Who knows when Native Americans was granted citizenship?? Very strange.

by jam 52 Replies latest jw friends

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  jam

  marmot: A few question . You are in Canada but then same issues faces the

  Native American here in the US. I can undrerstand the harm done to you

  in the past because it still happening today, apparently.

  Is it true in regards to Indian casnio, the money only shared by a small group??

  Alcohol doesn't agree with Native Americans, is this a myth?

  What would you suggest to move forward??

  I notice when I served in Oklahoma there was still a distrust among the

  Native Americans and the White brothers, this was in 70's.

  People will say that was in the past, get over it and move on. It's hard to move

  on when it is still unjustice.
• 

  designs

  Look at how screwed up the Wt. made our lives and we, for the most part, could work in secular jobs, lives in suburbs and go for limited education. Imagine if you were forced onto an area completely off the beaten path.
• 

  jam

  Designs: agree.. I have been out since 1987 and look at me. Not

  a day goes by without thinking about the damage that cult did

  to me and my family.
• 

  marmot

  Jam, as far as the casino question goes I can't comment because my community doesn't have one. In fact the people voted against a casino in two separate referendums. Our sister reserve on the Quebec/Ontario/U.S. border has one but I don't know how they distribute the profits.

  As for alcohol it depends on the individual, like with any other ethnic group. I can drink most people under the table but my sister is toast after two drinks. I'd say it's a myth. Alcohol abuse, however, is endemic in certain communities because of the lack of economic development and rampant social problems.

  What is sorely lacking is a focus on social programs and economic development. My reserve is relatively well-off because of the close proximity to a major urban centre and the tobacco trade, which provides thousands of jobs. The Canadian government, however, is fighting tooth and nail to crush this source of economic activity, however, deeming it illegal. In fact, the Harper government spent over 100 million dollars last year on surveillance, policing and harsh new mandatory minimum jail sentences for people involved in the tobacco trade.
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  marmot

  Here is one of the rare success stories about economic development on a reserve:

  http://www.canadianbusiness.com/economy/people-cant-protect-their-culture-when-theyre-on-welfare/
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  Paralipomenon

  Like most issues, this falls into the realm of greys, though either side would like it to be seen as black and white.

  Native tribal leaders are about as corrupt as polititians. There are good reserves, but in my experience they are not the majority. The governments are fine with this as well. Handling of native issues is murky and has little political value. Given a long enough time line, the native population living on reserves will dwindle and be absorbed into the US and Canada.

  The european settlers did annex the land as the native population were unfamiliar with politics. Had they been hostile and tried to prevent the settling, they would have been wiped out by a superior military power.

  Since those days, the original settlers from England, France and Spain no longer hold any political power over the Americas. The lands are filled with people from all cultures that had nothing to do with the original native issues.

  Was there an injustice? Yes, but those wronged are long gone. The political powers are gone. Some wrongs cannot be corrected.

  More land will not be taken and given native communities except under the most rare of circumstances.
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  marmot

  "Given a long enough time line, the native population living on reserves will dwindle and be absorbed into the US and Canada."

  Native populations are the fastest growing demographic in Canada.

  https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100014298/1100100014302
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  jam

  Marmot; Good read "economic development on the reserve". Thanks..
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  Paralipomenon

  "Given a long enough time line, the native population living on reserves will dwindle and be absorbed into the US and Canada."

  Your link said exactly what I did. More natives are leaving reserves and moving to urban areas.
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  jgnat

  While I was in Grande Cache I worked for the local Asinewuche Nation. I asked a million questions, all the prejudices white people tell each other to feel better, and the questions were all patiently answered. I had trouble, ethically, calling myself moral and fair, when we live with communities like this right on our doorstep. We are all human, surely? I now have a much broader understanding of the issues. Our native liaison fella at my new work has generously tagged me as an honorary native, and I am honored. I love shooting the breeze with him, and he shares his latest work with me, because I UNDERSTAND. Or at least, I understand much better than I did.

  As outsiders to these communities, it is not our job to tell them how to fix themselves. We must listen, and listen well. Walk in to the room with hand outstretched in greeting, and face the leaders as equals. Be prepared to negotiate. Keep your word. Throwing guilt money over the wall does nobody any good.