There is some things in this story that resonate with me, or would be relevant to Labrador.
While the Inuit situation may not parallel the first nations, similar issues face both groups, as pointed out in this report.
The formation of Nunatsiavut arguably could run on similar lines as a reserve, minus the sales tax exemptions. It is certainly paternalistic and a top down hierarchy.
So the first point in the report could do wonders in sorting out inefficiencies, especially in the health area, but in other areas too.
Traditionally Inuit did not leave home towns, only a minority has over the past decades for different reasons. Now, with more and more people going on to post secondary education, and no increase in economic development in the communities out side some mining and quarry operations, what are these educated people going to do with the skills they obtain? Maybe they will be more inclined to move to urban areas or to the lake Melville area to pursue economic opportunities, or to just get way from personal issues.
The micro lending idea could do wonders in Inuit communities IMO. First off decades of neglect in educating people in the pros and cons of a “co-operative” mentality would have to be undone. The concentration has been on joint ventures with larger outside businesses, and the codling of a few politically connected families.
Any one who is not connected, is from the wrong area or is not aggressive or schooled in the art of flannel mouthing have little chance of getting a small business on the go. There are untold talented arts and crafts people who could benefit from a co operative. Also people are talented in repair of small engines; the potential is endless if only some leadership would come along.
2 comments:
Good article.
Many years ago, the Department of Natural Resources and its people fought a battle with the Department of Welfare and its people over the direction of aboriginal communities, programs, and destiny on the North Coast. The Department of Natural Resource's vision for Northern Labrador lay in the development of fisheries, sawmills, cottage industries, and an earlier form of co-ops. The Department of Welfare's vision lay in relocation, town planning, and hand-outs. Each of them was paternalistic, but in my mind the latter was much, much more so. That happened all across the North in different ways, and in the South too. But it was more pronounced in Northern Labrador Inuit communities because the people there had been running their own community affairs for generations, and they had a lot more to lose. The modern land claims agreements might have grown out of the patronizing welfare state model, but if it can generate independence, self-sufficiency, a can-do attitude, and the willingness to gamble on the hope of a good future for the kiddies, well by god, it just might work.
Well said me harty. All is needed is some folks with leadership and guts to take on the entrenched. They be not given up the lucrative mullah they be getting under false pretences easy.
If you knew the salary that is in the works you’d want to go out and get pissed.
I think I will any way.
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