Note to Justin Bieber_ There is no free gas for aboriginals - The Globe and Mail.pdf

Author: Dakshana Bascaramurty
Date Published: August 3, 2012
Subject: Justin Bieber's comment about entitlement to free gas due to perceived Aboriginal heritage.

In a Rolling Stone profile, Bieber stated, "I'm actually part Indian... I'm enough percent that in Canada I can get free gas."
This statement sparked criticism and concern regarding the dissemination of misinformation about Aboriginal peoples and stereotypes.

Dwight Dorey, national vice-chief:
- Stressed that Aboriginal people do not receive free gas.
- Expressed concern over the potential influence of Bieber's statement on his young fanbase, highlighting ongoing issues of racism and stereotyping.
- Criticized the use of the term "Indian" as outdated, urging Bieber to be responsible with his statements.
The Congress offered to assist Bieber in tracing his Aboriginal ancestry, hoping he would engage with them.

Edward John, Grand Chief of the Tl'azt'en Nation in British Columbia:
- Used Twitter to express frustration over Bieber's comments, labeling them as misleading and calling for a correction.
Ellen Gabriel, former chief candidate for the Assembly of First Nations:
- Directly criticized Bieber on Twitter: urged him to apologize for perpetuating racist stereotypes regarding fuel entitlement.

Only First Nations people in Ontario qualify for a gas tax exemption (14.7 cents/litre), which requires a gas card issued by the Ministry of Finance.
The exemption is applicable when purchasing gas on reserve lands, making it unlikely relevant to Bieber's context, especially given his lifestyle and background.