bushart

I have been asked to continue...... I read this article today in the Ottawa Citizen Stehen Maher---postmedia In September 1915 the federal government went to the Exchequer Court of Canada to seek an order to force the eviction of the Mi’kmaq from the seaside Kings Road Reserve on the outskirts of Sydney, Cape Breton. Former Sydney mayor W.A. Crowe testified that the Mi’kmaq had to be moved: “They are hardly over the nomad state yet. This is an anomaly in my judgment that in the centre of a city which is the size of Sydney that there should be two acres occupied by Indians in that spot.” Chief Joe Christmas said his people didn’t want to move. He said his people “do not like to live away from that place. It is handy for their work, and they have a good schoolhouse and everything is complete, and we have good doctors and good agents and good teachers and the children go to school every day.” But they were bringing down property values, as William C. Wicken explains in his book, The Colonization of Mi’kmaw Memory and History, so Justice Audette ordered that they be evicted. “No one cares to live in the immediate vicinity of the Indians,” he wrote. “The overwhelming weight of the evidence is to the effect that the reserve retards and is a clog in the development of that part of the city.” The Mi’kmaq were moved inland a few kilometres to Membertou, to a bowl of swampland that nobody wanted, out of sight and mind, where they lived as second-class citizens in a community of tarpaper shacks and outhouses. In 1971 a young man from the community, Donald Marshall Junior, was wrongly convicted of murdering his friend, Sandy Seale, in a Sydney park. Marshall spent 11 years in prison, where he was disciplined for loudly proclaiming his innocence, before he managed to show that another man killed Seale and was released. In the summer of 1993, Marshall went fishing in Pomquet Harbour, caught 210 kilograms of eels, which he sold for $787.10. He was charged with fishing without a licence, but claimed in court that he had a right to fish based on treaties from the 1750s. The case went to the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled for Marshall in 1999. Mi’kmaq immediately went out on the water to exercise that newly restored right, fishing for lobster, which fetches a better price than eel. This almost set off a shooting war in Burnt Church, N.B. To avert the crisis, the federal government sent officials around to all the Mi’kmaq communities, and the chiefs bargained hard, winning fishing licences, boats, gear, training and money. In Membertou, Chief Terry Paul and band CEO Bernd Christmas were determined that Junior’s legal victory would make a difference for the community, and they were ruthless at the table. They put the money they won from Ottawa with money that they wrested from a pipeline company after winning an injunction against the National Energy Board, which had approved a project crossing their traditional lands without consulting them. “It was like a one-two punch,” Christmas recalled this week. “It was great at the time. We were using the system to get to where we wanted to be.” They used this seed money to develop businesses. Membertou now has a casino, a mall, a fancy restaurant and a convention centre-hotel complex. Nobody in Sydney would now say the reserve retards development, since the band has $112 million in revenue a year and employs 700 people. Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner said Cape Bretoners are proud of Membertou. “I think people are impressed that they are able to find a way through themselves,” he said. “It’s seizing those opportunities and making the best out of those opportunities and not squandering them. I think they’ve developed a certain degree of acumen.” Membertou was able to do these things because it had the power to do so, because the courts forced the federal government to honour the treaties their ancestors signed. First Nations had power when they signed those treaties, but over time the Crown came to ignore them, and aboriginals were powerless. That powerlessness was at the root of the abuse at residential schools. Aboriginals couldn’t say: No, you’re not taking my child from me. They couldn’t travel freely, own property, vote, organize politically or get a fair shake from the courts. Those days are done, thanks to people like Marshall, who used the justice system that wrongly imprisoned him to enforce his people’s rights. People on both sides make a mistake when we think about our relationship with First Nations as a zero-sum game, where the Crown has to yield something that will cause the rest of us hardship. We are better off when our neighbours are prosperous, and they will be prosperous where they have the power to win access to resources and the acumen to use those resources wisely. Across Canada, aboriginals are demanding that the Crown recognize their treaty rights. The prime minister has committed to work with them to do so. We’ll all be better off if they succeed.

I'll actually bow out now Art---Pretty sure I've done what I can do It's gettin to the point where no matter what info from varying sources are provided---those feelings won't be swayed here---too entrenched I'm lookin at your sig here above as I type and see that name Lincoln----he tried to do what was right---look where it got him Adios

You may wish to ask Santa next year for a Time Travel Machine then------Allowing you the ability to go back and re-write history

Pretty sure they wish to negotiate---Nation to Nation As they describe---never having been conquered but settled by Treaty A nation within a Nation---You know like Quebec

Interesting after 2 compliments---the terrorists term gets continually repeated If I was that concerned----I would jump in my vehicle---drive over to Oshweken---go into the Band Office and complain I visited 6 Nations many times as a kid---nice place

Whatever your opinion of the party or the man..... He was closer to this issue than many/most here Information is power.....inherited anger without reasoning is a roadblock in moving forward http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/01/16/f-idle-no-more-paul-martin.html But hey---I'm just a silly artist

Couple things....You mention the appearance...The Chief Dan George look---circa 1700 FYI----I lived on several Reserves between 79--81 in Western Canada (North)---not really that long ago most would agree You would be surprised at some of the elders that struggled greatly with English---I communicated with some elderly people more with pointing---They spoke either Cree or Chipewyan. I again am not FN---posted there with The Hudson's Bay Co. You mention violence in current blockades-----have'nt heard this in the idle no more movement---comments like that may get inflammatory to a general populace

For those who still do NOT know what Idle is about.... http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Idle+More/7753967/story.html Also remember one truth-----little divise sidetracking snippets put forth by certain Gov't agencies are 1st meant to interject doubt--questions and divisions As long as fingers are pointed at Chief Spence---or Caledonia------The Federal Gov't agenda is not getting the scrutiny---and quietly keeps hacking---all while the population argues on the points thrown out to play red herring Hey Taxpayers.......Ever wonder why Longshanks and the rest of the Cons MP's--tip toe on F35 spending---always careful to say they have not spent anything on jet purchases----cause they don't wish to broadcast that they've spent near One Billion on acquisition costs-------of a plane you may not even get. Why do I write this???-------Cause if many wish to show outrage on taxpayers dollar spending-------it would be fair to not cherry pick a favourite whipping boy and know it all.

Like the Alberta Cree losing the land the oil sands sits on----no consultation or compensation And the taxpayer flag waving makes me laugh------One really has to ask themselves---even if the Gov't did not give FN's 5 cents----do you truly believe you'd pay less in taxes----or would they just find something else to spend on------I know where I'd bet my $$$---you'd get 2 more f-35's Canada spent 5 billion of "Your" tax dollars last year on foreign aid------where's the campaign on that---is it not also spending your tax dollars?? What about the 0ne Billion on G8 and G20-----Huntsville got a gazebo and Toronto got broken windows---my my---where's the taxpaying outrage here??

Not sure about this when you say not nature------I read they were going to shut the site down because they cut a tree down with an eagle's nest Eagles are nature....No??

You bet they're pissed off---cause as a taxpayer I did'nt sign up to remove all the environmenmtal protections just so some oil company can improve their bottom line How's that for a sugar coat??

Several isolated incidents are now supposed to determine a country full of people Hard to make judgements when only one side is portrayed Slippery slope cause...Newsflash-----there's issues on all sides

This is where The sun media like rags make hay As long as your mad at that slight of hand diversion (Hey look there---where's the $$ Chief Spence? and the likes)----your not watching your heritage and country being sold to the highest bidder. Me---I'm not commenting on the great education for 1st Nations cause it was all too recent of history when too many young children were "Rescued" from their homes and got that great free education in the Residential schools---so if your going to look at Native schooling---maybe look at it all.---it was'nt that long ago. Young parents----what if the man came along one day and scooped your kids and took them away from you sometimes for good----took them to say China and not allowed to speak English----would you be ok when told to just get over it and move on......

Who are them?? and do you have a link to show this??---newscast??---paper article??

Pretty sure they know why---just takes a little research Maybe the circus overtones are the typical divisive--misinformation the Conservative party built their platform on As long as a question hangs out there-----the electorate is divided Remember---climate change is a hoax pushed by the tree huggers-

I have no problem understanding the Idle no more issues------maybe the confusion lies with the readers and pre-conceived opinions several weeks ago I was stopped by striking teachers blocking the road----imagine??---OPP did'nt arrest them either I did'nt rant and rave----I listened and moved on Understanding takes listening sometimes and putting yourself in anothers' shoes.

Actually......TWOCODA for PM Thanks----for putting it into perspective And thanks to "Idle No More" for trying---when our current parliamentary system proved completely ineffective in having the oppostion get even a single change after trying what they had at their disposal to improve that omnibus fiasco Yes----Stephen "The Longshanks" learned well from his mentors------if environmental protection laws impede bottom lines for shareholders and his future employers-----change the law Now the traffic inconvenience------if they demonstrated at the roadside-----would they get the attention??-----do you notice the Hare Krishna's in the corner??---likely not. I'm glad they are there----standing up against this regime . Here's an article off the idle website-------Western farmers-----did'nt see that coming National Farmers Union in Solidarity with Idle No More Written by Sheelah McLean Saskatoon: “The NFU is proud to declare its solidarity with Idle No More, which is bringing people together from across Canada to stop the Harper government from riding roughshod over our collective rights,” says Glenn Tait, NFU National Board member. “We want a better Canada.” The NFU is calling for the federal government to fulfill its Constitutional duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal and Treaty rights and urges the Crown to respect and fulfill the obligations of its Treaties with First Nations. We are all Treaty people. The NFU gratefully acknowledges the leadership that First Nations people - the first farmers, fisher people, and hunters of this land - have provided in catalyzing a public call to action for environmental and social justice. The NFU, in solidarity with Idle No More and its allies, looks forward to building a society in which our forests, waters, land, and people live and produce in harmony. In response, Sheelah McLean, one of the founding organizers of the Idle No More movement, says “We are so grateful for the support of groups such as the NFU. This alliance is essential for educating people about how critical it is to have healthy land, food and water.” “Idle No More is not solely about First Nations’ concerns,” says Tait. “We share common commitments to protecting our precious natural resources - water, earth, air, and people - today and for future generations. Like First Nations, farmers put land at the center of our lives, but none of us will be able to work, grow, and produce if our government abandons its role as protector of our land and water. Nor will Canadians have sovereignty if investment corporations own our farmland.” “Bill C-45 and the omnibus approach to legislation is fundamentally undemocratic and an insult to all Canadians. It is no example of how to accomplish these goals,” says Tait. “There has been no broad-based consultation about what is being changed, or whether changes are needed or wanted. Diverse voices and opinions are systematically excluded, committee reviews minimized, and debate quashed. The Harper government talks only to those who agree with its vision for Canada.” Tait believes that Bill C-45, Bill C-38 and other bills are threatening farmers’ rights to own the seeds they plant, grow and re-use. Legislative changes are making it harder for farmers to receive the full value of their grain. As evidence, he points to the Harper government’s destruction of the Canadian Wheat Board single desk and changes to the authority, structure and budget of the Canadian Grain Commission that have crippled its power to ensure fair grading and measuring. Tait cites Harper’s secretive negotiations of trade deals like CETA and TPP as further evidence of the government’s exclusion of not only First Nations, but all Canadians from democratic processes. “The Harper government is handing Canadian sovereignty over to corporations that are not rooted in or committed to anything but capital. It if has its way, these entities will have free reign to pry our lakes and rivers, minerals, forests, soils and seeds out from under us whether we are farmers or First Nations. We will stand together to stop this from happening.”

Have you seen anyone else out there fishing?? I'm saying that if you have that much current that your bait is sideways---you need to use extreme caution Also if there's a dam upstream---water levels may fluctuate---not a good recipe for ice If you fall through in current without a floater suit-----and if you go under the ice---that current will take you away from the hole River or current ice is not constant----one day it's ok---another it's not If it was me---I'd find another spot

Why ?? is it the part where they look to protect the lands and waters?? Yup ofc low

Don't know----never had a native person say anything racist against me--or hear them say racist slurs overall So not sure what you refer to although I have had them welcome me into their homes and fished and hunted with them

Good thing we discuss casinos, feelings and not facts We would'nt want to address Idle no more Native protest in Ottawa tomorrow---incl Grand Chief Atleo Chief Spence's now 8 day hunger strike--with Harper's refusal to meet Amnesty Intl 3rd world rating on Native living conditions---Got Water?? Algonquin co-operation on land claims agreeing to biz as usual Boy dodged one there http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/12/13/f-clibbon-pikangikum.html?cmp=rss

Don't forget your Bill's BB

Now I know the world's not endin Cause I did'nt win the lottery----surely had I won the big whammo would happen shortly after

Mayans have started with Youtube 1st---what's next???? MmmUUUwwhhaaa!!!

Yup---absolutely