What is the biggest challenges that facing the next AFN leader?
Sunday, Jul. 19, 2009 | 12:08 AM AT
We're inviting members of Aboriginal communities across Canada to share their insight and perspective on the upcoming Assembly of First Nations Election for National Chief. We've asked some key questions and invite you to respond below. See the other questions here.
Comments: (7)
Biggest Challenge?
Making the AFN relevant to children starving and living like refugees on reserves. Relevant to Aboriginal teens killing themselves because they see no hope for their futures. Relevant to mothers and fathers who are trying to get good education for their children. And to me living in the city....how will I and the rest of the urban Aboriginal people going to be helped. What I'd like to see happen is fighting for urban reserves in Manitoba, because our provincial chiefs can't seem to get that done. And housing help...if I stayed on my reserve I'd get a house (a crappy one) but still a house or apartment to call my own. Not that the housing conditions on reserve is great, but the theory is nice!
Plus please make it relevant for women...why is the old boys club allowed to make all the decisions for our families? Women have an important voice to speak from and the way the AFN is set up, shuts out the maternalistic views we come from.
Posted July 20, 2009 01:40 PM
We need to help people find purpose in life and to learn to participate in society and give back to community, at one time we shared and cared about our neighbours.
The hand out system has caused a generation of people seeking 'entitlement' and dependency holding their hands out rather than up willing to help.
People have to stop waiting in welfare line ups and demand change so they can do something more. But they have to want to do something, no one can make anyone do anything they aren't willing to take on. Why should they change? Who's leading them and showing them a better way?
Empowerment, self-determination, comes from finding how you fit into the world. But first need reason to fit it and WANT to be a part of this mostly mainstream world or blend our gifts. What's the incentive for the gangsters to change and they are all over, not just Inner City Wpg.
Pow Wow's are accessible to those who aren't afraid of our past and learning a healthy life. Many haven't even realized they are worthy of anything they want in life, how is AFN going to help grassroots people when they don't even have a governance structure that makes people feel empowered?
Posted July 21, 2009 03:12 AM
Fontaine's legacy will be the biggest challenge ... he exploited the thinnest of recognition for indigenous rights as squeezed out of the Canadian legal system. He made deals that reduced the liability to acceptable if somewhat spectacular numbers, although the native veterans settlement falls even below that.
On the day of the apology he bragged that a new relationship was afoot. At Grassy Narrows we are on the front lines of land relations where over 30 people have been arrested for peacefully asserting against Fontaine's legacy is ...
Posted July 21, 2009 09:15 AM
The biggest challenge is approaching the numerous LAND CLAIMS issues all across Canada. We, the Mi'gmaq are in the process of claiming our inherent jurisdictional territory, 7th district of Gespe'gewa'gi. The support and help that is needed is crucial and vital to the finalization of our land claim. We must be united and settle these issues once and for all, our future generations are depending on how we negotiate/fight for our rights and territories today.
Posted July 21, 2009 09:19 AM
I do believe the most important challenge for the next upcoming AFN leader would be to look at our treaties remind the governments that they were signed and should be respected as promised in the past. By doing so this will help with our land claims, the land that we have lived on, the land that we have shared with all, getting back what our future generations can look forward to. We have rights just like anybody else and they need to be seriously respected.
Posted July 21, 2009 10:09 AM
I am from a community which had settled their land claims. What I see from our community is broken constitutions which was supposed to be our highest law of the land. I see elections with standards that are far below "being hands-off and fair". I see discrimination against some families who cannot access simple services.
Phone calls and emails are not responded to and no communication ie newsletters or even a working website. For years, at General Assemblies, have asked through resolutions and such, to try to include those living away from the community.
The family in power have used fear, ousting citizens that speak out, and stand together in what they do. So, even if we complain to the federal or territorial government for human rights, we are turned right back to the same Chief & Council.
I would like to see more human rights for citizens that are thoroughly discriminated against through lack of services, ousted out for speaking out or can't access jobs.
I am a mother with four children. I do not want my children to be singled out as not receiving services as their right.
I would like to see more avenues where we can have our rights established as with the rest of Canada.
We are Canadian citizens too.
Posted July 21, 2009 10:46 AM
Not being a puppet of Stephen Harper and his Conservatives intent on depriving First Nations People of their Treaty Rights and Land Claims...don't choose a puppet King...
Posted July 21, 2009 05:47 PM