Justin Bieber Disses Native Canadians

Justin Bieber has angered the aboriginal people of his native Canada. The Native Canadians are mad as hell at the teen idol for dissing them with "ignorant" comments about his "Indian" heritage and how it makes him eligible for free gas when he's in Canada. As if the "Boyfriend" singer needs free gas--or free anything for that matter.

Yes, it looks like Selena Gomez's man has put his foot in his mouth once again. In a recent Rolling Stone Magazine interview, he remarked: "I'm actually part Indian. I think Inuit or something. I'm enough percent that in Canada I can get free gas." According to Native Canadians, that just makes JB "all ignorant."

According to the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, nobody gets free gas in Canada, not ever, not for any reason. Furthermore, by perpetuating such a myth, JB promotes prejudice against Native Canadians.

"These kinds of remarks are another example of what Aboriginal Peoples in Canada struggle with every day," explains congress spokesperson Betty Ann Lavallee. "It promotes the misconception that we are somehow getting a free ride. This simply is not the case and we are concerned that many people may believe what he said."

Oops.

Lavallee went on to wonder why JB is so ignorant of his own heritage. To remedy that situation, the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples offered to help the pop mega-star research his roots.

"It's important for someone to know where they come from, which helps give them a better understanding of where they are going," Lavallee opined.

So, there you have it. If Justin Bieber, or anyone else, wants to learn more about Native Canadian history and culture, Toronto's Museum of Inuit Art is now offering free tours to help people "get to know the Inuit (some of the most misunderstood First Nations people in Canada) better."

So, Biebs, whether you meant to diss Native Canadians or not, it looks like the ball is in your court.

© Hope Carson 2012

Hope Carson is the author of 2 books: A Roaring Girl: An Interview with the Thinking Man's Hooker and A Thousand and One Night Stands: The Life of Jon Vincent. You can follow her on Twitter.

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