Page 7

First Nations reserves may not have a visible child prostitution problem, but they are fertile ground for the sexual exploitation of children, said Bev Poitras, director of justice for File Hills Qu?Appelle Tribal Council.

Poitras was presenting the video Lives Worth Living to the Special Committee to Prevent the Abuse and Exploitation of Children Through the Sex Trade. The video is to be shown to school children to discourage them from taking up prostitution.

Page 7

First Nations reserves may not have a visible child prostitution problem, but they are fertile ground for the sexual exploitation of children, said Bev Poitras, director of justice for File Hills Qu?Appelle Tribal Council.

Poitras was presenting the video Lives Worth Living to the Special Committee to Prevent the Abuse and Exploitation of Children Through the Sex Trade. The video is to be shown to school children to discourage them from taking up prostitution.

Page 6

Taiaiake Alfred, professor of Indigenous governance at the University of Victoria, is a Mohawk who has written extensively on the root problems that have led to the social conditions in First Nations. He believes the Indian Act system is a tool that Canada uses to impose its law on once sovereign nations and to keep any sovereignty movements from taking root and challenging Canadian jurisdiction. He has also written that band council governments have been co-opted and forced, through economic pressure and enticements, to maintain that state of affairs.

Page 6

Taiaiake Alfred, professor of Indigenous governance at the University of Victoria, is a Mohawk who has written extensively on the root problems that have led to the social conditions in First Nations. He believes the Indian Act system is a tool that Canada uses to impose its law on once sovereign nations and to keep any sovereignty movements from taking root and challenging Canadian jurisdiction. He has also written that band council governments have been co-opted and forced, through economic pressure and enticements, to maintain that state of affairs.

Page 5

At first glance it looks as though the Supreme Court of Canada has discriminated against Native peoples. In its Nov. 9 decision on Musqueam v. Glass, the majority ruled that, for the purposes of determining lease prices, Musqueam land was worth only half the value of non-Native land.

Page 5

At first glance it looks as though the Supreme Court of Canada has discriminated against Native peoples. In its Nov. 9 decision on Musqueam v. Glass, the majority ruled that, for the purposes of determining lease prices, Musqueam land was worth only half the value of non-Native land.

Page 5

Dear Editor:

When did we agree to be silent?

Where have we heard that before? Was it during a time of political expedience and vapid rhetoric? Was it during a time when it was acceptable to win at all costs? We know who said it and we know why he said it. But why did he agree to be silent now?

Page 5

Dear Editor:

When did we agree to be silent?

Where have we heard that before? Was it during a time of political expedience and vapid rhetoric? Was it during a time when it was acceptable to win at all costs? We know who said it and we know why he said it. But why did he agree to be silent now?

Page 5

Dear Editor:

The tears that woke me this morning were my own.

And the images that flashed behind my eyes, travelling between my heart and mind, urged me to awaken from my restlessness and stumble to the keyboard.

The images are of Innu children, some as young as six (six years old, for Pete?s sake!) who are dying. Dying just as surely as I am sitting here on this surly November morning with so many questions in a cloud above my head.

Page 5

Dear Editor:

The tears that woke me this morning were my own.

And the images that flashed behind my eyes, travelling between my heart and mind, urged me to awaken from my restlessness and stumble to the keyboard.

The images are of Innu children, some as young as six (six years old, for Pete?s sake!) who are dying. Dying just as surely as I am sitting here on this surly November morning with so many questions in a cloud above my head.