I am working away on a series of posts I’d like to put together to help untangle the web of confusion surrounding oft-misunderstood issues such as First Nations health-care, education, housing, taxation, self-government, settlement claims and so on. It isn’t easy. I’ve studies these kinds of things my whole life, trying to disprove the claims made about aboriginal peoples, and even still new legislation or policies or programs cast shadows that obscure.
However over the years I have identified a few common areas of misunderstanding. Basic lack of knowledge that can be quickly addressed so that the underlying prejudice which often fuels the claims in the first place can be revealed and (hopefully) chipped away at.
If for nothing else, I want these resources to be available to those who do care, so that they can teach themselves about the issues and go out there and spread the word. I know a lot of potential allies who just haven’t a clue where to even start in their exploration of things like…who provides health-care to First Nations people and how is that health-care administered? What are the problems? Who is responsible? What can be done?
So I am going to explain it the way I would to a friend who shows genuine interest, and we’ll see if that ends up being useful to anyone.
In the meantime, I’d like to leave you with a very moving poem by Khodi Dill of Saskatoon. tâpwê!
âpihtawikosisân 
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/charlie-angus/attawapiskat-emergency_b_1104370.html?just_reloaded=1&ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#undefined
I see that Red Cross has stepped up. This is where our family will make our “Christmas gratitude” donation this year. We must not stop there, however. It’s time to come together and raise our voices. Our people are getting stronger. New generations are healing for our Ancestors. When we raise our voices, our Ancestors will speak through. We need to raise our voices together and ask the feds why this is continuing today, here, in Canada. This is an excellent opportunity for the federal government to live up to the promises made.
Thank you for sharing.