Canada and First Nations relationship.

I've written before on the dysfunctional relationship between Canada's Native communities and the Federal Government, so hopefully I don't repeat myself too much.  But I was reading an article in the Sun (http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2012/06/20120609-101306.html) that seemed to have FN peoples contradicting themselves.

One statement said "On June 11 2008, Harper apologized for treatment... and more than a century of an assimilation policy that profoundly damaged Aboriginal communities across the country."  This leads me to think two things, 1.) Aboriginals are possibly resistant to assimilation into the society in which the rest of us live, and 2.) they may think assimilation is an option.

No offense to First Nations people, but to get anywhere today, assimilation is inevitable. What this DOESN'T mean is that you have to give up learning about your culture and heritage, and practicing/celebrating it whenever you want to.  It doesn't have to be one way or the other, but learning how to live and thrive in the main society you are in is both beneficial and helpful to that society.  I cordially invite you to take your place within Canadian society.

The dysfunctional relationship that the First Nations have with the Federal Government in regards to financial "dependency", and how I believe this is actually hurting First Nations people rather than the intended purpose of helping them.  Attiwapiskat is a prime example here, where buckets of money have been shoveled at a problem that continues to persist. Even when aided with "emergency" financial assistance, the leader said it wasn't enough and wanted $50,000/month more with no strings or accountability. http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/10/attawapiskat-chief-wants-more-cash-from-ottawa

It's beneficial for everyone to learn how to stand on their own feet, and I think that we are failing our First Nations people by over funding them, and not giving them the opportunity to feel how empowering it is to succeed on their own.

UPDATE:
Dec 23, 2012.
After the "Idle No More" protests, I found this. "The time to eliminate the Indian Act is now."

Update:
Jan 6, 2013
To correct myself, it was pointed out to me that "Assimilation" was not actually what I meant in the above post, but it was "Integration". Because I'm not asking First Nations to give up their culture and heritage, on the contrary, but hoping they see a better way that the current dependent situation much find themselves in. It doesn't have to be "one way or the other", Canada is a great place with tons of opportunities for everyone.