Biting The Hand

To the huge relief of the Canadian public, the life of Attawapiskat Chief Therese Spence is no longer in danger. Her fish-soup, herb-infused-liquid diet has come to a merciful end and she is as hale and hearty as ever. And it was ever so cruel of Senator Patrick Brazeau to point out off-handedly that he also lost a few pounds while he had the flu. And he wasn't fortunate enough to garner public attention.

But he's making up for it now, lobbing right back at his detractors the accusations levelled by them at his blase comments about poor Chief Spence, and the observation from his perspective that the more useful way to lobby for effective change is to do it with full respect for the rights of others, while pursuing normal, legal means at their disposal to hold government to its promises and treaties.

Far more effective than throwing well-publicized tantrums, expressed through intractable demands that do not reflect reality and simply serve to throw the light of revelation on Treaty Indians' seeming inability to govern themselves adequately despite massive government expenditures meant to assist the lifestyles of those who idle in boredom, eschewing labour for tradition supported by welfare.

In the immortal words of Anthony Sowan, resident of Red Deer, and registered Cree, "Our country should offer no free rides to anyone. No help for those who refuse to help themselves. No quarter for those who would inhibit the lives and the success of others. No limit to what anyone can accomplish with a steely resolve and a great idea. It doesn't matter who built the first camp fires and communities on this land, it's those who work hard to continue to stoke the flames of collective well-being that matter."

Which brings us to roadblocks, and blockades and interruptions of traffic and industrial flows, which the Idle No More movement which Chief Spence insisted she represented appears to personify. Conversely, the Idle No More movement insisted no Chiefs represented them. The annoyance factor in blockades garner notice - as an attention-getting gesture, if little else, for it does garner great attention, irritation, impatience, disbelief and opposition.

This time it is De Beers Canada which is experiencing the exasperation of a blockade on a winter road leading to a De Beers diamond mine close by Atawapiskat. This would be the very mine that pays millions to the Attawapiskat reserve in rental fees, and many millions more to the Attawapiskat reserve's service apparatus to provide De Beers with a multitude of services.

Even significant employment at the mine is provided for those who qualify.

The roadblock has caused De Beers to cease operations on the road. The mine, located about 90 kilometres from the reserve, is experiencing objections from the First Nation that insufficient shares of the mine's profits is being seen in their community.

A review of the situation between the De Beers' Victor mine and the Attawapiskat reserve has revealed that training and capacity supported by government lagged, unfortunately, resulting in a lack of skills on the reserve. The reserve's Deputy Chief is quoted as having stated his belief the blockade was caused by personal reasons relating to employment.

And things could get even more personal for people on the reserve, if their resentment causing the bloackade continues, ensuring that mine activities slow down sufficiently so that it will no longer call upon them to be employed at the Victor mine. Spurring Chief Spence to call a band council meeting to discuss that blockade.

Perhaps she and her council could have spoken to the group of residents on her reserve about their grievance beforehand? To enquire from them why it was that they have taken such radical steps that will not only inconvenience mine operations, but result in straitened employment opportunities as the company is unable to move in fuel, machine parts and equipment to run the mine?