There’s also a big need for us to start acting like Nations, to have accountable leadership, and for us to stop thinking money is going to solve all our problems. I’m afraid money just can’t do this.

At least, if we want money so badly, then we should be in a position so negotiations, etc, can actually be in our favour.

Right now we’re all in a position of disadvantage to Canada, sort-of one step behind.

Uniting though, and acting like the Nations were are can change that.

About your not knowing who to turn to, have you ever heard of Wasase?

It’s a group that was started by Taiaiake Alfred, who is based in BC. I’ve been a member for a while now, and there’s a diverse number of good people there, many of whom are on the West Coast. They would be a good group to start with.

About the July 29 thing, I was pretty disappointed too, but it was a bit of a scam in my eyes, something for the AFN. No major change can ever happen in one day, it takes a lot of time and effort.

But if we took a moment to think of a way for people to take notice that would be to hit them in the pocket.. INDUSTRY.. I would like to see nations come together to stand against everything the INDUSTRY stands for and show Canada that once we all get together there is many of us … the Canadian government would not be able to turn its face.

We as native people need to stop fighting each other and stand together to let our voices be heard and have goals and things to say, not just I don’t like that or no. Give some reason and some solutions

That is my thought for the day

Concerned in Prince

I have a feeling there’s lots of people who have the same concerns as you, even many of the people who have publicly supported this so-called treaty—but they want to give the government the benefit of the doubt.

That should tell us something though. Because what safety and security can we get when we are limited to the hope that Canada and British Columbia will act responsibly and with integrity?

Trust is something earned, and these Governments have NEVER done anything to earn our trust. They always betray us, hands-down, no contest.

I myself am deeply concerned about these these treaties too. I think back 200 years and know our ancestors would never have agreed to them. The cost is just too great… But then we also had leaders we could count on, People who knew what it meant to be a Nation and knew what it meant to defend it… People who knew that “for the next seven generations” is not just some abstract idea, but a practical way of seeing what’s best for the People and the Land.

But now? Now the government is able to do what was impossible in the past. Is it because after so many generations of systemic abuse, the People are prepared to sacrifice and enfranchise and assimilate and compromise themselves into Canadian Society?

With all my heart I hope that’s not the case, but that is exactly what these so-called treaties are making the People do… and for what? Money and Promises?

Do you see any room to connect with others who disagree with this? Maybe you could form a Group of concerned Coastal People to atleast start informing people of the facts— and that, as sovereign Peoples, only you can secure your rights, protect your sovereignty, defend your culture, and meet your needs. A foreign government cannot do this and it is not the place for a foreign government to even try, especially one as hypocritical as Canada.

In any case, I want to say that no matter what happens with this and the rest of the treaties, there will remain a great deal of real hope because agreements on paper are not absolute. It does not mean they can’t be dissolved in the future, and it doesn’t mean that ten years down the road the people cannot suddenly realize how terrible this scheme is, and demand it be dissolved.

The very fact that so much coercion and deceit is being used to move all this forward may prove to be very useful.

Respectfully,
Ahni.