Idle No More

Slumberjack wrote:

I don't know how anyone can be impressed by the corporate mouth, represented in this instance through the filthy monologue of the Ottawa Citizen, when it determines for itself the strategies it will recognize as legitimate.  It should also be considered an offensive proposition to common sense to say that FN activism in support of their rights must pass the muster of the ones who have been denying their existence and circumstances...

Understood. His pronouncements are offensive, condescending and derogatory. My point was that they are also unnecessary and ill informed because INM is focusing on education and corporate disruption, strategies that will gain support of ordinary Canadians. INM is not treating Canada-and-all-Canadians as 'the enemy', a strategy doomed to fail. We are not monolithic. Many, even most, Canadians support Aboriginal rights and deplore the corporate bulldozer approach. We are allies and potential allies. INM's strategies recognize that. And since I can't navigate to the bottom of a post ... here's the rest of your post intact. for the past 500 years.  To say that one form of expression is real is to imply that the other is false.  The corporate empire routinely announces that all options are on the table in support of its own calculations, to the usual applause and support of the reactionary propaganda bureaus.

[/quote]

Slumberjack wrote:

arielc wrote:

 Just a comment about the role of police: Most police forces in Canada swear to uphold the Constitution ... and post-Caledonia, they are now very aware that that includes Aboriginal and treaty rights. They won't make fast and violent moves

Just a comment about the role of the police:  Fuck the police.

 

LOL
Reality sucks ...

Maysie wrote:

The oppressor will not, and cannot, define the terms under which the oppressed assert themselves.

Although the oppressor will surely make some damned good attempts. In fact, the greater the movement takes hold, the greater the attempts. Many here have attempted to do so, under the guise of progressve thought and it's beyond the scope of my energy, or giving a shit, to challenge all of you who have done so.

Thanks for this, Slumberjack:

Slumberjack wrote:

 It should also be considered an offensive proposition to common sense to say that FN activism in support of their rights must pass the muster of the ones who have been denying their existence and circumstances for the past 500 years.

Indeed. Or as Propagandhi sang; "Why do we pretend our approval is upon what they depend?"

 

[/quote]

I applaud INM's approach.
Please forgive my inept approach in suggesting that alienating allies and potential allies is ineffective.

NDPP wrote:

Documents Show Plenty of Money Flowing Through Spence's Reserve

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2013/01/20130103-...

"Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spencer's household made as much as $250,000 in the fiscal year ending March 2011..."

The inevitable Sun smear job which cannot possibly be true and they should be taken to court for these obscene lies.

Her boyfriend makes $850 a day? That has to be a typo I think they meant week probably.

 

arielc wrote:

It's interesting that the threats of blockades are now coming from Canada's Band 'Chiefs', not from so called 'splinter groups', while peaceful educational strategies are the focus of the real grassroots Idle No More led by women, elders and youth. :) I do find something of value in the Citizen op-ed as I think his overall point is correct: Canadians don't respond sympathetically to sustained disruptions of their daily routines, but do support INM's more educational approach. Blockades are best aimed at commercial/industrial corridors for. Economic impact, while commuters can be viewed as potential supporters. :)

+1

I can't agree with the idea that "support" isn't a major factor. The more supporters for this movement the better, you don't get a majority of supports by inconviencing them.  I hope the INM movement isn't taken over

Yes U. 

Harper to meet with First Nations leaders on Jan. 11

Quote:

Spence has not yet responded to the latest proposal. She had recently demanded a meeting with Harper within 72 hours -- a window that falls well short of the Jan. 11 meeting.

In a statement Friday, Harper said the Jan. 11 meeting will serve as a followup to the Crown-First Nations Gathering a year ago, during which the two sides discussed strengthening relations, governance, economic development and respecting treaties.

I almost shpritzed my coffee out when I read this in Harper`s news release:

Quote:

an enduring historic relationship

I guess there is some truth to it in that Harper doesn't claim that it's been a positive relationship. 

Polunatic2 wrote:

Harper to meet with First Nations leaders on Jan. 11

What in tar sands nation precipitated this?

Pressure from Usian CEOs to not let this turn into similar activities south of the border? His own caucus members showing him they had brains and voices of their own?

What is up his sleeves? Proceed with caution.

Maysie wrote:

Quote:

 "It is time to quit being loyal Canadians, we don't need the white man's money. We need a share of our own wealth." "There's only two ways to deal with the white man. Either you pick up a gun or you stand between him and his money." Terrance Nelson Chief, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Manitoba, May, 2007.

Terrance Nelson is an anti-Semitic jackass who travelled to Iran and embraced that murderous, thug government, including its Holocaust-denying president. Then when he was rightly condemnded for this, went on tirades about the "Jewish media" in Canada, as he has done in the past when he's been criticized for anything, such as when he stood up for David Ahenekew who called the Jews of Europe a "disease" and opined that Hitler was justified when he "fried six millions of those guys". His knee jerk reaction is always to blame the Jews who supposedly control teh media.

I saw Michael Champagne from Winnipeg interviewed on CBC a few weeks back and found him really articulate, so I started following him on Twitter (@northendmc). His feed is an interesting sampling of what's going on out there. He was on the news again today.

I also briefly attended the gathering in Vancouver yesterday evening at Commercial/Broadway - was too sick to be able to handle the cold for more than about 10 minutes, but the energy was amazing. Lots of FN people of all ages and classes, from infants to seniors in wheelchairs, joining in with the chants. Lots of non-FN folks showing up in support, and everyone taking zillions of photos and videos.

Myself I reflected upon how the drums and chants reminded me of the Jewish tradition of the blowing the shofar as a wake-up call.

Mr.Tea wrote:

Maysie wrote:

Quote:

 "It is time to quit being loyal Canadians, we don't need the white man's money. We need a share of our own wealth." "There's only two ways to deal with the white man. Either you pick up a gun or you stand between him and his money." Terrance Nelson Chief, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Manitoba, May, 2007.

Terrance Nelson is an anti-Semitic jackass who travelled to Iran and embraced that murderous, thug government, including its Holocaust-denying president. Then when he was rightly condemnded for this, went on tirades about the "Jewish media" in Canada, as he has done in the past when he's been criticized for anything, such as when he stood up for David Ahenekew who called the Jews of Europe a "disease" and opined that Hitler was justified when he "fried six millions of those guys". His knee jerk reaction is always to blame the Jews who supposedly control the media.

Pardon my Tea-drift

For those who may wonder what Mr T is on about, I posted coverage of Terrance Nelson's trip to Iran on the Iran thread. It is somewhat different from Mr T's version.  I also recall no embrace of President Ahmadinejad. As for the rest, I'm sure Babble has lots in the archives, but here's something to start you off:

Manitoba Chief Claims Ahenakew Coverage Increasing Hatred of Jews

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2005/04/11/ahenekew-jew...

"Roseau River Reserve Chief Terrance Nelson released a statement to the media saying he doesn't agree with Ahenakew's views - but he says he will not condemn Ahenakew, calling him a 'frustrated [and] angry' old man 'looking for a scapegoat'. In the letter Nelson claims Jews control Canadian media and ignore First Nations issues. He singles out CanWest Global Communications, its owners, Winnipeg's Asper family, and their newspaper, the National Post..."

Perhaps Mr T prefers someone - who 'embraces' the 'murderous thug government' of the Jewish state, instead:

Chief of Canadian Cree Nation Leading Youth Leadership Development Mission to Israel

http://www.cija.ca/community-2/chief-of-canadian-cree-nation-leading-you...

"The objective of this trip is to help develop leaders among First Nations youth, said Chief Ron Evans. 'I visited Israel for the first time last year, and I was overwhelmingly inspired. The Jewish people are the historic, Indigenous people of Israel. For Canada's First Nations, Israel's story demonstrates how an ancient people can maintain their heritage while embracing the modern world - and in so doing achieve self-determination.."

T-Drift concluded.

KeyStone wrote:

It's not actually a hunger strike and her health is no danger.

She's actually on a liquid diet. Not sure why the press keeps referring to it as a hunger strike.

Still it is some sort of self-deprivation - rooted in traditional fasting, letting others have their share first, I do believe (and would like to know more about this). Were it an all-out hunger strike she would not last very long in the cold. Don't know what she has for heating.

The War of Words: Chiefs Issue Ultimatums as Grassroots Dance in Circles  -  by Zig Zag (thanks ndpp for the link)

Quote:

These measures lead to greater legal, political, and economic assimilation of Indigenous peoples. In short, the very termination policy currently being protested as being part of Bill C-45 is one that many chiefs are actively participating in.

...now grassroots people are discussing and debating what a grassroots movement looks like, what its methods and goals should be, etc. So, even if the chiefs temporarily triumph and serve their role as managers of anti-colonial revolt, the people are now more aware and aroused. In a time of declining socio-economic conditions and increasing austerity measures, the potential for greater Indigenous resistance is now greater than it has been in many years.

I just hope all this shaking out of the system leads to greater good for people and planet. Obviously not everyone agrees with the path of privatization, monetization, marketization, atomization, assimilation and alienation from the land, as bulldozed by C-45.

[Oooo, "alienation from the land," how mystical and airy-fairy, said the generic right-wing pundit. To which I reply: Go take a walk in nature, did you create that?]

 

 

 

NO LEADERS, ONLY MESSENGERS
Ron Plain, "spokesperson" for the he Aamjiwnaang First Nation blockade was charged with contempt of court because he personally, apparently, 'failed to remove the blockade of the CN spur line.
http://www.eradicatingecocideincanada.org/2013/01/contempt-of-court-char...

NEVER EVER agree with anything the authorities say, on behalf of the group. Make it clear you have authority ONLY to take messages/proposals back to the group.

If you're going out to any protest, it's wise to be clear to police and all authorities and the public at large that ... THERE ARE NO LEADERS ... NO SPOKESPEOPLE ... NO ORGANIZERS ... because any people so identified can be subjected to intimidation, arrest, charges, incarceration, possibly being fired from your job ...
They'll divide you off, puff you up to a sense of authority, importance ... make you believe you have authority to make decisions for the group, make you commit to imposing (their) decisions on the group ... and then they they will squash you like a bug.

Nobody speaks for all ... nobody makes decisions except the whole group.

I'd like to remind folks that Indigenous people in Canada have been using multiple tactics for decades. Again, the approval of non-Indigenous folks is irrelevant. 

Idle No More began as a reaction to the Omnibus Bill, Bill C-45, which includes further environmental devastation among many other bad ideas. What benefits Indigenous communities benefits us all.

Indigenous folks have been asking "nicely" for changes. Guess what? Nothing happens.

 

INM in Sydney

Quote:

More than 350 people took part in an Idle No More rally at a mall in Sydney, N.S., Saturday afternoon.  Both aboriginal and non-aboriginal women, men and children participated.

Round Dance

Quote:

Nobody speaks for all...nobody makes decisions except the whole group.

 

Cool, a breath of fresh air. 

KeyStone wrote:

  But this is not a hunger strike, and the press should stop referring to it as such. 

 

For the sake of accuracy and verity: how about a "fast"? 

Maysie wrote:

  the approval of non-Indigenous folks is irrelevant. 

 

INM does what it wants. Non-indigenous people support what they want. Support and approval are 2 different words with different meanings. (I don't think I used the word 'approval' once on this thread until now.)

ilha formosa wrote:

Sun News: “Chief Theresa Spence’s boyfriend, Clayton Kennedy, earns $850 a day, income tax free.” Sun News also went on air claiming Chief Spence and Kennedy made  $250,000 a year.  Fact: Kennedy is contracted to work 3 weeks out of four, 5 days a week. $850 x 5 days x 3 weeks x 12 months = $153,000 a year. If you count 4 weeks a month (which his contract doesn’t) you only get $204,000.       

Presumably, they were referring to houehold income, assuming Kennedy and Spence live together.

I wasn't challenging his salary, just the math. The post I was referring quoted Sun News as saying "Chief Spence and Kennedy made $250,000 a year" then challenged that figure by adding up Kennedy's salary to show it as being less.

The way I read that original quote would imply that together they earned that amount. So, if Kennedy earns $153,000 a year and they together receive $250,000 a year, it would imply that Chief Spence earns $97,000. Which seems like a reasonable salary.

Whatever happens, a few history lessons that have been delivered and the emergence of this meme may transform Canada:

I AM CANADIAN! (Because of treaties with Indigenous Nations)

I agree with this suggestion that is gaining momentum.  Recommitting to the RCAP would address many of the issues that are central to allowing FN's to gain the control they need to make positive change for themselves.  The RCAP is one of very few documents to have been produced from real dialogue between FN's people and their leadership and the rest of Canadians and their governments.  I remember being very hopeful watching the process and again when the report was first released.

I am Canadian wrote:

But lest you think the situation is too far gone – and before you acquiesce to the permanence of injustice while shrugging your shoulders at such seemingly vast and intractable problems – remember that the research has already been done, the difficult conversations have already taken place, and the solutions are in the books, waiting to be instituted. They exist in the spirit of the original treaties and agreements, and even in our Constitution, but they are also delineated in concrete  institutional terms in the four-year Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The practical recommendations articulated in the RCAP offer a path forward. It is not perfect, but then no agreement is.

Attawapiskat Audit Finds 'No Evidence of Due Diligence'

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/01/07/pol-attawapiskat-audit-...

OK, so Canada's imposed Band Council system of Indian Act chiefs is a corrupt one. Who knew? Let's now examine instead the little matter of Canada's own 'due diligence' and a continuing history of fraud, constitutional treason and genocide...

Sovereignty is the answer. Canada is the problem.

Maysie wrote:

(mods notified)

From the blog uncomfortably canadian: I benefit from colonialisim

Quote:

About a month ago a pair of white South Africans ignited an international discussion about race and responsibility when they printed 10 t-shirts with the words “I benefited from apartheid” written boldly across the chest.

Those 10 were distributed at an art installation and were spoken for so quickly that another 30 were quickly produced. The gesture, a response to reactionary criticism of a supermarket’s hiring policy, elicited all manner of responses. Some suggested the t-shirt designers were motivated by a misplaced guilt; others felt they were unnecessarily digging up old history better forgotten; still others felt they were appropriating a struggle that whites had little place in.

One thing was undeniable: those 40 t-shirts prompted an debate about race and apartheid, guilt and responsibility. Uncharacteristically, the debate centered on the place of whites within post-apartheid South Africa, asking uncomfortable questions that seldom get asked. To what extent whites today remain beneficiaries of the apartheid system? To what extent are whites responsible for its ongoing effects?

More recently, a similar debate has emerged in Canada, ignited by the hunger strike of Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat, and the concurrent, nationwide Idle No More movement. From shopping mall drum circles to highway disruptions and hashtags, aboriginal activists and their allies have forced a discussion of Canadian colonialism in countless homes across the country this holiday season.

.....

It will be tempting for some to write the movement off, to see this as a First Nations issue to which settlers have little to contribute and less to gain. But there is a lesson to be learned from South Africa here, and Canadians would do well to listen.

To admit that we settlers have benefited from colonialism in Canada will seem a platitude to some and a provocation to others,  but it is something that we are unused to hearing in our day-to-day lives. 

.....

Resources extracted from unceded land benefit Canadian economies in the south, often to the expense of local communities that rely on robust ecosystems for basic sustenance. When royalties on these resources go to a federal government democratically responsible to southern Canadian populations, it is the “hinterland” that suffers most.

.....

What we have, then, are governments and businesses appropriating wealth from indigenous communities primarily to the benefit of settler communities in the south. Perhaps it doesn’t take the crossing of an ocean for resource extraction to constitute colonialism, though we are used to thinking of it in this way.

So, yes, I benefit from colonialism. And I don’t think it’s too great a stretch to say that colonialism has shaped my life as much as that of Canada’s First Nations, only in a vastly different,almost incomparable way. The very fact that I am writing this today on what was once Songhees territory might be proof enough of that uncomfortable fact. Colonization is a two-sided coin, with those benefit on one side and those who suffer on the other.

Excellent point.  MSM would have us all believe that this is a movement pulled out of someone's arse.  This is an issue that has been decades in the making. I'm astonished that FN people have been so patient. [delete expletives]