All Things First Nations - CF help, protests, solutions, residential schools, etc. (merged)

[foresterab]

Good stuff - thx for sharing that. Have to remember, though, that Six Nations is the “Toronto of reserves,” so to speak, when it comes to administrative capability. Smaller bands with smaller populations away from the mainstream’ll always be the head-scratching cases to consider for solutions. In my limited experience, I found The Ottawa Borg to be a better cookie-cutter machine, overall, than special situations for special cases.

I see the FN can loan $ based on a CP and/or lease, but I wonder if that’s enough for an off-reserve bank to issue a mortgage? Band can lend & still hang in to land if buddy defaults, but an outside bank still wouldn’t be able to foreclose on reserve land.

Oh I'm fully aware of the size of the 6 Nations vs. many bands out west. I often deal with bands of 2-300 people which create major challenge due to size of community and support needed as any community that size struggles unless they are part of something bigger. And decades of fighting for positions within local associations/groupings have in some cases made it tough. Heck many smaller hamlets and towns are devolving back to municipalities around me due to lack of tax base to support the infrastructure costs/debt...it's not just a First Nation challenge for small places.

From what I remember from the radio show banks can issue a mortgage as it's a legal lease. Many were unwilling but that doesn't mean it can't be done and again as I recall it was less of a mortgage but a line of credit. Part of the collateral used was the 6 Nation reserve providing a guarantee in the form of what housing allowance they would have had to pay out on behalf the member so the financial institution wasn't left without something. But success caused success and momentum was important from the interviews I recall.

There are some out west here have entered into multiple private/reserve partnerships for businesses and I believe a similar form of lease is used...long term commitment to the company to build but also title remains with First Nation.

Will have to dig into how the National Parks handle Jasper and Banff houses as they are also lease lands from the Federal Gov't but can get mortgages.

 

[lenaitch]

Heck many smaller hamlets and towns are devolving back to municipalities around me due to lack of tax base to support the infrastructure costs/debt...it's not just a First Nation challenge for small places.

In the news this past week:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/fauquier-strickland-meeting-1.7585122

 

[The Bread Guy]

What could be a significant decision from the BC Supreme Court last week, with the bottom line being, if I understand it correctly (in BC anyway - for now), Aboriginal rights over land (including land under water), if they can be proven, can (not automatically) trump fee-simple ownership. From the decision (highlights mine) ...

... Reconciliation does not mean that Indigenous peoples must always sacrifice their right to their established interest in land. Fee simple interests in this land are not superior to Aboriginal title ...

... some legal beagle analysis here ....

B.C. Supreme Court recognizes Cowichan Aboriginal title in landmark ruling | Insights | MLT Aikins

On August 7, 2025, the British Columbia Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada (Attorney General), 2025 BCSC 1490. The Court recognized the Cowichan Nation’s Aboriginal...

www.mltaikins.com

Aboriginal Title Affirmed in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada: Implications for Fee Simple Land Held in British Columbia

Written by: Erin Barnes, Jacob Caouette, Clayton Bragg, and Sara Sebti Background This historic decision from the Supreme Court of British Columbia affirms that the Cowichan Nation – including Cowichan Tribes, Stz’uminus, Penelakut, and Halalt – holds Aboriginal title to a portion of their lands...

millertiterle.com

... with at least one community that seems to have lost some fishing rights underwhelmed by the decision ...

Canada’s longest trial in history ends with devastating decision impacting Musqueam’s Aboriginal title and fishing rights - Musqueam

Leadership and our entire community fundamentally disagree with the court’s decision to ignore traditional governance practices which have guided intercommunity relationships since time immemorial.

www.musqueam.bc.ca

... and some MSM take here:

Canada’s longest trial ends in precedent-setting B.C. land claim ruling for 4 First Nations | Globalnews.ca

The piece of land in question is a 750-hectare parcel in Richmond, including city and port lands, farms, golf courses and commercial properties.

globalnews.ca

Cowichan tribes win fishing rights, title to historic Richmond lands

Landmark ruling grants decedents of the Cowichan Nation title to lands surrounding historic fishing village in Richmond, B.C.; rights to fish the south arm of the Fraser River.

www.biv.com

Cowichan tribes win fishing rights, title to historic Richmond lands

Landmark ruling grants decedents of the Cowichan Nation title to lands surrounding historic fishing village in Richmond, B.C.; rights to fish the south arm of the Fraser River.

www.timescolonist.com

‘Private property rights are fundamental’: opposition parties calling on Premier to appeal landmark court decision

RICHMOND, B.C. - The leader of B.C.'s newest political party is calling on the provincial government to appeal...

cfjctoday.com

Only one case, for sure, with some sounding like they'd at least consider an appeal, maybe, but get out the due diligence for any landowner private or government - wanting to sell property that any First Nation may feel (and can prove) they have dibs on.

 

[lenaitch]

Only one case, for sure, with some sounding like they'd at least consider an appeal, maybe, but get out the due diligence for any landowner private or government - wanting to sell property that any First Nation may feel (and can prove) they have dibs on.

I see an appeal in cards. The challenge for a landowner (and the definition of that might change) or potential landowner is the "dibs" part might be undeclared . . . until it is.

 

[The Bread Guy]

I see an appeal in cards. The challenge for a landowner (and the definition of that might change) or potential landowner is the "dibs" part might be undeclared . . . until it is.

Very true - although it looks like the threshold of "dibs truth" is still pretty high-ish. It WILL be interesting to see how it ripples across Canada.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

"Other non-party land holders will get their chance to be heard later" Good luck for a individual to challenge that case with no resources.

 

[The Bread Guy]

"Other non-party land holders will get their chance to be heard later" Good luck for a individual to challenge that case with no resources.

But there ARE groups/organizations with resources

 

[kratz]

I know government must reconcile and meet agreements, but if private ownership begins to be affected, this is a whole new ball of wax.

Why buy when there is a risk that the rug can be pulled out from underneath of you?

 

[YZT580]

I know government must reconcile and meet agreements, but if private ownership begins to be affected, this is a whole new ball of wax.

Why buy when there is a risk that the rug can be pulled out from underneath of you?

Worse yet, what corporation is going to invest in development (pipelines, resources etc.) when there is a chance that the local tribe will move in after you have done all the expensive stuff. Consider what happened in Caledonia and multiply it 100 fold. And yes, tribe is a little derogatory I suppose but many (not all by any means) of these nations were no more than extended family groups at the time of confederation.

 

[Altair]

Worse yet, what corporation is going to invest in development (pipelines, resources etc.) when there is a chance that the local tribe will move in after you have done all the expensive stuff. Consider what happened in Caledonia and multiply it 100 fold. And yes, tribe is a little derogatory I suppose but many (not all by any means) of these nations were no more than extended family groups at the time of confederation.

I like the fact that you were aware of that and went full steam ahead anyways.

 

[CountDC]

Worse yet, what corporation is going to invest in development (pipelines, resources etc.) when there is a chance that the local tribe will move in after you have done all the expensive stuff. Consider what happened in Caledonia and multiply it 100 fold. And yes, tribe is a little derogatory I suppose but many (not all by any means) of these nations were no more than extended family groups at the time of confederation.

Is it derogatory now? Find it interesting how this happens. The ones I knew including relatives used it when I was around in discussions with them. Visited the res and the group in the house I was visiting used it.

 

[The Bread Guy]

A couple of more public opinion tiles to add to the mosaic, both from Angus Reid this week ....

• "Bills, Treaties, and UNDRIP: Canadian views of contemporary Indigenous land issues -- CPC voters at odds with others over consultation and accommodation of First Nations in development ..."
• "Two-thirds want additional evidence before accepting that soil anomalies represent unmarked graves at Kamloops school -- Majorities acknowledge that what happened at Indian Residential Schools was ‘cultural genocide’ ...

 

[YZT580]

A couple of more public opinion tiles to add to the mosaic, both from Angus Reid this week ....

• "Bills, Treaties, and UNDRIP: Canadian views of contemporary Indigenous land issues -- CPC voters at odds with others over consultation and accommodation of First Nations in development ..."
• "Two-thirds want additional evidence before accepting that soil anomalies represent unmarked graves at Kamloops school -- Majorities acknowledge that what happened at Indian Residential Schools was ‘cultural genocide’ ...

older history books certainly tell a different story. Books written say before 1950 had the indigenous groups asking for schooling, farm assistance, and other forms of training to escape the poverty associated with the tribes. Their lands were great if you were a hunter or trapper but they were sadly lacking in resources to develop a steady income and a future for the kids. It is accepted that there was abuse in the schools but then again St. Michaels in Toronto has had its share of scandals as well. Cultural genocide as they call it now was something totally different in 1880. Getting rid of the buckskins and putting on Levi's was every man's goal. Ask yourself how many of the indigenous (protect their culture, honour their tradition followers) get their squaws to make all their own clothing. Heck, how many would be alive tomorrow if they asked/told their wives to do so. Living in a Tepee may be fun for the weekend but not so great as a semi-permanent residence. It is time to stop trying to re-write history.

 

[Quirky]

It is time to stop trying to re-write history.

If you're constantly doing land acknowledgements, at some point you'll need to hand that land over.

 

[MrWhyt]

Books written say before 1950 had the indigenous groups asking for schooling, farm assistance, and other forms of training to escape the poverty associated with the tribes. ........ It is time to stop trying to re-write history.

cause the authors of these books were incapable of whitewashing (no pun intended) history?

 

[The Bread Guy]

A couple of more public opinion tiles to add to the mosaic, both from Angus Reid this week ....

• "Bills, Treaties, and UNDRIP: Canadian views of contemporary Indigenous land issues -- CPC voters at odds with others over consultation and accommodation of First Nations in development ..."
• "Two-thirds want additional evidence before accepting that soil anomalies represent unmarked graves at Kamloops school -- Majorities acknowledge that what happened at Indian Residential Schools was ‘cultural genocide’ ...

Adding to the FN "Survey Says" series: "Canadians divided on Indigenous rights, but united on financial transparency" Some highlights ...




Details of the survey ....

 

[lenaitch]

It seems FN invented horizontal stripes.

When everything is 'sacred' nothing is sacred.

Photo of Alberta Premier in ribbon skirt sparks controversy

The photo shows Smith at a college in northern Alberta last week wearing a blue blazer and matching ribbon skirt.

www.aptnnews.ca

 

[The Bread Guy]

It seems FN invented horizontal stripes.

With respect, that's kinda like saying, "What? Like the Scots invented plaid?" when someone talks about their tartan and its importance to their heritage & history.

When everything is 'sacred' nothing is sacred.

To be fair, the article does say the skirt in question was gifted to the Premier. While leery about some media and political info-machines, barring other evidence, I'll take at face value that someone gifted the ribbon skirt to the Premier, who wore it visiting a FN.

Like all kinds of religious & cultural beliefs, while generally to be respected, some elements may be in the eye of the beholder. Some feel FAR more strongly about some parts of their culture than others - often depending on whether you agree with the politics (or institutional history) of the person in question who received some regalia in good faith from someone giving it in good faith.

All of these folks have had both fans and haters in response to gifted Indigenous regalia in Canada, for example ....





#RegaliaPoliticalRorschach
More here:

5 times non-Indigenous dignitaries donned gifted headdresses - Yahoo News Canada

When Wilton Littlechild, honorary chief of Ermineskin First Nation, gifted Pope Francis a headdress on Monday in Maskwacis, Alta., there was a smattering of applause at the event but online it drew a wave of reaction from the Indigenous community. "People have started to say that the headdress...

ca.news.yahoo.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

With respect, that's kinda like saying, "What? Like the Scots invented plaid?" when someone talks about their tartan and its importance to their heritage & history.

To be fair, the article does say the skirt in question was gifted to the Premier. While leery about some media and political info-machines, barring other evidence, I'll take at face value that someone gifted the ribbon skirt to the Premier, who wore it visiting a FN.

Like all kinds of religious & cultural beliefs, while generally to be respected, some elements may be in the eye of the beholder. Some feel FAR more strongly about some parts of their culture than others - often depending on whether you agree with the politics (or institutional history) of the person in question who received some regalia in good faith from someone giving it in good faith.

All of these folks have had both fans and haters in response to gifted Indigenous regalia in Canada, for example ....
View attachment 95347
View attachment 95348
View attachment 95349
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View attachment 95351
#RegaliaPoliticalRorschach
More here:

5 times non-Indigenous dignitaries donned gifted headdresses - Yahoo News Canada

When Wilton Littlechild, honorary chief of Ermineskin First Nation, gifted Pope Francis a headdress on Monday in Maskwacis, Alta., there was a smattering of applause at the event but online it drew a wave of reaction from the Indigenous community. "People have started to say that the headdress...

ca.news.yahoo.com

Fine, but just don't let any of those wankers don a maroon beret

 

[Eaglelord17]

Key in my mind are the following:
1) Clean water. Frankly I'd cut most foreign aid until all Canadians have acceptable water. Can't have healthy communities if folks can't drink water. It's both a moral and ethical decision as a Nation to address.

No one in Canada has guaranteed clean drinking water. That is paid for generally by your municipality by your taxes. If your rural you pay less taxes but are providing your own water through wells, etc.

Many of the native groups have been provided clean drinking water, they then fail to maintain facilities, let it go into disrepair, then complain about not having clean drinking water. This issue is a lot deeper than simply providing the means to purify water.

I am of the opinion with the exception of those areas polluted by company action, the government should have nothing to do with it. If the natives wish to be sovereign, be sovereign. Raise taxes. Spend band money on it. Pay to send people to be trained as operators. Actually work the job instead of abandoning it (huge part of the issue there).

Why should everyone else be held responsible for people who refuse to take care of themselves?

The ‘clean drinking water’ mantra sounds good on paper, the more you dig into it though the more you realize that it is much more than simply building a purification center.