Department of Aboriginal Affairs to be "canceled"

[William Ashley]

This definitely deserves mention. I'd like to see what this does in terms of process. The move does seem to be progressive, however I'm wondering if this just means the Federal Government will do nothing for natives anymore and all department programs will need to be funded by First Nations groups. This is definitely something to keep an eye on. Comments?

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=newssearch&cd=1&ved=0CC0QqQIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.montrealgazette.com%2Fnews%2Fcanada%2FDump%2BDepartment%2BAboriginal%2BAffairs%2Burges%2Bboss%2F5092122%2Fstory.html&ei=cggeTvy-K4KssALqia2hCA&usg=AFQjCNGdFZoVp_Yu0-pgq2AStfPetWXXEg

This seems to have undertones of Martin and Sheila Fraser

He also called for a "new fiscal relationship" with the federal government, particularly one that would address the health and education-funding gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal Canadian

Paul Martin is a large advocate of this move.

It has me wonder if this has anything to do with the housing funding snuff.

Why would they want to get rid of the Gestapo?

http://www.dominionpaper.ca/articles/4066

Note though there have been a few recent large profile police operations.

I find it funny however that the "hot spots" are areas with active 'civil' court cases ongoing.

Edited July 13, 2011 by William Ashley

[Remiel]

I am all for reforms that bring more equality to our aboriginal countrymen.

[Tilter]

I am all for reforms that bring more equality to our aboriginal countrymen.

Me too---- I'd like to see our non-native population be equal with natives and receive equal benefits.

[Remiel]

Me too---- I'd like to see our non-native population be equal with natives and receive equal benefits.

I am not talking about equality on paper. I am talking about the sort of equality where young native people are not so traumatized that they take their own lives in vastly disproportionate numbers. The sort of equality where people are able to equally enjoy living.

[TimG]

I am not talking about equality on paper. I am talking about the sort of equality where young native people are not so traumatized that they take their own lives in vastly disproportionate numbers. The sort of equality where people are able to equally enjoy living.

Take any group of people. Have them live in villages in the middle of no where with no jobs and no opportunities. They would be killing themselves too. We need address the culture that keeps natives on the Rez instead of moving to where the education and jobs are. Edited July 14, 2011 by TimG

[Remiel]

Take any group of people. Have them live in villages in the middle of no where with no jobs and no opportunities. They would be killing themselves too. We need address the culture that keeps natives on the Rez instead of moving to where the education and jobs are.

Not all reserves with problems are in the middle of no where, though I imagine most of the worst ones may be. I agree though that this is one of the avenues at which cross purposes must be squared.

[TimG]

Not all reserves with problems are in the middle of no where, though I imagine most of the worst ones may be. I agree though that this is one of the avenues at which cross purposes must be squared.

There are many examples of successful reserves in urban or near urban areas. The success of these reserves should be a template that can be applied elsewhere. That said, it isn't all about the government. It depends a lot on the willingness of Natives themselves.

[Oleg Bach]

Remember the old days when Bruce the town drunk was refused service at the liquor store? It would be whispered that "Bruce is on the Indian List" - They used the laws generated by Aboriginal affairs to squish who ever they thought was in a weak postion.