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Yes...lots of frustration on both sides. That's why it would be great to actually have some solutions that would give both sides some encouragement. Yet the majority of the solutions from the First Nations is the 'Us versus Them' and the majority from the ROC is to turn a blind eye. Neither one of these works.

I agree that continued segregation is not an answer and I don't know that its widely supported by Natives either. I support paying for schooling for Native youth as a first step towards autonomy from government support, but I am no expert on the challenges of allowing Natives to choose their own path while supporting that fairly and reasonably. I do agree, in general terms, that being self sufficient and engaging fully with the larger Canadian society is important for any minority group, even while retaining important cultural themes. First Nations culture has much to offer all Canadians, if we were open to learning about it.

I know a number of natives who have left the reserves and became really successful. There is no doubt the vast majority would have the same capabilities if they did too however the reserves seem to be like quicksand that keep sucking people back in even when there is little to no hope. The issue again seems to be the system of segregation that continues to draw them into staying on reserve. Ironically it was the white man's segregation that put them there and its their own segregation that keeps them there. Its very much an 'us versus them' mentality with the whole time hearing about how Canada is screwing them over. But here is the kicker....they are CANADA. They have the ability to join the rest of us and have the same so called benefits that we have but choose to stay on reserve for their treaty rights and so called benefits to be had there. I don't get it but I am not in that situation so its maybe not fair to judge. I just get tired of hearing the same rhetoric with no way forward.

Ever cross your mind why we have such a great country, because we kept our past. Countries that have a monarch I would say have done a lot better.

Just sayin........assimilation (or killing and slavery) was good enough for pre-European Native Americans as they fought among themselves. The dominant tribes were only too happy to side with the French or British to continue their battles. The argument that if we just left them alone they'd all be happy little troopers is ludicrous. The term Warrior didn't evolve from planting corn. As I said - don't judge history through today's moral "standards". Although there are still residential survivors (SOME who actually benefitted from that time) , we're not talking about a single generation. The vast majority of First Nations people have been born after 1970, comprising more than almost three generations who had no knowledge of the Residential School System. Stop the victimhood and find your own path to joining the rest of us - we're not all white. Pick a colour - you'll find it. If people escaping war-torn countries and discrimination can find their way - often starting from nothing.......why can't our own indiginous brothers and sisters so the same? The path is there - it needs people willing to take the necessary steps - and leadership that wants to finally start to make things better.

You are living in the past. There is nothing, nor has been for generations forcing anyone to stay on reserve. One thing I can tell you: give me the amount of unaccountable money it takes to sustain someone living hundreds or thousands of kms away from the bulk of the population and transportation links, and I would not be a success, I would be nothing but a welfare case - just like any other ward of the state or any government employee or institution. Business in general and entrepreneurs in particular simply don't work that way. Since you raise the point though, let me share some experiences. About 40 years ago I was enroute from my home in the Thompson to Winnipeg. When I landed for fuel in Norway House, the power was off so I couldn't get gas. While waiting, the Manitoba Hydro guys had chartered the Aztek based there to go to another community that also had no power. I was asked to ride right seat, so climbed aboard for the trip. On the way the Hydro guys told me the story: they pay a staff of people to monitor the diesel genset that powers that community but none of those paid to do so ever bother to actually do ANYTHING such as read the fuel or oil levels or top them off. They just radio out to tell Hydro when the power goes out. When we landed I was told to stay and guard the airplane - otherwise the avgas would be drained from every tank before we got back, and it would not be safe for me to be there, as they only needed the Hydro guys to get power on, not me for any reason. Almost 20 years ago we (JV) built a portable (skid) sub station and supplied a power transformer for one of the Ontario reserves North of Red Lake (up in Treaty 5 country). The purpose was to tap into the nearby transmission lines so this community and two nearby could have much cheaper and more reliable line power instead of off grid diesel gensets. When we arrived with the transformer, it had to be placed off reserve. When I asked why I was told that if it was on one reserve, they would turn the power off to the next one down the line when tribal disputes or just a lost hockey game could get them wound up. We placed, assembled, filled and tested the transformer and left it until the substation skid was delivered. For nearly a year we did not get paid for the sub. When we investigated, the excuse was that the power was not coming down the line. When we investigated further, we found that the transformer and substation had been vandalized to the point where they were both beyond salvageable. Five hours up an ice road, do you think "whitey" drove up there to do that? Yeah, he drove up there and spent millions to give the aboriginal reserve grid power, but the respect shown for that effort was to dodge paying the bill....all the while you can believe the Chief and Council were quite contentedly driving around their shiny new Cadillac (actually Expeditions then), living in their free home, and taking air taxi out to collect their per diems for endless meetings about nothing. Almost two decades later, that reserve still is not on the grid. Welcome to one small slice of reality.

I agree with this but what do you suggest is the way forward? in my mind the only suggestions brought forth by the Indigenous are continued segregation and separation from the rest of Canada. I would love to see a solution that actually is progressive and solves the problem rather than perpetuates it.

Paradoxically, the one thing the Iranian revolution achieved in 1978 was to turn 65% of the young and educated population born after the revolution against the religion forced on them! We have learned from history what happened religion dictated the lives of people during middle ages....That ended in separation of church from state. So why does it become now ambivalent or a strange notion when it concerns Iran!? Or is it just your own projection....

Being Invaded and forced is hardly called adopting!!!!!!!!

BOOM!!! Populist platform plank that gets my vote. http://www.iheartradio.ca/newstalk-1010/news/ford-let-the-market-dictate-when-it-comes-to-cannabis-alcohol-sales-1.3687669 The LCBO monopoly is a travesty. The idea we need a "smart serve" cashier at only LCBO hours at a select few grocery stores is stupid.