Calculating the Bottom Line for First Nations

A few days ago, the federal Conservatives proposed their new budget, totaling out at roughly $280 billion in expenditures (versus apx. $231 billion in revenues). And as we saw in Tim Fontaine’s overview, the 2010 federal budget included a few multi-million dollar programs and services aimed at Aboriginal people. Millions and billions: these are impressive, […]

Different song, same old sh*t

Recently, CBC Radio’s The Current interviewed some people about a proposed youth recreation centre in northend Winnipeg aimed at Aboriginal youth. What could be wrong with that, you ask? Well, the Youth for Christ group behind the proposal is a fundamentalist, evangelical Christian group that wants to convert youth over to its particular brand of […]

Throne Speech Pledges “Steps to Endorse” UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights

Well, that was certainly unexpected.. In her much anticipated Speech from the Throne, Canada’s Governor General Michaelle Jean stated the following: “We are a country with an Aboriginal heritage. A growing number of states have given qualified recognition to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Our Government will take steps to […]

No, Canada.

Ever have one of those nights where you can’t believe what you just saw and you’re steamed about it, but you know saying so won’t make a nickel’s worth of difference because apparently it IS true – ignorance IS bliss? I’m talking about the bizarre distortions of the real world that keep popping up.  Some […]