Idle No More Hunger Strike

dignin

Curious to get an opinion from AMT on this, as this movement seems to be getting more attention here in Canada.




http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/201 ... tests.html


Hunger-striking chief calls for action amidst health concerns

Time for Harper to 'show some leadership and to extend a hand,' NDP says

Aleksandra Sagan, CBC News Posted: Dec 30, 2012 12:12 PM ET Last Updated: Dec 31, 2012 12:27 AM ET Read

On First Nations Chief Theresa Spence's 20th day of her politically motivated hunger strike, Canadians and politicians answered her plea for solidarity for her cause to secure a meeting between First Nations leaders, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and the Governor General.

The Attawapiskat chief sent Friday a public plea to make Sunday a day of solidarity, asking Canadians to stage protests across the country and petitioning politicians to meet with her in Ottawa, both at 2 p.m.

Attawapiskat chief 'willing to die' to force Harper meeting
A number of politicians are starting to make the trek to Victoria Island, Ottawa, where the chief is residing in a teepee, including a 15-member NDP delegation, spokeswoman Valérie Dufour told CBC News.

Originally, 17 NDP MPs were expected, Cheryl Maloney, who self-identified as a Spence supporter and is the president of the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association, told CBC News. However, two expected MPs experienced weather-related delays.

NDP sends MPs to meet with chief
The group, which will visit the chief at 2 p.m. Sunday, will be led by deputy leader Megan Leslie and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus.

The NDP has been following Spence's hunger strike very closely, Dufour said. Since the chief started her hunger strike on Dec. 11, she has subsisted on fish broth and tea. Her condition has been worsening, according to a statement released Friday.

"Her condition continues to weaken every hour," read the statement.

On Dec. 18, party leader Thomas Mulcair wrote a letter to Harper asking him to meet with Spence."Please act swiftly to avoid a personal tragedy for Chief Spence," he wrote.

Now, 20 days into Spence's hunger strike, the NDP is "beginning to be very worried," said Dufour. "It's dangerous for her…We're all a bit afraid because she said she's even willing to die for it."

Dufour said Harper should meet with First Nations leaders as soon as possible because it is the only way to settle the matter, adding that Spence isn't asking for much by requesting a meeting with the prime minister.

"Now it's time for Stephen Harper to show some leadership and to extend a hand and to meet with the leader," she said.

Spence supporter Maloney, who forwarded the chief's latest statement, said she was not authorized to speak about Spence's condition. She said it is getting harder for the chief to host visitors and conduct interviews. The chief has been resting to prepare for Sunday's guests, which includes 15 NDP MPs, two Liberal MPs and three Liberal senators.

"[We] haven’t heard anything from any Conservatives at all," she said.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan has offered several times to speak with Spence and form a working group, but she rejected his proposals because she believes he is not the one who should be speaking on a nation-to-nation basis.

Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, an Inuk who is one of two aboriginal MPs in the Conservative cabinet, urged Spence to stop fasting and accept a meeting with Duncan. "That's the best way to address her issues," Aglukkaq said.

Spence chose to continue her fast, hoping to secure a meeting with Harper and the Governor General instead.

Former PM visits Spence
On Saturday afternoon, former prime minister Joe Clark visited Spence, following her open invitation.

In a statement after his meeting, Clark said that "there is a general concern that First Nations–Canada relations are headed in a dangerous direction."

'First Nations - Canada relations are headed in a dangerous direction'
—Joe Clark, former prime minister
People no longer active in political life may have to help support "the resumption of productive discussions," he said.

"Chief Spence expressed a humble and achievable vision — one which I believe all Canadians can embrace," he said, adding honest dialogue and mutual commitment can carry-out her vision.

Idle No More rallies staged across Canada
Meanwhile, Canadians are holding rallies in a show of support for the chief.

An Idle No More protest at Toronto's Eaton Centre was organized in response to a call for action from hunger-striking First Nations Chief Theresa Spence. (John Bowman/CBC News)
At least half a dozen events are planned for Sunday across Canada, said CBC's Shannon Martin.

The Idle No More movement — which has hosted several demonstrations in past weeks and is loosely tied to Spence's protest — staged a rally in Toronto, Ont., in response to the chief's call for action. Participants gathered near the Eaton Centre for a "round dance flash mob," according to the Toronto chapter's Twitter account.

In Alberta, about 400 protesters gathered outside Harper's Calgary office, reported CBC's Devin Heroux. People performed a round dance, carried signs and played drums as part of an Idle No More flash mob.

Various rallies and demonstrations supporting Spence also took place yesterday in Oklahoma, Washington, Cincinnati, and Regina — where a four-day hunger strike is underway, said Martin.

blueandwhite

Unfortunately, anti aboriginal sentiment is quite strong in Canada. Despite the blatant intrusion into the rights of our First Peoples, I don't expect that this will phase Harper in the slightest, just as his assault on our waterways and other environmental protection laws have gone largely unnoticed by the public at large. Perhaps I'm a pessimist, but I get the distinct impression that more Canadians than not disapprove of our First Nations peoples and would actually like to see them stripped of their treaty rights in spite of years of abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the rest of Canada.

dignin

blueandwhite wrote:

Unfortunately, anti aboriginal sentiment is quite strong in Canada. Despite the blatant intrusion into the rights of our First Peoples, I don't expect that this will phase Harper in the slightest, just as his assault on our waterways and other environmental protection laws have gone largely unnoticed by the public at large. Perhaps I'm a pessimist, but I get the distinct impression that more Canadians than not disapprove of our First Nations peoples and would actually like to see them stripped of their treaty rights in spite of years of abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the rest of Canada.

Sadly, I think you're right. Just check out some of the top comments on this CBC article. I wish her luck but Harper gives 0 fucks.

Drowned Out

Standing for What is Right: Harper Government attacked First Nations rights in 2012

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/News_Releases/UB ... z2Gz14yhOg
News Release | Opinion. December 31, 2012

(Coast Salish Territories / Vancouver. December 31, 2012) Today, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, reflected upon the last year of devastating changes to federal environmental legislation and the deepening gap between the Harper Government's pro-industry agenda and the social and environment principles that First Nations share with the majority of Canadians.

"Looking back on 2012, I am proud and at the same time humbled that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs has had the opportunity to support the courageous, principled and inspirational stand of First Nations and grassroots to strengthen, assert and exercise our inherent, constitutionally-enshrined and judicially-recognized Title, Rights and Treaty Rights to our respective territories. As Indigenous Peoples we have the sacred duty and inherent obligation to defend the health and well being of our communities as well as the environmental integrity of our respective territories. We shall continue to take any and all measures necessary to defend our homelands. This is an absolute certainty.

Multi-national corporations and industry are desperately seeking certainty, unobstructed convenience of access and unfettered control of their government-granted tenures. Accordingly, they lobby, advocate and participate in federal and provincial processes with the sympathetic consideration of governments who this year have shamelessly demonstrated that they are full-pledged business partners by fast-tracking proposal reviews, gutting environmental legislation, slashing funding for government scientific research and entrusting regulatory oversight to the very same corporations who benefit the most from the completely weakened and deliberately undermined government oversight.

The reality is the dismissive and unilateral actions of the Harper Government have not brought certainty to mega-projects like Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, proposed expansion of Kinder Morgan's Trans-Mountain Pipeline, Taseko Mines' New Prosperity Mine proposal or BC Hydro's planned Site C dam project. First Nations and local communities are vigorously opposing these mega-projects because of the detrimental long-term impacts on their territories and on their communities outweigh the fleeting, short-term economic gain promised by government and industry. As billions flow into industry and government coffers, First Nations and local communities are left to deal with the long-term social, economic and environmental consequences.

In early January public comments by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver openly advocated for Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to proceed even before the Joint Review Panel's environmental review had begun. First Nations and many Canadians questioned how the three National Energy Board panellists, appointed by the Harper Government, could fairly review this proposal after such comments. Minister Oliver raised the spectre of foreign-funded environmental radicals gumming up the legislated Canadian Environmental Assessment process as a prelude for a total overhaul of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

A positive consequence of such loud-mouthed, highly offensive comments and belligerent actions of the Harper Government was the UBCIC Chiefs Council formally endorsing the Coastal First Nations Tanker Ban and Save the Fraser Declaration that explicitly prohibit the transportation of crude oil by pipeline and tanker on the north and south coast and through the Fraser River watershed. As Indigenous Peoples, we continue to exercise our Indigenous laws and inherent jurisdiction to protect our lands, our waters, our coasts and our rivers, as we have done for thousands of years.

Close to 100 Chiefs and representatives from First Nations in BC along with 400 Chiefs from across the country attended the Crown-First Nations Gathering in Ottawa on January 24 2012. The Crown-First Nations Gathering was billed as an opportunity to begin a dialogue to re-set the relationship between First Nations and the Crown. The Governor General, the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials were in attendance. Prior to the gathering, I had publicly stated that we can do better. We must do better. The Honour of the Crown and the very integrity of Canada as a nation are at stake. Otherwise, an Aboriginal uprising is inevitable.

The Crown-First Nations Gathering ended with lots of photo-ops, a pre-ordained Outcome Statement and a common condescending refrain from the Honourable Members of Parliament of the Harper Government to go home and meet with your local MP to discuss your concerns. Prime Minister Harper uttered the same refrain humbly suggesting that he was just one MP in the government caucus.

Shortly afterwards, a Government of Canada delegation led by Prime Minister Harper, Cabinet Ministers and industry representatives went on a trade mission to China which included the announcement of the conclusion of negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) with China. By inviting industry representatives, like Enbridge, the Harper Government continued to ignore First Nations’ deep concerns about such mega-projects.

As designed, many believe that the ratification of this FIPPA, China investors and state-owned enterprises will be granted protection and would thus greatly increase their investment in the development of the tarsands, expansion of pipelines, mining projects and possibly future offshore drilling projects. We believe the agreement would enable Chinese investors to challenge the already weakened federal environmental regulations, policies and legislation as well as reducing the benefits of current reconciliation negotiations, accommodation measures and treaty negotiations.

Our reality of appalling, devastating and dehumanizing conditions of poverty is not captured in the glossy photo-op after photo-op events that appear to consume the interest of the Harper Government. Our working relationship with governments and industry is the key issue and it must change. It is not a mutually beneficial working relationship when the Harper Government is selling the resources of our territories to the highest overseas bidder or slashing federal environmental processes to bolster bigger and bigger projects in our territories.

Increasingly, First Nations are seeking redress at the international level. Specifically, the UBCIC, as a Non-Governmental Organization in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is working with other Indigenous and human rights NGOs to formally present to different United Nations bodies including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD).

This year, more than 35 Indigenous Nations, regional and national Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, human rights and social justice organizations filed their own alternative reports with CERD. The submissions covered the urgent concerns of violence against Indigenous women, mega-projects in Indigenous lands, the high rates of incarceration of Indigenous peoples, protection of Indigenous peoples’ economic, social and cultural rights, implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Canada’s actions in the international arena to undermine the Declaration and others standards for the protection of Indigenous rights.

On behalf of Canada, the Harper Government endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2010. Frankly, the endorsement loses its meaning when the Harper Government repeatedly takes action that devalues this human rights instrument in Canada and internationally.

The Harper Government introduced two omnibus bills, Bill C-38, the Budget Implementation Act, and Bill C-45, Jobs and Growth Act, both bills drastically weakened the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, gutted the Fisheries Act, sapped the Navigable Waters Protection Act and other vitally important legislation which safeguard the environment and offered opportunities for First Nations and the general public to have their say about major industrial projects that could threaten the air, water, soil and natural ecosystems.

The Harper Government cannot legislate itself out of its duties to consult and accommodate our inherent Title, Rights and Treaty Rights. It is clear, that the weakening of these environmental laws have created greater political unity and grassroots solidarity as more and more people appreciate that once corporate third party interests are granted, those interests are protected at the great expense of the environmental values that we all share and to the great detriment of all future generations.

We have witnessed the Harper Government's blatant abuse of democratic process to serve its own needs, and we completely object to the government's questionable and underhanded tactics of including major changes to the environmental assessment process within omnibus bills that were rammed through Parliament with an expedited process that does not allow for the standard debate and checks and balances that such significant and substantive changes deserve and require. There were hundreds of proposed amendments to Bill C-45. In the end, the Harper Government used its majority to force Bill C-45 through Parliament unchanged. Thousands of waterways that were protected by the Navigable Waters Protection Act are now exempt from federal protections. The water that sustains our communities and feed our territories are now at great risk.

The omnibus bills allow the Harper Government to continue its attack on our collective and inherent Title, Rights and Treaty Rights. The government has amended the Indian Act to allow for the leasing of reserve lands and imposed funding cuts to tribal councils, regional and national representative organizations. It is unmistakable, the support for duly elected First Nation governments has been challenged and the voices of First Nations' political advocacy are being told to stay home and shut up.

In recent weeks, there have been a growing number of flashmobs, round dances, marches, rallies organized by grassroots under the Idle No More banner. Many organizers are using social media to organize, educate and network with their families, communities and Nations. They are rallying support for the ongoing hunger strike of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence. Like many First Nation governments, tribal councils, regional and national representative organizations, the UBCIC fully support Idle No More. This is a rising grassroots movement ignited by the intransigence of the Harper Government and it is a movement that Harper Government ignores at their peril.

In closing, the UBCIC will always uphold the principles and standards articulated in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the establishment and maintenance of a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, well-being and rights of First Nations. We will continue to advocate for our Right of Self-Determination under international law including the pursuit of economic, social and cultural development. The UBCIC affirms and supports all First Nations’ rights to own, use, develop and control their lands, waters and resources, according to their own laws, and the requirement of federal and provincial governments to give legal recognition and protection to these rights.

Happy New Year.

Read more: http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/News_Releases/UB ... z2Gz1AzntH

Drowned Out

Harper government bills that sparked Idle No More

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politi ... le-no-more

One of the first questions that people ask about the Idle No More movement is what the movement is all about. While the historical injustices experienced by First Nations are too many to list, some activists say the current government is pushing through a range of new bills that violate treaty rights. Despite the fact that some bills received input from Aboriginal representatives, opponents argue that the changes are too broad and lack support.

"Never in history has there been so many bills regarding and impacting First Nations been pushed through the House of Commons at one time," an Idle No More document released by activists reads. Below is an excerpt adapted from the document, outlining the eight bills and amendments which have sparked protests across the country.

Bill C-45: Jobs and Growth Act (Omnibus Bill)

I. Land Surrenders

• This process prevents any debate or Grand Chiefs to present views of amendments
• Changes to Indian Act without sufficient consultation of communities
• Lowers threshold for the surrender of reserve lands

II. Navigable Waters Act
• The federal government vacates jurisdiction over waters, parks, fisheries, etc. and the responsibility and duty to consult, honour treaty rights
• Allows provinces to have more powerful expropriation powers
• The current federal government has expressed wishes to “unlock” First Nations' lands for the maximized benefit of Canadians

Bill C-428: Indian Act Amendment and Replacement Act

• Rob Clark’s Bill to Repeal the Indian Act altogether
• Doesn’t acknowledge a band’s abilities to pass band by-laws
• Takes away the power of bands to pass by-laws to prohibit alcohol on reserves – by taking power away to create by-laws and govern

Bill S-2: Family Homes of Reserve Matrimonial Interests of Rights Act

• Does not recognize any First Nation by-laws that already set out matrimonial property laws
• Legal rights can be given to non-Indians over holds on lands on-reserve
• Land, protected under treaties, exclusively for First Nations, can be given and transferred to non-First Nation people through this bill

First Nation Education Act

• Incorporates and imposes provincial laws into First Nation education on reserves
• The bill violates treaty right to education
• The federal government wishes to nationalize, control and legislate the treaty right to education

• Federal authorities with hand jurisdiction to the Province – not just stepping away from treaty obligations, but also funding obligations


Bill S-212: An Act to Amend the Interpretation Act

• Non-Derogation of Aboriginal and Treaty rights

Bill S-212: First Nations Self-Government Recognition Bill and FNPOA

• The 1887 Dawes Act (United States) in Canadian form (privatization of reserve land: will take community-held reserve lands and divide up into individual parcels)

• This land can be sold to non-Indians and corporations, like any provincial lands, under provincial laws and registries, with no Aboriginal or Treaty rights associated anymore
• After the Dawes Act, more amendments were set to go and over half of the privatized lands were given to government, military, and corporations for resource extraction
• To put a pipeline (e.g. proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline) through a community, the community’s consent is no longer needed on the same level as in the past: just the individual people whose property the pipeline would go beneath

Bill S-8: Safe Drinking Water for First Nations

• Will give the federal government the power to set up rules and regulations around water and sanitation and will be able to force Chief and Councils to do whatever federal authorities see as necessary on water
• They can demand that Chief and Councils fix water systems, but if there is no money to do so, it is taken from band operating funding formulas (that pays for housing, social assistance, etc.)
• If the federal government’s contractors mismanage a project, the federal government is not liable
• Transfers jurisdiction and pushes provincial laws on reserve lands

Bill C-27: First Nations Financial Transparency Act
• This bill will force First Nations to open up all the books, source revenue, and business revenue (for the public)
• Failure to make business information public can result in being taken to court and having funds to the community cut off
• Currently, if leaders speak up, they risk having budgets slashed
• The average salary for a First Nation leader is $36,845, while the salary of the average Canadian is $46,345



Bill S-207 An Act to amend the Interpretation Act: Non-
Derogation of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights are not only violations to treaties, but are also in direct violation of Article 18, 19 &20 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

For more, see http://www.IdleNoMore.ca

PJ_Soul

A perspective from a fellow at the Fraser Institute:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Idle+M ... story.html

polaris_x

this is yet another example of the fascist leadership style of Harper ... having said that - i'm glad he finally caved and gave her this meeting ... i suspect the momentum being driven by Idle No More is being considered a threat to his rule ...

polaris_x

PJ_Soul wrote:

A perspective from a fellow at the Fraser Institute:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Idle+M ... story.html

sorry ... but the fraser institute is as bad as it gets in canada ... i'm guessing they are still pimping the anti-global warming agenda ...

PJ_Soul

polaris_x wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

A perspective from a fellow at the Fraser Institute:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Idle+M ... story.html

sorry ... but the fraser institute is as bad as it gets in canada ... i'm guessing they are still pimping the anti-global warming agenda ...

Why are you apologizing? I specifically said this was from the Fraser Institute for a reason!!! Trust me, I know exactly what their deal is!! Why did you assume I agreed with this article? I would have thought I've been around long enough for people to know I would not be using the FI's shit in support of my own views. I just wanted to present the issue from all perspectives. (And after that, I am perfectly willing to acknowledge there are SERIOUS systemic issues within Canada's reserve Native population right long with the Harper government, and both groups needs to get a grip).