Attawapiskat chief goes on hunger strike

[lone wolf]

You never speak as equals when talking up and down.

 

[ChristianMN]

You obviously know nothing about native culture. Smudging is part of their spiritual ceremonies. I smudge and just about every aboriginal person I ever met smudges. It is a purification ritual interpretation for a spiritual ceremony. Aboriginal peoples do not compartmentalize their lives like white society. Art, dance, work, pray are all interconnected. It is all part of their culture.

More than half of the Native Affairs budget goes to government bureaucratic management. The people for whom it is intended see less than half.

So you can't answer me then?

Yes...Every Native American you have ever met smudges because it is a general cultural belief. If you asked an Algonquin to smudge he would probably look at you like an idiot. However, Algonquins are all gone, or at least the majority. They were one of the first to be wiped out because they were Eastern North American.

Most of the traditions we see now are from Western Cultures which signed treaties to prevent the Indian Wars the Americans were waging in the 1800's.

No...I know nothing of Aboriginal culture.

 

[Goober]

So you can't answer me then?

Yes...Every Native American you have ever met smudges because it is a general cultural belief. If you asked an Algonquin to smudge he would probably look at you like an idiot. However, Algonquins are all gone, or at least the majority. They were one of the first to be wiped out because they were Eastern North American.

Most of the traditions we see now are from Western Cultures which signed treaties to prevent the Indian Wars the Americans were waging in the 1800's.

No...I know nothing of Aboriginal culture.

I noted you are from PEI- Tell me about the conditions with Lennox Island and Ten Mile House.

 

[petros]

When the band cannot confront them we know they are running things. Corrections Canada was the petri dish that germinated the various FN Gangs, they put then in a low number of prisons. Not hard to figure out that they learned to work together.

Hell no.
Why would the gangs have to confront themselves?

The gangs are a by-product of the Rez.

You can't set up grow houses in the pokey.

You can't make meth in the pokey.

You can get your little sister hooked on morphine and put her on the streets from the pokey.

You can't sell guns in the pokey.

You can't make booze and sell it on the streets from the pokey.

 

[Goober]

Hell no.
Why would the gangs have to confront themselves?

The gangs are a by-product of the Rez.

You can't set up grow houses in the pokey.

You can't make meth in the pokey.

You can get your little sister hooked on morphine and put her on the streets from the pokey.

You can't sell guns in the pokey.

You can't make booze and sell it on the streets from the pokey.

That was the Genesis of the Gangs.

 

[ChristianMN]

I agree petros....Look at the reserves, look at the money, look at the leaders....

 

[petros]

I agree petros....Look at the reserves, look at the money, look at the leaders....

BINGO!!!

Just like any other organized crime syndicate there are those in suits and those on the streets wearing colours doing the dirty work for the suits.

 

[Cliffy]

So you can't answer me then?

Yes...Every Native American you have ever met smudges because it is a general cultural belief. If you asked an Algonquin to smudge he would probably look at you like an idiot. However, Algonquins are all gone, or at least the majority. They were one of the first to be wiped out because they were Eastern North American.

Most of the traditions we see now are from Western Cultures which signed treaties to prevent the Indian Wars the Americans were waging in the 1800's.

No...I know nothing of Aboriginal culture.

History is not culture. Canada considered itself Christian but now seems to be more a mixed bag. Many still consider Canada a Christian nation. It is part of their identity. Smudging is part of native identity. I know Micmacs that smudge, I know Ojibwa who smudge and they are from the east. No you don't know squat about native culture.

 

[petros]

That was the Genesis of the Gangs.

No. HELL no!

 

[ChristianMN]

I noted you are from PEI- Tell me about the conditions with Lennox Island and Ten Mile House.

My family moved directly to Wood Islands PEI. They were saved by Lord Selkirk. I can tell you the stories that were passed down. I can tell you that my ancestor raised sheep in Scotland, that's all he knew. Then the English came and killed half his flock. They needed them as salted meat for the navy going around the north side of Scotland.

After that he had nothing and had no choice but to leave. That's the story I have from my great aunt.

 

[petros]

History is not culture. Canada considered itself Christian but now seems to be more a mixed bag. Many still consider Canada a Christian nation. It is part of their identity. Smudging is part of native identity. I know Micmacs that smudge, I know Ojibwa who smudge and they are from the east. No you don't know squat about native culture.

Catholic Priests smudge with sweet grass aand wash their hands with holy water for cleansing before starting Communion, break bread and offer the blood of Christ to the 4 directions, tobacco is used in Church AFTER taking Communion.

You've never been to a Native Catholic service before?

No you don't know squat about native culture

Ya learn something new every day don't ya Cliffy?

That's what makes life good.

 

[ChristianMN]

History is not culture. Canada considered itself Christian but now seems to be more a mixed bag. Many still consider Canada a Christian nation. It is part of their identity. Smudging is part of native identity. I know Micmacs that smudge, I know Ojibwa who smudge and they are from the east. No you don't know squat about native culture.

Well I'll tell you that I worked in the Calgary Drop In and Rehab Center for quite some time, and I've probably seen more natives that you will ever see.

I'll admit right now...that sounds incredibly racist. It is not meant to be at all. In fact I helped more Aboriginals than most of you would like to. However; And particularly in Alberta. The Aboriginal community is extremely corrupt and very if not extremely void of culture. They are often simply living and not truly living.

I know a lot better than most of you what the true way of life is for most natives. And when I say I want them to integrate into the rest of Canadian society, it's not because I'm some white-boy who thinks he knows better. It's because I've seen it, I've worked with it, I know it. I know they can't stay where they are and they don't know who they are.

Don't you get it? They don't know who they are. They don't know where they belong. They don't think they belong here so they drink, or they do drugs. When they get home (reserves) they find more alcohol and drugs because those people don't know what they're doing either.

Get out...see the aboriginals on the street...the ones that we're all so "worried" about....then come talk to me about your stupid smudging.....go smudge, I'll deal with the real issues while you get high on life hippie.

 

[Goober]

My family moved directly to Wood Islands PEI. They were saved by Lord Selkirk. I can tell you the stories that were passed down. I can tell you that my ancestor raised sheep in Scotland, that's all he knew. Then the English came and killed half his flock. They needed them as salted meat for the navy going around the north side of Scotland.

After that he had nothing and had no choice but to leave. That's the story I have from my great aunt.

Don't care - Answer my points please. I am off to bed so you have all night to think.

 

[petros]

Well I'll tell you that I worked in the Calgary Drop In and Rehab Center for quite some time, and I've probably seen more natives that you will ever see.

I'll admit right now...that sounds incredibly racist. It is not meant to be at all. In fact I helped more Aboriginals than most of you would like to. However; And particularly in Alberta. The Aboriginal community is extremely corrupt and very if not extremely void of culture. They are often simply living and not truly living.

I know a lot better than most of you what the true way of life is for most natives. And when I say I want them to integrate into the rest of Canadian society, it's not because I'm some white-boy who thinks he knows better. It's because I've seen it, I've worked with it, I know it. I know they can't stay where they are and they don't know who they are.

Don't you get it? They don't know who they are. They don't know where they belong. They don't think they belong here so they drink, or they do drugs. When they get home (reserves) they find more alcohol and drugs because those people don't know what they're doing either.

Get out...see the aboriginals on the street...the ones that we're all so "worried" about....then come talk to me about your stupid smudging.....go smudge, I'll deal with the real issues while you get high on life hippie.

I used to ride shotgun with my wife in the needle exchange and condom van in Regina.

I don't just reside in my nasty neighbourhood. I LIVE in my nasty neighbourhood.

 

[ChristianMN]

By the way everyone...I'm really enjoying this debate...thank you...I haven't had a real debate in years....so thank you...

I used to ride shotgun with my wife in the needle exchange and condom van in Regina.

I don't just reside in my nasty neighbourhood. I LIVE in my nasty neighbourhood.

So you know exactly what I'm talking about....

Don't care - Answer my points please. I am off to bed so you have all night to think.

Really don't care that much my friend. Although I will take it up with you at another time if you'de like.

 

[petros]

So you know exactly what I'm talking about....

I live right smack dab in the heart of it. All I have to do is go out my door to see what's happening and who is behind it all. I know all to well. I could go as far as naming names but I don't think i want to burn to death in my home today or anytime in the future.

 

[Cliffy]

Well I'll tell you that I worked in the Calgary Drop In and Rehab Center for quite some time, and I've probably seen more natives that you will ever see.

I'll admit right now...that sounds incredibly racist. It is not meant to be at all. In fact I helped more Aboriginals than most of you would like to. However; And particularly in Alberta. The Aboriginal community is extremely corrupt and very if not extremely void of culture. They are often simply living and not truly living.

I know a lot better than most of you what the true way of life is for most natives. And when I say I want them to integrate into the rest of Canadian society, it's not because I'm some white-boy who thinks he knows better. It's because I've seen it, I've worked with it, I know it. I know they can't stay where they are and they don't know who they are.

Don't you get it? They don't know who they are. They don't know where they belong. They don't think they belong here so they drink, or they do drugs. When they get home (reserves) they find more alcohol and drugs because those people don't know what they're doing either.

Get out...see the aboriginals on the street...the ones that we're all so "worried" about....then come talk to me about your stupid smudging.....go smudge, I'll deal with the real issues while you get high on life hippie.

Wow! Just Wow. Yes, a lot of city Indians are having an identity crisis. I am painfully aware of that. Go out and see what is happening with the Idle no More movement. Go visit some reserves, not ones like Hobema where oil money has corrupted everybody. I have been on a lot of reserves and I have been on the board of directors of Native Friendship centers. I have been in ceremony with thousands of aboriginal people. You are only seeing that nasty part of things, the fall out from the residential schools.

 

[ChristianMN]

I live right smack dab in the heart of it. All I have to do is go out my door to see what's happening and who is behind it all.

I hear you. I live on 17th Ave downtown Calgary...If there are any Calgarians here, or if you've been here you'de know.

So what do you think? Having worked with them and lived with them. My opinion is they must integrate into the rest of Canadian society.

 

[petros]

Wow! Just Wow. Yes, a lot of city Indians are having an identity crisis. I am painfully aware of that. Go out and see what is happening with the Idle no More movement. Go visit some reserves, not ones like Hobema where oil money has corrupted everybody. I have been on a lot of reserves and I have been on the board of directors of Native Friendship centers. I have been in ceremony with thousands of aboriginal people. You are only seeing that nasty part of things, the fall out from the residential schools.

Come spend a week with me. My door is open to you. I'll show you things just outside the safety of my door that will make you vomit.

 

[Cliffy]

Catholic Priests smudge with sweet grass aand wash their hands with holy water for cleansing before starting Communion, break bread and offer the blood of Christ to the 4 directions, tobacco is used in Church AFTER taking Communion.

You've never been to a Native Catholic service before?

Ya learn something new every day don't ya Cliffy?

That's what makes life good.

Yes, I know a few Catholic aboriginal priests and I have participated in both types of ceremony.