Dan Green
Author of Teeth, Lies & Consequences & Blue Saltwater
Ottawa and Native leaders Commit to Improve Reserve Life
Jun 9th
The Conservative government and first nation leaders have agreed to transform the schools, economies, and quality of life on reserves across Canada. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-native-leaders-commit-to-sweeping-overhaul-of-reserve-life/article2053099/
On the surface, it appears that a fresh cooperative approach is being taken by both the government and first nations to work as partners on these vitally important matters, rather than continuing with the one-sided approach that has been shoved down the throats of the aboriginal population for so many years.
However, the responsibility for success will rely on courageous leadership from both groups so that the fear and mistrust of the past are not allowed to hi-jack this initiative into another series of costly time wasting confrontations with personal agendas being put ahead of what is best for the aboriginal community and the youth in particular.
I congratulate both government and first nations leaders for embarking on this challenge, but I also warn them to be aware that time is of the essence. If, in the words of National Chief Atleo, significant change is not soon “felt, tasted, and experienced” by a young, restless, and growing aboriginal population, they may take things into their own hands and begin to agitate in unpredictable ways for an Aboriginal Spring just as their Arab counterparts are doing today.
Robbie Robertson admitted to Order of Canada
May 31st
Congratulations to the Robbie, a half-breed kid just like Blue Saltwater, who found fame as the lead guitarist with a famous rock group called The Band. About the plight of aboriginal Canadians, Mr. Robertson said “it’s a work in progress” but at least something is happening unlike in the United States where Native Americans are simply dismissed. He also said that things are going in the right direction for aboriginal people but appealed for government to “please do it faster.” No can do Robbie!
The plight of aboriginals will only diminish when the young people decide just like Robbie did, to put in the many hours of hard work that is required to achieve the goals they desire. Respect cannot be given, fast or slow, but only earned the old fashioned way.
Auditor-General Criticizes Dismal State of Reserves
May 27th
In her final address as auditor-general, Sheila Fraser criticized government policies for the dismal condition of Canada’s First Nation reserves. Over the past decade, her office has produced 31 audit reports on aboriginal issues and yet conditions on reserves “are worse than elsewhere in Canada”, she said. Obviously Ms. Fraser has never walked in Blue Saltwater’s shoes and taken the stroll through Vancouver’s downtown eastside.
She went on to say, “What’s truly shocking however, is the lack of improvement.” Why is this when close to a billion dollars has been directed to First Nations issues over the last decade? The answer lies in the ongoing backward-looking approach taken by both high level government beaurocrats and First Nations leaders who continue to waste time and pour precious financial resources into programs that dwell upon the mistakes of the past. We get it. Enough already!
Within the last ten years about 475 million dollars was spent by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation on addressing the issues in the residential schools. This money was lavished upon expensive conferences and academic studies that for most part were elitist, repetitive, and unnecessary rather than being directed towards addressing the appalling state on the reserves.
I am hoping that the aboriginal youth across Canada who are part of the world-wide social media generation will take a page from their sisters and brothers in the Arab world and begin to demand that the government and most importantly their leaders, take a more pragmatic approach to solving today’s real problems on the ground rather than continuing to hash over the events of the past for the umpteenth time.
Aboriginal Education Today
May 19th
Dr. Eugene Richard Atleo, the father of National Chief Shawn Atleo and the first B.C. aboriginal person to earn a doctorate was recently honoured by the B.C. Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association http://www.fnesc.ca/iahla/ .
In reviewing the Association’s website, I was surprised to find that much of the data regarding Labour Market Information has not been updated since 2005 and that although trade opportunities were offered, most of the institutions seemed to be emphasizing cultural and academic programs.
As important as these loftier pursuits are, if the majority of aboriginal children are continued to be raised in overcrowded and poorly maintained housing with their most basic needs not being met, very few will ever be able to overcome the challenges and achieve a higher education.
More emphasis must be given now to training young men and women on the reserves, especially the isolated ones, in the basic trades of carpentry, electrical, plumbing and health care. This should be on-the-job practical training provided near their home, preferably on the reserves, and not in far off institutions like the residential schools of the past.
Only when aboriginal people have decent living conditions that are built and maintained by themselves, will they be able to provide the positive learning environment necessary for their best and brightest to blossom in the future.
The Sooner the Better
May 16th
As reported in the May 14 issue of the Globe and Mail newspaper http://www.theglobeandmail.com/ , heated discussions between Enbridge Inc. and the first nations affected by the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline are now underway. The sooner these issues are resolved, the better it will be for all the residents affected and the Canadian economy as a whole. Since treaties were never signed by B.C. first nations, they now have much more negotiating clout then if they had signed off back in the 1850’s. Let’s hope that National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Shawn Atleo, is successful in negotiating a new national framework affirming title rights that is fair to both sides and that creates a mutually beneficial partnership going forward. Who came first and who came later, doesn’t matter now because we’re all in this together. In this era of globalization where powerful emerging economies trample on human rights and the rule of law, Canada’s first nations and the federal government have an opportunity to build a bright independent future for our children and show the world what we have learned from the mistakes of our past.
Molesting Priest’s Past Swept Under the Rug
May 9th
An 82 year old priest who was convicted and served time for molesting two British Columbia girls http://www.vancouversun.com/ in the 1970’s has been assisting in an Ottawa parish for the past ten years without the knowledge of either the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Ottawa or the even the parish priest whom he had been assisting. The only one who knew about this man’s past was his Oblate religious superior, one of the “good old boys”, you might say.
The 82 year old priest pled guilty and served his time. He surely isn’t the same man, physically or psychologically, that he was forty years ago and he is now working in a parish made up of elderly parishioners and apparently, has no contact with children. With no reports of further misdeeds over the intervening years it seems as if he has rehabilitated himself. Should he be allowed to resume his priestly duties and earn God’s forgiveness by helping his fellow human beings? I’d say yes, but under proper supervision and not under false pretenses.
This is another example of how the Church is struggling to come clean with this sad chapter of its past. When the Vicar General of a diocese says he doesn’t have the details of an employee’s criminal past, it’s a cop out. Other professions have systems to protect the public in this regard and so should the Church, especially in view of its past record.
How secure can elderly parishioners feel when due to a shortage of priests they are often forced to deal with individuals who drop in on a casual basis. Ever heard of Elder Abuse?
Election May Bring Ottawa Spring
May 3rd
The federal election results last night have given us a completely new look in Ottawa with a Conservative Party majority and for the first time in Canadian history, an official opposition made up of the New Democratic Party.
These right and left wing camps are diametrically opposed in their political philosophies and many will foresee a fractious and partisan parliament in the the next four or five years.
However, back in June of 2008, when Prime Minister Harper made the government’s official apology to the former students of residential schools, he first specifically thanked NDP leader Jack Layton for his personal counsel and contribution in convincing him of the need for this apology.
This may be a good harbinger for future cooperation and dialogue between our two parliamentary leaders as they work to build a better future for all Canadians and it may signal a thawing of the personal animosity and adversarial attitudes that have paralyzed federal politics in Ottawa for too long.
Too Many Kids To Handle? Duh!
Apr 30th
An article in the Chronicle-Journal http://www.chroniclejournal.com/content/news/local/2011/04/29/parents-can’t-meet-kids’-needs-groups, reports that more First Nations children are being placed in government care today than were taken away from their families and communities at the height of the residential school era. In most cases, the stated reason is neglect with the parents being unable to meet their children’s basic needs.
Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse blames this all on government inaction and underfunding, when in fact it is the chiefs and band councils around the country who must step up to the plate and deal with this issue directly in their communities. They are the ones closest to the situation and they are ultimately responsible for the failures that are affecting their childrens’ futures, not the government and not the past. What are they doing to prevent pregnancies in mothers either unprepared or unwilling to care for another child when aboriginal birth rates are the highest in the country? If a larger share of the financial resources already being provided by the taxpayers of Canada were directed to family planning programs in the communities, this new diaspora would not be happening. If First Nations peoples need more resources to solve this problem they should demand that their well compensated chiefs and councillors take a pay cut to help the kids or vote them out.
Common Experience Payment
Apr 27th
September 19, 2011 is the deadline date for applications to made for the Common Experience Payment whereby former students who lived at one of the prescribed residential schools will be awarded $10,000.00 for the first school year. Under the Independent Assessment Process (deadline September 19, 2012), a student who suffered sexual or serious physical abuse will be entitled to receive between $5000.00 and $275,000.00. Blue Saltwater, Jeremy Cardinal and Rufus Buffalo would all qualify for the larger amount.
Who in Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is taking these ridiculous decisions that I’m sure most Canadian taxpayers are unaware of? INAC is currently holding sessions in homeless shelters to reach former residential school survivors to tell them about this windfall. How wise is it to be dolling out this kind of coin to people who are down and out on the street and are incapable of managing their lives, let alone such monstrous sums of money? Is it to buy off some kind of collective white man’s guilt so we can wash our hands of the matter? Come on people, there’s got to be a better way.
The money should be used to provide social housing and services rather than being handed out in cash where it is going to disappear into the vortex of drug dealers and pimps that populate the mean streets of our Canadian cities, towns and reserves.
Why can’t government and First Native organizations quit their bickering and posturing and get on with the real task of helping the survivors in a tangible way so they can begin to build a future and put this chapter behind them and their children.
When you read about crazy stuff like this, it makes you wonder weather the people at Indian Affairs and the First Nations leaders themselves are really serious about solving these problems, since doing so would put them out of job.
Canadian Election Platforms: Aboriginal Peoples
Apr 13th
The major political parties have posted their election platforms including where they stand on issues relevant to Aboriginal peoples.
When it comes to education, the Conservatives want to lead an engagement process to develop options for concrete change in First Nations education to bring greater success and opportunities for First Nations students. They also want to expand “basic adult education” in the Territories to help increase education and employment levels. The Liberals will lift the cap on post-secondary education and explore with Aboriginal leaders ways to deliver resources directly to families and students.
Sounds like a lot of the “same old, same old” drivel to me with government promising to fix everything just like in the days of the residential schools. When things screw-up or don’t change as they surely won’t, the government and the people of Canada will be blamed again. Surely after all these years of studies and funding, Aboriginal leaders must know why the drop-out rate is so much higher among aboriginal students than the Canadian mainstream. A cultural shift in attitude towards self-help and education must be driven by the leadership and from within the aboriginal community itself just as the high achievement rates of Asian students in Canada are driven by community cultural values which stress the importance of education. More long winded speeches and reports from government committees telling us what they’re going to do this time, just isn’t going to cut it. Aboriginal leaders need to train their young men and women to take care of their own communities first, by focusing the education in the areas where the communities most need help. Go to any reserve and it won’t take long before you see the obvious need for good plumbers, electricians, carpenters, nurses, teachers and the like. Put a fast track on those basic areas and pay these people accordingly to increase the demand to attain these useful jobs. Then start thinking about lifting caps on ivory tower post-secondary acedemia.
When I hear the Green Party talk about “providing safe drinking water”, their terminology speaks exactly to this patronizing trap which still engulfs both government and aboriginal policy makers. We don’t need to provide aboriginal communities with safe drinking water. Aboriginal leaders need to see to it that their youth are trained to build and maintain the infrastructure to keep their drinking water safe. When it breaks down, it’s their problem and they should be able to fix it themselves. Aboriginal leaders need to stand up and lead their people out of this dependent wilderness so that they can start to pull their own wagon for a change.
