Past Updates – Page 8 – idlenomore.ca

Neenanew Oshkapewisak – “The Helpers” Walk from Cochrane to Ottawa – Idle No More

May 19, 2015/in Past Updates

We are, all of us, the HELPERS

In 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a formal apology to the people of Canada regarding the impact of Residential Schools on native culture and life. This apology set into motion an avenue by which survivors of the Residential Schools could access compensation. These included a Common Experience Payment (C.E.P.), an Independent Assessment Process (I.A.P.) and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

It has since been documented that the Government of Canada will not give full recognition to the genocidal extinguishing of the “human fire within”. It has also been further recognized that a human entity is capable of setting into motion a process to “kill the Indian in the child”! But the government does not fully involve itself in the recognition of the plight of Residential School Survivors. It ignores the pleas of the affected people as well as the efforts of others striving to help. Families seeking missing aboriginal women, Children’s Aid Societies and other groups seeking justice for native people are simply not listened to. We, all of us, are THE HELPERS!

Donate Now to Support the Walkers

Today, as survivors who now are parents and grandparents, we speak of the overwhelming state that we find ourselves in. Not prepared for these roles as a result of being torn away from our culture and ways. Not being schooled in traditional ways by our role models – our parents and grandparents. Instead, we find ourselves de-humanized, de-moralized and de-spiritualized. Now, our children and grandchildren are reaching out to these affected human beings. We, all of us, are helpers! The women who join our walk now must take care of everyone and everything! We must all walk together.

I speak, along with my partner, as an elder who is grasping the mentoring of the old ways and moving forward with the present generation who are Oskapawishak –helpers. They, too, are mentored and they, too, carry their role and responsibility for the next generations. They, and we, cannot allow this to happen again. Create the fire within once again and help the home fires!

Since 2011, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has scheduled National events throughout Canada for survivors of Indian Residential Schools (I.R.S.) to attend and give testimonials on their experiences with I.R.S. The Oskapawishak, known as “The Truth and Reconciliation Walkers”, have walked to two of these national events to create awareness. The first event was in Winnipeg, Manitoba and the second was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia. These walks brought to light the impact of the Indian Residential Schools issues.

On May 31, 2015, this chapter of our journey ends in Ottawa, our nation’s capitol. On April 8, we the Oskapewisk (The Helpers) will set out to walk from Cochrane, Ontario to witness this closure. With the journey nearing its end, we wish to thank our Creator and our ancestors who have been journeying with us. Meegwetch!

Donate Now to Support the Walkers

Support Winnipeg’s Got Bannock Lady – Idle No More

May 19, 2015/in Past Updates

Over the last year Althea Guiboche has run out of money and run out of baking supplies, but she has never stopped giving away free bread and soup to the city’s homeless every week.

Got Bannock is all-volunteer, and whether we can make and deliver food to the people in a given week depends on your support – donations of money or food.

Learn More or Donate Now!

Tiny American Indian Tribal Nation involved with International Tribal Diplomacy – Idle No More

May 19, 2015/in Past Updates

Tribes around the world are facing loss of land and life, horrible crimes committed against them. They are facing the same fate many other tribes have faced, like the tribes of North America. A tiny American Indian native nation, the Weapemeoc, has found itself in the middle of this international struggle and is trying to raise funds for a diplomatic tour of South East Asia with their crowd funding campaign “Help stop the genocide of natives in Myanmar” on Indiegogo. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-stop-the-genocide-of-natives-in-myanmar

The Weapemeoc original home was on the coastal region of Virginia and North Carolina, and several small tribes of this native nation still exist. Like other colonial era tribes their treaty history was with England and not the U.S. The Weapemeoc sold the last of their tribal lands in 1740 before their was a U.S. and they were Subjects of the English Crown since 1586, and they maintain diplomatic relations with the UK. Because of this history they have a lot in common with the Zo, Kachin and other tribes who were also former Subjects of the Crown that also maintain relations with the UK. When the UK gave the tribes of Myanmar/Burma their independence by treaty, the tribes of the Kachin State region were also given the right to claim independence in the same treaty. Instead of granting the Kachin State the same freedom it received, it has waged brutal war on the tribes of the Kachin region for decades. The problem extends to more than just the Kachin State region of Myanmar, Myanmar has declared open war on all the native tribes of the country, and the world has done next to nothing about it. The Weapemeoc has developed a relationship with several of the tribal organizations in SE Asia, and rendered what aid it can. Recently they have been discussing the concept of a truly international alliance of tribal nations/organizations, with the support of countries favorable to native rights. The Zo Reunification Organization is hosting a celebration of World Indigenous Day, Aug 9, 2015. Sachem Laster of the Weapemeoc has been invited to attend and be a guest speaker at a conference of tribal leaders the next day. This is the perfect opportunity to formally start the international alliance we have discussed. Tribal leaders representing millions of natives will be there. But we can not do this alone. Sachem Laster is asking the leaders of all tribes and tribal organizations to also send a representative. If your tribe or organization is interested in attending, contact Sachem Laster at this email: anitsaguhi@gmail.com He can provide details and arrange matters with the Zo hosting the event. Please consider attending. The tribal organizations in SE Asia represent over 5 million natives. This could become a historic moment in international politics for native tribes. For it to become a truly international alliance, it needs the support of tribes and tribal organizations around the world. We need your help! We can make this happen!

Shell No – Idle No More

May 19, 2015/in Past Updates

Media Advisory – ‘Shell No!’ Indigenous activists to confront Shell to end Arctic drilling at shareholder meetings in Netherlands and London

Photos and media interviews available: Suzanne Dhaliwal +447772694327 @notarsands suzanne@no-tar-sands.org

Monday, May 18 2015. A delegation of female indigenous activists are making their way to the Shell Annual General Meeting in the Hague to call for an end to Arctic offshore development. Mae Hank and Faith Gemmill-Fredson were part of a mass “flotilla” action in Seattle on Saturday which saw hundreds of people take action next to Shell’s Polar Pioneer drilling rig, docked at the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 [1].

The delegation will attend the Shell Annual General Meeting at the Hague on Tuesday, May 19th, 9:00am GMT at the Circustheater, Circusstraat 4, 2586 CW The Hague.

Mae and Faith will also be in London and participate in a non-violent direct action outside the Shell London Investors meeting on Thursday 21st May, 10:00am GMT Central Hall Westminster, Storey’s Gate, Westminster, London SW1H 9NH, United Kingdom.

“Our culture and livelihood is dependent on the bowhead, the walrus, the seal and the fish. How can Shell go ahead with such a risky operation when peoples lives are at stake?” asks Mae Hank “Shell has a 75% chance of a spill in the region if it moves forward with drilling. Shell simply cannot be trusted with such operations.”

The delegation is being hosted by UK Tar Sands Network who will also attend the meeting to call for Shell to permanently pull out of the tar sands, despite putting major projects on hold [2].

“Shell is playing risk with the global climate by keeping tar sands projects on ice,” said Suzanne Dhaliwal director of the UK Tar Sands Network [3] “Shell insists that it can take leadership on climate change while committing the global community to a ticking climate bomb, with projects such as the Alberta tar sands. We need to immediately transition away from highly polluting energy sources towards a low carbon economy and not play dice with the climate [4].”

Notes to the Editor:

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/16/paddle-in-seattle-shell-arctic-oil-drilling

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/24/shell-shelves-plan-for-tar-sands-project-in-face-of-low-oil-prices

http://www.no-tar-sands.org

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/may/17/shell-accused-of-strategy-risking-catastrophic-climate-change

Faith Gemmill-Fredson (Neets’aii Gwich’in, Pit River and Wintu) of Arctic Village, Alaska is the founder and current Executive Director of REDOIL (Resisting Environmental Destruction On Indigenous Lands) REDOIL is a grassroots network that was created by Alaska Natives to share knowledge, experience and strategies to address the detrimental impacts of fossil fuel, mining and climate change in Alaska. Faith is a board member of the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC) Faith also currently serves as the Vice-President of the California Indian Environmental Alliance.

Mae R. Hank, Inupiat from Point Hope (AKA – Tikigaq), Alaska. Mae is a resident and tribal member of Native Village of Point Hope. Mae previously served as a Native Village of Point Hope Tribal Council member for ten years. Mae is a former employee of the North Slope Borough, and the City of Point Hope, as well as the former Executive Director of the Native Village of Point Hope Tribal Council office. Among her many accomplishments, she also served on the Point Hope Search and Rescue committee. Mae is a mother, and most importantly a grandmother of 17 grandchildren. Mae has been an active and vocal advocate in opposition to offshore development for 38 years. Her primary desire is to ensure the rights of the Inupiat to continue to live their traditional way of life by securing a clean and pure ocean so that the Inupiat whaling culture can continue to thrive in the Arctic. Threats now imposed upon the Inupiat people by Royal Dutch Shell and other multi-national oil companies’ efforts to drill in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas of the Arctic Ocean. This is a direct threat to the Inupiat and their rights to continue to live their traditional whaling culture which the Iñupiat have done for thousands of years. meetings in Netherlands and London

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation response to NDP Majority Victory in Alberta – Idle No More

May 7, 2015/in Past Updates

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) are ecstatic with the results of the last nights election ushering in a new NDP majority government in Alberta. It is clear that Albertans also want change and we are encouraged this government will take the time to do the proper assessments that evoke that change.

As First Nations we are optimistic to finally have a government that recognizes and respects Indigenous rights and territories and look forward to sitting at the table with this new government to find effective ways to implement and respect Aboriginal rights across multiple sectors.

While the ACFN have raised multiple issues over the years relating to land management, environmental, health and education, we are finally looking forward to possibly resolving our concerns through a meaningful working relationship with the NDP government.

Congratulations Rachel Notley and all the NDP MLA’s we look forward to working with you to create a new and improved Alberta.

For more information or to set up an interview please contact:

Eriel Deranger, Communication Coordinator 780-215-3915

Committee for Future Generations Experience the World Uranium Symposium 2015 in Quebec City – Idle No More

May 5, 2015/in Past Updates

By Candyce Paul

From April 14 – 16, 2015 Kirstin Scansen, Marius Paul and Candyce Paul, of Committee for Future Generations, participated in this important conference, with professionals and grassroots indigenous people from 20 countries and 5 continents.

The Cree of Eeyou Istchee were one of the primary sponsors. They have led the effort through action and lobbying of the Quebec government to get a moratorium on uranium mining in Quebec. There was a large contingent of indigenous people from far and wide, Australia, Mongolia, Greenland, Africa, Dineh from New Mexico, Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Innu from Quebec, Anishnabe from Ontario, Cree and Denesuline from Saskatchewan, Inuit from the NWT, all came to learn from the expert scientists, researchers, and physicians and to share our common experiences dealing with the nuclear industry.

Everywhere the stories are similar, the same methods, the same corruption, the same abuse of human rights, and the same legacy of suffering and death, and quite often by the same companies. While deals were being made between Canada (Cameco) and India for more uranium, we were sharing the dire consequences that the nuclear fuel chain has on us. People are being displaced and killed to access their lands for uranium in Australia and Africa and through policy in Saskatchewan and in the USA. Lands, waters, and the habitat of our traditional foods are being permanently and purposely destroyed. In India, tens of thousands of people have been standing against the building of nuclear reactors.

This Symposium was the perfect place to ask the questions and get factual answers without being bombarded by nuclear industry rhetoric and spin. “The most important thing was the connections made with people who will be able to help us all in our efforts,” stated Marius Paul, from English River First Nation.

There were two important success stories shared at the Quebec conference and both were through the efforts of First Nations people and their allies. One was the achievement of a Moratorium on Uranium Mining in Quebec. Kirstin Scansen of Lac LaRonge First Nation in Saskatchewan acknowledged in her plenary speech, the importance of the James Bay Cree leaders standing solid beside their people and particularly the youth who led that effort. The second was the effort of Committee for Future Generations whose pro-active education on the real risks of storing nuclear waste had influenced the decision of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to eliminate the three communities it had targeted in Saskatchewan for a high-level nuclear waste repository.

“The Committee for Future Generations wish to express their deep appreciation to the organizers of this excellent and successful event for the invitation to attend and present. This would not have been possible without the financial support of the many people and organizations that donated and covered the travel expenses for the team,” said Candyce Paul.

Three full days of plenary sessions and workshops culminated in a historical Declaration of the World Uranium Symposium 2015 which is being circulated for public endorsement worldwide. Please go to this link, read the Declaration, endorse it and share.

http://uranium2015.com/en/news/quebec-declaration-uranium

May 1st Action against forced closures in Australia – Idle No More

May 5, 2015/in Past Updates

These photos were taken in Moruya, New South Wales, one of hundreds of local and regional protests against the forced closures of Aboriginal Communities:

#INMroots Resistance in the Blood – Idle No More

May 5, 2015/in Past Updates

Welcome to #INMroots Number Seven! The goal of the #INMroots newsletter is to share news stories that promote Indigenous rights and sovereignty and the protection of land and water. The newsletter will share our stories and actions, and honour resistance, while celebrating the world that we are protecting.

We are all invited to add to this newsletter. Post your story now! The deadline for the next newsletter is midnight on Sunday May 10th. We will accept all submissions that are connected to Indigenous and environmental issues as long as they do not condone or promote violence or lateral violence or include hate speech.

The next newsletter will be published on Monday May 11th, so check your inboxes!

If you see a news story on your social media networks that is worth sharing, please tag #INMroots.

WORLD WIDE

COMMUNITY

Mele ma ka Mauna: “Warrior Rising” by Hawane Rios

Watch the Video

May 1st Action against forced closures in Australia

View Photos

A Quick Glimpse of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Media Advisory – ‘Shell No!’ Indigenous activists to confront Shell to end Arctic drilling at shareholder meetings in Netherlands and London

Follow us on Facebook

CONTACT US