Felix the Cat
01-11-2006, 03:32 PM
Chief warns of looming native 'terrorism' (http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/story/mb_bighetty-violence-20060103.html?ref=rss)
An aboriginal chief from northwestern Manitoba warns Canada's native people could rise up in violence in the next decades if the federal government doesn't live up to its obligations. Pascal Bighetty, chief of the Mathias Colomb First Nation in Pukatawagan, says if positive changes do not happen for native people after the federal election, Canadians could see First Nations people rise up in "terrorism." "I am talking about violence. It's going to happen here in Canada," he told CBC News. "If the Canadian government does not start paying attention to aboriginal people, we are going to see some kind of violence in the future." Bighetty made his comments on terrorism and violence, while talking with CBC Radio about his ongoing struggle to get new housing, band and medical offices, and a recreation centre in Pukatawgan. He says the federal government is not honouring its treaty obligations to the band. While he says no plans for such violence are in the works, he says it's only natural for people to retaliate when they feel they're being pushed over the edge of a cliff. "When in a society you suppress people, that is when you start seeing people … taking issue," he said. "You will be seeing terrorism in the future. It's not going to be long before the aboriginal people of Canada will say, 'that is enough.'" Bighetty hopes whichever party forms the next federal government will be more sympathetic to native issues. To begin with, he says it's time to eliminate the federal Department of Indian Affairs and give funding directly to native organizations. Bighetty says it's time to eliminate the federal Department of Indian Affairs and give funding directly to native organizations. He says First Nations have been robbed of untold billions of dollars from the resources of the land.
Top native chief condemns violence
Ron Evans, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, says he and his organization will not condone violence or terrorism. Evans says he understands Bighetty's words are those of a frustrated man who has been fighting for justice for a long time. Although he sympathizes, however, Evans says the AMC prefers negotiation to violence, and the organization is encouraging aboriginal people to get involved with the election campaign if they want to make a difference. "That's how we're hoping to get our issues addressed and brought to the forefront, is by us participating in the democratic process in this country," he said. "We're very encouraging in that. We want to take part, we want to be participants, and we want to encourage our people to do so at the same time."
An aboriginal chief from northwestern Manitoba warns Canada's native people could rise up in violence in the next decades if the federal government doesn't live up to its obligations. Pascal Bighetty, chief of the Mathias Colomb First Nation in Pukatawagan, says if positive changes do not happen for native people after the federal election, Canadians could see First Nations people rise up in "terrorism." "I am talking about violence. It's going to happen here in Canada," he told CBC News. "If the Canadian government does not start paying attention to aboriginal people, we are going to see some kind of violence in the future." Bighetty made his comments on terrorism and violence, while talking with CBC Radio about his ongoing struggle to get new housing, band and medical offices, and a recreation centre in Pukatawgan. He says the federal government is not honouring its treaty obligations to the band. While he says no plans for such violence are in the works, he says it's only natural for people to retaliate when they feel they're being pushed over the edge of a cliff. "When in a society you suppress people, that is when you start seeing people … taking issue," he said. "You will be seeing terrorism in the future. It's not going to be long before the aboriginal people of Canada will say, 'that is enough.'" Bighetty hopes whichever party forms the next federal government will be more sympathetic to native issues. To begin with, he says it's time to eliminate the federal Department of Indian Affairs and give funding directly to native organizations. Bighetty says it's time to eliminate the federal Department of Indian Affairs and give funding directly to native organizations. He says First Nations have been robbed of untold billions of dollars from the resources of the land.
Top native chief condemns violence
Ron Evans, Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, says he and his organization will not condone violence or terrorism. Evans says he understands Bighetty's words are those of a frustrated man who has been fighting for justice for a long time. Although he sympathizes, however, Evans says the AMC prefers negotiation to violence, and the organization is encouraging aboriginal people to get involved with the election campaign if they want to make a difference. "That's how we're hoping to get our issues addressed and brought to the forefront, is by us participating in the democratic process in this country," he said. "We're very encouraging in that. We want to take part, we want to be participants, and we want to encourage our people to do so at the same time."