“and on it goes, morality and truth, eaten by animals of ideology.”
Another must read piece by the best writer in the blogosphere. Or, anywhere else.
“and on it goes, morality and truth, eaten by animals of ideology.”
Another must read piece by the best writer in the blogosphere. Or, anywhere else.
I agree 100%. This is a terrific article. I took the liberty of forwarding the article with credit to Dust My Broom blog to cadler@cjob.net.
and gcurrier@cjob.net.
I hope others will do the same so that this important piece of work does not get lost in the shuffle of e-mails but catches their attention.
The story of Phoenix Sinclair is certainly powerful. The writer is also very good at unweaving so much baggage around race, fairness, and reality.
There is so much smoke and red tape surrounding the relationship between aboriginal communities and governments that we very often forget that it is people that are involved. Involved as oppressors, as apologists, as blamers, and ultimately as victims.
Buddha is quoted as saying that we are the sum total of everything we have ever thought. If that is true, than we are still within the generations that are building injuries and scar tissue between aboriginal Canadians and everybody else. We really have to destroy the “Indian Act”. What a horrible concept …”the Indian Act”.
Then we have to call a spade a spade. If we hear the catch phrases of personal or group racism, we need to challenge them. Challenge them politely, but challenge them.
The end result of welfarism & victimization, running amok on steroids. The total inability to accept any responsibility for what is really happening, the total need to find someone and something else to blame.
The inability to handle reality means a fictional construct needs to be invented to free the mind from guilt.
Time to send in the Christian Peacekeeper Teams.
Can you imagine the howls of racist indignity had that been written by a white male ??
That poor little girl. May her tortured body & soul find some peace in death.
A really good article, informative and very well-written. It should be published in all the MSM. Indeed it’s time to call a spade a spade. Maybe our new government can take some positive steps to turn things around for the Indian people and restore their pride and self-esteem.
we all get these emails that start with, “If you love someone, forward this message to them”
I delete them as fast as I can.
This seems to be something that needs to be read by more gov’t types.
But to wait for the msm to print it? not likely.
so can everyone send it a MP? to a MLA? to someone with their head in the sand? to someone you love? to another blog? so that someone, somewhere, forwards it to the one that can make a difference?
As Mr. Prentice is the one holding the cards now…
I expect something, instead of nothing.
Really outstanding work, he needs to be heard by more people. Canada as a whole would be well served if he threw his hat in the political ring or at least became a national columnist.
Two of our TV stations come in from Winnipeg, have been following this story since it broke. It is all completely sickening since it is now turning into a political mantra for certain aboriginal groups to lay more blame on others and get more for themselves.
Good article and really great writing.
No self-respecting Indian would have anything to do with the racist Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.
We all get what we deserve in our lives. If we are proud we will stand on our own two feet. If we are weak we will depend on handouts from a bankrupt socialist system. Any Indian that depends on the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs gets what they deserve. It’s not the children’s fault they are born into this sewer. It’s the parents’ fault for not having the personal pride and initiative to get out of it.
And don’t believe the propaganda that it’s because they’re ‘stuck in the system’ and uneducated. I have visited many Indian homes on many reserves and almost all of them had television. Many had high speed Internet. But a look outside their back door, where their children played, showed me the lack of respect they had for themselves and their family. In today’s world there is no need to be uneducated or ignorant. And the time to blame others has long passed.
Here’s a brief outline of the pathetic historical development of the administration of Indian Affairs. It’s not complete but it says all that needs to be said.
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/treaties/text/rec_e_tx.htm
What a pathetic fraud.
Natives in this country have always demanded the right for self-determination…fair enough.When do we face the reality that this is not working?
Despite throwing billions at it,we have severe problems on reserves right across this great land of ours.And,there seems to be no improvement in sight.
Is it finally time to admit that,even if self-imposed,segregation based on race has severe negative consequences? Walk around downtown in ANY Canadian city,it won’t take long to see what I am talking about.
Maybe,as a start,we could begin investigating and charging many of their own leaders.They seem far greedier than the average”white man”,while they consistently point blame everywhere but at themselves.Hypocritical pigs at the trough while their band members,many of them children,suffer in poverty and the social ills it creates.
BTW,Bono should shut his yap about our contributions to Africa.We have big enough poverty here at home to try and solve.
It is amazing how we Canadians can point with outrage at the inhumanities of man in other countries, the ethnic cleansing, the be-headings,the slaghtering, etc, and still ignore all the “killings with kindness” occuring in our own back yard.
I see the author of this great piece has coined a new metaphor to describe the blind utopianiam and myopic policy objectives of the reservasion “indian industry”.
“Indianville” …a wonderful metaphor that gives characterization to the “plantation” mindset of first nations nihilism
What a fantastic article!
Finally, someone who sees the world as it is, rather than hiding behind the artificial constructs and ivory tower theories of sociologists and misguided social workers.
It was distressing to see the development of this misguided line of thinking. On the other side of the coin, those in power have seized on the notion that First Nation peoples who commit crimes are really victims too. On one level they are, but to allow those of them who are convicted of a criminal offence to use this as an excuse is deplorable. It completely removes the necessity of assuming personal responsibility for one�s own conduct.
One of the most odious phrases I have heard in my many years of involvement with the criminal justice system is �systemic racism�. Those who should know better have whole-heartedly and uncritically embraced this buzzword. It is a mantra that somehow explained the conflicts and problems of First Nations peoples caught up in the system.
By this theory, the reason why there is a disproportionate ratio of First Nations peoples incarcerated as compared to their representation in the larger societal population is that the justice system is �systemically racist�. What does that even mean? Where is the tangible, scientific proof of that? To assume that there is a vast conspiracy where everyone in the system unjustifiably seeks out, arrests, prosecutes and jails First Nations peoples is ludicrous! Sure the spectre of racism exists but the vast majority of people I know who work in the system are not motivated by the desire to seek and unfairly pursue one class of people over another. The practical realities of an overworked system make it virtually impossible to do that in any event.
Nonetheless the myth has persisted, eradicating the need for the offender to take responsibility for his conduct and, at the same time, providing a justification for sending less First Nations offenders to jail.
Under this misguided line of thinking it is heresy to suggest that the reason why there is a larger representation of First Nations people in jail is because they are the ones committing the greater number of serious crimes.
It is a classic case of statistical manipulation combined with the mentality of, �My mind is made up, so don�t confuse me with the facts.�
Al; you’re right. We are killing them with kindness. We are all aware of the stats; suicide, substance abuse, pregnancy, STD’s drop-outs etc. But don’t be too hard on us for ignoring the problem. There IS help available, but first they have to want it.
Last spring when the Liberals were debating some changes to the Indian Act, the Conservatives brought up the idea of giving First Nations residents, title to their own land, they were called paternalistic and a few other dirty names. To me it sounds like a good idea, if it comes with some guidance and education. But what do I know? I’m a whitey, I don’t understand. I don’t know what it’s like. Maybe it’s just better to keep my mouth shut and trust big brother knows how to handle it. And big brother has done such a good job of things so far hasn’t it?
You, I, probably a good many politicians, and social workers/agencies have some good ideas on how to help and where to start, but unless it’s wanted and appreciated is it ever going to make a dif?
I would think that having good role models, ie: off-reserve Natives, would be held up as an example. But some don’t have a clue (socialists, artists, etc.) and those who do , who have lived there, done that and want to make a difference for their people, are shouted down (at best), or have their lives threatened and houses burnt down (at worst). This was the case, as I understand, with an Alliance candidate(2000, CPC 2004) in Hamilton Ontario, named Leon O’Connor.
That doesn’t even take into consideration the on-reserve shunning they and their family get if they get out of pecking order. This is an old problem which is sure to get worse before it gets better. If we want to help, I think, we have to start by electing Governments who quit ignoring the problems and help them to help them selves and I do NOT mean throwing money at them and running. The first step though is for First Nations Citizens to decide what they want, speak out and be willing to do what’s necessary to change perceptions (self and world’s) and put an end to the cycle of abuse and self pity. There aren’t enough band-aids, enough money to put an end to their suffering. Some self-inflicted, some not.
Here’s a ladder, here’s a plan, here’s the end of the gravy train. Say hello to self-reliance, being a Canadian. Or here’s the door and you can keep the ladder. Sound harsh? It’s no different than the message I give my kids to help guide them to be responsible citizens and to prepare them for the world and the day we send them out to fend for themselves. Grow up.
I grew up in a prairie town with 5 reservations within a 60 mile radius. I’m part Indian, too, if that matters. Never lived on a Rez, visited many times.
When I was young, Rez’s were dry, by law. No booze allowed. I’d love to know who the genius was that decided the “dry” policy was racist. And yes, I know that prohibition doesn’t work.
But I have never seen a substance cause as much misery to so many, as alcohol has to Indians. I used to talk, with my Indian friends, about how booze made them “Go Indian”, in other words, turn extremely violent toward anyone, even their loved ones. Basically, they said,”I don’t know what it is, must be in our blood.” Is it possible that some people are genetically predisposed to violent reactions to certain substances? Just asking.( No, I’ve never belonged to the Nazi Party.)
Governments are more comfortable dealing with each other than with real people. The creation of “First Nations” has been a Godsend for all the politicians. Now, they can hold meetings in the resort areas of their choice until Hell freezes over, and never really do anything to affect the day to day life on the Rez.
The role model set by the federal Liberals the last 13 years has been emulated by most of the Native political cadres. Hey, if it’s good enough for Canada… The federal gov’t. deals with First Nations the same as any third world country. Send them the money, get the photo-op, let them deal with it. If nothing trickles down, well we did our part. Not our fault.
Unfortunately, the scenario here has been replayed over and over, with no results other than another “investigation” that goes nowhere, and no one is ever held responsible.
Thanks, DMB, for your excellent article. This should be reprinted in every MSM outlet.
CPT participates “under rustic conditions” while they “serve as a nonviolent presence…”.
“Participants should be prepared to camp under rustic conditions.” +
Christians wanted for conflict situations -12/10/04
KENORA/ ASUBPEESCHOSEEWAGONG (GRASSY NARROWS, ONTARIO): November 12-21, 2004; February 18-27, May 20-29, August 5-14, and October 7-16, 2005. In 1999, the Ontario Government approved a 20-year plan allowing a corporate logging company to continue clear-cutting forest on the traditional land-use area of this First Nations community. A blockade since November 2002 challenges the violators of the community’s traditional lands. In nearby Kenora, relations between native and non-native residents are tense. Delegation members will learn about Aboriginal rights and environmental concerns, monitor human rights, and serve as a nonviolent presence at the camp and in Kenora. Participants should be prepared to camp under rustic conditions. +
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_041012cpt.shtml
They. They. They. They who?
Chief J. Danttouze: “Why aren’t they helping us to resolve some of these problems? We have our treaty rights.” +
TB a scourge for poor, homeless, natives, refugees
By SUE BAILEY Ottawa (CP)
…
In Canada, rates of infection are 10 times higher on native reserves, said Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.
“In some northern communities, up to half of the population is infected,” he said. “This is simply unbelievable and unacceptable in any community in Canada in the 21st century.”
He urged the Conservatives to make good on $870 million in health funding promised to aboriginal Canadians by the former Liberal government.
“TB is a preventable, treatable, curable disease,” Fontaine said. “But it will persist for as long as our people continue to suffer in poor living conditions.”
On the Northlands First Nation, a fly-in Dene community in northern Manitoba, more than 120 people have been treated for latent TB in the last year to ensure it doesn’t become full-blown.
There are just 144 run-down houses for almost 1,000 people, said Chief Joseph Danttouze. Over-crowding is a factor widely blamed for the spread of tuberculosis.
“We’ve been asking for more money to build more homes . . . but it hasn’t worked out for us yet,” said Danttouze.
Unemployment on the remote reserve hovers at about 85 per cent.
“I think Indian Affairs should look at what’s happening in our community. Why aren’t they helping us to resolve some of these problems? We have our treaty rights.” +
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2006/03/24/1504199-cp.html
The indian industry has been claiming that they have been demanding self-determination, in reality they are demanding collective-determination, with non-volitional association rules. This is commonly called communism, and as you can see it is working about that well.
The only viable solution to the problem is to actually instill in indians a desire for real self-determination, in the libertarian sense. That is what we should be trying to do, if we are trying to help.
There is also the Poverty Industry . . thousands of wannbe do-gooders sucking the money out of social assistance budgets, inventing worthless programs that hire them and the unionized worker buddies at forever.
The only thing necesary is to keep the poor, poor, the homeless, homeless. Encourage them to think of themselves as victims, who can’t help themeselves.
Perpetrate and perpetuate poverty and misery for the sake of a career & a apension.
Makes a sane perosn wanna puke.
Re Maz’s 5:10, Phil Fontaine is the personification of the problem. It’s a dog and pony show at this point. Thank god for Raskolnikov, Darcey — anyone who tells the truth. Sakharov, Havel,…
Oops, guess it was Danttouze’s quotes I was looking at, not Fontaine’s.
Could somebody please tell me who Raskolnikov is? Fascinating, devastatingly sad article, mercifully full of telling it like it is wisdom and logic.
Maybe “Rask” could run for office…?
Fantastic article! Yes, we should be sending this Orwellian expose to the powers that be in the MSM, government, and elsewhere. The problem is most of them are programmed to misuse such information in order to demand more useless, money devouring, make-work, “aren’t we marvellous?” projects for themselves. That’s how this racket works. The Phoenixes of this world? They’re entirely expendable. Unfortunately, in this benighted country of ours, this brain numbing, blood pressure exploding, heart breaking scam’s the reality: rubber stamped and promoted by virtually all our elites.
For little Phoenix: “Give rest to her, O Lord . . . where sorrow and pain are no more; neither sighing, but life everlasting.”
A brilliant and viscerally provocative piece of work! That whole mindset of adult victimhood is such a self-fulfilling and self-defeating morass wherein the ultimate measure of success is the ability to demonstrate failure. As adults are indulged to behave as children, children are in turn relegated to the position of hapless props with cruelly tragic consequences. How anyone can continue to defend it, let alone perpetuate it and still look at themselves in the mirror is beyond me.
That was a beautiful paragraph, DrD. Brilliant logophilia, I say.
I wonder about the whole failure as a goal approach, as compared to success as a goal.
It seems to me that the former is likely prone to eventual, um, failure.
Go search the term “identity politics” at proteinwisdom.com, for links to some related writing by Jeff Goldstein that explores the dynamics of why failure is the desired outcome.
“http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/003057.html
An absolutely stellar article that nails the truth head on! I could not be more agreeable with Rask. I have always found it interesting that there is no one better than the Indian leaders themselves for insuring that the “Indian industry” continues to flourish. I have seen the massive corruption in the system first hand.
A few years ago, I was asked to help a large reserve develop a simply incredible land resource, for the people who lived on the reserve. This project would provide work for many on the reserve, and income for them all. This experience was a real eye opener for me.
In my many hours working with the native leaders there, I heard endless stories of how their people lived in the poorest living conditions in the nation… yet there were modern looking houses wherever you looked. The average lifespan of a house was 8 years before it needed to be replaced. I was in some homes that were less than one year old that were virtually completely gutted on the inside.I also found out that this reserve had $21 million in a trust account, from which the interest was distributed to the 800 residents annually. This band had a Lear jet. They had built a $2.2 million hockey rink.. state of the art.In less than a year this beautiful building had plywood on all it’s windows. It has sat unused for almost 5 years now. I helped develop a major cattle enterprise complete with a beautiful set of buildings, and a high quality herd of cattle( most of which was paid for from the public purse and from loans that were guaranteed by government). Several members of the band were sent away to take cattle management courses, all of which was paid for from the public purse, including their complete hotel expenses. Within two years of being established, all the cattle had disappeared and these buildings sit empty now as well. I should also point out that I was supposed to be paid for my many days of work and travel from the band, however, I walked away with no payment of any kind.
My point with all this ramble, is that the time has come for our Indian peoples to try to help themselves. The reserve I mentioned is unique as it has incredible resources and now has considerable oil developments, yet we keep hearing how terrible the conditions are that these people have to live in. I would be the first to agree that white society did some terrible things in the past, but we should not have to pay for them over and over and over. There comes a time when these people have to accept our apologies and our settlements, and pick themselves up and move on. I am tried of watching governments throw money at the problems and see it vanish. I am tired of hearing how bad some of these people in reserves have to live. Yes, some are bad.. but some have had incredible things handed to them and they have not been appreciated. This is a huge problem with no easy answers. I do think the answers must come from the Indian side of the table.
Off topic, ( sorry Kate)- anybody out there from Brandon or Winnipeg: can you supply an update on Clato Lual Mabior and Niza Kaonga?
This is what I can’t understand. How can a mother do what was done to little Phoenix. Children are so forgiving. At some point, and probably more than once, Phoenix must have thought her mother,the woman who is suppose to love her more than anything or anyone in the world, she must had her hands up to her mother. (to be picked up from the hell hole she was in. Why wasn’t she picked up? Out of all the people in the world why wasn’t anyone their to pick that baby up. We are all to blame, at least I feel guilty and I have never been to Fisher River nor am I in any way related to Phoenix, but I feel so bad that I was going on with my life while that poor helpless little girl was suffering, crying, cold and hungry in a probably dark empty basement. No child should ever go through that kind of torture. If Reserves are to continue to exist in the future, all members or residents should automatically register before settling in and that should apply to any community, especially if you have children. We are all responsible because I find it very hard to believe no one ever noticed Phoenix was missing or never seen. At some point someone should have asked about her, knocked on that door and go pick her up.