TM,

I think I understand what you are meaning to convey, and that, at least in part , can be somewhat simplified with the message that Rights cannot exist in a situation which is void of Responsibilities, responsibilities which should include fully accountable and transparent polices and practice of self-governance, especially with regard to financial matters.

I agree with your statement “that they should really look at the Ring of Fire as an opportunity for all to prosper and avoid making demands which might be viewed as unreasonable, selfish and self defeating.”

You need to be careful though with the way that you couch an argument, lest it be perceived as being somewhat intellectually dishonest. What I mean is that one cannot purposely draw an analogy with the intent on implying that “a spade is a spade” and then state that you are not actually saying that a spade is a spade, with the hope of insulating oneself from any backlash from what one has written. In this instance, from what you have written, it could easily be interpreted (correctly or incorrectly) that your attitude to this situation is somewhat paternalistic. Such an attitude could provide readily available fodder to those who would seek to exemplify that the entire relationship between the First Nations and the various levels of Government/other Ontarians has always been, and continues to be paternalistic. There may be individual First Nation people who think/act in the way which you have portrayed, but more than likely the group is as inhomgenous as the very group of us who are regular contributors to, and readers of, this forum.

I should note that I am not above and beyond holding my own predjudices and biases, with regard to this or other matters. It is a challenge to recognize those in myself- usually due to my own vested self-interest and/or laziness or indifference.

Cheers,

Luker