First Nations individuals, across the country, never owned land in the reservations. Once, most tribes were hunters and gatherers rather than farmers; hence they didn't require claims to specific land for individuals? The land belonged to all of the tribe. Many tribes were nomads. But then after treaties were made, aboriginals went to reservations. Individuals never owned private property and relied on the chiefs and councils. Who relied on funds from the governments. Not all tribes. Some have become exceptionally successful, work hard and develop things, not just casinos. I heard or read somewhere that a reason for not giving private property to start was because some chieftains and councils feared that the natives would somehow lose the lands to white carpet-baggers. And where would they be then? Perhaps, it's time to educate about private ownership, personal financial investing, records, and banking, or at least how to communicate with people who are experienced in such things. The First Nations peoples were robbed of individualism and entrepreneurial ability. The wise natives progressed. And many were fortunate they lived in productive areas. Frankly, the whole system should be seriously reformed, after all the tribes that are suffering, even with millions of dollars handed over, are investigated by Assembly of First Nations Chief Shawn Atleo, along with serious, right-minded council members, and the auditor general. Crisis is the ‘moment of reckoning' in First Nations relations: Chief http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/1...koning-in-relations-with-first-nations-chief/ The Indian Act sustains the problems on our reserves- Lorne Gunter, National Post http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...an-act-sustains-the-problems-on-our-reserves/ Attawapiskat officials kick out third-party manager sent to control reserve’s finances http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/05/attawapiskat-officials-kick-third-party-manager-off-reserve/ Is it ‘time for tough love’ on our reserves? - Paul Russel http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...ll-is-it-time-for-tough-love-on-our-reserves/ The problem is the Indian Act - Lorne Gunter, National Post http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/problem+Indian/5822369/story.html Canada's great native uprising - Barbara Kay, National Posthttp://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/Canada+great+native+uprising/5822368/story.html
The Indian Act needs to be scrapped. It's archaic and messed. The Two Row Wampum needs to be honoured. The Indian Act and the moving of Natives to reserves which relied on the government created a culture of dependency which leaves the people enslaved. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/daniel-d-veniez/attawapiskat-emergency_b_1129525.html
There is more of an issue then just first nations sovereignty. We do not need to create new boundaries and borders nor does anyone need to be treated as a special class of citizen. We don't need continued division we need unity of the oppressed from all walks of life. We need to stop compromising for reparations and put a stop to future injustices. Individual people must choose if they wish to continue their traditions, communities should decide their own laws not any detached leaders. First priority should be a free quality education for all, then at least people will have the tools available to establish their vision.
