June 1, 2008
Nisga'a Pay Taxes
With one minute left, I had to post this. On this day, June 1st, the Nisga'a people now pay taxes like every other Canadian. Status cards are useless to them. This was apart of what they gave up in their final agreement.
No sarcasm, no backhanded remarks, no jokes. I'll just leave that information with my brothers and sister, and that's all.
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Yay! No more status cards! Because really, it is an INAC card. I would not fight to hold onto it. Its is a dependancy tool, a crutch.
Read Janice Switlo's many articles and writing on the legal aspect etc of treaties and "land claims".Her writing are informative and eye opening.
http://www.switlo.com/index.php
http://www.switlo.com/index.php
yeppii!we are all apples now. red on the outside and white on the inside. Thanks to our former president.
Grow up whoever 'annonymous' is, calling you and your family apples, thats not being Nisga'a at all, if your even Nisga'a that is. You should be proud to have no association with the Indian Act. Chose your fights wisely. There are more important areas that need your voice and support. And never call the people of your ancestors down like that. They didn't survive what they did to have their grandchildren speak of their heritage the way you do.
What did they survive for? 3%, 20%, 40% of their territory? A lump sum or trust fund of a few million dollars? A Euro-Canadian governance? Municipal status? Opening ceremonies? Legacy agreements? Fee-simple land?
But if dismantling, or "distancing" oneself from, the Indian Act is really the choice in a path in to assimilation and Canadianhood, is that really something worth celebrating? Sure, your people made that choice and will live with it the rest of it's existence, assuming that it does exist in the future. Although a definition of "existence" would probably be needed to figure that out.
But if dismantling, or "distancing" oneself from, the Indian Act is really the choice in a path in to assimilation and Canadianhood, is that really something worth celebrating? Sure, your people made that choice and will live with it the rest of it's existence, assuming that it does exist in the future. Although a definition of "existence" would probably be needed to figure that out.
Ginger
Not trying to be rude or anything, but I believe you don't understand the full implications;
...."No one can take away someone's nationality but the nation itself. Not some lawyer, not some Indian Act elected chief councillor, not some judge. Trite international law. In layperson's terms:....
..." " 'You cannot give up your birthplace, because you're born there. And also your grandfather and your mother and your ancestors are buried in those areas. So it's really important for us. We cannot let go of the land... We don't want to let go of our land because it's very important... it's our treasure... our grandparents got their burial sites there. It's our land. I cannot let it go... My kids gotta use these areas. Even when I, myself, die, they're gonna have to bury me at Tsi Ch'ed Diz?an (The Graveyard at Naghtalhchoz).' Minnie Charleyboy".....
I would definitly suggest you read the following article(follow link).Which outlines the legal aspects,it should help to clear up, and put into perspective...why many are opposed to the "BC treaty process" and by implication the Nisga'a treaty.
http://www.switlo.com/opinion.php?selected=98
Not trying to be rude or anything, but I believe you don't understand the full implications;
...."No one can take away someone's nationality but the nation itself. Not some lawyer, not some Indian Act elected chief councillor, not some judge. Trite international law. In layperson's terms:....
..." " 'You cannot give up your birthplace, because you're born there. And also your grandfather and your mother and your ancestors are buried in those areas. So it's really important for us. We cannot let go of the land... We don't want to let go of our land because it's very important... it's our treasure... our grandparents got their burial sites there. It's our land. I cannot let it go... My kids gotta use these areas. Even when I, myself, die, they're gonna have to bury me at Tsi Ch'ed Diz?an (The Graveyard at Naghtalhchoz).' Minnie Charleyboy".....
I would definitly suggest you read the following article(follow link).Which outlines the legal aspects,it should help to clear up, and put into perspective...why many are opposed to the "BC treaty process" and by implication the Nisga'a treaty.
http://www.switlo.com/opinion.php?selected=98
Sorry the link I provide did not point to the correct article go to
http://www.switlo.com/index.php
Click on 'Sheds the Light'...find and read 'Who let the dogs out'
http://www.switlo.com/index.php
Click on 'Sheds the Light'...find and read 'Who let the dogs out'
The treaty is signed. That is how it is. It is now time to move forward. It was more than 100 years ago when the first group of Nisga'a paddled to Victoria to ask for a treaty - so they could live without the governance of Canada. It was not to assimilate. If anyone has ever set foot on Nisga'a territory you feel the presence of Nisga'a before seeing anyone. There is no need to worry about not existing as Nisga'a, not because of the treaty, but maybe if the fish disappear but thats not what we are talking about here. The communities are today strong and resilient and will be everlong. I do not need schooling on why others are opposed to the Nisga'a treaty. I already know. I do get it. I am Nisga'a. I voted no for the treaty. It is how it is. Why dwell? Live. Create.