UberCree said:
Do you think that the whole Oka escapade hurt the Mohawk (akwasana, kanawaka) 'reputation' or actually helped them in regards to land claims?
I won't presume to speak for anyone else. but............
If it were my option? I would NEVER, EVER, sit down with the thugs that hijacked the process (the Warriors). Civil disobedience by ANY other group in Canada would have been dealt with, short and swift. The standoff at Oka only proved out what the Aboriginals have held with all along. WE are UNTOUCABLE. The White Man's law does not apply to us. As such we are not subject to their rules, and can do anything we want. We'll get anything we want with protest, occupation and violence if necessary. We'll fund our cause with smuggling, of cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, goods, and people. We'll make our own subservient and press gang them to our cause with threats of violence and alienation. You're with us or against us.
When they can prove that their society will work democratically, and without strong arm, organized crime tactics, I'll be more than willing to let them patrol themselves, and give them autonomy. Right now their reserves are rampant with nepotism and greed. We keep throwing money at the problem, and the Band Councils starve their own while the leaders drive Eddy Bauer Limited Editions. Traditional hunting and fishing doesn't mean wiping out a herd of caribou to sell on the black market, or netting the entire run of spring salmon coming up the Frazer. For a group that claims to be the watch dogs of MOTHER EARTH, you're doing a pretty lousy job. Consider the burning of tires and the setting fire to the bridge in Caledonia, as one example. Just like everything else in life...........respect is earned. Without it, they have nothing, and when they have nothing, it's no ones fault but their own.
Everyone else has to learn and live to make ends meet, gain an education and compete with society. That is simply the way of the world..........for all cultures on the face of this huge earth. Broken down to it's singularity, Canada's Aboriginals are treated no more, or less, than spoiled children. Their fault, our fault, who knows, but it's time to get past that. The days of complaining about abuse and mistreatment are over. The new generation has no excuse. You make it in the world, as thousands of Aboriginals do, with Fortune 500 companies and Co-ops, or you sit around drinking, smoking or huffing gas, waiting for your next welfare check. Sorry, we don't call it welfare. It's Unemployment, or allowance of some sort. Maybe that's part of the problem. If we called it for what it really is, maybe some would be ashamed to collect it and rejoin society.
Bottom line is, today's society is no longer responsible for the plight of the Aboriginal. People on this forum, like Ubercreee, if I may, are proof positive that they can do something with their life, if they choose. If they won't do it on their own, maybe it's time for some tough love. Out of the house, backs turned, until they prove that they can progress like the rest of the world.
That's my thoughts. What I've posted are what I believe, and I'm sorry if anyone is offended, it was not my intention. You can post your beliefs, which is only right and natural. I believe what I wrote, and have for many years. I will read what you post, however, I will not debate what I've written. It will be up to someone to convince me otherwise.
