tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10633709.post1892104255484981034..comments2023-12-04T15:46:23.061-08:00Comments on Gorilla Radio blog: Betraying the Great Bear: British Columbia's Primaeval Forest Announcement: "Open for Business" Gorilla Radio Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089988612994085226noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10633709.post-13491962817220153352016-01-30T11:32:11.230-08:002016-01-30T11:32:11.230-08:00First Nations are not in an equitable position; th...First Nations are not in an equitable position; they are not today fit to make deals effecting the future of the greater environment. <br /><br />These "negotiations" with FN's, and we see them in every jurisdiction, are like offering a starving child a sandwich in exchange for their birthright. It can't be justified, and in a fair court any deals struck under such circumstance could not be deemed legitimate. <br /><br />We of a certain age grew up with the myths of Chief Seattle and Grey Wolf. The nineteenth century European writers and painters depicted "New World" inhabitants as "noble savages" who lived in a different way, and claimed to not own land, but be possessed by it. Clearly, these fantasies served only their authors; but if First Nations' rights are to mean anything, and they must if they are to be used as sanction to violate the inviolate: the ancient forests, streams, rivers, and coastal ecosystems, then shouldn't those First people first exercise true ownership of those lands; shouldn't they first be fairly compensated for what has already been taken out of their territories these last centuries? <br /><br />Should not their coffers and longhouses be filled with silver and gold, precious timber, furs, fish, mother of pearl, and a fair share of the rest of the riches the settlers have wrought? Then perhaps ask the First people, "Will you allow we take away the first forests and all its creatures, flora and fauna, for handfuls of paper and empty promises?"<br /><br />As for the "Green" people brokering these deals; I wish for them that they may find a planet of their own to feel at home on. <br />Gorilla Radio Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08089988612994085226noreply@blogger.com