Kelowna Accord

[George Wallace]

Another Native Issue has entered the Canadian Political spheres.  I looks like Native Leaders are pushing for another 1 Billion CAD to the 5 Billion that Natives are already getting in funding from the Federal Government.  Many Natives live in Third World conditions on some of our Reserves, others have left the Reserve and are no longer receiving entitlements.  The Kelowna Accord is going to add more funding and grant entitlements to 'Off-Reserve' Natives.  Along with the rest of the facts to which we all have some support for, the Native Leaders refuse to allow any audits of where the monies are going.  It really looks like Judge Gomery should be hired again, after looking at what the lifestyle of some of these Leaders is.  One was just on CFRA Radio, and after his interview, drove away in a Porsche Boxter.  It appears that some Natives are more equal than others.

Kelowna Accord:  http://news.google.com/news?q=Kelowna+Accord&hl=en&lr=&rls=DVXA,DVXA:2005-37,DVXA:en&sa=X&oi=news&ct=title

 

[GAP]

Having worked on some of the less enticing reserves, I am of the firm opinion that reserves should be disbanded, and the people considered Canadian. At least that way they are not likely to be preyed on by their own, in the name of solidarity. 

 

[NavComm]

Funny they should name this the "Kelowna Accord". I recall another agreement by the same name where Jack Munro, then-leader of the BC Federation of Labour, made a deal with then-premier Bill Bennett that had to do with government union contracts back in the early 80s. You'd think they could at least come up with an original name.

Having worked on some of the less enticing reserves, I am of the firm opinion that reserves should be disbanded, and the people considered Canadian. At least that way they are not likely to be preyed on by their own, in the name of solidarity. 

+1

 

[couchcommander]

Throwing more money at an incredibly broken system never worked before, what makes them think it would work now?

IMO, live up to our treaty obligations, and after that, treat them like any other Canadian, nothing more.

I personally find having certain ethnic groups being given special legal status and entitlements contrary to the values I hold dear, and, more importantly than my own nose in a twist, divisive to society. If you take a certain group and put them on this legal and, and even sometimes moral, pedestal - it's no wonder they are having problems realizing mainstream goals and values.

The government seems to be doing their best to put up walls between us.

 

[career_radio-checker]

I looks like Native Leaders are pushing for another 1 Billion CAD to the 5 Billion that Natives are already getting in funding from the Federal Government.  Many Natives live in Third World conditions on some of our Reserves, others have left the Reserve and are no longer receiving entitlements. 

What's the saying? Feed a man a fish you feed him for a meal. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
I've had this discussion with some First Nations in my hometown and an overwhelming majority agree that the relentless and unaccountable cash flow to First Nations by the Federal Gov't has done nothing to better their livelyhood and has only served to worsen their public image. Forgive me but I forget the name of the village on the East Coast that aired on the CBC showing abysmal housing and kids sniffing gas. And then the Federal Gov't moves the entire village in 80's or 90's to brand new housing and 10 years later crime is still up, the houses look beyond disrepair and the kids are still sniffing gas. AH Ha! A clue Shirlock! The issue is social problems, not economical ones.

It's a touchy subject, no doubt, but if First Nations leaders want to improve the quality of life for their people, they should be talking about what steps they are taking to be proactive at getting youths educated, adults employed, housing solved. Instead of asking daddy for a bigger allowance.

 

[GO!!!]

It's a touchy subject, no doubt, but if First Nations leaders want to improve the quality of life for their people, they should be talking about what steps they are taking to be proactive at getting youths educated, adults employed, housing solved. Instead of asking daddy for a bigger allowance.

Why would they?

Simply demanding more money has worked in the past, and it is going to work now too.

More troubling is the use of domestic terrorism as a method of achieving political aims, as is now happening (successfully) in New Caledonia. Canada has a "strict" policy of not negotiating with terrorists, but apparently, people who blockade roads and railways, attack residents and assault and shoot at police officers do not fall into this category.

Since the natives know that they can get their way, look for this trend to continue, should they consider that their Kelowna handout is insufficient.