babble is rabble.ca's discussion board but it's much more than that: it's an online community for folks who just won't shut up. It's a place to tell each other — and the world — what's up with our work and campaigns.
Ipperwash Papers
July 6, 2008 - 8:30am
Having said that, I have been looking into the racism against Native peoples and have been struck by the lack of progressive websites or views on Ipperwash (specifically the lack of non-racist sources on issues like the "Ipperwash Papers"). What I have found is a disconcerting firestorm of anger and resentment against Native peoples, websites that claim how violent and "racist" these people are, how they are "terrorizing" local residents.
While local residents may, obviously, feel caught in the middle, and unfortunate things may have happened as the Ipperwash incident heated up, there is a whole history behind Ipperwash that made the events perfectly understandable. Yet there is no shortage of racist commentators on the ground and activists who have been able to capitalize on their fears or concerns of area residents, fueling anti-native sentiment. More recently, in Caledonia, the KKK made a presence trying to inflame matters there.
Where is the other side in this? I can not find any information on the "Ipperwash Papers" from progressive websites. I can however find a slew of racist propaganda; claims of secret videos showing native sharpshooters, and stories of "terrorism" by area residents. Most discomforting is the sent in "comments" on these websites. The comment I dealt with yesterday at my workplace by the way, was "if it were up to me there would be more than one dead Indian"... (As an aside, a friend of mine from the Ipperwash area told of acquaintances who had been asked to leave politely from native land while camping on a beach in the reserve and cutting down trees as firewood, yet these people made false claims as to the violent nature of the request).
In the end, if anyone seeking information on this topic tries to deepen their understanding, they are likely to encounter racist websites like caledoniawakeupcall or voiceofcanada, which I think is dangerous and shocking. I'm worried about what the future holds, as I find I'm running into more people who believe the nonsense of white supremacist websites than I have people who deeply understand the issues of colonialism and broken promises.
[ 06 July 2008: Message edited by: dw_ptbo ]
Your mentioning the KKK attempts to organize in Caledonia reminded me of a documentary that aired on CBC radio regarding the anniversary of a public debate between James Gardiner, the then Premier of Saskatchewan, and R. H. Hawkins, a KKK organiser.
http://www.rhcask.ca/james-gardiner-vs-the-kkk/
Leadership can play a large role in motivating the general population. Or at the very least interest society enough to become self educated. Politicians don’t seem to understand the gravity of their responsibility in guiding the sentiments of a nation. They can choose to foster either conflict or understanding among groups.
I’m not sure if these were what you were looking for, but there is information out there on Oka and Ipperwash.
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AboriginalLB/1991/4.html
http://www.easterndoor.com/archives/VOL.4/4-28.htm
http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/inquiries/ipperwash/index.html
such an excellent observation sknguy!
we currently have a federal govt. that came to power uniting through what they don't like, who are the same bad actors that were running the show during Ipperwash. They hate "government" as a concept, in principle and practice and trade in division and negativity.
Imagine the country we could have if the people we elected ran for office on what they would like to see happen to the benefit of the public good, and not the current situation.
i heard a clip of that debate yesterday on CBC and it was fantastic. just the type of programming CBC should be doing more of.
Hi, you are right, there are no good sites about Ipperwash and the provs/feds continue to lag behind...but there have been big changes in Ipperwash, so I created a Facebook Page called Ipperwash/Stoney Point that will not contain racist marks at all,, so check it out...
Well there is a facebook page now, called Ipperwash/Stoney Point, that WILL NOT have racist comments on it...omg this guy is so right, so glad to see this article,,,,finally someone says something. Na:wen/Migweetch to you! To this day, I cannot believe the discrimination we have to deal with out here. .everyday..it is crazy....nothing like London out here..KKK? yes I have had a few experiences with local haters and it continues today.....But I think the group they call themselves out here is called .....O.N.F.I.R.E ..........
Canada's Military Plots "War Crimes" against Indigenous People 2007
Canada: First Nations Under Surveillance Harper Government Prepares for First Nations "Unrest" 2011
yes, yes, to the first comment,,,all died the same way too.. i believe being chased on highway, driving radically.. wierd eh? and what about this Cynthia Vanier who is in a mexican prison for allegedly helping the Gadafi's?,(she was setup) ,she's being dealt with as we speak,,,She was a Key witness for the Inquiry and she mysterioulsy some how got removed ,,she put Harris and OPP on the hot seat?????
Yes, I read that stuff on FN under surveillance, basically RCMP an DIANE are in bed together to spy on all break away FN groups......wow..,,since 2006 too isnt this the same time as the Ipp Inq. came out?