I wish to submit the following, as a Siksika Nation grandfather and as a Canadian, in respect to Bill C-45. First Nations fought alongside your ancestors toward the creation of an independent country, shared our knowledge so they could survive on our lands and entered into treaties to live in peace and friendship.
Pursuant to Treaty #7 (1877) and the Canadian Constitution, lands were surveyed and set aside for the "use and benefit" of our people as Indian Reserve #146. Twenty-five years later, Alberta required more "prime land" for settlers, and in 1910, one-half of the Siksika Nation's lands (125,000 acres) and resources were alienated as follows:
- Minimum requirements of a quorum to vote on the sale were not met;
- Underage voters were listed, as well as names of the deceased as voting for the sale;
- The Indian agent used intimidation and bribes to encourage the vote;
- There was no consultation to provide informed consent of the people;
- Mineral title was not included in the vote;
- Lands were sold at an upset price, below market value;
- Sales continued into the 1960s at an upset price, and in some cases, only the interest was paid while the squatters continued to benefit from the lands and resources.
Today, the 1910 lands are predominantly rated as class 1 and 2 soils and billions of dollars of revenue has been produced from over 800 oil and gas wells. This unjust enrichment has benefited generations of Albertans and provided billions of tax dollars to the governments of Alberta and Canada.
To add insult to injury, the proceeds of sale that were deposited into a trust account in Ottawa to ensure Siksika's economic self-sufficiency were misappropriated by the federal government:
The Blackfoot Hospital was built in 1923 by funds from Siksika's trust, we paid for doctors' and nurses' salaries and medicine, however, the hospital was also used by Albertans; when Siksika asked for rent because the hospital was situated on our land, the government shut the hospital down and built hospitals in surrounding municipalities, including Strathmore, Bassano and Vulcan.
? Money was taken by the federal government for the war effort, yet there is no recognition of Siksika's contribution;
? Houses, vehicles, salaries and food were provided to federal employees;
? There was no accounting for money given to the Indian agent to purchase building supplies, rations, farm/ranch supplies, livestock, etc.
The result is that the lands, resources and trust accounts set aside for the use and benefit of the Siksika Nation as the foundation for self-sufficiency were stolen by the trustee (Canada) and used for the benefit of non-Siksika and the economic well-being of Alberta and Canada.
This is a summary of the history of the 1910 breach of treaty legal proceedings initiated by Siksika against Canada:
- All Siksika land claims were filed with the Exchequer Court of Canada in 1960;
- After 40 years of negotiations and broken promises, Siksika re-introduced all land claims to the federal and provincial courts;
- 2000 - the Federal Court ruled that the cause for delay to resolve Sik-sika's land claims was the federal government;
- 2001 - Siksika and Canada entered into specially managed Federal Court proceedings;
- 2005 - Canada proposed a joint federal cabinet submission with Siksika that would create new legislation to resolve the 1910 breach of treaty;
- 2012 - The federal government introduced its omnibus bill, whereby Bill C-45 removes legislated protection of treaty lands; Bill C-45 is disguised as a tool to promote economic development. In reality, this action by a majority government provides the minister of Aboriginal Affairs as well as self-serving or misguided native politicians and unscrupulous lawyers the power to expropriate First Nations' lands and resources for quick cash, corporate greed and to perpetuate the image of a wealthy Canada.
All we ask is that the federal government obey the laws of the land and provide the truth to all Canadians instead of blaming this country's problems on First Nations people. Further, I ask all Canadians to seek accountability from the government as to the billions of dollars spent toward:
- Suppression of treaty and human rights of First Nations;
- Money sent to Third World countries and billions of debt forgiven so Canada can act as a proponent of human rights and to correct injustices upon distinct societies;
- The annual cost for immigrants when millions of Canadians are jobless/ homeless.
All Canadians should take it upon themselves to learn the laws of the land and teach your children; it is easy to criticize, but it is harder to provide solutions. Ignorance leads to fear, which leads to violence and hatred toward people, especially children because of race or the colour of your skin.
In closing, I also wish to verify that I have not been paid to write the foregoing, nor do I represent any group or political entity.
Joe Weasel Child is a member of the Siksika Nation (Northern Blackfoot).
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Joe Weasel Child
Pursuant to Treaty #7 (1877) and the Canadian Constitution, lands were surveyed and set aside for the "use and benefit" of our people as Indian Reserve #146. Twenty-five years later, Alberta required more "prime land" for settlers, and in 1910, one-half of the Siksika Nation's lands (125,000 acres) and resources were alienated as follows:
- Minimum requirements of a quorum to vote on the sale were not met;
- Underage voters were listed, as well as names of the deceased as voting for the sale;
- The Indian agent used intimidation and bribes to encourage the vote;
- There was no consultation to provide informed consent of the people;
- Mineral title was not included in the vote;
- Lands were sold at an upset price, below market value;
- Sales continued into the 1960s at an upset price, and in some cases, only the interest was paid while the squatters continued to benefit from the lands and resources.
Today, the 1910 lands are predominantly rated as class 1 and 2 soils and billions of dollars of revenue has been produced from over 800 oil and gas wells. This unjust enrichment has benefited generations of Albertans and provided billions of tax dollars to the governments of Alberta and Canada.
To add insult to injury, the proceeds of sale that were deposited into a trust account in Ottawa to ensure Siksika's economic self-sufficiency were misappropriated by the federal government:
The Blackfoot Hospital was built in 1923 by funds from Siksika's trust, we paid for doctors' and nurses' salaries and medicine, however, the hospital was also used by Albertans; when Siksika asked for rent because the hospital was situated on our land, the government shut the hospital down and built hospitals in surrounding municipalities, including Strathmore, Bassano and Vulcan.
? Money was taken by the federal government for the war effort, yet there is no recognition of Siksika's contribution;
? Houses, vehicles, salaries and food were provided to federal employees;
? There was no accounting for money given to the Indian agent to purchase building supplies, rations, farm/ranch supplies, livestock, etc.
The result is that the lands, resources and trust accounts set aside for the use and benefit of the Siksika Nation as the foundation for self-sufficiency were stolen by the trustee (Canada) and used for the benefit of non-Siksika and the economic well-being of Alberta and Canada.
This is a summary of the history of the 1910 breach of treaty legal proceedings initiated by Siksika against Canada:
- All Siksika land claims were filed with the Exchequer Court of Canada in 1960;
- After 40 years of negotiations and broken promises, Siksika re-introduced all land claims to the federal and provincial courts;
- 2000 - the Federal Court ruled that the cause for delay to resolve Sik-sika's land claims was the federal government;
- 2001 - Siksika and Canada entered into specially managed Federal Court proceedings;
- 2005 - Canada proposed a joint federal cabinet submission with Siksika that would create new legislation to resolve the 1910 breach of treaty;
- 2012 - The federal government introduced its omnibus bill, whereby Bill C-45 removes legislated protection of treaty lands; Bill C-45 is disguised as a tool to promote economic development. In reality, this action by a majority government provides the minister of Aboriginal Affairs as well as self-serving or misguided native politicians and unscrupulous lawyers the power to expropriate First Nations' lands and resources for quick cash, corporate greed and to perpetuate the image of a wealthy Canada.
All we ask is that the federal government obey the laws of the land and provide the truth to all Canadians instead of blaming this country's problems on First Nations people. Further, I ask all Canadians to seek accountability from the government as to the billions of dollars spent toward:
- Suppression of treaty and human rights of First Nations;
- Money sent to Third World countries and billions of debt forgiven so Canada can act as a proponent of human rights and to correct injustices upon distinct societies;
- The annual cost for immigrants when millions of Canadians are jobless/ homeless.
All Canadians should take it upon themselves to learn the laws of the land and teach your children; it is easy to criticize, but it is harder to provide solutions. Ignorance leads to fear, which leads to violence and hatred toward people, especially children because of race or the colour of your skin.
In closing, I also wish to verify that I have not been paid to write the foregoing, nor do I represent any group or political entity.
Joe Weasel Child is a member of the Siksika Nation (Northern Blackfoot).
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Joe Weasel Child
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