Words for people to ponder…re: our supposedly “forever confusing infrastructure”
I worked in the govt system for 10 years, in Public Health & in the school district.
I was recruited, based on my Mainstream Business background & Coaching Certification.
My wife is a Teacher & we coach as a team, since 1995.
We are currently coaching an Under 14 NW Boys Basketball team, with players from Smithers, Terrace & Rupert, travelling to the Summer Games in July.
I am considered a Professional Aboriginal, not status quo & can articulate the difference.
I have family members involved in Band Council & groups like Coastal first nations.
With other professionals & Cultures, we have mapped out the simple infrastructure of our town, in politics, business & social structure.
This provides a very clear picture as to where every body stands & as well a "gauge"as to where we are socially.
This work was done in an attempt to draw a picture to work from re: bullying, grad rates, extra curricular activities, vandalism, etc. All of these issues stem from govt funding to govt offices & first nation offices.
This “Mapping out” can also be used to place groups (first nation or non)within that infrastructure to study their “measureable results” (govt term) from the last decade.
Groups like coastal first nations & any other groups that refer to themselves as “first nation” are with offices that are products of the govt. I say this respectfully & as a simple assessment.
Who else is calling themselves first nation? CFNR, all native tourney, friendship houses, band councils, first nation health, first nation education…etc.
If people look at the “protests” of the last 15 years or so, whether is it farm fish, the port, etc,
You have “first nation” people there & you have legitimate Traditional People, this is always the case.
(It is first nation groups that control the funding for “Aboriginal Day” & other events…plenty of funding)
First nation groups attend these “protests” & say certain things, but in the end, they will be siding with the people that provide them with funding.
First nation people are into this society, not Traditional…look at their bank accounts, vehicles, boats, houses, eating out, other property, logging companies, ferries, etc.
More & more people are simply looking at the last 20 years to get a reflection of what has been happening.
Do intelligent people want to believe that the govt is going to allow these first nation groups to think on their own? & possibly interrupt their agenda?
The objective is not to bash the system or first nation, but to define what we are in the middle of & bring like minds together…socially things are out of control, whether people want to admit it or not, you are not going to hear govt or first nation offices admit this…how can you take a govt cheque for 10 years & admit you are failing?
There are ethical responsibilities there, but this infrastructure gives status quo the option to ignore their conscience…“but they will still strike for a raise that will keep their “salary” up with inflation…”
Approx 15 % of govt employees are earning their salary, accross the board…these people make other govt employees nervous for being to “productive”
If the govt wants the pipeline to go through, first nation groups are already on board.
In the past, protests have allowed Traditional People & good, honest people of other Cultures to simply “Vent”…the first nation groups simply host the party, remember, who has access to the media?
I am Gitksan, our aunt is ready to sign the deal with enbridge (& the govt) in hazelton.
btw, her & I are not close…I do not fear her mind, but apparently, she fears mine.
for what this is worth…