[FONT=Georgia]Thought people would be interested and hopefully support this project.[/FONT] General Callout for Organizing Committees for the first annual Indigenous Sovereignty Week Defenders of the Land, a cross-Canada network of First Nations in land struggle, fighting for Indigenous rights, is issuing a call to like-minded Indigenous people and groups in communities and cities, as well as non-Native supporters, to cooperate in organizing a cross-Canada week of educational events on Indigenous Rights and Indigenous struggles, from October 25-31, 2009. We have in mind that this work will reach different audiences: Indigenous people living in communities, urban Indigenous people, and non-Indigenous people living in cities and towns. Events may take place on campuses, in community centres, in schools, or other locations. The purpose of this week is to build local relationships between groups and individuals, disseminate ideas of Indigenism, and generally, contribute to building a cross-Canada movement for Indigenous rights, self-determination, and justice that is led by Indigenous communities but with a broad base of informed support. There will be a range of events, including speaking events, cultural or arts events, and ceremony where appropriate. Speakers will include activists and leaders of struggles, elders, Indigenous intellectuals, and supporters. Based on the direction of the first gathering of Defenders of the Land in Winnipeg last year, the following have been highlighted as questions to bring forward: Struggles for Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination Overview of the history of Indigenous organizingSharing histories and examples of struggle, successes, and challenges.Hearing from local strugglesCurrent legal frameworks - UNDRIP, Section 35, court rulings; the concept of aboriginal titleWho bears Indigenous rights? Who determines who is Indigenous?What does/would Indigenous sovereignty look like, practically? What would be the relationship to the Canadian state? What are viable models of cohabitation?What is solidarity? How to do solidarity work in a good way, learning from past successes and mistakes. Hearing from specific experiences. Indigenous Knowledge, Culture, and Identity The importance of the relationship to the land, living on the land.Residential schools and other policies of genocide and their impactsOral stories and historiesThe status of Indigenous languagesThe role of ceremonyDocumenting and maintaining traditional knowledge Indigenous Peoples and the Environment Environmental racism and environmental justiceImpacts of developments on Indigenous peoples and cultures - specific examples and campaignsBiodiversity and cultural diversityTraditional understandings of stewardship History of Indigenous-Canadian Relations The period from contact to the historic treatiesThe history of the treaties and treaty-makingHistory and impact of the Indian ActWhat's wrong with the poverty and service-dollars approach to Indigenous issues - the horizontal framework of cradle-to-grave dependencyThe government's current agenda: extinguishment of title, replacement of collective rights with individual rights, cash payouts, and assimilation. How to name this and resist it. Other elements to include, where possible and appropriate CeremonyDrum + songCommunity feast with traditional foodsIndigenous language programmingArts programmingYouth-focused programmingWhat does "appropriate" mean in this context? Appropriate means if it is done under the leadership of Indigenous people, for Indigenous people, involving the participation of mostly Indigenous people. If you are interested in organizing an Indigenous Sovereignty Week in your area If you are interested in organizing educational events in your community during this week, please contact us by email at [email protected]. We will establish a list to cooperate on developing and organizing this event. Communities can plan their own programs according to their needs and capacities--the purpose of a joint organizing list is to share resources and coordinate speakers' itineraries for example. You can find out more about Defenders of the Land at our website (which will be up soon). [FONT=Calibri][/FONT]
Indigenous Sovereignty Week - Toronto RSVP at our facebook group. SUNDAY OCTOBER 25TH Prequel - Colonialism 101: Dear Harper, A Primer on Canadian Colonialism Time: 3pm – 6pm Place: Rogers Communication Centre 204, on the northeast corner of Church and Gould RUSSELL DIABO, Mohawk from Kahnawake First Nation LEE MARACLE, Stó:lō Nation MONDAY OCTOBER 26TH Opening ceremonies Time: Evening, Exact time TBA – Check out our website regularly for updates Place: TBA Elder’s Welcome, Joanne Kakekayash, Potawatomi Nation Men's Big Drum Circle Keynote Speaker: ARTHUR MANUEL, Neskonlith Indian Band of the Secwepemc Nation - “On Renewing Indigenous Resistance” TUESDAY OCTOBER 27TH Redefining Restorative Justice Redefining Restorative Justice will focus on Indigenous Peoples and the law. Panellists include Indigenous and non-Indigenous speakers with first-hand experience of the legal and criminal justice system, including activists, legal service providers and front-line social service providers. People in attendance can expect to participate in a talking-circle and learn about Indigenous legal traditions, colonial history, and the contemporary challenges of the legacy of colonialism. Discussions will end with an exploration of the potential in the concept of restorative justice, and the possibilities for societal renewal through solidarity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Time: 5:30-7:30pm Place: The Law Society of Upper Canada, Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West http://www.lsuc.on.ca/about/a/contact/ Speakers: HON. JUSTICE REBECCA SHAMAI, Gladue Court Judge at Old City Hall MICHAEL GLADUE, Papaschase Cree First Nation DAWNIS KENNDY, Roseau River First Nation SARAH DOVER, Brantford Lawyer & SKYLER WILLIAMS, Six Nations of Grand River (Mohawk, Wolf) WANDA WHITEBIRD, Mi'kmaq Nation, Bear Clan, Afton Nova Scotia, Ontario Aboriginal HIV Aids strategy of Ontario, also works with incarcerated Aboriginal women WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28TH Struggles for land, Stories of community This panel attempts to highlight community stories of struggle against dispossession and loss of land and culture. Government policies have long pushed Indigenous peoples to the margins of Canadian society in reservations and urban ghettos. However, Indigenous peoples have long histories of organizing to resist the loss of culture, land and livelihood both on the land and in the city. This occurs in both the fight to maintain traditional territories and the fight against homelessness. In presenting stories of community organizing, we want to recognize the work of Indigenous peoples in various places and the relationships between them. Time: 7pm – 9pm Venue: Ryerson University, Lib 72, 350 Victoria Street, north of Gould (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=wl) Speakers: MARYLYNN POUCACHICHE, Algonquins of Barriere Lake VICKI MONAGUE, Beausoleil First Nation, Site 41 Struggle HARVEY MANNING, Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence, Toronto) TAHANEE JADE KAHSENNIYO WILSON – Y.O.U. (Young. Onkwehowe. United.) from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory + SLAM POETRY by Y.O.U. member… THURSDAY OCTOBER 29TH In Our Language- Haudenosaunee Storytelling TIME: 7-9pm VENUE: First Nations House, University of Toronto, Borden Building North 563 Spadina Avenue, 3rd floor (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=wl) GRAFTON ANTONE, Oneida First Nation DAWN ANTONE, Oneida First Nation FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH Indigenous Toronto: Stories of Resistance Toronto is home to a large urban Indigenous community, with close relations to neighbouring Haudenosaunee and Nishnaabe communities, hosting indigenous representation from communities across Turtle Island. Toronto also has a long history of creative Indigenous organizing, resistance, and cultural expression. We'll hear from activists who led some of these struggles over the last few decades, including the occupation of Revenue Canada office called "Revenue Rez", the Native Peoples’ History Project and the Great Indian Bus Tour, and various other groundswell initiatives made by Indigenous organizers. TIME: 7pm – 9pm VENUE:Ryerson University, Engineering Building, ENG 103, 245 Church Street (http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&tab=wl) SHAWN BRANT, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory HEATHER HOWARD-BOBIWASH, Research Faculty Assistant Professor, Centre for Aboriginal, Initiatives, University of Toronto Other speakers to be confirmed soon, check website regularly for updates… SATURDAY OCTOBER 31ST The Great Indian Bus Tour of Toronto: The Trick or Treaty Edition! Get on the bus! A real tour of the Indigenous history of Toronto! Hosted by the Toronto Native History Project. The Toronto Native History Project at The Native Canadian Centre in partnership with Indigenous Solidarity Week is proud to present: 1:00pm to 4:00pm (Arrive 10 minutes early to get seated) Embrace past ghosts and ancestors while re-imagining Toronto as the original Gathering Place! Play SPOOKY bus BINGO and win some tasty treats! The Bus tour will depart from and return to The Native Canadian Centre (NCC) on Saturday Oct. 31 located at 16 Spadina ROAD. Seating must be reserved and paid in advance by contacting Tannis Nielson at the NCC 416-964-9087 ext. 326. We recommend booking and paying for your seat early to guarantee your spot. Payment must be made to Tannis no later than Thursday Oct. 29th Ticket cost is based on a sliding scale Adults: $15-$25 Youth and Elders: $5-$15 Cash payment only SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1st Building the Circle Stronger- Traditional feast, Sharing Circle and Next Steps Meeting Reflect on your experiences of the week. Meet and talk with other participants, share a free meal, and bring your visions for how we can continue to build relationships and fight together for Indigenous Sovereignty on Turtle Island. Time: 12pm – 4pm Venue TBA at events throughout the week. Closing Circle facilitated by REBEKA TABOBONDUNG & ZAINAB AMADAHY Indigenous Sovereignty Week has been endorsed by: Indigenous Education Network (IEN), OISE NaMeRes Toronto Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) Native Students Association, University of Toronto (NSA) Toronto Council Fire Aboriginal Rights Working Group, Bathurst United - Trinity-St. Paul's United Canadian Union of Public Employees CAW-Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy, Ryerson University Circle of Support Coalition Against Israeli Aparthied (CAIA) CUPE 3903 First Nations Solidarity Working Group (CUPE 3903 FNSWG) Graduate Geography and Planning Students Society (GGAPSS), University of Toronto No One Is Illegal (NOII) – Toronto Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) Ontario Public Interest Research Group, University of Toronto (OPIRG) rabble.ca