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By Alexie Faucher

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By Erin and Sean Field

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By Matthew Gillies

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By Ryan Dollinger

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By Kacper Cieplik

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By Mika-Anne Reha

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The Oka crisis was a 78-day stand off in 1990 between the Mohawks, the police and the army. It resulted in the purchase of the land by the federal government.
As a Quebecor, I always thought that conflict here in Quebec had to do between the English and French. Little did I know that not too long ago, the Oka Crisis was a huge conflict between the Mohawks of Kanesatake and the Quebec government. This was a perfect example of indigenous activism because the Mohawks stood up for their rights to a much bigger force which was the government. What really grabbed my attention about the Oka Crisis was the fact that it was a peaceful protest that resulted in a death. Here in north America, protest rarely ever result in deaths and the fact that such a small issue escalated into a death was what really grabbed my attention.

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The Oka Crisis was a 78-day standoff (11 July-26 September 1990) between Mohawk protesters, police, and army. At the heart of the crisis was the proposed expansion of a golf course and development of condominiums on disputed land that included a Mohawk burial ground. Tensions were high, particularly after the death of Corporal Marcel Lemay, a police officer, and the situation was only resolved after the army was called in. While the golf course expansion was cancelled, and the land purchased by the federal government, it has not yet been transferred to the Kanesatake community.

Background

There was a long history behind the crisis at Oka; since the 18th century the Mohawk had been pressing the government to recognize their right to land in the area, but their requests had been largely ignored. In 1961, a nine-hole golf course was built on land that had been claimed by the Mohawk of the Kanesatake reserve as their Commons (known as the Pines); despite protests that the land included a burial ground, the Mohawk claim was rejected and the golf course was built. In 1989, the mayor of Oka, Jean Ouellette, announced that the golf course would be expanded to 18 holes. He also authorized the construction of 60 luxury condominiums in the Pines. Despite protests by the Mohawk of Kanesatake, and concerns expressed by the Québec Minister of the Environment and Minister of Native Affairs, construction was scheduled to begin.

Blockade and Police Raid

In order to halt further development of the Pines, Mohawk protesters constructed a barricade, blocking access to the area. Mohawk warriors from two other reserves-Kahnawake and Akwesasne-joined the protest, helping man the barricades. After two injunctions to remove the roadblock were ignored, the mayor of Oka asked the provincial police force, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), to intervene. On the morning of 11 July 1990 the SQ attacked the barricade, using tear gas and concussion grenades to create confusion (although the gas blew back towards the police). During the brief gunfight that followed, SQ Corporal Marcel Lemay was killed and the SQ retreated.

Escalation

Resistance continued, with Aboriginal supporters from across the country joining the Mohawk at the barricades. The SQ constructed their own blockades on roads leading to Oka and the Kanesatake reserve. Mohawk from the nearby Kahnawake reserve blockaded the Mercier Bridge in support, effectively cutting off access between Montréal's southern suburbs and the Island of Montréal. The resulting chaos angered local residents, and relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the area worsened. The SQ had to deal not only with the barricades, but also with frustrated and hostile civilians who often blamed them for the situation. At the same time, the demands of the protesters expanded to eventually include full sovereignty.

Federal Involvement and the End of the Crisis

As it became increasingly clear that the SQ could not resolve the crisis, the RCMP was brought in to assist them in mid-August. At the same time, Québec Premier Robert Bourassa requested the help of the Canadian armed forces and 2500 regular and reserve troops were put on standby. On August 20 about 800 members of the Royal 22 e Regiment (the "Van Doos") took over from the SQ at the Kahnawake and Kanesatake barricades, assuming a position only metres from the warriors. Facing increasing numbers of soldiers at the Pines and elsewhere in the Montréal area, as well as reconaissance aircraft above, the protesters were under heavy pressure. By 29 August negotiations had put an end to the blockade of the Mercier Bridge. Mohawk warriors at the Oka barricade continued their protest until 26 September 1990, when they dismantled their guns and surrendered to the army. Several were detained by the military and a number were later charged by the SQ. Five were convicted of crimes including assualt and theft, although only one served time in jail.

Public Response

There was substantial media coverage of the Oka Crisis across the nation, and public opinion varied widely. Many Quebeckers, especially those living in the immediate area, were angered by the blockades. In one incident, local residents stoned about 75 cars-containing mostly women, children, and the elderly-as they tried to leave the Kahnawake reserve (see Alanis Obomsawin's film Rocks at Whiskey Trench). However, others sympathized with the protesters, including John Ciaccia, the Québec Minister of Native Affairs at the time. Protests were held across the country in support of the Mohawk, with blockades in British Columbia and northern Ontario. Overall, the crisis made more Canadians aware of Aboriginal rights and land claims; it also illustrated the potential for future conflict if such claims were not resolved in a timely, transparent, and just manner.

Resolution?

During the crisis, the federal government agreed to purchase the Pines in order to prevent further development. The golf course expansion and condominium construction were cancelled. After the crisis had ended, the government purchased a number of additional plots of land for Kanesatake. However, these Crown lands have not yet been transferred to the Kanesatake Mohawk.

The Oka Crisis revealed a number of issues in terms of Aboriginal affairs, as well as government and police responses to protests and occupations. The crisis played an important role in the establishment of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Investigations held after the crisis revealed several problems in the SQ's handling of the situation, including command failures and prejudice among SQ members. It has never been discovered who fired the shot that killed Corporal Marcel Lemay.

Suggested Reading

Alfred, Gerald R. Heeding the Voices of Our Ancestors: Kahnawake Mohawk Politics and the Rise of Native Nationalism (1995). Ciaccia, John. The Oka Crisis: A Mirror of the Soul (2000). Goodleaf, Donna. Entering the Warzone: A Mohawk Perspective on Resisting Invasions (1995). MacLaine, Craig, Michael Baxendale and Robert Galbraith. This Land is Our Land: The Mohawk Revolt at Oka (1990). Swain, Harry. Oka: A Political Crisis and Its Legacy (2010). York, Geoffrey and Loreen Pindera. People of the Pines: The Warriors and the Legacy of Oka (Toronto, 1991).

Films and Documentaries

MacLeod, Alec. Acts of Defiance (film, 1992).
Obomsawin, Alanis. Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (film, 1993).
Obomsawin, Alanis. Rocks at Whiskey Trench (film, 2000).
Welsh, Christine. Keepers of the Fire (film, 1994).

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The Oka Crisis was a 78-day standoff (11 July-26 September 1990) between Mohawk protesters, police, and army. At the heart of the crisis was the proposed expansion of a golf course and development of condominiums on disputed land that included a Mohawk burial ground.

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In this book, Wab talks about  current problems indigenous people face on a daily basis and about forgiveness.

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native peoples - canada - residential schools

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biography & autobiography / native americans

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biography & autobiography / entertainment & performing arts

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biography & autobiography / personal memoirs

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The Reason You Walk: A Memoir: Wab Kinew: 9780670069347: Books - Amazon.ca

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A Tribe Called Red is a Canadian Electronic band. Their music is a modern genre called dubstep while incorporating First Nations music such as vocal chanting and drumming. A Tribe Called Red has been Vocal supporters of Idle No More, a movement founded by Wab Kinew. In their music videos, we can see many traditional costumes worn during different ceremonies. Also, some images show different suffering the First Nations had to go trough, such as police brutality.

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A Tribe Called Red - Electric Pow Wow Drum (Official Video)

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Get A Tribe Called Red's album for FREE at www.electricpowwow.com Get A Tribe Called Red's new album "We Are The Halluci Nation" now: http://smarturl.it/ATCRHalluciNation Catch us on tour!

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The history behind the crisis (link 1) (Why the Mohawks started protests.)

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The history behind the crisis (link 1) (Why the Mohawks started protests.)

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1989: The mayor of Oka, Jean Ouellette allowed the construction of an 18 hole golf course and the construction of 60 luxury condominiums in a land known as Pines. The Mohawks of the Kanesatake reserve protested against this because these setups would infringe on this land that they had claimed and that they were using as burial grounds for activities and for ceremonies. They protested against the city to try to stop the expansion, but the city was arrogant and the construction was scheduled to begin.

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This manifesto is a crucial pat of the Idle No More movement. It offers the opportunity to those who do not fully understand the movement to educate themselves and get behind it. This manifesto also relays all the values and morals that the Indigenous community wants to talk about. With their manifesto, their cry for help WILL be heard.

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The Treaties are nation to nation agreements between First Nations and the British Crown 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 state of 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.

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.

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.

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The Treaties are nation to nation agreements between First Nations and the British Crown 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.

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The Idle No More began as a protest to the Bill C-45. At over 400 pages long, the Bill C-45 affected over 60 acts, including the Indian Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act and the Environmental Assessment Act. Idle No More activists argued that the changes made it easier for the government and big business to push through projects, while simultaneously diminishing the rights and authority of First Nations.
The movement was originally started by four women from Saskatchewan. An exchange of e-mails between these four women regarding Bill C-45 led to the establishment of a Facebook page, which they named “Idle No More”.

The movement quickly gained supporters in Canada and around the world.

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The objectives of the Act are to prevent young persons from accessing cannabis, to protect public health and public safety by establishing strict product safety and product quality requirements and to deter criminal activity by imposing serious criminal penalties for those operating outside the legal framework.

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Live by the drum is the first of 2 Wab Kinew rap albums. Released in January of 2009, it won the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award. Even in important things like the "Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award", indigenous people aren't even consulted about the name. Knowing now that the term "Aboriginal" is offensive to first nation communities, we can see how much the government truly cares about the indigenous population.

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These Calls For Change are the laws and regulations that the Indigenous people want modified, removed, or added. Beginning with Bill C-45, their list covers the important legislative areas that are in desperate need of change.

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Idle No More and Defenders of the Land, a network of Indigenous communities in land struggle, have joined together to issue this common call for escalating action. Our message is clear and in accordance with the principles of coexistence and mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. We call for Canada, the provinces and the territories to:

1. Repeal provisions of Bill C-45 (including changes to the Indian Act and Navigable Waters Act, which infringe on environmental protections, Aboriginal and Treaty rights) and abandon all pending legislation which does the same.

2. Deepen democracy in Canada through practices such as proportional representation and consultation on all legislation concerning collective rights and environmental protections, and include legislation which restricts corporate interests.

3. In accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' principle of free, prior, and informed consent, respect the right of Indigenous peoples to say no to development on their territory.

4. Cease its policy of extinguishment of Aboriginal Title and recognize and affirm Aboriginal Title and Rights, as set out in section 35 of Canada's constitution, and recommended by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.

5. Honour the spirit and intent of the historic Treaties. Officially repudiate the racist Doctrine of Discovery and the Doctrine of Terra Nullius, and abandon their use to justify the seizure of Indigenous Nations lands and wealth.

6. Actively resist violence against women and hold a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and involve Indigenous women in the design, decision-making, process and implementation of this inquiry, as a step toward initiating a comprehensive and coordinated national action plan.

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Idle No More and Defenders of the Land, a network of Indigenous communities in land struggle, have joined together to issue this common call for escalating action. Our message is clear and in accordance with the principles of coexistence and mutual respect between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples.

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Song by Indigenous activist Wab Kinew. Leader of many activist movements across Canada. His song talks about many problems and realities in Indigenous societies.

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WFG Throwdown! - Three local hip hop artists along with three local music video directors got together to mentor youth from three local community centres. Together they created three awesome original music videos - check them out! Feel free to share them with your friends!

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This is another impressive artwork of the artist Myre. The Native Amercians were invited so sew their scars and share the story of how they got hurt, mistreated. This piece of art touches and moves us in many ways.

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Theresa Spence is a former chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in Canada and she was associated with the Idle No More movement. She went on a liquid fast from 11 December 2012 to 24 January 2013 to protest the perceived failure of the federal government to honor treaty rights and obligations.

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Theresa Spence (born 1963) is a former chief of the Attawapiskat First Nation in Canada. She was a prominent figure in the Attawapiskat housing and infrastructure crisis, Idle No More, and other First Nations issues. Prior to serving as chief, she was the deputy chief of Attawapiskat.

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An open letter from the Indigenous community was written to protest the case of Colten Boushie. To sum up the situation, Gerald Stanley was charged with 2nd degree murder of Colten. However, the jury was composed of entirely non-indigenous people, and they acquitted him of all his charges, leaving no one responsible for Bushie's death. This not only started the mouvement called Justice For Colten, but lit a fire in the heart of the community to fight harder than ever before.

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February 11th, 2018

To Presidents of Canadian post-secondary institutions,

We the undersigned extend this letter to Universities Canada (especially to the presidents of the institutions they represent), urging your commitment and support in the wake of the trial of Gerald Stanley. We call upon you to take appropriate measures to ensure that Indigenous students, faculty and staff are safe now and in the future. Such measures include increasing the antiracist and decolonial education of all faculty, staff and students in all areas of professional change. This urgent need has also been noted by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the United Nation Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and several justice inquiries.

Gerald Stanley was charged with 2nd degree murder in the death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation . The jury, selected by the Crown and Defense and comprised entirely of visibly non-Indigenous people, acquitted Stanley of all charges, leaving no one accountable for Mr. Boushie's death. The judicial process in this case, and subsequent decision to acquit Gerald Stanley is a travesty of justice .

The events leading up to the trial, the trial itself, and the subsequent public responses have only served to confirm what we as Indigenous faculty already know - that in the eyes of Canada, Indigenous lives are worth less than non-Indigenous lives and less than personal property. It is very clear as well that without a jury of our peers the current judicial system is stacked against us.

This is yet another iteration of the systemic violence that Indigenous peoples in this country have faced for over 150 years. For many of us, this case has highlighted the challenges of working towards change from within the institutions that have looked upon our deaths with impunity, both historically and in the present. We see here that Canadian institutions are still not adequately equipped to provide Indigenous peoples with fair, equitable experiences comparable to those of the broader public.

Our students, our selves, our relations and our communities have been impacted (and some traumatized) by these judicial processes, which speak to the deeply rooted assumptions and biases that Canada holds towards us. These biases and assumptions are not just on an individual level, but are systemic and thereby institutionalized. They exist in everyday interactions, language, policy, strategic planning priorities, funding, and other practices.

In the current era of reform called 'reconciliation' we are holding our respective educational institutions to task. We expect post-secondary institution leadership to respond to the Stanley verdict, to address the impact it has on Indigenous students and campus communities, and to be prepared to address systemic and structural racism within its educational systems and practices.

We, the undersigned, call on you as presidents and heads of your respective institutions to urge your leadership, faculty and staff to undertake a meaningful and in-depth review of your institution's relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities by:

Supporting Indigenous peoples during and beyond this time of deep pain, grief and rage

The death of Mr. Boushie and the subsequent trial have been traumatizing for his family, the youth who were with him at the time of his death, and Indigenous communities across Canada. The institutional failure to provide justice as well as the racist and hate-filled responses by many non-Indigenous Canadians have left many of us concerned about the safety of students, faculty and staff who identify as Indigenous and how this climate will manifest in the campus environment. We are also deeply concerned about the social and political climate that will continue to be faced by our children and future generations. We call on the leadership within your institutions to support Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and administrators during and beyond this difficult time.

2. Identifying systemic barriers and taking actions to enhance institutional accountability towards Indigenous peoples and communities

Institutional commitments to Indigenization and reconciliation cannot be achieved through the reconciliation of Indigenous experiences with those of the Canadian population when that society continues to demonstrate a marked lack of respect and concern for Indigenous lives. The establishment of relationships of peaceful co-existence and the protection of land and culture, envisioned in the numbered Treaties, requires deep systemic and structural change to existing institutions. Reconfiguring Indigenous peoples' experiences within these institutions requires a commitment to supporting the revitalization of Indigenous systems of law, governance, education, pedagogies, spirituality, and ways of living in relationship with other living beings. It also means respecting and supporting Indigenous self-determination and the right to tell our own stories as upheld by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Article 31).

3. Supporting anti-oppressive education

Shift curriculum, policy, practice and research focuses so that it is meaningful and recognizes and validates Indigenous knowledge systems and pedagogies. This means rejecting the tokenization of Indigenous peoples or supporting "one off" diversity initiatives that promote narratives of multiculturalism or those that romanticize our cultures. For our lives and the lives of queer people, and other people of colour to be respected and safe we need structural and institutional commitment to understandings of history and struggle in relation to and with each other. This must include required critical anti-racist and anti-colonial graduate and undergraduate courses in all the human services professions, including support for scholarships and fellowships that will signal institutional commitment.
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Lori Campbell, Cree-Métis

Director, Indigenous Initiatives

University of Waterloo

Alex Wilson, Opaskwayak Cree Nation

Department of Educational Foundations

University of Saskatchewan

Sherry Farrell Racette (Metis/Timiskaming Algonquin)

Associate Professor

Department of Visual Arts, MAP

University of Regina

Verna St Denis (Cree and Metis)

Department of Educational Foundations

University of Saskatchewan

Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark

Associate Professor

Political Science

University of Victoria

Gina Starblanket, Star Blanket Cree Nation

Assistant Professor

Native Studies / Women's and Gender Studies

University of Manitoba

Marie Battiste, Potlotek First Nation

Educational Foundations

College of Education

University of Saskatchewan

Winona Wheeler, Fisher River Cree Nation, Treaty 5 Territory

Associate Professor

Indigenous Studies

College of Arts & Sciences

University of Saskatchewan

Audra Simpson, Kahnawake

Department of Anthropology

Columbia University

Leonie Pihama,

Associate Professor, Director Te Kotahi Research Institute

University of Waikato

Hamilton, New Zealand

Sarah Hunt, Kwagiulth (Kwakwaka'wakw)

Assistant Professor

Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies

University of British Columbia

Réal Carrière, Cumberland House

Political Studies

University of Saskatchewan

Sandy Grande

Connecticut College

New London, CT 06320

Chantal Fiola, Métis Nation

Assistant Professor

Urban and Inner-City Studies

University of Winnipeg

Dallas Hunt, Cree (Wapisewsipi)

Native Studies

University of Manitoba

Raven Sinclair, George Gordon First Nation

Associate Professor

Faculty of Social Work

University of Regina (Saskatoon)

Marlyn Bennett, Sandy Bay First Nation

Assistant Professor

Masters of Social Work Based in Indigenous Knowledges

Faculty of Social Work

University of Manitoba

Robert Innes (Cowessess First Nation)

Associate Professor

Department of Indigenous Studies

University of Saskatchewan

Shawn Wilson, Opaskwayak Cree Nation

Director of Research

Gnibi Wandarann

Southern Cross University, Australia

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Michi Saagiig Nishnaabekwe

Distinguished Visiting Professor

Ryerson University

Rebecca Sockbeson, Penobscot Indian Nation & Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation

Associate Professor, Educational Policy Studies

Acting Coordinator, Indigenous Peoples Education (IPE) Graduate Specialization

University of Alberta

Karla Jessen Williamson, Inuk

Assistant Professor

Department of Educational Foundations

University of Saskatchewan

Evelyn Steinhauer, Saddle Lake Cree Nation

Associate Professor, Educational Policy Studies (IPE)

Director, Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP)

University of Alberta

Reginald Cardinal, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation

Assistant Dean

Faculty of Native Studies

University of Alberta

Dwayne Donald, Papaschase Cree

Associate Professor

Faculty of Education

University of Alberta

Kim TallBear

Canada Research Chair

Indigenous Peoples, Technoscience and

Environment

Faculty of Native Studies

University of Alberta

Noella Steinhauer, Saddle Lake Cree Nation

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Education

University of Alberta

Patsy Steinhauer, Saddle Lake Cree Nation

Assistant Professor

Faculty of Education

University of Alberta

Susan M. Hill, Six Nations of the Grand River

Director/Associate Professor

Centre for Indigenous Studies/History

University of Toronto

Lianne Marie Leda Charlie, Northern Tutchone

Instructor, Political Science

Yukon College

Gail MacKay, Anishinaabe Metis

Assistant Professor

Department of Curriculum Studies

University of Saskatchewan

Sakej Henderson, IPC

Native Law Centre

University of Saskatchewan

Mary Jane Logan McCallum, Munsee Delaware

Department of History

University of Winnipeg

Cary Miller, Anishinaabe

Head/Associate Professor

Department of Native Studies

University of Manitoba

Sylvia McAdam Saysewahum

Yellowhead Tribal College

Janice Makokis, Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Treaty No 6

Faculty instructor,

Faculty of Extension University of Alberta

Daniel Sims, Tsay Keh Dene

Assistant Professor

Augustana Campus

University of Alberta

Dale Turner, Teme-Augama Anishinaabe

Associate Professor of Government and of Native American Studies

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH 03755

Martin Cannon (Grand River Territory)

Associate Professor

Social Justice Education

OISE/ University of Toronto

Lina Sunseri (Oneida Nation of the Thames, Turtle Clan)

Associate Professor

School of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Brescia University College

Lana Whiskeyjack

Assistant professor

Faculty of Extension

University of Alberta

Robyn Bourgeois (Cree)

Assistant Professor

Centre for Women's and Gender Studies

Brock University

Instructor, Bachelor of Education

Aurora College - Thebacha Campus

Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

Jeannette Sinclair (Sakaw Cree)

Academic Coordinator

Faculty of Education

University of Alberta

Jeffrey Paul Ansloos, Fisher River Cree Nation - Treaty 5 Territory

Assistant Professor, Indigenous Mental Health and Social Policy

Applied Psychology and Human Development

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education-University of Toronto

James Kuptana, Inuvialuit

Indigenization Strategy Specialist, Learner Success Services

Bow Valley College

Niigaan Sinclair (Anishnaabe)

Department of Indigenous Studies

University of Manitoba

Gabrielle Lindstrom (Blackfoot Confederacy), Kainaiwa First Nation

Assistant Professor, Indigenous Studies

Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB.

Brenda Gunn (Metis, Manitoba)

Associate Professor, Robson Hall Faculty of Law

University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB

Beverley Jacobs, (Mohawk, Six Nations Grand River Territory)

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law

University of Windsor, Windsor, ON

Associate Dean, Indigenous Education

Associate Professor

University of British Columbia

Shannon M Houle

Master's of Indigenous Languages Student Candidate

University nuhelot'įne thaiyots'į

nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills

Lindsay Morcom (Algonquin Metis)

Aboriginal Teacher Education Programm Coordinator

Assistant Professor

Queen's University

Malcolm King, PhD, FCAHS

Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation

Professor, Dept. of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan

Scientific Director, SCPOR - Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research

Bonnie Freeman, PhD (Algonquin/Mohawk, Six Nation`s)

Assistant Professor & Chair for Circle of Indigenous Social Work Action

School of Social Work

McMaster University

Linda Diffey, Peepeekisis Cree Nation

Coordinator, Indigenous Health Curriculum Development

Max Rady College of Medicine,

University of Manitoba

Barry Lavallee MD, CCFP, FCFP, MClSc (Saulteaux/Metis)

Ongomiizwin-Education

Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing

Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

University of Manitoba

Treena Delormier (Mohawk, Kahnawake)

Associate Professor, School of Human Nutrition

Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

McGill University

Moneca Sinclaire (Opaskwayak Cree Nation)

Associate Postdoctoral Fellow

College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

University of Manitoba

Fred J. Shore

Assistant Professor

Department of Native Studies

University of Manitoba

Tracey King, Wasauksing First Nation

Indigenous Human Resources Consultant & Instructor

Human Resources Department

Ryerson University

Camille Callison

Indigenous Services Librarian

University of Manitoba

Harlan Pruden (First Nations Cree)

Ph.D. Student

Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program

University of British Columbia

Lila Pine, Mi'kmaq

Saagajiwe Co-director

Faculty of Communication and Design

Ryerson University

In solidarity (non Indigenous allies)

Jaskiran Dhillon

Assistant Professor, Global Studies and Anthropology

The New School

Assistant Professor,

School Architecture

University of Minnesota

Janet McVittie

Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Foundations

University of Saskatchewan

Paul Orlowski

Associate Professor

Educational Foundations

College of Education

University of Saskatchewan

Lynn Lemisko

Educational Foundations

College of Education

University of Saskatchewan

Karina Hodoyán

Associate Professor

College of Arts & Sciences

University of San Francisco

Geraldine Balzer

Assistant Professor

Curriculum Studies

University of Saskatchewan

Associate Professor

Department of History

University of Waterloo

Linda Warley

Associate Dean, Graduate Studies

Faculty of Arts

University of Waterloo

Sara Carpenter

Assistant Professor

Department of Educational Policy Studies

University of Alberta

Marcia McKenzie

Department of Educational Foundations

University of Saskatchewan

Sorouja Moll

Definite Term Lecturer

Department of Drama and Speech Communication

University of Waterloo

Jennifer Kelly

Department of Educational Policy Studies

University of Alberta

Shahrzad Mojab

Department of Leadership, Higher, and Adult Education

University of Toronto

Craig A. Campbell

Assistant Professor

Lifelong Learning and Adult Education Program

Department of Learning and Performance Systems

The Pennsylvania State University

Adele Perry, FRSC

Professor, History, and Senior Fellow, St John' College

University of Manitoba

Dianne Miller,

Professor, Educational Foundations

College of Education, University of Saskatchewan

Professor, Theoretical, Cultural & International Studies in Education

Department of Educational Policy Studies

University of Alberta

Alexandre Da Costa

Assistant Professor

Department of Educational Policy Studies

University of Alberta

Dia Da Costa

Associate Professor

Department of Educational Policy Studies

University of Alberta

Professor and Head

Language and Literacy Education

University of British Columbia

Anna Lydia Svalastog

Professor of psychosocial work

Department of Health and Social Work

Østfold University College, Norway

Steven Jordan

Associate Professor

Department of Integrated Studies in Education

McGill University

Jamie Magnusson, Associate Professor

Adult Education and Community Development

OISE, University of Toronto

Shaun Murphy

Educational Foundations

College of Education

University of Saskatchewan

Jeanie Wills,

Assistant Professor

Graham School of Professional Development,

College of Engineering

University of Saskatchewan

Roxanne Harde

Professor of English, Associate Dean (Research)

Augustana Faculty

University of Alberta

Aziz Choudry

Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in social movement learning and knowledge production

Integrated Studies in Education

McGill University

Rebekah Bennetch

Graham School of Professional Development,

College of Engineering

University of Saskatchewan

Erin Weinberg

Adjunct Professor

Augustana Faculty

University of Alberta

Kathleen James-Cavan

Associate Professor

Department of English

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5

Assistant Professor, Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development

College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan

Brian Rempel

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Augustana Faculty

University of Alberta

John Moffatt

Associate Professor

Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development

College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan

Sandra Terry

Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development

College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan

Director of Choral Activities

Augustana Faculty

University of Alberta

Jodey Castricano, Associate Professor Department of Critical Studies University of British Columbi a, Okanagan.

Fred J. Shore

Assistant Professor

Department of Native Studies

University of Manitoba

Donna Martin Associate Professor College of Nursing University of Manitoba

Michelle Hartman

Institute of Islamic Studies

McGill University

Marc Spooner

Faculty of Education

University of Regina

Joseph Wiebe

Assistant Professor

Augustana Faculty

University of Alberta

James McNinch,

Professor Emeritus

Faculty of Education

University of Regina

Shirley Thompson

Associate professor

Natural Resources Institute

University of Manitoba

Darius Stonebanks

Professor, School of Education

Bishop's University

Philip Howard

Assistant Professor

Integrated Studies in Education

McGill University

Abigail B. Bakan

Department of Social Justice Education

University of Toronto

Shawna Ferris

Associate Professor & Program Coordinator

Women's and Gender Studies

University of Manitoba

Peter Kulchyski

Department of Native Studies

University of Manitoba

Crystal Manyfingers

Indigenous Consultant to Curriculum

Humanities and School of Health and Wellness

Bow Valley College, Calgary, AB.

John Willinsky

Professor (Part-time)

School of Publishing

Simon Fraser University

Jasminka Kalajdzic

Associate Professor

Faculty of Law

University of Windsor

Michael Anthony Hart

Faculty of Social Work

University of Manitoba

Gemma Smyth

Associate Professor

Faculty of Law

University of Windsor

Anneke Smit

Associate Professor

Faculty of Law

University of Windsor

David M Tanovich

Faculty of Law

University of Windsor

Associate Professor

Faculty of Law

University of Windsor

Lisa Taylor

Full Professor

School of Education

Bishop's University

Jocelyn Thorpe

Associate Professor

Women's and Gender Studies, History

University of Manitoba

Avril Aitken

Professor & Chair

School of Education

Bishop's University

Vanessa de Oliveira Andreotti

Dept. of Educational Studies

University of British Columbia

Sujith Xavier,

Assistant Professor & Director of Transnational Law and Justice Network

Faculty of Law, University of Windsor

Chris Hiller

Adjunct Professor

Peace and Conflict Studies

Conrad Grebel University College

University of Waterloo

Elizabeth (Liz) Carlson

Assistant Professor

School of Social Work

Laurentian University

Rachel Hurst

Associate Professor

Women's and Gender Studies

St. Francis Xavier University

Annette Schultz

Associate Professor

College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

University of Manitoba

Patrick Lewis

Faculty of Education

University of Regina

Josée G. Lavoie,

Professor, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences,

University of Manitoba

Benita Cohen

Associate Professor

College of Nursing, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

University of Manitoba

Elizabeth McGibbon

Rankin School of Nursing

St. Francis Xavier University

Kim Misfeldt

Augustana Campus

University of Alberta
1,764 endorsements

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Justice for Colten Open Letter from Indigenous Faculty and Allies

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February 11th, 2018 To Presidents of Canadian post-secondary institutions, We the undersigned extend this letter to Universities Canada (especially to the presidents of the institutions they represent), urging your commitment and support in the wake of the trial of Gerald Stanley.

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Thank you to those who contributed to the discussion guide. The guide is meant as an open source resource. If you have suggestions please email info@idlenomore.ca . Please feel free to share the discussion guide. It is meant to be a living document.

Possible questions to guide discussion:
What are the basic facts about the Gerald Stanley killing of Colten Boushie that we need to know?
Gerald Stanley was charged with 2nd degree murder in the death of Colten Boushie, a 22-year-old member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation. The jury, selected by the Crown and Defense and comprised entirely of visibly non-Indigenous people, acquitted Stanley of all charges, leaving no one accountable for Mr. Boushie's death.

Colten Boushie and four friends arrived on Stanley's farm around 5pm. Boushie was shot just behind his left ear while he was sitting in the driver's seat of the SUV. When the police came to the scene, they found Boushie dead and Stanley in the kitchen drinking coffee.
What's the difference between murder and manslaughter?
Second degree murder is not premeditated, but there is intent to harm. Manslaughter is killing that results from an accident, with no intent to harm. Manslaughter is not premeditated, and it is an unlawful act that causes death. Despite there not being an intent to kill, reasonable people would foresee that act to cause serious bodily harm.

Stanley was charged with second degree murder and the jury could have found him guilty of murder OR they could have found him guilty for a lesser charge (e.g. manslaughter).
What was the defence's argument?
The Crown has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Stanley fired at Boushie intentionally. There is no evidence that Stanley pulled the trigger, according to the defence. Stanley claimed that the gun went off and he does not know how, suggesting 'hang fire' or a malfunctioning weapon. Experts testified that the weapon used could not have gone off accidentally and could only have been fired by pulling the trigger.

The jury not only found him not guilty of murder, they did not even find him guilty of manslaughter.
Who comprised the jury and why did it appear to be all white?

Jury selection process has been seen as unfair, first by Indigenous peoples involved, but now, increasingly, government officials like the Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould are discussing a possible investigation of the process.

The defence challenged every single possible jury member who was visibly Indigenous to, in the end, produce a jury that was all white in appearance.

Critics studying this question have stated that people have been advocating for changes regarding jury selection, but that others have also been arguing for alternative courts and forms of justice run and organized by Indigenous peoples.

Why did the jury run out of the courtroom once the judgement was read?

In an article entitled, "Gerald Stanley and the fear of the 'Indian'," writer Robert Jago ( Kwantlen First Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe ) asks us to consider why the jury ran out of the courtroom as soon as the verdict was read? Gerald Stanley was immediately escorted out of the courtroom and out a side door into a car, and interestingly, some of the jury members were quick to get up and leave. Robert Jago raises important questions and points to important aspects in relation to the socialization of Canadians, especially white Canadians, when it comes to negative sentiments towards and ideas about Indigenous Canadians, especially fear.

What he says in the article: White Canadians still see Indigenous peoples as animals. They fear them. They believe they are rough. They see them as "wild 'wagon-burners'", that historical and perpetual threat to the sanctity of settler expansion and settler making of livelihoods. They see reserves as "chaotic" spaces that threaten adjacent settler communities.

The urging of "calm" after the verdict was a form of policing the emotions of Indigenous peoples while also implying that, if allowed, they would run amok and create havoc.

And, most revealingly of all, the verdict wasn't reached by a mob of racists "over there" or elsewhere. It was reached by 12 regular Canadians.

Here is a revealing quote regarding these "regular" Canadians:

These are Canadians who have lived their entire lives hearing excuses for why they don't need to care about Indians. Why care about tainted drinking water on reserves? "Those greedy chiefs are probably taking the money, those Indians need to sort themselves out first." Why care about the crisis in Thunder Bay? "It's Indians killing Indians, Indians drinking too much and falling in the water, what are we supposed to do?" For every problem that Indians face in this country, there is a ready excuse, a fig leaf, to shield Canada from blame .

Jago emphasizes what others have pointed to, that this injustice is ordinary. This is in fact how a colonial legal system is supposed to work in relation to the colonized.
What is the relationship of this verdict to racism and ongoing colonial violence?

The defence counsel Scott Spencer stated in a Toronto Star article that "Gerry's trial is not a referendum on racism. If jurors feel that they have to pick a 'side,' then it will be very difficult for there to be a fair trial."
A point of discussion here is to consider how such a statement delegitimizes questions about racism within criminal actions as well as in the criminal justice system.

During the trial and afterward, a number of people defending Gerald Stanley (and by association, white farmers) and upholding the idea that the trial was fair have criticized those who see everyday and institutional racism against Indigenous peoples (e.g. within the justice system) as a significant factor in the case. They have used notions like "you are the ones bringing race into this" or "you are playing the race card" or "this has absolutely nothing to do with race" to aggressively deny that racism played a role.

This presumes that institutions of a colonial and racist state can somehow adjudicate justice in a fair manner, as though the racism that permeates society does not infiltrate questions of criminal justice.

Tweet from @mediaINDIGENA quoting the Defence lawyer's closing statement about what happened: "It's a tragedy, but it's not criminal." https://twitter.com/mediaINDIGENA/status/961752080288501763

Will there be an appeal?
There is a call for an appeal of the verdict and a public inquiry into how the Stanley trial was administered. You can read and sign it here:

Leadnow: https://you.leadnow.ca/petitions/justice-for-colten-boushie?bucket=&source=twitter-share-button

Change.org (also has a petition):

https://www.change.org/p/supreme-court-of-canada-justice-for-colten-boushie

SELECTED ARTICLES BY MAIN TOPIC
Jury Selection Procedure Details about the Case and Trial Protests and Rallies in Support of Bouchie and Family Online (Racist) Vitriol Directed at Indigenous People and Bouchie Family Saskatchewan/Canadian context (as productive of the situation). Critique of Settler mindset and subjectivity Calls for Change
VIDEOS
CBC Power and Politics with Terry Milewski - February 12, 2018

Various discussions around legal issues, reform, politicians commenting on the case. First segment is with Jade Tootoosis (Colten's cousin/sister) and the Bouchie Family Lawyer. Other segments include panel with Hayden King as well as MPs addressing whether government officials should comment on the verdict.

RADIO

Jesse Wente on Metro Morning, February 13, 2018: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/what-comes-after-the-boushie-verdict-1.4532983
POETRY
RELEVANT LITERATURE (CONTEXT & BACKGROUND, including shorter book reviews)
Settler Colonialism, Settlers, Government Policy James Daschuk Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life . University of Regina Press. Sheelah McLean. "'We built a life from nothing"': White settler colonialism and the myth of meritocracy". Our Schools/Our Selves Fall/Winter 2018. Schooling, Curriculum and Indigenous Youth Other excellent resources

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Discussion Guide: Justice for Colten Boushie

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Thank you to those who contributed to the discussion guide. The guide is meant as an open source resource. If you have suggestions please email info@idlenomore.ca . Please feel free to share the discussion guide. It is meant to be a living document.

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The Indian Act is a Canadian federal law that relates to matters pertaining to Indian status, bands, and Indian reserves. It is also a powerful artwork, made by the talented Nadia Myre. Myre is an Algonquin and member of the Kitigan Zibi reserve in Maniwaki, Quebec. In this artwork, she expresses and defends the rights of the Native american people. Naida Myre reproduces the fifty-six pages of the Indian Act on a cloth and covers it with pearl and beads to erase the document that was conceived to assimilate the Indigenous community. 230 persons helped her to bead over the Indian act. In addition, Myre received the  Sobey Art Award in 2014, for her powerful messages and arts that reflect injustices experienced by Canada’s Indigenous people.

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INM wants to continue to help build sovereignty and resurgence of nationhood. Idle No More also wants to pressure the government to protect the environment. Finally, Idle No More builds allies in order to re frame the nation to nation relationships.

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"Idle No More calls on all people to join in a peaceful revolution, to honour Indigenous sovereignty, and to protect the land and water"

INM has and will continue to help build sovereignty & resurgence of nationhood.

INM will continue to pressure government and industry to protect the environment.

INM will continue to build allies in order to reframe the nation to nation relationship, this will be done by including grassroots perspectives, issues, and concern.

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"Idle No More calls on all people to join in a peaceful revolution, to honour Indigenous sovereignty, and to protect the land and water" INM has and will continue to help build sovereignty & resurgence of nationhood. INM will continue to pressure government and industry to protect the environment.

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Yuxweluptun is a native american of Coast Salish and Okanagan descent. He currently lives in British Columbia. He expresses the issues of environmentalism, land ownership, and Canada's treatment of First Nations peoples through his paintings. His style is called neo-Native.

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Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, graduated from the Emily Carr School of Art and Design in 1983 with an honours degree in painting. Yuxweluptun's strategy is to document and promote change in contemporary Indigenous history in large-scale paintings (from 54.2 x 34.7cm to 233.7 x 200.7cm), using Coast Salish cosmology, Northwest Coast formal design elements, and the Western landscape tradition.

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From

Yuxweluptun

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In September of 2017, Wab Kinew got elected as the leader of Manitoba New Democratic Party or Manitoba NDP. This is an important win for indigenous people because Wab can now bring up the point of view of indigenous people and talk about the problems he and other natives face.

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New leader of the Manitoba NDP,  Wab Kinew's victory speech | APTN News

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From Yuxweluptun

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Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtPNqLtR4BI
Movie:
https://www.nfb.ca/film/kanehsatake_270_years_of_resistance/
This documentary is all about the events and action of the Oka crisis. It's directed by an Indigenous woman, Alanis Obomsawin, who also directed other documentaries about first nations issues. In this documentary, she gives inside footage of the crisis and precise information about all of what happened that summer.

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Alanis Obomsawin is born in New Hampshire on Abenaki reserve. She is a filmmaker, an artist, a singer and a storyteller. She works with the NFB and creates award-winning films that deal with battles fought by Aboriginal peoples of Canada.

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Blockade and Raid of police (How the police intervened with the protests.)

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Blockade and Raid of police (How the police intervened with the protests.)

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The Mohawk protesters constructed a barricade, blocking access to the Pines in order to halt any further development. After two injunctions to remove the blockage were ignored, the police force was sent to the grounds armed with tear gas and concussion grenades in order to dismantle the blockade. Although this was a peaceful blockade, their were armed people behind the protesters, therefore, a gunfight between the police force and the protesters. When SQ Corporal Marcel Lemay was killed, the police retreated. Protests increased and they decided to block the Mercier Bridge in response of the blockades of the police.

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The best CBC segment about the Oka crisis features Mohawk women asserting themselves as well as a standoff between a young soldier staring stoically into the eyes of a defiant Mohawk man.

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Received the  Amnesty International's “Ambassador of Conscience” award.  It's an award shared with Canada's indigenous rights movement. She is known for her philanthropic work.

"Keys, centre, greets Indigenous rights activists Melanie Morrison, left, and Melissa Mollen Dupuis prior to receiving an Ambassador of Conscience Award from Amnesty International on Saturday (Photo: Graham Hughes/CP)"

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Arthur Manuel, a defendant of all Indigenous Peoples' Rights, didn't agree with the fact that Canadians around the country would be celebrating their 150th anniversary, however it was on this day that 99.8% of the Indigenous land was taken from the Indigenous people, leaving them on reserves that make up only 0.2% of the territory given to them. As a part of his campaign,, Arthur had planned to go to the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to inform the world that the Trudeau government was maintaining the colonial Indian Act along with it's immoral and illegal land claim policies. Sadly, Arthur was admitted to hospital before he had the chance to visit the UN, and he passes away shortly after his admission to the hospital. On July 1st, Canada's 150th birthday, in honor of Arthur Manuel, the Idle No More community used this holiday to celebrate the Indigenous and human rights and also to educate Canadians..

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IDLE NO MORE & DEFENDERS OF THE LAND: CALL TO ACTION
UNsettling Canada 150
In honour of Arthur Manuel, we call for a National Day of Action in support of Indigenous self-determination over land, territories, and resources

UNsettling Canada 150 Webinar
http://youtu.be/b7vuHSqESW0 July 1, 2017
On January 11, 2017, our mentor, colleague, friend and brother, Arthur Manuel passed onto the spirit world at the age of 65.

Arthur Manuel was organizing to defend his Secwepemc peoples' and all Indigenous Peoples' Rights up to the day he was admitted into the hospital. In the last article he wrote before his passing he referred to the Canada 150 celebrations by stating: "I do not wish to celebrate Canada stealing our land. That is what Canadians will be celebrating on July 1, the theft of 99.8% of our land, leaving us on reserves that make up only 0.2% of the territories given us by the Creator."

As part of his campaign against the 150th celebration in Canada, Arthur was also planning to go to Geneva to appear before the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in August 2017 when Canada is scheduled to report on its treatment of Indigenous Peoples. He was preparing a counter-report to inform the world that the Trudeau government is maintaining the colonial Indian Act and its immoral, illegal land claims policies that deny Aboriginal collective title, treaty rights and our right of self-determination. We will send our own delegation, in Arthur's words, to "escalate the assertion of our rights from a purely domestic strategy to an international strategy across nations." (http://redrisingmagazine.ca/whatare-you-going-to-doabout-it/.)
JULY 1 - NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
In the spirit of Arthur Manuel, we want to make July 1 a National Day of Action. This day of action is to celebrate our Indigenous and human rights to self-determination, our lands, territories, and resources. It is also to educate Canadians about how their constitutional framework, first established 150 years ago in the British North America Act (1867), illegally confiscated our lands, territories, and resources, spawned the post-confederation Indian Act and attempted to write Indigenous jurisdiction- and Indigenous Peoples- out of existence.

This assault has not stopped. If anything, it has accelerated under the current government. Prime Minister Trudeau has been approving pipeline projects and continues to bank on the exploitation of our resources. He does not want to recognize Indigenous land rights. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls continues to fall short and fail many families. We will be demanding that the Trudeau government respect our internationally recognized right of land and body self-determination, including our absolute right to Free, Prior, Informed Consent to any activities in our territories, as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

This is a grassroots movement that will never accept any behind-the-scenes attempts to weaken our rights, like the closed door meetings of the Cabinet and a Ministerial Working-Group now underway with the three National Aboriginal Organizations (Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Metis National Council), led by Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.

DEMANDS:

Instead of backroom manipulations, we demand:

1. a new open truly Nation-to-Nation recognition process that begins by fully recognizing collective Indigenous rights and Title, and our decision-making power throughout our territories.

2. full implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls for Action, including rejecting the colonial doctrines of discovery and recognizing Indigenous self-determination.

3. full implementation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on the ground.

We recognize and affirm that jurisdiction over our lands, territories, and resources is inseparable from the issue of self-determination over our peoples. Violence against women, trans, and two-spirit Indigenous people is connected to the loss of authority over our lands. It is worsened by extraction industries that attempt to claim ownership to our lands and our people through acts of violence.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

We ask that you, your community, and your organization join us to send a loud and clear message to Canada and the world that we will no longer accept the colonial system of dispossession, dependency and oppression that Canada has imposed on us for the past 150 years.

1. Join a national action - find one near you

2. Take Local Action

3. Host an event, such as a rally, or a public forum. Email us to let us know what you are planning.Use the subject "National Day of Action Event." We'll promote it on our Idle No More events calendar and post your pictures on social media on July 1, 2017.

4. On July 1, 2017, wherever you are in Canada, take to social media

Tag us @IdleNoMore4 & the Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau and any other government official or agency related to your issue

Use hashtags: #UNsettleCanada150 #SupportIndigenousSelfDetermination #Resist150 #UNDRIPInCanada #FPICInCanada.

Change your Facebook banner to promote this campaign and your activism (see attached banner)-keep it up as long as you like!

Wear Indigenous Rights red & post a picture of yourself taking action to the Idle No More Facebook page. (use the symbol @ before typing Idle No More to tag our page)
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION (JULY 1, 2017) ENDORSED BY:

Family of Arthur Manuel

Defenders of the Land Network

Idle No More Network

Indigenous Network on Economies and Trade

The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Climate Action

Unist'ot'en Camp

Secwepemc Women Warrior Society

No More Silence

The Shuswap Lake Coalition

No One Is Illegal - Toronto

No One Is Illegal - Vancouver Coast Salish territories

Rising Tide North America

Immigration Legal Committee - Law Union of Ontario

Algonquins of Barriere Lake First Nation

Wolastoq Grand Council

Dr Lynn Gehl

Barriere Lake Solidarity

Mining Injustice Solidarity Network

Naomi Klein

Red Nation (Albuquerque)Eagle and Condor Community Center

Decolonize this Place

NYC Stands with Standing Rock Collective

The Latinx, Afro-Latin-America Abya Yala Education Network (LAEN)

The Great Lakes Commons

Fossil Free Guelph

Radio-BED

Native Land 150

Critical Race Relations Consulting

Aamjiwnaang and Sarnia Against Pipelines (ASAP)

Mi'kmaq Warrior Society, Mi'kmaQ territory

Indigenous Women's Association of the Maliseet and Mi'kmaq Territories Inc.

Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW)

The Women's Coordinating Committee for a Free Wallmapu and Mining Injustice (WCCC)

ALBA Canada

Tonatierra

The Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network

Silence No More

Metis Empowered Together In Solidarity

The LEAP Organizing Team

KAIROS

Between The Lines

The Council of Canadians

International Human Rights Association

of American Minorities (IHRAAM)

Jean Arnold - The Analog Forestry Network

The Punch Up Collective

Canadian Dimension magazine

In Solidarity with all Land Defenders

We Love This Coast .com

Graphic History Collective

Toronto Network of Engaged Buddhists

Buddhist Civil Liberties Association

Toronto Buddhist Peace Fellowship

Divest Mount Allison University on Mik'maq territory

Climate Justice Montreal

IPSMO (Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement -Ottawa)

Water is Life: Coalition for Water Justice

Have your group join us by endorsing the Day of Action! Send your endorsements to: info@idlenomore.ca

Want to host your own event in your own territory? Send us your event details. Be sure to include the venue name, venue address, city, province, time and duration of your event, event host and event host contact info. It is up to you, your group or org to provide us with up to date details for your event, should changes be necessary for your event page on the Idle No More website. Send you detailed event listing to: info@idlenomore.ca

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IDLE NO MORE & DEFENDERS OF THE LAND: CALL TO ACTION UNsettling Canada 150 In honour of Arthur Manuel, we call for a National Day of Action in support of Indigenous self-determination over land, territories, and resources UNsettling Canada 150 Webinar http://youtu.be/b7vuHSqESW0 July 1, 2017 On January 11, 2017, our mentor, colleague, friend and brother, Arthur Manuel passed onto the spirit world at the age of 65.

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Barrier lake solidarity
http://honouryourword-film.ca/
http://rabble.ca/news/2014/11/11-indigenous-resistance-movements-you-need-to-know
agreement 1991 on conservation deal, we want the goverment to honor what they signed with us

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Resistance 150, unsettling canada 150
https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/resistance-150-why-canada-s-birthday-celebrations-aren-t-for-everyone-1.3478004

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/top-10-indigenous-films-of-all-time-1.2807553

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Hey guys, my topic for the indigenous activism project was Wab Kinew.  Wab Kinew is a well known rapper, author and activist in the indigenous community. His rap career includes the writing and production of 2 albums: Live by the drum released in 2009 which he won the indigenous peoples choice music award and mide sun released in 2010. He is also an excellent author with his writing of the reason you walk rated 4/5 stars by goodreads. Aged 36, he is also a young politician who recently became the leader of the Manitoba NDP party which is abig win for the native community now that they have a representor. I wanted to elaborate more specifically on one topic wab Kinew has talked about and shine some light on the subject. Wab kinew’s father was sent to a boarding school unwillingly by the government where he got raped by a nun. This is something not only Wab’s father has suffered but hundreds of thousands of native children have suffered over the years. This isn’t a phenomenon we see very frequently nowadays but I still think it’s a huge issue because it is a main reason for depression and substance abuse for many of native elders. Wab Kinew talks a lot about natives nowadays forgiving the sins of the government and I think that is necessary to finally come to an agreement but I also think the government and maybe even the church should pay deeply for their cruelties.

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Topic:

Canada has come a long way with gestures of reconciliation with Indigenous people and we have to ensure that the momentum continues.

Context:

In fact, Idle No More, one of the largest Indigenous movements in Canadian history, and Wab Kinew, activist and newly elected leader of Manitoba’s NDP party, have done an excellent job of raising awareness.  Despite their efforts, we still have a long way to go as the relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginals is still far from being a mutually respectful one.

Support:

As Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip said, “We leave behind the first 150 years, the ones with one big problem — trying to wipe out our Indigenous people, to take their minds and hearts, to give them the choice, ‘become white or get lost.'”

Analysis:

Essentially, Canadians must recognize and support Aboriginal people as they come to terms with and heal from the past. For example, Canada’s historical policies of cultural genocide and assimilation have left deep scars in the lives of many Aboriginals.  In reality, few Canadians are aware of this or know little about the history of Aboriginal people and their contributions to Canada.  Consequently, this lack of knowledge reinforces racist attitudes and fuels distrust between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians.  With this in mind, Canadians must look to and learn from the past, in order to build a respectful and healthy relationship in the future.

Conclusion:

To summarize, although some progress has been made, the urgent need for genuine reconciliation still runs deep within Canada and without truth, justice, and healing, there can never be genuine reconciliation.

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There is a definite need and a sense of urgency to build a new rapport between natives and non-natives based on mutual trust and benefit.  In fact, this 500 year old relationship has never been a balanced and harmonious one and natives have been victimized for centuries.  Even with the Indian Act, the rights of Indigenous people in Canada have never been fully recognized or protected.  In reality, there has been a lot of conflict and division because natives are treated differently.  It is for these reasons that Wab Kinew emphasizes the words “equal” and “mutual”.  Essentially, he is pushing for a solution using a completely different approach and perspective.    For example, he acknowledges past mistakes and encourages all Indigenous people to express their needs and concerns through healthy channels of communication.   In essence, he is looking to redefine a new relationship rather than trying to fix the existing one.

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Thesis:

Wab Kinew advocates reconciliation through equality, mutual respect, trust and benefit.

Topic:

Canada has come a long way with gestures of reconciliation, but there is still a need and a sense of urgency to build a new relationship between natives and non-natives based on mutual respect and benefit.

Context:

In fact, Wab Kinew and Idle No More, one of the largest Indigenous movements in Canadian history, have done an excellent job of raising awareness.  However, this 500-year-old relationship is still far from being balanced, harmonious and mutually respectful.

Support:

In an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos, Wab Kinew said it perfectly:  “This messy relationship has been going on for 500 years – and it’s time to fix it!”

Analysis:

In reality, Canada has come a long way in acknowledging its part in the cultural genocide and assimilation of Indigenous people.  However, Wab Kinew is pushing for a solution using a completely different approach and perspective.  In fact, he believes that Canadians must look to and learn from the past, in order to build a respectful and healthy relationship in the future.

Conclusion:

To summarize, although some progress has been made, the urgent need for a new relationship still runs deep within Canada and without truth, justice, and healing, there can never be genuine reconciliation.