Leaders of indigenous heritage pack their bags for one more effort to achieve peace and friendship with fellow Canadians.
First Nations
The cadets of Hobbema are a good news First Nations story that the media ignore
It's no secret that the media love to sensationalize violence and conflict, but this is particularly dangerous for marginalized communities like First Nations.
"‘If it bleeds it leads' isn't new, and it's not unique to Aboriginal issues," says Duncan McCue, an Anishinaabe reporter who covers Aboriginal affairs for CBC's The National.
"The problem, though, is when it's focused on a racial group you end up with the concern that Indians are being painted as problem people."
The people of Hobbema, Alberta, are well use to this attitude.
Attawapiskat and colonialism: Seeing the forest and the trees
If you can cut through the racism, ignorance, and half-baked opinions of pundits, politicians and sound-bite media, most folks will realize that Attawapiskat and many other First Nations have been labouring under the repression of colonialism far too long.
The antidote for poverty is self-determination and no one can give you that. You have to stand up and take action yourself to make it happen. Colonialism does not give way on its own; it must be defeated through vigorous and enlightened opposition.
Attawapiskat: Firing back at the racist rants and ignorant responses with facts
I still intend to get a series of posts out clarifying issues like First Nations housing, health care, education and so on, but I have a confession. I haven't been staying away from the comments sections of articles about Attawapiskat.
I know. It's not healthy. There are so many racist rants and outright ignorant responses that it can bog you down. Where do you even begin, when the people making these comments do not seem to understand even the bare minimum about the subject?
Well, I try to answer questions with facts. Here are some of those facts, if you're interested.
Dechinta Bush University Centre was misrepresented during Royal visit
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During their recent tour of Canada, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Blachford Lake Lodge on the traditional and unceded territory of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. The July 5 stopover began with demonstrations by the 1st Canadian Rangers Patrol Group, composed mainly of Inuit members.
From there, the royals began a tour of Dechinta Bush University Centre for Research and Learning. Dechinta is a post-secondary education initiative providing Indigenous and non-Indigenous students with much-needed opportunities to take university-accredited courses developed in the North, led by Northern experts, and focused on the land as the primary teacher.
A daughter wants justice for her mother's death
Algonquin elder Gladys Tolley was killed by a police car driving through her reserve in 2001. Her daughter still fights for answers.
Related rabble.ca story:
Confronting the hidden legacy of residential schools
In an attempt to discuss the impact of residential schools on the families of survivors and strategies for the future, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is opening a national intergenerational conference next week in Winnipeg. It is the first intergenerational event on the issue that is First Nations-led.
Miigwech to our Elders
This is a sincere and humble message of appreciation and acknowledgement to the Elders who have made a difference in my life as teachers, counsellors, and mentors. Each from Minnesota where I was raised, from International Falls where I will always call my hometown, and from Manitou Rapids and the entire Treaty Three region who made "coming home" a welcoming and unforgettable experience for me.
To all those who have brought their strong and resilient voices forward in the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
And, respectfully, this piece is dedicated to ALL our Elders across Turtle Island.
This is for all the Elders who we told how much they were appreciated; and all the Elders who we didn't remind, or who we didn't remind enough.
On the theft and appropriation of Indigenous cultures
There is no fine line.
Related rabble.ca story:
On the theft and appropriation of Indigenous cultures
A recent discussion over a cup of coffee with friends in Edmonton brought up four very different examples that had me considering how indigenous culture is flagrantly (mis)appropriated and twisted.
They are: a self-proposed, self-described "chosen shaman" of multiple indigenous nations named "Little Grandmother," the deaths and injuries that took place in an appropriated sweat lodge at a "New Age" retreat in Arizona in 2009, a noted pretender who once taught at my Alma Mater in Minnesota, and a "Quantum Healing" business in Saskatoon.
