Hi Friends
I attended a HST rally in Toronto yesterday, along with several other First Nations members and Chiefs and spokespersons from the various communities. The mood was, over all hopeful yet there was also an air of frustration.
Shawn Brant of the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, spoke very forcefully about the frustrations we all feel over the ignoring of our issues. He reminded us about our missing and murdered aboriginal women and the needless loss of yet another young woman's life, when her three calls to 911 were ot responded to. The contaminated drinking water in several of our communities, and CAS removing the children from our communities in yet another sixties type sweep. He also spoke of this governments apology to the residential school survivors, and then the cancellation of the funding for the restorative healing programs needed by those very individuals.
His point and I agree, is we can go on ad nausium over the various ways that our rights have been trampled, and questioned why we think we will be treated any more differently this time. He asked when is it time for us to stop being polite?
Kudos to the Government of Canada for their winning of the public relations wars. You only have to read the comments section of any of the daily papers to see how well they have vilified our people and negated our issues. That is, whenever any of these mainstream papers deem any of our many efforts, to be heard as news worthy.
The only time these media outlets seem willing to print aboriginal stories, it would seem, is if they are either salacious, or wanton enough to further denigrate the aboriginal people.
The imposition of this HST or any other tax on the Indigenous people is pure tyranny, and nothing more than, more colonialist thinking on the parts of the Federal and Provincial governments of this country. Even the most biased among you must recognize that your very wealth has been made, through the exploitation of our resources, and on the backs of the Indigenous people that they continue to try to eradicate. They claim no colonialist policies, yet history says otherwise. They apologize for thier past treatment, yet they continue to mistreat us. They promise to partner with us in good governance yet they ignore us.
While the governments co-conspire against us with this latest attempt at taxation,(all the while assuring us they agree with the First Nations and are firmly on side) but, claim that it is really up to the other government to waive this tax in this case.
Akwesasne offers yet another way. There are after all always other options.
a viable plan, if adopted Maybe what the First Nations should be looking for is a persuasive and powerful public relations firm.
Or is it time, as has been suggested, for us to quit being so polite!
EDIT: The viable solution referred to in this link was the Akwesasne reserve has offered to partner with the government and implement a swipe card (pilot program) option (that, they will pay for, in an effort to keep the point of sales exemption in place for the First Nations ) if the Government of Canada is interested in pursuing this option.
Regards, Debra
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A revisit of Minamata disease
Hi Friends
I've posted before about the effects of Minamata in the Grassy Narrows community.(Post Tilted: Then and Now) This is my up-date. It sickens me to have to say that not much has been done nor does it look like, will ever be done for this community. Even the compensation for these victims is heart breaking. Were you one of the few judged to be effected and thusly able to get compensation that is.
Like the the climate deniers of today and the tobacco companies of yester-year the Canadian government has found pseudo scientific evidence to refute the claims of the victims. My question is who are they consulting? Not Dr.Masazumi Harada for sure. He is THE expert on mercury poisoning who came from Minamata Japan 35 years ago to aid the residents of the two reserves, and is back today to stand up for them once again. Dr. Masazumi Harada has sited the cumulative effects of mercury poisoning, passed from mother to fetus as a possible culprit for the high mercury readings in the youngest victims. All of the first diagnosed sufferers have since passed away.
yet Primeare Mcguinty is asking for further studies Does this sound like perhaps more of the same.
This in the year of the G8 summit here in Canada, where our Prime Minister has put child/ maternal health on the agenda.
Now I don't have anything against the mothers and children of the third world, and anything that the richer nations can do to ease their plight I'm all for,..but, Canada...can we please,...pleease...pleeease clean up our own back yard first?
Our northern Nations and staggering under massive tuberculosis rates,not to mention that diabetes is three to five times higher in aboriginal communities and heart disease is one and a half times more prevalent, leading to shortened life expectancy and a poorer quality of life. These are the medical concerns of the Indigenous leaders and of course the mothers in these underserviced communities.
Then, of course, there are all the left over ills of the colonization legacy that Mr. Harper so eloquently apologized for in 2008.
My only other question is; when is enough,... enough?
regards Debra
I've posted before about the effects of Minamata in the Grassy Narrows community.(Post Tilted: Then and Now) This is my up-date. It sickens me to have to say that not much has been done nor does it look like, will ever be done for this community. Even the compensation for these victims is heart breaking. Were you one of the few judged to be effected and thusly able to get compensation that is.
Like the the climate deniers of today and the tobacco companies of yester-year the Canadian government has found pseudo scientific evidence to refute the claims of the victims. My question is who are they consulting? Not Dr.Masazumi Harada for sure. He is THE expert on mercury poisoning who came from Minamata Japan 35 years ago to aid the residents of the two reserves, and is back today to stand up for them once again. Dr. Masazumi Harada has sited the cumulative effects of mercury poisoning, passed from mother to fetus as a possible culprit for the high mercury readings in the youngest victims. All of the first diagnosed sufferers have since passed away.
yet Primeare Mcguinty is asking for further studies Does this sound like perhaps more of the same.
This in the year of the G8 summit here in Canada, where our Prime Minister has put child/ maternal health on the agenda.
Now I don't have anything against the mothers and children of the third world, and anything that the richer nations can do to ease their plight I'm all for,..but, Canada...can we please,...pleease...pleeease clean up our own back yard first?
Our northern Nations and staggering under massive tuberculosis rates,not to mention that diabetes is three to five times higher in aboriginal communities and heart disease is one and a half times more prevalent, leading to shortened life expectancy and a poorer quality of life. These are the medical concerns of the Indigenous leaders and of course the mothers in these underserviced communities.
Then, of course, there are all the left over ills of the colonization legacy that Mr. Harper so eloquently apologized for in 2008.
My only other question is; when is enough,... enough?
regards Debra
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Cautionary Tale of Tom-foolery
Hi Friends
I've been consumed with the taxing efforts of the Ontario government, of the Indigenous peoples here. This is not to say that there haven't been a myriad of other First Nations issues to opine about.
Just yesterday in the Toronto Star was an article of interest for me and all other First Nations people.
Yeah...I believe Tom Flanagan is concerned about the impoverished First Nations in this country.
Yes this is Mr. Harper's mentor and the author of the racist ramblings "First Nations, Second Thoughts"
What a turn around in thinking. I wonder why? He grew a heart?... at his age? He's been visited by three ghosts...ala Scrooge in a Christmas Carol? I hope I'm not being too wary here, but lets look at all the possible ramifications of his radical plan, shall we?
True Toronto doesn't lose the land base when he (Flanagan) buys a lot, but then, Toronto isn't considered a Nation with in this Nation Canada is it? The fact is, there are many poor people in the GTA who have this right to own property, yet do not, now, nor will they ever be able to own property. Has this made it easier on them to alleviate their impoverished circumstances? Of course not. How will this be so for First Nations citizens then?
Just the idea of one nation asking another one for "title" of it own land is patently ridicules. Did America ask Canada for its land base, or Mexico ask America...
What does Flanagan think the land claims process is all about? We own the lands, not them.
Property rights for some cultures are around the out right ownership. Here in Canada the property rights only extend to usage, but not exclusively to the title holder. We only have to look at Ipperwash Provincial Park, and the situation around that issue.
What happened was in 1942 under the war measures act the Government of Canada appropriated the land of the Stoney Point Reserve. This was to be returned to the band once the war was over and no military instillation was judged to be of use at the site. This is around the Canadian property laws where all land in Canada is judged to be owned by the crown.
Ownership of land can be held separately from ownership of rights over that land, as was the case in Ipperwash.
The reserves here in Canada do not have economies to engage the populations and this leaves a large number on social assistance. To qualify for welfare of any kind you can not own property. So the peoples only options would be to either have to either sell or rent or starve. Their properties could then be sold off to non-aboriginals and the land base of the Nations lost. In the cases of corp. take overs, the corporation need only lend money (given you have real property, you now have collateral) and they have an avenue of exploitation of reserve lands.
Could this be the reason for Mr. Flanagan's deep concern for the First Nations of this country? I could be wrong, but I think this is just another of his attempts in his quest at assimilation of the First Nations in this country.
Regards Debra
I've been consumed with the taxing efforts of the Ontario government, of the Indigenous peoples here. This is not to say that there haven't been a myriad of other First Nations issues to opine about.
Just yesterday in the Toronto Star was an article of interest for me and all other First Nations people.
Yeah...I believe Tom Flanagan is concerned about the impoverished First Nations in this country.
Yes this is Mr. Harper's mentor and the author of the racist ramblings "First Nations, Second Thoughts"
What a turn around in thinking. I wonder why? He grew a heart?... at his age? He's been visited by three ghosts...ala Scrooge in a Christmas Carol? I hope I'm not being too wary here, but lets look at all the possible ramifications of his radical plan, shall we?
True Toronto doesn't lose the land base when he (Flanagan) buys a lot, but then, Toronto isn't considered a Nation with in this Nation Canada is it? The fact is, there are many poor people in the GTA who have this right to own property, yet do not, now, nor will they ever be able to own property. Has this made it easier on them to alleviate their impoverished circumstances? Of course not. How will this be so for First Nations citizens then?
Just the idea of one nation asking another one for "title" of it own land is patently ridicules. Did America ask Canada for its land base, or Mexico ask America...
What does Flanagan think the land claims process is all about? We own the lands, not them.
Property rights for some cultures are around the out right ownership. Here in Canada the property rights only extend to usage, but not exclusively to the title holder. We only have to look at Ipperwash Provincial Park, and the situation around that issue.
What happened was in 1942 under the war measures act the Government of Canada appropriated the land of the Stoney Point Reserve. This was to be returned to the band once the war was over and no military instillation was judged to be of use at the site. This is around the Canadian property laws where all land in Canada is judged to be owned by the crown.
Ownership of land can be held separately from ownership of rights over that land, as was the case in Ipperwash.
The reserves here in Canada do not have economies to engage the populations and this leaves a large number on social assistance. To qualify for welfare of any kind you can not own property. So the peoples only options would be to either have to either sell or rent or starve. Their properties could then be sold off to non-aboriginals and the land base of the Nations lost. In the cases of corp. take overs, the corporation need only lend money (given you have real property, you now have collateral) and they have an avenue of exploitation of reserve lands.
Could this be the reason for Mr. Flanagan's deep concern for the First Nations of this country? I could be wrong, but I think this is just another of his attempts in his quest at assimilation of the First Nations in this country.
Regards Debra
Friday, March 12, 2010
Newly minted Indians... coming soon...to a rez near you!
Hi Friends
The First Nations communities are facing an influx of about 45,000 new members added to the status lists within the next few months. Good news, bad news.
This is a redressing of the second generation cut off, and it will keep the numbers of our citizenry up, for the time being, but is it a true fix? It still remains a made in Canada Government fix. This is still a colonialist policy that ultimately goes toward the assimilation of the Indigenous peoples.
Within two generations the Indigenous First Nations will be effectively wiped out by this policy. The dominant society is still setting the rules as to who is a citizen of the First Nation.
It is imperative that the First Nations utilize the constitutional provision set out in section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act and make their (and here I'll say citizenship) codes to protect their rights to name their own citizens, or face legislated extinction.
In the mean time lets congratulate the heroic women that we owe such deep gratitude to, Jeanette-Corbiere-Laval and Sharon McIvor. Teach your children these names and give our youth and especially our girls a sense of pride in these women and their great accomplishments, taken on at enormous expense personally and financially to the benefit of all the nations. These cases started out as personal trials, but quickly morphed into something much bigger and they stood their ground on behalf of all the women of the various First Nations. They quite simply personify the best in us.
regards debra
The First Nations communities are facing an influx of about 45,000 new members added to the status lists within the next few months. Good news, bad news.
This is a redressing of the second generation cut off, and it will keep the numbers of our citizenry up, for the time being, but is it a true fix? It still remains a made in Canada Government fix. This is still a colonialist policy that ultimately goes toward the assimilation of the Indigenous peoples.
Within two generations the Indigenous First Nations will be effectively wiped out by this policy. The dominant society is still setting the rules as to who is a citizen of the First Nation.
It is imperative that the First Nations utilize the constitutional provision set out in section 35 of the Canadian Constitution Act and make their (and here I'll say citizenship) codes to protect their rights to name their own citizens, or face legislated extinction.
In the mean time lets congratulate the heroic women that we owe such deep gratitude to, Jeanette-Corbiere-Laval and Sharon McIvor. Teach your children these names and give our youth and especially our girls a sense of pride in these women and their great accomplishments, taken on at enormous expense personally and financially to the benefit of all the nations. These cases started out as personal trials, but quickly morphed into something much bigger and they stood their ground on behalf of all the women of the various First Nations. They quite simply personify the best in us.
regards debra
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
better late than never
Hi Friends
The First Nations in Ontario are about to embark on a protest in effort to halt the imposing of the HST on their citizens. Since I am an off reserve citizen, I do indeed pay taxes. Income tax as well as property taxes. In the immigration hand books the government states, that First Nations, of this country do not pay taxes.
Lying by omission is still lying.
The truth is many members of any First Nation pay taxes. If they live or work off their reserve, and ( I think the number is 70% of most reserve populations live and or work off their territory,) I would say then that we as Nations have been being taxed for quite some time.
Right about here I wonder aloud, where is our First Nations leadership? Where is our representation from the AFN? Who is ultimately responsible for protecting the rights of those members living off reserve? Our rights are diminished by our addresses. Does that sound right or fair?
As to my personal feelings about this tax, my position is that the Nations are a day late and a dollar short on this issue. The Canadian government can truthfully claim they have been taxing the First Nations of this country for the past twenty five years (at least) and no one sought to protest then. Some hard truths just don't lend themselves to sugar coating.
But, in conclusion, I'll say it is still better late than never.
regards Debra
The First Nations in Ontario are about to embark on a protest in effort to halt the imposing of the HST on their citizens. Since I am an off reserve citizen, I do indeed pay taxes. Income tax as well as property taxes. In the immigration hand books the government states, that First Nations, of this country do not pay taxes.
Lying by omission is still lying.
The truth is many members of any First Nation pay taxes. If they live or work off their reserve, and ( I think the number is 70% of most reserve populations live and or work off their territory,) I would say then that we as Nations have been being taxed for quite some time.
Right about here I wonder aloud, where is our First Nations leadership? Where is our representation from the AFN? Who is ultimately responsible for protecting the rights of those members living off reserve? Our rights are diminished by our addresses. Does that sound right or fair?
As to my personal feelings about this tax, my position is that the Nations are a day late and a dollar short on this issue. The Canadian government can truthfully claim they have been taxing the First Nations of this country for the past twenty five years (at least) and no one sought to protest then. Some hard truths just don't lend themselves to sugar coating.
But, in conclusion, I'll say it is still better late than never.
regards Debra
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Language is Everything
Hi Friends,
I've been thinking about the language used by various levels of government when dealing with First Nation issues. I have taken the time to look up the varied names used by the various groups to define us.(the indigenous - aboriginal people of this, the north American continent)
These definitions include aboriginal, native, and Indian, as well as the correct term indigenous.
Aboriginal is defined as earliest known inhabitants. The trouble with this term still leaves us as immigrants in our own country. (ab) Latin for: away from. Native: born or connected with a place of birth. Any new Canadian who has a child born here, hence is raising a native Canadian.Then the truest misnomer: Indian. This has come to be a definition of American indigenous peoples (except the Metis or Inuit) as well as any citizen of India or of the East Indies. First Nations is a term born here in Canada and as such can easily be piggy backed onto any other definition for what ever purpose.
The more correct term (one the Canadian Government is loath to use) is indigenous. Meaning to have originated in. The problem with the Canadian Government, or any other colonizing governments use of this word is around the term, terra nullius, which is a Latin term meaning "land belonging to no one"
This goes a long way in explaining Canada's reluctance and even out right opposition to the signing of the indigenous peoples bill of rights,... or is that just me?
I would caution all the Nations out there making your membership/citizenship codes to use proper terminology around this very important issue.
Here is an interesting site (follow the links) to check out. All other information and definitions can be gathered from Wikipedia.
The Canadian government has sought to do away with us in many ways...linguistic genocide can be yet another...beware.
def. for terra nullius
def. of indigenous plus just a great site to check out.
Regards;
Debra
I've been thinking about the language used by various levels of government when dealing with First Nation issues. I have taken the time to look up the varied names used by the various groups to define us.(the indigenous - aboriginal people of this, the north American continent)
These definitions include aboriginal, native, and Indian, as well as the correct term indigenous.
Aboriginal is defined as earliest known inhabitants. The trouble with this term still leaves us as immigrants in our own country. (ab) Latin for: away from. Native: born or connected with a place of birth. Any new Canadian who has a child born here, hence is raising a native Canadian.Then the truest misnomer: Indian. This has come to be a definition of American indigenous peoples (except the Metis or Inuit) as well as any citizen of India or of the East Indies. First Nations is a term born here in Canada and as such can easily be piggy backed onto any other definition for what ever purpose.
The more correct term (one the Canadian Government is loath to use) is indigenous. Meaning to have originated in. The problem with the Canadian Government, or any other colonizing governments use of this word is around the term, terra nullius, which is a Latin term meaning "land belonging to no one"
This goes a long way in explaining Canada's reluctance and even out right opposition to the signing of the indigenous peoples bill of rights,... or is that just me?
I would caution all the Nations out there making your membership/citizenship codes to use proper terminology around this very important issue.
Here is an interesting site (follow the links) to check out. All other information and definitions can be gathered from Wikipedia.
The Canadian government has sought to do away with us in many ways...linguistic genocide can be yet another...beware.
def. for terra nullius
def. of indigenous plus just a great site to check out.
Regards;
Debra
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Ethnic cleansing comes to Indian country
Hi Friends
the newspapers are all aflutter over those damn Mohawks kicking the non natives out of their territory.
Here
After reading some of the comments I believe that this is exactly what the Mohawks had in mind. Creating dialog around essentially what the Canadian Government has been doing to First Nation people across the country with the narrow ( and ever narrowing) stipulations around "who is an Indian" according to the Indian Act.
It never ceases to amaze me how when it's happening to your kind, it's racist, and an out-rage yet First Nations have been living an apartheid, race based, government sanctioned, existence for many many years. To the detractors read a history book, remember the apology offered June 11 2008, and, remember what it was all about.
Your thoughts?
regards Debra
the newspapers are all aflutter over those damn Mohawks kicking the non natives out of their territory.
Here
After reading some of the comments I believe that this is exactly what the Mohawks had in mind. Creating dialog around essentially what the Canadian Government has been doing to First Nation people across the country with the narrow ( and ever narrowing) stipulations around "who is an Indian" according to the Indian Act.
It never ceases to amaze me how when it's happening to your kind, it's racist, and an out-rage yet First Nations have been living an apartheid, race based, government sanctioned, existence for many many years. To the detractors read a history book, remember the apology offered June 11 2008, and, remember what it was all about.
Your thoughts?
regards Debra
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