Provincial and city authorities are spending millions of dollars on 38 chronic street people who are repeatedly transported to and lodged at Winnipeg hospitals and an inner-city drunk tank...... http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2008/02/02/4808514-sun.html

I wrote a letter to Chris Kitching, the writer of this story and sent the letter to the Editor in Chief and the City Editior as well as a couple of columnists from the Sun.

Here is the letter.

My comment is about the story printed by Chris Kitching in today's (Feb 2, 2008) paper, about Winnipeg's homeless "problem". 

I wonder why Mr. Kitching did not ask Mr. Steeves about his "finance" comment...."From our perspective, financially, it is really hurting our service."  WHAT???

Has either one of these men thought about the more substantial loss here before sitting down for the interview? 

When will the media and the people who are elected to run this city realize that there is a greater loss here? I don’t think the people are educated enough about this specific issue.  They need to realize that it is OUR responsibility to make sure that we don't have these kinds of issues in our city. There is human loss of all kinds of proportions here, physical, mental, social, emotional, all kinds.  These people have not gotten here on their own: they will need the help to change. That takes strong dedicated people; they are already out there helping, where are the rest? 

Are Mr. Katz and Mr. Steeves really that dedicated? They both seem to obviously be caught up in the Bourgeoisie lifestyle. We should make sure, as citizens of this city, that there are people we elect to help make sure there is no homelessness here, instead of losing funds in City Hall by mismanagement of funds and maybe we could hold off on chipping in on the Water Park and let it be up for private tender like it was intended to be.

At the end of the day, this is the city he runs, and if there were any way possible, they both should be tried in a court of law for murder and neglect to say the least. Mr. Katz needs to remember that there is a human cost here, never mind financial.

If there is only one human that is helped out of the 38 "chronic offenders" then the money was well spent.  I'm sure if you ask other humans that live in this city how they feel, they would agree that a financial loss is okay as long as it saves a human life.  Where is the humanity?

As I write, I feel we as Canadians have are losing our humanity.

I realized later that there were more comments made by Gord Steeves that I should have addressed.  His comment about the healing..."It's way too expensive and you're never going to see people heal themselves if healing is, in fact, possible."   ARE YOU SERIOUS???  This is a leader in our community?  How can this be?  Aren't leaders supposed to have positive outlooks, and positive attitudes?  With an attitude like that no wonder our city in such disarray.  No wonder people are dieing, NO WONDER........

I invite comments.

Ekosi, Meegwetch, Thank You

Walking Wolf

Fri, October 12, 2007 -  The Winnipeg Sun

By PAUL TURENNE, SUN MEDIA

Alleged assault in Hollow Water under investigation - RCMP officers from Powerview are investigating the first reported incident of violence in relation to the Hollow Water First Nation blockades east of Lake Winnipeg.

 

Fri, October 12, 2007 - The Winnipeg Sun

By Kevin Engstrom

Tough week for Struthers - When it comes to ridiculous stands, it's hard to top a First Nations chief who ignores repeated attempts from government officials to discuss an important issue and then acts outraged when decisions are -- gasp -- made without him.

 

Thursday, October 11, 2007 | 10:33 AM CT - CBC Canada/Manitoba

Province to meet with band blocking cottage roads: 'Simply a ceremony,' not a negotiation: minister - There's been a break in the standoff between the provincial government and the Hollow Water First Nation, which has been blocking roads for almost a month near cottage developments on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.

 

 

Thu, October 11, 2007 - The Winnipeg Sun

By PAUL TURENNE, SUN MEDIA
Govt. ministers to meet with Hollow Water band members - There may be progress on the horizon when it comes to blockades set up by the Hollow Water First Nation.

 

 

Wed, October 10, 2007 -  The Winnipeg Sun

By PAUL TURENNE, SUN MEDIA
RCMP could escort cottagers through blockade: MLA - An eastern Manitoba MLA is suggesting the provincial government ask police to escort cottagers through a blockade near Hollow Water First Nation so they can winterize their cottages and get their boats out of the water before freeze-up.

 

 

Fri Oct 5 2007 - The Winnipeg Free Press

Story by Mary Agnes Welch

It takes two parties to truly have consultation - HOW do you consult people who don't return phone calls? That might have been a question weighing on the mind of the Manitoba Conservation official who drove up to the Hollow Water First Nation in April to corner Chief Ian Bushie into a meeting.

Tues. Oct. 2, 2007 - The Winnpeg Free Press

By Mary Agnes Welch

Tory slams landmark deal with reserves - A landmark agreement with east side First Nations gives aboriginal bands an unfair veto power that could mire development in gridlock, the Manitoba Tories charged Tuesday.

Mon Oct 1 2007 - The Winnpeg Free Press

Story by Colleen Simard

Fear and loathing along the east side - Last week's column on the Hollow Water blockade inspired an e-mail from provincial officials. They offered me an interview with Conservation Minister, Stan Struthers. I jumped at the chance.

Beneath an overcast sky and cool drizzle, marchers gathered last night to call for an end to violence against women.

"Mother Earth is crying with us," said Rita Lynn Emerson, executive director of Mother of Red Nations Women's Council of Manitoba Inc.

At the annual Take Back the Night march and rally, organizers placed emphasis on the violence faced by aboriginal women.

Emerson told the dozens of participants how aboriginal women were five times more likely to experience violence than other Canadian women.

Along with Emerson, a handful of speakers addressed the crowd outside the Manitoba Legislature.

"We're all here to say 'that's enough,'" said Beverley Jacobs, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada.

Jacobs told Sun Media aboriginal women in Canada face a "crisis situation" with issues of poverty, health and violence causing concern. Educating the public about the challenges faced by aboriginal women is key to helping, said Jacobs.

Other speakers spoke of the need to counteract misogynistic attitudes in pop culture, while a representative from Sage House read out stories of women who had been assaulted.

'Support my daughter'

Some participants in the march and rally came on behalf of family members.

"I'm here to support my daughter," said Pat Olafson.

Olafson's daughter was attacked by a man who jumped on her car as she tried to leave work in Fort Richmond. He smashed a rear window and leapt into the backseat while yelling at her to drive. Her daughter managed to escape and run to safety.

"The message is that violence is not acceptable," said Olafson.

First held in Belgium in 1976, the Take Back the Night events have been held internationally since then, focusing on violence against women.

Participants in the event held placards that read "for our sisters, mothers, daughters" and "fight for safer streets." Aboriginal drumming and singing filled the air early in the evening.

As the speeches wrapped up, marchers hit the pavement on Broadway with the sounds of whistles blowing and a marching band pushing the crowd on.

A second walk is being held today to protest similar violence and is organized by Grandmothers Protecting Our Children. The walk is set to begin at 10 a.m., starting at the Circle of Life Thunderbird House, 715 Main St. and proceeding to The Forks along Main Street.

  Ekosi, Meegwetch, Thank You

Walking Wolf 

The members of the Hollow Water First Nation issued the following press release last night:

Hollow Water First Nation had extended an invitation to Minister Stan Struthers to attend a meeting on Saturday September 22, 2007. The Minister declined, stating he was not going to schedule a meeting until the blockades were down. Hollow Water First Nation has no intention of removing the blockades.

Hollow Water Firt Nation is now denying access to the Rice Road and Beaver Creek Road. This area will be closed for all logging and hunting activities. We are calling upon RCMP amd Manitoba Conservation to escort out all non-permanent residents from the area.

 Ekosi, Meegwetch, Thank You

Walking Wolf 

'Can't just sit idly by'Blockades may grow: Chief

RCMP officers enter a teepee to talk with Chief Bushie at a Hollow Water roadblock set up to protest cottage development. (C. Procaylo/Sun Media)

HOLLOW WATER FIRST NATION -- Grey smoke rises from a large white teepee, while elders and others peacefully mind a series of blockades, erected to protest cottage developments near Hollow Water First Nation.

Chief Ian Bushie says the developments are on traditional community lands and is poised to increase the scope of the blockades, if that is what it takes to get the province to the table.

The province wants the blockades down before it negotiates.

The band is blocking two access roads to area developments, but is considering blocking Highway 304, which would make access to communities like Bissett very difficult.

'TAKEN AWAY'

"We can no longer sit idly by and watch our resources be taken away," Bushie told Sun Media yesterday at the blockade site.

Bushie wants to see the band have control over the area, now being developed for cottages, even if that means development is stopped and the land is maintained in its natural state. He added much development and land clearing went on without the community's knowledge or participation.

"This isn't about money, even though it is largely perceived that way," Bushie emphasized.

He said the reason the first nation is considering blocking a provincial highway is to draw the necessary attention to the issue of land control, and engage the provincial government in negotiations.

The province has removed the cottage lots in question from the current draw, and has postponed the lot selection meeting for all of eastern Manitoba.

The government has also committed to meeting to resolve the issue, but wants the blockades down first.

A spokesman for Struthers said the government is "taking this situation very seriously and working diligently to get the parties to negotiate a positive resolution."

Bushie said Hollow Water's people support the action's goals.

"Hollow Water is very upbeat," he said.

However, the same cannot be said for Seymourville, a non-reserve village which borders the first nation, and whose inhabitants are about 80% Hollow Water band members.

"I think a lot of people are getting really pissed off here and something needs to be done," said one Seymourville resident, who only gave the name Candie.

She believes the blockades are unfair and motivated by the First Nation's need for money. If Highway 304 is blocked, Candie said residents in the tiny hamlet will be unable to leave.

Seymourville's mayor and council held a meeting last night with community members to discuss the issue.

"We're not going to comment right now," said Counc. Chandler Mcleod, who explained the two communities are very closely tied to one another in many ways, and that the issue of how to proceed isn't straightforward.

Some in Seymourville expressed anger over the blockade, noting it has even divided families, but were reluctant to identify themselves.

Bushie and other members of the Hollow Water community met with police yesterday morning to promote an understanding of roles during the protests.

RCMP said the protest has been non-violent, and that permanent residents living beyond the barriers are being allowed to come and go from their properties without incident at this time. But police will continue to maintain a presence at the protest site.

"This is absolutely a peaceful protest, there has been nothing in the way of violence, no weapons and no one is being held hostage," Bushie said.

They say it's lonely at the top. But for at least one new federal minister, the job may be beyond lonely, it could prove politically perilous. He may find himself holding on to his top seat with white knuckles and teeth grinding, struggling to remain in the chair.

I am referring, of course, to Chuck Strahl, the new minister of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and federal interlocutor for Métis and non-status Indians. (Just remembering a title that long is probably exhausting enough.)

Under the best of circumstances, a new minister should be a person with some relevant experience, understanding and insight into his new portfolio. It's questionable whether Strahl possesses any of these qualities.

He is, of course, a former Reform party stalwart, originally from the interior of B.C., who currently represents a riding in the Fraser valley.

The views espoused by that party were primarily the views of rural, social conservatives. Its members took strong stands on a variety of subjects, including ethnic minorities, aboriginal people and Quebec. Most of their positions were quite right wing and not welcomed by the groups to which they referred, to say the least.

Since most of Harper's caucus are also former Reformers, it shouldn't make a difference that Strahl is as well, especially since the overall direction of the new Conservatives is leaning more toward the centre nowadays.

However, Strahl has made some comments in the past that suggest he is especially tied to those rural conservative values. When he was appointed Indian affairs minister last month, Anita Neville, the Liberal critic for aboriginal affairs, listed a bunch of them that aren't particularly generous towards native people.

Race based?

In one news report, Strahl was openly critical of the Nisga'a treaty in B.C., saying it created "a separate, race-based nation."

Such a comment is a slap in the face to the Nisga'a who fought for decades to forge an agreement with the two levels of government that was mutually acceptable to all sides. The treaty came about because the Nisga'a were never compensated for the seizure of their land, years and years ago.

What's more, there are hundreds of other long-standing aboriginal land claims yet to be resolved. If you regard the legal, honourable resolution of the Nisga'a claim as "race-based," how can you effectively settle the others with such a blatant comment on record?

Strahl was also quoted in the Windsor Star in 1999, this time on the topic of aboriginal fishing rights. At the time, he said the federal government "cannot allow the courts to draw racial boundaries through Canada's national resources." What he was implying was that aboriginal fishing rights are arbitrarily handed out according to the colour of your skin.

Strahl again reduced aboriginal rights, which are based on laws called treaties, and which are painstakingly studied by the Supreme Court, to nothing more than race.

To-do lists

Neville also made mention of another news story in which Strahl was ambivalent about treatment programs for aboriginal prisoners. He said he wouldn't put such programs on his "high-speed, to-do list."

But with the disproportionate number of native people in jail, young ones in particular, doesn't it make sense to try to work within that system to lower the recidivism rate?

Strahl's prior work experience before becoming a politician was as a logging contractor in the B.C. Interior. In that line of work, aboriginal rights and claims often are seen as a hindrance to doing business.

If that is the mindset he brings to this current job, it will make it nearly impossible for him to accomplish anything. That's because the minister of Indian Affairs is beholden not only to his electorate, the Canadian people, but also to aboriginal people, in a trust relationship, to come up with solutions to at least some of the real problems of the times.

Of course, long gone are the days when a top-down, "I know what's best for you" approach to aboriginal policy was acceptable. Aboriginal people today demand to be consulted beforehand on any policies that significantly affects them, and rightly so. Many already resent the power the minister has over their affairs in the first place, and would like to see all vestiges of paternalistic colonial-era power removed from the ministry.

However, due to antiquated legislation like the Indian Act, the potential is still there for a minister to unilaterally impose his decisions on native communities. Few ministers in recent years have exercised this power, because they knew that if they did they would be just asking for a fight, and a futile one at that.

Media reports indicate that aboriginal leaders are willing to give Strahl the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his new appointment. They are hopeful that he will genuinely work with them, not against them. Only one leader has warned of the potential for protests if Strahl takes a hard-line approach to aboriginal issues.

But given his past musings, Strahl definitely has his work cut out for him, especially if he wants any help getting whatever is on his high-speed, to-do list done.

Biography

 Katherine Walker offers an alter-Native look at aboriginal issues in the news. She holds degrees in political science and journalism, and has covered national, regional and local aboriginal stories for print, radio and television. She says she has visited more aboriginal communities in Canada than probably the entire federal cabinet.  MORE STORIES HERE FROM KATHERINE WALKER

 Ekosi, Meegwetch, Thank You