Native protests likely at 2010 Olympics: AFN

[leeroy]

Native protests likely at 2010 Olympics: AFN



The head of the Assembly of First Nations is warning that the 2010 Vancouver Olympics will be a target for native protests in the same way that supporters of Tibet are using the Beijing Games to draw attention to their cause.

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine says First Nations leaders will use every opportunity they can to educate people and pressure governments on aboriginal poverty.

"I would hope that we won't be forced to take disruptive measures. I am confident and optimistic that won't be necessary," he told CBC News.

"We believe Canadians are fair-minded people and once they know the true story about First Nations poverty, it will be as unacceptable to them as it is to us."

Fontaine said he is personally a big supporter of the 2010 Games, as is his organization.

"The Assembly of First Nations has expressed formally its support for the 2010 Olympics, and I've been working with the four host First Nations to make sure that we're given appropriate exposure during these Games," he said.

"We find the Tibetan situation compelling," Fontaine said when asked whether the 2010 Olympics could be disrupted by the sort of protest that has dogged Chinese planners.

Olympics an opportunity

Bill Williams, the chief of the Squamish First Nation that is one of the native groups with a formal agreement with the Vancouver committee, told CBC News he will not be protesting the Games.

"I have no plans whatsoever to protest the Winter Olympic Games. Actually I have plans to participate, not only with myself but with hundreds of members of the Squamish Nation." He said he would instead take the opportunity to showcase the culture on a world stage.

"We are invisible in our own world, we are invisible in Canada.... We want to be able to tell the world we do exist, we have a culture, we have a language, we have wonderful things to contribute to the world,” he said.

However, he conceded some people from Squamish will protest. He said the majority of the Squamish Nation sees the games as an opportunity for economic development, while others are more worried about shining a spotlight on social and education issues.

He said he approves of people standing up to protest what's wrong with the social system and structure of Canada, but is opposed to the use of violence to do that.

Ernie Campbell is chief of the Musqueam First Nation, whose traditional lands comprised much of what is now Vancouver. Negotiations for Olympic benefits are ongoing, he said, and he fully expects the Winter Games to draw demonstrators.

"I think that's a fact no matter where the Olympics are held. People are going to take that opportunity," whether they're native or non-native, he said.

Demonstrations bound to happen: Furlong

John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Games, said his committee is involving the four First Nations located on the Olympic grounds in areas ranging from input on the ceremonies to sharing in the wealth.

But he concedes demonstrations are inevitable.

"Because the Games are so high-profile, people will seek the opportunity to use it for whatever advantage they want," he said.

"Because in our country, we place a high value on this freedom, we'll see some of it. Hopefully we won't see too much of it, but whatever we see, hopefully it will be respectful, because that's the Canadian way."

The 2010 torch relay will travel through 1,000 Canadian communities and be part of 200 celebrations, Furlong said.

The RCMP will be responsible for security if protests do break out along the way, he said.

With files from the Canadian Press






So what's the stories with the natives? I thought they were getting a huge amount of money from Canada.

[mcgee]

When will this country learn and quit giving them money.
Around here on the reserves, they get brand new homes with new furnishings(on expensive lakefront property to boot). Within a year the house is destroyed and they are handed a new one with a new truck while I work my ****ing ass off to make a living

It's ****ing pathetic

[O-Train]

Big difference between persecution in Tibet and lazy indians in Canada... They have nothing to complain about...not a damn thing.

[beserker]

Yeah you know i really hate coming down on people like this but a while back i saw a brand new dodge half ton being driven by a native man...whatever no big deal until i read the bumper sticker that read "keep working , my wife needs a new truck"..........i.m.o that is f*****g terrible taste

[Freebsd1977]

Yeah you know i really hate coming down on people like this but a while back i saw a brand new dodge half ton being driven by a native man...whatever no big deal until i read the bumper sticker that read "keep working , my wife needs a new truck"..........i.m.o that is f*****g terrible taste

That's f'ing disgusting man, I would of run him off the road. I lived near Tyendinaga (the same bums that blocked the 401 last summer) and with all the benefits the natives get in Canada, why are they complaining? I would love to live tax free and get special treatment. I remember doing my university application and the first question they ask you, are you native? Give me a freaking break! Free post-high school education is available to them but they rather go and inhale gas fumes from a garbage bag. F EM! They should lose all their benefits and right NOW! Ottawa, GROW A PAIR!

[MuSuLPhReAk]

I'm curious too. What exactly does canada give the natives. Does anyone have the actual list/stats?

[Preacher]

Thanks guys you ruined my day.... I'm not allowed to watch the new because I blow up at the tv, over this shit.

Its funny i'm not racist but my government forces me to be.

[Freebsd1977]

Welfare state, I love it! :mad:
http://www.canadabenefits.gc.ca/faecazindex.jsp?&lang=en&geo=4&keyword=Aboriginals#results

[trykillthis]

Every time someone starts putting any money into anything around here, the indians show up with their hand out or else. When sun peaks started really developing, the indians were there with their hands out. The mine and the golf course the same thing. The mine actually had to hire somebody just to make sure indians could get all the training they needed so that they could hire them. Pfft. Like indians are gonna work. Its not on a reserve so they gotta pay taxes.

Time to take off the water wings and let them sink or swim.

[Gib]

Indian Poverty? You mean that when the government gives them their money, and it goes to their band council, they arent spending it on their people??

Riiiight, thats our governments fault.

**** them.

[Bowlcut]

I'm curious too. What exactly does canada give the natives. Does anyone have the actual list/stats?

You don't go to the reserve to get your cheap smokes and booze?
No gas taxes, no income taxes, etc.

The best way to solve the mess is for aboriginals to leave the reserve because sad as it is, there is nothing but poverty waiting for them.

Anyone hear what happened in Hobeema last week? Drive by between gangs ended with a 23 month year old in the hospital with a bullet in her spine.
Hobeeme is so rough that my buddy's hockey team had to take police escorts in and out of the place so they wouldn't be assaulted in the arena which was surrounded by a cage to prevent errant bottles from hitting the ice.

[mcgee]

im sick just thinking of the billions wasted.

[dainbramaged]

Two thoughts:

1. Why is it that the Canadian government is always the one trying to make 'amends' with our native population? Why not have Britain on board as well? I mean, before Confederation it was the British government calling the shots wasn't it? Shouldn't they bear the burden of some of the pre-confederation costs as well, maybe not in terms of land but in finances? Maybe I'm full of crap on that one..

2. When a couple reach a point in their lives when they divorce, whether it's amicable or not, no longer have to have anything to do with the other. Why can't we just make a final 'divorce' payment to each band or accredited individual (or whatever needed designation)? Just give them a final payout, give them a pamphlet on how to invest their money wisely, and tell them to make it or break it on their own? [ie. here's the money, go invest it or build with it, or make some new businesses with it, make a fortune with it on your own, drink yourself silly until you vomit your spleen out with it..whatever...do with it what you will, just don't come back looking for more when you've spent it. Here's your payoff, go spend it wisely but don't come looking for more because there won't be any. We're finally divorced babe, it can be amicable or it can be nasty..up to you..you can keep your tax-exemption and other benefits [on reserve] but once you step out and join the rest of us work-all-day-to-try-to-get-ahead-but-are-taxed-to-death people, you can become one of us and join in! yay..good times.

To much optimism do you think?

[UkrainianGuy]

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[INked]

Better than dealing with the coloured folk,oh wait I ment Jungle Bunnies.

[natenator]

Better than dealing with the coloured folk,oh wait I ment Jungle Bunnies.
I don't recall any significant amount of my tax dollars going directly towards them let alone them being exempt from having to pay taxes?

So what's better?

[INked]

I don't recall any significant amount of my tax dollars going directly towards them let alone them being exempt from having to pay taxes?

So what's better?

Tell you what's better is that their genetic pool here in canada is so small that they are inter breeding themselves right outa existance.less than a million in the country.Diabetic children and substance abuse is what they have to look forward to!
**** that sounds mean and hate filled.Wonder why I feel that way might have something to do with the fact I'm a middle aged hard working white male in this country called Canada getting raped while other get kissed!

[INked]

Yeah you know i really hate coming down on people like this but a while back i saw a brand new dodge half ton being driven by a native man...whatever no big deal until i read the bumper sticker that read "keep working , my wife needs a new truck"..........i.m.o that is f*****g terrible taste

NOT ON MY STREET!!!!!!!!!!!:beat

[Gemini]

I kinda agree with you on this one. The Canadian Government doesn't really have anything to do with Aboriginal land being stolen by the White man when you think about it. The burden should be on British Royal Family. http://herve.sors.free.fr/images/Elisabeth.II.portant.la.couronne.Anglaise.jpg

1. Why is it that the Canadian government is always the one trying to make 'amends' with our native population? Why not have Britain on board as well? I mean, before Confederation it was the British government calling the shots wasn't it? Shouldn't they bear the burden of some of the pre-confederation costs as well, maybe not in terms of land but in finances? Maybe I'm full of crap on that one..

2. When a couple reach a point in their lives when they divorce, whether it's amicable or not, no longer have to have anything to do with the other. Why can't we just make a final 'divorce' payment to each band or accredited individual (or whatever needed designation)? Just give them a final payout, give them a pamphlet on how to invest their money wisely, and tell them to make it or break it on their own? [ie. here's the money, go invest it or build with it, or make some new businesses with it, make a fortune with it on your own, drink yourself silly until you vomit your spleen out with it..whatever...do with it what you will, just don't come back looking for more when you've spent it. Here's your payoff, go spend it wisely but don't come looking for more because there won't be any. We're finally divorced babe, it can be amicable or it can be nasty..up to you..you can keep your tax-exemption and other benefits [on reserve] but once you step out and join the rest of us work-all-day-to-try-to-get-ahead-but-are-taxed-to-death people, you can become one of us and join in! yay..good times.

To much optimism do you think?[/QUOTE]

[Gemini]

Love your post dainbramaged. We're on the same line of thought. Your argument is well thought out and very wise in my opinion. You should be a politician, I'd vote for you fo sho!

[cog]

Requesting that Britain come into the negotiations would be a complete disaster.What does Britain care,or any other European nation for that matter?

Actually,it's nuts to even consider"negotiations".The white man stole it fair and square the old fashioned way.

[dainbramaged]

Requesting that Britain come into the negotiations would be a complete disaster.What does Britain care,or any other European nation for that matter?

Actually,it's nuts to even consider"negotiations".The white man stole it fair and square the old fashioned way.

Well, I would think a great number of treaties that the native population refer to usually pre-date Confederation, I would think the contractual agreements would be with the British government. Unless, that is, we somehow became the inheritor when Canada became an independent country? I would think Canada would deal with land disputes but maybe Britain could contribute financially? I know it's far fetched but just a thought.

If we 'stole' it, why are we still dealing with the issue then? lol Even our judicial system has a means of final restitution or resolution after a dispute between two parties. How many years (centuries? millennia?) will we continue to have to pay out? Did the officials of that time period steal it? Sure. Did the natives get shafted? Yeah, but someone always comes out on top in any negotiation for something of value. Is Canada going to give them back huge tracts of land as a means of dealing with what the treaties might say? No (let's be honest about that). So it seems like a final permanent payout is necessary (might even be painful in the short term) but then the situation could be resolved. No lingering, ongoing, never-ending restitution payments until the end of time or until the absolute, very last native passes away.

[canadianmuscle0803]

One Bright Indian

Hello, is this the Navajo Police?"
"Yes. How can I help you?"
"I'm calling to report about my neighbor, Joe Begay. He is hiding marijuana inside his firewood."
"Thank you very much for the call, sir"

The next day, the Navajo Police officers descended on Joe 's house. They searched the shed where the firewood was kept. Using axes, they busted open every piece of wood but found no marijuana. They swore at Joe and left.

The phone rang at Joe's house. "Hey, Joe! Did the Navajo Police come?"
"Yeah!"
"Did they chop your firewood?"
"Yeah..."
"Happy Birthday, Shi-Bro!"

Charly

[cog]

Well, I would think a great number of treaties that the native population refer to usually pre-date Confederation, I would think the contractual agreements would be with the British government. Unless, that is, we somehow became the inheritor when Canada became an independent country? I would think Canada would deal with land disputes but maybe Britain could contribute financially? I know it's far fetched but just a thought.

If we 'stole' it, why are we still dealing with the issue then? lol Even our judicial system has a means of final restitution or resolution after a dispute between two parties. How many years (centuries? millennia?) will we continue to have to pay out? Did the officials of that time period steal it? Sure. Did the natives get shafted? Yeah, but someone always comes out on top in any negotiation for something of value. Is Canada going to give them back huge tracts of land as a means of dealing with what the treaties might say? No (let's be honest about that). So it seems like a final permanent payout is necessary (might even be painful in the short term) but then the situation could be resolved. No lingering, ongoing, never-ending restitution payments until the end of time or until the absolute, very last native passes away.

The perception was that the issue was settled long ago.Natives were not truly part of society from the earliest times in Quebec or the 1880's in the West.They didn't have all the privledges and rights that white society did.Britain doesn't have any money,they blew most of it trying to defend their empire in WWII.

There's no point in a final settlement,we don't have the cash anyway,we're up to our eyeballs in debt that we never actually had to take on.Natives don't want accountability,you might as well send the money to an investment banker in Nigeria.

Don't count on the last native disappearing any time soon.

As long as we foot the bill for irresponsible people of all colours fostering children we will continue to have problems in our society.

[Gemini]

hahahah! brilliant.

One Bright Indian

Hello, is this the Navajo Police?"
"Yes. How can I help you?"
"I'm calling to report about my neighbor, Joe Begay. He is hiding marijuana inside his firewood."
"Thank you very much for the call, sir"

The next day, the Navajo Police officers descended on Joe 's house. They searched the shed where the firewood was kept. Using axes, they busted open every piece of wood but found no marijuana. They swore at Joe and left.

The phone rang at Joe's house. "Hey, Joe! Did the Navajo Police come?"
"Yeah!"
"Did they chop your firewood?"
"Yeah..."
"Happy Birthday, Shi-Bro!"

Charly

[guest]

they got beat. that's what happens when you lose.....you lose. maybe they need to get beat again.

if there wasnt so much wealth to squander i imagine that is exactly what would happen. can you imagine a group like this trying to strong arm money and land out of some asian, african or central/south american countries? hell, there would even be a complete genocide in some european countries.

its all bullshit, a sickening waste of money and albeit their lives.

[INked]

they got beat. that's what happens when you lose.....you lose. maybe they need to get beat again.

if there wasnt so much wealth to squander i imagine that is exactly what would happen. can you imagine a group like this trying to strong arm money and land out of some asian, african or central/south american countries? hell, there would even be a complete genocide in some european countries.

its all bullshit, a sickening waste of money and albeit their lives.Stupid enough to trade away their land for pots and pans,beads and mirrors,and a few muskets.Ya ya the small pox infected blankets and rotten buffalo meat we fed them once rounded up and put on Reservations was not kool but better them than us as far as I'm concerned.booze and sugar is their worst enemy not the white man.I play for the winning team and thankful for it!

[LIVEHARD]

Stupid enough to trade away their land for pots and pans,beads and mirrors,and a few muskets.Ya ya the small pox infected blankets and rotten buffalo meat we fed them once rounded up and put on Reservations was not kool but better them than us as far as I'm concerned.booze and sugar is their worst enemy not the white man.I play for the winning team and thankful for it!

As soon as they get money there in the big city on crack

F'rd up with no place to go They harass people on subways streets ECT..

If we are going to give them reservations then make it so they can never leave. But once they leave no benefits or money ever simple

[cog]

Stupid enough to trade away their land for pots and pans,beads and mirrors,and a few muskets.Ya ya the small pox infected blankets and rotten buffalo meat we fed them once rounded up and put on Reservations was not kool but better them than us as far as I'm concerned.booze and sugar is their worst enemy not the white man.I play for the winning team and thankful for it!

Yup.Booze and sugar.