[UpHereEh]

The breakdown of the $5.1 billion is as follows with:
• $1.8-billion for education, focused mostly on reserves, for new aboriginal school boards and postsecondary bursaries;
• $1.6-billion for housing and infrastructure, with $600-million to private and social housing on reserves and $400-million to improve water-treatment systems and other infrastructure;
• $170-million for “relationships and accountability,” including $90-million to aboriginal organizations to boost their ability to study and propose public policy and $20-million for “engagement” on landclaim and self-government rights;
• $200-million for economic development projects.

Manitoba’s First Nation communities will receive $750 million over the next five years as part of a larger national strategy to improve the lives of many aboriginal people living in impoverished conditions.

The $5.1 billion promised over the next five years breaks down to $3,864 per aboriginal person.

Many urban groups, women’s groups and First Nation groups oppose the summit.

Urban and women’s groups are saying with more than half of Canada’s aboriginal population living off-reserve that they should get more of a share of money from the federal government than they have been receiving.

Individual First Nations leaders like Rolling River First Nation Chief Morris Shannacappo have pulled their support from the Assembly of First Nations to negotiate a deal on their behalf.

Grand Chief Chris Henderson, Southern Chiefs Organization (of Manitoba), reported that leaders of his communities want many of the problems addressed through existing treaties that are recognized on a government-to-government basis.

The inclusion of aboriginal organizations that do not have a historic or legal connection through treaties continues to be a sticking point for many First Nation leaders.

However, with the announcement by the opposition parties in Ottawa that they intend to defeat the sitting government with a non-confidence motion sending the proposed solutions and money to the great land of promises in the sky.

NDP MP Pat Martin said to the media he hopes the commitments will be lived up to by having the NDP say the next federal government will have to support this issue to receive NDP support in the next session of parliament.

http://www.firstperspective.ca/story_2005_12_6_first.php

[beaver fever]

Without comment I'm not sure what point you are making.

The $5.1 billion promised over the next five years breaks down to $3,864 per aboriginal person.

I don't know if you have ever lived in the north but $3,864 per aboriginal person is pocket change. That money doesn't go to individual natives.

It's for schools, admininistative buildings, computers, staff, people to train the staff. Meanwhile the Feds drag their feet on land claims and mineral rights.

Why because the Canadian Arctic is the most important and intensely explored diamond region in the world and the Feds want to skim the royalties. They are dragging their feet on land claims as a result.

If Harper takes a hard line against Northern Natives he is going to see war on his hands. The Ikaati and Diavic mines will be shut down and he will have to deal with bad blood from DeBeers and BHP Billiton.

If Harper frigs with native land claims and compensation he will make some serious enemies in the resource sector.

Not a good plan.