Attawapiskat chief goes on hunger strike
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As with most groups, and something I've often said, it's not the majority that perpetrate the myths and stereotypes. So the real question is, when are we, the majority, going to stop allowing the minority to speak for all of us?
The average person, the middle class, the 90%-95% of of the 99%, need, at some point, to stand up and do something because we seem to be the ones that understand that we need to be responsible for ourselves as well as to each other.
And my guess would be, if you tried to explain to her the damage she was doing here, she would reply that she didn't care.
What I find most confusing about this type of posturing is that they have a "goal" to reach. The sign is meant to enrage and then the goal becomes overshadowed and lost in the emotion. Thus the goal becomes secondary to the need to express emotion.
The minority typically isn't.
Yeah there's that aspect of it, and it's not restricted to only FN political action either. Every time now that we have a large scale demonstration (think G20 Toronto) we have destructive forces come out that do more damage to the cause than those they accuse of oppression.
The part that really stymies me is, whether we're talking about FN political activity or any other group, it is not the government that needs to be convinced and brought onside. It is the group I spoke of, those 90-95 of the 99 because, at the end of the day, we are the ones with the political power (not that we're especially well known to exercise it well).
So, in keeping with the topic of the thread, political groups need to be more mindful of the perception of the majority. Not to capitulate to it, but to be savvy of it. What's needed is leadership that can convey the message to the people and, whether the motivations of the woman sitting in a tent on Victoria Island are pure or not, because of prior perceived misconduct she is not the one to convey this message.
Quebec Grand Chief calls on Spence to end hunger strike - Yahoo! News Canada
Now I honestly don't know who this guy is, my bad perhaps, but what he's saying certainly sounds reasonable to me.
I've never been a huge fan of Coon Come, but...
"I don't know who is advising her. I don't know who she has surrounded herself with," said Coon Come adding "but I think if one is to make statements, they have to be credible based on at least some facts, on some knowledge, and hopefully be able to compromise."
Speaking from his own experience, Coon Come said "when you ask for something in this country, in my experience in negotiations, it's a give-and-take. There has to be a save-face, for both sides."
Is exactly what we were just talking about, lol.
"I chose to be part of the process. And I think I've done something for my nation that others only dream of," the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees said.
That kind of commentary would be one of the reasons I'm no fan.
"I don't know who is advising her. I don't know who she has surrounded herself with," said Coon Come adding "but I think if one is to make statements, they have to be credible based on at least some facts, on some knowledge, and hopefully be able to compromise."
Speaking from his own experience, Coon Come said "when you ask for something in this country, in my experience in negotiations, it's a give-and-take. There has to be a save-face, for both sides."
Is exactly what we were just talking about, lol.
"I chose to be part of the process. And I think I've done something for my nation that others only dream of," the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees said.
That kind of commentary would be one of the reasons I'm no fan.
That's probably why it struck me as so reasonable, lol.
Yeah it's a bit on the arrogant side.
Fair enough, lol.
Still, not an unreasonable way to present the position. Doesn't insult or implicate any 'side' in the issue, gives everyone their due (deserving or not). Whether he is arrogant in the retelling of his glory days or not, I can see where he was a successful leader able to get things done.
Is that a fair assessment? I mean, if we're taking the point of view of incremental change, but real change as opposed to the never-getting-anywhere road that most protestors seem to be on, there is always going to be some give and take. Getting to 75% of your goal beats 0% and it is forward momentum. So is that a fair assessment of the style of leadership?
Keep in mind, I'm not defending him specifically or speaking to any specific actions he may or may not have taken, just looking at the bigger picture. What's the definition of successful leadership?
I can't say for sure. Fontaine before him had the same label.
It may also stem from the fact that so many do not see the AFN as their voice.
And I would agree with your thoughts.
The reason he rubbed me the wrong way was that he pounded his fist on many a podium, trumpeting for the cause, but when face to face with the unwashed masses, he was standoffish and arrogant. He wouldn't even give us the time of day when the delegation from the TMC went to see him with grave concerns about the fiscal mismanagement and misappropriation of funds by the PMNO heads.
In all honesty, he came off as a fraud and an apple.
In his defense though, we got the same reception from the MIA.
Good question. Spence isn't it. That's for sure.
I'd take Coon Come over her any day.
Without speaking to the specific individual men involved, sometimes there needs to be caution with throwing out the 'sellout' label just as there is with any other label. From an outside perspective it can appear as, and probably in many cases also can be, self-defeating to do so too often-the label itself becomes meaningless if it's over used.
I would be angry at anyone who dared to presume to speak for me that I didn't want to. At minimum it wouldn't put him in the best light to begin with for a lot of people, so I can understand that to a certain extent.
So what I'm gathering is that he was not really as effective a communicator or negotiator from the inside perspective than from the outside perspective. You need to be both to be a really effective leader I think.
AFN leader prepares for follow-up meeting with PM
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) — who persisted in meeting with the prime minister despite opposition from hunger-striking Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, other prominent aboriginal chiefs, and Idle No More protesters — emerged from Friday's meeting determined in his resolve to improve the plight of Canada's First Nations.
more
AFN leader prepares for follow-up meeting with PM - Canada - CBC News
Also...
Mulcair calls for Spence to end strike
OTTAWA - Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence should take a "step back" from her strike efforts in wake of recent inroads made between First Nations and the feds, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair said Sunday.
"I would sincerely call upon Chief Spence to realize that there has been a step in the right direction, to try and see now if we can keep putting pressure on the government to follow through," Mulcair said during an interview with CTV's Question Period following a few weeks of silence on recent First Nations protests. "I think that the best thing to do would be to step back from that now."
more
Mulcair and former AFN National Chief call for Spence to end strike | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) — who persisted in meeting with the prime minister despite opposition from hunger-striking Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, other prominent aboriginal chiefs, and Idle No More protesters — emerged from Friday's meeting determined in his resolve to improve the plight of Canada's First Nations.
more
AFN leader prepares for follow-up meeting with PM - Canada - CBC News
Also...
Mulcair calls for Spence to end strike
OTTAWA - Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence should take a "step back" from her strike efforts in wake of recent inroads made between First Nations and the feds, NDP leader Thomas Mulcair said Sunday.
"I would sincerely call upon Chief Spence to realize that there has been a step in the right direction, to try and see now if we can keep putting pressure on the government to follow through," Mulcair said during an interview with CTV's Question Period following a few weeks of silence on recent First Nations protests. "I think that the best thing to do would be to step back from that now."
more
Mulcair and former AFN National Chief call for Spence to end strike | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
What a joke its time we make a stand as CANADIANS and stop giving our tax dollars to indians we are all one!!! Why should people who don't pay into the system get to use it like the roads were drive on the hospitals we use and let's not forget welfare!! We have to put a stop to this before a civil war breaks out..
I suggest you read Canadian History and the treaties signed. Also the SCoC rulings. And when that is completed come back as I will have more for you.
See you in a few years. Say bye now.
welfare? and where do you suppose the land came from that those roads are built on, and the hospitals?
I agree though, if people aren't willing to pay, then they shouldn't be allowed to use. So, with that in mind, where are you planning on moving to since you don't seem willing to "pay" for the legal treaty obligations.
Oh great, another one who buys into all the stereotypical b.s. Good grief, can you guys at least get some new material?
Don't use words like "we", you speak for no one that any reasoned, thinking, rational Canadian wants to be associated with.
Well, I use "we" talking about a majority of Canadians who are sick to death of dimwits like Spense wanting to talk "nation to nation"
with our government when she can't seem to do anything about a lot of her people living in anything better than cardboard boxes. The money she is spending in Ottawa could better help her people than her moronic hunger strike.