New jaw-dropping reserve pay numbers
Approx. 50 reserve politicians paid more than prime minister in 2008-09
Approx. 160 reserve politicians paid more than their respective premiers in 2008-09
Over 600 received an income that is equivalent to over $100,000 off reserve
One Atlantic Canada reserve politician paid $978,468 tax free in 2008-09 (equivalent to about $1.8 million off reserve)
CHECK OUT OUR CAMPAIGN PAGE - DISCLOSE NATIVE SALARIES, SIGN OUR PETITION and read related MEDIA COVERAGE.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released new jaw-dropping chief and council pay data today that reinforces the CTF’s call for greater transparency of reserve politicians’ pay levels and the need for reform.
Previous data obtained by the CTF was based on partial information from the federal government. Data obtained and released today by the CTF is based on much more complete federal data.
Reserve Politicians' Pay Highlights
| Region | Avg. Reserve Population | Politicians with pay greater than Prime Minister | Politicians with pay greater than Premier | Politicians with pay greater than $100,000 (taxable equivalent) |
| BC | 639 | 1 | 3 | 63 |
| AB | 2,217 | 32 | 52 | 187 |
| SK | 1,659 | 2 | 43 | 120 |
| MB | 1,279 | 5 | 20 | 110 |
| ON | 1,374 | 1 | 8 | 57 |
| QC | 1,741 | 0 | 3 | 28 |
| Atlantic | 897 | 9 | 31 | 69 |
| Total | 1,142* | 50 | 160 | 634 |
* Population of average reserve in Canada
* CORRECTION: On November 24, the CTF was informed by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs that they had a "formatting issue" and released incorrect totals for chiefs' pay in both Alberta and British Columbia. Based on revisions to their data, the CTF has estimated new figures for those two provinces. The corrected estimates are noted in red. Please be advised that numbers in the unnamed column in those two provincial tables should be reduced from printed totals.
Download the data:
British Columbia - part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5
Alberta - part 1, part 2
Saskatchewan - part 1, part 2
Manitoba - part 1, part 2
Ontario - part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
Quebec - click here
Atlantic - click here
Yukon/Northwest Territories - click here
“The numbers confirm what we’ve been saying all along,” said CTF Prairie Director Colin Craig. “Many reserve politicians are paying themselves exorbitant salaries while keeping their band members and taxpayers in the dark. This is exactly why we’ve been calling for transparency and reform.”
Shockingly, one band councillor at a 304 resident reserve in Atlantic Canada was paid $978,468 tax free in 2008-09 (equivalent to about $1.8 million off reserve).
“Posting band politicians’ salary information online would not only remove the cloud of suspicion around band politicians that aren’t taking advantage of the situation, it would help band members hold their politicians accountable,” added Craig. “Frustrated taxpayers and band members need to contact Mr. Ignatieff and Mr. Layton’s to tell them to support bill C-575 as it would require such disclosure.”
The CTF has recently confirmed with the federal government that if MP Kelly Block’s private members bill C-575 passes, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs would place pay amounts that reserve politicians receive with federal dollars on the internet. However, as that would not disclose pay received from band-owned enterprises (eg. casinos, gas stations), the CTF is calling for an amendment to the bill to require all pay data be placed online.
Note: although the federal data released today does not include names, media outlets and taxpayers could try to investigate the anonymous salary amounts by using the reserve population figures listed in each row. Those figures could be cross referenced with the reserve population figures on the federal government’s reserve profile’s web page (click here) to determine which communities they could belong to.
Forward page to friendAs someone who managed First
As someone who managed First Nations finances for many years, I can say with certainty that there are good leaders and not so good leaders. Some leaders make little money and do a very good job while others make a lot of money and accomplish nothing. The payments shown by the CTF are understated and would not include honouraria or per diems paid from Tribal Council, Band owned companies, and other organizations.
It is time for First Nations to move forward because the day is coming when the government of Canada will say, "My son, you are now 30 years old and you can no longer live in the basement for free. It is time to man-up and find your way in the world."
Thank you! I have never read
Thank you! I have never read a statement such as this that is so clear on exactly what needs to happen in our country!
Canada can't afford for Indians to pay taxes
Indians who live on reserve are the cheapest kind of Canadian Citizens. If we abolish the Indian Act, and abolish the Section 87 ability to NOT pay taxes, then the provinces will be required to provide them with provincial services such as Education, Health, and Social Assistance. Since we now only have to pay about 60 cents on the dollar for these programs, and since the Indians on reserve do not represent much of a tax base due to poor economies, I don't think that we can afford for Indians to "pay" taxes. Let's keep the original deal with the Treaties, we only have to pay Indians $5 a year, plus we don't have to give them the programs and services that the rest of us get. Good deal.
The victim industry is alive and well
It's disheartening to see that there are still so many aboriginals out there who blame non-aboriginals for everything and accuse us of all sorts of wrong doing. I would be delighted to see aboriginals with the same standard of living Canadians enjoy. But like the individuals who contribute to these pages, you have to take responsibility. Why is it that most aboriginal leaders are a dime a dozen and people like Clarence Louie are one in a million? To the whining aboriginals out there......I agree with the recommendation made by Clarence Louie's mother. If you don't know who Mr Louie is or why it matters, try Googling his name. Look for an article written by Roy McGregor a few years ago.
Comments
Equal "human rights"
Why are people getting native tax relief and benefits because 1/8th or 1/16th of the bloodline are native??? Seriously wouldn't the other 7/8th or 15/16ths be responsible for whatever wrongs...I for one beleive all benefits should be equal for ALL CANADIANS and not a select group. How can a group be surprised with how joe/jane tax payer feels about this? Or how can a reserve truely feel pride if they thrive on handouts. There are some good examples out there but some of them have there own illegal activities that are considered acceptable... Examples are pick up spots for purchases for off reserve people to not pay TAXES!!! What I believe is Equal Rights for ALL.. If some don't pay taxes the NOBODY pays taxes... but oh yeah wait how do we pay for the benefits we have in a town, province or a country? So I guess we should ALL pay taxes, have equal benefits and take on struggles together, pool our resources together.
Share blame?
In my community several multi million dollar funded programs have been completely ransacked by non aboriginal consultants and program co-ordinators. I once worked for a on reserve consulting company where the non aboriginal GIS consulting company we hired completely vanished and dissolved along with thousands of dollars in equipment and programming purchased for training aboriginal residents. The non-aboriginal CEO of my company used our employees to refurbish an off reserve facility which he then claimed his own new company leaving the on reserve company high and dry, all the equipment and salaries from the on reserve company basically went into furbishing his his new facility which his new company didnt pay a cent.
Does the blame really only fall on our people we do try to use funding in positively. But are often taken advantage of by those we hire to train our people.
In these situations we do lose out on opportunities and many residents do not enjoy the same programs that, non aboriginal communities enjoy.
Everything has a time to end.
I'm leaving Canada for New Zealand.
Enough excuses
Our government has given so many chances for natives to better themselves and join society and contribute yet many don't and have come to expect a hand out because they are of a different race and you can call everyone else a racists for believing you as a people are a burden on the tax payers of Canada! Missing band money, hand outs left and right and you blame the people of Canada for your problems. Time to look in the mirror and see have to contribute to gain respect back in this country!
Free schooling.. How many use it to finish school and make a living and how many drop all the classes and still receive a check for it? You think that sounds impossible, I've been friends with people who do it. Not only if you finished school would you be a contributor to health care and taxes and your country but you would be picked for the job first! Wasted opportunity! You know how many people would jump and take full advantage of schooling to become whatever they want and live their dream?
More money for more kids, the money isn't spent on the kids in the first place yet you get more for reproducing?? It's been proven that within this decade natives will out populate any race in Saskatchewan and they don't pay tax.. And many dont work! Doesn't anyone else see Saskatchewan will always be poor supporting this majority of the population?
We need to implement a draw back system to get the free loading natives to work and pay tax and pay for school and support there own children. There are a percentage that work and pay tax and contrubute and try and better themselves just like anyone esle in the work world but simply bot enough of natives do. The money given to chiefs, welfare, child tax, schooling could be put toward this provinces growth, a children's hospital, rehab facilities, more schools, city budgets, the list goes on and on.
Where is the petition to abolish treaty rights and cut off the succling of the tit our government hangs out there? Why should tax payers pay for all this? Enough is enough, time to put on your big person pants and get a job, and support your self and family like the other 60% of Saskatchewan! I'm sick of working 72 hours a week to watch my hard earned money get sucked away on taxes to be wasted and go missing and support people who have no respect for what chances they have been given.
Water War Crimes
If these articles about First Nations make you unhappy, please peruse this website,there is
a lot of information to digest about Beautiful B.C. at "water war crimes.com" And the politicians that have met their demise.
As for Native Indians their education unfortunately was blocked. Read the true history of
the Natives by Kevin Annette and what he uncovered in the Sordid tail of First Nations.
From Port Alberni to the East Coast. This is the true history we never heard about.
Humanity appears to be inhumane when it comes to dollars and cents, then no one has any
sense of value for a human being.
First Nation People were clearly neglected for centuries?
First Nation People were clearly neglected for centuries? We've paid tax money out our arses and will be forced to do so endlessly it seems. Do something for yourselves already. Our children will still be living in poverty paying taxes for no results. I pay too many taxes to even afford a savings for my childs future, but am forced to pay taxes that increase EVERY YEAR while every news story of billions going missing on reserves... then they throw another how many 10's of thousands at a reserve because the money was "misused"??? or "Unaccounted for"???. Here is what is wrong. Every Canadian who chooses to live in this country should pay equally. That means BLACK AND WHITE AND RED AND YELLOW. If you feel you should not have to contribute... launch yourself onto another planet that provides free rides. The white man DID NOT cause your downfall. You as a people that didn't want to adapt to the world as it changed did. PERIOD. This has become completely ridiculous. This "You get a free ride and special rights" should have never taken place. Why would those imbeciles sign such a stupid law? We won against the Germans in 2 world wars... do we support them because they lost? NO. Anybody who thinks for a second that "The white man" won the war... think again when you look at the taxes we pay to support them. THEY WON. And are taking full advantage of it.
You are an uneducated waste
You are an uneducated waste of canadian space. Don't you have a homeland you can move back too? I'd suggest you start packing.
why dont they pack it up
How is it that even with free post secondary free education most natives dont finsh high schol and u wanna talk uneducated lmao they lost the land fair and square many years ago dont blame me for your ancesters misakes
The federal government pays
The federal government pays over $30 billion dollars a year in interest due to the national debt...what the debt holders do with that money is their business, and no external entity can claim any rights to an accounting from them....not Stephen Harper, not the Canadian Taxpayer's Federation, nor anyone else.
Money that is paid to First Nations is legally owed to them by the federal government...what First Nations do with that money is their business, and no external entity can claim any rights to an accounting from them...not Stephen Harper, not the Canadian Taxpayer's Federation, nor anyone else.
Wrong
You couldn't be more wrong with your "assessment." Debt holders enter into an agreement with the government prior to "lending" money. Both sides agree upon an interest rate and term for which it will be repaid. An individual provides capital to the government for which they acquired through their own means, thus they have the right to do whatever they want with the money they acquired. Bonds have been in existence for hundreds of years with various purposes, if a government wanted to build new highways, or railroads it's in it's best interest to generate capital to do so, so it makes it enticing for the populace to lend THEIR money by offering bonds.
On the other hand, first nations are GIVEN money provided by tax-payers who have no choice, nor do they get any interest for the money GIVEN. I cannot choose NOT to provide money for reserves, but I can choose whether or not I want to partake in bonds. Any CHARITY organization requires their books to be available to ensure transparency, this is not the case for first nations. They are GIVEN tens of BILLIONS of dollars (for decades),a blank check with no transparency, Canadians have a right to know where their money goes just like they do with other governmental departments, except for one particular special interest group.
Canadians have every reason to see where their money goes, and this kind of pig headed behaviour is detrimental for your cause.
How much government owe to First Nation
Does anyone have any idea about the money should government give to the First Nations? Let them utilize their money the way they want to. But still, how can government be responsible if no one knows how the funding is accounted.
the money given to them is
the money given to them is suppose to be used to help the entire comunnity. not buy them a big fancy house and nice cars while others are living in sheds. no one would complain if the money was being used like it should be
reply
iam born here in b.c. i am canadian and be definition a native born canadian. to live here requires work, i was told young to "work or die" so i work and live, and by the way pay 80% in taxes. i enjoy fishing, so i pay dfo tax for a licence to catch one fish...one day i was accosted by a young racist native while i was fishing he was in a boat floated by me and pointed to my line and said is that your line? i responded yes and asked him how was his day as he picked up my line and cut it, i said thank-you. then i turned to my wife and stated that my 80% taxes paid for that natives boat and he doesnt even know it. One country, one man, one LAW! it will happen soon! prepare!!
80% tax rate
80% tax rate - I will have to challenge u on that percentage
To my knowledge no one in Canada can pay that high a rate, definitely not our Canadian Corporations and
2012 personal income tax rate federally is 29%
You would have to show me the numbers to verify your claim but somehow I think u have exaggerated what tax u are paying.
This leads me to question
1. How did you know you were accosted by a young racist native ?
2. How did you know he was racist, what did he say or do (that you haven't told us) for you to come to the conclusion that he was racist?
3. Are you exaggerating this meeting as you have with the 80% tax rate?
4. Are you a Canadian born racist yourself ?
Reply
Man that sucks, i deal with a very large. Ative population here in winnipeg and its the same attitude. Very frustrating
Treaty
What would solve this issue is an equal society where what you have what you work for.Tax payers do not want to support people nor do they think its fair that they have to. On the other hand,the aboriginal people feel that we took there land and signed a treaty that states that we have to allow them to live like the did decades ago. There is nothing about spending Millions... and funding there meaning to life. If they wanted to live the way they did, they would be riding horses, hunting for food and living in tents. And clearly, the free housing, big screen tv's , pick up trucks are not apart of there heritage.And in terms of taking land, wars have been fought in countries all over the world, all for land, the nations that have won land do not owe millions of dollars even billions to the countries they took it from. This land is big enough for everyone and we all work hard for our own well being. The issue is you support a nation, they expect it, they become dependant,and corruption of leaders begins. If the rolls were reversed we as taxpayers would not be complianing to get free homes, education, full benefits, and so forth. So you can't really point the finger at a culture that has been given this by the politcians we vote in. In an equal society this would not be occuring, as taxpayers, we should take a stand and start a petition to abolish the treaty all together. It has caused nothing but heartache to both sides. We just need to understand that after decades of funding, it would be a slow process.
By the way, no one mentions the millions of dollars the tv station, APTN gets from applying for grants with its leaders(VP, CEO) also making big $$$. This station is also funded by taxpayers.
More about luxuries
You forgot to mention about the blackberry owned by 90% teenages, whee the tax payers could not even afford a minimum $15 package
Everyone in this country has
Everyone in this country has a right to a better life, but it is up to the individual to make it that way. Nothing in life is free. I don't have a pot to piss in, but I am putting myself through school and will live comfortably when I graduate. Despite being below the poverty line, I don't take handouts, and I work damn hard to improve the quality my life. NO ONE IS GOING TO DO IT FOR ME!
There isn't a place in the world that isn't a part of a country and have a government. You could do a lot worse than Canada. (We First nations populations choose to live on reserves and not integrate with the rest of society. But like previously posted, first nations people are encouraged by their tribal leaders to stay on reserve so they can take advantage of transfer payments while your leaders steal from their own people. (Please note, I am not speaking of the masses, but like anything in life, it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the bunch.) You stay on reserves to collect a cheque and not pay taxes. If you don't pay taxes and offer nothing to society, why should the government and the rest of the Canadian population support you?
We accept people from all over the world. All colours, and religions. We are not racist! We just have no patience for anyone that does not take the initiative to help themselves.
Everyone in this country
First of all you are a racist,the definition from a dictionary is "The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others"Since your a poor hard working student you should know what a dictionary is.Exactly how much money are you kicking in?I'm guessing you have a part-time job,maybe a waiter or server?If this is so any tips you receive,do you report them to Revenue Canada?If not that's tax evasion!
I say your a racist because not once did you mention off-reserve natives that pay taxes FULL taxes,if that's not bad enough you don't mention people that live on-reserve and work off-reserve,I have friends and relatives on Manitoulin Island that work at companies like INCO and Denison Mines and they pay FULL taxes!
You seem to forget that our tax dollars pay for your Granny's pension and your father's heart surgery,and last but not least your transgender counselling,we won't even get into non-native welfare.
I will tell you and others like your buddy you agreed with about being 30 years old and it's time to get out of the basement,could you be more insulting?Are you going to tell the same to non-native people on social assistance,I doubt it!
You owe me an apology,for painting all natives with the same brush,what the hell is wrong with you?You talk like it's actually possible to put our taxmoney where we want it to go,and even if we could, your Granny's pension and your father's surgery,I consider money well spent.I don't want 1 dime back!
I would love to know what you're studying and exactly who's paying for it.It would be a tragedy that on the day of your graduation,before you go off to live your so-called "comfortable life" that you get hit by a car and end up a paraplegic,as much as I wouldn't like it,My friends and relatives would have to pay for it!
Denison mine eh.... Elliot
Denison mine eh.... Elliot lake I guess they havent worked inover 20 years whenit closed. U make a great point. Especially when youbring uphealth care which is free for everybody. The working man pays for this and not these blackholes called reserves.
everyone in this country........... no, no this world
Put one foot in front of the other, and go to work like the rest of the planet does, leave the past where it belongs, see the good in life and create a life of your choosing the choices are limitless, government funding IS NOT THE ANSWER. No one else with dark skin gets paid for being dark. there is always going to be someone that has it worse, and soomeone that has it better, stop whining about a time lost and MOVE ON all cultures have done this. It WILL be harder for natives to; get a job, a house, a mortgage, but if you ask all who have accomplished this they will tell you the tougher the road the greater the reward at the end will be, greater than the trust funded child who buys his first house with mother\fathers money. happiness awaits us all and the 75 BILLION dollars paid out to native services in the last 10 years would be better spent elsewhere. Get on it, times a ticken. hard to hear i know, even harder to have to be said, over and over and over........
Ignorance in this issue belongs with people that dont beleive a happy fulfilling life is acheivable for ALL, and that abuse, neglect, addiction, depppretion, self pitty, whatever is haunting you into not acheaving this is temporary. life goes on! PEACE to all the hard working HUMANS, out there no matter the colour, race religion, youve earned a guilt free life, and to all the residential school faculty, and europeans who raped and pillaged the native life and culture..... burn in helllllllllllllll
I find the biggest problem to
I find the biggest problem to be with chiefs and counsel members holding too much money for themselves, this money should be regulated by the government and spread around native communities. Chiefs should not be paid more than the prime minister when they are only responsible for 300 people and the people in their community live in poverty.
Learn
Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2011 (Disclosure for 2010) : Other Public Sector Employers
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2011/otherp11.pdf
some of the comments hear are disgusting and should be moderated.
Where did this info come from?
Doesn't anyone question where this info came from? I know it says "federal government", but where? And if this info is already available, then why the need for Bill C-27? Bill C-27 will make this kind of information public, because it's not public at this time. I seriously question the validity of this information. Not sure if 'fabrication' is the word, but I doubt that this information is on the up-and-up.
It's all true!!!!
Well being that i am a indian that does know what goes on i can say that yes it is all true. A few years ago there was a huge stink about our band members embezzling large sums of money. Every other year the band council members get brand new trucks and i think it is bullshot. I have never lived on the reserve and i have heard that they claim for those of us even off reserve so they can recieve money for us and not have to pay..yet when i see about funding for school that cost 2300 or even a band loan i get shot down and told i have to live there in order to get help. Now i work and pay taxes i dont use my medical or dental and all i can say is that i do think all of it should be taken away. Im not being bitter about the lack of help but being honest about what ive seen first hand. They tell everyone that we have no money and the reason why is because the council and their families spend it. Right now i am going through the process of seeing how much they got for claiming me as being on reserve.
Data looks incorrect
prime minister's annual salary of CAD$317574. (wiki)
I decided to take a look at the analysis for BC - especially the total.
First off:
Why are there 2 salary columns?
What is the blank column next to the first instance of salary? A subtotal? Why are you adding up those two? That's not an accurate total.
Data looks incorrect
Please note the data is for 2008/09. That year the Prime Minister's salary was around $310,000 - before tax.
If you look below the table, you'll see it notes that the data provided by the federal government (we scanned the sheets they provided) has a mistake for the BC & AB columns - there was some double counting going on. That's why we had to adjust our numbers.
Hopefully you can see why we pushed the feds to table legislation to allow them to put actual salary reports from each band online. Then there's no guessing as to who makes how much. Fortunately, the feds have re-introduced legislation to do just that...it should pass in the Spring.
Cheers,
Colin Craig,
Prairie Director
In this day and age - 3rd
In this day and age - 3rd world conditions only exist because of corruption. Endless streams of money flow into channels where the people that need it - never get it! This holds true around the entire world, and also in our own backyard.
NOTE TO THE ABORIGINALS! YOUR LEADERS ARE STEALING FROM YOU! Hold them accountable for their actions. Have you ever noticed that while they tell you there is no money, and that the Canadian Government is ripping you off that they themselves are driving a $60,000 vehicle, own a handful of really expensive guitars, have the latest in snow machines & motorcycles, a big screen TV (or multiples) and that their house is so much nicer than your own. OPEN YOUR EYES!
I'm sick of being blamed for the action of these criminals that call themselves leaders! CORRUPT, CORRUPT, CORRUPT!
Not every reserve has bad leaders, but unfortunatley - from the places I've been and the things I have seen - I do not think it is far fetched to say the majority are corrupt!
There is no reason why the numbers should not be printed as public record. How much money is given to each reserve, and what their leaders pay themselves and their "chosen few" should be available for everyone to see. If that is done - I believe the aboriginals themselves will take care of business and bad leadership will start to be a thing of the past.
Indians should quite getting
Indians should quite getting a free ride and fen for themselves.
Indians should quit... well so should White People...
Oh to add to that last statement... Are all "white" people.. uncaring, cabbage roll eating farmers? NO they are not!.. Therefore; all us Brown People are also not the same as well.. I have many friends that are of different backgrounds.. I am aware of their history, and thier stories.. are you even remotely one inch aware of mine? If not dnt let the door hit you on the way into a place you dont know anything about..
We are not only a peacful Nation of people, we do not complain about much.. we are a very passive people.. not very many of us will stand up because even if its the Right thing to do, we are humble!.. We will allow our Creator to give us the justice that is far more than deserved.. it is that we will not fight a fight that is not ours... we are the tenants now and with little or no arms we will fend for ourselves with bare hands that feed our children... What is this FEND word that you use? and FREE ride all about? GO live on the reserve right now!! Find out about this Free world that you talk about.. Live under an Indian Act all of your life.. with your education paid for, but only under certain circumstances.. have your watered down and bad gas tax deducted.. your free home with contaminated and un-satisfactory free home.. Live where your neighbour still uses a slop pail because the government decided that you will only get a certain amount every so many years.. We are behind in MANY ways but its beacuse it was a well and thought out plan made generations ago by no one that you are related to...
As for the so many corrupt politicians in our communities?? Take a damn good look at YOUR Politicains as well... No One ever known the truth until it doesnt matter anymore.. jst like what happened in our own beloved and peaceful country... No one gives a Sh*t about anyone anymore...
We might as well be at the bottom of anyones cares... Which we already ARE... May the First be Last and the Last be First... ACCORDING to a proverb I once heard...
Read About First Nations Free Ride and How Great We Have It
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/todays-paper/Attawapiskat+black+Cana...
consider this folks
I have been to a number of reserves in my work travels. I have seen deplorable conditions. Yet I have seen huge cheques cut to band "companies" as consultants who do nothing. I believe that some (and I can't say all) chiefs tell people to stay on their reserves to maintain their heritage but really need the head count to pay themselves and their chosen cronies.I have seen many young people that are bored out of their minds and have no hope and no future because there is simply no economically viable reason for them to be there. I believe this state of hopelessness leads to all the social problems which are rampant. How many generations need to be lost? The only jobs around are the ones that keep the place going in an endless cycle of pointlessness, (again for the band elite to keep the cash flowing?)People need hope for a better day and it would seem to have been born out that it is not happening for remote communities because it can't...period. Have the natives been screwed over? Yup , only now it would seems their getting it from their own side of the fence. Untill the people get into the real world out of these isolated islands of futility I don;t see an end to the problems.
After reading a ton of these comments
After reading a ton of these comments I've noticed alot of finger pointing. Fact is there are many First Nations folks I've met over the years that are great hard working people. Many of whom are of the thought that reserves and "reparations" should be abolished. This system creates a welfare state within Canada that only a small minority of the population can take advantage of, and, given the opportunity, any man woman or child, be it Black White Brown Pink Blue or Yellow, WILL abuse said system. It is human nature.
Taking responsability for ones self and ones actions is a charactor trait that is few and far between in any society. Natives have every opportunity the rest of us have, and then some. It is their choice to live on these reserves, it is their choice to work an honest job, it is their choice to have children and start a family, it is their choice to receive an education. Life is about choices and at times people may not like either of the options they are presented with but one path must be taken.
I have yet to see a First Nations person turned away at a hospital, ride a horse to the grocery store or not use any form of electricity. Things like cars, medicine, clothing, computers, reading are a product of the colonisation of this land by the "White man". What happened many years ago is terrible, however, it is what it is and no amount of money or land will undo whats was done. However to move on and better the lives of all First Nations, acceptence and forgiveness must be given.
On to the topic, it is completly absurd that a Cheif on a reserve that consists of some 1700 people on average can make a larger paycheck than the Prime Minister of the country those reserves reside, which has approx. 35,000,000 people. The people who live on these reserves should have stood up a long time ago to fight for themselves this misallocation of funding. The money is given to reserves and the cheif and council do what they will with it, it is expected that it goes to helping the people, not into deep pockets.
a taxpayer tired of all the bs
i am tired of hearing all this poor me poor me, its not a perfect system and it doesnt work, so get rid of the reserves because they dont like was given to them for FREE then get out go live among the rest of the citizens, get a job and be a contributor to the economy instead of a leech! most people in this country know that if something bad happens to us we dont wait until someone comes and takes our hand and makes everything better, do it yourself and i garantee that the canadian people would respect the indians instead of seeing them as a liability.
i am glad that the CTF are fighting for the canadian taxpayers and finally showing the proof that the country has known for years and that this is costing the country too much and that reserves blow the money and then expect the government ballout after millions and billions already handed out. i hate how people work their whole lives and can barley get by but someone who is able to work, doesnt we need to stop this soon, because it will only get worse. cut them off and then start on the people who fraud the government through disibility this will save the goverment billions and we probably would have a manageable deficit, and i dont care if people dont like this but i am just saying what some people are too afraid to say, but its my right as a canadian citizen and a taxpayer. keep up the great work CTF thank you and keep fighting for Canadians.
Are you a racist?
The definition of a racist is "a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others."
Sure sounds like you!
Free Land
If you don't like the agreements your ancestors made, then go live somewhere else and have them put up with your pouting.
Hi
I would like to state out that we aren't living free as so many say we are....if you look at the treaty process and look at the financially pay back that the reserves are being told they have to pay back you might see it. A. Bit differently...there are seven nations on lower Vancouver island and when they were at the treaty table the government wants all dollars back from the beginning of the original act...many reserves are corrupt with chief and council pilfering funds and because forensics audits are never done just normal audits, the information that is presents looks good on paper so it is never investigated....we have families not just individuals that are addicts and need iTools to learn how to be citizens..not just expected to walk right into mainstream society without having the support or even the understanding from their fa,iLife's..many have parents whose education had ended in grade six....this is still happening today..research all aspects not just financial and see hoe INAC our "parents" really do have the contro, but chose to sit back and be neutral
First Nation Man
I read through these comments and each one is more disheartening then the next. We will never understand one another until we have lived as the other has lived all his life. You do not understand our values and traditions and we do not understand yours. I have lived in a Cree First Nation all my life. I have lived in poverty struggling to pay my bills, feed my family and make a living. What do you propose we do when every dollar we get comes with policies and strings attached to it. When there are no jobs. When we are told this money has to be spent on justice or we will stop your funding or this money is for self government or we will stop your funding and meanwhile an elder is living alone struggling to get enough to eat. We cannot turn our back on the poor and take what little money we have to make businesses. I will never understand how you white people can turn your backs on people who are suffering. How everything in your society is made to think only of yourself and getting ahead of others. The reason your tax money is not helping is because your government puts policies on every dollar we get from them and it seems every dollar is designated for programs that are designed to fail.
We never created the tax system that you have to pay. Your tax system is a creation of greedy kings. Why should anybody have to pay to live. If we kept control of our lands then you would never have to pay taxes. Your early settlers never payed taxes to lives among us and we still dont get taxes for anyone who stays on our reserve. You would live free and be free to pursue your own way of life if we claimed this land. We would never leave anybody starving or homeless. Every cent we made off of resources would be evenly distributed among those that are struggling and those that are well off would help those that are less fortunate. It was in our traditions to help those that are poor and to give freely to those that were struggling. It was frowned upon to be greedy and even today that tradition lives in us. Our Chiefs and Headmen were traditionally the poorest of the people because they gave so much of themselves. So before you criticize us and our leaders for being greedy and lazy take a look at what we were before your people came here. It is well documented in the history books and the first accounts of Native people from early settlers.
WE LEARNED EVERYTHING WE KNOW TODAY BECAUSE WE TOOK ON YOUR VALUES AS NON-NATIVE PEOPLE AND BECAUSE YOUR GOVERNMENTS TOOK EVERYTHING WE WERE DEPENDANT UPON BEFORE THEY CAME AND DESTROYED IT!!! THEY DESTROYED OUR CULTURE THROUGH RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS, THEY DESTROYED OUR BUFFALO, THEY FOUGHT US WITH CANONS AND GUNS WHEN ALL WE WANTED WAS TO SHARE THIS LAND WITH YOUR PEOPLE. THEY BROUGHT US TO OUR KNEES IN POVERTY AND DISEASE AND THEN THEY OFFERED US THESE TREATIES. WE SIGNED BECAUSE WE WERE FACED WITH TWO OPTIONS. REFUSE TO SIGN AND FIGHT IN WARS WHICH WOULD SEE BOTH OF OUR PEOPLE SUFFER, OR SIGN THE TREATIES AND TRY TO WORK TO SHARE THE LAND AND BOTH PROSPER. FROM WHAT I SEE THERE IS ONLY ONE PEOPLE THAT PROSPERED. WHAT THEY ACTUALLY HAD IN STORE FOR US AFTER THEY GOT OUR LANDS WAS FAR MORE EVIL A PLAN. THEY LIED TO US TO GET WHAT THEY WANTED. THEY MADE PROMISES THAT THEY DID NOT KEEP. THEY TOOK OUR LANDS AND IMPRISONED US ON LITTLE ISLANDS OF LAND THROUGH THEIR INDIAN AGENTS WITH THE THREAT THAT THEY WOULD ARREST US OR WOULD STOP GIVING US FOOD. THEY WATCH US EVEN TODAY WHILE WE SUFFER AND CLAIM WE ARE HELPLESS BECAUSE WE ARE IN POVERTY. WHAT CAN A PERSON DO WITH A SMALL ISLAND OF LAND WITH NO RESOURCES, NO FOOD, OVER 800 PEOPLE LIVING ON THIS SMALL ISLAND OF LAND AND REGULATIONS ON EVERYTHING YOU DO. WE DAMN WELL CANT GO BACK TO OUR TRADITIONAL WAY OF HUNTING AND GATHERING BECAUSE THEY KILLED OUR MOST IMPORTANT FOOD SOURCE TO NEAR EXTINCTION AND AGENCIES TAKE OUR GUNS IF WE DONT HAVE A FIREARMS LICENCE AND TELL US WE NEED A BOAT LICENCE TO BE ON THE LAKES SO WE CANT SET NETS FOR FISH. THEY ALSO DESTROY OUR TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES WITH OIL, MINING, FORESTRY AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE HARMFUL. THERE IS ALSO TOO MANY OF US TO SURVIVE IN ONE AREA OFF THE LAND. THERE IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH NATURAL FOOD TO SUSTAIN OUR POPULATIONS.
I have lived my life with so much anger towards people who think as you people do. But I have also met some very good-hearted people among your people. I know all of you do not think alike, just the same as all of us do not think alike. If it is your wish to see us independant then break the treaties and
-Let us live our lives free as we did before your governments took control of our lands and our lives.
-Let us build homes where we want to and not have to pay a government for it.
-Let us buy and trade for goods and not have to pay anybody but the person who is selling it.
-Let us open our businesses where we want to and not have to pay any to your governments but only to give to the poorest of people.
-Stop trying to own everything that does not belong to anybody but our Creator in the first place.
-Stop your lust for more power and more money.
-Let us create our own country with rights to our own resources and rights to our own language, culture and beliefs. A society where a person does not have to pay to live. I can gaurantee you people would rather live in our free societies than in what you have now. We have enough combined land as reserves to accomplish this.
I wish a plan like this can happen and the day it does I will gladly pay for my own education, my own medical services, my own housing and infrastructure, my own programs and I will follow any leader of any skin color who can provide it. Until then you will never know our pain until the day we starve together side by side. I know that the way the population and the world is going today it is only a matter of time. I have come to accept that only on that day will you listen to us and we can work together to make a society that benefits all mankind. A society that is free of greed, wars and poverty. You will not listen to us today that the path your people is on is one of death and destruction. A path of hell on Earth. But maybe just maybe after we suffer side by side as humans will you understand that life as we live today is not the only way to live. Just the easiest.
The ball is in your court
When i wnated to start my bussiness that I operate today i went to a bank to get money and they told me NO you dont have enough backing,So i went to the goverment to see about a youth getting some kind of funding to start my bussiness,low and behold they as well told me NO.So what i did was went to work leaving my 3 year old and 1 yr old daughter behind with my wife to raise on her on AGAIN with no help from anyone.Need less to say i started my own bussines that now genrates enough for me and my family to live comfortably ON MY OWN....So if you want to start a bussines due like the rest of the people and work for it.THE GOOD LORD WILL HELP THOSE WHOM HELP THEMSELVES.And if you want to live the way your ansister did you really shouldnt need much assistance from the working man.Last that i checked they lived in hide covered t-pees,made there hunting tools,"not 4x4 trucks,spotlights,riffles etc.And they lived from the land not from the neighbor.
Wow, man you are so far out
Wow, man you are so far out to left field your not even in the game anymore. You say the cree wanted to share the land? the cree used to raid, rape and kill there own people, yet you claim they were all friendly with flowers and gifts for the white man? get real, all the whining and complaining is taking up to much of your time, how bout you join the civilized world, move of the reserve and get a job. There are alot of other races suffering just as much as you , the only difference is we realize that we need to change to make our life better, people like you however just whine and complain until welfare ups your cheque.
haha lol
haha go ahead start your own country we will cut you off completely and then where would you be, no more cheques, funding, go back to the stone age and start all over you wont survive, you need us.
Stop The Abuse by the CHIEFS - END DICTATORSHIPS
Why is it that Canada and Canadians stand by as First Nations People get abused their First Nation Chiefs and Councils ? ? ?
Dictatorships have been allowed to flourish across Canada and abuse of power is rampant. Membership in the bands is in fear of speaking out against the abuse of power or else they won't get the crumbs thrown their way.
Is it because it serves the purpose of bureaucrats? The Memberships is held down under the thumbs of their Chiefs?
What a sad and pathetic situation, the bureaucrats have enabled.
That's Corruption at It's Best!
The chiefs and council should be open and honest instead of making money off their people. It's their job to fight for all their people, not just their families and best relatives, but all of us. It is on your head to stand accountable when your people need a house or a job! It is your fault when you lose a young person to a gang or worse, suicide! You're the leader, you don't worm your way up with empty apologies to the family who lost someone! Look, look at your band members on welfare in all the cities across Canada! Or working the streets or selling drugs! Or drinking or drugging their money away while their families go without! People, we have free schooling, health services and programs available and we still say "I'm a victim?" A gang will set you up to B&E, sell drugs, steal, even kill someone? Is that what a Family really does or ask of you? Really? You don't hold down your people just because you personally don't like them, especially when they ask you to be open and transparent about your job that you did anything to get? Right?! you don't want to be open and honest in your job, then don't run for chief or council! Don't just do it to get a new truck or new leather jacket or even a rolex, geez guys! Look at your people and ask yourself, Am I really doing my job for them or me? Not doing anything wrong, why hide your pay? Simple answer to a simple question! And those riding the gravy train?! eventually the track runs out and you still got to answer to the people for all your "free gravy"!!! Ain't nothing for free! Stop making the rest of us look bad and greedy!!! we're the next generation and we're educated and we want answers! All across Canada, on every reserve! Time for real clarity people!!!!
A NON-TAXPAYER.....
Hmmmm....... I wonder if the comments on this site are moderated. Although I imagine that the only people who really read the CTF's blogs are people who already think like they do. On to my points....there are so many. To the person who said that things happened hundreds of years ago.....think again. The last residential school in Canada closed in 1996, the last one in BC (where I'm from) closed in 1989. Aboriginal people couldn't even vote until the mid 60's. As for land claims and treaties....there were none in BC. We did not agree to any land transfers. We were forcibly removed from our land, resources and ways of life. We are OWED for our lands. We did have areas and traditional territories, and often there would be marriages between tribes to allow fishing and hunting access to other territories. Anyways, I have no problem with my elected officials....we get yearly reports and financial statements, we own companies and are a healthy community. But as long as we are being "transparent", let's post the salaries of all the government workers online, just to be "fair" and "equal". Oh ya, and lets post the salaries of the CTF workers too.....be interesting to see how much you are getting paid to sit on your arse and write this drivel.
stay on topic
reading the comments, i got as far as the first few and clearly could see many going off topic. it's not about racism, its not about people stealing land, it's about transparency. if there is nothing to hide..then simply agree to post your salary. as canadians, we are privy to that information in all other levels of government. natives continually want to be treated equally..here's your chance. it's only fair to canadian tax payers who fund indian affairs and all of their employees, which is part of government, who in turn provides the money to bands to run programs, and maintain salaries. i am native. i agree with the ctf on this issue. and believe me, the amounts are way off. these salaries do not show what chief and councillors receive if they sit on a board like child welfare, gaming commissions, assembly of first nations, assembly of manitoba chiefs, etc. they are provided travel honorariums, bonuses, and honorariums for attending meetings. all tax free income!!! i live in the city, work in a non native industry where attendance to work is mandatory or you lose your job, we pay taxes on our pay cheques...provincial and federal taxes. ever wonder why it is such a fight amongst native people to run for public office as chief or councillor? it's because that's easy money for them, their friends and family. thank you canadian taxpayers federation for bringing this subject to the publics attention!!! keep up the good work!!!
councilor for my nation for 10 years