Conservatives Paid Out $25 Billion In Grants & Subsidies?
Well maybe the Government did pay out that kind of dough through various agencies.
Not surprising though that Canadian Press chooses to emphasize the Tories as In OUR Current Government! Conveniently omitting the fact that these programs were approved under The LIberals and trying to paint the Tory's as the spendthrift miscreants who created and authorized these expenditures.
Of course for those with short attention spans and little or no recollection it was the Auditor General who pointed ALL of this out previously and the Current Government of Canada has already acknowledged and responded to these points. The payments are all the doing of the Libs and many under long term programs. Not all of them are even that controversial.
In any case The operative word here should be REQUIRED as in OBLIGED as in OBLIGATED as in had no choice! And if Anything should show clearly how great the challenge is to the Tories to get a grip on these Liberal Poison pills that we the Taxpayers have had shoved down our throats!
Anyway here's a short list:
1. Quebec, Pratt and Whitney Canada Corp., $213 million (Approved by the Liberals)
2. Quebec, Pratt and Whitney Canada Corp., $137 million (Liberals)
3. British Columbia, Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, $124 million (Libs)
4. Ontario, Canarie Inc., $120 million (Libs)
5. Ontario, Canadian Television Fund, $120 million (Libs)
6. Washington, D.C., World Bank, $115 million (Libs)
7. Ontario, National Association of Friendship Centres, $77 million (Libs)
8. Ontario, Canadian Red Cross Society, $70 million (Libs)
9. Quebec, Cree Regional Authority, $70 million (Libs)
10. Alberta, Blood Band, $62 million (Libs)
11. Ontario, Conseil des Ministres de l'Education Canada, $56 million (Libs again!)
12. Quebec, Mont Tremblant Resorts and Co. Ltd., $48 million (Libs)
13. Quebec, Quebec government, $44 million (Libs)
14. New York, UN Population Fund, $44 million (Libs)
15. Quebec, Development and Peace, $42 million (Libs)
16. Manitoba, Manitoba Floodway Authority, $42 million
17. British Columbia, Nisga'a Nation, $42 million
18. Quebec, Societe du 400e Anniversaire de Quebec, $40,000 ?????
19. Manitoba, Norway House Cree Nation, $39 million
20. Saskatchewan, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, $36 million
21. Saskatchewan, Lac La Ronge Band, $36 million
22. New Brunswick, Atlantic Wallboard Ltd., $35 million
23. Quebec, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, $35 million
24. Ontario, National Association of Friendship Centres, $34 million (Libs)
25. British Columbia, Nuu-Cha-Nulth Tribal Council, $32 million.
The federation's complete list of 100 recipients can be found at http://www.taxpayer.com/pdf/Top100.pdf.
OMMAG
Not surprising though that Canadian Press chooses to emphasize the Tories as In OUR Current Government! Conveniently omitting the fact that these programs were approved under The LIberals and trying to paint the Tory's as the spendthrift miscreants who created and authorized these expenditures.
Of course for those with short attention spans and little or no recollection it was the Auditor General who pointed ALL of this out previously and the Current Government of Canada has already acknowledged and responded to these points. The payments are all the doing of the Libs and many under long term programs. Not all of them are even that controversial.
In any case The operative word here should be REQUIRED as in OBLIGED as in OBLIGATED as in had no choice! And if Anything should show clearly how great the challenge is to the Tories to get a grip on these Liberal Poison pills that we the Taxpayers have had shoved down our throats!
Anyway here's a short list:
1. Quebec, Pratt and Whitney Canada Corp., $213 million (Approved by the Liberals)
2. Quebec, Pratt and Whitney Canada Corp., $137 million (Liberals)
3. British Columbia, Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, $124 million (Libs)
4. Ontario, Canarie Inc., $120 million (Libs)
5. Ontario, Canadian Television Fund, $120 million (Libs)
6. Washington, D.C., World Bank, $115 million (Libs)
7. Ontario, National Association of Friendship Centres, $77 million (Libs)
8. Ontario, Canadian Red Cross Society, $70 million (Libs)
9. Quebec, Cree Regional Authority, $70 million (Libs)
10. Alberta, Blood Band, $62 million (Libs)
11. Ontario, Conseil des Ministres de l'Education Canada, $56 million (Libs again!)
12. Quebec, Mont Tremblant Resorts and Co. Ltd., $48 million (Libs)
13. Quebec, Quebec government, $44 million (Libs)
14. New York, UN Population Fund, $44 million (Libs)
15. Quebec, Development and Peace, $42 million (Libs)
16. Manitoba, Manitoba Floodway Authority, $42 million
17. British Columbia, Nisga'a Nation, $42 million
18. Quebec, Societe du 400e Anniversaire de Quebec, $40,000 ?????
19. Manitoba, Norway House Cree Nation, $39 million
20. Saskatchewan, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, $36 million
21. Saskatchewan, Lac La Ronge Band, $36 million
22. New Brunswick, Atlantic Wallboard Ltd., $35 million
23. Quebec, Mohawk Council of Kahnawake, $35 million
24. Ontario, National Association of Friendship Centres, $34 million (Libs)
25. British Columbia, Nuu-Cha-Nulth Tribal Council, $32 million.
The federation's complete list of 100 recipients can be found at http://www.taxpayer.com/pdf/Top100.pdf.
OMMAG
Labels: Consequenses, MSM, Weasels
posted by OMMAG at 4:41 p.m.
5 Comments:
Can't believe the federal and provincil government will release more tax payers monies after such true articals like this letter has been written .The NLG GOVERNMENT IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO ANYONE NOT EVEN TO THE TAX PAYERS.
Barb Zvatora Req. Dates: July 19, 2007
2402 Kreston St May 29, 2007
Terrace, B.C., V8G 0G2 May 7, 2007
April 19, 2007
March 15, 2007
Mr. Nelson Leeson, President
Mr. Edward Allen, CEO - resigned
Fred Tolmie, CEO
Mr. Ed Wright, Secretary Treasurer
Nisga’a Lisims Government
P.O. Box 231
New Aiyansh, B.C., V0J 1A0
Dear Sirs:
RE: Continuing theft of Nisga'a Nation's funds correspondence March 12/07
The following outstanding questions were necessary to be asked following the attached March 12/07 letter RE: Continuing theft of Nisga'a Nation's funds because the moneys are Federal and Provincial Transfer payments for the designated benefits of the general Nisga'a population. The funds being squandered and stolen has nothing to do with the settlement funds as verified in your attached Nisga'a Lisims Government Schedule 1, Consolidated Schedule of Revenues, Transfers And Operating Grants, Year Ended March 31, 2003. It is very clear that the moneys transferred to locals had nothing to do with the government representatives' stipends or additional "self payments" as Mr. Leeson's August 18 states "NLG currently administers all stipend payments for the Urban Locals such that these stipends are paid by NLG to WSN members." Why is no one charged to this day?
Sincerely,
Barb Zvatora
Was this article a lie????
Dear Sirs:
RE: Continuing theft of Nisga'a Nation's funds correspondence March 12/07
Monday, March 12, 2007, I sent you very important questions that as a Nisga'a Citizen, I have a right to know.
We, the members of the Nisga'a nation are the owners of the land and all the assets that were received or are coming to us as a result of our settlements. Your 2004 stipends were as follows:
This does not include all your per diems and I heard that you have since decided and given yourselves unauthorized raises - is that not enough pay to answer some very crucial questions?
Please answer the following questions from my March 12/07:
1) Where were your financial controls and what actions have you taken as a fiduciary responsible executive of our Nation?
2) Does the fiduciary obligation you so free quote apply to you?
3) Was this the continued practice up to this date - the double dipping, unauthorized self-payments for undisclosed service invoices or reports?
4) Because Mr. Ben Stewart was not removed when you had known he stole funds who is going to repay all the money he was paid as President of Vancouver? (Approximately $150,000+ with stipends)
5) When will NLG lay charges with the RCMP?
6) When will there be a special assembly dealing with nothing but all the audited financial statements from day one of self-government? (including all locals, villages, and all the corporations whether operational or bankrupt)
7) The Terrace investigation is still in the hands of the Vancouver Forensic Investigations Unit - WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG - ARE YOU GUYS TRYING TO COVER IT UP & WHO IS INVESTIGATING THE OVER $1 MILLION THAT WENT MISSING WITHIN YOUR ACCOUNTING SYSTEM BETWEEN GREENVILLE & AIYANSH & ALL THE IRREGULARITIES IN THE GREENVILLE FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT?
Can you please answer the above questions.
Sincerely,
Barb Zvatora
ATTACH: March 12, 2007 Letter RE: Continuing theft of Nisga'a Nation's funds
Barb Zvatora March 12, 2007
2402 Kreston St
Terrace, B.C., V8G 0G2
Mr. Nelson Leeson, President
Mr. Edward Allen, CEO
Mr. Ed Wright, Secretary Treasurer
Nisga’a Lisims Government
P.O. Box 231
New Aiyansh, B.C., V0J 1A0
Dear Sirs:
RE: Continuing theft of Nisga'a Nation's funds
Attached is Mr. Leason's May 17, 2005 letter (ATTACH 1) contained in the self-initiated internal investigation that was done by the Nisga'a Ts'amiks Vancouver Society Board of Directors regarding Ben Stewart, their President, member of Nisga'a Lisims Government and Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a. It is obvious you were aware of the theft of over $100,000 in the Nisga'a Ts'amiks Vancouver Society. The Board Members did such a good job that they were able to identify that Ben Stewart was using their Society credit card to purchase Vancouver Canucks games tickets, among other charges - the society ended up paying for the credit card charges because it was in default. Where were your financial controls and what actions have you taken as the fiduciary responsible executives of our Nation?
Mr. Leeson's August 18, 2006 letter to Terrace Nisga'a Society, Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Society, Nisga'a Ts'amiks Vancouver Society states "if there are any issues respecting stipends payment, it is important to remember that all directors of your society, both WSN members and non-WSN members on the board of directors, are subject to fiduciary obligations under law to disclose and deal with any payments contrary to the stipend policy and the Code of Conduct. DOES THIS NOT ALSO APPLY TO YOU? Was this the continued practice up to this date?
What date was this reported to the RCMP as this was our taxpayers'/public moneys and by law you had no choice but to report this to the RCMP.
Is Mr. Ben Stewart still a paid participating member of the Nisga'a Lisims Government and Wilp Si'ayuukhl Nisga'a?
Why was this illegal activity not reported to the May 2006 Nisga'a Assembly that you finally decided to have. The Agenda item "Financial Report" was nothing but Financial Procedures, implementations, etc. - SO THERE WAS NO FINANCIAL REPORT!!! What happened to the most fundamental information from our accounting department?
Mr. Leeson's August 18, 2006 letter (ATTACH #2 - 2 Pages) states on page 2: "However, it is difficult to assess the basis for these potential concerns without further information." It was not your job to assess the basis. No one is so stupid that they don't know if they are getting paid stipend payments from one source that they pay themselves the same stipend or other additional payments from the local accounts that is clearly designated for other expenditures - that is stealing whether you dub it "double dipping" or whatever your current catch phrase is. Again, was this practice still going on up until August 18, 2006.
When we were conducting an investigation regarding our moneys being stolen in Terrace Nisga'a Society (which includes years 2000 through 2003 and has been on going and is still in the hands of the Vancouver Forensic Investigations Unit ATTACH #3 - WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG - ARE YOU GUYS TRYING TO COVER IT UP & WHO IS INVESTIGATING THE OVER $1 MILLION THAT WENT MISSING WITHIN YOUR ACCOUNTING SYSTEM BETWEEN GREENVILLE & AIYANSH & ALL THE IRREGULARITIES IN THE GREENVILLE FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT? THE GAMING INVESTIGATION DID NOT TAKE THIS LONG ) I received the email from Ben Stewart February 4, 2004. (ATTACH #4)
This Nisga'a Government racketeering obviously is still benefiting a SELECT FEW - BUT these thefts will not be handled the "Nisga'a way" as explained by Martin Adams, Terrace Nisga'a Society Trustee, member of Nisga'a Lisims Government and Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a, November 30, 2003 Terrace Nisga'a Society meeting. It is racketeering when our Nisga'a Government members are so afraid to lay charges of theft because as has happened here - Charles McKay of the Terrace Nisga'a Society disclosed that Vancouver was helping themselves as they were doing - helping themselves with moneys even though they were getting paid from the Nisga'a Lisims Government offices.
Sincerely,
Barb Zvatora
Copies: Terrace RCMP RE: Terrace Nisga'a Society Financial Investigation
All those on the email
ATTACH #1
ATTACH # 2 Page 1 of 2
ATTACH #2 Page 2 of 2
ATTACH #3
ATTACH #4 Page 1/4
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To: gail.murray@rbc.com, zvatora@yahoo.ca, drootham_tns@telus.net, Roger.harris.mla@leg.bc.ca, s-small@shaw.ca, shall@cmhc-schl.gc.ca, starkwegsi_@hotmail.com, susan.schooley@wd.gc.ca, taitemily@yahoo.com, tedg@nisgaa.net, toews@canadianalliance.ca, tonyr@nisgaa.net, utley@ica.bc.ca, vmowatt@citytel.net, calmocean@msn.com, edmondw@nisgaa.net, yglover@telus.net, maxinea@nisgaa.net, bdms19692002@yahoo.ca, smiracle@accesslaw.ca, mitchell.A@parl.gc.ca, mmearns@afoabc.org, national@cbc.ca, Nault.R@parl.gc.ca, ncc@morefreedom.org, nco@afn.ca, neva.borg@gems3.gov.bc.ca, newsroom@terracestandard.com, Haroldo@nisgaa.net, herbert.morven@nisgaa.net, fern.scodane@nisgaa.net, padams@monarch.net, Patricia@Tsamiks.com, keyon@telus.net, nathaliepodeszfinski@conservative.ca, pm@pm.gc.ca, roberta.clayton@nisgaa.net, gitnispr@citytel.net, h_nyce@telus.net, joseph.gosnell@nisgaa.net, Darlene.Sampare@nisgaa.net, guerreroj@inac-ainc.gc.ca, harper@canadianalliance.ca, lhavinga@knv.com, webadmin@justice.gc.ca, Cauchon.M@parl.gc.ca, carnep@sen.parl.gc.ca, info@aptn.ca, info@bdc.ca, jack@fed.ndp.ca, jpc1@ubcic.bc.ca, jweston@accesslaw.ca, kcooley17@hotmail.com, niitipxaat@yahoo.ca, kirychukn@inac-ainc.gc.ca, loganabriss@hotmail.com, joy@bc.ndp.ca, marlajr69er@yahoo.ca, marting@nisgaa.net, mary_everson@bc.sympatico.ca, communications@afn.ca, copps.s@parl.gc.ca, dmparnell@hotmail.com, dauraychartrandm@ainc-inac.gc.ca, dianes@telus.net, duncan@canadianalliance.ca, sunnewstips@png.canwest.com, tabtips@png.canwest.com, Edna@Tsamiks.com, edward.allen@nisgaa.net, erose@cogeco.ca, erp@cmhc-schl.gc.ca, evac@nisgaa.net, sfournier@png.canwest.com, gen_mandy@hotmail.com, gerryharris@shaw.ca, gigigeech@yahoo.ca, gwenn@kaien.net, abc.vancouver@ic.gc.ca, andy@andyburton.ca, arc@istar.ca, go2kalum@telus.net, communications@oag-bvg.gc.ca, bcauditor@bcauditor.com, webmaster@awan.ca, womenscentre@vsw.ca, azak633@telus.net, bcafn@telus.net, robert.chamberlain@gems9.gov.bc.ca, Simplywild@msn.com, rhwf1999@yahoo.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca, cfarrell@cmhc-schl.gc.ca, cbfifi@hotmail.com, cguno@kitsumkalum.bc.ca, Charlene@Tsamiks.com, c1smckay@yahoo.ca, navg@osg.net
Subject: RE: Letter Dated Feb 04, 2004 Terrace Nisga'a Society
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 17:55:45 -0800
Would you kindly remove ben@tsamiks.com from your list I see that the information and the issues have been on-going, and to some extent gone out of control, I would expect that the issues should remain in-house. I encourage you to resolve these issues only with your fellow membership. Thank you and good luck.
Ben Stewart,
Vice President
Nisga’a Tsamiks Vancouver Society.
ATTACH #3 Page 2/4
Barb Zvatora SENT VIA EMAIL
Site 7 Comp 12 RR 4
Terrace, B.C.
V8G 4V2
February 17, 2004
Ben:
As a Vancouver Local Vice President, Nisga’a Lisims Government Executive and Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a representative, your request to have your email address removed is very alarming, to say the least.
Charles McKay and Martin Adams are also members of the executive and of the legislative arm of the Nisga’a Government which enacts Nisga’a laws – Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a.
I was not at the membership meeting where the “questions for our NLG representatives and board of directors” were compiled which we asked at the membership requested meeting May 25th, 2003. As explained, we have made every effort to civilly resolve the concerns of our members. Right from the beginning it was “out of control.” We have been locked out of our office, ignored, lied to, intimidated, threatened, abused, and facetiously responded to by our NLG representatives and staff – we have had no one to assist us. Many members stated that they had made anonymous phone calls to Nisga’a Lisims Government – with no changes at our Terrace Nisga’a Society office.
We celebrated “negotiating our way into Canada” so I am assuming that as Nisga’as and Canadians that our rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are still intact. Amongst other promises, our Nisga’a Constitution guarantees us consultation, involvement, and a transparent and accountable government.
Because our accountability and transparency problems stem from our Nisga’a Lisims Government Executives, we had decided that everyone involved in our governing bodies should have all the information.
Until we have received a copy of your tendered and accepted resignation from Nisga’a Lisims Government Executive and Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a, you are obligated “to provide good, effective and accountable government to the Nisga’a Nation as whole.”
There are about 5,000 Nisga’as of which approximately 70+% are existing on social assistance under the auspices of Nisga’a Lisims Government and Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a which consists of 39 elected members – including you. With the estimated salary of $45,000/year per member, which does not include travel and meeting per diems and other undisclosed benefits (everything is done in secret and it is rumored that some annual salaries are in 6 figures) – you would assume that someone would uphold our laws and regulations. Do you know of any town in Canada with a population of 5,000 where the mayor and councillors receive a total salary of approximately $1,755,000 annually and no one wants to be informed or take action within their own ranks when problems arise.
For your perusal, I have attached excerpts from our Wilp Si’ayuukhl Nisga’a document and our youths’ concerns that was brought to my attention.
Barb
Barb ... that's quite a powerful indictment of the Nisga Council!
If all this is so one would wonder why the Federal Government would continue to transfer funds.
I think the problem you refer to is that the Government MUST do this under the terms of agreements. Your question and concern seems to be about holding the council to account. From what I've seen this is not a problem that resides only with the Nisga.
I wish you luck in your efforts to hold elected officials and others to account and hope that you'll continue your efforts until you succeed!
Just to clarify the information that is in MY post...
The information come from normal government reports and was compiled as press release by the CTF.
My Point was not about where the money went but rather that CP chose to present the story in a way that implied the Government is guilty of some malfeasance.
This is a completely false inference by the News Provider CP.
It is time for the tax payers to step in and ask where our tax money is going.
Why are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.Bring all levels of government into accountability.
Let us show some support and start speaking out against not been accountable for the monies received.
I comment these brave ladies for speaking out.
If there is no accountability lets just NOT PAY ANYMORE TAXES TO THE GOVERNMENTS.
Sylvia J. Stephens
108 Cooper Avenue
PO Box 91
Greenville, BC V0J 1X0
Phone: (250) 621-3450
Email: sylvia_stephens84@yahoo.com
November 28, 2007
Office of Auditor General of Canada
240 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A-0G6
Fax: (613) 957-0474
National Allegations and Complaints Coordinator
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Room 1210
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, QC
Postal Address: Ottawa, ON K1A 0H4
Fax: (819) 934-6103
Federal Treaty Negotiations Office
Attention: Ernie Filzweiser
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Suite 600
1138 Melville Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 4S3
Fax: (604) 775-7149
Dear Sirs/Madam:
Re: DEMAND FOR FORENSIC AUDIT ON NISGA’A NATION
My name is Sylvia Stephens, 58-year-old female from the Nisga’a Nation. In the spring of 2008, I will receive two University degrees in Political Science and BA in First Nations Studies. Guess what? I am very tired of writing letters of complaints to your offices since 2000 and I have not received one response so I will now seek legal help in order to improve the situation.
All of my letters written in regards to non-accountability and non-transparency of Nisga’a dollars since 2000, they are all on file as I have my own office space in my home and I have been recently appointed a Commissioner for Taking Affidavits in British Columbia. Parties like your organizations should have stepped in to correct the problems before they went out of control! The latest release of information from the Canada Taxpayers Federation that I received yesterday, we now demand a forensic audit of all of our Nisga’a monies since 2000 and an auditing of our lands and resources. If that is not done, we will seek to have our present Government officials removed and this will be public knowledge that has been secretly kept by persons who benefited from the $42 Million Dollars received from the Tories.
I am really dismayed that Ernie Filzweiser refused to accept any more of my emails in this regard and he blocked me intentionally. Why? He refuses to return my calls as when I first was exposed to this newest information, I left messages on his voice mail. He has a very negative approach on the telephone when I do talk with him and his brush off will not intimidate me. I asked to sit as an observer at the next Tri-Partite meetings with Fiscal Finance Agreement and he hollered, “No, you can’t”. After my University courses are done, I will spent more time on these issues and someone will have to answer to the courts when they get sued.
This is a very serious matter and I will talk to my legal representative today to seek the first step that I will take and a copy of this letter will go to Nisga’a Lisims Government. We have not seen one financial reporting of our dollars (MILLIONS) since 2000 and our letters go unanswered. We don’t see any public meetings with our Village Government and the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. What will happen when the taxation issue comes into effect? They don’t know if they are coming or going, as long as they receive their fat salaries.
In closing, I will not overlook any future ignorance of any offices that should be held accountable to the funds in question. I look forward to meeting with you, discussing with you, but please do no ignore this matter. We demand a FORENSIC AUDIT on monies and Nisga’a lands and resources. Have a great day.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Stephens
Commissioner for Taking Affidavits in British Columbia
c.c. Nisga’a Lisims Government
c.c. Jim Aldridge, Lawyer for NLG
Tories paid $25 billion in grants and subsidies over first year in office: report
22 hours ago
OTTAWA - A citizens' group says the Conservative government paid out $25 billion in grants, contributions and subsidies during its first fiscal year in office, with the two largest going to a Quebec-based aerospace company.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has compiled a list of the top 100 grants and contributions paid out between April 1, 2006, and last March 31.
The group says the 100 largest payments, doled out by 16 different departments and agencies, total $3.3 billion - much of it spent "questionably, inefficiently and, in some cases, outright irresponsibly."
The group says the government's total grant-subsidy budget accounts for just over 11 cents of each tax dollar spent.
The group says $9 billion a year is funnelled to native bands "despite the lack of accountability to Canadian taxpayers."
It points out that the auditor general is not allowed to scrutinize payments to aboriginal groups
Here are the Top 25 recipients of federal grants, contributions and subsidies paid during the Conservative government's first fiscal year in office (province, recipient, amount), as compiled by the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation and released Monday:
TOP 100 GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS APPROVED BY THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT – 2006/07 FISCAL YEAR
Recipient # 2006/07 Approvals Recipient Federal Department Agency PURPOSE
17 $41,643,324.00 NISGA’A NATION Indian & Northern Affairs Implementation of Self-Government Agreement/Grant
http://www.taxpayer.com/pdf/Top100.pdf
I agree Sylvia .... it is a LOT of money!
And NO one should ever get away with unaccounted management of other peoples money. Not ever!
I believe that for ANY native government to become more transparent, they need to get away from the old DIA system of government and start drafting up their own policies. For a nation that is supposedly "Self-Government" I find that disturbingly false. Why if we are a "self-governing nation", do we still have to get the final say from the bureaucrats in Ottawa? This antiquated system of the "Indian Act" is doing just what it set out to do. That is to have so much internal fighting and bickering amoungst each other that the are failing to see what the real problem is and that is the need to get away from the DIA Policies & Procedures that are meant to keep Aboriginal people dependent on government handouts. Why is it that in the federal & provincial government elections, that we can vote and then the people we vote into office are held accountable to the constituents of that riding? Are we not the same? Is that what we are striving for? For a nation that has given up so much for so little, why can't we all band together for a common goal and start doing things the way they had been done before contact with Europeans? It is such a wonder why so many of our young people are leaving the communities, there is nothing there for them but dependency on a few crumbs (welfare, make work projects, & seasonal jobs) alcoholism, drug use, and depression. Let's all take a stand people, end the misery of the dependency on the welfare trap!!!! United we stand, Divided we fall.
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