The Minister of Indian Affairs, John Duncan and his faithful sidekick, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) have unveiled their "joint" initiative: the panel of experts who are going to examine First Nations education and make recommendations for its reform.
Three experts have been selected and each will receive $200,000 to prepare a report that will contain information that we already know about the deplorable state of First Nations education programming. The report is going to run until July 2011.
APTN reported that Kitigan Zibi First Nation Chief Gilbert Whiteduck is not happy with this initiative. "Whiteduck, who sat on a senior education advisory council involved with the creation of the panel, said he was disappointed with the choices. Whiteduck said he was informed during a council meeting Friday that the panel had been selected but the names would be kept secret until the Merx notice appeared on Sunday.
Whiteduck said he had no idea how the panellists were selected, despite several regions submitting suggestions for candidates." "“Is it the intent of the AFN to unconditionally support the candidacy of Ms. Krause who obviously views First Nation education administrative practices as being corrupt? This is unacceptable,” wrote Whiteduck, in an email to Ghislain Picard, Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador."
APTN also reported, "While Atleo could not be immediately reached for comment, a source indicated the national chief was aware of the initial concerns raised by some chiefs over the appointments. Atleo, however, is urging chiefs to work through the panel to force their concerns onto the agenda, including a close study of funding levels."
Of course the AFN National Chief could not be reached for comment. Did we actually expect him to explain to the grassroots people via national television as to why he is supporting a farce of an initiative like the "blue ribbon panel"??? He does not have a reasonable explanation. He works for the Department of Indian Affairs.
I think it is time for the Chiefs on the ground to acknowledge that the "National Chief" of the AFN, no matter who it is, works for the federal government and that he is paid a whopping $136K tax-free salary to implement the agenda of the Department of Indian Affairs. His job is not to advocate for the interests of First Nations. His job is to pretend that he advocates for us but, in reality, he works for the Department of Indian Affairs. The position of "National Chief" of these National Aboriginal Organizations is one of tokenism and that is it.
Once again, the Aboriginal industry is getting rich off the backs of First Nations people. Each expert is receiving $200,000, and there are three of them, to prepare a report!! That is $600,000, which could have purchased new text books, computers, and educated some of our students who want to attend university but cannot because there is not enough funding. How much money did the Office of the National Chief receive for supporting this initiative? Like I said before, the Department of Indian Affairs only benefits the Aboriginal industry and the Offices of the National Chiefs of the National Aboriginal Organizations.
We are not on the road to "reconcilation", the buzz word of the day. We have not even taken one step in that direction.
How long are we going to sit quietly and allow the National Chief and the Department of Indian Affairs to treat us like animals? The longer we sit quietly, the more rights we give up and the more assimilated we become. When are we going to show the Department of Indian Affairs that we have rights? The status quo is not working. It is time for change!
Here is the link to the APTN article: http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2011/03/03/blue-ribbon-education-panel-quietly-unveiled-draws-immediate-fire/
WHO IS WATCHING OUT FOR YOU AND OUR CHILDREN?
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