In the Winter 2011 edition of The Taxpayer magazine, we ran parts of a letter from Chief Terrance Nelson of the Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation in response to our disclosure of federal government data showing reserve politicians’ pay. Chief Nelson agreed to allow us to run parts of his letter in the magazine provided “entire comments are available online somewhere for people to draw their own conclusions.”   

Since the exchange with Chief Nelson, we also received permission to reprint a note from Chief Ralph Paul of the English River First Nation.  We are pleased to provide both exchanges via e-mail in their raw and unedited format.

Troy Lanigan

President, Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Exchange with Chief Nelson

If the goal of running “some” of my comments is to incite people, then take my comments out of context, if the goal is to educate, then ensure that my entire comments are available on line somewhere for people to draw their own conclusions. I did not write this to appease anyone, we need solutions or we will end up in a race war.

In British Columbia where you are located, the Lumber industry loves to boast that 50% of the British Columbia economy is timber. So how much payments are made to the original owners of the trees? Are there stumpage fees for the people who never treaties and never gave up any legal access to the immigrants to sell off their resources.

Chief Nelson

From: Troy Lanigan [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: November-25-10 9:49 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Request to re-print

Chief Nelson:

I would like to ask if I may run some of your comments in our magazine The Taxpayer.  With your permission of course.  Please let me know and thank-you for your consideration.

Troy Lanigan

President and CEO

Canadian Taxpayers Federation

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Terrance Nelson <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 12:35 AM
Subject: RE: First Nations Chiefs salaries
To: Gerald McIvor <[email protected]>, Colin Craig <[email protected]>, Kevin Gaudet <[email protected]>
Cc: Grand Chief Shannacappo <[email protected]>, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip <[email protected]>, Diane Kelly <[email protected]>, Guy Lonechild <[email protected]>, Perry Bellegarde <[email protected]>, Shawn Atleo <[email protected]>, National Chief Shawn Atleo <[email protected]>, Bobbie Herrera <[email protected]>, Mia Rabson <[email protected]>, Tom Brodbeck <[email protected]>, Tom Brodbeck <[email protected]>, cbc national news <[email protected]>, Todd Lamirande <[email protected]>, bruce spence <[email protected]>, Michael Ignatieff <[email protected]>, Michael Ignatieff <[email protected]>, "Michael - M.P. Ignatieff" <[email protected]>, Todd Russell <[email protected]>, Jean Crowder <[email protected]>, "Jack - M.P. Layton" <[email protected]>, Pat Martin <[email protected]>, Pat Martin <[email protected]>, Ralph Goodale <[email protected]>, Marlene Jennings <[email protected]>, Bonnie Crombie <[email protected]>, Justin Trudeau <[email protected]>, Sheldon Kent <[email protected]>, Donovan Fontaine <[email protected]>, Chief John Thunder <[email protected]>, John Duncan <[email protected]>, Dennis White Bird <[email protected]>, Chief Francine Meeches <[email protected]>, Chief Frank Brown <[email protected]>, Chief Derek Nepinak <[email protected]>, [email protected], [email protected], Gina Wilson <[email protected]>, [email protected]

Free Ride Must End!

November 24^th 2010

I really don’t care whether Kelly Block’s private member bill C 575 goes through or not but I do think that our First Nations have to quit reacting to antagonistic Canadian Taxpayer Federation missiles and stay the course on making sure the “free ride” ends. As long as we accept the concept of funding, we lose. The issue is and always has been about race based rights.

We are dealing with immigrants to our lands. They set up immigrant governments who now control our wealth and try to make us into immigrants in our own lands. Taxation legislation does not apply to indigenous people, taxes are for the immigrants, not us. Taxes are an agreement between immigrants and their immigrant governments. They came from Germany, England, France, Italy, Russia, China, India and a host of race based countries where they left their sovereignty and became Canadians, subject to all Canadian laws. We as indigenous people did not leave our homeland and our sovereignty is not based on Treaties, it is on based on our race and it is inherent. Quite simply, we were here first, we own the lands and the wealth of the lands.

As long as they fund us from Taxpayer monies, they have the right to audit us. Years ago, it was not called funding, it was called “Indian monies”. Treaties are not about indigenous rights, they are about immigrant rights. For us the Treaties only confirmed some of our inherent rights, Treaties did not create our rights. The right of immigrant governments to tax Canadians does not apply to indigenous people because we never agreed to be taxed by the immigrants. I agree there has been a free ride and that free ride must end. We as indigenous people finance Ottawa, not the other way around.  

I will move two resolutions at the Assembly of First Nations summit on December 14^th and 15^th 2010 in Quebec. One of those resolutions is on social services, the other is on U.S. Congressional Hearings on Oil and Oil Pipelines. The resolutions will be on line at the AFN website next week but copies of those draft resolutions are attached.

For me, as Chief of Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, I and my council get absolutely zero from Indian Affairs funding for our salaries and travel. I get $48,000 a year for my salary and it all comes from our own source revenue. The little tidbit that interests me in the Canadian Taxpayer Federation arguments is for First Nations to reveal revenue from Casinos and other own source funds such as Gas Stations and commercial businesses on reserve. Brothers and sisters, it is still the same, the white man wants to control us. Like the Arabs with oil, we should be the richest people in the world but as long as we accept funding, we will never force the issue of gaining a share of our own resource wealth and getting the immigrants to make lease payments for the use of our lands.

I say to you white man, pay your taxes, you left your homeland, as a Canadian, you owe your immigrant governments whatever they want to legislate in taxes. For us indigenous people, we contribute over 700 billion dollars a year in resource sales revenue and availability of resources to the immigrants in these lands. You pay nothing for the gravel, the timber, the oil and the sixty different metals and minerals that are mined in Canada. Take your funding if you want, we will force your immigrant governments to pay us a share of our resource wealth. You pay your taxes to the government not to us, your governments are obligated to pay us, regardless of what pot of revenue they are getting the dollars from.

I doubt that anyone will answer the question when Kelly Block’s legislation comes to the floor, but as an indigenous person I would like someone to ask the question, how much does the provincial and federal governments get from resource revenue sales and how much comes from tax payers. If it was not for the resource wealth, just how much of the $1.5 trillion GDP would be gone without resources wealth paying the workers and taxpayers their salaries. I don’t really expect an answer, accountability and transparency has its limits, right, white man?

Hey Tom Broadbeck, doesn’t it just gall the shit out of you, you are a well known writer, and you slave away for a taxed $40,000 a year and those damn “Indians” are collecting what you can only dream of. Maybe you should get some poor Indian to nominate you for Chief, after all, under the Indian Act, anyone can be chief as long as you can get them to vote for you.

Chief Terrance Nelson

204-451-0740

From: Gerald McIvor [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: November-24-10 3:20 PM
To: Colin Craig; Kevin Gaudet
Cc: Grand Chief Shannacappo; Grand Chief Stewart Phillip; Diane Kelly; Guy Lonechild; Perry Bellegarde; Shawn Atleo; National Chief Shawn Atleo; Bobbie Herrera; Mia Rabson; Tom Brodbeck; Tom Brodbeck; cbc national news; Todd Lamirande; bruce spence; Michael Ignatieff; Michael Ignatieff; Michael - M.P. Ignatieff; Todd Russell; Jean Crowder; Jack - M.P. Layton; Pat Martin; Pat Martin; Ralph Goodale; Marlene Jennings; Bonnie Crombie; Justin Trudeau; Sheldon Kent; Donovan Fontaine; Terry Nelson; Chief John Thunder; John Duncan; Dennis White Bird; Chief Francine Meeches; Chief Frank Brown; Chief Derek Nepinak

Subject: First Nations Chiefs salaries

Mr. Craig/Mr. Gaudet,
 
In response to your much publicized whining about the high salaries of First Nations leaders, I agree and disagree with you on your whine of the week. I agree that some salaries do seem over the top but your right wing organization is using the Stephen Harper tactic of mis-information to ignite public anger against First Nations. You are promoting the tax paying equivalant amounts while negating to also equally stress that these salaries are tax exempt and constitutionally protected Treaty Rights under s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

I will inform you that your colonial Apartheidal legislation commonly known as the Indian Affairs has the full authority to set salaries for anyone employed by the federal government.
 
I am of the consideration that you have been deployed by the religious right wing Stephen Harper government to distract Canadians from the social, economic, legal and political chaos being perpetrated by the current federal regime so this voter anger is redirected to First Nations so Stephen Harper can avoid voter anger with his misguided americanization agenda. Quit playing distraction politics for the right wing Stephen Harper government by complaining about us, when you should be whining about the $56 billion dollar deficit (which is growing) and the porkbarrel express under this current regime. Time will clearly show that the Liberal Sponsorship Scandal is miniscule compared to what will be uncovered after Stephen Harper is deposed as dictator. Save your voices gentlemen, the worst is yet to come for taxpayers and issues with First Nations will be amateur compared to this.
 
In the past, you were on APTN talking on the alleged 11 billion dollars spent on First Nations and on national television you called Treaty Rights " race based rights". These right are derived from the nation to nation agreements which created this nation which your right wing masters and funders are exploiting for capitalistic gain and environment destruction. If anyone has race based rights in this country, it is all non-First Nations as they are unhindered or restricted by the Indian Act like we are and they are living off the exploitation of First Nations owned resources and lands. This is why we are peasants in our ancestral homeland. Our race as First Nations keeps us dependent on the colonial state.
 
These Treaty Rights are outstanding, perpetual guarantees and promises made by the Crown in exchange for limited access to our lands for your settlers. These Treaties were entrenched in the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982 and therefore have legallly become constitutional rights for First Nations and ongoing constitutional obligations on the crown in right of Canada, but also every non-First Nations citizen in this country.
 
I would strongly suggest that before you enter into the distraction tactics for the Right wing federal government and attack First Nations, educate yourself on the treaties and you will realize why you, your ancestors and descendents are existing in our homeland. The 11 billion dollars meanders its way through 34 federal departments and each department gets its cut before transferring it down. The First Nations never see this $11 billion dollars as most is spent on salaries and overhead of thousands of white and non-First Nation government bureaucrats who are only in place to limit the programs and services for First Nations. First Nations have the highest unemployment rate in Canada and hypocritically, we are Canada's biggest employer. Why dont you emphasize that FACT!

As for those First Nations leaders who are riding the gravy train, I will say, they have learned from the best...the colonial overlords.

Your colonial government must provide these treaty rights for as long as the sun shines, the grasses grow and the waters flow...

 Gerald McIvor

Exchange with Chief Paul

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ralph Paul <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 9:48 AM
Subject: RE: chief's salary
To: Colin Craig <[email protected]>

Monday 3^rd.. I just returned to my office after the Xmas holidays. If my missive will generate discussion amongst the taxpayers you have my permission to reprint said letter AS IS with no correction, additions, deletions as may misinterpret my message. I believe in the CCRF where one all have freedom of expression. Thank You…Ralph Paul, Chief ERFN in Patuanak, Sk.

From: Colin Craig [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: December-28-10 11:54 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: chief's salary

Hi Chief Paul,

Thank you for your email. Would you be opposed to our organization reprinting it in the "Letters to the Editor" section of our next magazine?

As for meeting, December has been a hectic month so unfortunately things did not work. Perhaps in the New Year we will have an opportunity to meet.

Colin   

On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 11:39 AM, Ralph Paul <[email protected]> wrote:

Ever since your ancestors were kicked out of Europe by the ruling elite, we, the aboriginal people that welcomed your ancestors have been accorded the type of reception that you espouse. You decry the fact that your taxpayers monies are not well spent by the poorest of the poor in Canada, which are the aboriginal people of Canada. If it was not for the resources and lands that was supposedly released to your ancestors , you and your ancestors would not have any monies for taxation of any kinds. All monies used in Canada emanates from these  two entities. So be thankful for our generosity in allowing you and your ilk to prosper while we aboriginals have to live and survive in Third World conditions.

In respect to salaries, I made more money as a teacher than I do as a chief.  I am in my 4^th and  last year as chief of English River First Nation . My salary this year is 70,000.00. As the Director of Education with Meadow Lake Tribal Council in 2005, I was paid 76, 600.00 annually. Yet, as the chief today, I have more worries, less sleep and have to put up with constant put downs by one and all including your group I am on call 24/7. I have a degree in Education from the University of Manitoba 1978. My wife is also a teacher  in Manitoba and my son is a lawyer in Winnipeg. With respect to “expenses” for travel, I get no per diems. I get 40 cents per kilometer using MY own vehicle to do Band business. I get $150.00 per day for meals and hotel. The cheapest hotel in Saskatoon is between $120- to $150 per night. It is a six hour drive to Saskatoon from Patuanak where our Reserve is located. I also have to pay for gas on that vehicle, repairs and tire  troubles when needed. So before you take up issues again about aboriginal people and what S.O.B.’s they are in your books, do research. You have made your comments seem like all chiefs make more than the Prime Minister.

That person you claim made all that money was relayed to you because of disgruntled members. I understand that much of his earnings come from a business enterprise that he runs. Please check your ramblings about us, as, John Cuthand correctly wrote, you could be classified as a racist. And I see that you don’t like that label and your letter was very defensive. Get used to it. WE, aboriginals, are coming and we will get what is ours including all revenues from the poor tax payers of Canada.  I majored in History at the U of M and I know and understand European history, its revolutions, emigration patterns, and the apartheid system perpetrated by your revered ancestors. We will do what the “Blacks” have done in South Africa and the Blacks in USA in the 1960”s. We are here to stay. Get used to what we will do. Some will not be to your liking.

I asked the then, INAC Minister Chuck Strahl, about the poor housing on Indian Reserves in Canada last year in Ottawa at the AFN Assembly. Pompously, he replied that the present government is expending close to 500 million dollars on on-Reserve housing. Like your comments, he quoted that large sum, trying to fool the listeners  but forgot to tell all listeners that this sum has to be divided up into 630 reserves across Canada. The share for English River Reserve is $225,000.00 annually for 1400 residents. How many homes can we build with that????? What about repairs, heating in wintertime. We live in Northwest Saskatchewan, semi-isolated where costs are prohibitive. The nearest lumber store is 3 hours away.

If you wish to talk to me I will spend my Xmas holidays in Winnipeg with my family starting December 18^th to 25^th. I can be reached at 269-4028 in Winnipeg. We can talk and discuss and maybe you’ll like us as, aboriginals. I am not afraid to meet with you, just make an appointment. I’ll be there.

Ralph Paul, Chief ERFN