Rights and Recognition Webinar – Idle No More

The webinar will be live at 5PM Eastern Time at the link below:

 

 

On Sunday, Oct. 14th, The Defenders of the Land, the Truth Campaign and the Idle No More networks will be hosting a live stream webinar. We will be providing an analysis of Canada’s proposed “Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework” legislation. This live broadcast will be moderated by Janice Makokis and our guest panel will include legal policy analysts Sara Mainville, Russell Diabo and Rachel Snow.

The webinar broadcast will stream live from the Idle No More YouTube channel. Subscribe to our channel below. You can also check out some of the past webinars available on our channel, which are still relevant issues today.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!

 

Guest Panelists

PIC_FOR_smainville2018sm_(2).jpgSara Mainville is a Partner at OKT. Sara works with First Nations as legal counsel, strategic advisor and negotiator, her strength is engaging provincial and Federal governments in bilateral/trilateral negotiations around difficult issues. Ms. Mainville has a law degree from Queen’s University and a LL.M from the University of Toronto. Throughout her legal career, Sara is committed to give back to her community of Couchiching First Nation. In 2014, Sara was elected Chief of Couchiching First Nation and during that term she ensured that the First Nation has strong policy going forward, a good social media presence to engage the many off-reserve members in community affairs, and she started the Wasaw group of companies. Sara is recognized to be a leading thinker around Indigenous jurisdiction and its role in Nation-to-Nation reconciliation.

Russ_Pic.jpgRussell Diabo is Policy Advisor to various First Nations and organizations, he is also Editor and Publisher of an online newsletter on First Nations political and legal issues the First Nations Strategic Bulletin. Mr. Diabo is a member of the Mohawk Nation at Kahnawake, Quebec, and has been an activist on First Nation issues since the age of 16. Russ is part of the Defenders of the Land Network and works closely with Idle No More. Russ ran for AFN National Chief in 2018 election and continues with his “Truth Campaign” for fundamental change to Canada’s laws and policies affecting First Nations.

Rachel_Snow_Bio_pic.jpgRachel Snow is the daughter of late Chief John Snow Sr., and a member of the Ĩyãhé Nakoda Sioux or Rocky Mountain Sioux (Stoney) located west of Calgary, Alberta in the foothills of traditional Treaty 7 territory.
Rachel is a tireless advocate for the original people of Turtle Island. She has traditional cultural teachings and a mainstream education in business (with a focus on human resources). Rachel also holds the distinction of acquiring the first Juris Doctor (law school degree) for her nation.
Rachel works primarily with treaty people (western Canada), First Nation organizations, and on policy work that is specific to Indigenous laws, traditions, education and justice. Rachel has spoken on APTN ‘s “Face to face”, at various conferences including Think Indigenous (2018), the Vine Deloria Symposium in Bellingham, Washington (2016), and for many workshops on topics including: Indigenous laws, consultation, education, empowering women, and empowering youth.
Rachel is scheduled to be a facilitator for the Treaty 8 women’s gathering. Rachel is also an outspoken and seasoned social media warrior. She can be followed on Facebook at Rachel Ann Snow or on Twitter @Rachelannsnow. For more information contact her: rachelannsnow634@gmail.com

What is the “Federal Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework“?

On February 14, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to “chart a new way forward” for the federal government by creating a new Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework to include new laws and policies to define what federal “recognition” means in a law adopted by Parliament and what the federal government will and won’t include in “negotiations” of Indigenous Rights with First Nations, Metis and Inuit.

To help you better understand what the “Federal Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework you can check out this two-page brochure and information sheet that you can print and distribute within your community’s. It has been prepared by grassroots volunteers to ensure that we have tools needed that break down the federal legalese, so you know exactly how our collective rights as the Original Peoples of these vast territories are being attacked. We have also prepared an information sheet to further help those people who have begun to organize teach-ins in communities across the land. Many people have already begun to collectively educate folks about the Federal Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework legislation, due to be introduced into federal parliament before the Christmas break.

Get the Brochure and Info Sheet Here


Defenders of the Land, Truth Campaign, Idle No More Networks – Statement on Recognition & Implementation of the Inherent& Treaty Rights of Indigenous Peoples Framework Legislation Engagement Document
Issued September 7, 2018

To help you better understand, how many layers of law have been placed upon the underlying aboriginal title of our lands and territories, check out this video below. The late Arthur Manuel sits down with Steve Pakin on TVO:

Federal Framework Legislation Teach In Tools – Idle No More

In this blog post, we have included a two-page brochure and information sheet that you can print and distribute within your community’s. It has been prepared by grassroots volunteers to ensure that we have tools needed that break down the federal legalese, so you know exactly how our collective rights as the Original Peoples of these vast territories are being attacked. We have also prepared an information sheet to further help those people who have begun to organize teach-ins in communities across the land. Folks are already beginning to collectively educate folks about the Federal Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework legislation, due to be introduced into federal parliament before the Christmas break. 

To pay homage to our late colleague Arthur Manuel, we are also including information about the Art Manuel Awards and how you can nominate a Land Defender, Water Protector or Champion for Self-Determination. The deadline is this Friday, September 28th at midnight eastern time, only three days left to nominate someone you know. Everything you need to learn more about the awards is provided below the following teach-in tools.

Federal “Rights Framework” Legislation – Two Page Brochure

Through the combined efforts of the Idle No More, Defenders of the Land and Truth Before Reconciliation volunteers, this printable brochure is one of several tools we are providing to help you and your community members learn more about the Federal Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework. The brochure is accessible by simply clicking on the picture below or you can access page one by clicking on this link: Federal Framework Brochure Page One 

The brochure is accessible by simply clicking on the picture below or you can access page two by clicking on this link: Federal Framework Brochure Page Two

Federal Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework – Information Sheet #1

What is the “Federal Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework”? On February 14, 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his plan to “chart a new way forward” for the federal government by creating a new Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework to include new laws and policies to define what federal “recognition” means in a law adopted by Parliament and what the federal government will and won’t include in “negotiations” of Indigenous Rights with First Nations, Metis and Inuit. Read more below on our printable information sheet. You can download, print and distribute to your family, friends, colleague and community members for analysis and discussion. Click on the pics below to download and print, or you can click here: INFO SHEET #1 

 

The Art Manuel Awards, Presented by Yellowhead Institute

The deadline to nominate a Land Defender or Water Protector from your territory is quickly approaching. If you have thought about nominating someone you know, now is the time to honour that person with a nomination for one of the three Art Manuel Awards. The Yellowhead Institute will recognize three individuals or communities that expand on Art’s legacy. Folks who are out there right now making significant, on-the-ground contributions to Indigenous self-determination. There is a total of $7000 in awards to be granted in a $5000 award and two $1000 awards.

The deadline is on Friday, September 28th 2018 (Midnight at EST)
ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT TO NOMINATE!

CRITERIA: The recipients of the awards will show leadership in at least one of the following areas:

  • Defending Indigenous rights, land or water
  • Advocacy for Indigenous self-determination
  • Expansion of Indigenous jurisdiction or law in social policy, governance, or lands beyond the reserve
  • Impactful writing or research on Indigenous political economies.

Eligible action will have taken place between September 2017 – September 2018. However, ongoing work, leadership, or the legacy of a body of work before and beyond this timeframe are within the bounds of consideration. One of the three awards will be reserved for a local (Southern Ontario) Indigenous campaign, to be determined by the jury.

To learn more about the Art Manuel Awards or to submit a nomination, click here: The Art Manuel Awards

 

Tiny House and More updates – Idle No More

INMHandFeather.pngWelcome to our latest Idle No More email update. We have important news to share about a handful of the many awareness campaigns, Indigenous rights to self-determination campaigns, and Indigenous-led land and water protection actions. All across our territories, Indigenous youth, men, women, and Two-Spirit peoples are out on the land taking a stand and raising awareness. Whether our resistance comes in the form of art, music, or language revitalization camps, people are sharing food sovereignty knowledge, reclaiming cultural tradition, and holding space in response to the Indigenous child apprehension crisis. Our communities come together in so many different ways and bring a vast wealth of skills and knowledge to help advance Indigenous rights to self-determination and environmental protections.

Tiny House Warriors Up

Tiny House Warrior Kanahus Manuel, the daughter of the late Arthur Manuel, was arrested on July 14 and released in unceded Secwepemc territory. She was forced to leave the Secwepemc village site, where her people’s ancestors died of smallpox, to face mischief charge and future court date.

tinyhousePic.jpgOn-the-ground resistance promised by the Tiny House Warriors almost a year ago has been launched, as Indigenous Land Defenders from the group reclaim an ancestral village and block the planned route of the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline. Three tiny houses, built over the past 10 months, have now been placed in the proposed pipeline’s path, as Secwepemc Land Defenders begin to re-establish an ancient village that once thrived on what is now the North Thompson River Provincial Park near Clearwater, British Columbia. Additional tiny houses will be constructed on the site. Secwepemc Land Defenders intend to resist construction on the North Thompson line of the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline, which is expected to begin by the fall — including by re-establishing a permanent village on land the pipeline is slated to go through without consent, and by tying red cloth all along the nearby highway to call attention to the danger of gender-based and sexual violence associated with pipeline construction “man camps.” The existing tiny houses are being used for traditional tattooing, housing and other cultural purposes, as part of the resurgence in Indigenous culture.

Please give generously to the Tiny House Warriors in support of protecting and defending lands and waters! You can follow Tiny House Warriors on their Website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinyhousewarriors/
Donations: http://tinyhousewarriors.com/
Media:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2018/07/15/news/indigenous-activist-kanahus-manuel-arrested-after-trans-mountain-protest-bc

HashTags: #noconsent #stopkm #tinyhousewarriors

Photo Credit: Tiny House Warriors

Call to Support Russ Diabo’s “Truth Before Reconciliation” platform on the “Bannock and Bologna Tour” campaign, in his bid for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief

RussDiaboEmailBlastPic.jpg

UPDATED: July 20/18

Idle No More (INM) and Defenders of the Land (DOL) have been working together to advance Indigenous peoples issues and the right of self-determination for many years. Russ Diabo, one of the co-founders of Defenders of the Land network, has “thrown his hat in” for the candidacy of Assembly of First Nations National Chief. Russ is a natural leader and is recognized nationally for his expertise in First Nations politics and policy analysis. He has committed his life to sharing information with grassroots people around government agenda(s) relating to First Nations issues and their impacts on Aboriginal rights, title, treaties and the international right of self-determination. The current threat to Indigenous rights and the purchasing of the Kinder Morgan pipeline by the Trudeau government catapulted Russ into running for AFN National Chief. He has been traveling across the country on his “Bannock and Bologna Tour” speaking to university students, First Nations (grassroots) peoples, Chiefs and Councils, and non-Indigenous allies about the current threat to the Indigenous rights agenda from Prime Minister Trudeau’s government. In his talks, he points out that “the Trudeau government is on a path to terminate our rights and municipalize our lands and governments. The current Recognition of Rights Framework will have generational impacts if we don’t put the brakes on it and start over from the ground up”.

We ask you to learn more about Russ’ Truth Before Reconciliation political platform and campaign at www.russdiabo.com. You can also learn about the “Bannock and Bologna Tour” through his official Facebook page, Russell Diabo for AFN National Chief and follow his official campaign Twitter account, @truthcampaign2.

We are reaching out to everyone (including non-Indigenous allies) who believes in Russ’s vision and platform—which advocates for the international right of Indigenous self-determination, protection of lands and waters, and addressing issues of climate change—to make a donation today at https://www.gofundme.com/russdiabo. Donations can also be made via EMT: truthcampaign@rogers.com or via website: https://www.russdiabo.com/get-involved/. Russ has stated publicly that he will not accept donations from corporate donors.

We encourage grassroots peoples to speak to your Chiefs and Councils to inform them of the “Truth Before Reconciliation” campaign and encourage them to support and vote for Russ Diabo.

Campaign Hashtags to follow: #TruthCampaign #Truthb4Reconciliation #BannockBolognaTour #RDiabo4NC

PR_July_14_18-1.jpgPR_July_14_18-2.jpg

Photos: Russ Diabo
Russ’ Photo: via Twitter profile

Camp: Justice for Our Stolen Children

JFOSCemailblastPic.jpgThe Justice for Our Stolen Children Camp, located on Treaty 4 in the City of Regina, continues to seek justice for Indigenous children in foster care. The peaceful demonstration began in the late spring at the legislative building in Regina in response to the acquittal of Gerald Stanley in the murder of Colten Boushie and the acquittal of Raymond Cormier in the murder of teenager Tina Fontaine. The purpose of the camp is to expose and draw attention to the inequalities of the systems in place that kill Indigenous men, women, Two-Spirit people, and children on a daily basis. The practices of these systems go unscrutinized by most Canadians.
First Nations, Inuit, and Metis families endure the highest rates of child apprehension in this country. Justice for Our Stolen Children brings attention and awareness to children who are in care or who have died in care.

INDIGENOUS_FOSTER_CARE_MAP.pngLast month, just prior to the National Indigenous Day celebrations, the original Tipi was forcibly removed to clear the park and police arrested 6 of the peaceful demonstrators. Days later, organizers re-erected the tipi at Wascana Park where it currently remains. The camp has since grown to an astounding 14 tipis.

The camp is completely funded by the generous donations from the public near and far. Thank you for your support! Donations can be made via e-transfer or PayPal at colonialismnomore@gmail.com

For ongoing updates and news from Justice for Our Stolen Children’s organizers check out their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/justiceforourstolenchildren/posts/


Photo: Justice For our Stolen Children Facebook page
Infographic Photo Source: Macleans’s

“Walking to Take Us Home”: Granville Lake Walk

David Bighetty and others from Granville Lake in northern Manitoba have been displaced from their homelands for 15 years because of serious water and sewage issues. They are walking to raise awareness and support so that they can return home. In a wealthy country such as Canada, these issues should have been remedied a long time ago. Please follow David and his community on Facebook and social media as well as join them in their walk. Donations of gas, water, and food would be appreciated. The Granville Walkers will also need accommodations for shelter upon arriving in Winnipeg. Please contact David at 1-204-679-1930 or email at David2@myucn.ca. Thank you and your support is appreciated.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/242741159630626/
Media: http://thompsononline.ca/the-thompson-local-news/370578

Justice for Our Stolen Children – Idle No More

Idle No More Stands In Solidarity with Justice for Our Stolen Children Organizers

HealingCamp.jpgIdle No More stands in solidarity with the Justice For Our Stolen Children (JFOSC) camp in Treaty 4 territory, and agrees with the organizer’s call to reform the foster care system in the province of Saskatchewan. The peaceful demonstration began in the late spring at the legislative building in Regina in response to the acquittal of Gerald Stanley in the murder of Colten Boushie and the acquittal of Raymond Cormier in the murder of teenager Tina Fontaine. The purpose of the camp is to expose and draw attention to the inequalities of the systems in place that kills Indigenous men, women, Two-Spirit people and children on a daily basis. The practices of these systems go unscrutinized by most Canadians.

Recent arrests and calls from the premiere of the province to shut the camp down have not stopped the dedication of the JFOSC organizers. The original Tipi was forcibly removed to clear the park, outrageously the day before National Indigenous Day. Days later, organizers re-erected the tipi at Wascana Park where it currently remains. The camp has since grown to an astounding 14 tipis. For several months the JFOSC camp has continued to draw attention to the often deadly overrepresentation of children and youth in Canada’s setter state systems like the foster care system, the adult and youth criminal court system, the prison system and the epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit peoples. The unparalleled statistics of detainment, control, and death for Indigenous people in every institution is an example of ongoing colonial genocide.

 

Idle No More supports the growing Tipi Actions that have recently begun in Saskatoon, Treaty One Territory (Manitoba) and Tkaronto, respectively. Calls for more camps across Turtle Island have gone out to grassroots people.

(Saskatoon Tipi camp. Picture by Erica Violet Lee)

JusticeForJonStyres – Idle No More

On the morning of Wednesday, June 27, 2018, in Hamilton, Ontario, a jury of 5 women and 7 men found Peter Khill not guilty of the second-degree murder charge, for the intentional premeditated shooting of an unarmed Six Nations man, Jon Styres. The parallels between the Jon Styres and Colten Boushie cases cannot be ignored, as both cases highlight how Canadian jurys across the country continue to send the message to Indigenous communities, that Canadians private property holds more value than the lives of Indigenous Peoples. Both young men were unarmed on private property when they were shot. In both cases, the men standing trial for second-degree murder were found not guilty for the shootings.

Idle No More organizers stand in solidarity with the family and friends of Jon Styres. We continue to witness in case after case, the Canadian justice system puts the value of property above the value of indigenous lives and bodies. Jon Styres, Tina Fontaine, Colten Boushie are only the most recent names in a very long list of justice denied for Indigenous peoples.

This a justice system that claims we are judged by a jury of our peers but that claim could not be further from the truth. Indigenous Peoples in the court systems are not judged by our peers, period. We are judged by the colonial settler society, in colonial setter systems. A settler society who has been taught about us as if we no longer existed. As if we existed only in the history books taught in Canadian school systems.

There are several similarities with the Colten Boushie case in Saskatchewan, the most obvious is when evidence presented that the angle of the shot suggests Jon was facing the truck yet this jury chose to believe a statement of self-defense, fearing for his life, when he could have stayed in his locked house and called the police. Instead, he chose to go get his gun, unlock the ammo and load his gun. He probably passed a phone or two before heading outside with the intent to use of excessive force on a person. Who else in Canada gets to do this and get away with it? Settler white people do, that’s who.

Idle No More supports the Justice for Jon call to action for July 1st, 2018. We will continue to update this webpage with Solidarity events as they are passed on to us. Below is the call to action statement issued on June 28th, 2018:

“Today the women of Six Nations are standing in solidarity with Jonathan Styres family and carrying a message: the time for talking is done. Now is a time for action.

Today, we will not celebrate Canada. Today we mourn it.

Indigenous people’s lives are not valued by Canada’s legal system.

We continue to be targeted by colonial violence on our own land.

Systemic racism in Canada had created a justice system that doesn’t hold our lives of equal value to another person’s life.

Indigenous people are over-represented in the jails and underserved in the justice system when we go missing or get murdered.

This is a call to action for all of our Indigenous brothers and sisters and allies from the North to the South; East to West of Turtle Island to rise up and resist this celebration of continual colonialism and genocide of Onkwehonwe people, and of our Mother Earth.

Reclaim your territory in whatever way you can to send a reminder to Canada that it stands on Onkwehonwe land!

Livestream events with the following hashtags to connect with our Indigenous communities across Turtle Island.

HASHTAGS TO USE: #JusticeforJon
#AllNationsRiseUp
#TimeForAction
#NOJUSTICEONSTOLENLAND
#IdleNoMore

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: JusticeforJonStyres@gmail.com

Nyawen’kówa”

For more information on different ways you can support the call for Justice for Jon, join the Facebook group, Justice for Jonathan Styres – Six Nations of the Grand River

Justice for Jon Styres Event Page Listings:

Toronto: https://www.facebook.com/events/2100888626833647/

 

Stop Termination and Defend Our Lands and Waters – Idle No More

Stop Termination!

On February 14, 2018 Prime Minister Trudeau gave a speech in Parliament announcing a new framework that would  legislate “Rights Recognition”. The proposed framework  is a direct threat to Indigenous Peoples right to self-determination.  This proposed framework needs to be stopped.

Mohawk policy analyst Russell Diabo responds to the government’s proposed  framework and discusses the termination tables: Video: Russell Diabo

These efforts are not new, but are a variation on rhetoric and policy that has been tried before in Canada and the United States. In the 1970’s, Dr. Buffy Sainte-Marie also discussed termination, the erosion of Treaties and the direct connection to resource extraction.  Watch the video at the link below and listen for parallels in the language:  Video: Dr. Buffy St. Marie

 

 

Stop Kinder Morgan Actions

On March 10th, 2018 thousands of Indigenous Peoples and allies rallied and marched against the Kinder Morgan pipeline. Lead by Indigenous Elders, the Kwekwecnewtxw #ProtecttheInlet campaign challenged Kinder Morgan by asserting their rights. Protecttheinlet.ca

Actions and arrests continue:

Building of a watch-house as land defense efforts continue on Tsleil-Waututh territory: Tribes Build a Watch-House

Tiny House Warriors continue to defend land against KM pipeline Tinyhousewarriors.com

A group of approximately 30 kayakers in Seattle protested the potential impact of the Kinder Morgan pipeline project in Canada.  Seattle Kayaks Take Action Against KM

Protest organizers have said they’re planning daily demonstrations until at least March 26 15 arrests at Trans Mountain Pipeline Site    

 

Swanson Fish Farm Occupation

Marine Harvest and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) will not transfer fish to the Swanson Island Fish Farm until the injunction motion Namgis Nation has applied for against DFO, is decided. The hearing for the injunction motion is set for Tuesday, March 20th and Wednesday, March 21st. The DFO must be held be accountable for the demise and total mismanagement of our wild salmon. Get involved and act today! First Nations Unite

 

One House Many Nations- update

OHMN campaign and actions continue on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation with work on the sustainable village.  Check for updates on the facebook page and stay tuned for a call-out this spring for volunteers to come and help with the build.

 

Whose Land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization

Whose Land Is It Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization; inspired by a 2016 speaking tour by  Arthur Manuel, less than a year before his untimely passing in January 2017, is now available to the public. . The book contains two essays from Manuel in addition to essays from renowned Indigenous writers and activists such as  Kanahus Manuel, Russell Diabo, Pamela Palmater, Glen Coulthard, Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour, Shiri Pasternak, Nicole Schabus, and others.

Download book  
http://fpse.ca/sites/default/files/news_files/Decolonization%20Handbook.pdf

 

Justice for Colten Days of Action Media – Idle No More

This page will list press releases, links, and other information related to the Justice for Colten Days of Action.

Winnipeg Press Release:  Download here

List of Events and Actions: http://www.idlenomore.ca/justice_for_colten_boushie

Justice for Colten Boushie – Idle No More

Colten Boushie was a 22-year-old from Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. In August 2016, Colten was shot and killed by a farmer.

On February 9th, the  jury and judge ruled that Gerald Stanley was acquitted of all charges.

In honor of the late Colten (Coco) Boushie, we are calling for a day of action to show solidarity and support for the Boushie and Baptiste family.

Gather wherever you are. Rallies and vigils by location will be posted here as soon as information is available.

GATHERINGS———

General Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2034916356793596/

EDMONTON: FEB 16 @ 6pm: Alberta Legislature Building (10800 97 Ave NW)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1813815998642612/

SASKATOON, FEB 10: 1pm at Court of Queen’s Bench, (520 Spadina Ave)
https://www.facebook.com/events/965391253622025/

SASKATOON: FEB 17 @ 1pm: Roxy Theater (320 20th St W)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1551834641560651/

BRANDON: FEB 15 @ 6pm: Princess Park
https://www.facebook.com/events/1950171915010428/

REGINA, FEB 10: 11am at Queen’s Bench Courthouse (2425 Victoria Avenue)
https://www.facebook.com/events/985660894918403/

OTTAWA, FEB 10: NOON – vigil on Parliament Hill
https://www.facebook.com/events/240296859845239/

EDMONTON: FEB 10 NOON – Edmonton Police Service (9620-103A Avenue)
https://www.facebook.com/events/152886782000579/

EDMONTON: FEB 16: 6 pm – Alberta Legislature Building (10800 97 Ave NW)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1813815998642612/

WINNIPEG, FEB 10 2-5 Odena at the Forks
https://www.facebook.com/events/143467939662410/

RED DEER AND AREA: Monday, February 12 at 6 PM
https://www.facebook.com/events/162340157749553/

LETHBRIDGE, AB: FEB 11 @ 3pm: Galt Gardens
https://www.facebook.com/events/151493242320144/

VANCOUVER, FEB 10: 12:30 PST CBC Vancouver (700 Hamilton Street)
https://www.facebook.com/events/145891392744215/

KENORA/TREATY 3: FEB 12 @ noon, Ontario Court House (216 Water St)

VICTORIA, FEB 10: 11am in front of the BC provincial law courts. (850 Burdett Ave)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1585303884910267/

CALGARY, FEB 11: City Hall at 6pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/143312106363874/

TORONTO: FEB 10 at 1 pm: Nathan Phillips Square
https://www.facebook.com/events/2102118743162362/

TORONTO: FEB 11 at noon: 155 Elm St
https://www.facebook.com/events/196108991136149/

TORONTO: MARCH 1 @ 6pm: University of Toronto Faculty of Law (78 Queen’s Park Cres)
https://www.facebook.com/events/166424427332506/

HAMILTON: FEB 15 @ 4pm: Hamilton City Hall (71 Main St)
https://www.facebook.com/events/152590428789335/

ST. CATHERINES: FEB 14 @ 6:30: St. Catherine’s City Hall
https://www.facebook.com/events/174148683196661/

BARRIE: FEB 16 @ 7pm, 70 Collier St
https://www.facebook.com/events/978235069004129/

SIX NATIONS: FEB 11 @ 1PM, Veterans Park
https://www.facebook.com/events/1688278534548376/

KITCHENER-WATERLOO: FEB 11 10 AM – 12 PM, Victoria Park
https://www.facebook.com/events/399112210529622/

GUELPH: FEB 17 @ 1pm: Guelph Market Square (1 Carden St)
https://www.facebook.com/events/213091289240538/

THUNDER BAY: Feb 10 6:30pm – 9:30pm Hillcrest Park
https://www.facebook.com/events/145126412830732/

YELLOWKNIFE: Feb 10 1pm, Yellowknife Post Office (50th Ave)
https://www.facebook.com/events/184017965545036/

YORKTON: Feb 10, 1pm – 3pm, City Centre Park (on Broadway)

MONTREAL: Feb 13, 4-6pm: 1550 de Maisonneuve W (metro Guy-Concordia)
www.facebook.com/events/147885662567077/

OTTAWA: FEB 16 @ 5pm: Alex Trebek Alumni Hall (157 Seraphin-Marion)
https://www.facebook.com/events/212853055958851/

HALIFAX: Feb 10, 6pm, Halifax Court House (5250 Spring Garden Rd)
https://www.facebook.com/events/1832014490429001/

FREDERICTON: FEB 12 @ 7pm, Fredericton City Hall Gallery
https://www.facebook.com/events/393080657810935/

LONDON: Feb 12, 9am – 1pm, Victoria Park (580 Clarence St)
https://www.facebook.com/events/2016624191885010/

NIMKII AAZHIBIKOONG: prayer gathering

OPASKWAYAK CREE NATION  FEB 10, noon, GLMCC parking lot at OCN sign. Wear Red! https://www.facebook.com/events/187089648714167/

KAMLOOPS: FEB 10, 12:30 at CBC Kamloops 218 Victoria Street

ST. JOHN, NB: FEB 17 @ 3pm: City Hall
https://www.facebook.com/events/403772630081452/

PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA:  FEB 10 (Schoolhouse Children’s Museum & Learning Center 129 E Ocean Ave)
https://twitter.com/WomeninBlackPBC/status/962161688236777472?s=09

LOS ANGELES: FEB 15 @ 4pm PST: Consulate General of Canada (550 S. Hope St)
https://www.facebook.com/events/143942136273398/

 

GOFUNDME for the Boushie & Baptiste family, if you can’t attend in person:
https://www.gofundme.com/justice4colten

 

Justice for Colten

Statement Of Solidarity For The Indigenous Governing Council (CIG) Mexico – Idle No More

The First Continental Summit of Indigenous Nations, Pueblos and Organizations was convened in Teotihuacan, Mexico in 2000. Previously, there were realized two Continental Indigenous Encounters, building up to the summit, in 1990 in Quito, Ecuador and then in 1993, in Temoaya, Mexico. The Second Continental Summit Abya Yala occurred in Quito, Ecuador (2004), then to be followed by the third in Iximche, Guatemala (2007); the fourth in Puno, Peru (2009); and then the fifth in Cauca, Colombia (2013).

At the fifth summit in 2013, at the request of the representatives of the Civic Council of Indigenous and Popular Organizations of Honduras COPINH led by Berta Cáceres, the summit plenary agreed in consensus to organize the Sixth Continental Summit Abya Yala in Honduras.

On March 2, 2016, armed men murdered human rights defender Berta Cáceres in her home in the town of La Esperanza, Department of Intibucá, Honduras. The family of Berta and the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) immediately requested an independent investigation due to concerns that Honduran authorities would not identify the intellectual authors of the crime. The call for an independent international investigation continues now in 2018, even as the country of Honduras suffers yet another political coup being instituted by the elite power structures of that country, with open support from the US government and military apparatus.

In solidarity on the ground in Honduras as recently as 2016, as secretariat of the Continental Commission Abya Yala have maintained contact and solidarity with the COPINH, and fully intend to fulfill their responsibilities to the intergenerational trajectory of the Continental Summit Abya Yala, along the path of Self Determination and Tradition as surviving Original Nations of Indigenous Peoples of the Great Turtle Island Abya Yala [America].

Ever since the First Continental Indigenous Encounter in Quito, Ecuador (1990), TONATIERRA has persevered as an agency of continuity and communications for the Continental Indigenous Movement, operating as Secretariat for the Continental Commission Abya Yala.

Most recently, the Continental Commission Abya Yala was asked by the Mapuche Nation to participate in an International Indigenous conference, preceding the arrival of Pope Francis to Chile in January of 2018.

MEXICO

She is known as Eréndira, a princess of the Purépecha Nation, daughter of a Purépecha King who had succumbed to the domination of the Spanish invasion of Mexico in 1519. According to the legends, Eréndira refused to submit to the Spanish invaders, and led an armed revolt against their forces that inspires the resistance movement of the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico still today.

In May of 2017, in San Cristobal de la Casas Chiapas the National Indigenous Congress of Mexico convened a gathering that resulted in the founding of the Indigenous Governing Council of Mexico, the CIG. The Indigenous Governing Council (CIG) then appointed Maria de Patricio Martinez, of the Nahua Nation as their national spokeswoman, and immediately nominated her as a candidate for the 2018 presidential elections.

One of the strongest elements of representation in the CIG is the Purépecha Peoples of Cherán, Michoacán. The Indigenous Purépecha community of Cherán is the only municipality in Mexico where there are no elections, as its inhabitants chose their authorities and their Council, in accord with their Indigenous Customs and Traditions.

On January 18 the 32-year-old social activist of this indigenous community, María Guadalupe Campanur, was found dead. Her body was found in a state of putrefaction and with a knife wound in the neck, on the road to Carapan-Uruapan.

On January 21, in the same state of Michoacán Mexico, the Caravan For Life being led by Maria de Jesus Patricio Martinez was attacked and the independent media journalists covering the Caravan for Life were threatened and robbed of their equipment.

The attack on Maria de Jesus (MariChuy for the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico)—as the spokeswoman for the Indigenous Governing Council (CIG) Mexico—came she is engaged in the Mexican presidential elections as a candidate nominated NOT BY ANY POLITICAL PARTY, but instead by the surviving Indigenous Nations themselves via the National Indigenous Congress (Congreso Nacional Indigena) as a collective political movement of national Indigenous Self Determination.

During the Tour for Life, MariChuy spoke out against the murder of María Guadalupe Campanur T. of Cherán. She refused to stay silent. She refused to accept the murder of yet another (5 in Michoacán just this year) Indigenous Woman, another victim of the narco-state in Mexico.

The attack on the Caravan for Life on January 21 in Michoacán cannot go unchallenged, it cannot be allowed to be normalized or sanitized by the mass media and even worse, we cannot allow the complacency and complicity of “Silence Gives Consent” to be the policy of pathology that has resulted in so many, too many, many times too many MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN across the centuries of CONTINENTAL genocide and colonization here our homelands of the Great Turtle Island Abya Yala.

We are also calling for official communiques of condemnation by the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island to be directed to the Mexican Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Dionisio Pérez Jácome Friscione, Ambassador and the US Ambassador to Canada, Kelly Craft.

WE DEMAND!
1) Accountability for the murder of María Guadalupe Campanur and the attack on

MariChuy and the Caravan for Life in Michoacán;
2) Guarantees of Protection for the
Indigenous Governing Council (CIG) Mexico, and

their spokeswoman Maria de Jesus Patricio Martinez;

3) Protection for the Right of Mobility and Free Expression, and Access to Justice for the Indigenous Peoples of Mexico;

4) Recognition, respect, and guarantees of protection for the Right of Self Determination of Indigenous Peoples of Mexico, including the right of Self Government in accord with their customs and traditional such as being exercised by the Purépecha Pueblo of Cherán;

5) January 26, 2018 also marks 40 months since the Forced Disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa Students in Iguala, Guerrero. The issues of complicity of the Mexican military apparatus in conjunction with the federal, state, and local levels of government and police operating in criminal collusion with narco-cartels tied to the heroine drug trade in Chicago and Atlanta, USA have yet to be clarified and brought to justice. Instead the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto continues to cover up the violent assault on the 43 students on the night of September 26, 2014. We demand international accountability, a diligent, professional and impartial investigation, punishment for the guilty parties as well as support and protection for the families of the 43 Ayotzinapa students.

6) We call for the Mexican federal government to take responsibility for the current political violence in Oxchuc, Chiapas, being that although the Electoral Tribunal of the State Chiapas ordered the Institute of Electoral and Citizen Participation of Chiapas (IEPC), through TEECH / JDC / 19/2017, to proceed to recognize the right of the people of Oxchuc to choose to their municipal authorities, through their own customary regulatory systems as an Indigenous Pueblo, without the presence of political parties, to date the IEPC has ignored that mandate of the Court. This omission, opened the door for political parties to intervene in the municipality, and foment the current wave of violence. On January 24, an armed group attacked the local population and left 3 people killed, 18 injured and 3 people seriously hospitalized. We join in the demand by the Tseltal of Oxchuc that the IEPC execute the judgment of the Court and that the government of the state collaborate in good faith. The present wave of political violence must be be investigated and the aggressors punished.

7) We demand full recognition, respect, and guarantees for the right of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of Indigenous Peoples in Equality as Peoples, with equality in right of Self Determination to all other peoples, in particular as may being negotiated presently in terms of the “modernization” of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the government of Canada-US-Mexico.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Russell Diabo
Spokesperson,
Defenders of the Land Network

Janice Makokis Spokesperson,
Idle No More Network

Cell: (613) 296-0110 Cell: (780) 915-0310

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