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I'd vote for you. The Indian Act is a truly messed up document with all these clauses that ultimately remove status from people. I'd be incredibly happy if the
by hluska 5y ago
I'd vote for you.
The Indian Act is a truly messed up document with all these clauses that ultimately remove status from people. I'd be incredibly happy if they removed it, provided it was replaced with something designed by Indigenous people for Indigenous people.
I'm from Saskatchewan where an almost unbelievable number of people believe Indigenous people pay no taxes. That's not true at all but that sure fuels a lot of racism. Under the Indian Act, a person with status does not pay federal income tax on any money they earn on reserve. Some reserves have almost no opportunity so it ends up being a hollow benefit. I figure we have to either teach non-Indigenous people how the Indian Act really works, replace it entirely, build strong economies on reserves or extend the tax free status to any employment in Canada.
I love the idea of integrating Indigenous culture and health practices into our system and making them available for everyone. The First Nations University of Canada is a start. Sadly, if you watch the press conference in an hour, the Chief of the Cowessess First Nation (Cadmus Delorme) graduated from FNUniv, was heavily involved in their students association, hosted Prince Charles and Camilla when they were here a decade ago and then worked in Student Recruitment. It is a wonderful place...
I'd also like to see a more interesting path for Indigenous kids who are being released from the criminal justice system. In my city, when kids are released, one of the biggest programs teaches them how to be short order cooks and dishwashers. That's fine, but it ignores that some of these kids are absolutely brilliant and can do so much more. We could have art based programs, tech based programs, teach them OSCP or any of a wide variety of possibilities. But it's pretty hard on a kid to go from making $1,000 a day selling drugs to $12 an hour slanging french fries. I think if our system acknowledged their talent and potential the world would only get a little better.
I'd also love if they expanded Gladue factors in criminal justice sentencing, as well as started using more traditional Indigenous forms of restorative justice. Sentencing circles for example are not 'going easy' on crime. They're hard on crime but in a way that's distinctly Indigenous and that fits in with their entire culture, religion and belief system.
On a more personal level, I wish that everyone in Canada was as open about referring to colonialists as their forefathers as you are. Right away, just that small bit of personal responsibility could change the tone of dialogue.
And finally, honestly friend, your reparations idea will be unpopular, but you are 100% correct. It's necessary...
- neom 5y agoI'm a 6th generation Canadian on my father's side, my mother immigrated from Scotland. I'm about as colonialist as they come. I agree with everything you said. I just wanted to add one thing... I don't hold my views out of some misplaced or misguided post-colonial white guilt. I hold my views because of the reality of the situation. I cannot stand the "I will not pay for what happened generations before me" stance, I just cannot tolerate it. Even if one was to feel that, it so illogical with regards to the reality on the floor in Canada that I just cannot entertain it. If we do not do the best we can to back ourselves out of forced entry into an existing "Canadian" society, and then try to reintegrate with the guidance and permission of the natives, the future of Canada, in my opinion, is not at all bright. I realize some reading this may find my perspective extreme, nevertheless, I hold this belief deeply.
- hluska 5y agoI don't think it's extreme at all. Honestly, I'm touched by your words - you're 100% correct, I love your perspective and you are an absolutely wonderful person. This conversation has been an absolute honour. My Dad was in the RCMP. I was born on reserve and spent a large part of my youth on and around reserve. My Dad did some bad things and his uniform is certainly not absolved of guilt. A lot of my privilege came because of his job. It's quite sad to know how much I've benefited from white privilege and this entire awful system. I will happily pay for what happened. My privilege is as obvious as oxygen and I have gained tremendous advantages as the result of an awful system. I will happily pay, never stop paying and advocate until I'm blue in the face. Worst case scenario, we might change some minds. Best case scenario, we might change some worlds. Thank you friend - you're a wonderful person and I genuinely appreciate this support and fellowship. I just saw a press conference where they announced 751 possible graves in Cowessess. That's 751 missing Kookums and Mooshums...:( I really needed to read your words.
- 908B64B197 5y ago> My Dad was in the RCMP. I was born on reserve and spent a large part of my youth on and around reserve. My Dad did some bad things and his uniform is certainly not absolved of guilt. A lot of my privilege came because of his job. It's quite sad to know how much I've benefited from white privilege and this entire awful system. > I will happily pay for what happened. My privilege is as obvious as oxygen and I have gained tremendous advantages as the result of an awful system. I will happily pay, never stop paying and advocate until I'm blue in the face. Worst case scenario, we might change some minds. Best case scenario, we might change some worlds. Are you willing to give-up your father's inheritance?