As the Reserve is declaring self-government and the people are no longer receiving their welfare cheques, a new chief is elected by manipulation.

Most of the time their motive is nothing more than the ability to acquire more money than their welfare cheques give them.

Almost all residents are on welfare, and pay about $8,000 per year to stay there, out of their monthly welfare cheques.

He supported lower rates for Toronto's poorer residents, arguing that transit passes could be mailed out with welfare cheques.

Benny Mulholland had probably just enough cash left from his welfare cheque to get ratted every night until the next one was due.

A widow with two children points out that the Iraqis doubled her welfare cheque; now it has stopped altogether.

The perverse result, in many poor neighbourhoods, is that a young man lives off his mother's or pregnant girlfriend's welfare cheques, or both.

He was going to protest about this, but after welfare cheques and compensation came through, he agreed to live in the shed instead, resentfully defending his existence.

Worse still, the name was often associated with Girobank in the public psyche, making little distinction between the welfare cheque and the business.

With the overpayment automatically deducted from her monthly welfare cheque, Rogers was left with just $18 each month after paying her rent.