I’m impressed with the Idle No More movement that is starting to sweep the country.
Unless you’ve been dead or in Edmonton you’ll realize Idle No More is a protest by Canadian aboriginals that is becoming popular.
And so it should.
The original target was the federal government for not honouring clauses in signed treaties, but I suspect it could become much more than that.
For the first time, it’s the age group between 25 and 40 that are involved.
For the first time it’s not chiefs or councillors or band politicians that are protesting, it’s rank and file folks who’ve had enough.
The Indian Act must go.
It may have made sense 100 years ago but doesn’t anymore.
If anything, the Indian Act is now used by government to enslave people not free them.
If the Indian Act makes sense why don’t we have a Ukrainian Act?
Or a White Act? Or an Irish Act?
The status quo will not survive against the folks in Idle No More.
It may be treaties now but expect this movement to grow into seeking a better lifestyle for natives on every reserve in Canada.
The government can’t do that and the last 100 years proves that.
They must do it for themselves and that’s how I think Idle No More will grow in 2013.
Speaking of growing, welcome a new journalist into the world.
And a boy journalist to boot.
Finn Gordon Seewalt made his debut into the world Dec.26 and parents and son are doing fine.
Why a journalist?
Because of bloodlines of course.
His mom is Lindsay Seewalt, who is a journalist here at the mighty Eagle, so what choice does the kid have?
None.
He’s a journalist and that’s a given.
He should be writing very soon, but we could get him started with a paper route in a week or two. Never too young, ya know.
Do you think we can ever get town staff and council to believe that asking questions is not a negative exercise?
That on more occasions than not answering questions provides accurate information that justifies decisions rather than berating them?
Like public tenders.
If a public tender is not opened in public then it can hardly be considered a public tender can it?
There may well be a very good reason — at least in the minds of those in charge — why public tender information is not available to the public.
There will surely be the argument that by releasing such bids it gives out information the bidding company may not want.
Fair enough but is it the job of council and staff to protect private companies bidding for jobs to be paid with public money or to protect and be transparent for taxpayers with taxpayer’s money?
Just a question.
Need a calendar?
The Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre has a great one that celebrates 20 years of helping local mothers.
You can get them at 118-1st Ave. West or call 403-932-2900.
Happy New Year to all.
