The Indian "Act"

“After reading the excellent coverage by Post columnists Christie Blatchford, Andrew Coyne, John Ivison and Jonathan Kay, I believe the word ‘indigenous’ is misleading, as it applies to Chief Theresa Spence,” wrote Tina Ivany.   ‘Disingenuous’ better describes both her words and actions — one who is two-faced and speaks out of both sides of her mouth. And what comes out is hard to swallow.”

Yes, that's a direct quote from the letter I wrote to the National Post on this whole Indian Act...for I believe that's exactly what this protracted diet was that Theresa Spense tried to sell as a hunger strike.

Even after the big teepee was packed up and the bonfire was put out and all the chiefs and hangers on and sympathizers went home, there were those who were still bleating and beating the drum for the poor Indians.

Toronto Star columnist Tim Harper didn't think The Chief had been treated fairly by the media with pointed remarks about her shape, etc., but during his entire pity-party piece he made not one mention of the fact that the Chief has still not owned up to where all of our money went, even though we all know that on certain reservations it has the habit of going up in smoke.

It's only when the Chiefs of these wretched reservations want more to squander that the drums and the smoke pipes are dragged out to make their point.  Otherwise, it's business as usual - hail to the Chief and the rest of you sorry natives can just eat cake.

What perplexes me about this whole Indian Act is the lack of individual initiative.  This country was settled and developed by people who came from other lands to make a better life for themselves and their children.  That is a basic human trait that we all aspire to.  Many immigrants came here with the clothes on their back and a few coins in their pocket and, slowly but surely, succeeded in that dream.  Granted, reservation life in remote territories is no picnic, but neither is growing up in an urban slum or ghetto much better.  The difference is that most people won't put up with their lot in life and strive to make an effort to get out if it.  If the Chiefs control the money and you're not getting any of the share, what do you do about it?  You can stay or go and if there is no collective agreement on getting rid of the chief, then I guess your choice is to go - move closer to an urban centre where there is some hope of success both in finding an education and/or a job.

The statistics for incarceration and failure to thrive at the most basic level is rampant amongst aboriginal peoples - babies left out in the snow to die, siblings and parents killing each other or children so neglected, deprived of the most basic human needs that they resort to suicide.  Where else in the Western world is this tolerated?

So, is it the Indian Act to blame?  Yes, there are faults in it; things that need to be corrected.  But, even if you remove it from the picture, that still doesn't excuse the Idle No More protestors' position - if indeed they have one.  It gets murkier by the minute.

Ah, but finally, today there is a voice of sanity and reason on the horizon - an article in the National Post from Anthony Sowan, who is a radio host in Alberta and a registered Cree.  Basically, Sowan is telling the protestors to stop bleating about the past and get on with the future, as other people who have suffered through all sort of atrocities have done.  As he says, "the first step toward healing is putting the past in its place.  Only then can you work on your own personal lives, which will then naturally stem into becoming whole as a community.  The healing you want and need can come from no government program and no external source."

Here's his article.  It's a must read.

No Free Rides for Anyone