Canada' s help is needed on reserve

Page 5

Dear Editor:

I am the Chief of a remote First Nation community in Northern Ontario who has witnessed the indignant outrage by non-First Nations when the plight of a community was so severe that one wondered why Canadian aid was going elsewhere around the world. What you read in the papers today about the plight of First Nations and their drinking water issue, it is not something new. Across Canada hundreds of First Nation communities suffer the same fate, and it is not just water. Every aspect of our lives as Indian people is subject to the tyrannical rule of the federal government. Even the provincial government negotiated a 'Who'll pay' deal before evacuating seriously ill Kashechewan First Nation members.

The fact that most sewer treatment plants are above the water intake lines in First Nation communities may seem odd, but to us it is a fact of life. The fact that we are subjected to the political whims of a federal government, who sees no voter value in us, is our reality.

The fact that most Canadians don't care until the headlines unfold is a testament to the level of caring that really exists.

The fact that the federal government will stand tall and say this is how many billions of dollars we gave to the Indians is untrue. You ask the auditor general how much of those billions really get to the First Nations.

The fact that they raise the management bar so high that even municipalities would have a hard time complying and meeting the federal demands is OK. After all, it's us, not you.

Research the United Nations standards and that of the Kyoto Accord and ask the world for a definition of a Third World country, then compare that to an Indian reserve and you'll find the similarities eerily striking.

What makes it so easy for the Ontario government to announce a $15 million Far North Bedrock Mapping Initiative when its second class citizens (First Nation people) are living in poverty?

To add insult to injury, the Ontario government also decided by legislation to take a 20 per cent "Wind fall Tax" on the Casino Rama revenues designated and legislated to benefit Ontario First Nations who can't access normal channels of financing for economic development.

I don't have all of the answers, but when I see my community members boiling water, paying between 80 cents and $1 per kilowatt hour for electricity, electricity that you pay five cents for, and when I see them paying more than $10.95 for a bag of milk, I have to know that the federal way is not working.

If you, the citizens of Canada, want to help, then support us in calling for a complete honest and open review and revamping of the current system. Stop this government and all others to come from equating our welfare to a dollar figure. It's time for change, and Canada we need all of you to help.

Chief Charlie O'Keese

Eabametoong First Nations

And a proud Canadian