"My last column provided background (that most reporters seem content to ignore) on Theresa Spence, chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation. The plight of her reserve drew national attention a year ago when residents were without housing, heat or running water. Spence took home a $70,000 salary while her subjects lived in abject poverty, and the band’s finances were such a mess that accountants couldn’t determine what happened to $90 million in federal funds provided to the band since 2006," notes Martinuk.
"She claims the government is not fulfilling its obligations, but based on her own dubious financial management, and the fact that De Beers mines will pay her band $30 million over 12 years and has awarded it another $325 million in contracts, it’s not clear that she’s the best person to be making the case for more money," she adds.
No kidding. Why are her people still living in sub-third-world conditions? Over to her.
"It’s long been obvious that the current aboriginal
system works well for the chiefs and band leaders who control the money, but
not for natives themselves," Martinuk concludes.
Mark Milke, another columnist and Fraser Institute expert on aboriginal affairs, wrote an excellent article today in which he points out that Spence and her colleagues earn salaries far above those earned by other leaders in similar hamlets.
"In the remote Ontario township of Algonquin Highlands, for example," says Milke, "with 2,100 people, the entire council was paid just $119,220 in 2011. In Spence's reserve, with only 1,500 people, the total for salaries was $607,364." Do the math, it's outrageous.
Does Spence not know that researchers such as Milke and Martinuk will overturn the rocks and learn what a shameful and disgraceful scam it all is?
Concludes Milke:
"It's tragic that the system allows band politicians to spend money on unreasonable political salaries and on housing for friends, family and political allies first, with everyone else put in the queue. Such fundamental problems with how the chiefs run reserves are what protesters should ponder."
Harper has now agreed to meet with the native leadership, but not necessarily Spence, to discuss, in general, progress on the initiatives agreed to last Fall. He made the announcement minutes before a scheduled NDP press conference to denounce him. The release did not even mention Spence and her hunger terrorism. "It's up to the leaders to decide who we meet with," said the crafty chess player and smartest guy in the room.
Do you really think Shawn Atleo will let Theresa Spence hog the limelight?
Harper has now agreed to meet with the native leadership, but not necessarily Spence, to discuss, in general, progress on the initiatives agreed to last Fall. He made the announcement minutes before a scheduled NDP press conference to denounce him. The release did not even mention Spence and her hunger terrorism. "It's up to the leaders to decide who we meet with," said the crafty chess player and smartest guy in the room.
Do you really think Shawn Atleo will let Theresa Spence hog the limelight?
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