The latest hogwash on the native file involves three bands that have filed an official human rights complaint, alleging that the federal department of Indigenous Services has committed "systemic discrimination" against adult band members with disabilities.
First of all, I hate that word "systemic" because it is misleading. But hey, it grabs attention! The bands behind this nonsense are the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai -- all members of the Blood Tribe. Second of all, babies born with disabilities or abnormalities have usually had a rough time in the womb. That's on the mothers' behaviours and lifestyle when pregnant.
Tracy McHugh, Siksika councillor, claims that when children with disabilities reach 18, they have to move off-reserve to get help (i.e., more money), or access it via the 'Alberta's Persons with Developmental Disabilities Program'. In case you missed it, the Siksika and Chief Ouray Crowfoot just inked a $1.3 billion land claim for its 7,800 members. $1.3 billion! I'd say that's probably enough to cover the needs of a handful of disabled adults on-reserve, wouldn't you?
The Piikani just bagged $64.3 million from the feds over water rights. That covers 2,451 people.
And the Kainai? Google won't tell me because the band won't release the numbers (Gee, I wonder why?), but I'll bet it's also millions. How many members? 12,800.
"They have to leave the reserve," said McHugh, "And we are a people predominantly under poverty (why is that, anyone dare ask?). They have to uproot and leave family behind," she complained. "You leave a whole lot of culture behind," she added. Here's the "culture" left behind:
"Every government has failed our people with developmental disabilities on the reserves. It's a long time coming. A very, very long time coming," she added.
In previous blogs, (see, "Just a beginning", June 3, 2022 and "Here's a number," May 4, 2022) I pointed out that Stoney Nakoda -- yes, the same people -- were handed $11,000,000 for a new health facility this past Spring. So, with the usual money they get every year, they also pocketed $11,000,000 for a health facility and now they want more!!??!!!! Why can't this new health facility treat these people??!!! WTF??!!! Systemic racism? Spare me.
And no one -- except me -- does any research, or has the balls, to call this bullsh-t out.
So, there you have it, folks.
Someone has received a nice paycheck and is enjoying a good life compliments of the taxpayer and it clearly ain’t the band members. Corruption at its finest. Wonder where the band leadership learned that act !
ReplyDeleteWhere do you think the band leadership learned that act, as you put it? From their predecessors? Where else?
DeleteI don't know who you are, but wish I did. Why don't Pam Palmeter, Doug Cuthand or Tanya Talaga cover this?! Rhetorical. They are cowards, that's why. It's too bad natives don't call other natives out because it leaves them with zero credibility. Zero. Instead of giving these people column space, papers like 'The Globe and Mail' should do a few editorials on this criminal activity. Bring back the Accountability Act!
ReplyDeleteMy indigenous mother used to ashamed because of the knowledge that her culture had significant limitations. I am ashamed to be indigenous because because of the brazen opportunism and horrendous greed of the culture.
ReplyDelete