I`d like to take this opportunity to say….HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! to those of you who`s today is actually Friday…

The UN world government.

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/political-climate

It really burns my bottom that people feel sorry for the natives and their harsh treatment by governments I grew up beside a reserve and it is a well known open secret that alot of people know but refuse to talk about and that is when both provincial and federal goernments give the bands money there is no paper trail bands are not required to say where the money went and who gets what.

It is well known that many band councils are as crooked they come if you look at it many on the band council usually have good stuff while the band members get next to nothing and the chiefs are the worst of the lot one chief embezzled over 26 million dollars over 18 yrs and what was done about it…nothing the governments swept it under the carpet.

As to the treaties they are a massive joke that costs us the taxpayers millions of dollars and for what? The band is granted traditionally hunting grounds and in many cases individual natives get xx amount of timber under the deal and they sell it back to the band who in turn sells it to timber companies for huge bucks.

As far as I’m concerned we should not have to pay for something that happened 130 yrs ago if you ask many of the young adult natives many will tell you they don’t even know what happened or care and as far as traditional lands are concerned many young natives don’t even know where they are or care.

If you think I am being to critical take a drive on a reserve some time and look at who has the money and who doesn’t and look at how many treat their homes because they don’t care they break it the government will build them a new one at our cost.

I see the residents of Saltspring Island have all banded together and told Corix {sp?]the contractors for BC Hydro to take a hike.Just one of many communities across BC that have concerns about the new so called ‘Smart meters’.Cristy Clarks government should quit hiding and address peoples concerns about these meters.

UNDERSTANDING ATTAWAPISKAT

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/1305119208001#.TtryVgc52fR.facebook

I see there are a few council and mayoral candidates election signs still sitting in snowbanks. Would be nice if they were removed.

Christy is just doing as she’s told by her financial masters, Denaljo. The move towards Smart Meters, like the move towards water meters, is worldwide, and dictated from on high. And don’t expect the NDP will go against what ‘Finance’ wants ~ they’ll rail about it while they’re in Opposition, but if they were government they’d be following the exact same policy the Liberals are. Maybe even more so. The only REAL concern about Smart Meters is the one about ‘variable rate billing’ ~ where we’ll all be paying ‘more’, and then, for most of us, ‘way more’.

Salt spring island people are self declared societies of wanna be hippies. They are likely all very well educated come into the city to make mega bucks and then disappear back on to their island to live a life that does not want to keep up with current world.

Simple solution, Obviously the power is being produced on the island. Sell them the power plant, and let them run it themselves.

Is it not Friday for all ?

It’s not my friday, lou. Fortunately this is still a 7,24,365 town. I love my job.

I love my job – it is the work I hate!

He spoke should google about smart meters and have a look at all the communities across North America that are banning the meters. Hippies, doctors, lawyers, retired professionals; yeah they are all so dumb!

“Hippies, doctors, lawyers, retired professionals; yeah they are all so dumb!”

What about all the hippies, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals that don’t see any problem with smart meters?

Actually, scratch hippies off that list. They’re against pretty much everything.

Let the cloning begin.. Scientists have found a Wooly Mammoth bone with well preserved bone marrow inside and are hoping to have a clone in the next five years. Thoughts?
http://www.sync-blog.com/sync/2011/12/scientists-to-clone-mammoth-in-jurassic-experiment.html

Life imitating Spielberg ?

The price of fuel…now that we are being hammered at the pumps how many of you are still in support of the Carbon Tax?

Do you think cross border shoppers should be able to avoid paying taxes on goods and services while those in other communities are left to pay the bills?

I have always believed that the first nations people should be adapting to life in the world as it is today. Life is an evolving process and unfortunately, it is survival of the fittest.

If your traditional way of doing things doesn’t work, then adapt. It happens with animals, plants, and humans.

I believe in preserving some of the culture that first nations have had in the past but truly believe that their situations will only get worse if they don’t evolve.

evolve? like grow another arm or what?

JohnnyBelt says…”Actually, scratch hippies off that list. They’re against pretty much everything”

And you’re FOR pretty much everything. So what makes the “hippies” any worse?

Yay I think they`ve finally found the planet I`m actually from(NASA finds new planet Kepler 22b)guess I`ll be going home soon…I hope.

Yup! folks we are so special here in the stinky PG that we have to pay 123.9 for fuel.
Hmmm,gouged is not the word I’m looking for ,more like SCREWED!
NO COLLUSION,my a##….fuel is cheaper in Ft St John and Dawson crack…good too see no one is concerned….

Bornandbred, it must be THEIR decision entirely whether they wish to live in the modern world with all its technical, scientific and medical advancements OR live off the land, hunting and gathering while rejecting all the newfangled ways.

Unfortunately hunting and gathering and spurning the *Western* type of society makes for a very tough ( and often short) life, too tough and nearly impossible for anyone who has grown accustomed to and dependent on ATVs, snowmobiles, pickup trucks, electricity, phones, television, medical care, modern clothing, grocery stores, the internet, McDonalds and shopping at the mall.

If they decide to take the leap (they are mostly there already anyways!) they have to do it willingly and with determination.
It doesn’t require them to abandon their pre-colonial history and pride in the successful societies they maintained and lived in for hundreds of generations.

And they do not like it when somebody tries to tell them what they “should” do.

It’s entirely up to them.

Well zyblxteu Gas is 122.9 at most stations. I gave up years ago asking the questions. Stations here will charge whatever they like and you will have to pay for it. What else are you going to do? Sure seems funny that they always have the same price at the same time, you know they all run out of fuel at the exact same time. Some stations are more rip off artists than the rest. They soak every penny out of you keeping their prices a penny higher than others. First to go up last to go down, I don’t deal at that one staion on the Hart anymore for anything.

smart meters in Ontario, Ontario not so smart.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/12/07/toronto-smart-meters.html

Dragon: “And you’re FOR pretty much everything. So what makes the “hippies” any worse?”

Good point. Maybe I am ‘for’ everything. Maybe I realize all those government and social programs we hold so dear to our hearts require a functioning economy and collaborative approach, rather than simply saying ‘no’ to everything.

I don’t know why people bitch about gas prices. It’s like complaining about the weather.

How many millions of dollars does our Federal Government spend/contribute each year to other countries when a disaster hits?

But yet we still have people living in worse conditions than some of those countries we help?

First Nations; homeless; seniors;etc.

Take care of our people before others – or find a better balance.

Not saying the housing crisis on reserves is 100% government’s fault, but it would be nice if they spent our tax money on better solutions.

Jim13135, evolve “to develop or achieve gradually”.

PrinceGeorge, I didn’t say it had to be done. I am just saying this is how nature works. Of course, it has to be their decision.

Anyone can still hunt and gather food. If you can’t live off what you hunt and gather, then you must survive other ways. Just saying.

Modern life isn’t just technology, although one can certainly make it that way. Modern life is about what it has always been about; surviving. Granted it is easier to survive these days than in the past.

@fair comment: Thanks for posting the web site,I like that rant and corruption goes on almost every reserve.On Vancouver Island there were check signers that apparently allotting them selves an extra check a month 2-5 times a year with no explanation as to what the check was actually for.I cant say where either cause I could end up on trumped up charges for naming the registry,that`s just how it goes.The same thing happens locally all the time,again I cant mention the registries, but I would bet you a Buckskin if you asked all of our local registries to open the books they`d be scrambling for lawyers to see how they can divert blame away from check signers and recipients…A buckskin,that`s my highest bet thus far…any takers???

**Hundreds of delegates from around the circumpolar world will converge on Prince George for the World Winter Cities Association for Mayors conference in 2010 says Mayor Colin Kinsley.** Pr George was named host of the 2010 conference in 2006 when Kinsley was in **China**

Now unless I slept through 2010 this conference never took place. Seems the 2010 conference was held in Maardu Istonia.

So what happened. We didnt get the conference, and in fact we are no longer a member of the World Winter Cities Association.

Was this a **One man show** and when Kinsley went the conference was cancelled. Who knows????

Bornandbred, I know you just suggested what should be done! No problem! My suggestion is that if they don’t choose what seems to be the obvious solution then what can the government of Canada do?

Hunting and gathering? For sport or recreation, perhaps. Fulltime without contact with the outside? All of the First Nations?

Not a chance.

Any thoughts on the idea of the city having a storage yard in the Hart area for the snow removal equipment. Seems to me it would save time and fuel.Just a thought

hey palopu I think the last Council scrapped the membership in the winter cities association to save costs. From what I remember there isn’t any other city in north america that still belongs to the fledgling association. Not many benefits for the city in belonging except for giving politicians some justification for junkets where they can travel the world on our dime.

Wow, we are no longer a winter city? or are we opting out of the world.

Nope, the sky is blue, and gravity exists.
Crap its still white out side, so winter still exists.

Was that old Danny boy getting off the planet.

JohnnyBelt “I don’t know why people bitch about gas prices. It’s like complaining about the weather”

Who’s bitchin? We’re stating facts and if you don’t like it don’t read it and if you like it all don’t come back with ignorant comments.

For 12 years my hydro bill was between $100 & $140 for 2 months. My smart meter was installed 2 months ago & got my bill yesterday & guess what $176.00. What a saving eh. All Liars

mmmmm…. Scotch.

You can live as you want?
you can live the old ways, but if you take Money things change .

ac: “Who’s bitchin? We’re stating facts and if you don’t like it don’t read it and if you like it all don’t come back with ignorant comments.”

I’ll decide what to comment on, but thanks for your suggestion.

I would like to see a update on the shape of these 15 houses the reserve is getting after a year of being on the reserve. They will be destroyed again and it will be the government to blame..

P Val

I’d like to know who would have supplied these homes 100 years ago? When their homes fell apart back then did they just curl up and die? Did they go out and build another one? Or did Daniel Boone supply them all out of his pocket?

Just wanted to say I appreciate the way in which this opinion post is moderated. When you see the mud slinging between posters on PG Citizen, this site is a pleasure to comment on. Thanks Opinion 250 for being here.
Y’all have a great Christmas!

friday is just another day that ends with a y

whoever made up “First Nation” Nations are to me Millions of People, so why to we call a Band a First Nation and can anyone prove you where here first on this North American Continent. I love this Government giving out Millions and it just disappears into thin Air and I don’t have a Guild Complex I have to pay off , I just worked and payed Taxes, so here it is to all the Freeloaders.

How did the Metis become part of the FN.. they didnt exist till the french showed up ?

A couple of tidbits from the smart meter manufacturer Itron about the Openway meters being installed.

The ZigBee capability allows the meter to interface with compatible equipment such as a thermostat inside the premise, as well as other “nearby” devices such as gas (Itron’s OpenWay Gas Module is one example)

Itron developed an
advanced meter where calculations and
usage data are calculated within the meter
itself, allowing utilities to leverage timebased
rates, demand response, home
networking and many other smart grid
applications.

Métis are not First Nations. There are three legal categories of aboriginal people: Indians, Métis, and Inuit. “First Nations” is a synonym for “Indian”. The Assembly of First Nations, for example, represents only status Indians.

If you want to understand terminology like “First Nations”, “Métis”, “band”, “tribal council”, and so forth and who the various organizations represent, here is something that may help: http://www.scribd.com/doc/68140651/Understanding-Aboriginal-Government.

What day is this ? Could it be beat your first Nations Day. Seems a lot of posts today are about how first nation should just get the back of our hand.

Most seem to forget that foreign nations just took over Canada and put the first nation on reservation and that was the solution then. We wanted to be their keepers. Well its not that simple. We have dominated and suppressed them for a couple of centuries and its payback time..

To start what would the cost be to provide them with the basics of living like sewers and running water in their homes. For years we have just built shacks for them by contractors that were probably ripping off the system. The money is there to provide them with good housing and above all an education which would resolve many of their problems.

We are going to spend 30 billion on ships and aircraft for what purpose? And then the government commits 2 million for housing for our native people and what a big deal.

Someone has recently suggested that we should train them to build their own homes which would give them some accomplishment and provide employment at the same time. So lets have some more good ideas and stop beating on our Native population.
Cheers

Hmmm, please explain why the USA doesn’t have these issues Retired 02.

By your explanation anyone on the planet whose ancestors have been conquered in any way should collect from the taxpayer of the day? Attila the Hun conquered my ancestors way back in the year 450. Where do I line up for my taxpayer dollars?

Payback time, pffft!

Dragonmaster, its probably because the US govt. recognizes and treats its native citizens as sovereign nations.

First Nations in this country are often viewed as “problems”.

And outside of the few “nations” that have casinos, the situation for Native Americans in the US is not much better than Canada. According to the 1999 US Census, Native Americans as a group have the highest percentage of people living in poverty.

Strange thing that I have found though is that most US citizens that I’ve met have acknowledged the past and felt they gave a raw deal to the “indians”.

Most Canadians on the other hand, place the blame on the “indians” themselves and take a simplistic approach that if “Those damn indians got off their asses, had a shower, and put their noses to the grindstone, well hell they could all be investment bankers in….about three weeks!”

“Whoever made up “First Nation” Nations are to me Millions of People, so why to we call a Band a First Nation and CAN ANYONE PROVE YOU WERE HERE FIRST ON THIS NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT”

Ummm yeah, I’m pretty sure it is universally accepted that First Nations peoples inhabited North America before the Europeans built ships and sailed to our shores. Common sense should tell you that people from England, Norway or France didn’t swim to the Eastern seaboard of North America and populate the continent prior to them coming here by ship.

I’ve also heard rumours about these things called “books” and courses at places like CNC or UNBC that could you teach you a subject called “history”. You might find some info there that could help you in your quest for proof. But hey, I know those types of things are for those snobby artsy type folks and not “the common man”.

Good grief. LOL.

One source of evidence that First Nations were here before Europeans is that the early European visitors to the Americas all reported their existence. Christopher Columbus, Hernan Cortes, John Cabot, Samuel de Champlain, George Vancouver, and the rest all recorded in their accounts of their travels that the areas they visited were already inhabited by people who did not look like Europeans and who in most cases are clearly identifiable with the later inhabitants of the same areas.

To take one example, the first Europeans to visit this area were the Northwest Company explorers led by Alexander McKenzie in 1793. He kept a journal in which he repeatedly mentions encounters with Indians, some of whom became his guides, and which in its published form contains two appendices, one on the Indians East of the Rockies (basically Cree), the other on the Indians West of the Rockies (mostly about the Carrier).

On the evening of June 22, 1793 while camped near what is now Alexandria, a little south of Quesnel, he recorded a list of Carrier words, most of which are quite recognizable, e.g. “coun” for “fire” (kwun), “yezey” for “elk” (yezih), “zah” for “beaver” (tsa) and “tou” for “water” (too). It is therefore clear that the people he encountered were Carrier.

There is of course also archaeological evidence that First Nations people were here long before Europeans arrived.

Oops, sorry, the appendices that I mentioned are in the journal of Daniel Harmon, who was here from 1809-1819, not in Mackenzie’s journal. Elder moment, I guess. The word list I mentioned is in Mackenzie’s journal in the appropriate chronological position.

You can download volume II of MacKenzie’s journal for free from Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35659.

In the 50’s my grandfather was given a contract to build homes for the local band (the government not the band gave him the contract). The homes that he was replacing were barely 5 years old. The first thing he did was tour the homes and asked why the walls had be taken out, then he took the plans the Government had sent him and redisgned them with an open living concept. The third step was to take some of the young men and teach them how to build the houses. Most of the houses are still standing today and the reason:
– he listened to what the home owners wanted
– the home owners and band were proud of their “local” built home
– the young men went on to be contractors

Here is something you will not read in the general media about what the climate talks in Durban are really about. Everyone should be thanking Harper for pulling us out of this climate change mess.
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/12/09/durban-what-the-media-are-not-telling-you/

The term first nations as we apply to natives now, but with new discoveries may actually apply to the Solutrean an ancient people of Europe. These people may have inhabited North America long before the present natives. Google it.

The chief of Attawapiskat tells Canada’s rep to get off their land — just send the money? [http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/1314484225001]

The Solutrean hypothesis, even if true, is almost certainly limited to the Atlantic coast. It is pretty clear that most native people in the Americas came from Asia. And few people have found the Solutrean hypothesis persuasive.

In any case, the point isn’t what “race” set foot first in the Americas, but rather that most areas were already populated in the 15th century when Europeans began to arrive.

No, Attawapiskat is not saying “just send the money”. The money they have received is fully accounted for. You can read the audited financial reports on-line. Here is a good explanation of the situation with links to the various relevant documents: http://apihtawikosisan.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/dealing-with-comments-about-attawapiskat/. Attawapiskat has been under co-management for 12 years. It is absurd to claim that Aboriginal Affairs doesn’t know how the money has been spent since they had to approve the expenditures.

Instead of addressing the situation, the Harper government has insinuated, without a shred of proof, and in the face of the financial reports and co-management, that the problems are due to corruption and/or incompetence and in furtherance of this pretence has appointed a third-party manager who will be paid $1300 a day out of the band’s already meagre funds. The band quite understandably sent him packing. He is still in charge as far as Aboriginal Affairs is concerned but will have to reign from afar.

“Give more” I’d like to get in touch with you when I get back to P.G. for a visit, but I am not sure who you are……..lol Maybe get in touch with Opinion250 and they can give you my e-mail address. (I won’t post it on here)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Stay classy Prince George!