PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Letter to the editor

OCTOBER 27, 2013

PROCEED WITH CAUTION

During the past few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that the Grand Chief did a commendable job in deflecting my letter concerning third party management, if in fact it was written by the Grand Chief, and not one of his subordinates. The response has even made it to the monthly newsletter Onkwe’ta:ke.

Why are not the concerns that are raised at district and general meetings raised in the newsletter? Why are issues that are raised by the membership not raised with the entire community? Reports of the district and general meetings should also be shared and could be written or shared in the monthly newsletter.

What happened to the takers of the minutes for the general meetings?

I still believe that the deficit is greater than we are being told. In outside municipalities, if there is a deficit, the taxes are raised! When will we be facing taxes? Taxes will probably be here sooner than later!

Property taxes, income taxes and water tax are on the way!

I have learned that the chief that mentioned the third party management was upset with the response from the Grand Chief as she felt that it was an affront to her integrity. There was another chief sitting at the table who agreed with this chief concerning third party management. Is there a disconnect within council itself with the reality of the situation?

We are concerned about the lack of fiscal responsibility in being 3 audits behind. There was a massive publication for the audit that was done 3 years ago. We need to know where the monies have been spent and where we can cut costs and it should not be in education, as the Grand Chief was purporting to the rapporteur about the great strides that have been made in education.

When Price Waterhouse was the auditor, there were audit reports done every year and presented at a general meeting. Why are there no audit reports for the past 3 years? Where is the fiscal responsibility? You may fool some of the members but you cannot fool all of us. MCA is accountable for the management and you need to explain the financials to the membership and not just put the breakdown on a sheet of paper and expect us to think that is the audit report.

In the monthly publication from MCA, there are reports of a business liaison with the Chinese and that they will be buying up land in Dundee! Is Dundee not a part of our territorial lands and why are we allowing foreign investment in our lands? We need land to support our people. There are approximately 400 people living in all of Dundee. Can we not buy land back to have farms or provide housing for the many people that have no access to housing on reserve?

These are issues that should be considered when delving into business liaisons. What is the ultimate goal for the Chinese? Is it the tax free status of onkwehonwe or control of lands in eastern Canada as they have been buying vacant land in the west starting in British Columbia? Will the Chinese language become the language that will be spoken on the territory after English, French and Kanienkeha?

Do we have Chinese translators to properly interpret the Chinese when dealing with these outside investors? I know how onkwehonwe are when they do not want the visitors to know what is being said. We go back to the language and have a side discussion. What are we not comprehending with these people? Do not forget the organized Chinese gangs and the number of people that have been terminated on the territory. I am not stating that all people are bad but we should be cognizant of all that our people have been through. Do not get into business deals blindly! Think of all of the ramifications before proceeding.

Are we going to be causing the demise of our people by having negotiated a business deal that could have major ramifications in our daily lives and not for the betterment of the community as a whole?

Cordially,

Beverly Pyke