Frank Godon provided me with a comment relating to a story that was released last week. Now as you read the story and the editorial comments - I will tell you that I am not providing an opinion related to what the First Nations in Manitoba are doing relating to their money. There is always criteria related to how gaming dollars can be used and that is generally detailed much earlier then these announcements are made.
The one thing that I would like to bring forward is the waste of tax payers money that all governments are guilty of why crying for money to deal with the social ails of society on the other hand.
In Alberta last week - we came to understand that the Alberta Government did not hesitate to spend 25 million dollars on an ad campaign to promote Alberta as a travel destination. They then put forward a picture of a beach in the UK as a means of promoting Alberta. There are beaches, majestic mountains and some of the most breath taking scenery in the world here but Britian's beaches were what was used.
In Edmonton - we have a municipal government that has continously advised the Federal and Provincial governments the ever ending need for resources to address the social problems that we have. On the other hand they are busy putting forward bids for the 2017 Expo. They are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on making the bid and have asked the Province for millions of Alberta tax dollars to continue on their trek to try and get the bid through.
We can't seem to find the dollars to deal with homelessness, pot holes, snow removal, police services, and other matters that seem essential to many but we have the resources to chase a bid - not even knowing if we stand a snow balls chance in hell of getting the bid.
We could also go to examples of other Aboriginal leaders prioritizing things like endless civil law suits against individuals to spend their limited resources on while whining that they do not have any funding - but somewhere these decisions get made by elected individuals that do not consider the reality of the situations that affect the common grassroots people.
The link to the story is:
http://www.canada.com/Manitoba+First+Nations+donate+museum/1519462/story.html
Manitoba First Nations donate $1M to museum.
WINNIPEG- The Canadian Museum for Human Rights received a $1-million boost Tuesday from the First Nations in Manitoba.The donation was made on behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the South Beach Casino and Resort.
``The First Nations stories and themes throughout the museum will share the true history and stories of our people,'' said assembly Grand Chief Ron Evans in a news release Tuesday.
``This is a great opportunity for us as First Nations to educate the citizens of the world, not only on the historical injustices that we continue to endure, but also the resilience of our people, the teachings we can offer related to peace and justice, and the great progress we have achieved in protecting and advancing our rights.''
The museum, which will be constructed in Winnipeg, is the brainchild of the late Izzy Asper, the founder of Canwest Global Communications.
The mission of the museum will be to explore human rights and commit to taking action to combat the forces of hate and oppression.
``The Canadian Museum for Human Rights has always been envisioned as a journey of hope,'' said Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights campaign chair, Gail Asper.
``Indeed, the very mission of the museum is to promote respect and we believe that educating and enlightening visitors with the stories of First Nations people will help achieve that mission.''
To date, there have been more than 4,500 donations made by the private sector to the museum. All three levels of government have given a combined $160 million contribution to the project.
The total cost of the project has been pegged at $265 million. Construction is expected to be completed by February 2012.
After this piece of news was announced on April 21 an editorial/blog was released at:
Excuse Me
Posted 4/22/2009 8:00:00 AM Excuse me? Doubt that the chiefs had to buy their way into the museum. When it comes to human rights and a museum highlighting the struggles aboriginals will qualify as charter members, believe me.
The donation came in part from the South Beach Casino and the Grand Chief says it’ll give them a chance to tell their story.
Wait a minute, we know the story, we’re hearing it every day but unfortunately it’s been going in one ear and out the other and the chiefs themselves make that point.
The Chiefs made their donation in the morning and later in the day the same chiefs stuck a hand out demanding government financial relief from the flood waters.
The chiefs had a million bucks gained through the easy-come-easy-go method of gambling revenues and instead of handing it over to help their people in a time of need they make a deposit on membership in a human rights museum.
They just don’t get it do they? They do not know how to spend their money in a manner which will most benefit their own people. They complain about the state of their housing, they’re hard pressed to find safe drinking water, they have kids on the reserves with no future, they have people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and they take their casino money and give it to a museum.
And then the audacity of hearing their so-called top aboriginal leader step to the podium down there in Ottawa and complain that the onus is upon others to bail them out.
And therein lies the problem…..Indian Affairs says the government gives First nations money each and every year and it is up to them to decide how to spend it.
Believe me, the examples are everywhere, they do not know how to spend nor where to spend.
The museum donation is just one of those examples.
A million bucks won’t do much in the big picture but the optics and the cheque would provide a small dose of relief right now at a grass roots level where it is most needed.
Wonder if they bothered to ask the people of Peguis if they could have used a million bucks right now?
I’M CJOB NEWS DIRECTOR VIC GRANT
4 comments:
"The Chiefs made their donation in the morning and later in the day the same chiefs stuck a hand out demanding government financial relief from the flood waters."
This shows that they (the chiefs) have no idea on how to handle money.
"The chiefs had a million bucks gained through the easy-come-easy-go method of gambling revenues and instead of handing it over to help their people in a time of need they make a deposit on membership in a human rights museum."
When casinos were set up - wasn't the idea for setting them up supposed to provide relief to Canadian taxpayer? You know the "Bands" becoming self sufficient!
"They just don’t get it do they? They do not know how to spend their money in a manner which will most benefit their own people. They complain about the state of their housing, they’re hard pressed to find safe drinking water, they have kids on the reserves with no future, they have people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and they take their casino money and give it to a museum."
Maybe there is a reason that Aboriginals have to be treated like "wards of the state". Its obvious from these actions that even the leaders don't know how to take care of their people.
"And then the audacity of hearing their so-called top aboriginal leader step to the podium down there in Ottawa and complain that the onus is upon others to bail them out.
And therein lies the problem…..Indian Affairs says the government gives First nations money each and every year and it is up to them to decide how to spend it."
Well I guess since they are "intitled" to this money they can blow it anyway they want. But as a Canadian taxpayer I'm getting pretty sick of supporting these "intitled" individuals.
"Believe me, the examples are everywhere, they do not know how to spend nor where to spend.
The museum donation is just one of those examples."
The best way to teach all Aboriginals to learn how to manage money is to stop giving to them and have them all go out and earn it themselves. And pay taxes just like every other "Canadian"! Once they know how difficult it is to make, they may learn how to spend it.
So Frank:
As you work in Russia - do you pay your tax dollars to the Government of Canada?
Casinos do not provide relief to the Canadian Tax Payer. If you look at the residual issues related to gambling ... we have far more social problems - both in and outside of the Aboriginal community - because of another addiction.
Gaming is governed by each province and the revenues generated from gaming can only be expended on pre-approved plans that are determined eligible by the policies of each of the governing provinces.
Gambling revenues have some very tight controls because of the percieved issues related to gaming and organized crime.
MM - I pay taxes in 3 countries, Russia (13%) Canada (what ever percent I hit) and US (as all US citizens pay taxes on all monies made) SO yea its my tax dollars that these "entitled" peoples are sqaundering.
What I can't understand then about casinios is why are they announced as a way for "First Nations to be selfsufficient"? And I do agree that they are proving to be more of a problem than a help for our people.
I never said that Casino's provided relief for the tax payer, I asked the question based on all the propaganda that these Casino's would allow the Aboriginals to become self-sufficient thus provide relief for the tax payer.
Hello (Frank)ly speaking,
Please excuse yourself for being just you. It's okay.
Fox Mullder
Truth is out there!
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