A community member perspective...
Subscribe To Rama Community Forum
Posts
All Comments
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2231347
This idea was ingenious. If we all exercised our rights to cross border shop it would send a direct message to the neighboring retail community that they need our dollars. It should help to send a message to the province and the Feds if they don't want us to spend our money elsewhere. I propose carpool shopping trips to the states. Add your thoughts...
Friday, December 18, 2009
Financial Meeting Dec. 05 2009 --Community Room
Finance Meeting Dec. 12 2009 -- Wages for Chief $160,000 Council over $100,000 a year. Gas allowance $500.00 a month! Christmas bonus $6,000 $1,000 clothing allowance. Finance Officer over $200,000 Band Manager $130,000 plus. Since the spring of 2001 Indian and Northern Affairs has instituted an informal disclosure process to reflect provisions under Section 8 of the indian band money revenue regulations. This is in compliance with the Federal court of Canada decision in Montana band vs Indian Affairs 1989. As a result the Ontario region of Indian Affairs is able to provide an informal ATIP request so band members can get audited financial statements.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Unity Rally, Queen's Park
The weather was cold and grey when we left for the city, all seven of us in a van. But by the time we got there the skies had cleared and it was a good turn out. Grand Chiefs from all over were there to lead us in our protest against the governments latest tax grab-the HST. We marched, we drummed, we sang our songs, we blocked traffic, we became ONE and we DEMANDED that the government consult with our leadership BEFORE they infringe upon our rights as the first nations of this land. While our leaders spoke and we cheered three hawks began to circle over head as we all looked to the skies for guidance and affirmation that our ancestors have joined us in our fight for our rights as First Nations people. The power and the energy we raised was strong and it reminded me of some of the stories that came out of the Caledonia protests when police reported seeing HUNDREDS of indians on horseback at the site. There were indians from Six Nations there of course, but not on horseback. Some of the officers quit the force soon after seeing those visions. It goes to show you, we are NEVER ALONE in our fight for what's good and what's right. Sometimes we might feel isolated and powerless, but were not. We are never alone. The HST Protest yesterday at Queen's Park was all the affirmation needed to continue doing the work we've set out to do and that is to bring power to the oppressed and relief to those living with poverty. I'm sorry more people from Rama weren't able to join us, but eventually they will. If I took one thing away from the rally yesterday it's that we have drawn a line in the sand and that we now have to FIGHT for what's rightfully OURS. As long as the River flows, as long as the grass is green.....
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Boxes Bound for Attawapiskat
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
by Shawna L. Snache
When Cheryle Graham Snache of Rama First Nation got fed up with the stories coming out of Attawapiskat and other northern First Nations dealing with extreme poverty and third world living conditions she asked herself one question, “What can I do, as the average Joe citizen?” Out of that question the Northern Project was born.
The Northern Project has been collecting quality used clothing for distribution for over a year. Through word of mouth donations have been rolling in continuously. “The hard part is getting it there, where it’s needed most” she admits.
Recently an opportunity to overcome that obstacle presented itself and Cheryle was able to connect with like minded individuals Susy Sirois of Brighton, Ontario and university student Lyndsay Brutt who decided to get a truck and take a load up to where it’s desperately needed; Attawapiskat First Nation.
Susy has also been collecting clothing and has over 100 boxes at present. Together with Cheryle’s 60 boxes the clothing will make it’s way to Timmins on November 29th before flying Air Creebec to Attawapiskat care of the church for distribution to the community.
Since 2008 the Northern Project has been able to make shipments of clothing and winter coats to Massey, Bear Island/Temagami First Nation, Toronto to Council Fire and Women’s Resource Centre and the Canadian Diabetes Association. The Northern Project aims to continue to collect gently used clothing donations to send to northern First Nation communities and is interested in becoming a registered charity in the New Year (2010).
If you would like more information about the Northern Project or would like to make a donation please contact Cheryle Graham Snache at cherylesnache@hotmail.com
by Shawna L. Snache
When Cheryle Graham Snache of Rama First Nation got fed up with the stories coming out of Attawapiskat and other northern First Nations dealing with extreme poverty and third world living conditions she asked herself one question, “What can I do, as the average Joe citizen?” Out of that question the Northern Project was born.
Recently an opportunity to overcome that obstacle presented itself and Cheryle was able to connect with like minded individuals Susy Sirois of Brighton, Ontario and university student Lyndsay Brutt who decided to get a truck and take a load up to where it’s desperately needed; Attawapiskat First Nation.
Susy has also been collecting clothing and has over 100 boxes at present. Together with Cheryle’s 60 boxes the clothing will make it’s way to Timmins on November 29th before flying Air Creebec to Attawapiskat care of the church for distribution to the community.
Since 2008 the Northern Project has been able to make shipments of clothing and winter coats to Massey, Bear Island/Temagami First Nation, Toronto to Council Fire and Women’s Resource Centre and the Canadian Diabetes Association. The Northern Project aims to continue to collect gently used clothing donations to send to northern First Nation communities and is interested in becoming a registered charity in the New Year (2010).
If you would like more information about the Northern Project or would like to make a donation please contact Cheryle Graham Snache at cherylesnache@hotmail.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I think about all the money that we have had here in Rama since the casino. And what we now have, what we could have done with it. What we should have done. I no there is more jobs but we have more of our people on part time or on call then ever. There is no job shadowing for our members. And we are spending 27 million on wages a year. With a buget of 48 million a year, the new deal is 30 miilion a year which we had no say in. And we will now be just the landlords. We have 60 milion in the bank how long is that going to last. We had 172 million ten years ago and what did we do with it ? At the finance meeting we see that our business are not making any money .All the the band has belongs to all of us we need to have a say in how it is being spent. cheryle
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thoughts to Ponder...Please leave your comments...
During times of uncertainty and communication break downs, do you go with the flow and 'not rock the boat', accepting things as they are "because that's how it's always been" or do you question authority, engage in meaningful conversation and maybe even ruffle a few feathers?
There are times when government and policies do not seem to affect you. You go to work. Your kids go to school. You pay your bills. You pay your dues. And the outside world does not seem to have much impact inside the four walls of your dwelling.
Fair enough. But it's important to know, that even though the path of least resistance seems appropriate for you and your family, acceptance can and might eventually lead to the loss of everything we enjoy right now as we know it.
It's most important to consider the facts. The decisions we make, or the decisions we allow others to make for us are likey to have an impact for generations to come. The community is no longer the community that you or I grew up in. We need to take responsibility for the future of our community and step up in ways that maybe we've never thought of before.
There are genuine reasons why we feel it's important not to rock the proverbial boat. We certainly don't wish to risk our jobs for fear of speaking out against what we know in our hearts to be wrong. It is easier to accept the situation as it is than to try and change it. We don't wish to alienate ourselves from our 'tribe'. Being ostrasized is almost as terrible a thought as losing our jobs. But questioning leadership and demanding answers is the only way to force the accountability promised to us. If we don't, than the spiral continues, the imbalance of power and lack of community consultation continues. It's up to each of us, individually, but more importantly together, in groups and numbers, to get leadership to pay attention to our concerns. Because believe me, if we don't, it allows them to pretend amongst themselves that they are doing a great job and that they don't need to break out of their comfort zones to demonstrate real leadership capacity. Some of them are so used to making over a hundred thousand dollars a year, plus gas allowance, clothing allowance, six thousand dollar bonuses and sick and vacation payout that they no longer take the job serious enough to even get out of their trucks. They continue to ride the gravy train every day at our expense because we're yet to force them to justify earning such ludicrous amounts of money at our expense.
The main thing we need to understand is that they work for us, not the other way around. We put them into those top paying positions. Once we come to this understanding as a community and a membership then we can dictate to them how they do their jobs, and how much they make doing them. We can tell them what OUR values are and how we wish to see our community governed.We can decide what economic development opportunities we choose to invest and participate in. And we can be kept in the loop because WE are the decision makers. Chief and Council is there to respresent OUR wants, our NEEDS and our DECISIONS. Keeping in mind, until now, we've had to LIVE with the decisions that they've made without asking us for our input or informing us of their dealings. No business transactions should be taking place without the community's knowledge and concensus and yet were always the last to know, suggesting that's it's really none of our business what they negotiate. But it is our business, we are all stakeholders in this Community. The future of our leadership, education, housing, status rights, and the health and safety of our community as we know it depends upon us exercising our stakeholder rights and responsibilities. I guess what it boils down to is that we are ultimately responsible to each other. Now how's that for a community concept? Ahow.
Miigwech.
There are times when government and policies do not seem to affect you. You go to work. Your kids go to school. You pay your bills. You pay your dues. And the outside world does not seem to have much impact inside the four walls of your dwelling.
Fair enough. But it's important to know, that even though the path of least resistance seems appropriate for you and your family, acceptance can and might eventually lead to the loss of everything we enjoy right now as we know it.
It's most important to consider the facts. The decisions we make, or the decisions we allow others to make for us are likey to have an impact for generations to come. The community is no longer the community that you or I grew up in. We need to take responsibility for the future of our community and step up in ways that maybe we've never thought of before.
There are genuine reasons why we feel it's important not to rock the proverbial boat. We certainly don't wish to risk our jobs for fear of speaking out against what we know in our hearts to be wrong. It is easier to accept the situation as it is than to try and change it. We don't wish to alienate ourselves from our 'tribe'. Being ostrasized is almost as terrible a thought as losing our jobs. But questioning leadership and demanding answers is the only way to force the accountability promised to us. If we don't, than the spiral continues, the imbalance of power and lack of community consultation continues. It's up to each of us, individually, but more importantly together, in groups and numbers, to get leadership to pay attention to our concerns. Because believe me, if we don't, it allows them to pretend amongst themselves that they are doing a great job and that they don't need to break out of their comfort zones to demonstrate real leadership capacity. Some of them are so used to making over a hundred thousand dollars a year, plus gas allowance, clothing allowance, six thousand dollar bonuses and sick and vacation payout that they no longer take the job serious enough to even get out of their trucks. They continue to ride the gravy train every day at our expense because we're yet to force them to justify earning such ludicrous amounts of money at our expense.
The main thing we need to understand is that they work for us, not the other way around. We put them into those top paying positions. Once we come to this understanding as a community and a membership then we can dictate to them how they do their jobs, and how much they make doing them. We can tell them what OUR values are and how we wish to see our community governed.We can decide what economic development opportunities we choose to invest and participate in. And we can be kept in the loop because WE are the decision makers. Chief and Council is there to respresent OUR wants, our NEEDS and our DECISIONS. Keeping in mind, until now, we've had to LIVE with the decisions that they've made without asking us for our input or informing us of their dealings. No business transactions should be taking place without the community's knowledge and concensus and yet were always the last to know, suggesting that's it's really none of our business what they negotiate. But it is our business, we are all stakeholders in this Community. The future of our leadership, education, housing, status rights, and the health and safety of our community as we know it depends upon us exercising our stakeholder rights and responsibilities. I guess what it boils down to is that we are ultimately responsible to each other. Now how's that for a community concept? Ahow.
Miigwech.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
My Hero, Chief Isadore Day, actively opposing the HST
Chief Isadore Day of Serpent River First Nation has passed a BCR opposing the HST, taxation legislation that threatens our rights to tax exemption.
Chief Stinson Henry has yet to inform the community of her position, though she has been asked by members of the Group for Accountability and has responded that they are "researching the status of this proposed litigation and will be putting together an article for the newsletter".
Well I haven't seen anything, have you???????
Please read the article. The link can be found by clicking on Chief Isadore's name.
If we don't take a stand on this issue, the liklihood of the inevitable increases. Put pressure on Chief and Council to actually DO SOMETHING about this issue. It's baffling that they earn such substantial pay checks without even fighting for our most basic rights as First Nations People.
Chief Stinson Henry has yet to inform the community of her position, though she has been asked by members of the Group for Accountability and has responded that they are "researching the status of this proposed litigation and will be putting together an article for the newsletter".
Well I haven't seen anything, have you???????
Please read the article. The link can be found by clicking on Chief Isadore's name.
If we don't take a stand on this issue, the liklihood of the inevitable increases. Put pressure on Chief and Council to actually DO SOMETHING about this issue. It's baffling that they earn such substantial pay checks without even fighting for our most basic rights as First Nations People.
Monday, October 19, 2009
http://www.appointments-nominations.gc.ca/prflOrg.asp?OrgID=AEDB&lang=engStinson Henry, Sharon
Orillia, Ontario
During Pleasure (Interpretation Act)2008-04-11
2011-04-10
Dear Chief Henry,
We the Group for Accountability have been wondering if your appointment to the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board is a paying position? yes or no.
We were also wondering what economic development experience and background you actually possess that qualifies you for this appointment?
Are you aware that under your leadership Rama has not invested in any new economic development opportunities that have made any money to date?
Yours Truly,
Arnold Snache
Chair Person of
The Group for Accountability and Fairness
www.facebook.com/thegroupforaccountability
www.chippewasoframacommunityforum.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/ramafirstnation
Orillia, Ontario
During Pleasure (Interpretation Act)2008-04-11
2011-04-10
Dear Chief Henry,
We the Group for Accountability have been wondering if your appointment to the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board is a paying position? yes or no.
We were also wondering what economic development experience and background you actually possess that qualifies you for this appointment?
Are you aware that under your leadership Rama has not invested in any new economic development opportunities that have made any money to date?
Yours Truly,
Arnold Snache
Chair Person of
The Group for Accountability and Fairness
www.facebook.com/thegroupforaccountability
www.chippewasoframacommunityforum.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/ramafirstnation
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A little light reading to get you thinking
The die was cast. "“Non-accountability is the reward that Indian Affairs gives to chiefs and councils for their compliance,” says Cardinal.
Monday, September 28, 2009
"We also have no history of colonialsm"
This sounds like something Sharon Harper would say. Did I just say that out loud? My bad....
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/communityofinterest/archive/2009/09/28/really-harper-canada-has-no-history-of-colonialism.aspx
http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/communityofinterest/archive/2009/09/28/really-harper-canada-has-no-history-of-colonialism.aspx
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Williams Treaty
How do you feel about hunting and fishing rights? Are you informed? Should we be striving as a community to incorporate this natural way of surviving into our lifestyles? What would is take to relearn some of this knowledge once it's been lost? Like our language isn't this an integral part of the fabric of our community? Should it be a priority to preserve this? http://www.canadiana.org/citm/themes/aboriginals/aboriginals11_e.htmlhttp://www3.sympatico.ca/dshaule/williams.htmhttp://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/al/hts/tgu/pubs/Twil/traw-eng.asphttp://www.accessandprivacy.gov.on.ca/english/order/prov/p-979.html
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Opinion Polls
Check out the opinion polls at the bottom of the page. Cast your vote. Continue to check back for further opinion polls.
Instructions on "How to Use the Blog"
To the right there is a heading called 'Followers'.
Above that heading is a 'button' called FOLLOW.
Click button.
Sign up using either your google account (which is free, if you don't have one, get one) or your yahoo account.
You can follow the blog anonymously as well. You can create a profile to follow the blog if you wish. This is done by signing up for your on blog, which you don't need to up keep if you don't plan on having any followers.
You can start discussion any time in the blog by commenting on what's posted. Also see the Facebook fan page if you wish to start discussion topics.
The beauty of the blog is that if you wish to identify, we realize some people wont want to, it's optional and you can feel free to say whatever you want.
Please just keep it resepectful. Remember, we were and ARE a respectful people. We just want to share our feelings and thoughts about our community, good, bad or otherwise.
Miigwech
Above that heading is a 'button' called FOLLOW.
Click button.
Sign up using either your google account (which is free, if you don't have one, get one) or your yahoo account.
You can follow the blog anonymously as well. You can create a profile to follow the blog if you wish. This is done by signing up for your on blog, which you don't need to up keep if you don't plan on having any followers.
You can start discussion any time in the blog by commenting on what's posted. Also see the Facebook fan page if you wish to start discussion topics.
The beauty of the blog is that if you wish to identify, we realize some people wont want to, it's optional and you can feel free to say whatever you want.
Please just keep it resepectful. Remember, we were and ARE a respectful people. We just want to share our feelings and thoughts about our community, good, bad or otherwise.
Miigwech
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Dig unearths human remains
The article reads that the Chippewas of Rama will be contacted because legislation states that they have to contact the nearest first nation.
Battle for Casino Rama Profits Begins
http://tinyurl.com/mb9823
Check out the link to the article published in The Toronto Star on September 9, 2009.
Check out the link to the article published in The Toronto Star on September 9, 2009.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Olympic Torch
Today I learned today that band members at Six Nations will be protesting the Torch coming through their territory. Upon further discussion it was learned that by allowing the Olympic Torch to be showcased running through First Nations communities in Canada that it's essentially sending the message to the world that relations between Canada and our First Nations communities are positive. If this were ACTUALLY the case, would education funding be threatened? Would treaty rights be infringed upon? Would our people have to endure third world living conditions? No, I personally don't think so...Not to mention the fact that the Olympics are sponsored by mega corporations; that rape and pillage resources and human rights all in the name of profit and making a buck. Should we really be supporting this nonsense or is it worthy of a protest and a boycott? Should we really be welcoming the torch through our communities so that Chief and Council get to benefit from the photo opp? I think we should be using the international attention to draw awareness to our issues. Our relationship with Canada has not improved since Harpers apology. The Canadian government is still assimilating us and it's right underneath our noses! It's interesting to note the tactics have changed, but the goals remains the same. On that note, I also learned that when we are being issued our "new and improved" status cards, there is a paragraph that states that by signing the document you are acknowledging that you are a Canadian citizen, which opens up a whole new can of worms....Think about that one...more to come......Please feel free to comment and report your own findings......
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)