Lie, lies, damned statistics and Milke

Mark Milke's argument in Lack of property rights handcuffs aboriginal opportunity is fundamentally flawed when he tries to connect a lack of property rights to "a lack of opportunity" in many First Nation communities.

Oh, he's right that there are not that many opportunities but he's wrong about the reasons why and, to top it all off, his use of statistics is egregiously in error.

The reasons why First Nation communities don't work, or to put it another way aren't self-sufficient, is that those places were never meant to be functioning communities.

There was never any mechanism to expand the boundaries of a First Nation when the population increased.

There was no plan to put these communities in places where resources could be easily accessed or capable of supporting the original indigenous population.

Many First Nation communities are located where present boundaries are set for several reasons including: traditional territory, desirability of land (First Nations were rarely allowed to keep prime real estate) and distance from established colonies because no one wanted to live near a reserve.

Instead, the failed social policy experiment known as assimilation is the real culprit behind widespread poverty and the lack of economic activity in many First Nations.

The plan was to starve First Nation peoples, cut off traditional economies and destroy what was seen as maladaptive cultures.

The original negotiators of the treaties really expected two developments to happen over time: 1) that Indians would die off and; 2) those surviving would gladly embrace the dominant culture and be absorbed as labourers. Thereby negating any obligation under treaty.

Or, to put it another way, the original signatories to the treaties on Canada's behalf bet there wouldn't be any Indians around to collect on the treaties.

And because treaties are legally binding and now constitutionally protected under Section 35, that is the reason why immigrants still have an obligation to honour the treaties.

Aboriginal and treaty rights are not based on race. Rather, the rights of any Canadian is based upon how one came to be in Canada.

It doesn't matter if your ancestors took the oath to become a Canadian citizen 100 years ago or 10 years ago.

There is an agreement there to follow the laws and agreements that any other Canadian is obliged to follow.

For example, if anyone chose to ignore the Canadian-US border because their ancestors weren't here when the treaty between the two countries was signed would be in serious trouble regardless when their ancestors arrived in this country.

Now, Milke is rather disingenuous with his use of statistics.

Yes, there are more Aboriginal peoples living off First Nation communities but that number is misleading because Metis and Inuit are included in those figures. Both groups have never had communities set aside as reserves.

It's like arguing that the majority of Canadians don't live in Manitoba. Just another example of a specious argument allowed to stand in the mainstream media without critical judgment.

Well, that is until now.

Another problem is that First Nation peoples don't participate at a very high rate in any Canadian census for the numbers to be really accurate. For instance, the First Nation community profiles on the Aboriginal Affairs website will give anyone a better idea of population distribution between First Nations living in communities and those living in the city.

Further still, Bill C-31 passed in 1985 ballooned the numbers of First Nation peoples living in urban centres by restoring status to women who lost it by marrying non-First Nations people. The act also gave status to their children.

There is now a whole generation of First Nation peoples who have never lived in a First Nation.

However, the best indicator that many First Nation people want to return to their home community is the housing demand.

The demand for housing is not confined to the community alone but from many people who have aspirations of moving home and living there.

In the mainstream media, there have been several articles trying to suggest that First Nation people are voting with their feet by choosing to live in the city.

It's a ridiculous argument that is full of holes because it is based on many assumptions.

And you know the old saying about people who assume too many things.