‘A real need to join the people’

[puckstopshere]

As a former chief of the Hupacasath First Nation, a past executive member of the First Nations Summit and currently a visiting professor of business and law at the University of Victoria, Judith Sayers has long been one of B.C.’s most prominent natives, with a reputation for seeking solutions over confrontation. But there she was last week, part of the Idle No More highway blockade near Victoria. Afterward, Ms. Sayers talked with The Globe and Mail about her support for the burgeoning movement, and her unhappiness with current native leadership.

How was the protest?

I didn’t plan to go, but I was checking Twitter and felt a real need to join the people. It’s such a good feeling to be with people of one mind, walking, hearing the drums and the singing, and just listening to people.

What brought you to Idle No More, which is very much outside the formal channels you’re used to?

Well, those formal channels aren’t getting us anywhere. I have always said we need leaders who are going to put our issues on the front page, make them election issues. None of us, including myself, have been able to do that. I see this movement able to do that. It’s amazing. Our people have never really taken this kind of initiative before. It’s across the ranks. All of the issues have come to a boiling point.

But what are the issues? There seem so many.

Obviously, the biggest issue right now for everybody has been the unilateral imposition of legislation that is affecting us in every way. It’s just too much. Secondly, so many of us are facing major developments in our territories, while environmental laws are stripped. People are beginning to understand this is going to affect our rights. Then, of course, there are all the social conditions people live in. Chief Theresa Spence is all about that message.

Do you think it’s time for Chief Spence to end her protest? It’s causing a lot of confusion.

She has a vision for her own people that she’s fasting for, and I’m not going to tell her not to do that. So I continue to pray for her. I really fear what could happen if [she dies]. I think there will be mayhem. I don’t understand why it was so hard to get the Governor-General to sit in on the meeting with the Prime Minister.

Shouldn’t only Assembly of First Nations leaders be at these government meetings?

We’ve got to change how we’re doing business. The chiefs can’t do what they want any more. They need to start talking with their communities. The AFN is not the rights holder. It’s an advocacy group to do some of the upper-level strategies. But it’s first nations who have to be consulted.

What about all the divisions? I know you were unhappy that Regional AFN Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould from B.C. attended the meeting with the Prime Minister.

I tweeted at her: “How are you there?” Where does she get her authority from? She didn’t reply. If she wanted to go to the meeting, she should have called an emergency meeting of the chiefs. If they had said ‘yes,’ I’d have had no problem with it.

How much of a problem are these differences of opinions?

Part of it is organizational. There’s no doubt [Grand Chief Shawn Atleo] was in a very difficult position, about whether to meet with the Prime Minister. But I would have loved it, if he’d gone in front of all those people and explained why he’s going. Instead, he snuck in the back door. What kind of a leader is that? That really bothered me.

Without perceived leaders and a clear-cut agenda, people movements often fade away. How can Idle No More avoid that fate?

They are trying to figure out the best strategy. We’re having these conversations in the longhouses and everywhere else. There’s a lot of work to be done, but there’s so much enthusiasm, more than I’ve ever seen. This is creating dialogue that hasn’t happened for a long, long time.

Can it last?

I think change is in the air. What kind of change, I don’t know. But in my 30 plus years in politics, I’ve never seen this kind of an action before. Never. My hope is that we can create the change and dialogue we need, because what’s there now is just not working. Conditions have got to change. If there was a better way to do this, we’d be doing it.

What about B.C.? Do we have a better record on aboriginal matters than other provinces?

Yeah, until this latest premier. I haven’t seen a lot of progress from her.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/a-real-need-to-join-the-people/article7565664/

[brandeentertainment]

I really fear what could happen if [she dies]

In what world would someone die living off soup an broth... That is pathetic that he would even say that ...Look at her today she doesn't look sick she looks the same as the day she started maybe a lb or 2 lighter ...

[valve37]

In what world would someone die living off soup an broth... That is pathetic that he would even say that ...Look at her today she doesn't look sick she looks the same as the day she started maybe a lb or 2 lighter ...

That ain't any ordinary fish soup, that's James Bay chowder.

[valve37]

Fish soup recipe:

http://suite101.com/article/light--healthy-fish-soup-recipe-a363724

[almond_t]

How about some muffins and chili to go with ?

[bb_cool_stuff]

That is funny. Tough choice Almond, lol.

Do i want my bowels backed up or do i want them yelling charge.

Would hate to think what the combination of the two would do to my insides.

[almond_t]

Funny you should say that, (b.b. as opposed to B.B., of course;) )

Really...!

[pigdog47]

Does KFC clash with or compliment the Fish Chowder weight loss diet?

[rosscd57]

Mahama Gandhi: his longest fast was exatly three weeks - 21 days. He tried this a lot and the best he could go with water and without food was 21 days and he is still the standard.

Spence is well over 40 days.

Hellooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She likely gets the large bucket.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

My wife drives a school bus, has for many years. She has no patience for kids who make fun of other kids, especially when they have a little gang on the bus. I've asked her why they do that and she has said, "it's how they're brought up".

[rosscd57]

I suppose that's why some kids are rude, arguementative, insensitive, overbearing, cowardly and hateful and then turn into adults with the same characteristics.

[almond_t]

Most kids give up stupid behavior before 40 minutes, not 40 days and counting.  

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

I suppose that's why some kids are rude etc etc

Good point. Yes all of those characteristics well describes too many people in Canada and how they treat the First Nations people.

[pigdog47]

Once upon a time I saw an unfortunate incident take place on this forum.  A little gang turned on someone. They accused him of being a racist, and repeatedly harassed him, demanding that he apologize.  (he left).  I remember who were the two ringleaders of that mob.  One of them is very familiar to everybody here....

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

That was not the cause at all. It was about a totally different matter. All other insinuations are............ invented.

[pigdog47]

The fellow who ended up getting hounded outta here had made a remark that was seized upon by one of the members here as a grevious insult to Natives.  It was a tailor-made opportunity to play the Racist Card.  All the more, because she actually happens to be a Native. 

The back story is that the fellow she accused of hurting her feelings was very vocal with his displeasure of an affair being conducted  (and mentioned on CTS)  between this individual, and another person who is married. So there was bad blood between these three people; namely,1. the "racist", 2 the Native, and 3. the married boyfriend of the Native

2 and 3 got a mob formed and went after 1.  And suceeded.  The "racist" quit posting.

And that is the truth of the matter as best as I can remember it.   Others may differ in how to assemble the skeleton.

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

That's the good side of keeping screen captures, I don't have to remember as best I can, I just read what the person said.

And what does this have to do with the former chief of the Hupacasath First Nation which is what the OP is about?...or for that matter what does it have to do with soup broth, or James Bay chowder, or muffins, or  Mahama Gandhi (which I presume should have been Mahatma Gandhi or his real name Mohandas Gandhi)? 

[pigdog47]

The wheels on the (Greyhound) bus go round and round...

[prior-of-verity*shake-hands-with-your-devil]

Yeah they do go round and round.....right up to the car of Pat Burn's unfortunate widow.