First Nation Chief Pay; Why a Secret?

[guyser]

My understanding is the libs have alway fought against opening up the books, why I wonder ,maybe because they created this whole mess.

The Libs?

Should one be reminded how long it has been since the Libs have been in the PM position?

[guyser]

It's a right that we should have. (Almost wrote "we as Canadians" but caught myself)

Cant imagine why.

[jbg]

It's a right that we should have. (Almost wrote "we as Canadians" but caught myself)

Cant imagine why.

To which of my two thoughts was "can't imagine why" addressed?

[PIK]

The Libs?

Should one be reminded how long it has been since the Libs have been in the PM position?

Minority goverment, they need them to get it passed ,but my understanding they vote against it.

[PIK]

Here is one example of the libs getting in the way.

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Billforcing+nativechiefs+torevealpay+clearshurdle/4375411/story.html

[Saipan]

It's "unlikely" because he is dead.

Karma works in mysterious ways

[Tilter]

I say the Feds should have been doing a better job towards the First Nation people. There are problems in some Bands with money justlike we have problems within our government with money. To know what is really going on, I suggest Canadians watch the senate meetings on the First Nations. The Tories make promises and don't keep them and other times they don't follow through on their word. In this day and age, no Canadians should go without the basics such a good and clean water to drink but the First Nation is still fighting.

There are at least 3 bands in BC who have separated from the public tit, standing on their own feet, making a living fro all band members & are progressing towards a better life for all concerned.

This is what is meant by the term of self government.

[PIK]

There are at least 3 bands in BC who have separated from the public tit, standing on their own feet, making a living fro all band members & are progressing towards a better life for all concerned.

This is what is meant by the term of self government.

And also in manitoba, there is bands that have made millions and do not take one cent from the goverment.

[Melanie_]

If the taxpayer is funding these Native bands then the public is entitled to know how it is being spent. That goes for any public money going our. We have a right to know how and where it's being spent. It's our money.

It isn't "our" money. It is the money owed to the First Nations by the government of Canada. Think of it as paying the rent. The government signed treaties saying they would provide services, in return for the land. As long as Canada occupies the land, Canada provides the services.

I don't think the First Nations owe any accounting of the money to the government of Canada, but they do owe it to the people of their band.

[Smallc]

I don't think the First Nations owe any accounting of the money to the government of Canada,

I'm sorry, but you're wrong. The Government of Canada can't allow money to be wasted. If it's being wasted, then it obviously could be used to better things.

[dre]

The Government of Canada can't allow money to be wasted.

Hahahahahaha.

[Smallc]

Hahahahahaha.

Oh, I know....perhaps a poor choice of words.

[Tilter]

It isn't "our" money. It is the money owed to the First Nations by the government of Canada. Think of it as paying the rent. The government signed treaties saying they would provide services, in return for the land. As long as Canada occupies the land, Canada provides the services.

I don't think the First Nations owe any accounting of the money to the government of Canada, but they do owe it to the people of their band.

And won't get it until forced to disclose

[Rocky Road]

Make them disclose.

[Tilter]

The Libs?

Should one be reminded how long it has been since the Libs have been in the PM position?

This situation is centuries old.

[Melanie_]

I'm sorry, but you're wrong. The Government of Canada can't allow money to be wasted. If it's being wasted, then it obviously could be used to better things.

The problem is in who is responsible for administering the money. The current system is a holdover from the days of colonialism, with the prevailing attitude still being that the First Nations are not capable of managing their own affairs. We need to move towards a modern system, where Canada gives the money they owe to the First Nations and then leaves it up to them to administer how that money is spent. Yes, there may be abuses to the system, as there are in all levels of government, but we can't treat them like feeble minded children who need to be supervised in the candy store.

[blueblood]

The problem is in who is responsible for administering the money. The current system is a holdover from the days of colonialism, with the prevailing attitude still being that the First Nations are not capable of managing their own affairs. We need to move towards a modern system, where Canada gives the money they owe to the First Nations and then leaves it up to them to administer how that money is spent. Yes, there may be abuses to the system, as there are in all levels of government, but we can't treat them like feeble minded children who need to be supervised in the candy store.

And that modern system is industry not govt handouts. Ask the Dakota whitecap nation.

[Melanie_]

No matter how much money First Nations make as a result of partnerships with industry (and I am all for them doing so), it will not negate the obligations of the government of Canada. The payments that go to First Nations are not government handouts, they are fulfillments of the requirements agreed to by treaty.

[Rocky Road]

http://www.netnewsledger.com/2012/09/07/severe-cuts-to-first-nation-organizations-are-the-wrong-move-afn-national-chief/

THUNDER BAY – “Severe cuts to First Nation organizations are the wrong move, particularly in light of key commitments across the country and specifically by this federal government to work toward reconciliation,” said AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo.

Atleo adds “That AFN will be coordinating a full analysis of the impact of these cuts together with all First Nation organizations. These funding reductions have the potential to create very serious negative impacts for First Nation families and in turn the broader community and all Canadians. First Nation organizations and Tribal Councils are major employers and provide key support and capacity to First Nations for the whole range of socio-economic services, planning and development”.

[Rocky Road]

The welfare dependency and economic stagnation created among First Nations by decades of government policy won't disappear overnight, but a growing number of bands are taking big steps forward, officials say.

"It's not that we didn't want to be a part of the economy - it's that we couldn't," said Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear.

Chief Clarence Louie, who is chair of the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, agreed.

"Most Canadians don't understand the colonial history," said Louie, whose 500-member Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia now owns several thriving businesses employing more than 1,000 people.

"After everything that was done to us, we still have a pulse. Our reserves are starting to get back that economic spirit."

The latest Saskatchewan job figures show an overall decrease in aboriginal employment - the direct result of federal and provincial cuts to First Nations education, job training, housing and other areas, say critics. Some First Nations, however, are bucking that trend.

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band's businesses employ 1,000 people in trucking, gravel crushing, insurance and other sectors. The Meadow Lake Tribal Council's business arm is about to break ground on a $150 Bioenergy Centre to complement its existing forestry interests. Onion Lake Cree Nation companies gross $80 million per year.

http://www.leaderpost.com/business/Thriving+First+Nations+Part+Overcoming+economic+barriers/7237324/story.html

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/test466/7236248/story.html#ixzz26Nj7WgZQ

[Rocky Road]

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/10/04/concern-that-first-nations-will-be-used-as-pawns-as-former-chief-to-meet-iranian-leaders/

A former First Nations chief says he will meet with the Iranian regime in Tehran next week as part of an “exploratory mission” to discuss resource development and “human rights abuses” in Canada, sparking widespread condemnation and concerns about Iran’s intentions.