I have just returned from a four day National Human Rights Convention. It was good, I learned a lot. One of the things I think I learned, is that in truth, Human Rights, aren't Rights, at least not how I understood them. Human Rights, are Rights reserved for a privileged people that believe they own this world. For the rest of us, Human Rights are something we have to fight for, which, then makes it not a Right. Isn't a Right something that just is, something we don't have to fight for and defend with our blood, with our generations?
Is Gitmo, the US's definition of Human Rights in Action? Are fights, and bloodshed on unceded lands of the Six Nations, Oka, Bear Mountain, Pine Ridge, a fight to defend family and land, that doesn't sound like a Right.
The fact that Canada voted AGAINST the UN Declaration of Indigenous Peoples' Rights, I think it says a lot about who Harper believes deserves this "Human Rights"
Monday, November 27, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
A picture is worth a thousand words
I know I haven't been much with the posts of late. I have put of photo's instead, and I find they still reflect what I am up to, what I'm thinking of lately. I will write more, once I return from the Human Rights Convention.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Grey's Anatomy - every colour but red
So Grey's Anatomy, one of my favorite shows on TV.
What bothers me with this show, is all the native artwork on the walls of the rooms. Actually that isn't what bothers me, what bothers me is the nice white, black, and asian doctors, the nice variety of colours/ethnicity. How every colour, culture is represented by people, except for First Nations. We get regulated to being the wall art.
What is with that? Why aren't we worth equal?
What bothers me with this show, is all the native artwork on the walls of the rooms. Actually that isn't what bothers me, what bothers me is the nice white, black, and asian doctors, the nice variety of colours/ethnicity. How every colour, culture is represented by people, except for First Nations. We get regulated to being the wall art.
What is with that? Why aren't we worth equal?
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Ward Churchill speaking at UVic
More information to come, but it looks like Ward Churchill may be speaking at an event at the University of Victoria aimed at honouring Vine Deloria.
Friday, October 06, 2006
2 children die in Cowichan Reserve house fire
A nine-year-old girl and a four-year-old boy have died and seven other people are in hospital after fire ripped through a two-storey home just south of Duncan, B.C.
The blaze broke out in the house just after 11 p.m. Wednesday on the Cowichan reserve.
Neighbours said that it took fire crews from Duncan and North Cowichan more than 20 minutes to arrive after 911 was called.
When firefighters arrived, flames at the front door prevented crews from getting inside, neighbours said.
North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP Const. Susan Boyes told CBC News that the inside of the home was completely engulfed in flames.
"Four children and three adults have escaped and are being treated for injuries. Two other children unfortunately did not escape and perished in the fire," Boyes said.
Neighbours said there were nine people living in the house, three adults and six children, and all were related.
The two children who died were cousins.
The other people in the home were taken to hospitals in Duncan, Victoria and Vancouver, depending on the severity of their injuries. The extent of their injuries isn't known.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, but police said early indications are that the fire was not started deliberately.
Top article from CBC, photo and bottom article from Timess Colonist
Two young cousins are dead and their community is in shock after a fire engulfed a house on the Cowichan Reserve near Duncan.
Dead are four-year-old Troy Joe and nine-year-old Marissa Thomas, two of six children in the home when fire broke out at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
There were also three adults in the house at the time, including the mother of one of the dead children. They were taken to hospitals in Duncan and Victoria.
Theresa Bartleman, the victims’ aunt, drove to Duncan from Sidney, after receiving a phone call about the fire.She was at the charred house Thursday morning waiting for the bodies to be removed.“Nobody is here for them, everyone is in the hospital,” she said.
-------------
Please everyone check your smoke alarms, make sure you have fire extinguishes and know how to use them, make sure you have insurance. I don't know if it would have helped in this instance, but please always try and keep each other safe.
My heart goes out to the family and the Cowichan community. My prayer is that the two children are at peace now, and that the family heals quickly so they can be together and start the spiritual healing.
The blaze broke out in the house just after 11 p.m. Wednesday on the Cowichan reserve.
Neighbours said that it took fire crews from Duncan and North Cowichan more than 20 minutes to arrive after 911 was called.
When firefighters arrived, flames at the front door prevented crews from getting inside, neighbours said.
North Cowichan-Duncan RCMP Const. Susan Boyes told CBC News that the inside of the home was completely engulfed in flames.
"Four children and three adults have escaped and are being treated for injuries. Two other children unfortunately did not escape and perished in the fire," Boyes said.
Neighbours said there were nine people living in the house, three adults and six children, and all were related.
The two children who died were cousins.
The other people in the home were taken to hospitals in Duncan, Victoria and Vancouver, depending on the severity of their injuries. The extent of their injuries isn't known.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, but police said early indications are that the fire was not started deliberately.
Top article from CBC, photo and bottom article from Timess Colonist
Two young cousins are dead and their community is in shock after a fire engulfed a house on the Cowichan Reserve near Duncan.
Dead are four-year-old Troy Joe and nine-year-old Marissa Thomas, two of six children in the home when fire broke out at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
There were also three adults in the house at the time, including the mother of one of the dead children. They were taken to hospitals in Duncan and Victoria.
Theresa Bartleman, the victims’ aunt, drove to Duncan from Sidney, after receiving a phone call about the fire.She was at the charred house Thursday morning waiting for the bodies to be removed.“Nobody is here for them, everyone is in the hospital,” she said.
-------------
Please everyone check your smoke alarms, make sure you have fire extinguishes and know how to use them, make sure you have insurance. I don't know if it would have helped in this instance, but please always try and keep each other safe.
My heart goes out to the family and the Cowichan community. My prayer is that the two children are at peace now, and that the family heals quickly so they can be together and start the spiritual healing.
Friday, September 29, 2006
MPs scrap as feds snuff aboriginal smoking program
Politicians sparred in the House of Commons on Tuesday over the government's decision to cut off funding for an anti-smoking campaign aimed at First Nations and Inuit people, an effort that Conservative ministers suggested was wasteful and ineffective.
"They can't, certainly, believe that refusing to help aboriginal people stop smoking is in the interest of Conservative voters, " said Tina Keeper, Liberal MP for Churchill, arguing in question period that prevention of cancer and other ailments is cheaper than treatment.
"My question, again, is: Why is this government condemning First Nations and Inuit people in Canada to Third World health conditions?"
Dennis Bevington, the NDP member for Western Arctic, said the $10.8-million cut means "more aboriginal Canadians will get sick and die due to smoking." The were "no consultations, no debate," he said, calling the decision "another sign of just how arrogant and controlling this prime minister is at a time when this country has record surpluses."
from CBC News
------------------------
I know by this time, I shouldn't be surprised with the treatment of the Indigenous people, but COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"They can't, certainly, believe that refusing to help aboriginal people stop smoking is in the interest of Conservative voters, " said Tina Keeper, Liberal MP for Churchill, arguing in question period that prevention of cancer and other ailments is cheaper than treatment.
"My question, again, is: Why is this government condemning First Nations and Inuit people in Canada to Third World health conditions?"
Dennis Bevington, the NDP member for Western Arctic, said the $10.8-million cut means "more aboriginal Canadians will get sick and die due to smoking." The were "no consultations, no debate," he said, calling the decision "another sign of just how arrogant and controlling this prime minister is at a time when this country has record surpluses."
from CBC News
------------------------
I know by this time, I shouldn't be surprised with the treatment of the Indigenous people, but COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
New northern mine worries natives - Great-grandmother arrested for joining blockade to stop 'threat'
Ethan Baron, The Province Published: Monday, September 11, 2006
A native great-grandmother has been arrested in a bid to stop B.C.'s first new metal mine in 10 years.
BCMetals Corp. believes the Red Chris mine in northern B.C. contains almost a million tonnes of copper and 1.2 million ounces of gold.
But Tahltan elder Lillian Moyer, 67, who was arrested Saturday, says the proposed open-pit operation south of Dease Lake would violate sacred ground, threaten traditional hunting land and ruin fisheries.
"The land means so much to our people," Moyer said yesterday. "We don't want to see any development up there because it is sacred land. I am doing what I can, with great feelings in my heart, to stick up for our rights and for the land, for the future generations of young children."
Members of the Tahltan set up a road blockade June 16 to keep BCMetals from driving heavy equipment through a fish-spawning creek. On Sept. 1, the company's application in B.C. Supreme Court for an injunction to remove the protesters was granted.
Moyer said she visited the blockade Friday night and learned that anyone arrested for violating the injunction would be prohibited from entering traditional hunting grounds on the Todagin Plateau, the site of the planned mine.
"I was listening to all this and I said, 'This doesn't sound right. Why are we being threatened about our own traditional land that we want to protect?'"
Natives spend a month a year camped on the plateau, hunting, Moyer said.
BCMetals president and CEO Ian Smith has said that "the Red Chris mine has received all necessary environmental approvals from federal and provincial authorities."
On July 4, the company said it had temporarily suspended movement of equipment to explore the Red Chris site because trout were spawning at a creek crossing on the access road.
On Saturday, when equipment crossed the creek after RCMP arrested Moyer, oil spilled into the creek.
"[This] oil spill is our worst nightmare coming true," said Rhoda Quock, chief of the Iskut band, part of the Tahltan Nation. "It shows what happens to our lands when development is rammed through."
BCMetals said the spill amounted to less than a half-litre of grease and other hydrocarbons, which washed off the drilling rig and escaped catchment booms.
The Iskut also worry that toxic copper dust will blow from the mine to their community 18 kilometres away, and that leachate from waste ore will contaminate drinking water and fish-bearing streams.
BCMetals expects the mine will produce 50,000 tonnes of copper and 75,000 ounces of gold annually for the first five years. At current prices, that's $440 million in copper and $51 million in gold.
A native great-grandmother has been arrested in a bid to stop B.C.'s first new metal mine in 10 years.
BCMetals Corp. believes the Red Chris mine in northern B.C. contains almost a million tonnes of copper and 1.2 million ounces of gold.
But Tahltan elder Lillian Moyer, 67, who was arrested Saturday, says the proposed open-pit operation south of Dease Lake would violate sacred ground, threaten traditional hunting land and ruin fisheries.
"The land means so much to our people," Moyer said yesterday. "We don't want to see any development up there because it is sacred land. I am doing what I can, with great feelings in my heart, to stick up for our rights and for the land, for the future generations of young children."
Members of the Tahltan set up a road blockade June 16 to keep BCMetals from driving heavy equipment through a fish-spawning creek. On Sept. 1, the company's application in B.C. Supreme Court for an injunction to remove the protesters was granted.
Moyer said she visited the blockade Friday night and learned that anyone arrested for violating the injunction would be prohibited from entering traditional hunting grounds on the Todagin Plateau, the site of the planned mine.
"I was listening to all this and I said, 'This doesn't sound right. Why are we being threatened about our own traditional land that we want to protect?'"
Natives spend a month a year camped on the plateau, hunting, Moyer said.
BCMetals president and CEO Ian Smith has said that "the Red Chris mine has received all necessary environmental approvals from federal and provincial authorities."
On July 4, the company said it had temporarily suspended movement of equipment to explore the Red Chris site because trout were spawning at a creek crossing on the access road.
On Saturday, when equipment crossed the creek after RCMP arrested Moyer, oil spilled into the creek.
"[This] oil spill is our worst nightmare coming true," said Rhoda Quock, chief of the Iskut band, part of the Tahltan Nation. "It shows what happens to our lands when development is rammed through."
BCMetals said the spill amounted to less than a half-litre of grease and other hydrocarbons, which washed off the drilling rig and escaped catchment booms.
The Iskut also worry that toxic copper dust will blow from the mine to their community 18 kilometres away, and that leachate from waste ore will contaminate drinking water and fish-bearing streams.
BCMetals expects the mine will produce 50,000 tonnes of copper and 75,000 ounces of gold annually for the first five years. At current prices, that's $440 million in copper and $51 million in gold.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Today is September 11, 100 years since Gandhi officially started the non-violent peace movement, 80 years since the British empire set the boundaries between Israel and Palestine to bring about the current conditions today, 35 years since a CIA backed coup put Pinochet in power in Chile starting the slaugter of some 50,000 people, and a mere 5 years since the only known terror attack in the United States, the downing of the WTC's.
I only want to comment on the blinders, because here in the United States, the only act of terror known is what happened in New York on September 11, 2001.
How about February 26, 1856, the Wiyot Massacre in Humboldt Bay?
How about December 29, 1890, Wounded Knee?
How about the dates I can't remember like the slaughter of the Moro's by the U.S. in the Phillipines during the Spanish American War?
How about the bombing of the bomb shelter in the city whose name I forgot during the '91 Gulf War?
But no! These and SO many other dates are ignored or completely forgotten because in the eyes of America, nothing was an act of terror until the WTC came down. Not even what the World Trade Organization does to societies around the world compares in American eyes to the acts of planes being flown into American buildings on American soil. Now...in American eyes...it is terror.
Ward Churchill stated in his lectures about how the Dutch colonized Manhattan Island, allegedly buying it from the Indians there with some trinkets, although the Indians just considered it rent and figured them to be OK. The Dutch decided to put an end to their "Persistent Indian Problem," and slaughtered the Indians on the other side of the island. The Indians weren't exactly sure what was happening and thus didn't put up much of a fight, not being used to warfare where MASS SLAUGHTER is the norm. The Dutch, being so surprised by their victory, cut the heads off of all of their victims to take them back to their leaders as proof of their victory and loyalty. To celebrate, they played soccer with the heads of their victims...all in great fun, of course. Not like the Indians were really human beings. Anyway, Ward says that that little soccer game happened right where the WTC buildings once stood.
Interesting, huh? I don't know the date of that slaughter, either.
------------
Posted from Pudgy Indian
http://www.pudgyindian.blogspot.com/
I only want to comment on the blinders, because here in the United States, the only act of terror known is what happened in New York on September 11, 2001.
How about February 26, 1856, the Wiyot Massacre in Humboldt Bay?
How about December 29, 1890, Wounded Knee?
How about the dates I can't remember like the slaughter of the Moro's by the U.S. in the Phillipines during the Spanish American War?
How about the bombing of the bomb shelter in the city whose name I forgot during the '91 Gulf War?
But no! These and SO many other dates are ignored or completely forgotten because in the eyes of America, nothing was an act of terror until the WTC came down. Not even what the World Trade Organization does to societies around the world compares in American eyes to the acts of planes being flown into American buildings on American soil. Now...in American eyes...it is terror.
Ward Churchill stated in his lectures about how the Dutch colonized Manhattan Island, allegedly buying it from the Indians there with some trinkets, although the Indians just considered it rent and figured them to be OK. The Dutch decided to put an end to their "Persistent Indian Problem," and slaughtered the Indians on the other side of the island. The Indians weren't exactly sure what was happening and thus didn't put up much of a fight, not being used to warfare where MASS SLAUGHTER is the norm. The Dutch, being so surprised by their victory, cut the heads off of all of their victims to take them back to their leaders as proof of their victory and loyalty. To celebrate, they played soccer with the heads of their victims...all in great fun, of course. Not like the Indians were really human beings. Anyway, Ward says that that little soccer game happened right where the WTC buildings once stood.
Interesting, huh? I don't know the date of that slaughter, either.
------------
Posted from Pudgy Indian
http://www.pudgyindian.blogspot.com/
Monday, September 11, 2006
Need Métis Veterans Memorial Pictures please
"I have been working with Dale Haggerty with the Michif Metis Museum for quite a few years and the museum is working on improving the website and what I have installed is a Métis memorial veterans page...I need pictures of the veterans that have passed, their names date of birth and passing, so we can honor are veterans so they won't be forgotten in memorial....if you can email them and I also have a Métis memorial page for those Métis people who have also passed that has done a lot for our community. We are just installing this page as a temporary site until it gets transferred to its own permanent page. I'll send you the page so far...let me know what you think...still under construction.
I also need veterans that have been doing events also that are still alive...it’s not all about memorials...and events...update too. Or if you know someone who can send to me...I really appreciate it.
http://www.whiteskycloud.com/michifmetismuseum.html soon the Michif Metis Museum will have its own .org
Thanks from Derrick Whiteskycloud"
-------------------------
If anyone can help Derrick with this....
I also need veterans that have been doing events also that are still alive...it’s not all about memorials...and events...update too. Or if you know someone who can send to me...I really appreciate it.
http://www.whiteskycloud.com/michifmetismuseum.html soon the Michif Metis Museum will have its own .org
Thanks from Derrick Whiteskycloud"
-------------------------
If anyone can help Derrick with this....
Friday, September 08, 2006
Caledonia Standoff threatens to heat up again
Residents frustrated with slow pace of negotiations over land rights
ALEX DOBROTA, from the Globe and Mail
As the warm summer days dwindle, so does the patience of many residents in Caledonia, where a six-month-long native standoff threatens to erupt into violence once again.
Many townsfolk who lived through a summer of flare-ups will send their children to an elementary school that borders a development site sitting on land the occupiers claim was taken from them unlawfully by the Crown.
The local school board has postponed plans to build a wooden wall between a schoolyard and the occupied land.
The site is at the centre of a battle over land rights that started when some members of the Six Nations reserve set up barricades blocking the road into the development on Feb. 28. A court order evicting them has not been enforced. In June, the province bought out the developer for $12.3-million.
--------------------------------
This article continues for quite a bit more, hot air just flying everywhere in the article. What it doesn't mention is that the government paid mediator is getting $1300.00 a DAY, plus expenses & travel. So instead of talking about how much money us natives are costing, maybe start looking at their own in house costs. I could make suggests about what $1300 a day should supply, but most my thoughts are less then tactful.
----------------------
Here is part of the article about Jane Stewarts fees.
-----------------------
Caledonia tab may hit $300,000
By Marissa NelsonThe Hamilton Spectator(Aug 30, 2006)
Jane Stewart is being paid $1,300 a day to be the province's negotiator in talks aimed at solving the land dispute in Caledonia.
And the 11-month pact between the former Liberal minister and Ontario says her total pay can reach $300,000.
She can also charge up to $30,000 in expenses.
The agreement, which runs from May 5, 2006, to March 31, 2007, says she also will be paid for half her travel time.
------------------------
Why aren't people more upset about this? what aren't we posting this on every site, in every editorial!
ALEX DOBROTA, from the Globe and Mail
As the warm summer days dwindle, so does the patience of many residents in Caledonia, where a six-month-long native standoff threatens to erupt into violence once again.
Many townsfolk who lived through a summer of flare-ups will send their children to an elementary school that borders a development site sitting on land the occupiers claim was taken from them unlawfully by the Crown.
The local school board has postponed plans to build a wooden wall between a schoolyard and the occupied land.
The site is at the centre of a battle over land rights that started when some members of the Six Nations reserve set up barricades blocking the road into the development on Feb. 28. A court order evicting them has not been enforced. In June, the province bought out the developer for $12.3-million.
--------------------------------
This article continues for quite a bit more, hot air just flying everywhere in the article. What it doesn't mention is that the government paid mediator is getting $1300.00 a DAY, plus expenses & travel. So instead of talking about how much money us natives are costing, maybe start looking at their own in house costs. I could make suggests about what $1300 a day should supply, but most my thoughts are less then tactful.
----------------------
Here is part of the article about Jane Stewarts fees.
-----------------------
Caledonia tab may hit $300,000
By Marissa NelsonThe Hamilton Spectator(Aug 30, 2006)
Jane Stewart is being paid $1,300 a day to be the province's negotiator in talks aimed at solving the land dispute in Caledonia.
And the 11-month pact between the former Liberal minister and Ontario says her total pay can reach $300,000.
She can also charge up to $30,000 in expenses.
The agreement, which runs from May 5, 2006, to March 31, 2007, says she also will be paid for half her travel time.
------------------------
Why aren't people more upset about this? what aren't we posting this on every site, in every editorial!
Friday, August 25, 2006
One Flaw In Native Women
Native Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Native Women come in all shapes, and sizes
They'll walk, run or ride on horse back far just to be with you,
that is how much they care about you.
The heart of a Native woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Native Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
However, if there is one flaw in Native Women,
It is that they forget their Worth.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Native Women come in all shapes, and sizes
They'll walk, run or ride on horse back far just to be with you,
that is how much they care about you.
The heart of a Native woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Native Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.
However, if there is one flaw in Native Women,
It is that they forget their Worth.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Excerpts from Will Fergusons "Why I hate Canadians"
“At first, the Native groups were allowed to choose their own reserve lands, but that promise was quickly broken. Good farmland was excluded for the most part, and – devastating to tribal custom – large tracks were disallowed. Instead, Indian bands were splintered among small, unconnected plots of land. When they resisted, the government simply withheld food that was promised under the Famine Clause of treaties. Thus it w as that we coerced, shoved and blackmailed nomadic people into subdivisions and sub—subdivisions.
……..
The result of this self-cancelling, dehumanizing process? In Canada, one of the wealthiest most prosperous countries in the world, we have created an entire, racially segregated subclass, our very own Third World.” Pg 118
“We keep wishing the problem away. This pattern was well established as far back as 1876, when the Indian Act was first drafted. Reserves were designed to be temporary holding cells, where, it was confidently assumed, Indians would be fully assimilated within three generations. They would be kept segregated and accounted for until they were deemed morally worthy of Canadian citizenship.
This is not editorializing on my part, these were the explicit objectives of the Indian Act. If you were good, if you were very good, you could graduate from being and Indian. All you had to do was give up your identity, move into the mainstream, lose your language, forswear you culture, and you too would be allowed to vote and own your own land. This was called “enfranchisement.”
To be enfranchised, you had to (A) abandon all tribal customs, (B) be judged of good character, (C) be fluent in either French or English, and (D) have passed a three-year probation (just to make sure you didn’t lapse back into savage custom or language). Only then would you be allowed the privilege of not being an Indian. In Canada, the only Good Indian was an Assimilated Indian, and as very few of them accepted assimilations, we had very few Good Indians.
Enfranchisement remained policy until – when? 1900? 1910? 1920? No. The government did not concede defeat and remove enfranchisement from the Indian Act until 11985. Ancient history, that.
…..
You see, a funny thing happened on the way to assimilation. The two goals of Indian policy, separation and assimilation, were contradictory: they cancelled each other out. The reserves that were meant to segregate Native Canadians gave them a land base that now acts both as a focal point of political activism and a refuge – however shaken, however poverty-stricken. The resurgent Native culture and explosive Native pride comes directly from the reserves, and it is from the reserves that Native Canadians are leading a full-scale counterattack. Apartheid has backfired.”
Excerpts from Will Ferguson’s “Why I Hate Canadians” chapter “Our home on Native Land”
……..
The result of this self-cancelling, dehumanizing process? In Canada, one of the wealthiest most prosperous countries in the world, we have created an entire, racially segregated subclass, our very own Third World.” Pg 118
“We keep wishing the problem away. This pattern was well established as far back as 1876, when the Indian Act was first drafted. Reserves were designed to be temporary holding cells, where, it was confidently assumed, Indians would be fully assimilated within three generations. They would be kept segregated and accounted for until they were deemed morally worthy of Canadian citizenship.
This is not editorializing on my part, these were the explicit objectives of the Indian Act. If you were good, if you were very good, you could graduate from being and Indian. All you had to do was give up your identity, move into the mainstream, lose your language, forswear you culture, and you too would be allowed to vote and own your own land. This was called “enfranchisement.”
To be enfranchised, you had to (A) abandon all tribal customs, (B) be judged of good character, (C) be fluent in either French or English, and (D) have passed a three-year probation (just to make sure you didn’t lapse back into savage custom or language). Only then would you be allowed the privilege of not being an Indian. In Canada, the only Good Indian was an Assimilated Indian, and as very few of them accepted assimilations, we had very few Good Indians.
Enfranchisement remained policy until – when? 1900? 1910? 1920? No. The government did not concede defeat and remove enfranchisement from the Indian Act until 11985. Ancient history, that.
…..
You see, a funny thing happened on the way to assimilation. The two goals of Indian policy, separation and assimilation, were contradictory: they cancelled each other out. The reserves that were meant to segregate Native Canadians gave them a land base that now acts both as a focal point of political activism and a refuge – however shaken, however poverty-stricken. The resurgent Native culture and explosive Native pride comes directly from the reserves, and it is from the reserves that Native Canadians are leading a full-scale counterattack. Apartheid has backfired.”
Excerpts from Will Ferguson’s “Why I Hate Canadians” chapter “Our home on Native Land”
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Maori Queen, dies in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand after a forty-year reign.
Dame Te Atairangikaahu ONZ, DBE, (23 July 1931 – 15 August 2006) was the Māori Queen for 40 years, the longest reign of any Māori monarch. Her full name and title was Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Her title Te Arikinui (meaning Great Chief) and name Te Atairangikaahu (also her mother's name) were bestowed when she became monarch; previously she was known as Princess Piki Mahuta.She was the only birth child of Koroki Mahuta and Te Atairangikaahu Herangi; her father had an older daughter, Tuura, by an earlier relationship. Dame Te Atairangikaahu had adopted siblings including Sir Robert Mahuta, whose daughter Nanaia Mahuta is a member of Parliament. Dame Te Atairangikaahu was a descendant of the first Māori King, Pōtatau te Wherowhero, and succeeded her father, King Koroki, becoming Queen the day Koroki was buried.[1] She married Whatumoana Paki and they had seven children.
The office of Māori Queen holds no constitutional function, but Te Atairangikaahu was an avid supporter of cultural and sporting events and commonly appeared in a figurehead role at locally held, international political events involving indigenous issues. Her official residence was Turongo House in Turangawaewae.
In 1970, she became the first Māori to be made a Dame, specifically a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.[2] She was one of the first inductees of the Order of New Zealand when it was established in 1987. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Waikato University in 1973, and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Victoria University in 1999.
-Wikipedia
Monday, August 14, 2006
Sacred Tree Code of Ethics
Each morning upon rising, and each evening before sleeping, give thanks for the life within you and for all life, for the good things the Creator has given you and others and for the opportunity to grow a little more each day. Consider your thoughts and actions of the past day and seek for the courage and strength to be a better person. Seek for the things that will benefit everyone.
Respect. Respect means “to feel or show honour or esteem for someone, or something; to consider the well-being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy”. Showing respect is a basic law of life.
· Treat every person, from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.
· Special respect should be given to elders, parents, teachers and community leaders.
· No person should be made to feel “put down” by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.
· Touch nothing that belongs to someone else (especially sacred objects) without permission, or an understanding between you.
· Respect the privacy of every person. Never intrude on a person’s quiet moments or personal space.
· Never walk between people that are conversing.
· Never interrupt people who are conversing.
· Speaking in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of elders, strangers or others whom special respect is due.
· Do no speak unless invited to do so at gatherings where elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt).
· Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not.
· Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute the air or the soil. If others would destroy our mother, rise up with wisdom to defend her.
· Show deep respect for the beliefs and religions of others.
· Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart.
Respect the wisdom of the people in council. Once you give an idea to a council or a meeting it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the people. Respect demands that you listen intently to the ideas of others in council and that you do not insist that your idea prevail. Indeed you should freely support the ideas of others if they are true and good, even if those ideas are quite different from the ones you have contributed. The clash of ideas brings forth the spark of truth.
Be truthful at all times, and under all conditions.
Always great your guests with honour and consideration. Give your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.
The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honour of one is the honour of all.
Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.
All the races and tribes in the world are like the different coloured flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected.
To serve others, to be of some use to family, community nation or the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget your most important task. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.
Observe moderation and balance in all things.
Know those things that lead to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction.
Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude and in the words and deeds of wise elders and friends.
From “The Sacred Tree”
Four Worlds International Institute
Respect. Respect means “to feel or show honour or esteem for someone, or something; to consider the well-being of, or to treat someone or something with deference or courtesy”. Showing respect is a basic law of life.
· Treat every person, from the tiniest child to the oldest elder with respect at all times.
· Special respect should be given to elders, parents, teachers and community leaders.
· No person should be made to feel “put down” by you; avoid hurting other hearts as you would avoid a deadly poison.
· Touch nothing that belongs to someone else (especially sacred objects) without permission, or an understanding between you.
· Respect the privacy of every person. Never intrude on a person’s quiet moments or personal space.
· Never walk between people that are conversing.
· Never interrupt people who are conversing.
· Speaking in a soft voice, especially when you are in the presence of elders, strangers or others whom special respect is due.
· Do no speak unless invited to do so at gatherings where elders are present (except to ask what is expected of you, should you be in doubt).
· Never speak about others in a negative way, whether they are present or not.
· Treat the earth and all of her aspects as your mother. Show deep respect for the mineral world, the plant world, and the animal world. Do nothing to pollute the air or the soil. If others would destroy our mother, rise up with wisdom to defend her.
· Show deep respect for the beliefs and religions of others.
· Listen with courtesy to what others say, even if you feel that what they are saying is worthless. Listen with your heart.
Respect the wisdom of the people in council. Once you give an idea to a council or a meeting it no longer belongs to you. It belongs to the people. Respect demands that you listen intently to the ideas of others in council and that you do not insist that your idea prevail. Indeed you should freely support the ideas of others if they are true and good, even if those ideas are quite different from the ones you have contributed. The clash of ideas brings forth the spark of truth.
Be truthful at all times, and under all conditions.
Always great your guests with honour and consideration. Give your best food, your best blankets, the best part of your house, and your best service to your guests.
The hurt of one is the hurt of all, the honour of one is the honour of all.
Receive strangers and outsiders with a loving heart and as members of the human family.
All the races and tribes in the world are like the different coloured flowers of one meadow. All are beautiful. As children of the Creator they must all be respected.
To serve others, to be of some use to family, community nation or the world is one of the main purposes for which human beings have been created. Do not fill yourself with your own affairs and forget your most important task. True happiness comes only to those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.
Observe moderation and balance in all things.
Know those things that lead to your well-being, and those things that lead to your destruction.
Listen to and follow the guidance given to your heart. Expect guidance to come in many forms; in prayer, in dreams, in times of quiet solitude and in the words and deeds of wise elders and friends.
From “The Sacred Tree”
Four Worlds International Institute
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Last night
I have these groups of friends, each group so different then the other.
Last night was a hard night for me, harder then I orginally thought it would be, and I had been pretty sure it would be horrid.
I drifted off to sleep sometime before the haze of dawn started appearing through my window.
I have this friend that I called last night, he is the only one I thought might understand what I needed. See some of my other friends, while they are good friends, and we can hang out lots, they are not the type of friends that offer to help hold you up when you feel like falling down. Some of my friends just really suck in the care and comfort area, and I guess that is why most people have different groups of friends, so that we have people to be there for each area of our life.
Today I wake up thinking that I might have finally turned a corner, or at least I am able to look ahead and see a corner that I know I will be turning. A year of grief, guilt, anger, and last night I took it all on. I miss the people that have gone off ahead of me, last night I sat and spoke with some. Nothing like a conversation with ghosts and shadows to straighten you out. Maybe it is jsut that I finally started to grieve at all. This month has always been a hard month for me, but now, it doesn't feel quite as bleak as it did before.
Last night was a hard night for me, harder then I orginally thought it would be, and I had been pretty sure it would be horrid.
I drifted off to sleep sometime before the haze of dawn started appearing through my window.
I have this friend that I called last night, he is the only one I thought might understand what I needed. See some of my other friends, while they are good friends, and we can hang out lots, they are not the type of friends that offer to help hold you up when you feel like falling down. Some of my friends just really suck in the care and comfort area, and I guess that is why most people have different groups of friends, so that we have people to be there for each area of our life.
Today I wake up thinking that I might have finally turned a corner, or at least I am able to look ahead and see a corner that I know I will be turning. A year of grief, guilt, anger, and last night I took it all on. I miss the people that have gone off ahead of me, last night I sat and spoke with some. Nothing like a conversation with ghosts and shadows to straighten you out. Maybe it is jsut that I finally started to grieve at all. This month has always been a hard month for me, but now, it doesn't feel quite as bleak as it did before.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Low aboriginal graduation rates a concern for all Canadians: report
An alarming number of First Nations students living on reserves are not graduating from high school, a recently released report says.
According to the report of the Ottawa-based Caledon Institute of Public Policy — titled Aboriginal Peoples and Post-secondary Education in Canada — high school graduation rates of aboriginal people are far below those of people in the rest of Canada, and the situation is particularly bad on reserves.
The report, which is based on census data, found that 58 per cent of on-reserve aboriginal people between the ages of 20 and 24 had not graduated from high school. Among all people across Canada, the comparable 2001 rate was 16 per cent.
CBC News
-----------------------------
I know, crazy idea, but what happens if teachers stop telling us that we are 'dumb and to not worry about graduating anyways as we won't make it that far' Or how about teachers trying to .. .hmm.. teach?! I know, crazy thought there, and maybe even teach truth! I grew up listening to the teepee people on the coast (what the #$*(@#) and when I suggested that maybe that information was wrong, I was kicked out of class. The system is set up for us to fail, so maybe instead of figuring out where we went wrong, figure out how to fix the system first.
And then for those of us that do make it and graduate, God forbid if we actually try to go to post secondary school! What the heck, don't we know our place? According to most academic institutions it sure isn't at University. When I first went to university, they took me out of the classes I signed up for, and put me in 'learning skills', 'introduction to university life', 'introduction to the university library', and a low level into to english class. When I went to complain, the nice registrar clerk, patted my arm and said "It's not your fault hon, your whole race is slow"..... ..... ...... (calm breathe), lets say simply there aren't enough bad words to express how that made me feel.
Some institutions are changing, the University of Victoria in BC, Canada has started a great project to support undergrad aboriginal students at University, so we have 1 out of how many universities trying to make a change?
Its slow, but as a people, we have to keep fighting, go to school, piss off every teacher you have if that is what it takes for you to graduate, prove them wrong, get school, get trained, get jobs as thier supervisors, and fire them :-)
According to the report of the Ottawa-based Caledon Institute of Public Policy — titled Aboriginal Peoples and Post-secondary Education in Canada — high school graduation rates of aboriginal people are far below those of people in the rest of Canada, and the situation is particularly bad on reserves.
The report, which is based on census data, found that 58 per cent of on-reserve aboriginal people between the ages of 20 and 24 had not graduated from high school. Among all people across Canada, the comparable 2001 rate was 16 per cent.
CBC News
-----------------------------
I know, crazy idea, but what happens if teachers stop telling us that we are 'dumb and to not worry about graduating anyways as we won't make it that far' Or how about teachers trying to .. .hmm.. teach?! I know, crazy thought there, and maybe even teach truth! I grew up listening to the teepee people on the coast (what the #$*(@#) and when I suggested that maybe that information was wrong, I was kicked out of class. The system is set up for us to fail, so maybe instead of figuring out where we went wrong, figure out how to fix the system first.
And then for those of us that do make it and graduate, God forbid if we actually try to go to post secondary school! What the heck, don't we know our place? According to most academic institutions it sure isn't at University. When I first went to university, they took me out of the classes I signed up for, and put me in 'learning skills', 'introduction to university life', 'introduction to the university library', and a low level into to english class. When I went to complain, the nice registrar clerk, patted my arm and said "It's not your fault hon, your whole race is slow"..... ..... ...... (calm breathe), lets say simply there aren't enough bad words to express how that made me feel.
Some institutions are changing, the University of Victoria in BC, Canada has started a great project to support undergrad aboriginal students at University, so we have 1 out of how many universities trying to make a change?
Its slow, but as a people, we have to keep fighting, go to school, piss off every teacher you have if that is what it takes for you to graduate, prove them wrong, get school, get trained, get jobs as thier supervisors, and fire them :-)
... on death and dying...
Tonight is the one year anniversary of my Grandmothers death.
You would think that one sentance couldn't cause so much pain and guilt, but there you have it.
My question today is, if you do nothing but stand by while someone dies, is that the same as activily participating in/contributing to their death?
Where is that line?
"Oh how we cried, the day you left us
Gathered round, your grave to grieve
Wish I could see those angels faces
When they heard, your sweet voice sing"
You would think that one sentance couldn't cause so much pain and guilt, but there you have it.
My question today is, if you do nothing but stand by while someone dies, is that the same as activily participating in/contributing to their death?
Where is that line?
"Oh how we cried, the day you left us
Gathered round, your grave to grieve
Wish I could see those angels faces
When they heard, your sweet voice sing"
Thursday, August 10, 2006
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:
PART I
Article 1 Indigenous peoples have the right to the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law.
Article 2 Indigenous individuals and peoples are free and equal to all other individuals and peoples in dignity and rights, and have the right to be free from any kind of adverse discrimination, in particular that based on their indigenous origin or identity.
Article 3 Indigenous peoples have the right of self- determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Article 4 Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, economic, social and cultural characteristics, as well as their legal systems, while retaining their rights to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.
Article 5 Every indigenous individual has the right to a nationality.
PART I
Article 1 Indigenous peoples have the right to the full and effective enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law.
Article 2 Indigenous individuals and peoples are free and equal to all other individuals and peoples in dignity and rights, and have the right to be free from any kind of adverse discrimination, in particular that based on their indigenous origin or identity.
Article 3 Indigenous peoples have the right of self- determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
Article 4 Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, economic, social and cultural characteristics, as well as their legal systems, while retaining their rights to participate fully, if they so choose, in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State.
Article 5 Every indigenous individual has the right to a nationality.
Australia - Stop the Land Grab-Land Rights Act in jeopardy
Kia Ora, Hello to all,
This was forwarded to me from a friend in Australia, please read what is happening down there. Indigneous RIghts are a global issues, and we have to start having a global voice.
-Julie
http://www.getup.org.au/index.asp
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subject: URGENT before Tuesday Land Rights Act in jeopardy
Dear friends,
Something dangerous is about to happen to the very heartland of Aboriginal Australia - and neither the traditional owners, nor you, have been warned.
Under the guise of promoting economic development for indigenous Australians, the Federal Government wants to ram through new legislation this Tuesday that actually jeopardises future generations of Aboriginal livelihoods. It's quite possibly the most important law you've never heard of.
The law will amend the iconic Land Rights Act, stripping away power from one of the only true representative bodies, the Land Councils, while pressuring Aboriginal communities to hand over control of their lands for 99 years. With profound disrespect, many of those who this new law affects most have not even been told.
Only your senators can put the brakes on this legislation, to allow time for real debate and understanding. Tell them now these seismic policy changes are too important to rush through.
www.getup.org.au/campaign/StoptheLandGrab
While the government claims the 99-year leases are voluntary, traditional owners are being cajoled into signing away their rights to their land just to secure basic services that we all deserve, like houses and schools.
The original Land Rights Act was an iconic piece of bipartisan legislation. This is a rush job - scarcely understood and widely contested. A scant one-day Parliamentary inquiry should not be permitted to rubber stamp a policy that will leave four generations without land or leadership. Even Government senators expressed 'alarm and concern' at this totally inadequate debate.
The Northern Territory is flourishing with indigenous culture and living languages. Yet, all Australians know there are also many deeply confronting problems - and all parties agree we must urgently find new ways forward in partnership.
Land is the best asset that Aboriginal people have for economic development. Not one Australian economist has argued that taking land or leadership away will deliver positive economic results - even the conservative Minerals Council of Australia thinks the Government is on the wrong track with its attack on Land Councils.
The economic case has not been made. The social consequences are untested. And traditional owners have been excluded from this decision that will deeply affect them for generations. Please help stop this before it's too late.
This was forwarded to me from a friend in Australia, please read what is happening down there. Indigneous RIghts are a global issues, and we have to start having a global voice.
-Julie
http://www.getup.org.au/index.asp
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subject: URGENT before Tuesday Land Rights Act in jeopardy
Dear friends,
Something dangerous is about to happen to the very heartland of Aboriginal Australia - and neither the traditional owners, nor you, have been warned.
Under the guise of promoting economic development for indigenous Australians, the Federal Government wants to ram through new legislation this Tuesday that actually jeopardises future generations of Aboriginal livelihoods. It's quite possibly the most important law you've never heard of.
The law will amend the iconic Land Rights Act, stripping away power from one of the only true representative bodies, the Land Councils, while pressuring Aboriginal communities to hand over control of their lands for 99 years. With profound disrespect, many of those who this new law affects most have not even been told.
Only your senators can put the brakes on this legislation, to allow time for real debate and understanding. Tell them now these seismic policy changes are too important to rush through.
www.getup.org.au/campaign/StoptheLandGrab
While the government claims the 99-year leases are voluntary, traditional owners are being cajoled into signing away their rights to their land just to secure basic services that we all deserve, like houses and schools.
The original Land Rights Act was an iconic piece of bipartisan legislation. This is a rush job - scarcely understood and widely contested. A scant one-day Parliamentary inquiry should not be permitted to rubber stamp a policy that will leave four generations without land or leadership. Even Government senators expressed 'alarm and concern' at this totally inadequate debate.
The Northern Territory is flourishing with indigenous culture and living languages. Yet, all Australians know there are also many deeply confronting problems - and all parties agree we must urgently find new ways forward in partnership.
Land is the best asset that Aboriginal people have for economic development. Not one Australian economist has argued that taking land or leadership away will deliver positive economic results - even the conservative Minerals Council of Australia thinks the Government is on the wrong track with its attack on Land Councils.
The economic case has not been made. The social consequences are untested. And traditional owners have been excluded from this decision that will deeply affect them for generations. Please help stop this before it's too late.
Resolution at Caledonia is federal government's responsibility
By George Sorger, HamiltonThe Hamilton Spectator(Aug 3, 2006)
Re: 'Onus on judge to rule' (The Spectator, July 25)
Many demanding "law and order" in Caledonia, along with this article about Justice Marshall's deliberations concerning the Six Nations occupation of their land at Caledonia, seem to ignore the fact that the disputed land is part of a formal treaty between the Crown, now the responsibility of the federal government, and the Six Nations.
The fact the land was sold to a developer, and then bought from the developer by the province of Ontario, does not change the fact that it is treaty land and cannot be sold or bought by anyone without Six Nations consent, which neither of the above sales had.
If the OPP are sent in once again to "clear" the Six Nations occupants from the site, we will be back where we started months ago, when the barricades went up and there were violent confrontations.
The courts and the OPP should not be expected to settle aboriginal land claims. This land claim must be settled by negotiations between the federal government and the Six Nations Confederacy. They are the authorities which inherited the responsibility for the treaties, describing who owns the above land and what the relationship between the two nations is to be.
Justice Marshall and the lawyers opposing the Six Nations describe the occupation of native land as an act of contempt of court, which carries a stiff penalty. I think there should be something called contempt of treaties, which should carry an equally stiff penalty, so that the formal treaties governing relations between Canada and the First Nations will be obeyed and the law prevails.
Re: 'Onus on judge to rule' (The Spectator, July 25)
Many demanding "law and order" in Caledonia, along with this article about Justice Marshall's deliberations concerning the Six Nations occupation of their land at Caledonia, seem to ignore the fact that the disputed land is part of a formal treaty between the Crown, now the responsibility of the federal government, and the Six Nations.
The fact the land was sold to a developer, and then bought from the developer by the province of Ontario, does not change the fact that it is treaty land and cannot be sold or bought by anyone without Six Nations consent, which neither of the above sales had.
If the OPP are sent in once again to "clear" the Six Nations occupants from the site, we will be back where we started months ago, when the barricades went up and there were violent confrontations.
The courts and the OPP should not be expected to settle aboriginal land claims. This land claim must be settled by negotiations between the federal government and the Six Nations Confederacy. They are the authorities which inherited the responsibility for the treaties, describing who owns the above land and what the relationship between the two nations is to be.
Justice Marshall and the lawyers opposing the Six Nations describe the occupation of native land as an act of contempt of court, which carries a stiff penalty. I think there should be something called contempt of treaties, which should carry an equally stiff penalty, so that the formal treaties governing relations between Canada and the First Nations will be obeyed and the law prevails.
First Nation's treaty deal historic first for B.C
Wow, 13 years for one treaty, yeah, lets party at the fast rate they treat treaties!
Maybe instead of celebrating we should be asking why it takes over a decade to conclude one set of talks!!!
_____________________
Peter O'Neil, CanWest News Service; Vancouver SunPublished: Wednesday, August 02, 2006
OTTAWA - Federal, provincial and aboriginal negotiators have concluded what would be the first final agreement under the costly 13-year B.C. treaty process.
"It's quite historic," said Mark Stevenson, chief negotiator for the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, a 312-person community living in and around Prince George, B.C.
If the deal is formally endorsed by the governments of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, the community will get $27 million up front, $400,000 a year over 50 years, 4,330 hectares of land, fishing and logging rights, and a constitutionally protected system of self-government, according to the B.C. Treaty Commission.
Jody Wilson, acting chief of the treaty commission, said the $47-million deal marks a ''new chapter'' in the relationship between governments and B.C. First Nations.
''This agreement is an important milestone in our B.C. treaty process, one that we have been struggling towards for 13 years,'' she said in a prepared statement.
The Lheidli T'enneh First Nation struck an agreement-in-principle (AIP) with the federal and B.C. governments in 2003, and is one of six in the province with completed AIPs.
The 2003 deal called for $12.8 million in cash for the band, far less than the final tally.
The only modern comprehensive treaty involving B.C. bands was the 1999 Nisga'a accord, though that deal was negotiated outside the B.C. treaty process.
The old Reform party, which Harper helped create in the late 1980s with Preston Manning, vehemently opposed the Nisga'a deal in Parliament. MPs argued at the time that the deal gave First Nations special rights that violated the principle that all Canadians are equal.
The Harper government has been harshly criticized by Campbell, other premiers, and federal opposition MPs for killing the $5 billion 2005 Kelowna accord that was intended to dramatically improve the lives of aboriginal Canadians.
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has stressed the government is looking for practical measures to improve the social and economic standing of First Nation communities. However, Harper rattled native leaders recently by saying he would end so-called ''race-based'' commercial fishing rights, since fishing agreements are a key component of many treaty talks.
The Lheidli T'enneh fish deal allocates up to 10,000 sockeye annually to the band for ''food, social and ceremonial'' purposes and another 6,000 for commercial sale. Stevenson stressed that the fishing agreement is a side deal outside the treaty and isn't constitutionally protected.
He added that the band's commercial fishery won't take place unless there is a concurrent commercial opening for other fishermen.
The band, according to the treaty commission, will also get 107,000 cubic metres of ''long-term wood supply.''
Stevenson said Campbell played a critical leadership role.
''This would not have been achieved if it weren't for premier Campbell.''
Roughly one-third of band members live on the Fort George reserve near Shelley, about 20 kilometres northeast of Prince George. The rest live in Prince George, where the band will own 1,000 hectares of unoccupied Crown land.
The self-government accord will give the band control of a variety of social services and education up to Grade 12, Stevenson said.
Vancouver Sun
Maybe instead of celebrating we should be asking why it takes over a decade to conclude one set of talks!!!
_____________________
Peter O'Neil, CanWest News Service; Vancouver SunPublished: Wednesday, August 02, 2006
OTTAWA - Federal, provincial and aboriginal negotiators have concluded what would be the first final agreement under the costly 13-year B.C. treaty process.
"It's quite historic," said Mark Stevenson, chief negotiator for the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation, a 312-person community living in and around Prince George, B.C.
If the deal is formally endorsed by the governments of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, the community will get $27 million up front, $400,000 a year over 50 years, 4,330 hectares of land, fishing and logging rights, and a constitutionally protected system of self-government, according to the B.C. Treaty Commission.
Jody Wilson, acting chief of the treaty commission, said the $47-million deal marks a ''new chapter'' in the relationship between governments and B.C. First Nations.
''This agreement is an important milestone in our B.C. treaty process, one that we have been struggling towards for 13 years,'' she said in a prepared statement.
The Lheidli T'enneh First Nation struck an agreement-in-principle (AIP) with the federal and B.C. governments in 2003, and is one of six in the province with completed AIPs.
The 2003 deal called for $12.8 million in cash for the band, far less than the final tally.
The only modern comprehensive treaty involving B.C. bands was the 1999 Nisga'a accord, though that deal was negotiated outside the B.C. treaty process.
The old Reform party, which Harper helped create in the late 1980s with Preston Manning, vehemently opposed the Nisga'a deal in Parliament. MPs argued at the time that the deal gave First Nations special rights that violated the principle that all Canadians are equal.
The Harper government has been harshly criticized by Campbell, other premiers, and federal opposition MPs for killing the $5 billion 2005 Kelowna accord that was intended to dramatically improve the lives of aboriginal Canadians.
Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice has stressed the government is looking for practical measures to improve the social and economic standing of First Nation communities. However, Harper rattled native leaders recently by saying he would end so-called ''race-based'' commercial fishing rights, since fishing agreements are a key component of many treaty talks.
The Lheidli T'enneh fish deal allocates up to 10,000 sockeye annually to the band for ''food, social and ceremonial'' purposes and another 6,000 for commercial sale. Stevenson stressed that the fishing agreement is a side deal outside the treaty and isn't constitutionally protected.
He added that the band's commercial fishery won't take place unless there is a concurrent commercial opening for other fishermen.
The band, according to the treaty commission, will also get 107,000 cubic metres of ''long-term wood supply.''
Stevenson said Campbell played a critical leadership role.
''This would not have been achieved if it weren't for premier Campbell.''
Roughly one-third of band members live on the Fort George reserve near Shelley, about 20 kilometres northeast of Prince George. The rest live in Prince George, where the band will own 1,000 hectares of unoccupied Crown land.
The self-government accord will give the band control of a variety of social services and education up to Grade 12, Stevenson said.
Vancouver Sun
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
A little background
I am currently living on Salish Territory, but am Wei Wai Kai from Cape Mudge.
I have that there is a lack of space for an Indigenous woman to say what she thinks, feels and sees in the world. This blog is meant to be a space where I can comment on what I see around me, and hopefully hear comments back on what I write.
More information about my home:
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/pacificfisheries/collect/km/km2.html
http://www.quadraisland.ca/about_quadra_island/capemudge.html
I have that there is a lack of space for an Indigenous woman to say what she thinks, feels and sees in the world. This blog is meant to be a space where I can comment on what I see around me, and hopefully hear comments back on what I write.
More information about my home:
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/pacificfisheries/collect/km/km2.html
http://www.quadraisland.ca/about_quadra_island/capemudge.html
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
Today, August 9th, is World Indigenous People's Day. And while I would like to say that this day is being acknowledge, that we are making great strides toward reconciliation, that would be garbage, and garbage does nothing but cause clutter. This site is meant to be a place to clear my mind, and share some thoughts about Indigenous Rights (or lack there of), Political statements, news, pretty much anything that I feel the urge to comment on. Some of it will be funny, some upsetting, but everything I right will be as honest as I can manage. If at any time you find errors in the news that I bring up, let me know.
<-- Picture taken at Nk'Mip Cultural Centre
<-- Picture taken at Nk'Mip Cultural Centre
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