I'd love to do a full article debunking this winter's scandal-of-the-season, but such has already been thoroughly debunked in several media exercises in true, refreshing journalism:
Fact checking a hunger strike, by Ezra Levant
The Hunger-strike games, by William Watson
Idle No More? Let's Get Serious, by Terry Glavin
Simplistic arguments from Theresa Spence, Idle No More could have tragic consequences for natives, by John Ivison
Get rich quick: become a First Nations Chief, by Lorne Gunter
Misguided hunger strike is manufacturing dissent, by Peter Foster
Idle No More an elite driven movement, by Ezra Levant
To understand how we got to Attawapiskat, go back to the 1905 James Bay Treaty, by Jonathon Kay
And although this isn't a journalism piece, it is helpful to keep in mind this mutually-agreed to outcome statement when Prime Minister Harper and aboriginal chiefs met just last year, in January 2012.
We're left with the following inconvenient facts:
- A third world-quality community of 300 homes is supposedly a "sovereign nation."
- Attawapiskat had 27 "staff" (elected and unelected) on the payroll in 2011, making anywhere from $1050 (for one month's work) to $71,000+ (chief Spence's annual salary). That's almost one paid staff member for every 30 community members.
- Attawapiskat, the third world community living in shacks, would rather invest in banks and resources rather than fix aforementioned shacks.
- Idle No More is nothing more than an extension of the criminal, disorganized Occupy "movement"
- Chief Spence, while refusing to meet with aboriginal Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau or Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan, is more than happy to meet with celebrities like Justin Trudeau.
- Oh, and, of course, the fact that this "hunger strike" is between helpings of "fish broth" and other nutritional liquids.
Ezra's report was positively brilliant. It is so refreshing to turn on the tube and see a news/current affairs/infotainment show (whatever you want to call it) get right to the heart of the matter and say what a lot of us are already thinking. We haven't had this in a long time - if ever. Man, the Toronto latte sippers must hate him.
ReplyDeleteHey, wouldn't it be funny if they bugged Spence's teepee and caught her chowing down on a few of those traditional, ceremonial twinkies ;-) (I think she's actually put on a few lbs over the past week or so - must be a few chunks in that 'fish broth'....
Oh my GOD it's so nice to read something of this nature than hearing these people go on about this damn "hunger strike". Isn't a hunger strike exactly that? Water excluded if I'm correct...she isn't any thinner...so funny how this article is bang on! Well done man! Hey while we're at it, why don't we burn some tires too? I mean...they love mother earth and all that right? Lmfao! And hive me a break with the feathers,seriously? Like that is supposed to have some affect? They only use the heritage when they want something...like oh...money. Abolish the reserves and make everyone pay taxes like everyone else... So sick of the handouts on my dime!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should look at all the history of this current situation instead of bashing aboriginals and their culture. Then maybe you will realize that our government is responsible for the state of the native communities.
ReplyDeletehttp://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2013/01/04/IdleNoMore-Historical-Context/
Are you satisfied with your contribution then? You make broad under-cutting statements (which seems to be the practice of any Native when in argument about these issues), and post a link to some pro-Idle blog, as if that wins it and the debate is done.
DeleteYou realize that the articles Dicken shared do consider the history of the 'current situation' and do analyze the federal government's responsibility in this matter - and all matters concerning Natives. How is this 'bashing' them...
However, what Idle-supporters seem disinterested to discuss, or even allow consideration for, is that idea that Spence has hijacked the movement, bullied her way into things and really isn't quite as Saint-like as she is made out to be.
Facts and numbers substantiate an argument, and these aren't exactly in Spence's favor.
Also, hanging out with celebrities, in the midst of a 'hunger strike'(while continuing to imitate Jabba the Hut)seems, to me, to be a big PR stunt focused on personal reward.
I really appreciated Terry Glavin's article that actually used Ernie Crey to reference and get a perspective from that side. As an aboriginal myself I am not able to say anything openly that is not 100% banner-waving, drum-playing, pro-Idle No More without having family call me a race traitor. Personally, I think dancing in malls and annoying patrons has nothing to do with affecting change, ditto road blockades which falls under the legal definition of domestic terrorism. MP's are the ones that write the laws so annoy the crap out of them. Write them, discuss this with MPs, let them know that future bills of this nature and the current bill C45 is not acceptable. And QUIT making it about race. If the initial intent was concern for the environment why the hell are people waving feathers and screaming "Native Pride" and boycotting "those white businesses"? The racial divide tactics will do nothing to further alienate anyone from the cause that is either not aboriginal or someone who doesn't spend their lives identifying as aboriginal. I have better things to do with my life than focus on the colour of anyone's skin, let alone my own.
ReplyDeleteI remember growing up with a certain reverence for natives...proud warriors, loving families and communities, self-reliant and in tune with mother nature. What happened? The only thing I'm seeing is a beaten people, perpetual victims of the worst kind...themselves. Yes, past governments and policies haven't done them any favours, but the victim card hurts you..give a man a fish, and he eats fro a day, give him a fishing rod and he can eat forever. It's time the native community takes a page from the lessons learned in the Jewish community. If you get knocked down, get back up twice as strong. No more excuses. It's time to stand up and be counted...with your hand in your pocket...not mine
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