'Idle No More'

[Voyageur]

Not sure if people are aware that the native people in Canada have had enough and have started a grass roots movement outside the scope of the national committee and are staging protests across the lands. The movement is called "Idle No More". More serious at this moment is the plight of Chief Theresa Spence who is on the 11day of a hunger strike on Parliament Hill in her teepee. She is from a Northern Ontario community that was in the news more than a year ago.

At this time, the government feels that they have been negotiating in good faith, yet history tells us of the reality of negotiations. For her now, the Prime Minister will not talk, as are others in the government. Natives around the country are in an understandable rage at the prospects of the Chief dying, the lies and Treaty inactions from government and they are refusing to back down in this:

Frustrated with a lack of consultation on treaty problems and seemingly unilateral federal government decisions on natural resources and the environment, indigenous peoples are suddenly saying they will no longer sit idly by while these things are being pushed through.

In the spirit of preserving what we have always seen as a sacred tie to the land, and strengthening our culture, First Nations people across the country are banding together like never before.

_http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/12/20/f-vp-rice-idle-no-more.html

There is a link to a petition for Chief Theresa Spence directed to the the Harper government quoted and linked below.

Chief Theresa Spence - help end her Hunger Strike[/b]]Chief Theresa Spence began a hunger strike on 11/12/12 - 1 yr after a state of emergency was declared on her reservation. We are talking about Canada & about people who are living with no access to clean water or shelter in winter - even the UN declared Aboriginals are being denied their inherent rights. Chief Spence wrote an open letter to PM Harper demanding a meeting, but to no avail. All while she sits starving in a teepee a ten minute walk from the Canadian Parliament Buildings. Open letters have been written urging Harper to meet with Chief Spence, including but not limited to Canadian Postal Workers Union; The Canadian Auto Workers Union; The Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union; & OFL. Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Alteo & Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Derek Nepinak have spoken out quite clearly in support of her & 2 others have joined in solidarity - Elder of the Cross Lake First Nation Raymond Robinson 51 & 72 year old Cree Emil Bell.
This is dire, Chief Spence takes only 1 glass of water morning & night. This woman has vowed to die for her cause - please help get her message to PM Harper in time. Don't let her die unheard.

_http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Chief_Theresa_Spence_help_end_her_Hunger_Strike/?tucfJab

 

[HiThere]

I hadn't heard of this, thank you for the link. Shared on FB.

 

[Meager1]

This protest is growing very quickly and steadily.

John Trudel and others are gathering support in the U.S. and a lot of the larger tribes are sending people or trying to send people over there, but the borders have been turning people back and not allowing natives from the U.S to get there, or so we are being told.

There is support from across the globe, from Egypt to England, already.

Neither one of the major corporations, that is, Canada or the U.S, have any right to change a Treaty as most originated between the Kings and Queens of France and England, who are the corporate heads ( owners) of both Canada and the U.S.

Native people were guaranteed a fair share of all the "profits" from the steady rape of the resources, but this has always been held in (trust) and the native people live and die in terrible poverty. The "fair share" has never been given.

It was only the Treaties and the native people, that have stood in the way of the complete and total destruction of all the forests, lakes, and other resources that are being leveled and destroyed on a daily basis all across both of these "corporations".

If Chief Spence should die of starvation, the war drums will follow, no doubt.

It is sure to be a huge mess as there would probably be Boston "tea party" pretenders doing horrible things and blaming it on indian people, though I don`t doubt that the people themselves will be hard to hold back..and even though the plan is to remain non violent, these things can get out of hand fairly quickly and unexpectedly.

I just watched this one last night.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMW_9zLcjKg&feature=youtu.be

 

[Meager1]

Maybe this explains it better then I did.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48QcaqBo5g8

 

[Meager1]

Thank you Russia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEvM1G9ddQ

 

[Voyageur]

Thank you Russia!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEvM1G9ddQ

Yes, thank you all from across the world!

There are no people not suffering in any corner of the world, yet from the new world, these people represent possibly very old spiritual peoples, they are Palestinians, they are Siberian herders, they are us in the mirror, they represent every conscious human on this planet, and their oppression is a large open ugly wound.

"We are tired of having the boot put to our head," Algonquin Chief Gilbert Whiteduck told the gathering beneath the Peace Tower under a steady barrage of snow.

"We want the government of Canada to come to the table in a spirit of unconditional openness and transparency."

_http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/12/21/pol-idle-no-more-aboriginal-protests.html


There is no spirit in government, it seemed to have left with the death of the few who tried to give it the breathe of change; it now resembles a hollow mirage.

 

[bngenoh]

Definitely something worth keeping an eye on. The chances of it being co-opted are great, but there is definitely "something in the air" in this eclipse which has lasted millennia.

But it would be fitting, wouldn't it? for the relatively indigenous population to reassert themselves, rejecting the slavery that is offered by the colonists and their descendants.

 

[Ripred]

It would be fitting bngenoh and ironically the best (albeit, slim) chance we've had here to get attention to what is going on here for everyone.

 

[Voyageur]

From 'Idle No More'

_http://www.idlenomore.com/

Watched this morning Dr. Pamela Palmater's presentation from Carlton University, which can be accessed from the above link or directly here:

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2W0LQ_TE5Gg

The presentation seems to have been filmed in September of this year and highlights a multitude of historical aspects, many related to threads here, such as the "Residential Schools" etc.

It would be fitting bngenoh and ironically the best (albeit, slim) chance we've had here to get attention to what is going on here for everyone.

Seems to me, as you've said, this is going on for everyone, everywhere, in various degrees, and if these people are ignored as is the statuesque, it is the same for the rest, yet many have not come to realize it yet.

Here is the background for the presentation listed above:

Pamela Palmater Crown-Indigenous Relations in Canada: Where do WE Start

Dr. Pamela D. Palmater is a Mi'kmaw citizen and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick. She is a mother of two boys, Mitchell and Jeremy ages 20 and 18 and comes from a large family of 8 sisters and 3 brothers. She has been a practicing lawyer for 14 years and she holds the position of Associate Professor and Chair in Indigenous Governance in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, and heads the Centre for Indigenous Govern
ance at Ryerson University.

She completed her Doctorate in the Science of Law (JSD) in Aboriginal Law at Dalhousie University Law School in 2009. In addition, she holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Aboriginal Law, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with an award in environmental and natural resources law, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a double major in Native Studies and History. Her Masters thesis focused on the Aboriginal and treaty right to cross the Canada-US border, while her doctoral thesis focused on the Indian Act's registration and band membership provisions.

Pam has been working and volunteering in the area of First Nations issues for over 25 years. She has diverse experience working with a wide range of social and legal issues facing First Nations, like off-reserve First Nation housing, child and family services, as well as treaty rights, education and legislation impacting First Nations. She has worked with both individual First Nations and First Nations organizations delivering information sessions, training and related presentations. As a result, she has been nominated for several prestigious awards, and most recently awarded the 2012 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Social Justice.

She also has diverse professional experience which has given her critical insight into law and policy impacting First Nations. She has worked as a senior Director at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in the areas of treaties, land claims and self-government and as legal counsel at Justice Canada on First Nation issues. She has also worked as an investigator at the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission dealing with human rights complaints. This legal experience has given her a unique insight into federal and provincial policy development, mandates, priorities and strategies with regards to First Nations. She recently ran in the election for National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Pam's area of expertise is in Indigenous law, politics, and governance. She has been researching and writing on issues impacting First Nations governance. Her book, Beyond Blood: Rethinking Indigenous Identity, considers the legal, political and social problems of federal-imposed Indian registration with regards to band membership and self-government citizenship. She has also published in the areas of Aboriginal and treaty rights, legislation and law-making, First Nation education, poverty and politics. Her most recent contribution was the report entitled: Our Children, Our Future, Our Vision: First Nation Jurisdiction over First Nation Education for the Chiefs of Ontario in response to the National Panel on Education.

Pam also engages with Canadian society on these issues by speaking and delivering training sessions to unions, churches, universities, high schools, governments and businesses with a view to educating the public about the historical context and facts behind the inaccurate myths and stereotypes impacting First Nation and Canadian relations. She is known for her focus on fact-based discussions and debate and acts as a frequent political commentator for APTN National News, InFocus, CTV, CBC and other media outlets.

For further information about Pam, please consult her website: _www.indigenousnationhood.com

---

*NOTE - At 35:35 minutes, where Pamela Palmater says "Bruce Carson, Stephen Harper and all of his other friends decided to form a water company... still ongoing", she left out a few words in error and meant to say "Bruce Carson and friends of Stephen Harper's government allegedly decided to form a water company... but the investigation is still ongoing". See various media reports for more detailed information, like "Ex-Harper adviser Bruce Carson charged with influence peddling" (July 27, 2012) online: _http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1232885--former-adviser-to-stephen...

—

This event was brought to you by the Graduate Students' Association, Centre for Aboriginal Culture and Education & Aboriginal Service Centre, at Carleton University.

 

[Ripred]

What I find to be exciting about this movement is it has the chance to create a little ping in the thick fog swirling around in most non indigenous brains. Through the personal story element of the Chief's fasting and the fact that it is First Nations leading the charge AND sadly, possibily because it is getting international attention? Canadians don't like it when they look bad in the world so this is a good thing.
It's great you posted about this Voyageur and I appreciate all the links and info from you and Meager. LeadNow and Idle No More and all the groups are coming together and maybe this will be the thing that really can cement a movement together. It's so bleak it's hard to feel much hope but it's the best we've seen.

The Manifesto of IdleNoMore spells it out nicely... particularly this part...

Currently, this government is trying to pass many laws so that reserve lands can also be bought and sold by big companies to get profit from resources. They are promising to share this time…Why would these promises be different from past promises? We will be left with nothing but poisoned water, land and air. This is an attempt to take away sovereignty and the inherent right to land and resources from First Nations peoples.

MANIFESTO
We contend that:
The Treaties are nation to nation agreements between First Nations and the Crown who are sovereign nations. The Treaties are agreements that cannot be altered or broken by one side of the two Nations. The spirit and intent of the Treaty agreements meant that First Nations peoples would share the land, but retain their inherent rights to lands and resources. Instead, First Nations have experienced a history of colonization which has resulted in outstanding land claims, lack of resources and unequal funding for services such as education and housing.
We contend that:
Canada has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world by using the land and resources. Canadian mining, logging, oil and fishing companies are the most powerful in the world due to land and resources. Some of the poorest First Nations communities (such as Attawapiskat) have mines or other developments on their land but do not get a share o...
f the profit. The taking of resources has left many lands and waters poisoned – the animals and plants are dying in many areas in Canada. We cannot live without the land and water. We have laws older than this colonial government about how to live with the land.
We contend that:
Currently, this government is trying to pass many laws so that reserve lands can also be bought and sold by big companies to get profit from resources. They are promising to share this time…Why would these promises be different from past promises? We will be left with nothing but poisoned water, land and air. This is an attempt to take away sovereignty and the inherent right to land and resources from First Nations peoples.
We contend that:
There are many examples of other countries moving towards sustainability, and we must demand sustainable development as well. We believe in healthy, just, equitable and sustainable communities and have a vision and plan of how to build them.
Please join us in creating this vision.

 

[Meager1]

Through the personal story element of the Chief's fasting and the fact that it is First Nations leading the charge AND sadly, possibily because it is getting international attention? Canadians don't like it when they look bad in the world so this is a good thing.

A message via Susan Logan:

Chief Theresa Spence has requested that all First Nation Traditional Women Healers come to attend Her now .. She has also requested the Wife of steve harper to attend..Can You Please put the word out..take your Tobacco offerings and request that this is so .. can you also arrange for Transportation, assistance from Unions, Churches, Native Organizations .. There is very little time .. This is the 13th Day .. May the Creator Bless Her and give Her the needed Strength to go on a while more .. Honored Woman ...


Trouble coming.

Thankfully the women are in charge of Idle no More, the women formed it and the women will control it.
At least for now.

 

[Meager1]

I just finished that last post and a new one came saying not to worry that the Chief is fine..I don`t know, 13 days on nothing but a glass of water a day?

 

[Ripred]

It's great that this group was started by women.

yes I saw that update too.
from her twitter account: "Chief wants you all to know she is FINE. Please do not circulate rumors that she is sick. She is healthy and feeling strong! - Angela"

It's hard to imagine how she is managing to be fine.

 

[Meager1]

I have decided to join the women of INM in the hunger strike.

I will have only bone broth and water until the chief eats.

 

[truth seeker]

I have decided to join the women of INM in the hunger strike.

I will have only bone broth and water until the chief eats.

While I completely understand your desire to show support for INM, I'm just curious (and perhaps a bit concerned for your health) if this is the best way to do it?