People can get as angry as they like but I think it's a good thing. In a system that is so riddled with problems that we can barely see our way out, transparency will be one step towards taking an honest and objective approach to making things better for all concerned.
There's a bill that's soon set to pass through the House of Commons that will require First Nations in Canada to publish their financial statements - including the pay and expenses of the chief and council. I say if they have nothing to hide and they are proud of the way they are running things then what's the big deal? The deal reportedly is though, that there are many chiefs and councils (no, not ALL) that are pocketing hefty pay cheques while others on the reserve are left to struggle. Houses are falling to pieces, people are going hungry and some chiefs are living the high life (on the taxpayers dime).
According to reports, the chief on the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba takes home $220,000 a year - tax free. The blood tribe band in southern Alberta apparently has received a whopping $75 million from Aboriginal Affairs. Chief Charles Weasel Head and his 13-member council earn $1.7 million in salaries, honoraria and travel expenses. And like the articles I've been reading state, this wouldn't be terrible if the reserves were being run well, but there are many problems.
When are we going to get with the times and create change that is obviously so desperately needed? What may have worked and been called for a hundred years ago is not working today. Why are we continuing to hand over dollars where they are unquestionably being misspent?
I agree with the comments of one reader on this topic and they are: "There is an old saying: The best way to enslave a man is to provide for his every need. They (reserves) are prisons in many respects - they hold people back from building a future and keep them locked down in a culture of being victims. They are a form of segregation and promote repression and stagnation. It is time for First Nations to step forward and grow as a people, instead of being trapped in the past and wasting away."
By all means lets make things more transparent and following that, let's take the steps needed to follow through on lasting, positive change.
