Safe harvest levels exceeded - NFN

[stilchen67]

Good points from both Piker and Grog, truth be told there is plenty of blame to go around. Much more can be accomplished working together in a situation such as this rather than finger pointing. But since we are on that subject it's amazing that the provincial Liberals can fritter away over one billion dollars and hold no one responsible. But can't invest a paltry ten million to save one of the most famous lakes and its fishery in North America. I just hope that the day comes when Dalton and Kathleen get theirs................ OK now I feel better.

[IceFanADDICT]

Just a thought, but I believe it would be far more beneficial to get rid of the nets. Have the FN set up cottages/lodges and run them instead. It would keep a whole bunch of them employed and happy, tourists would still come and have a good time. They could still catch what they need for their family consumption on the side. Any takers...

Very good point. I find this is the problem with the finger pointing, it gives no alternatives. At the end of the day the netters are trying to feed their families and to just tell them to stop won't happen because then they are left with nothing. Ask yourself would you quit your job because someone told you its hurting the environment with no alternative, or would you continue to feed your family. The answer is pretty clear. But with the right alternative I think the netting could be stopped. It's time to work together instead of angry finger pointing that gets nowhere.

[fratri]

Very good point. I find this is the problem with the finger pointing, it gives no alternatives. At the end of the day the netters are trying to feed their families and to just tell them to stop won't happen because then they are left with nothing. Ask yourself would you quit your job because someone told you its hurting the environment with no alternative, or would you continue to feed your family. The answer is pretty clear. But with the right alternative I think the netting could be stopped. It's time to work together instead of angry finger pointing that gets nowhere.

The comment below is not intended for any specific group/individual but just a general statement about taking responsibility for oneself...(something we seem to lack now days)

This is all great but shouldn't someone or some group take it upon themselves to find an alternative way to make a living if the field they are in is lost?
I don't think the government should be the ones looking for the answers into someone or some groups future. Take the bull by the horns... Make your own statement in life, you don't need the government telling what business you should get into....

Individuals that cannot support themselves (physically/mentally/etc..) should be getting support/handouts, all others should/can work hard to make their own way.

[IceFanADDICT]

The comment below is not intended for any specific group/individual but just a general statement about taking responsibility for oneself...(something we seem to lack now days)

This is all great but shouldn't someone or some group take it upon themselves to find an alternative way to make a living if the field they are in is lost?
I don't think the government should be the ones looking for the answers into someone or some groups future. Take the bull by the horns... Make your own statement in life, you don't need the government telling what business you should get into....

Individuals that cannot support themselves (physically/mentally/etc..) should be getting support/handouts, all others should/can work hard to make their own way.

I know how many eye rolls I'm gonna get for this comment but here it goes. What you suggest is not very practical for any minority group, sure it can be done and has been many times but it is much easier to just go out and find a new job of you are a white male. Our whole system was created by the white male. These other groups have a significantly harder time to find a decent paying job. The natives for example have to stay on reserve to continue to identify themselves as natives of Canada. If you move off the reserve you are no longer native to the country and lose almost all of your rights. Now how many good paying jobs do you think are on reserve for these people? Enough to go around? Netting is one of their good paying jobs that is about to be taken away with no alternative. I in no way support giving jobs to every minority just because they are minority, but I think in the case of these people some slack needs to be given.

[Gern1980]

Yup well said Fratri. Also icefanaddict are you sure you know the netters are "trying to feed thier families"? How do you know this from down there in Innisfil? Also do you mean they are making money to buy groceries or are you saying they are using the netted fish to feed thier families?

Bottom line is that comment is somewhat irrelevant since the very few approved commercial fisherman do not support their families from purely commercial fishing. They would starve if that was the case. This is a seasonal industry with limited income potential. We are talking about an additional supplemental income for a very limited few so lets not make this more than what it is. If the nets were all taken away tomorrow a very few guys would have to find a way to make up for some lost cash. Families would not starve.

[Gern1980]

we typed responses at the same time icefanaddict so I read your last one and now know for sure you are confused.

The natives for example have to stay on reserve to continue to identify themselves as natives of Canada.

wrong

If you move off the reserve you are no longer native to the country and lose almost all of your rights.

Not so.

Netting is one of their good paying jobs that is about to be taken away with no alternative

really? tell me more.

You are talking about something you don't have full knowledge of.

[M_P]

These other groups have a significantly harder time to find a decent paying job.

Going to comment on this portion of the statement. I have a business acquaintance who's grandfather was Metis and he has told me that Natives have an easier time getting into post secondary education than non-natives. He said colleges, universities and trade schools were were bending over backwards trying to get his boys enrolled. Minimum grades for acceptance into certain programs were lower, scholarships and grants for post secondary are available to natives that are not there for non so I don't accept this argument at all.

[rfb]

There are many many complex reasons that natives do not fair as well as other groups in Canadian society. Numerous studies have been done on the subject and it's not a black and white issue that can be distilled into the cheap psycho babble that gets espoused on forums.

If it's just so easy to go out and get a job why are we so worried about the resort operators whose livelihood is in jeopardy if the fishery dies?

[IceFanADDICT]

Going to comment on this portion of the statement. I have a business acquaintance who's grandfather was Metis and he has told me that Natives have an easier time getting into post secondary education than non-natives. He said colleges, universities and trade schools were were bending over backwards trying to get his boys enrolled. Minimum grades for acceptance into certain programs were lower, scholarships and grants for post secondary are available to natives that are not there for non so I don't accept this argument at all.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sourc...gBdLnhB2NmGIeg




An interesting article for you to read.

[stilchen67]

I know someone out there is going to give me heat but what the hell! You can post up graphs and charts saying one group is not getting a fair break compared to another, frankly I'm sick of hearing it. Sadly there are too many groups using that crutch to blame someone else for their shortcomings in life. How often do you see someone from the CBC doing a segment on the news about the aboriginal housing conditions. Guess what, that house with no windows or a hanging front door, I didn't beak them or the door. Take the initiative, fix it yourself. I work with two friends both make very good money $85 to 90,000 a year, because their kids are one quarter native they get free university. My children don't have that benefit, those netters on Nipissing were taking more than what was needed for their band and that is a fact. Secondly the reason so many people on the reserves live in such a poor state is because reserves self govern and too many people on the band council/ higher ups, take more money than they should and don't divvy it up as it is meant to be. Thirdly the biggest native problem is the collapse of the family unit, it all stems from that. My ex work as a CO near one of the reserves and told some of the problems with regards to drug and sexual abuse. It was a horror story what she saw happening. I believe in helping people overcome these challenges. I believe we made some mistakes in the past. But I am sick and tired of hearing some individuals and groups sit back and blame the white heterosexual Christian male for their lot in life. My father came here did not speak the language or read or write. But he worked like a dog and people said things about his ethnicity. He told me he just put his head down and worked hard and never did he blame anyone else for his success or failure in life.