Media.Knet.Ca

Russell Means was in Winnipeg in September sharing his thoughts about building strong and healthy communities. His message contain challenges for everyone to consider ... "Anything you don’t work for you shouldn’t get. If you don’t work, you shouldn’t be rewarded, period. It creates a dependency syndrome that is only beneficial to those who are in control."

Means' recommendations for positive change in First Nations include:

• Abolish the Bureau of Indian Affairs (in Canada, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs). “The Bureau of Indian Affairs is a racist, colonial office that has total authoritarian control over Indian land, resources and people...."
• Establish property rights on reserves. “It would benefit our people. Every society on Earth . . . knows that property rights enhance meaningful economic development.”
• Have your own schools. Means has adopted an immersion school model from the Maori for a Lakota school program at Pine Ridge. 
• Have your own courts. Without the protection of law, efforts to attract sustainable businesses and investment will fail.

Means' was brought to Winnipeg by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy (http://fcpp.org/), an independent, non-profit think tank founded to undertake research and education in support of economic growth and social outcomes which will enhance the quality of life in our communities. Through a variety of publications and public forums, the Frontier Centre explores policy changes required to make the Prairies a winner in the open economy. It also provides new insights into solving important issues facing our cities, towns and provinces.

The Frontier Centre web site contains several more interviews, discussions and radio presentations with Russell Means. Check out ...

• Where White Men Fear To Tread - Russell Means lays out his vision for aboriginal policy reform.
• Russell Means, America's "most famous Indian" - On four changes needed in aboriginal policy
• NCI Radio interview with Russell Means (Mp3)