jdobbin

All I've heard here is that there are no negotiations and that people must leave.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14189415/ Rice says there is no civil war in Iraq. Hmm.

Is there a national group that is spokeman for non-AFN believers? If Canadians don't know what the message is, it is hard to for them to understand. And if the message is the 500,000 people have to leave the land in question, how is that message sold? We sometimes hear that *all* the land is claimed and non-Natives should be on the next boats back to Africa, Asia and Europe. That doesn't sound like a scenario that could be plausible for the simple fact that most nations would not put up with 35 million refugees.

So you're okay with the posters idea of eviction from the land in question as well as other areas of Canada? Is there any area of Canada where eviction is not possible?

I'm still interested in hearing workable solutions if you have them. I think we could all probably do with some of those.

Remember that you're speaking to just one person and that being angry at them isn't likely to convince them of anything. People are looking for workable solutions to problems. I'd be interested in hearing them.

I think there are some things about the Canadian/U.S. relationship that should be maintained. One of them is the free and easy access we have to one another's country. We are each other's largest trading partners and have the oldest, longest undefended border in the world. Canada and the U.S. need to work on maintaining each other's continental security. This doesn't necessarily mean integrating all policies on laws, immigration and defence. But it does mean keeping contact on security matters in relation to terrorism and crime. There are other areas but that should suffice for a start.

There are a lot of governments involved across Canada...NDP, Conservative and Liberal. I think they'll all have to work together on something that really works to keep dangerous repeat offenders off the street. In Winnipeg, the first community prosecutor in Canada is going after these very people that pose real dangers in their community. I'm not an NDPer but that has been an initiative from an NDP government.

We've heard that there is no Canadian land though and that we will all be evicted. Where will you go when you are asked to leave Canada?

Many First Nations and other aboriginals are very much part of Canada. I don't know that there is a united front on this at all. Does the Assembly of First Nations make the agument that they are not part of Canada? Do you have productive solutions to offer to today's problems?

Some of the reserve land is fairly isolated. Even if all the population was involved in subsistence trades like hunting and fishing, the populations are so much higher now that it would not sustain everyone. Nor is an attractive prospect for everyone who lives on a reserve. Reserves already send their youth to places like Winnipeg for university. While I believe that pirmary and secondary schools should be improved on reserves, it nearly impossible to place quality post secondary schools in low population areas *anywhere* in Canada. The need for doctors and nurse and social workers means more native youths leaving for Winnipeg, Toronto and the like. Unfortunately, not all want to return to reserves. There are now many urban Natives in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. It is simply a reflection of the attraction that urban areas have had for almost all cultures world-wide. There are many Natives working with Non-Natives. In Manitoba, it is a given that Native population will grow and businesses and social development groups and looking at ways to find jobs and homes and a sense of cooperation. Land claims are only a part of the solution to problems. One Native business company in Manitoba is doing amazing things. http://www.tcig.biz/site/profiles/main.php

Welcome to the forum.

One of the greatest challenges for the Harper government will be to come up with an approach that helps First Nations in Canada. All of the provincial premiers have pushed the government to re-affirm support the previous government's program. I imagine we'll see the Conservative approach in the months ahead. I don't know all the issues out there in regards to the relatonship but we know there needs to be work on the part of Canadians and the First Nations communties to help aborginals become a part of Canada. I'd like to hear from other people out there about what they see the issues as being and offering *productive* solutions. This is what John Ibbitson has said what Native young people should do. http://www.workopolis.com/servlet/Content/...ction=Education I think it might be a bit harsh. What do others think? Is it possible for youth to do well without having to go all the way to Toronto?

<heh>Very funny.

If Harper feels the Liberals got off lightly, he can call an inquiry into Gomery. If not, the issues fought in the next election will probably be on today's issues.

I will not be responding to him anymore personally. I was just thinking of some of the brilliant native businesses out there that have been employing and serving both Native and non-Native alike. Peace Hills Trust is an excellent financial institute. The Native Investment and Trade Association is great at helping Natives find meaningful work. There are many First Nations people working their way through universities and finding work as nurses, doctors and social workers, teachers. These are the stories I like I hear. I am willing to hear about problems involving land claims and the like. Some of these claims are legitimate. But I am not going to listen to ridiculous stories of eviction anymore.

I can't point to exactly where because I didn't follow all the threads but I think the moderator has been trying to keep more personal attacks that name call off the forums. However, I didn't see it myself. I got in a heated discussion with someone a while back and it went over the top. I've tried to refrain from that because some people have their opinions and they aren't going to be changed by what is said here. And a few people have surprised me with their productive contributions about how something might be resolved. Others bring attention to issues other than their pet projects. I don't know what lead to your banning particularly. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree.

I have never read anywhere that Canada or Ontario would move people. And to where? You've said there is no such thing as Canada? Do they go back to countries in Europe, Asia and Africa?

I think this guy is talking out of his hat. There are so many examples of First Nations out there helping their people within Canada that this type of talk is just embarrassing. I can think of some excellent examples of First Nations doing worthwhile things and not acting with the divisiveness of this fellow. How about you?

I think you are seriously mistaken that 500,000 people will leave their homes or submit to unelected officials. And unless you are prepared to kill them, you won't make them move. And like I asked: when does it start? Today?

Good comment.

I think you are dreaming on the evictions. Good luck with that. When does it start?

Neutral in this case meant condemning the attack by Hezbollah and critiicizing Israel's "meaured response." It is 20 days in and I don't think anyone can say the situation is better. The multiateral force will be seen as keeping Israel secure and be seen by Lebanese as just another occupying force. In other words, sitting ducks. If Reagan were alive he'd be telling the world that Lebanon is not a good place to put your troops and hope to come out unscathed.

So it is unelected officials that represent the Six Nations? It is too confusing. It doesn't sound like a unified group. Are there any polling numbers? How many off reserve Six Nations people are there? How many have intermarried with other and lost their status? Do they have a vote too?

Hopefully, that might happen. I think it is posisble a civil war could happen between returnees and people who presently occupy land or factories once owned by people who left or who were exiled.