Idle No More

[blake 3:17]

Idle No More protest draws 1,000 supporters to London park


Chippewa First Nation members Lucy Riley (left) and Chelsea Kennedy, both 20, say their treaty-guaranteed right to a post-secondary education has been stolen by the Harper government.
London Community News
by Craig Gilbert

Standing among hundreds of protestors in Ivey Park Wednesday afternoon (Dec. 19), Chelsea Kennedy said the Harper government has stolen her right to a post-secondary education.
The 20-year-old marched on Highway 401 down Wellington Road and then Dundas Street with her “best friend since daycare,” Lucy Riley, as part of the Idle No More rally against the omnibus budget bill C-45.
The Idle No More movement is calling for a new conversation on First Nations treaty rights.
Both women are members of the Chippewa First Nation. Kennedy said she wants to study early child education and become a teacher, but cutbacks to post-secondary funding for First Nations students initiated four years ago have deprived her of that opportunity.
“I deserve to go to school,” she said. “I was told all my life I would be able to go and now I can’t. If we don’t protest, who will?”
The rally started at about 10 a.m. when a caravan of vehicles travelled from a hotel on Colonel Talbot Road east on the 401 to Wellington Road, essentially halting traffic for over an hour.

With a London police escort, the protestors marched down Dundas Street and assembled in Ivey Park.

What is now called Ivey Park at the fork of the Thames River in downtown London is a historically significant place for the seven First Nations in southwestern Ontario. According to Raymond Deleary, a member of the Idle No More organizing team, it’s where the chiefs of the Chippewa Nation met with the British Crown for “nation-to-nation treaty discussions” in the late 1790s.

“I estimate it was about 1,000 people that showed up here,” he said of Wednesday's protest. “It was great — when you looked back from a high point on Wellington Road and you could see the sea of people and the convoy of vehicles coming up, we knew that this was a real show.”

The rally at the park saw several speakers, most chiefs and former chiefs, calling on the crowd to fight against what they perceive as continued attempts by the federal government and Prime Minister Stephen Harper specifically to “extinguish” their cultural identity and inherit treaty rights. Several protestors carried posters with an effigy of Harper, many saying the Conservative leader sucks buffalo genitalia.

According to Oneida man Lo:T^T, who spoke wearing full traditional garb, the rally had representatives from all of southwestern Ontario’s seven First Nations.

“We didn’t expect this to happen but Harper is trying to push things through without us noticing,” he told London Community News when the rally dispersed shortly before 3 p.m. “He wants us to assimilate; he thinks that Canada is this cultural melting pot. He wants us to become Canadian citizens, but we are not. We have our own language and culture.”

He told the crowd of a lesson his grandfather taught him. He said the elder told him to never call himself an “Indian,” or even “First Nations.”

“He told me those are their words for us,” Lo:T^T said. “He said our word for ourselves is Ukwehu:we, which means “original people. This is the place we were put when we were created. We didn’t come from anywhere else. We didn’t cross a land bridge.

“There is a plan going on here that’s a lot bigger than Canada.”

The London rally followed a 500-person flash mob in Regina on Monday, and a rally in Edmonton Tuesday night (Dec. 18). A one-day hunger strike is planned for Thursday (Dec. 20) in Kitchener, while other rallies are to take place in Toronto, Los Angeles and London, UK on Friday (Dec. 21).

Meanwhile, Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence is on a hunger strike in Ottawa in hopes of meeting the prime minister. Mentioned numerous times during the London rally, she has been on the strike for nine days as of Dec. 19.

To see more photos from the protest, go to www.londoncommunitynews.com/photogallery/1488472.

[blake 3:17]

‘Idle No More’ movement grows beyond a single hunger strike

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence’s plan to starve herself until she gets a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper is rounding through its second week without an end in sight.
However the First Nations leader’s hunger strike is just the tip of a mountain of discontent growing in Canada, as members of aboriginal communities coast-to-coast rise up and demand to be heard. Elders in Manitoba and Saskatchewan have joined Spence in her campaign.
But more than that, an informal campaign to have the voice of First Nations heard in Ottawa has grown into a nation-wide movement.
The group Idle No More, borne at a kitchen table in Saskatoon, has organized more than a dozen protests and rallies across the country.

Hundreds of supporters have gathered at shopping centres and along highways everywhere from Toronto and Winnipeg to Vancouver and Whitehorse.
The push will grow even larger on Friday, when protests are held outside the Canadian embassy in Los Angeles and the consulate in San Francisco, as well as on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, where thousands are expected to gather.
Idle No More stems from outrage at Bill C-45, an omnibus budget plan that, among other things, is being accused of weakening environmental protection and Indian reserve land rights.
First Nations chiefs are upset that such changes would be pushed forward without input from the aboriginal community. So are Jessica Gordon, Sheelah McLean, Sylvia McAdams and Nina Wilson – the four Saskatchewan women who sparked the Idle No More movement.
Gordon told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix the name started out as a motivational slogan:
We thought it would just be a planning group and we titled the page Idle No More as a way to get our butts off the couch to work on this.
Since then, the movement has grown through word of mouth and on Twitter, and rallies have been planned through Facebook. Leaders including NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations have weighed in, urging Harper to meet with Spence.
So far, no luck. But Spence is expected to appear at Friday’s rally in Ottawa, raising the hope that something may be arranged.

A mere meeting might end her hunger strike, but at this point it likely won’t end the Idle No More movement.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/idle-no-more-movement-grows-beyond-single-hunger-220638876.html

[teflon_john]

i've been trying to research the specifics of C-45 with little success. what are the actual amendments is it proposing to the Indian Act?

idlenomore.com links directly to the bill but like, i'm a big dummy and need this shit in layman's terms.

[The Idler]

I don't like the stigmatising of being idle.

[The Intransigent Faction]

i've been trying to research the specifics of C-45 with little success. what are the actual amendments is it proposing to the Indian Act?

idlenomore.com links directly to the bill but like, i'm a big dummy and need this shit in layman's terms.

Long story short it's yet another attack on the environment by the Harper regime. On December 4th, Canada had millions of protected rivers/lakes, but after this bill there are only 82. What this means is that a lot of the environmental legal hurdles and oversight to projects like the Enbridge Pipeline are being removed.

Here's a good page to start with: http://www.ecojustice.ca/blog/breaking-down-yet-another-attack-on-canadas-environmental-laws

There's also a general frustration among First Nations' communities over the lack of consultation on things like this Bill which impact them especially.

So essentially this Bill undermines land sovereignty and other treaty rights of First Nations communities and they weren't even consulted on it. I don't know any of the specific legal details or anything but that's what I've gathered.

[blake 3:17]

i've been trying to research the specifics of C-45 with little success. what are the actual amendments is it proposing to the Indian Act?

idlenomore.com links directly to the bill but like, i'm a big dummy and need this shit in layman's terms.


It is completely crazy legislation -- it's a giant bill on hundreds of unrelated issues.

The main issue is giving more control to the Federal government over issues of land and resource control on reserves and the ability of the Feds to interfere politically with reserves.

[blake 3:17]

A call out for international action January 5:


We are calling for ALL border crossings to be shut down on January the 5th 2013 to show the government that we are willing to escalate this to a point where we shut down the country.

The reason Turtle Island Movement has called for a peaceful blockade of the borders in Canada is in solidarity of the idle no more movements happening all across Canada & America...currently the harper government is pushing bills through senate that effect not only the First Nations but also canadian citizens.

#IdleNoMore
#ChiefTheresaSpence

The general idea is to accomplish world wide attention to the injustices happening to the First Nations & citizens of Canada - while also effecting the canadian governments economy.

We humbly ask you to share the event & spread the word of our peaceful gathering.


For more info please contact: Steven Kakinoosit Danita Nez or Krazie Nish (on Facebook)

If you're near a Canadian border, consulate or embassy, please come out on the 5th.

Idle No More is smashing the complacent consensus on Native Peoples in Canada -- please be part of the fight back internationally.

I'll post more details here and elsewhere -- for folks overseas an electronic picket line would be appreciated.

[blake 3:17]

From one organizer: "‎-- We are asking that this message be shared all over - we want to have peaceful blockades all over Canada - shut down borders, ship yards, railroads, airports etc - The goal is to send a message to pm harper that we are not going to continue to be silent!

This is in solidarity with idle no more movements taking place all over turtle island & also Chief Theresa Spence's fast.

Create an event page - Let us know what else is going to happen on Jan5th - we need to continue moving forward - United!

Enough is Enough - Young Warriors Rise Up!"

[blake 3:17]

Chelsea Vowel: No, things are not getting better for Canadian natives



Chelsea Vowel, Special to National Post
Monday, Dec. 24, 2012

Picture this. You and I are sitting at my local laundromat slash fair trade café, and while you warily wait for me to get my first caffeine fix of the day, you lean in and prepare to ask the question that’s been on your mind since you first read the hyperbolic headline, “[external] Native Leaders Try to Burst Into Chambers in Ottawa, Held Back By Guards.” Licking your lips nervously, you spit it out. The question. Not this fantastic espresso.

So what’s got you all upset this time?
While I savor what has got to be the most widespread addiction in the world by now, I wonder how it is you and I ended up hanging out in the first place, but hey, it’s an honest question. If you strive to be a bit more tactful, I’ll strive not to move beyond visualising punching you in the throat, okay?

Although thousands of indigenous people all over Canada rallied together under the banner of [external] Idle No More on December 10th, there has been very little media coverage on the movement. Most of what is being said in the mainstream media is focused on [external] Bill C-45. I’d like to make it clear…they’re getting it wrong.

Attawapsikat still lacks desperately needed housing units, a year after the crisis was declared. Rather than deal with the situation in good faith, the Canadian government has continued to blame Chief Theresa Spence who is now taking drastic measures to open an honest dialogue.

[external] Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat did not launch a hunger strike over a single piece of legislation. The women who are planning on supporting her in a nationwide fast, in relay, are not doing this because of a single piece of legislation. Canada, this is not just about Bill C-45.

Then what? What is the problem?
I’m going to go to the [external] Idle No More page and click on “Manifesto”. I think it’s important you read this in its entirety rather than just have me excerpt it for you:

We contend that:

The Treaties are nation to nation agreements between Canada and First Nations 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.

The #IdleNoMore hashtag on twitter has been an amazing source of information on the nationwide rallies, and the further efforts of indigenous peoples to organise a sustainable grassroots movement.

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 of 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.

In short, this is what we have always been talking about. Whether the particular focus has been on housing, or education or the environment, or whatever else. What lies at the heart of all these issues is our relationship with Canada. And Canada? This relationship is abusive.

I don’t get it, I thought things were getting better?
You’re right, you don’t get it. Things are not getting better. In fact, many of us feel that things are getting worse. Many of us feel that the reason things aren’t getting any better, is because Canada has forgotten it is a Treaty nation too.

When the relationship between indigenous peoples and Europeans first began here, we had a relationship based on [external] Treaties of Peace and Friendship. As indigenous peoples understand this relationship, it is one that should work to the mutual benefit of all involved. That relationship quickly became overshadowed by one more focused on [external] extinguishing (getting rid of) aboriginal rights, particularly as they relate to the land. I am not speaking about events hundreds of years ago. I am telling you that Canada continues to focus on [external] stripping away all of our rights and land while at the same time telling the world that it is doing the opposite.

[external] In this document (PDF) Canada clearly lays out its interests in any negotiations it enters into with indigenous people. The term ‘certainty’ has replaced ‘termination’, but the intent is still the same.

I can go find dismal statistics on pretty much any aspect of life for indigenous peoples in this country; trot them all out and say, ‘look it’s really bad’ and you will nod and say, ‘wow it sure is’, but that still won’t make it clear for you. I need you – WE need you, to see the forest and not just the trees.

I’m really sorry, I just…I don’t understand what the issues are?
[external] Aaron Paquette does a wonderful job of highlighting why this is not just about indigenous peoples. It is about everyone living in Canada:

This is much greater than angry protesting natives, this is about becoming aware of the world in which you live.

First they gutted the sciences, long term studies that would help us understand our ecosystem better so we could develop more responsibly, and no one said a word.

Then they cut funding for our shared history and those who work to preserve it, while at the same time dumping tens of millions of dollars into celebrating a British colony war that happened before we were even a country, and still no one said anything.

Then the world was made aware of the shameful conditions for small children growing up on underfunded, polluted Reservations. A small murmur and then nothing.

And now, because of the apathy they see, this government has taken galling steps to sell out our wilderness, our resources and sovereignty. And not even to the highest bidder. It’s a yard sale with no regard for responsibility or care for anyone who might be negatively affected (in other words, all of us).

From millions of protected waterways a couple weeks ago, we now have hundreds. Yes, you read that right.

So why are Canada’s Indigenous Peoples the only ones who are standing up? Why are they now the World’s Protectors?

What are the issues? The issues are many. The issues are [external] well documented. The issues have been studied and researched and reported on ad nauseum until we have literally filled libraries with the issues and the recommendations and words words words…

What it all boils down to is this. Canada has not committed itself to addressing the colonial relationship it still has with indigenous peoples. Canada is in denial about that relationship. I think it’s fair to say that most Canadians believe that kind of relationship no longer exists. We are trying to tell you that you are wrong.

So what now, more talks?
Contrary to popular perception, indigenous peoples are not just about blockades and protests. We have engaged in every dialogue Canada has been willing to enter into since before Canada was even a nation. When the requirements changed, often arbitrarily, we complied. When Canada pulled out of the structures it built, dumping years of work down the tubes only to decide to set up a different structure and begin again, we were there, at the table, ready to do it over.

We will not let Canada forget it is a Treaty nation. All Canadians are a Treaty people.

This has gone on for too long. The Canadian government continues to mouth platitudes about its supposed dedication to this relationship, while it slashes funding, ignores our emergencies, pulls out of comprehensive land claim discussions, ‘consults’ with us and then ignores everything we told them, all while pursuing a hard-line agenda which accepts only termination as a result.

We have been backed into a corner and we are literally fighting for our lives. We are literally dying, in so many preventable and unacceptable ways. I’m not being poetic or hyperbolic here and I don’t just mean culturally.

We are dying.

No one should expect us to stay quiet or polite about this. We have done what has been asked, we have played along to the constantly changing rules. It hasn’t worked. It hasn’t saved us. Idle No More is about saving ourselves.

We will continue to talk, and meet, and submit hundreds of thousands of reports each year…but we will also rise. We are rising. You will find that you have many issues in common with us, as Aaron pointed out. This is not us against you. This is hopefully all of us. Together.

Let’s move past chats in cafés, okay?

National Post

Chelsea Vowel is Métis from the Plains Cree speaking community of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. She currently lives in Montreal, Quebec. She holds a BEd, an LLB and is working on a Bachelor of Civil Law.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Speaking of young warriors - some critical perspective from Gord Hill (http://warriorpublications.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/indian-act-chiefs-and-idle-no-more-snakes-in-the-grassroots/).

[blake 3:17]

@VMC -- Are you supporting Idle No More, but also calling for the end of corruption at the the AFN and band level?

[cynicles]

We go after the PA for collaborating, we should be going after the chief apples as well.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

@VMC -- Are you supporting Idle No More, but also calling for the end of corruption at the the AFN and band level?

Sorry, I appreciate the opportunity to clarify. I do support Idle No More, and, though I've been traveling, I do plan to actively involve myself as soon as I'm home.

I'm particularly excited about the January 5th border blockades, and hope that it's indicative of a ramping up of disruption.

As for "calling for the end of corruption", I'm not entirely sure how to negotiate that sort of thing. Like, as a settler, it probably isn't my place to muddle in the governance of indigenous communities. That said, I would say that I'm interested in working with "the grassroots", and trying to take direction from folk whose struggles seem most oriented toward autonomy, rather than collaboration with the Canadian state.

I confess, I'm relatively new to this, and still have a lot to learn before I can really say much. Hence posting Gord Hill instead of just spouting off my opinion.

[blake 3:17]

Thanks for clarifying VMC.

@cynicles -- I don't know that that's the best way to go. Could be depending on circumstance. While we always want a strong moral leadership from the oppressed and exploited, that places an extra onus on folks facing many difficulties. The level of corruption in the native and labour leaderships is way smaller than the corruption in the general public sector or in private industry.

Part of the bill that Idle No More is fighting against is about over regulation by the federal government in both native reserves and in the labour movement. I'm very much in favour of an open book policy on most institution but when the scrutiny only goes one way...


Idle No More Sees Multiple Flash Mobs and Round Dances Today
ICTMN STAFF
December 29, 2012


As the Idle No More movement continues to grow from Canada throughout the United States and into other countries around the world, flash mobs and Round Dances are springing up all over. Today, December 29, sees multiple events around the country, below is a list of some of them:

Destiny U.S.A. mall, Syracuse, New York at 6 p.m.

This will be a peaceful Round Dance Flash Mob in solidarity with the Idle No More movement held in the lower level by the Finish Line store. The even is being put together by Haudenosaunee, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, and other local Indigenous Peoples and supporters.

Yuma Palms Regional Center, Yuma, Arizona at 5 p.m.

A planned flash mob of singers and dancers will be gathering in front of Harkins Theatres for four songs, followed by a Spirit Run back to the Kwatsan Rez. Traditional dresses and ribbon shirts are encouraged.

Cherry Creek Mall, Denver, Colorado at 2 p.m.

This is a planned flash mob and Round Dance in support of Chief Theresa Spence’s ongoing hunger strike in Canada.

And another one coming up:

Canadian Embassy, Washington, D.C. at 3 p.m. on December 31

This is a Round Dance being held in the courtyard to show the Canadian Government that the First Nations peoples in Canada have support and solidarity in the United States. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring hand drums, rattles, signs, songs, dancing shoes, friends and family.

To see if a flash mob or Round Dance is happening near you, or if interested in starting one and showing support visit the Idle No More website; also follow its blog and use hashtag #idlenomore on Twitter. For other details follow the Occupy Canada Facebook page, which has a Google Map of all the Idle No More events that have happened or are planned. If you know of an Idle No More event, or attended one and have photos e-mail Indian Country Today Media Network at [email protected]

http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/article/idle-no-more-sees-multiple-flash-mobs-and-round-dances-today-146630

[cynicles]

Their corruptions has always been an impediment to movements both by betraying the people they're supposed to represent and other first nations groups. The problem only gets worse the more you ignore it, again I point to the PA and now more and more so Hamas.

On the plus side can you believe that this is the 2nd major movement in 1 year in Canada? First the Quebec Student Movement and now this. We have to start pushing for more especially with teachers on strike there is some definate huge potential for consciousness building.

[blake 3:17]

Their corruptions has always been an impediment to movements both by betraying the people they're supposed to represent and other first nations groups. The problem only gets worse the more you ignore it, again I point to the PA and now more and more so Hamas.

On the plus side can you believe that this is the 2nd major movement in 1 year in Canada? First the Quebec Student Movement and now this. We have to start pushing for more especially with teachers on strike there is some definate huge potential for consciousness building.

There are a number of major crises hitting folks in the Canadian state. Manufacturing has totally tanked, the only economic plan the ruling class has one of resource extraction in the dirtiest scummiest anti-worker anti-aboriginal anti-environmental ways possible, the public sector keeps getting effed over, household debt is at an all time high, and the "official" movements are essentially impotent in the face of all this.

The Ontario teachers have been pathetic in the face of 115, but the whole labour movement is split.

Anyways...


Idle No More protests beyond control of chiefs
JAMES BRADSHAW AND SHAWN MCCARTHY
TORONTO and OTTAWA — The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Jan. 01 2013, 10:47 PM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Jan. 01 2013, 10:50 PM EST

The Idle No More movement is broadening into a call to shake off apathy, absorbing a range of issues from aboriginal rights and environmental safeguards to the democratic process. And as it swells, organizers are warning first nations leaders that the movement will not be corralled by aboriginal politicians even as the country’s chiefs look to use the protests’ momentum to press Ottawa on treaty rights and improved living standards.
...

“While we appreciate the leadership’s support of Idle No More, they cannot take the lead on this,” said Sylvia McAdam, one of the founders, who lives on the White Fish Lake reserve in Saskatchewan. “Our voice as a grassroots people is about sovereignty, honouring the treaties, and sustainable, environmentally friendly ways to extract resources.”

Ms. McAdam said the elected chiefs are forced to operate under the Indian Act. “Their voice is restricted,” she said.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/idle-no-more-protests-beyond-control-of-chiefs/article6841419/?cmpid=rss1

[blake 3:17]

The link here is to Google maps made by the author of the piece below: http://tinyurl.com/a2978fw Or follow the link at the end of the article.


Idle No More May Have Economic Impact on Canada


BY TIM GROVES



Idle No More has led to over 20 blockades of rail lines and roads, as well as traffic slow downs across the country, and the number may drastically increase in coming weeks.

On January 1, APTN reported that First Nations chiefs are contemplating a plan to set "Jan. 16 as the day to launch a campaign of indefinite economic disruptions, including railway and highway blockades," should Prime Minister Stephen Harper not agree to meet with First Nations for nation to nation talks, a demand laid out by Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence. Chief Spence is currently on the 23rd day of her hunger strike.

Blockades and traffic slow downs have already taken place in every province except for PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador. Several have been single day events but others – such as the railway blockade in Pointe-a-la-Croix New Brunswick, by people from the Listuguj First Nation, and a blockade in Sarnia's Chemical Valley, by members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation – have carried on for longer periods.

An ongoing blockade of a logging road in Grassy Narrows started long before the Idle No More campaign began, and celebrated its tenth anniversary on Dec. 2, 2012.

In February 2012, CSIS documents acquired by researchers Jeffrey Monaghan and Kevin Walby, revealed that the almost 12 hour long blockades of a major railway and highway by members of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory in 2007 led to $100 million in economic damages. The blockades took place on June 29 2007 and were part of a National Day of Action called for by the Assembly of First Nations.

“The people are restless, they are saying enough is enough,” said one of the chiefs who spoke with APTN about the campaign of economic disruption that may be called for Jan. 16. “Economic impacts are imminent if there is no response.”

http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/idle-no-more-may-have-economic-impact-canada/15395

[cynicles]

I have no idea what you mean by 'official' movements but they need to be engaged with and pushed.

[blake 3:17]

By "official" I simply mean those representatives and supposedly representative organizations of oppressed and exploited people that are legally and/or institutionally recognized. So stuff like AFN, CLC, CFS -- sometimes they offer legitimate leadership, but more often are just conflict avoidant. It can make sense to work through some of these institutions, but it also makes sense to just do grassroots autonomous stuff not dependent on any bureaucracy. This is a tactical and strategic question but one that can be worried about too too much.

Anyways, HOLY POOP, apparently the Conservatives have barred the UN's expert on indigenous issues from Canada! The UN has been pushing an extremely moderate line, but it seems like the Tories can't deal with it.


CANADA DENIES SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES A VISA TO VISIT CANADA
Edmonton, Alberta, Treaty Six Territory, January 9, 2013 – “Today we have issued a letter to Prime
Minister Stephen Harper advising that it has come to the attention of the Treaty Six Chiefs that Special
Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues James Anaya has requested on three separate occasions a visa so that
he can visit Canada and he has been refused on every occasion,” stated Grand Chief Makinaw, of the
Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations.
He continued, “Canada has stated on numerous occasions in various UN meetings that Canada
cooperates with the international community. In the case of Indigenous Peoples, Canada appears to
have a less than cooperative approach.”
In his recent report given to the Human Rights Council in September 2012, Mr. Anaya made a country
report on Indigenous issues from around the world. He had three separate paragraphs on Canada. Two
of those paragraphs referred to the situation in Chief Spence’s Community.
As Chief Spence enters into the fifth week of a hunger strike, the international community is looking at
Canada and its response to the mounting crisis. “We urge Canada to permit the Special Rapporteur and
Independent Expert Alfred de Zayas who is working on the promotion of Democratic and Equitable
International order to make a joint visit and report to their respective bodies of the situation in Canada,”
concluded Chief Makinaw.
The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations represents the 18 First Nations in Treaty No. 6 Territory in
what is now known as the province of Alberta.
###
For further information please contact:
The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations: Ann Gladue-Buffalo
Phone: (780) 222-8976 Email: [email protected] www.treatysix.org

[Sasha]

greenpeace published memo's indicating that the harper government was acting on orders of the oil-industry, no surprise there but nice to see some proof; http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/what-the-oil-industry-wants-the-harper-govern/blog/43617/

[blake 3:17]

^^ Thanks! Everyone knows the Harper agenda, but the stuff is in the details. These insane omnibus bills which pack all this stuff together and then trying to get out of is incredibly hard. The breakdown of issues in the article is very helpful.

Edited to add: Apparently the Governor General will meet with First Nation leaders tomorrow. For those who don't know the GG is the Queen's representative in Canada -- Queen Elizabeth is our official head of state. In terms of First Nations people the British monarchy is actually very important constitutionally -- the Royals don't pay much attention to the whole thing -- but the basic legal issues have very very wide implications in terms of questions about rights to land, what constitutes ownership, etc.

If people here are looking for something on the underlying legal and philosophic issues I'd recommend Dale Turner's This is not a Peace Pipe Summary here: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=35637&local_base=GEN01-MCG02 I found it very very useful in developing an understanding around the Treaties, reserves, status and non-status Indians. One of the very deep ironies at play here is that the entire Red Power movement from the 1960s til Idle No More 2013 has been some kind of defense of the racist Indian Act, which most indigenous peoples oppose. The thing is -- the alternatives are way worse.

Another addition on the same lines as the addition above... Ten Books to Contextualize the Idle No More movement: http://leddy.uwindsor.ca/ten-books-contextualize-idle-no-more-movement

[skitty]

This might be helpful:

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

I'm happy to say that some of Chief Spence's representatives made it down here to the 40th parallel for a gathering 5 Jan. Drumming, singing, dancing, +/-80 people. I can see Idle No More spreading worldwide:).

[JoeySteel]

Article from The Marxist-Leninist Weekly on Friday's demonstrations, including report, and many pictures from the over 5,000 strong demonstration in Ottawa, from Quebec, other parts of Canada and around the world.

http://cpcml.ca/Tmlw2013/W43002.HTM



http://cpcml.ca/images2013/FirstNations/130111-Ottawa-FirstNationsParlHill-00.jpg
On January 11, as part of a series of actions held across Canada by First Nations and their allies, over 5,000 people took part in an inspiring day of action in Ottawa to demand the affirmation of First Nations' rights. People came from many First Nations from across Canada, joined by Canadians from all walks of life, including a delegation of United Steelworkers Local 1005 from Hamilton. The day was a high-spirited, powerful and moving expression of the fight in defence of hereditary, treaty and constitutional rights and against the violation of these rights by the Harper government, especially with omnibus Bills C-38 and C-45. It also demonstrated the resolve of First Nations people to establish a new nation-to-nation relationship involving Canada, the Crown and First Nations.

Continued in full article. All Canadians should support First Nations' just demands and affirmation of nationhood and understand the historic significance of what's happening.

[bcbm]

masked militants march in anti-pipeline protest (http://warriorpublications.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/masked-militants-march-in-anti-pipeline-protest/)

[Ele'ill]

http://pugetsoundanarchists.org/content/confrontational-anarchist-presence-vancouver-anti-pipelines-demo


Approximately 20 masked up black clad anarchist rebels created a defiant contingent within the 600 to 1000 person anti-pipelines demo organized by ‘Rising Tide’, on the evening of January 14th. This openly confrontational presence was maintained throughout most of the four-hour demo despite having an entourage of at least a couple dozen VPD’s Public Safety Unit (PSU) right from the onset. While many speakers addressed the crowd gathering at ‘Victory Square’ some of the “ninja’s” distributed a text (which is included below). Most of the demonstrator’s did not seem offended by the black masks and many were openly supportive. Of the few that vocalized criticism, most came around with warm exchanges when anarchists articulated the importance of expressing a fighting spirit if we are serious about stopping the pipelines and taking our lives back from the rich, making it clear that we’re not mindless thugs, but passionate revolutionaries.
The rally at Victory Square went on for about an hour and a half before the demo began to march. We were happy to here at least one speaker giving a shout out to the ‘Unis’tot’en Action Camp’ and their dedication to prevent Enbridge and all other pipelines from going through Wet’suwet’en territory (most urgently, the ‘Pacific Trail Pipeline’).
A contingent of indigenous women led the demonstration with drumming and singing as it winded through the streets to the Sheraton Wall Centre (a hotel complex in downtown Vancouver where the Enbridge hearings were occurring). During the march the small black bloc stayed tight within a barrier created with the help of three large banners. There were at least as many anarchists and other rebels scattered throughout the demo who wore masks and/or all black. And of course many of the non combatant people are as anarchists as well.
Once the demo reached the Sheraton Wall Center tensions mounted as the demo of at least 600 poured into the courtyard within the hotel complex, despite attempts by police to stop this surge. A large number of this crowd quickly faced off with the 40-50 PSU pigs who rapidly lined the entrance to the building where the hearings were taking place. Anarchists used banners and a black flag to obscure police surveillance. Others followed suit with their anti-pipelines picket signs. Fire works then exploded above the bloc.
For a short time it seemed possible for the crowd to overcome the police line and enter the building on mass. Then a demo organizer announced that we were at the wrong building the crowd then followed them across the courtyard to a building that was not protected by the police as the remained in their original formation. At this point, anarchists shot more fireworks into the night sky. Moods ran high, but the climax of the demo had begun to decline.
Shortly after indigenous women lead the ‘Women’s Warrior Song’, organizers directed the demo back to the original building as they had clearly been mistaken. When the crowd returned, anarchists quickly made a wall of banners against the police line to obscure the cops vision again. This time however, most of the demo kept their distance while they listened to activist speakers.
One anarchist yelled as she was being pushed by the police, many from the larger crowd joined the other anarchists in having her back. An escalating conflict was narrowly diffused as demo organizers and/or self delegated marshals got who got between the cops and the rebels.
The potential moments to break the peace of the Enbridge bosses any further had clearly passed and the potential of arrest was mounting as the demo got smaller. Not too long after this, the anarchists slipped into the dwindling crowd, de-blocked and then dispersed. The buzz of collective refusal was still in the air.
- This report is based on one individuals perspective and not meant to represent any other anarchists, black bloc or otherwise.
This text was distributed throughout the demo:
No Pipelines, No Tankers.
Capitalism is the Problem.
The capitalists don’t care what we think, they only care about the millions to be made from exploiting the land, water, and from our time spent working away from our family’s and loved ones. Continuing to dialog with these vultures helps to maintain the illusion they can be swayed with moral arguments. We encourage you to instead talk to one another about how to self organize and take action to stop them and protect whats left. A diversity of tactics are needed; from social confrontation and attack to social outreach, popular education, fundraising, building on the land, cooking, cleaning, child care and so on…
Solidarity means realizing the commonality between each others struggles. Our task is not only to have each others backs in the face of state repression but also to open new fronts wherever we live against the common enemy. We encourage you to develop your own analysis, find accomplices and decide for yourself what is the best way to attack the system and take a step towards control over your life.
One powerful source of inspiration are the Wet’suwet’en people who are facing off with the Apache and Chevron corporations to prevent the Pacific Trail Pipeline (PTP), and all other pipelines threatening their territory (including Enbridge). They are on the forefront of resistance to resource extraction in the colonial province of BC.
Many people are aware of the epic ‘Northern Gateway’ pipeline project Enbridge is seeking to push through. A smaller but growing number are realizing that the Pacific Trail Pipeline (PTP) is already approved and going ahead. The PTP would increase the flow of liquified natural gas extracted through the highly destructive practice of ‘fracking’ in North Eastern BC for exportation to overseas markets. Further, the PTP is clearing the way all the other pipelines that seek to follow along the PTP’s path, of which Enbridge is just one. Also to the much larger ‘Pacific Gateway Transportation Strategy (2012-2020)’.
“Pacific Gateway” is a scheme which is funneling billions of provincial and federal tax dollars to spruce up and expand railway, pipelines, hi-ways, seaports, airports, etc. To accelerate the flows of toxic resources like coal, oil and gas throughout BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. With the rapidly growing energy markets in China and India, international capitalists are frothing at the bit amidst these unfolding possbilitys.
For us, there is no distinction between ecological resistance and class war. The same rich bastards profiting from our work, poverty, blood and tears are profiting from destroying the natural world. Same shit, same pile. They extort our consensus with the bribe of jobs, but what good is money on a dead planet? We want to get all the cops and bosses out of our lives, to destroy the capitalist economy and regenerate respectful relationships to the land, our selves and each other.

[JoeySteel]

Article from today's TML Daily explaining the relationship between the struggle of First Nations and the working class in Canada.

http://www.cpcml.ca/Tmld2013/D43004.htm#1



http://www.cpcml.ca/images2013/FirstNations/130116-Windsor-FirstNationsMarch-TilburytoAmbassadorBridge-01cr.jpg
March by First Nations and supporters from Tilbury to Ambassador Bridge, Windsor, January 16, 2013.


Affirm the Rights of First Nations
The Struggle to Affirm Rights Is One Struggle

The Workers' Opposition regards the struggle of First Nations to affirm their rights, as the fight of workers as well. The struggle in Canada to guarantee the rights of all, including importantly First Nations' hereditary, treaty and constitutional rights concerns every worker, senior and youth. Canada's future lies in the fight for the rights of all! The struggle to affirm rights is one struggle. No wall separates the struggle of First Nations and that of the working class.

The specificity of First Nations' rights is theirs by virtue of being First Nations. The struggle of the working class for the affirmation of workers' rights in opposition to monopoly right is theirs by virtue of being the actual producers of value and providers of services. Those struggles unite in the struggle of all for their rights by virtue of being human.

The existing state and its democracy are in crisis because they are incapable and unwilling to guarantee the rights of all including in their particularity the rights of First Nations and the working class. The existing state and its democracy are caught within the unyielding web of monopoly right and refuse to meet the call of history, which demands the affirmation of the rights of all.

The task of affirming rights belongs to all Canadians. The fighting unity of First Nations and the Canadian working class has the numbers, determination, vision and aim to defend the rights of all and bring into being new economic, political and social arrangements that guarantee those rights in practice.

The First Nations and working class refuse to accept the dictate of the Harper, Quebec and provincial governments that tell the people what they can and cannot think, say and do. The First Nations and the working class can think for themselves, analyse and determine their path of action towards the affirmation of their rights. The agenda of Harper and other state representatives is not the agenda of First Nations or the working class. If it were, the rights of all would not now be reduced to policy objectives subjected to the pragmatic whims of the monopolies and their narrow desires to build global empires on the backs of the people, their land and natural resources. A state and democracy of, by and for the people would affirm rights as inviolable and would guarantee First Nations and the working class a say and control over everything that affects their lives. How can it be otherwise in the modern world where the people themselves must be empowered to take control of their economic, political and social affairs?

A nation-to-nation relationship between First Nations and Canada cannot and will not be built based on the agenda of the existing state and its democracy. The concept of master and slave is finished. The notion of a colonial conqueror and vanquished First Nations is a lie. First Nations have never been conquered and never will be. The powerful movement in defence of First Nations' rights is confirmation of that reality. A modern definition of a nation-to-nation relationship is developing before our eyes and will be grand to behold in its full expression.

The Workers' Opposition has a moral and historic duty to provide everything demanded of it by the First Nations in the battle for their hereditary, treaty and constitutional rights. This assistance is integral to the struggle for workers' rights in opposition to monopoly right and forms part of the struggle for the rights of all. The First Nations and Workers' Opposition are together in fighting unity against the same enemy represented by the Harper dictatorship and others within the existing state and its crisis-ridden democracy. The First Nations and Workers' Opposition along with all justice-minded Canadians who wish to build the new are struggling to deprive the authorities of their power to deprive the people of their rights.

http://www.cpcml.ca/images2013/FirstNations/130111-Hamilton-IdleNoMore-InternationalASsociationCr.JPG
Members of Ironworkers Local 736, Hamilton, ON, January 11, 2013


First Nations Have Rights by Virtue of Being First Nations!
Workers Have Rights by Virtue of Being the Actual Producers of Value and Providers of Services!
The People Have Rights by Virtue of Being Human!
Idle No More!
Harper No more!
Canada's Future Lies in the Fight for the Rights of All!

[JoeySteel]

Below is a Marxist-Leninist analysis of the recent legislative "accomplishment" of the NDP motion on First Nations' rights and how it plays into the Harper government's genocidal agenda. And I thought Idle No More should be back on the first page, for crying out loud.

http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2013/02/06/attawapiskat-diamond-mine-blockade-continues-protesters-eye-de-beers-airport/ Attawapiskat people are blockading the mine owned by the De Beers criminals. APTN reported today that the blockade is ongoing and they are requesting assistance from Idle No More activists.



Harper Government's Despicable Agenda to Extinguish Aboriginal Rights

On February 6, the House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion tabled on January 31 by NDP Aboriginal Affairs Critic Jean Crowder. There were 276 votes for the motion (32 MPs were absent). The motion reads:

"That the House, recognizing the broad-based demand for action, call on the government to make the improvement of economic outcomes of First Nations, Inuit and Métis a central focus of Budget 2013, and to commit to action on treaty implementation and full and meaningful consultation on legislation that affects the rights of Aboriginal Canadians, as required by domestic and international law."

In the opinion of TML, this motion is not worthy of support because it covers up the issue at the very heart of the dispute First Nations have with the government of Canada which is not whether consultation takes place but what constitutes "full and meaningful consultation." It also treats First Nations as "Aboriginal Canadians" which is not acceptable since this language refuses to acknowledge First Nations as nations and thereby assists the Harper government to get away with its racist colonial agenda against First Nations. TML considers the spirit behind this motion chauvinist and racist which is precisely what Canadians demand be ended.

Accordingly, the notorious Minister for Aboriginal Affairs John Duncan voted for the motion. In speaking to the motion, Duncan said among other things: "Aboriginal peoples represent the fastest growing population in Canada. Given the country's labour shortages and the proximity of First Nation communities to resources development projects, there is a tremendous economic opportunity before us. That is why we have consistently invested in measures to improve aboriginal participation in the economy. Like economic action plan 2012, economic action plan 2013 will focus on jobs and opportunities for all Canadians, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis."

The Minister cites Bill C-27, the First Nations Financial Transparency Act, which First Nations denounce. It imposes burdensome and unfair financial accountability measures on Chiefs and Band Councils under the hoax that this will make them "accountable" to their community members. Meanwhile the Harper government itself is completely unaccountable financially or otherwise to the Canadian people. What hypocrisy!

Also mentioned during the debates on the NDP motion was the second omnibus budget bill, Bill C-45, "which would speed up the process for leasing lands [of First Nations] for economic development purposes." Minister Duncan also cited the First Nations Land Management Act which "will unlock the potential of their lands and natural resources" and that the Harper government would work with "willing partners to remove economic barriers" amongst First Nations who want to "move at the speed of business." What the Minister is telling us is that government will move at an even faster pace to displace First Nations people from their resource rich lands and hand these collective assets over to the biggest monopolies.

Duncan also mentioned the "results-based" negotiations within the context of the Harper government's Comprehensive Claims and Self-Government Policy aimed at "expediting" land claims and treaty negotiations through some 92 "negotiating tables." He mentions that these negotiations have been held up and that they have already cost some $700 million in litigation. What is not mentioned is that at these "negotiating tables" First Nations are subjected to force and blackmail in order to extract concessions from them. Those who resist and uphold their rights, such as the Blackfoot First Nation in Alberta, are no longer considered "willing partners." They are left to fend for themselves and the onus is put on them to fight it out in the courts. Many First Nations simply do not have the financial resources to mount legal battles with the government of Canada.

To further remove First Nations from exercising control over the education of their children which is their right, Minister Duncan said that the Harper government will be implementing a First Nations Education Act, to have "strong and accountable education systems on reserve." Minister Duncan said in Parliament that there will be no such law until "meaningful consultations" are held. Again this is a sham, as "consultations" will take place only amongst "willing partners" who agree to give up their rights and work with the Canadian state to achieve its aims, not those of First Nations. Duncan noted that "we have committed to work with willing partners to have the legislation in place by September 2014." Therefore, the right to "free, prior and informed consent" which is enshrined in Article 19 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (which the Harper government finally signed in 2012) which necessarily encompasses the right of veto, is not recognized by the Harper government as concerns First Nations. There are only "willing" and "unwilling" partners.

The arrogance of the Harper government to re-colonize First Nations and assimilate them in the name of economic prosperity for all Canadians knows no bounds. This "economic prosperity" is a euphemism for raping and pillaging First Nations' lands and resources, and exploiting First Nations people and workers from all over Canada and even the world to benefit the biggest resource monopolies. Prime Minister Harper refuses to even recognize that his government's treatment of First Nations constitutes a crime, the very crime they are protesting -- the refusal to recognize their right to be. He even refuses to carry out the fiduciary responsibilities of the Government of Canada. Speaking to the motion, Harper said that one of the top priorities of his government is to ensure that Canada has "a strong economy where people of all ages will have opportunities not just now, but for generations to come. These are the priorities we have for all Canadians. They are important to all Canadians whether they are Anglophone, Francophone, aboriginal or new Canadians." Thus, to deprive them of their hereditary, treaty and constitutional rights, "aboriginal" people are reduced to the status of linguistic and ethnic groups. Does the Harper government have nation-to-nation responsibilities to linguistic and ethnic groups? No, of course not. The logic is arrogant because it is dismissive. It deserves to be condemned as does the NDP motion.

In this regard, the NDP motion itself is condescending and self-serving. It treats First Nations as wards of the state and its recognition of the right to be consulted is phony and paternalistic. The Harperites are quite happy to agree to "full and meaningful consultation on legislation that affects the rights of Aboriginal Canadians." It is no skin off their nose because there is no power on the side of the Opposition to enforce its true meaning. In the framework of the motion, nowhere does it stipulate that the right to "informed consent" is the right to say "no," as spelled out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The paternalistic approach to First Nations by the Harper government and any other must be met with the stiffest resistance by the working class and people of Canada who are standing together as one with First Nations to demand that the Harper government uphold First Nations' treaty, hereditary and constitutional rights. It is one indivisible fight for the rights of all! The times demand a renewed historical relationship between Canada and the First Nations based on recognizing First Nations' rights on a nation-to-nation basis. The days of 19th century colonial paternalism and expropriation are over!

[MP5]

The apathy of the Canadian public is sickening. The country is turning into a 1 party police state and noone cares but when Vancouver lost the cup people tore up half the city over a fucking hockey game for christ sakes. I never thought of myself as Canadian at all but unfortunately it's technically the country i was born in. The RCMP don't have nearly as much support or power down here in Newfoundland as they do on the mainland but we have our own national bourgeois to deal with.

I think Theresa Spence hunger strike would have been effective had it been a actual hunger strike instead of just a diet more or less. Had she been willing to die for it that would get people on board. Also the Native population in Canada only makes up a very small minority so you need to get the rest of Canada's support to be a effective movement. Sadly the rampant but hush hush racism in Canada against aboriginal people will prevent many people from siding with these types of movements. After all there just drunken Indians living the easy life on the dole eh :glare:

Seriously though i wish my province would separate from Canada and send all our political trash to upper canada where they belong and they can take the red coats with them.

[o well this is ok I guess]

Chippewa First Nation members Lucy Riley (left) and Chelsea Kennedy, both 20, say their treaty-guaranteed right to a post-secondary education has been stolen by the Harper government.The joke being that the state of post-secondary funding for status indians was a in a shit state in the first place.

[The Intransigent Faction]

The apathy of the Canadian public is sickening. The country is turning into a 1 party police state and noone cares but when Vancouver lost the cup people tore up half the city over a fucking hockey game for christ sakes. I never thought of myself as Canadian at all but unfortunately it's technically the country i was born in. The RCMP don't have nearly as much support or power down here in Newfoundland as they do on the mainland but we have our own national bourgeois to deal with.

I think Theresa Spence hunger strike would have been effective had it been a actual hunger strike instead of just a diet more or less. Had she been willing to die for it that would get people on board. Also the Native population in Canada only makes up a very small minority so you need to get the rest of Canada's support to be a effective movement. Sadly the rampant but hush hush racism in Canada against aboriginal people will prevent many people from siding with these types of movements. After all there just drunken Indians living the easy life on the dole eh :glare:

Seriously though i wish my province would separate from Canada and send all our political trash to upper canada where they belong and they can take the red coats with them.

I was about to like this...then realized we don't need your political trash, thanks. :grin:
Ontario is already province that brought us Flaherty and Clement....fresh out of the Harris cabinet I believe.

Normally I would have thought environmental issues especially would bridge the cultural divisions between Canadians. I remember a few years back here in Ontario they tried setting up a garbage dump above an aquifer in cottage country, and it was the first time I'd heard of Natives and non-Natives protesting side-by-side, especially in that area.

I guess environmental protests are one thing, but a direct focus on First Nations' suffering as being due to anything but their own supposed laziness/corruption/inferiority is just too much for some people to handle. :rolleyes:

[MP5]

I was about to like this...then realized we don't need your political trash, thanks. :grin:
Ontario is already province that brought us Flaherty and Clement....fresh out of the Harris cabinet I believe.

Normally I would have thought environmental issues especially would bridge the cultural divisions between Canadians. I remember a few years back here in Ontario they tried setting up a garbage dump above an aquifer in cottage country, and it was the first time I'd heard of Natives and non-Natives protesting side-by-side, especially in that area.

I guess environmental protests are one thing, but a direct focus on First Nations' suffering as being due to anything but their own supposed laziness/corruption/inferiority is just too much for some people to handle. :rolleyes:

Lol. Good point you guys have too much political trash to deal with as is. Perhaps we could exile the political trash to Baffin Island or somewhere? Although that would dirty up a otherwise fairly untouched land so maybe stick then up in Fort Mcmurrey as that is the closest place to hell i can think of right now :lol:

It is very rare indeed for Aboriginals and non Aboriginals to work together for any cause. Even the most politically correct people in Canada will often be racist towards them but of course in the subtle Canadian way. Capitalism has really screwed over the Aboriginals in Canada big time. One need look no further then the oil business as a example of this as the tar sands are destroying native land. I am sure my blood pressure goes through the roof everytime i see some oil company lackey or someone from the conservative party say that the oil companies are doing everything they can to preserve the environment. Somehow they actually manage to say it with a straight face which nearly makes me vomit in rage. If you ever want to watch a pretty good show on how the oil sands are affecting the environment and the Aboriginal's search on youtube for toxic Alberta which was a show that Vice did on the tar sands. It's focused around the oil Business in Fort Mcmurrey and the real impact it is having on the way of life up there.

I never made it that far north but seeing so many natives as well as white people living in tents by polluted rivers in -40C weather and drinking cheap booze to make their hellish existence more bearable brought back some sad memories of seeing similar sites around Edmonton. One of the saddest things i have ever seen is seeing people of all ethnicity's crashed out by the steps of abandoned building in the worst parts of the city drinking cheap wine or huffing glue to get through the day. The first time i saw that i was driving with a fellow ex pat to work and it must have been atleast -30C outside. I said something like "why doesn't someone atleast give these poor people a place to live? That is fucking ridiculous!" His response was "they should get a job the lazy welfare rats." Honestly if i had not needed a run with him to work i would have beaten the daylights out of him as soon as he pulled that truck over.

The saddest thing i have ever seen however would be the conditions that the Innu where living in in Davis Inlet Labrador. If you ever want to see a good example of 3rd world conditions in a first world country google that. If that does make you very mad at the Capitalist system and very sad as well for those people i don't know what wold. The only thing that has changed is that the government relocated them to a different town and gave them brand new houses. Of course this was completely useless as they did nothing but very superficial things to help the social problems up there. Basically they just put a band aid over a bullet hole more or less.

When people say things like "the first nations people have it so easy they just sleep all day and collect their fat welfare checks" or "they shouldn't get a copper of welfare money because they only spend it on drugs, booze and whatever they are huffing these days" it enrages me to no end. Are people really that naive that they think that a few gestures of good will by throwing money at the problems these people face is going to somehow undue the damage done by centuries of colonialism? Their whole way of life was destroyed due to the British imperialism and trying to force bourgeois society on people who had never know it. So how the hell can you expect them to adapt to western culture over the course of a few generations without them falling into despair, hopelessness and all the trappings that come along with it.

People need to realize that poverty is not a issue of ethnicity. Ethnic divisions are just a way for the bourgeois to divide and conquer the proletariat. It doesn't matter what color your skin is or where your ancestors came from when you are falling down from hunger. Sadly most people on both sides can't see that.

[Die Neue Zeit]

The apathy of the Canadian public is sickening. The country is turning into a 1 party police state and noone cares but when Vancouver lost the cup people tore up half the city over a fucking hockey game for christ sakes.

I envy the activism of the US left and the awakening of the US working class.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

People need to realize that poverty is not a issue of ethnicity. Ethnic divisions are just a way for the bourgeois to divide and conquer the proletariat. It doesn't matter what color your skin is or where your ancestors came from when you are falling down from hunger. Sadly most people on both sides can't see that.

While I agree with the general sentiment of this, it's worth emphasizing that it's disproportionately indigenous folks who are falling down from hunger, and not the white racists you mention in the paragraph above this. To challenge the divisions within the working class, we need to develop some serious antiracist/anticolonial praxis. It's easy to say "We're all in this together!" when one has disproportionate access to resources, and a fundamentally different relationship with both capital and the Canadian settler state. We may be on the same sinking ship, but your odds of survival are pretty different (bordering on nil) if you're in steerage.

[blake 3:17]

Normally I would have thought environmental issues especially would bridge the cultural divisions between Canadians. I remember a few years back here in Ontario they tried setting up a garbage dump above an aquifer in cottage country, and it was the first time I'd heard of Natives and non-Natives protesting side-by-side, especially in that area.

I guess environmental protests are one thing, but a direct focus on First Nations' suffering as being due to anything but their own supposed laziness/corruption/inferiority is just too much for some people to handle. :rolleyes:

There are native/settler alliances being built on environmental issues in Eastern Ontario and in BC. I'm not sure of elsewhere. In some places communities are either so physically or culturally remote that cooperation doesn't seem like an option.