A/ DAN DEPENDENCY. our OF povf/?ry THROUGH SELF-RELIANCE CALVIN HELIN RAVENCREST PUBLISHING WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA

Transcription

1 A/ DAN DEPENDENCY /7 our OF povf/?ry THROUGH SELF-RELIANCE CALVIN HELIN RAVENCREST PUBLISHING WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA

2 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PREFACE 13 II INTRODUCTION 1 I HAD A DREAM Background 23 A Front Row Seat 25 Responding to a Challenge 2 6 The Raven's Call 3 5 Courage to Face the Unpleasant 3 6 A Universal Message of Self-Reliance 4 o {l} DEMOGRAPHIC TSUNAMI: MAJOR PROBLEM OR URGENT OPPORTUNITY? 2 THE LOOMING CRISIS NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT 43 The Demographic Tsunami 43 Opposing Demographic Trends 44 The American Demographic Tsunami IMPLICATIONS OF DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS 53 The Economic Bomb 53 A Clear Message to Aboriginal Leaders 5 4 The Urgent Need for Aboriginal Labor 5 5 Summary of Fiscal Impact 5 8 Impact on Taxpayers: The Demographic Tsunami 5 9 A Wake-Up Call for America 6 o {i} A FIRST AND SECOND WAVE: FROM SELF-RELIANCE TO COLONIALISM 4 THE FIRST WAVE: INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT PRIOR TO CONTACT 65 Aboriginal Existence Prior to European Contact: 9,600 Year Canoe Journey 65 Populations and Social Structures Maintained by Natural Resources 6 6 Political Institutions 70 Social Structure 74 Philosophical and Spiritual Views 7 7 Indigenous Economies 8 o Lessons from Aboriginal Ancestors 81 Self-Reliance, Self Discipline and Leadership 8 2 Mindset or Attitude 8 5 Cultural Cooperation or Synchronization 8 6 Summary 86

3 5 THE SECOND WAVE: AT SEA IN THE COLONIAL STORM 87 Impact of Contact 87 Colonization 8 8 The Law as the Tool for Colonial Demands 9 3 Achieving "Social Reform " through Law and Policy 9 4 Residential Schools 9 7 Disease 9 7 Summary 98 {3} IMPACTS OF THE THIRD WAVE: CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES IN DISARRAY 6 SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE WELFARE TRAP IO3 General 103 A Government History of Encouraging Dependency 108 Why So Many Social Pathologies? no Impact on Youth and Women 11 o Impacts on General Aboriginal Population 112 A Looming American Crisis EXTERNAL EXPRESSIONS OF INTERNALIZED DEPENDENCY 115 Culture of Expectancy 116 Free Money? Lottery Winners without the Windfall 120 From Interdependence to Utter Nonsense 122 Indian Crabs: The Phenomenon of Lateral Violence 124 The American Dream? ECONOMIC IMPACTS OP THE WELFARE TRAP 127 "Shaman Economics" and Economic Isolation 127 Federal Tunnel Vision 132 Copying a Bad Precedent 134 No Market, No Risk, No Attention 135 Economic Decision-making with Third Party Money THE WELFARE TRAP AND POLITICAL PATHOLOGIES 14I The State of Aboriginal Democracy 141 A Rising Call for Governance Reform 148 Aboriginal Elites and Government Lateral Violence 152 Corruption, Nepotism, and Abuse of Power 15; Mismanagement 158 The Indian "Misery" Industry 160 [4} THE FOURTH WAVE: A WAY OUT OF THE STORM 10 FROM GRIEVANCE TO DEVELOPMENT MODE: AN AGENDA FOR ACTION 165 Asking the Right Question 165 The Aboriginal Starting Point: Moving Forward from a Realistic Position 167 Economic Integration 171 An Agenda for Action 172 Dual Strategies: Communities vs. Urban Populations 175 Wai Wah, America 175

4 P THE OPPORTUNITY 177 / The Booming and Growing Aboriginal Business Sector 177 Resource Development a Major Driver 178 Aboriginal Asset Base and Leverage 184 [.' Land 184 : Cash 184 Labor Force 184 ;. Development Leverage Over Traditional Territories: Consultation and Accommodation Requirements 186 Building Capacity through Government Procurement and Private Sector Set-asides and Preference Buying 189 Government 189 Private Sector Minority Supplier Diversity Programs 190 ''.%% BARRIERS TO ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT *...AND THE WAY FORWARD 191 : Inherent Barriers 191 Systemic Barriers 197 Creating an Attractive Development Framework 197 :' Importance of Local Control (Sovereignty) and Stability 199 Reform is in the Works THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN BUILDING SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIES 203 General 203 Developing a Strategic Economic Plan and a Focussed Education Policy 206 Current Status of Aboriginal Education 210 Building on Models and Innovation 212 Summary ECONOMIC MODELS TO BUILD ON 217 An International Perspective 217 New Zealand Maori i\~j Alaska's Native Americans 116 Mississipi Choctaws 227 Community and Corporate Models in Canada: A Win/Win Standard 229 Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association 230 Membertou First Nation 231 Osoyoos Indian Band 233 Corporate Leadership: Examples ofatco Group andakita Drilling Ltd. 235 Summary THE WAY FORWARD FOR URBAN ABORIGINALS 239 Overview 239 Limited Financial Resources 241 Strangers in a Strange Land 242 Addressing the Problems 244 Retaining the Connection to Home Communities 244 Education and Training 249 Elementary and Secondary 249 Post-secondary 250

5 15 THE WAY FORWARD FOR URBAN ABORIGINALS COnt'd Housing 251 Political Voice MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME 255 A Way Forward for America 265 ENDNOTES 267 BIBLIOGRAPHY 295 INDEX 309 LIST OF ARTWORKS Northern Mirage 20 Grampa and Granny Helin 2 8 The Raven and the First Men 34 Gaax Flies 3 8 Eagle QCsgyiik) Transforming Totem 46 Chief and Wife Look out to Sea in front of Tribal Long House 5 2 Aurora Harmony 68 Gwis'nagmgyemk 72 Txadox {Tsimshian Potlatch) 7 6 Mystery Chief 8 4 Gaax Village 90 Gaax and Neext Ascend 106 Xsgyiik Rising at Dusk 118 Spirit Bear Magic 130 Spirit of the Forest 138 'Neext Hunts 144 Spirit Bear (Mooksgm'ol) 17 o ^m > Bear Traditional Design 174 /&zw«.stazzf the Sun 180 v4 Time for Telling Tsimshian Legends 196 Eagle, Book, Feather 208 Contentment 220 Tsimshian Eagle 224 City of Eagles 246 V&«V«/'«fAf Wilderness 257