Your personal experience with Canadian Aboriginals

[Cameron]

I've worked with a couple natives/indians/whatever. They were a hard working bunch. I've worked with some that were lazy and stupid...best of both worlds.

There are two reserves near Halifax. One is self sufficient and makes money, the other is a leach and should be bulldozed and all the people sent to the good one to learn how to be self sufficient. (Maybe not bulldozed, but they should at leased be taught some skills).

*This post has some sarcasm in it.

[gnam]

What is the point of this thread?

Agreed... someone has put this to a vote. Having collected results... what are those results meant to determine? I live in Canada and have lived near or worked with some native people who were in varying cases and degrees, rich/poor, good/bad, asshole/really-nice, drunk/sober, etc.

However, none of these simple dichotomies expresses the realities of life for the majority of aboriginal people, nor do they get at anything interesting... they are the most basic ways of classifying people and are boring and useless... unless there is some better interpretation. Anyone??

Is this string going anywhere??

[WinnipegPatriot]

A serious overhaul of Aboriginal welfare is needed, and rather than yell at the TV when a story about Aboriginals is being broadcasted, people need to discuss it. It is out tax dollars, so we have every right to assert how they should be spent.

It is one thing to on occasion see or talk to Aboriginals; it is different when you interact with them everyday because when you do, the few "good ones" for lack of a better term, are few and far between!

[Higgly]

My neighbour when I lived in the big smoke was an aborignal lady, we had some good times in the back yard. She was married to a non native and did not believe in taking from the taxpayers, she refused to apply for a card and paid her taxes, she didn't believe in apartheid. I admired that young lady.

So do I. I also admire those first nations people who fight for just compensation for what was taken from them.

[Riverwind]

So do I. I also admire those first nations people who fight for just compensation for what was taken from them.

I take it that you would have the same admiration for the descendents of Marie Antoinette and the Russian Tsars who wish to fight for what was taken unjustly from them?

[Who's Doing What?]

So do I. I also admire those first nations people who fight for just compensation for what was taken from them.

I take it that you would have the same admiration for the descendents of Marie Antoinette and the Russian Tsars who wish to fight for what was taken unjustly from them?

Hold on there are some "just" reasons for compensation. The Pipe Carrier I will be seeing tomorrow, is scarred and traumatised from his stint in one of the notorious catholic schools. I have no problem with him getting a few thousand or hundred thousand dollars for his pain. I know I would be suing the govt for a hell of a lot more if someone took me from my home, put me in a boarding school and beat me for speaking english.

My sympathy ends with my land I am afraid. It has been paid for, and used by my family since 1925, and has been owned by Europeans since the mid to early 1800's. No way in heaven or hell am I giving up title to it because some 300 yr old piece of scrap paper says there was a deal with the King.

I also have no truck with people being considered better or more worthy than me simply because of their race. I was brought up learning that we are all equal. Unfortunatly that is BS. The laws of this country are racist and give special rights and freedom to a certain group for no other reason than because of their race.

[crazymf]

Yeah, and what about the Metis people, who don't get the treaty rights awarded the 'natives'?

My opinion of this matter and always will be is that all Canadians should be treated equally. Give the indians a social security card, divy up the reserves between them and let them be Canadians. This First Nations stuff doesn't do it for me at all. There's no room for tribes in a modern society. Show them the same respect as everyone else. Enough free ride. We've said 'sorry' long enough...

[Higgly]

Yeah, and what about the Metis people, who don't get the treaty rights awarded the 'natives'?

My opinion of this matter and always will be is that all Canadians should be treated equally. Give the indians a social security card, divy up the reserves between them and let them be Canadians. This First Nations stuff doesn't do it for me at all. There's no room for tribes in a modern society. Show them the same respect as everyone else. Enough free ride. We've said 'sorry' long enough...

Thanks for your input. What is a social security card ? Have a nice day.

[crazymf]

Ok, a social insurance card then. WHOOPS!

[gerryhatrick]

What is the point of this thread?

Agreed... someone has put this to a vote. Having collected results... what are those results meant to determine? I live in Canada and have lived near or worked with some native people who were in varying cases and degrees, rich/poor, good/bad, asshole/really-nice, drunk/sober, etc.

However, none of these simple dichotomies expresses the realities of life for the majority of aboriginal people, nor do they get at anything interesting... they are the most basic ways of classifying people and are boring and useless... unless there is some better interpretation. Anyone??

Is this string going anywhere??

I think the point is native bashing.

[Drea]

Yeah, and what about the Metis people, who don't get the treaty rights awarded the 'natives'?

My opinion of this matter and always will be is that all Canadians should be treated equally. Give the indians a social security card, divy up the reserves between them and let them be Canadians. This First Nations stuff doesn't do it for me at all. There's no room for tribes in a modern society. Show them the same respect as everyone else. Enough free ride. We've said 'sorry' long enough...

I agree. No group should have special rights afforded to it. All Canadians, regardless of race, religion, gender or gender preference should be treated equally.

Anything less is an "ism".

Natives getting special priveleges is a form of racism. We are essentially saying to the natives "You can't do anything on your own so we will give you welfare for life -- you are useless, face it and take our handout."

How much pride can a people have when they are forced to depend on handouts for life?

[WinnipegPatriot]

Exactly!