Em Adespoton writes:
"Following the recent expose done by CBC's investigative reporting
show, '22 Minutes', the Canadian public has become aware of a bill
being pushed through parliament to create a national timbit
registry.Gordon Lightfoot, representative of the Assembly of Native
Canadians, was said to hold that, "even considering such a bill was
ludicrous, as it would destroy the current goodwill and respect
painstakingly developed over the last two centuries between the
government and native Canadians."
Political Rights Activist Brian Mallroony added that he would sooner "swallow a timbit whole than register it with the government," as such
a thing goes against the very basis of the values upon which our
country is based.
Others across the nation have commented that they would
continue to purchase and distribute timbits without registering them
with the government, if such a law came into effect.
"The Canadian Native population has long depended on hunting and
gathering in harsh environments in order to survive. Over the
centuries, they have perfected their tools to achieve the greatest
sustenance with the least amount of effort. Today, these generations
of refinement have resulted in traditional Canadian Timbits, which
are cheap and relatively easy to produce and yet when used
skillfully, can sustain a large tribe.
"The problem is that the use of timbits in Canada has become so
widespread that their use is beginning to threaten traditional
Canadian food sources. In order to combat this, the Canadian
government is considering instituting a Timbit Registry, so that
anyone who posesses timbits must register them with the government
prior to transporting, using, or selling them.
"This proposed solution is drawing fire from the Canadian native
community, who view timbits not only as an integral part of their way
of life, but also as a status symbol. They feel that this proposal
is purely an attempt to isolate the native Canadian communities by
denying them access to timbits for traditional use and social
recreation."
Having arrived at a stalemate in the Timbit talks, the government is
now asking the international community for their suggestions on how
to peacefully nullify the impact of timbits on the environment at
large, while reaffirming the native culture that celebrates the
timbit as an integral part of day to day life. Please feel free to use this forum to help hammer out the details so we can present the government of Canada with a well thought out, unified statement.
"
