning invasive mining. Despite Canada's highest court insisting that consultation must taker place, many mining companies fail to do so. The KI6 and Lovelace were released after two months of their sentence and all charges have been stayed, including fines.

Frontenac Ventures announced on Monday that they would be dropping all charges against Lovelace and six other protestors who disobeyed a court order to stay away from a prospective uranium mining site.

All of the imprisoned received immense public support from both indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians. The Tragically Hip even dedicated a song to Lovelace during a February concert. A huge public rally in Queen's Park coincided with their trial, and letters of support for the accused poured in. They received support from such high-profile Canadians as Margaret Atwood, Stephen Lewis and Sarah Harmer, who signed a letter-along with 20 other prominent Canadians-to Premier Dalton McGuinty calling for their release and an end to mining on their land.

Debate in the provincial legislature on the National Aboriginal Day of Action-one day after the KI6 appeal trial-highlighted how serious the case was and what it could mean for future indigenous relations with the McGuinty government. Provincial NDP leader Howard Hampton claimed the McGunity liberals brought on the day of action early by not consulting and accommodating first nations. "Two months after requesting that the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug leadership be hit with penalties that hurt, suddenly, the McGuinty government reversed their position," he said. "Instead of forcing grandmothers and respected First Nation leaders to spend two months in jail, why didn't the McGuinty government use the tools at your disposal, use section 35 of the Mining Act to declare that the disputed lands were not subject to mining exploration, and save everybody the embarrassment?"

The Ontario Mining Act is fraught with problems for indigenous communities. It operates under a free-entry system that allows mining companies free access to Crown Land-like those surrounding KI-without prior consultation.

The government constantly misreads public opinion says Joan Kuyek, National Coordinator for Miningwatch Canada. "We're absolutely thrilled the KI6 and Lovelace have been released, but what needs to change is the Mining Act." Kuyek proposes a permit system that forces companies and government to consult and accommodate indigenous communities and give them the right to say no. "This isn't just an issue of changing the act," she says, "It's changing how laws work in this country."

As protestors gathered on the lawn in front of the legislature last Thursday calling for indigenous land rights and treaties to be respected, Premier McGuinty acknowledged their presence but never said why he hadn't done more to protect their land from mining and their leaders from jail. His minister of Aboriginal Affairs Michael Bryant said the jailing ought never to have happened, "and it is fortunate that now it is over for chief and council. The member is absolutely right: They never should have gone to jail."

But words that echo through provincial council chambers have done little to change the way business is done on indigenous lands.

Chris Reid, lawyer for Lovelace and the KI6, reported after the trial that the root cause of the trial is "the Mining Act and the province's almost obsessive attachment to the mining industry and the free entry system." He added that although the appeal trial judges did not give reasons for their judgment, they seemed troubled by "Ontario's rigid refusal to negotiate or to consider the possibility of FNs having a right to say no to mining."

The case of the KI6 will be a lesson to future Ontario provincial governments in their dealings with indigenous communities. Any move to reform the Mining Act or improvement in the consultation process should be encouraged, but it should not be the only step. Dialogue needs to happen federally and locally within the affected communities. But in order for this to happen, treaties need to be respected, land claims need to be negotiated, and the sovereignty and interests of indigenous communities must be upheld.

rrskylar · #**151** Posted **Jun 18, 2008, 4:10 PM**

Hey shit head Nelson, pay your reserves bills so the rest of the reserve doesn't have to suffer because of your mismanagement!

Breaking News
Chief calls shutting off water "act of terrorism"

Updated: June 18 at 11:05 AM CDT

CHIEF Terry Nelson has slammed a decision by the Pembina Valley Water Co-operative to cut off water service to his community of Roseau River First Nation.

The water was shut off because the band hasn't paid its bills.

"The water has been shut off to our entire community despite the fact that there is an ongoing agreement with Pembina Valley water supply," said Chief Nelson in a statement. "This is a safety issue that is affecting our citizens—there are elderly people on dialysis and a new baby just born.

"This is an act of terrorism against our community."

Nelson will address the issue this afternoon at a press conference in downtown Winnipeg.

The move to shut off water to Roseau River comes just days after Manitoba Hydro cut power to some buildings on the reserve because the band owes money to the corporation.

It's not known how much water remains in the community reservoir.

The First Nations community of more than 1,000 people is located about 80 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.

drew · #**152** Posted **Jun 18, 2008, 4:31 PM**

^ this Chief has to go. It seems like the people on the reserve have finally figured out that he's just a mouth piece...

Residents look to oust leaders after water shut off on Manitoba reserve
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 | 11:15 AM CT
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/st...eau-water.html

People on the Roseau River First Nation have launched a petition to have their chief and council removed, a day after water service was shut off to the reserve.

The petition says that the chief and council have failed to do their job and should be removed. Some reserve residents said they intended to "crash" a council meeting that might take place Wednesday.

The Pembina Valley Water Co-operative shut off water service to the southeastern Manitoba community of 1,100 Tuesday morning, saying the band hadn't paid its bill for four months.

Some water had remained in a reservoir Tuesday evening, providing sluggish tap service to some homes, allowing people in the community to stockpile some water.

The reservoir had run dry by Wednesday morning, reserve residents said.

"Nobody has been told of an emergency plan or a backup plan. Nothing," said resident Linda Roberts.

"It's don't pay the bills and, you know, kind of fly by the seat by our pants type of thing … if you're talking leadership, you should be talking to your people."
Homes, school, fire department without water

The water shut-off affects most homes on the reserve, located about 80 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, as well as businesses, community services, the school and a seniors home. The fire service also relies on water from the co-op.

Last week, Manitoba Hydro cut off power to a couple of government buildings on the reserve, also saying the band had not been paying.

Late Tuesday, officials with the federal Department of Indian Affairs said they were not aware the water had been cut off to the reserve, although they were aware of the situation with electrical power.

A department official said the band had placed itself in voluntary co-management, which means an accountant works with band officials on the finances.

Band members said they hope that means the water bill will be paid soon.

Chief Terry Nelson has not been available for comment.

Greco Roman · #**153** Posted **Jun 18, 2008, 4:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

^ this Chief has to go. It seems like the people on the reserve have finally figured out that he's just a mouth piece...

Residents look to oust leaders after water shut off on Manitoba reserve
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 | 11:15 AM CT
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/st...eau-water.html

People on the Roseau River First Nation have launched a petition to have their chief and council removed, a day after water service was shut off to the reserve.

The petition says that the chief and council have failed to do their job and should be removed. Some reserve residents said they intended to "crash" a council meeting that might take place Wednesday.

The Pembina Valley Water Co-operative shut off water service to the southeastern Manitoba community of 1,100 Tuesday morning, saying the band hadn't paid its bill for four months.

Some water had remained in a reservoir Tuesday evening, providing sluggish tap service to some homes, allowing people in the community to stockpile some water.

The reservoir had run dry by Wednesday morning, reserve residents said.

"Nobody has been told of an emergency plan or a backup plan. Nothing," said resident Linda Roberts.

"It's don't pay the bills and, you know, kind of fly by the seat by our pants type of thing … if you're talking leadership, you should be talking to your people."
Homes, school, fire department without water

The water shut-off affects most homes on the reserve, located about 80 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg, as well as businesses, community services, the school and a seniors home. The fire service also relies on water from the co-op.

Last week, Manitoba Hydro cut off power to a couple of government buildings on the reserve, also saying the band had not been paying.

Late Tuesday, officials with the federal Department of Indian Affairs said they were not aware the water had been cut off to the reserve, although they were aware of the situation with electrical power.

A department official said the band had placed itself in voluntary co-management, which means an accountant works with band officials on the finances.

Band members said they hope that means the water bill will be paid soon.

Chief Terry Nelson has not been available for comment.

Man, it's about time people figured out this moron has got to go. This is the best possible thing for RRFN.

Greco Roman · #**154** Posted **Jun 18, 2008, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

Residents look to oust leaders after water shut off on Manitoba reserve

Chief Terry Nelson has not been available for comment.

What a shock. He has probably been waiting for this moment for a long time.

vid · #**155** Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 1:32 AM**

We have to do more to get rid of bad band leaders. And for that matter, mayors and premiers as well. We need something like a recall system so that we can replace ineffective leaders as soon as possible.

rgalston · #**156** Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 3:46 AM**

Why in the world is it up to a chief to pay band member's utility bills anyway?

Yes, Terry Nelson is a joke, but why should the next ruling clan be any better?

Only when on-reserve Aboriginals are allowed to participate in the world by paying their own bills, and owning their own property, will the little fiefdoms of clowns like Terry Nelson crumble. If Stephen Harper wants to say sorry to Aboriginals for something, it should be that his government has maintained such a backwards and harmful Indian Affairs Dept. that has deprived Aboriginals of individual property rights (and responsibilities).

vid · #**157** Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 4:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgalston

Why in the world is it up to a chief to pay band member's utility bills anyway?

All of the money goes to them. Aboriginals on reserves don't get welfare. The reserve gets everyone's welfare in a lump sum then dishes it out. In most cases they give each person what they were supposed to get, but in some they keep it. Fort William First Nation's previous band council did this with Ontario Disability payments, taking in millions of dollars from its residents and creating fake people or signing up dead ones to get even more money. The band council in on trial now. A school was renovated into a court house to hold the trial. An entire wing is used to store the evidence.

drew · #**158** Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 1:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgalston

If Stephen Harper wants to say sorry to Aboriginals for something, it should be that his government has maintained such a backwards and harmful Indian Affairs Dept. that has deprived Aboriginals of individual property rights (and responsibilities).

True, but the need for change also has to come from within. So far it hasn't, not even close.

If the reserve system is ever replaced by one of individual ownership, one of the biggest problems will be what to do with the far-flung isolated reserves.

Places like Shamattawa in MB have ZERO chance of existing if not for the infusion of never ending federal dollars. Once that money stops flowing, where are all the people going to go?

As soon as the federal money stops, so will a high number of these communities. There has to be a long term plan in place to start relocating people away from places that have no economic reason to exist.

It's a massive can of worms, and I can't blame any government for not wanting to crack it open. It would result in certain political disaster.

rrskylar · #**159** Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 2:34 PM**

^ Last time I checked there were plenty of available jobs in Alberta and Saskatchewan. If someone from southeast Asia can come here(who doesn't even speak English) and find a job I'm sure many of those unemployed on reserves could as well!

socialisthorde · #**160** Posted **Jun 19, 2008, 6:12 PM**

[QUOTE=rrskylar;3623112]^ Last time I checked there were plenty of available jobs in Alberta and Saskatchewan. If someone from southeast Asia can come here(who doesn't even speak English) and find a job I'm sure many of those unemployed on reserves could as well![/QUOTE]

What about the rest?