I can buy an Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations.

I am a proud First Nations person, but as a First Nations person, I feel I could buy any First Nations community or individual if the price is right. If I put $10,000. dollars cash in front of a First Nation person, especially if they are in real need of it, I can buy them, with the clear understanding that is the best deal they can get. More then 95% of First Nations people would take it, and worry about the outcomes later. That may sound harsh, but its honestly true. Now imagine British Columbia Hydro Corporation (BC Hydro) does just exactly this, but indirectly, and $10 million dollars may sound like a lot of money to a First Nations community or individual, and that is usually a one-time payment of that amount. Now imagine BC Hydro makes more then a Billion dollars in a five year time period, and that is net income after expenses. They gave the First Nations community a one-time $10 million dollar payment, and agreed to give them 2% of the over all deal, when the deal is being done on their First Nations lands, and being used in every aspect on those same lands. Question; who is making the real money. One thing I forgot, there is the understanding that they are partners and being treated like partners. The First Nations community was told this was the best deal they can get, but of course BC Hydro would disagree with these comments, and would disagree with our calculations or numbers. But honestly, in many ways this is standard business practices, so I ask again, I think I can buy any First Nations person if the price is right, and have them believe its the best deal they can get. It is time for us First Nations people to stand up and really open our eyes to the true benefits we can utilize and exercise. This is a great time to be "Indian" you just need to see it and understand it, this is a great time to be "Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations".

More words from Chief Joesph

First, thank you our Nez Perce friend. The white man came to our people and said, I want to buy your land, we said to him the land suits us, we will not sell it. He then goes to our neighbor and says, "Pay me money" and I will sell you your neighbor land. The white man returns to us and says, I have bought your land and now you must let me have it. If we sold our lands to the government, this is the way they bought it.  Words from Chief Joesph

Words from Chief Joesph

First, thank you our Nez Perce friend. Good words do not last long unless they amount to something. Words do not pay for my dead people. They do not pay for my country, now overrun by white men. They do not protect our Grandfathers and Grandmothers graves. They do not pay for our way of life. Good words cannot give back our children lost from the Residential schools. Good words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying. Good words will not get my people a home where they can live in peace and take care of themselves. I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk. Words from Chief Joesph

I forgive

What does one say or do, when a lot has been done in a very negative way to Indian/Aboriginal orFirst Nations people over the years. Governments and their leaders over the years have made promises, done agreements (i.e. treaties), and even apologized in the last few years. But, have the lives and conditions of First Nations people really changed over the years, in some and only some First Nations communities, yes some lives have changed and conditions have gotten better. But in a majority of First Nations communities, lives have not changed nor have conditions changed. Most people in regular Canadian society would say who cares, get over it and time to stop wallowing in it. Would regular Canadian society be right, just partly, because they never grew up on an Indian reserve, they were never taken far away as children, and sent to schools they never wanted to go to. They were never told you have to speak and act this way, or you will be punished over and over again, until you do it right. They were never shamed so much like taking the human out of them, and replacing it with religion, and with the understanding that this would make them better. Its about walking in someones shoes and understanding them as a whole. The governments of Canada did this right here in Canada, took an innocent child at six or seven years old from their parents, which then created an angry, bitter and shameful individual as they grew up. A majority relied on alcohol and drugs to bring comfort to their shameful well being, and then they took it out on their families and communities, that anger and frustration. Again, its called walking in ones shoes, and understanding before judging. "So what does one say or do". As a second generation residential school victim, who never went to residential school, who parents did, and who taught me how to be angry and frustrated with life and society. What I, and we do is forgive, I forgive all the governments and their elected leaders, I forgive all the churches and their priests, for affecting my life and many First Nations peoples lives they way they have with the decisions they have made. I forgive you, now give us the ability to live our lives the way we choose, and the capability to run our own affairs, our own lands and resources the way we see fit. Easier said then done isn't it, hence our problems today, the governments of this country today and their elected leaders really don't know what to do, they really don't, or it would have been done by now. We First Nations people have viable options and viable solutions, but you really need to hear them, and I mean hear them, not just window dress the process. Thank you and Respectfully yours Peter Leech

Moral Law and Leader

You know what our Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people need more then ever today, we once had it, but have not had it for a long time, we have no "Moral Law". Moral Law once defined our communities and Nations (Tribes), all warfare is based on deception, we conduct more warfare on ourselves then our adversaries today, why, because we have no Moral Law, Thank you and Respectfully yours Peter Leech

"Note, Moral Law as defined by Sun Tzu, a true leader, a leader that finds and leads the way".

Forgiveness and Change

This is to all Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people across Turtle Island, how do we inspire ourselves to greatness when we expect nothing less, when we can't see it and understand it within ourselves. In order to build and strengthen our Nations (Tribes), our communities, our families and our individual members, we must all exceed our expectations. If you grew up on a Indian Reservation, like most of us have, we all criticize without understanding, we all only seek to address our own personal feelings, lots of "selfish thinking" that does not serve the common good. Yet the true barer of our success at one time, was the unity within our families, communities and Nations, and if you grew up on a Indian Reserve, you know we have not seen this for a long time. "Its called the Indian Question", most people say it doesn't exist. On most Indian Reserves across Turtle Island, our communities are technically burning around us, we just don't see it or fuse to see it, and if you are Indian, you will know what Turtle Island is. Its not about the mistakes we made from the past, its what we did after wards that defined us as Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people. Collectively we have all been in "Jail", allowed to walk free with restrictions and limitations, how do we set ourselves free. This is not a time for revenge or direct anger, its a time for change and growth in a positive way. Forgiveness starts with us, "forgiveness liberates the Spirit", it removes the fear as well, its a "Powerful weapon" when used right. This is a great time to be "Indian", why because we have tools that we have had in our lives all this time, tools to change, tools to give us a competitive edge, tools when exercised and used right, can and shall create a fair playing field for us to succeed. Lets truly show them where we stand, so we can move the world, lets dream things that are, and say why not. "Keep it simple"

Email about filling our pockets

I just got an interesting email, saying Halaw Group is all about Halaw Group and wanting to fill our own pockets. Well my friend who sent us the email, and we will leave you anonymous, your welcome to have my pockets, and many of our First Nations peoples pockets. Your partly correct, why can't we fill our pockets with a lot of money has been generated of the backs and traditional lands of First Nations people for years and generations. I made a promise to the late Chief George Manuel, and I recommend you look him up on the internet and Google, etc.  He said finish what needs to be finished, if we have to do it one First Nations individual, one Family, one Community at a time, for First Nations people have all the time. I may be sounding upset or frustrated, far from it.  The individual who sent us the email just needs to be educated to understand First Nations people, I will think positive things and results for you. For I put my hand out in friendship, its up too you. Thank you Peter Leech and keep reading

Do we really need the Governments?

Hello Everyone, its been awhile since we posted, thank you for your patience, and everything is for a purpose. The "Indian Question" what is it and does it still exist. Since the incorporation of the Indian Act, have times really changed for Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people. This past Monday was Aboriginal Day, and we seen no acknowledgment what's so ever from the Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office, even nothing in web communication. A few years back he and his government apologized for the wrongs done to First Nations people in the past, and said we have to create a better way for the future. I ask First Nation people what has changed, real what has changed. We have a little more responsibility over our affairs, in way of services, but there are so many restrictions and guidelines in providing those services, because of our dependency on the Government for those monies. Statistically, our education, our health, our social and even our political well being has been cut back a great deal over the years. Yet a lot of money was still generated as understood from the past from Crown Lands to pay for these services, hence "Lands, Revenue and Trust" accounts of the Government. I am sorry to say, even our First Nations leadership across the country have gotten so used of small financial contributions of $10 thousand here, $10 thousand there, from time to time we are like dogs fighting for a bone, and you can't tell me otherwise. The worlds most powerful leaders our in our country right now (G 20 and G 8), there talking about the well being of the world. Right here in Canada, more then 95% of our First Nations communities are in deficits, and majority of the communities are in poverty state. Yet Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government spend over $1 million dollars on a fake lake, that could have fed and educated a lot of First Nations people right here in Canada. I say to all the media and World leaders, ask Stephen Harper why this is concerning First Nations people.  Yet our economy is suppose to be one of the best in the World, majority of those monies created off Crown Lands, traditional territories of First Nations people. I say not to the First Nations leadership, I say to all First Nations people across the Country, its time to stand up, damn it stand up. The way the Indian Act has used and abused us, we can exploit it to its fullest benefits to advance our financial position. There are a lot of gray areas in it, and they have been there all this time.  It was non-native lawyers who truly helped me understand the gray areas and the benefits of exploiting the Indian Act. You would be amazed on what can be done, if you got an Indian Status Card, its time, and I mean its time to stand up, and we can help each other. The Government thinks we need them, sure we do from time to time, but all we need is each other.

The Fear of the Un-known

"Fear", the fear of doing business with UN-known elements, that may or may not be surrounded by a lot of legal jargon. Keeping the relationship simple by language of small fixed percentages and lease arrangements. Not understanding a piece of legislation that is old as time itself, questioning if it is legal or not legal, and the worry it would catch up to us or you at a later time. These are just some of the questions and thinking process of some companies and individuals, that are not taking the time to do their homework, and take the patience to understand the process. Everyone wants to make money, and make money as fast as they can, they want to save money in the process as well, but want to be safe from any and all legal outcomes. There are some things that sound too good to be true, because it has not been exercised to its fullest outcomes. At the start, we would like to do a lot of business as well, makes for better returns, but we will be patient in this process and do it one deal, agreement, relationship at a time. The old saying, Rome was not built over night, the door is open for understanding, education and implementation of our purposed relationships. The fear is on you not us, yes it may be justifiable, but take the time to understand the outcomes, take the time to understand your "Fear". First Nations need money and lots of it, to deal with the decline of our youth, relating to education, self-esteem, sexual abuse, and support for their well-being, this is just to begin with. The viable economic options First Nations have, they have had it all this time, now its time to really exercise it to their fullest outcomes, just take the time to understand it.

One moment in time

Its been awhile since we last blogged, and of course everything is done for a purpose. We have still been receiving emails about our blog, its funny no one comments on the blog site itself, but we have been receiving insightful emails positive and negative. We want to take the time to direct this blog to our fellow First Nations communities and people. Our dependency over the years has been reflected in our present comfortableness today, and we cant disagree when more 90% of our First Nations communities are still dependent on government subsidies. At one moment in time we were independent thinkers, we need to start thinking independently, not just talk about it. At one moment in time our vision is what carried us into the future, our vision has become comfortable with the present process. At one moment in time we had skills that reflected in our responsibilities, today we seem to depend on others to do it for us, why, because today we lack the eduction to carry us. At one moment in time, we had passion that reflected in our culture and traditions, today a majority of our communities are losing their languages, our people are just not speaking it today. At one moment in time, we invested in ourselves that reflected in our bartering of goods and services with our neighbors, today we have investment opportunities and options we just cant see and understand, because of our true lack of vision. Today we seek salesmanship, we have to start selling ourselves on what we have and what we can provide, for we have had it all this time, we just don't see it and understand it. The world is looking for viable options, we cant let the world sell us (i.e. Art and Culture, land and resources) and make the money in the process. Either we make it or share in this process, time to make real money, time to make real money. So lets start thinking independently, lets be visionaries once again, lets show our skills, let our passion truly lead us, lets invest in partnerships or relationships to better our position, lets be salesman and sell ourselves to the world.

Business Relationships for the Future

Business Relationships for the Future, what does this exactly mean. There have been so many types of Business Relationships with First Nations Communities and Individuals, but in many ways the language has always been defined as lease arrangements or small fixed percentages. Don't get us wrong, in some situations and only a few, the business relationships are being defined to exercise our rights and entitlements, but not to their fullest measures or outcomes. We have always asked who makes the real money, and who truly benefits from all the parameters and outcomes of the business relationship. Just look at the six hundred plus First Nations communities across Canada, this should tell us who is and who is not benefiting. Some parameters of our economic model are being exercised in different parts of the country, but again not to its fullest parameters or outcomes. Can you imagine developing a defined business relationships with a major corporations, and sheltering that relationship with our defined rights and entitlements, with the clear understanding that relationship is to truly benefit both parties in that relationship, and both parties share in the real money, and parameters and outcomes. You would be very surprised on how many corporations are willing to not just explore this purposed relationship, but jump into the process to give them and the relationship a competitive edge over the competition. The outcomes out way the risks, if it is truly defined in a process where all parties involved will agree with initiatives. The clear aspect of this entire process is the environment and how it relates to the business relationship, again when it comes to business who would be the best environmentalist to do business with, First Nations people. First Nations people want and need to make real money, to be self-sufficient and not dependent on government finances and policies. But when the real money is being made, First Nations will always keep the parameters of the business relationship in tune with the environmental outcomes. To be honest, some First Nations communities are ready to make real money, but there are some who are not ready at all. Why?, money will only ruin them more, because the parameters of it are not understood, time will hopefully heal this process. Its time to make real money, time to create defined business relationships to shelter money and make money. Lets use each other to benefit each other, to create an economic base to define business relationships for the future.

Business and Money

Business and Money, we need money to do business, or we need to do business to make money. In some First Nations communities this is foreign language, why, because more then 95% of the First Nations communities in British Columbia rely on Government subsides and assistance. Some would say this is earned, the government owes First Nations for the use of Crown lands cross Canada. Crown Lands that is a whole another blog post, especially the money that is generated from those lands and put into a government account called Lands, Revenue and Trust. More then $40 to $80 billion dollars was generated from Crown Lands in the last 40 years, and this might even be low balling the amount over the last 40 years. More then half of that amount was suppose to go to First Nations communities across Canada, to cover things like Day to Day Band administrations, Health Care and Medical, Education, Housing, Social and Cultural well being, etc. First, monies for First Nations people went to the Department of Indian Affairs, to be set up in a process for distribution to communities across Canada. This process probably ate up half of the monies generated from the Crown Lands, this process would be defined as a bureaucratic process as defined around the Indian Act. Example: even if $60 billion dollars was generated from Crown Lands over the last 40 years, half of that went to the bureaucratic process, then that left about $30 billion over the last 40 years to be distributed and not equally to over 500 First Nations communities, we will let you do the math. It sounds like a lot, but historical evidence will show it was not, the poverty conditions, lack of proper housing, a Residential School and Education process that speaks for itself. Again, lot of this process was defined around the Indian Act, this is what defined the legal processes of First Nations lives. We can go on and on about the wrongs that were committed over the last 40 years, but an eye for an eye will make us all blind. First Nations people have the potential and viable options to create an Economic environment to be self-sufficient, and to be a major contributor to the floundering economy of Canada and the World, they have had this potential and viable options all the time. But the lack of understanding and education of the process, the fear and risk from both sides of the table to overcome the barriers the last 40 years. The Indian Act used and abused First Nations people since its incorporation, but it can be used and abused to make a present environment a viable one, its legal and defined, governments and courts use its parameters, it is so full of a lot of gray areas. A lot of money has been made off the backs of First Nations people over the years, its time for First Nations to share in that real money, not lease or fixed percentages arrangements, time to make real money.

Point of Clarification

Point of Clarification concerning the Delgamuukw court case of 1997, emails came in saying the Supreme Court of Canada did not hear and come to a decision concerning Delgamuukw. If we want to be factual, yes that was the clear understanding, the court decided or encouraged the parties to reach a negotiated rather then a litigated settlement. Lets be factual, the Supreme Court made their decision, but didn't have the fortitude to define the outcomes, as our previous post states concerning the Delgamuukw decision, there are holes in the process, and that is why it could be interpreted many different ways, but to First Nations people it is success without success, its a good start. In other words, its a good framework to a building process, the politically correct word now, "Consultation", it needs to take place. We recently received a email from a women in Arkansas, were she stated what we are trying to purpose is racist and unfair to Non-Indian people. This is a very good question, is she correct or is she not, are we being one-sided, or are we educating.  These are all good questions, and please keep sending your emails. A few Chiefs have asked me why it feels like we are educating the Non-First Nations society about us, and our possible trade secrets. These are good questions as well, are we doing that, it this our purpose. Most forms of communication are healthy, we may or may not agree with the presentation of it, but communication does need to take place to draw an understanding. We feel it is time for us to really communicate with each other, not just dressing up so that we can be in the same room with one another, it is time for real communication, commitments, process and understanding. Allow us to be apart of a re-building future for all of us to benefit.

Dependency

Sometimes its hard to hear what is true and what is right in front of us, our first post of the blog asked the question, the "Indian Question" does it still exist. Well the Indian Act still exists in its defined form, yes the Indian Question still very much exists. Over years some of this process around the Indian Question has changed in language and appearance, it is more disguised as being politically correct, and to mitigate its racial tones. A Chief from British Columbia said to the youth at a youth conference one time, your all lazy just get a job. Was he wrong by saying this, maybe we don't agree with the presentation of it, but no technically he wasn't wrong. Our First Nations communities, like Non-First Nations society, become comfortable with language and process even if it is good or bad in the long run. Why change what is working, lets ride a wave as long as we can, until we have to change the language and appearance. We have had conversations and window dressing over the years from both sides of the table, but we have never truly address the true issue, that is dependency. We have talked rights and entitlement for over the last 40 years, and trying to define a process to create a economic and social base. We say to both sides of the table, if First Nations people are going to continue to live under the Indian Act, we should use the Indian Act to its fullest potential. Like history, it would take some time to get comfortable with it, but in the long run we would see the potential job creation and economy boosting outcomes. This will create self reliance and eventually void dependency for First Nations communities, and boost a deficit driven economy for Non-First Nations society. With the Olympics over now, we all had something in common, we were all proud Canadians, but still to degree we cant live together, isn't this tiresome being united only at certain times of history. Its time to have a real conversation with each other, its time to really help one another, its really time to truly call Canada all our home and native land.

We are not the Enemy

First, sorry for the delayed response since our last post, good emails and good debate, some positive and some negative. We even had some of our Country's secret law authorities pay us a visit on our purpose and intentions. "We are in a time and environment, that everyone is treated like an enemy, until they can figure it out". We are purposing to be a big part of a market place for "Ideas and Options" with the intent to create solutions. We are a small minority of a society that was once defined by our ancestors footprints, we can be angry and bitter from the outcomes over the years. Some Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people will take the position, they will never forgive or forget, but I can ensure you that a new generation of First Nations people are trying to set an identity for the present times and environment. This is not time to address the right or wrong, or define the true fault of our shortcomings. This past week the deficit just increased and the economy still needs a lot of work in the coming years. We can draw lots of blame, and say we don't need each others help to make it better. But we need each other more then anything now, lets all be proud Canadians beyond the Olympics, and truly allow our First Nations people to truly stand up and be a major part of the solution process. We have a defined statute that governs our lives on a daily basis, its called the "Indian Act", First Nations people are going to exercise its full intentions, and allow business and corporate society to be our full fledged partners, not window dressing exercises. This process can and will be a major boost to the economy, create lots of jobs and business opportunities. It can be done, lets all be the leaders for our future.

Imagine the possibilities

Thinking outside the box, I want you to imagine, a major corporation and tax sheltering that corporation $100 million dollars legally and legitimately. Imagine it can be done right here in North America, imagine that the language to legally do this is defined as a statute under the Constitution of Canada. Imagine that policy and procedure, various successful court cases that have changed the language to a degree of this defined statute, to create an even better economic environment for First Nations people to truly benefit to achieve self reliance. Imagine it can be done on both sides of the border, and imagine it can be done with very legal and defined banking processes. Now I want you to imagine it is being exercised in some First Nations communities, but not exercising the full benefit and entitlement. We have said to some Chiefs and some Communities, your exercising your true rights and entitlements, as an example by one yard, imagine if you can exercise it by three yards. It sounds easy, but it can be very complicated in process and legal language, but with understanding and education on the process of setting up an environment like this, it can be made easy. A lot a gray areas to exercise, and the business norms have some unfamiliarity to partnerships. When done and exercised in a fashion, can you imagine the outcomes. "This is a good time to be Indian", this is a good time to use one another, this is a good time to trust and risk with one another. Can you imagine the outcomes.

"FEAR" how it controls us

"Fear" its a loaded word, fear of taking a chance, fear of taking a major risk, fear of the unknown, fear of trusting, fear of changing something that is already comfortable, even if its good or bad, the fear of change, even the fear of success. We can go on and on about a lot of fears that engulf our present society and environment. In First Nations and Non-First Nations circles, a lot would say we have no fear, everything is okay, or everything is just right. Sometimes we even have the fear of talking to one another, who is going to make the move first, who is going to screw up first, or even the main fear of excepting past infractions of history. We talk and advance with each other in a slug like process, we are careful with language and procedure, try to be politically correct. To keep it simple, the safe route is just communicate, believe and understand one another. Take a chance, risk the unknown, change to make it better, and be proud when we can succeed together. Believe in one another, that our actions will be with good intentions, and it will benefit our relationship in the long run. This sounds all good, passionate about an issue or cause, but the true objective is to make the Non-First Nations society somewhat comfortable with the change that is about come. Why, because what First Nations people can do today, a lot of people are going to disagree with it. But, is it illegal or wrong, no, far from it, its defined in legal language, defined in constitutional process, and it governs an aspect of society. The Indian Act, when defined and used in away, it could create an enormous economic environment, create a lot of jobs, boost an economy, and be self sufficient to a society that really needs the boost to change for the better. Its time to start thinking outside the box, and imagine the impossible, we can do it together, we know in most Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations circles, they are looking and wanting change, increase education, increase jobs, and most importantly self reliance. Lets truly stop being afraid of one another, lets move in the right direction. First Nations people can provide a major tax shelter to major corporations of business, in all aspects, not so much alcohol or tobacco. This is funny, these are the products that First Nations are labeled with, relating to addictions. Imagine, creating a business environment that would provide substantial savings, and in turn create substantial profits for all involved, it can be done.

Why we are Beauitful people

An elder once told Halaw Group, who are you first and foremost, we said we are aboriginal from our specific first nations community, she said no, who are you first and foremost. After time we came with the realization, that first and foremost we are all human beings before anything else. She said if you live your life with that understanding, and treat others with that same understanding, then the world would be a better place, keep it simple. The elder also said, which we use a lot now with Halaw Group throughout our work, each and everyone of us are beautiful people, why are we beautiful, because we are not perfect, nor do we want to be perfect. We have all made mistakes, some of us more then others, we have to live with our mistakes, hopefully most of us will learn from our mistakes. Because we are not perfect and only human, this is what make us all beautiful people, because look at the world we live in, it not a perfect world, but for most of us its a beautiful place to live. Most of our posts have taken the position, First Nations and Non-First Nations people, almost sounding like your side and my side. Unfortunately it needs to be explained this way for the true understanding of the wrongs and rights of the entire process. Both sides can honestly blame each other for a lot of negative history, and the present climate and condition of our shared environment. Question to all, when does it honestly end, honestly. Lets allow each other to do the impossible, lets allow each other five inches instead of an inch, lets allow each other to share in the rebuilding of our economy, our environment, our personal safety, and our well being. It time to build the bridge together and not hide behind process and procedure, honestly listen to each other, and what we can truly offer each other."Keep it simple stupid".

Time to make real money

Over the years not just millions but billions of dollars has been generated in First Nations traditional territories, some directly right in the boundaries of their First Nations communities. From a business stand point this would sound very good, unfortunately it has been no reflection business wise in most First Nations communities, no direct benefit to the well being of First Nations people. Things have been improving over the years, thanks to court cases like the Delgammuukw decision, more consultation is taking place with First Nations relating to their traditional territories. Question we are asking First Nations leadership today, don't you feel its time to make real money. Lease arrangements and small percentages to try to reflect full fledged partnerships is a good start, but who makes the real money. For example: recently a community in Northern Alberta was offered $250 million dollars for compensation and benefits within their traditional territory, don't get us wrong, that is a lot of money. But the two companies purposing to do business within the territory, have the potential of bring in profits to the tune of $15 to 20 billion dollars. So the question we ask, who is making the real money? Of course we cant forget the two governments and their piece of the pie. In most Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations circles, it is not the issue of business and making money, but how it relates and affects the environment. We have been telling business leaders throughout North America and the World, who are the best environmentalist in North America especially relating to purposed business endeavors, First Nations people. Its time to make real money, its time to create full fledged partnerships that truly reflect protectionism of the environment. This can be done under a truly defined economic model to create a great deal of savings and profits for all involved. For Halaw Group, when a First Nations individual can get a good and proper education or training, which should lead to great employment opportunities, this is a strength of an Individual, that becomes a strength of a Community, then a strength of a First Nations Tribe.

Loss of Language and Culture

Over a year ago, Halaw Group was at a youth workshop in a First Nations community, and a question was asked to the youth. What was their understanding and position concerning Culture within their community. A young lady responded, I am culture less, I am First Nations and that is all I know. With six hundred plus First Nations communities across Canada, more then half are on the verge of losing their language, because the young one's are just not speaking it. We feel if you can speak your language, you know and understand your culture. There are some communities that can speak their languages, and practice their culture and traditions, but today just not enough. We ask the question why is this? In most Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations circles, it would be said this has a lot to do with the Residential school process. The first residential school opened in 1840, and the last residential school closed in 1996, and its true purpose was intended to force the assimilation of the aboriginal peoples in Canada into European-Canadian society. In other words take the Indian out of Indians, again we would ask the question, did it work or has it worked? A lot of extremely negative outcomes came from this overall experience for First Nations people, that will probably take generations to overcome. Today society would ask how could this be? The Indian Act and its defined language gave permission, because the legal argument today is that a legal statue was followed by the government of the day. Apologies were given in recent time, which was accepted and not accepted in most Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations circles, a lot of negative history to overcome. There is the Indian Act again, at the forefront of a very trying time of history. This document has always led the way in a lot of negative history, but it has also had some positive outcomes as well (i.e. court cases and government process). Today we can use this document in reverse, use it to enhance our economic development, create jobs, create programs for the healing our communities, and a future not dependent on government assistance for our well being. It can be done, it can be done, imagine a future of true self government, true self reliance, and full fledged partners with our neighbors and the world.

Major Court Cases

Over the last number of years, it has been the legal process and courts trying to define Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations rights and title. Many Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations court cases have been unsuccessful in their challenge to define process, but there was a few cases that were precedent setting cases, or were they. The Sparrow court case of 1990, the Delgamuukw case of 1997, just to name a few.  These were cases heard at the Supreme Court of Canada level, with success and interpenetrated success. These cases were identified as a victory for First Nation people, finally the highest court in the land identifying parameters of Aboriginal Rights and Title. Yes only parameters, for these cases were to open the flood gates to start defining a more clearer process. The Delgamuukw decision and more then thirteen years later, governments and process are still in the right or wrong stages, and holes that have been poked into such a defining court case. In most Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations circles anger would still exist and persist, why, for it would feel like the treaty process all over again, especially from the First Nations communities from Central and Eastern Canada. Treaties were to be a binding process of defining a relationship, the language within them fell short from their objective. One legal document has always stood out within this entire process, and has mostly stayed true to its language. The "Indian Act", which is now defined under section 35 of the Constitution of Canada of 1982. In most Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations circles, this document is good and bad, a simple question has been asked to a lot of the present First Nations leadership, have they every read the Indian Act from cover to cover. Unfortunately a majority of them would tell you no, why, because it is a very dry and legal document, unless you are a lawyer, for some or majority it would feel alien like. This document has been used by courts and governments for years, now we ask a simple question to all of you, why is that.  Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations People have defined rights and entitlements they can exercise from within this document, we say once again "This is a great time to be Indian".  This document has used and abused Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people ten fold, lets use and abuse it right back, because we can.

Chief George Manuel

In the late 1960's, tensions were high in various part of the world, protesting and politics clashed on a regular basis, it seemed the norm of the time. In 1969 the Minister of Indian Affairs Jean Chretien put forward a white paper Canadian policy document, which proposed the abolition of the Indian Act, the rejection of land claims, and the assimilation of Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people into the Canadian population. Round this time various First Nations leaders like Harold Cardinal and George Manuel took on the challenge to reject all of its purposed parameters. Chief George Manuel, one of the founders of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, which still exists today, one of the founders of the National Indian Brotherhood, which eventually became the Assembly of First Nations, which still exists today, one of the founders of the World Indigence Council, which still exists today in New York City. The sacrifices and commitments he made on behalf of Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people, which eventually affected his relationship with some of his own children. Through the entire struggle of his commitment, he always believed in Gandhi's words an eye for an eye made us all blind. He strongly believed and envisioned, building a bridge to a better relationship with First Nations and Non-First Nations people, would once again strengthen the foundation of First Nations communities, families and individuals. The year is 2010, George has long left us now, but his vision is still very much alive in the present climate and environment of the beautiful Country called Canada. Halaw Group has the fortitude and means to advance the First Nations position in relation to building the bridge once and for all that is needed. We don't want to walk blind anymore, we want to stand up and lead the way in this process, it can be done, it can be done.

The Indian Act

In 1982, the Constitution Act of 1867 ( formerly called the British North America Act of 1867) was re-confirmed by the British Parliament, which provided more direct control and jurisdiction to the Government of Canada over its own Constitution,  and officially amended in 1982. This also re-confirmed the Indian Act of Canada, which now falls under Section 35 of the Constitution Act of 1982. The Indian Act was created and enacted in 1876, it has been amended 17 times since its incorporation. Seven out of the 17 amendments, truly impacted Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations people in a very direct way. It changed what was once defined, to a slow loss of Culture, Language and Identity. In some circles people would say the Indian Act is a very negative statute, that it has impacted Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations peoples lives for a number of generations. In some circles a lot of anger and frustration has been built up over the years, in both First Nations and Non-First Nations environments. Some people may agree and disagree with this next comment, "The War is Over", but parties on both sides have a hard time seeing and understanding it that way. To Bridge the gap of building a Relationship, we honestly have to take the mentality "The War is Over", to construct a positive path for the Future. Hence the Present time, and the Present climate of the Country and World. We are experiencing major economic in-balances, and the wrath of mother nature, with climate change and destruction. This is a great time to be Indian/Aboriginal or First Nations, why because we can provide some very viable options and assistance to these present conditions we are faced with, and we are talking from an economic stand point.

Agreements, Statutes, and Laws

The Royal Proclamation of 1763 was an understanding between King George III of Great Britain, and Native (Indian/Aboriginal/First Nations) North Americans, the Proclamation was to stabilize relations concerning regulation of trade, settlement, and land purchases. The British North America Act of 1867, and still known informally as the BNA Act, which was also the Constitution Act of 1867, created a federal dominion known as the Government of Canada. Eventually from the BNA Act, the Indian Act was created in 1876, which was defined as a Canadian statute concerning registered Indians (First Nations people of Canada), their bands, and the system of Indian reserves. This Act was enacted and under the provisions of Section 91(24) of the Constitution Act of 1867. This provided the Canadian federal government exclusive authority to legislate in relation to "Indians and Lands Reserved for Indians", this statute was administered by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and still to present day. In essences the Indian Act is what governs and defines registered status Indians and the Indian reserves they live on. Indian reserves are defined plots of land with boundaries situated in six hundred plus locations throughout Canada. Through the Indian Act, registered status Indians are allowed various rights and entitlements and can exercise them within these defined plots of lands within Canada. One of the major rights and entitlements that Indians are entitled to are Tax and Cost exemption. This can and will build Business Relationships for the Future.

The "Indian Question", does it still exist

The year is 2010, I would like to ask a simple question to all Canadians, North Americans, and People of the World, the Indian (Aboriginal/First Nations) Question does it still exist. What does it mean, what has it meant for everyone in the past. The Indian Question has impacted lives ten fold, mostly in a negative way, and it has created confusion from what was once defined. The Indian Question does it still exist.