The recent decision by the Assembly of First Nations to reject Ottawas musings about reforming on-reserve education was an example of a react-first, ask-questions later approach. It was unhelpful, most of all to First Nations kids.
first nations
January 29, 2012
2:00AM
Ever since the northern Ontario reserve of Attawapiskat burst into public consciousness late last year, a plethora of pundits and politicians assert that if only reserves had more cash from the minerals or oil around them, reserve hamlets could be turned into Hong Kong.
Perhaps. There are examples of reserves that capitalize on their location. The Osoyoos Indian band in the south Okanagan does smart things, having created a first-class winery (NkMip), hotel and conference centre and thus profiting from wine sales and tourism.
Perhaps. There are examples of reserves that capitalize on their location. The Osoyoos Indian band in the south Okanagan does smart things, having created a first-class winery (NkMip), hotel and conference centre and thus profiting from wine sales and tourism.
December 4, 2011
2:00AM
Are First Nations reserves in trouble? The recent coverage of northern Ontarios Attawapiskat reserve and its squalid conditions suggest the answer is yes. So too Ottawas decision to put Attawapiskat band finances under third-party control.
November 28, 2011
2:00AM
The federal government spends almost $12-billion annually on aboriginal matters, with much of it transferred to First Nations for governance, education, infrastructure and income assistance. That figure doesnt include spending by other levels of government, but given the amount of just federal tax dollars at stake, Ottawas new legislation to require transparency and accountability on reserves makes eminent sense.