Olympic torch relay rejigged amid protest, but modified Six Nations sh

[Bugs]

SIX NATIONS INDIAN RESERVE, Ont. - The Olympic torch's journey across Canada was forced yet again to take a detour in the face of aboriginal opposition to the Games, with an Ontario First Nation rerouting its relay amid a protest from a splinter group in the community.

While the torch still made an appearance on the Six Nations reserve near Brantford in southern Ontario, the original plan to run the flame through the reserve - supported by the elected band council - was altered at the 11th hour.

Instead, the torch was taken directly to a bingo hall on the reserve for a celebration during which some two dozen torchbearers circled the hall with the flame.

Although the splinter group of Six Nations protesters did not succeed in blocking the torch from entering the reserve - a stated aim of their demonstration - the fact the original relay plan was scrubbed and the celebration relocated had them calling their protest a success.

http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/sports/article/403225--olympic-torch-relay-rejigged-amid-protest-but-modified-six-nations-show-goes-on?pageno=all

You should read the article. It leaves much out. There are threats of violence involved. Apparently these 'warriors' -- the thuggish element on the reservation -- feel they hold a veto on the tribal council's decisions. All of it is rank with illegality.

Comments?

[M.Dancer]

Instead, the torch was taken directly to a bingo hall on the reserve for a celebration during which some two dozen torchbearers circled the hall with the flame.

Thankfully the Torch was able to shed light on the SIX NATIONS traditional gambling rights.

[Griz]

Thankfully the Torch was able to shed light on the SIX NATIONS traditional gambling rights.

They have a right to protest like anyone else over the outright dumb olympics that has spent billions now on a two week party. The whole thing all seems like one big waste of money, and it needs to be revamped. I've talked to so many people who all say they're sick of hearing about the dumb olympics

[Shwa]

You should read the article. It leaves much out. There are threats of violence involved. Apparently these 'warriors' -- the thuggish element on the reservation -- feel they hold a veto on the tribal council's decisions. All of it is rank with illegality.

There's probably more thuggish elements, threats of violence and illegality at a typical country and western bar on a Saturday night that doesn't get reported in the news come Monday morning. One is cowboys the other is indians. Big deal.

[Wilber]

That's interesting because local First Nations are a big part of the games. LinkMaybe it is because they aren't getting part of the take.

[Topaz]

Does anyone know the actual cost for these games? How much the taxpayers are going to get hit for? I went searching and found the following... http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090205094824AAieLHF

[Wilber]

Does anyone know the actual cost for these games? How much the taxpayers are going to get hit for? I went searching and found the following... http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090205094824AAieLHF

While the Olympics provided an impetus to get them built by 2010, I don't see how you can include infrastructure like rapid transit to the airport and southern part of the city and construction of a highway as part of the cost of the games. Transit is badly needed in Vancouver and the only existing links were east/west. This is the first north/south line. While there may be grounds for debate about the need for the highway, the Sea to Sky is one of the most dangerous roads in the province.

[Bugs]

There's probably more thuggish elements, threats of violence and illegality at a typical country and western bar on a Saturday night that doesn't get reported in the news come Monday morning. One is cowboys the other is indians. Big deal.

You're being very naive. There are always guns just out of sight. There is a tobacco factory on the reservation. Those cigarettes are sold all over southern Ontario for $3 a pack. No taxes. $billions are involved.

They also smuggle guns, etc.

[William Ashley]

SIX NATIONS INDIAN RESERVE, Ont. - The Olympic torch's journey across Canada was forced yet again to take a detour in the face of aboriginal opposition to the Games, with an Ontario First Nation rerouting its relay amid a protest from a splinter group in the community.

While the torch still made an appearance on the Six Nations reserve near Brantford in southern Ontario, the original plan to run the flame through the reserve - supported by the elected band council - was altered at the 11th hour.

Instead, the torch was taken directly to a bingo hall on the reserve for a celebration during which some two dozen torchbearers circled the hall with the flame.

Although the splinter group of Six Nations protesters did not succeed in blocking the torch from entering the reserve - a stated aim of their demonstration - the fact the original relay plan was scrubbed and the celebration relocated had them calling their protest a success.

http://www.metronews.ca/edmonton/sports/article/403225--olympic-torch-relay-rejigged-amid-protest-but-modified-six-nations-show-goes-on?pageno=all

You should read the article. It leaves much out. There are threats of violence involved. Apparently these 'warriors' -- the thuggish element on the reservation -- feel they hold a veto on the tribal council's decisions. All of it is rank with illegality.

Comments?

I think the real issue is WHY, were the warriors not liking the torch to enter the reserve? Is it because they view there reserve as a seperate sovereign nation and thus the olympic games in Canada, arn't their olympic games, even though a handful of natives out west were helping host the ceremonies -- or is it that they don't like the BC natives?

[M.Dancer]

I think the real issue is WHY, were the warriors not liking the torch to enter the reserve? Is it because they view there reserve as a seperate sovereign nation and thus the olympic games in Canada, arn't their olympic games, even though a handful of natives out west were helping host the ceremonies -- or is it that they don't like the BC natives?

Most probably they weren't paid their "tax" via consultation fee...

Edited December 24, 2009 by M.Dancer

[charter.rights]

It is called "getting involved" something few of you would understand...

The Olympics on unceded First Nation territory demonstrates Canada's hypocrisy and demonstrates how to ignore the law and allow major corporations to profit from it.

[M.Dancer]

Speaking of which, are there any demonstration sports this time round?

[Riverwind]

The Olympics on unceded First Nation territory demonstrates Canada's hypocrisy and demonstrates how to ignore the law and allow major corporations to profit from it.

Last time I checked the native groups involved are fulling supporting it. In fact, the chiefs of the 4 bands in question have been granted VIP status at the games. i.e. they get the same treatment any world leader would get if they showed up.

[Shwa]

You're being very naive. There are always guns just out of sight. There is a tobacco factory on the reservation. Those cigarettes are sold all over southern Ontario for $3 a pack. No taxes. $billions are involved.

They also smuggle guns, etc.

Yeah that's it: naive.

There are guns just out of sight at a C&W bar on a Saturday night too. They have illegal stills going on that sell out of illegal boozecans all over the province after 1 AM. No taxes, $billions are involved.

They also smuggle guns and then store them illegally too. And don't get me started on those mullets!

[charter.rights]

Last time I checked the native groups involved are fulling supporting it. In fact, the chiefs of the 4 bands in question have been granted VIP status at the games. i.e. they get the same treatment any world leader would get if they showed up.

The Band governments - including "the Chiefs" - are extensions of the federal government and would support the slaughter of their mothers if there was something in it for them.

The grass roots generally do not support the theft of land, the destruction of mountains and forests and the profiteering off aboriginal culture.

[M.Dancer]

The Band governments - including "the Chiefs" - are extensions of the federal government and would support the slaughter of their mothers if there was something in it for them.

The grass roots generally do not support the theft of land, the destruction of mountains and forests and the profiteering off aboriginal culture.

Is that why the grass roots elect them?

[charter.rights]

Is that why the grass roots elect them?

The grassroots do not elect them. Most First Nations chiefs get in with less than 15% of the eligible vote. 85% of the grassroots do not vote in what they consider foreign elections and instead support the traditional systems where they are in place.

[M.Dancer]

The grassroots do not elect them. Most First Nations chiefs get in with less than 15% of the eligible vote. 85% of the grassroots do not vote in what they consider foreign elections and instead support the traditional systems where they are in place.

I find that hard to believe. Voter turn out in New Brunswick Band elections is in the 90% range.

[madmax]

There is a tobacco factory on the reservation.

The horror, the horror. A tobacco factory located in the heartland of the tobacco belt. The federal government loves this cash cow as well as all the associated tobacco processors on Six Nations. The fact is that everyone laughed and said they wouldn't be competitive.

No taxes. $billions are involved.

When you purchase your smokes you best submit your taxes or else the government will come after you, not Six Nations. Many items on the reserve are sold tax free and its our obligation to declare, just like coming back from the US. Yes, Billions are involved. Don't get caught cheating our government for your pack of smokes. Its a $500 fine IIRC.

Just like pulling up to the pumps. There is the Tax Free Pump and the Tax me GST soon to be Harper Sales Tax Pump.

They also smuggle guns, etc.

From our friendly neighbour to the south where Guns are distributed like Candy. Smuggling will become more popular with the HST for all sorts of other commercial goods.

Conservative Gun Collectors take advantage of people who risk smugling guns across the border.

[madmax]

Thankfully the Torch was able to shed light on the SIX NATIONS traditional gambling rights.

You're the best... ROTFLOL.

Brilliant.

[madmax]

People who make the olympics political lose sight of the spirit of the games. (All commercial/corporate activity aside). While many groups have protested the Olympics over the years, I have always felt it counter productive, including when the United States boycotted the games in the USSR for its invasion of Afghanistan to rid the country of radical Islamists.

It was a very very very small group on Six Nations that made a big noise. That is the intent of protesting. To get news coverage and to some negative coverage is better then no coverage.

The Conservative Federal Government is Absent and this is where I think the Message of the Protestors was lost. I find that all it does is tick people off, including others on Six Nations.

Some here make it sound like this is the first time the Olympic Flame has ever encountered and obstacle along the way.

The Torch is well on its way and this day will be long forgotten.

Edited December 24, 2009 by madmax

[Wilber]

The Band governments - including "the Chiefs" - are extensions of the federal government and would support the slaughter of their mothers if there was something in it for them.

The grass roots generally do not support the theft of land, the destruction of mountains and forests and the profiteering off aboriginal culture.

So why don't you quit bitching about your own system of government and do something to change it?

[charter.rights]

So why don't you quit bitching about your own system of government and do something to change it?

Our system of government is inherently corrupt and IMO not fixable. The Prime Minister is not directly responsible to the public. Politicians do as they please and spend money on their own self interests. I don't think there is much we can do about the Parliamentary democracy. On the other hand I admire First Nations "participatory" democracy system and wish that we had the chance to change ours to more closely resemble the Iroquois Confederacy system...where even children get a say in what happens in their community....

[Smallc]

Yes....think of the children!!!!!!

[charter.rights]

Yes....think of the children!!!!!!

Of course you are limited to childish thinking.

Participatory democracy involves, listens to and finds consensus among anyone who is interested in participating. It allows for revisions and impeachment of politicians not representing their constituents. And it requires politicians taking responsibility for doing the right thing. The beauty of this system is that it is not subject to lobbyists or self-interest because their representation has built in checks and balances. BUT it allows EVERYONE and doesn't discriminate based on age, gender or any other bias.

Put that in in your crack pipe and smoke it.