A First Nations Senator is coming out against the ‘Idle No More’ movement.
Senator Patrick Brazeau says the movement is short on offering much needed solutions to problems plaguing aboriginal peoples.
Matter of fact Brazeau says the ‘Idle No More’ movement is spreading “mis-information” about federal bill C-45.
“It is going to allow grass roots First Nations people, living on reserve, more power to decide and vote upon how they are going to allocate their lands in terms of economic development ventures, which wasn’t the case before. Before it used to be the Minister who decided. When you have this kind of mis-information it doesn’t help First Nations people at all.”
Brazeau says the ‘Idle No More’ movement is not addressing serious, age old, problems facing First Nations peoples.
“Even though I disagree with this movement I do believe people should obviously stand up and stay together in terms of real viable issues. At the same time the question we must ask ourselves is well even though there is a movement where are the solutions? Where are the solutions from the Chiefs?”
Brazeau was asked if the bill would solve stark economic disparities on some reserves across Canada.
“It is a solution as far as how lands get allocated. Lets make no mistake about it there are many issues that are plaguing First Nations people all across this country there are many First Nations people, grass roots people, who also demand meetings with their Chiefs but they can’t because of discretionary decisions that are made against them.”
Brazeau had asked to meet with Chief Theresa Spence, who is on a hunger strike, but was turned down.
Brazeau also says some people have been crossing the line on social media to blast his stance on the ‘Idle No More’ movement.
“I have recieved a lot of death threats from First Nations people themselves because of the stance that I have taken on this. At the end of the day we all have work to do. We all have families, I have six children myself, but it is unfortunate that some people use social media to get their point across.”
Brazeau says it is time for something to be done about anonymous accounts on social media that bully or threaten others.
“It is very difficult because there are many people who use anonymous names to go on Social Media to spur what they believe should be said but at the same time are not accountable for it. I think that we should, as a country anyway, means and ways to try and fix that problem.”
Brazeau says companies behind social media platforms could play a role in policing the behaviour of its users.
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