It surprises me when people think that all FN people do not pay taxes! Where do people get these ideas?? Yes, it is true under some circumstances that FN people are exempt from certain taxes...
In addition, under the circumstances when many FN do not pay taxes, it should not always be looked at as an enviable benifet! For some, not paying tax is the only thing that is keeping them alive. What does it matter if a person is taxed or not when he/she is almost forced to live in poverty to gain the tax exemptions??
Sorry to vent, but I think there is a huge ammount of ignorance on these boards about FN people.
People should not judge FN by what they see with a minority of their population while fishing on the Fraser, and it would be equally as pointless for a FN person to judge non-aboriginals on what can be witnessed on the Vedder.
Exceptional post! tsuribaka and welcome to the site.
I agree there is a huge amount of ignorance on this site ... and in Canadian society in general. ( admittedly I am part of this non-educated group )
What we need here in my opinion are some articulate First Nation writers with thick skin and tons of patience to handle some of the misinformation passed around on sites like this.
I would like to see some pics posted here of the living conditions that these so called " lucky " FN people have to endure to maintain their status and their " tax free " lifestyle.
It would shut a lot of critics up in a hurry... If you took the time to try to educate this lot... you would sure have my support.
CJ.
It occured to me that I am presuming you to be a FN person.