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Thursday, November 19, 2009
Natives and Property Rights
It has long been a problem of the Native nations that their members could not own land on the reserves. All land was communally owned thus no individual could leverage their home for a loan. This prevented Natives from being able to start businesses or otherwise invest in their community.
Now in BC, at least one tribe is trying something different. The Treaty nation of Nisga'a has decided to allow its members to sell and mortgage their homes.
Hats off to the Nisga'a. It would be interesting to see how much this will improve their community.
Posted by Hugh MacIntyre on November 19, 2009 | Permalink
Comments
The Nisga'a appear to be a progressive band.
Hopefully they will next take the initiative to create a world class Health Clinic for immaging on a "for profit" basis to provide walk-in service and compete with the State run system and force the governments hand in the health care monopoly.
Make it a model for other First nation Bands to emulate, rather than run illegal cigarette manufacturing, provide a truly needed service and gain immeasurable respect from their white oppressors to boot.
Posted by: Joe Molnar | 2009-11-19 6:41:26 AM
Read the friggin' Nisgaa treaty Hugh: hats off my ass, they are guilt tripping shakedown artists living large on your tax dollar and mine. When we pump $37 million annually into their pockets, and there are only a few thousand of them, they should be doing better.
"This prevented Natives from being able to start businesses or otherwise invest in their community.
"
The Indians - not Natives, but Indians - were a stone age people and its not as if a lack of capital was a big impediment compared to the other challenges they faced.
Posted by: Self Determination For All | 2009-11-19 9:51:12 AM
That may be so SDFA, but the lawyers for "our side" made out like bandits as well.
Shoulda got better lawyers, or ones motivated to defend your interests better. Aren't most politicians lawyers?
Posted by: po'ed in AB | 2009-11-19 10:53:33 AM
SDFA,
I didn't say that they were all swell. I frankly don't know enough about this particular group to do so. I was just saying that this was a good example of what all Indian tribes should be doing.
Plus the money that tribal councils recieve in such deals don't always go to the community or help individual members of the tribe. That is individual members that aren't on the council. (not all tribal councils are corrupt to be sure, but a lot are)
Posted by: Hugh MacIntyre | 2009-11-19 11:41:58 AM
SDFA is unable to extend self-determination to the Natives, so perhaps he needs to try a different identifier. Furthermore, Indians are people from India, so Native is more correct.
This is a step in the right direction regardless.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-11-19 4:29:51 PM
http://www.angelfire.com/blog2/nisgga/
http://www.terracedaily.ca/show4964a7s/NISGAA_RESIDENTS_WILL_NOW_BE_ABLE_TO_OWN_LAND
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/nisgaa-approve-historic-land-use-law/article1369175/#comments
108 Cooper Avenue - PO Box 91
Greenville, BC V0J 1X0
Phone: (250) 621-3450
Email: [email protected]
October 30, 2009
Nisga'a Lisims Government
PO Box 231
New Aiyansh, BC V0J 1Ao
Attention: Cal Albright, Director, Programs & Services
Diane Stewart, Eligibility & Enrolment Coordinator
Dear Sir/Madam:
Re: Application to Renounce Nisga'a Citizenship
On April 13, 2007, I requested information from your department regarding the process of renunciation of Nisga'a Citizenship.
Since then, I assume that documents you require to process this renunciation no longer requires a Notice of Request. If I am wrong, I will attach the form anyway as I would like this request processed at your earliest convenience. I will briefly list the disadvantages of being a Nisga'a citizen:
There is no Human Rights protection for citizens
There is no fairness to obtain jobs, I was denied 10 jobs within the 9 years, even with 2 Degrees from University of Northern British Columbia and 4 Certificates
There is lack of accountability with public funds
3 employees of Nisga'a Government, namely, Diane Cragg, Angela D'Elia and Clay Harmon launched a civil lawsuit against Barbara Zvatora and myself on April 2009 for Defamation of Character , their defence paid by Nisga'a public monies
There is no opposition party to review or to oppose actions of employees/officials. If anyone in the general Nisga'a population challenge corruption, they are ostracized and black-listed, as I am. For the record, Mr. Albright, I have on file your email dated February 3, 2009 to Diane Stewart "Do not give names to her until we talk about , I don't want the committee to be subject to Sylvia's abusiveness." This evidence will be used as one of my defence evidence of how your government discriminates and is unjust.
The so-called "common-bowl" philosophy spills only in the direction of Gitlakdamix (New Aiyansh) in economic prosperity and jobs, while the rest of the Nisga'a suffer in silence and fear.
There is no Ombudsman to listen to our grievances, no intermediate to settle disputes, our only alternative are the Provincial and Federal Courts and we do not have the financial resources to keep going to Court. Therefore, we are in dire straits and there is no change.
No economic development for permanent jobs, no lands for economic development
There are too many people living below the poverty line, surviving on $258 per month and the Treaty stated, "We will not be beggars on our own land." We are worse off now than before the Treaty.
Village Governments are having meetings behind closed doors, no public reporting for nine years. Grassroots people are ignored, they are not heard or informed.
By 2012, everybody will be paying taxes and our silenced people did not realize that they gave up everything when the Treaty was signed.
Nisga'a Lisims Government prefer to hire outside people, what happened to promises? Who benefits and how much?
Please refer to letter dated May 23, 2007, written by Fred Tolmie, A/Chief Executive Officer, page 2, last paragraph: "However, I can advise you that the Nisga'a Entitlement Act does not provide that a Nisga'a citizen who holds a Nisga'a Village Entitlement will lose their entitlement by renouncing their Nisga'a citizenship."
I was told by Diane Stewart that once I renounce my Nisga'a Citizenship, I will lose all services and I asked her, "What services?" All services First Nations people receive under INAC will continue such as housing, education, Income Assistance, etc.
I trust that you will understand my situation and I look forward to your positive and timely feedback. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sylvia J. Stephens, BA
/sjs
Posted by: Ksimlaxgibuu | 2009-11-19 8:01:40 PM
This Land Act is genocide, outsiders are being fooled by this dictatorship style government. They are strapped for cash and now they will even sell their underwear, how embarrasing to be on national coverage.
I can at least hold my head up and not feel guilty for trying to help the distressed people who have no voice, we are going through hell and back with this mafia government, they are losers and I am angry, words cannot explain how I feel. I refuse to sit back and let them make a mockery out of us, we are a proud nation, our people are awesome, our culture and langauge is great, the government stinks...my rant for the day.
Posted by: Ksimlaxgibuu | 2009-11-19 8:05:44 PM
http://www.angelfire.com/blog2/nisgga/
http://www.terracedaily.ca/show4964a7s/NISGAA_RESIDENTS_WILL_NOW_BE_ABLE_TO_OWN_LAND
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/nisgaa-approve-historic-land-use-law/article1369175/#comments
Posted by: Ksimlaxgibuu | 2009-11-19 8:08:35 PM
108 Cooper Avenue - PO Box 91
Greenville, BC V0J 1X0
Phone: (250) 621-3450
Email: [email protected]
October 30, 2009
Nisga'a Lisims Government
PO Box 231
New Aiyansh, BC V0J 1Ao
Attention: Cal Albright, Director, Programs & Services
Diane Stewart, Eligibility & Enrolment Coordinator
Dear Sir/Madam:
Re: Application to Renounce Nisga'a Citizenship
On April 13, 2007, I requested information from your department regarding the process of renunciation of Nisga'a Citizenship.
Since then, I assume that documents you require to process this renunciation no longer requires a Notice of Request. If I am wrong, I will attach the form anyway as I would like this request processed at your earliest convenience. I will briefly list the disadvantages of being a Nisga'a citizen:
There is no Human Rights protection for citizens
There is no fairness to obtain jobs, I was denied 10 jobs within the 9 years, even with 2 Degrees from University of Northern British Columbia and 4 Certificates
There is lack of accountability with public funds
3 employees of Nisga'a Government, namely, Diane Cragg, Angela D'Elia and Clay Harmon launched a civil lawsuit against Barbara Zvatora and myself on April 2009 for Defamation of Character , their defence paid by Nisga'a public monies
There is no opposition party to review or to oppose actions of employees/officials. If anyone in the general Nisga'a population challenge corruption, they are ostracized and black-listed, as I am. For the record, Mr. Albright, I have on file your email dated February 3, 2009 to Diane Stewart "Do not give names to her until we talk about , I don't want the committee to be subject to Sylvia's abusiveness." This evidence will be used as one of my defence evidence of how your government discriminates and is unjust.
The so-called "common-bowl" philosophy spills only in the direction of Gitlakdamix (New Aiyansh) in economic prosperity and jobs, while the rest of the Nisga'a suffer in silence and fear.
There is no Ombudsman to listen to our grievances, no intermediate to settle disputes, our only alternative are the Provincial and Federal Courts and we do not have the financial resources to keep going to Court. Therefore, we are in dire straits and there is no change.
No economic development for permanent jobs, no lands for economic development
There are too many people living below the poverty line, surviving on $258 per month and the Treaty stated, "We will not be beggars on our own land." We are worse off now than before the Treaty.
Village Governments are having meetings behind closed doors, no public reporting for nine years. Grassroots people are ignored, they are not heard or informed.
By 2012, everybody will be paying taxes and our silenced people did not realize that they gave up everything when the Treaty was signed.
Nisga'a Lisims Government prefer to hire outside people, what happened to promises? Who benefits and how much?
Please refer to letter dated May 23, 2007, written by Fred Tolmie, A/Chief Executive Officer, page 2, last paragraph: "However, I can advise you that the Nisga'a Entitlement Act does not provide that a Nisga'a citizen who holds a Nisga'a Village Entitlement will lose their entitlement by renouncing their Nisga'a citizenship."
I was told by Diane Stewart that once I renounce my Nisga'a Citizenship, I will lose all services and I asked her, "What services?" All services First Nations people receive under INAC will continue such as housing, education, Income Assistance, etc.
I trust that you will understand my situation and I look forward to your positive and timely feedback. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sylvia J. Stephens, BA
/sjs
Posted by: Ksimlaxgibuu | 2009-11-19 8:11:39 PM
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