AANDC asks for consultation on First Nations Education Reform

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada has put an online survey on their website in an effort to fulfill their promise to consult with people on improving First Nations Education.

The survey is open to everyone First Nations and other Canadians alike and takes about ten minutes to complete.

AANDC has included an option for people to submit their own ideas by mail or e-mail.

This consultation process is to be held between December 2012 and April 2013.

Idle No More at Aberdeen Mall

“The crowd isn’t important, the building isn’t important what is important is that the Earth has rights.” said Nicole Cahoose a university student and one of the organizers for Idle No More.

A small group had begun to gather around the fireplace set beside the escalators at Aberdeen Mall.  A middle aged native man wearing a green camouflage jacket was tuning his drum.  He did this by lightly tapping the drum skin looking for the spot that would elicit the sound he wanted.  The drum measured about two feet in diameter, had a wooden frame with raw hide tightly stretched over it and all pulled together in the back by leather thongs which formed the hand grip.  

He laughed as he spoke to the women beside him. They all smiled as they spoke to one another.  Occasionally one would look up towards the gathering crowd as if looking for someone they knew. 

“As long as one or two people get interested or change the way they think then it is a success.” said Jolene Michel an arts student from TRU and organizer for Idle No More.

An old woman wearing a white headband began to speak; it wasn’t clear what she was saying.  Her words lost to the ambient noise of the mall and the open space above them.  She lifted a sign with the words idle no more written at the bottom and the picture of a native woman in traditional dress above.  The picture looked like a head with an eagle feather on top and the feather was the woman.

A young native woman stepped forward and spoke into a megaphone but she was as indecipherable as the old woman’s had been.  The young woman was Nicole Cahoose a student from the university and one of the women who organized the event. 

Shoppers in the mall slowly started taking notice of the thirty Native people gathered around the fireplace.  Several, thought it was a musical group and stopping for a few minutes to listen and then moved on when the group paused to speak about their cause.   A group of teens walked through the crowd closest to the group talking loudly about why people were making a big deal of this and walked on.  Some stayed and listened.

Between the songs individuals stepped forward from the group to address the crowd.  A young man wearing a blue shirt who was one of the drummers spoke.  He said that Idle No More wasn’t about getting more money from the government or more land it is about ensuring their children have a place to live in the future. 

     

“These people here today are the only people standing between you and complete destruction of the earth.” said Michelle Good a local lawyer and organizer of Idle No More.  We have a right to a clean environment and a right to a way of life.  As Good’s speech became more politically charged people who had gathered to watch began to wander away.  

After an hour the group packed up and the crowds dispersed.  Saturday shoppers returned to their business as though nothing had happened here but perhaps some will carry the sound of drums and the song of idle no more with them. 

Bernard Valcourt the new Aboriginal Affairs Minister

Prime Minister Stephen Harper appoints the Honorable Bernard Valcourt as the new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs today.

Local Idle No More organizer speaks at the Philosopher's Cafe hosted by the Council of Canadians.

"Canada does not own me, I do not belong to Canada." said Lorena Starr.

Lorena Starr at the Smorgasbord Cafe.

"The Canadian government owes us absolutely nothing.  We owe it to ourselves to stop being dependant to start creating pride and identity for ourselves recognizing that a lot of the struggles are internal and we need to be able to work through those to address the bigger issues.  We allow ourselves to play the victim and continue to have an oppressed mentality in our communities.  This is idle no more.  We need to get off the couch." said Starr reading a statement made by her partner.

Starr an organizer for Idle No More in Kamloops spoke at the Philosopher's Cafe Tuesday February 19.  A monthly discussion group is held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Smorgasbord Cafe on Victoria street and is hosted by the Council of Canadians chaired by Anita Strong.  Tonight's meeting was attended by approximately 35 people and addressed "the question of what debt the Canadian government owes to aboriginal peoples."

Starr answered by saying First Nations are owed acknowledgement and recognition.  The federal government has to officially acknowledge that Aboriginal people were here before North America was discovered and recognize Aboriginal rights and entitlements.  After that, then people can look into land issues. 

A main focus of the discussion covered the abuse and dislocation of Aboriginal people, the effects that the residential school system had on them and  their children.  Starr recounted her own experiences of being raised away from her biological family and how being reintroduced to them and Native culture has been an important part of her life.  Similar stories were shared by members of the audience.

The discussion included several comments about the Indian Act.  One, that First Nations rather than the government should be telling people what the Indian Act is.  Another, that First Nations bands are a product of the Indian Act.  Starr commented on a call from Natives and Non-natives for the abolishing of the Indian Act saying that it includes some good things to.  Unfortunately, there were no clear answers as to what the Indian Act is or what the specific issues surrounding it are. 

Starr went on to say that meetings like this one are a step forward and an opportunity for members of the dominate group to educate themselves about Aboriginal issues.

"For yourselves as members of the dominate group, those that are here you have a prime opportunity.  You have the voice to speak, be heard and be respected.  For some I can stand and rant and rave all day about what we've gone through and intentions of the government and they will just blow me off."  Cooperation between Native and Non-native people was a common theme throughout the meeting.

The discussion finished with Starr singing a traditional Eagle song as the people in attendance stood and listened.  

Upcoming events:

Kamloops Moms for Clean Air will host Cherise Udell and Dr. Brian Moench of Salt Lake City on March 10, 2013 at the Interior Savings Centre, Kamloops.  They will be looking at the question: "Can people make a difference when mining interests and urban populations collide?"

Philosophers Cafe Tuesday March 19, 2013 will host Derrick Cooke from Thompson Rivers University.  Topic to be confirmed.

More information:

A short primer on Treaties and Treaty relationship in Canada.

Treaty Essential Learning's, "We are all Treaty People" , from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.
Link posted here with permission from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan resigns his position Heritage Minister James Moore to be the Temporary Aboriginal Affairs Minister

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan resigns from his position in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's cabinet giving a prior conflict of interest as his reason.

In a statement posted on his official website, Minister John Duncan said he wrote a character reference on behalf of one of his constituents to the Canada Revenue Agency in June 11, 2011.  Citing this as inappropriate, due to his position in government.  Duncan tendered his resignation from cabinet on February 15, 2013.

His resignation comes after months of protests from Aboriginal groups across Canada. Challenges to Omnibus bills C-38 and C-45, Bill C-27 First Nations Financial Transparency Act and First Nations Education Reform are some of the issues his department faced in recent months.  He also initiated an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada regarding the inclusion of Metis and Non-status Indians as Indians under the Indian Act.

Heritage Minister James Moore was appointed as temporary Aboriginal Affairs Minister until P.M. Stephen Harper finds a permanent replacement.

Winnipeg Free Press explains Idle No More in an article by Mia Rabson

Here is a short explanation of Idle No More, the Treaties, the Indian Act and the current bills under contention as printed in the Winnipeg Free Press.

A guide to the Idle No More movement, treaties and legislation by Mia Rabson.

Society of Law Students Hosts Arthur Manuel and Harsha Walia at Access To Justice, Still? Conference.

“There has to be a re-carving of Indigenous Rights in Canada.” Arthur Manuel.

Arthur Manuel at SLSTRU Conference

“It's only through Idle No More, only through political action at the community level that you can get him to doggone move.” said Arthur Manuel, referring to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s reluctance to meet with First Nations.  “It is only through political action only through on the ground creating economic uncertainty that you can really create that kind of change.  I am really inspired by idle no more.”

Arthur Manuel is a former Chief of the Neskonith Indian Band, Chairman of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and a lead proponent of Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.  He and Harsha Walia a UBC Law graduate and activist sat on the closing panel of Thompson Rivers University's, Society of Law Students first conference on Friday February 8, 2013.  This final panel was attended by about 25 people. The two day event was held at the Brown House of Learning and explored different concepts of justice.

Manuel spoke about Indigenous economics.  How Federal and Provincial governments are developing the Nation’s resources without Indigenous involvement.  How organized First Nations groups which accept funding from the government have reached the extent of their usefulness.  That these organizations have become an Industry to manage Native poverty.  Only through grassroots and community political action can First Nations move forward.

Harsha Walia, SLSTRU Conference

Harsha Walia address the forum and talked about her experience in Downtown East Side of Vancouver and the issues of poverty, selective policing, criminalization of a community, criminalization of poverty, colonialism, aboriginal rights and how the legal system affects social activism.

"The law and justice are totally different," said Walia "there is a difference between what is legally right and what is morally right."

“There is an increasing reliance on criminalization as a tactic to deter activism.” said Walia. An example is Bill 78  passed by the Quebec government as an attempt to restrict student protests.  

(Quebec Bill 78 included these measures:

• rules against preventing students from entering an educational institution;[4]
• requirements for organizers of public demonstrations to give police advance notice;[5] and
• penalties for people who offer encouragement to protest.[6]

Judy Feng, Legal Perspectives on Bill 78 – Quebec’s“Emergency Law” to Quell Student Protests)

However, Quebec students ignored the provisions in Bill 78 and continued their protest in defiance of Bill 78. Students continued to march by the hundreds and thousands which made enforcement of the Quebec’s anti-protest law unenforceable. Leading to tuition hikes to be frozen and Bill 78 to be repealed in September, 2012 by Pauline Marois.

(Bill 78 was repealed by Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois on her 1st day in office.)

Governments and the courts have other methods of affecting social activism. Contempt of Court, Obstruction of Justice, Trespass, Libel, Defamation and Slap Suits are legal mechanisms in place that can affect activists. Surveillance and Infiltration are another set of court sanctioned means used to monitor First Nations and activist groups.

Walia was arrested pre-emptively, before the G20 because they thought she may pose a threat to the meeting but those charges were quickly dropped.  This is one example of the sweeping arrests made before the G20 and the increase surveillance that was authorized to quell protests of the summit.

Manuel offered encouragement to the youth in the final comments of the conference. The conference closed with a prayer from a local elder and a traditional song from Aboriginal students at TRU.

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Material of Interest:

The National Post ran a story Police violated civil rights, acted illegally, says scathing report on G20 Summit.  Where the Office of the Independent Police Review Director found that police violated the rights of approximately 1000 people during the G20 Summit.

Russell Diablo and Shiri Pasternak write about government monitoring of First Nations groups in the First Nations Strategic Bulletin a newsletter published by Russell Diablo.
“Russell Diabo (Kanienke’ha:ka) from Kahnawake is the Policy Advisor for the Algonquin Nation Secretariat & Wolf Lake First Nation, and is the Editor & Publisher at First Nations Strategic. Bulletin”Indigenous Waves.

Left wing posting seems at odds with Idle No More's platform.

Jessica Gordon a founder of Idle No more posted the "Ally Bill of Responsibilities" written by Dr. Lynn Gehl a self described Indigenous Human Rights Advocate for 27 years February 1, 2013 in the 'Get Involved' section of Idle No More's Official website.

This poster prepared by Dr. Gehl outlines what is expected from First Nations Allies.

Main points (summarized):

Allies, oppose oppressive power structures out of interest not guilt,
Allies, recognize they are secondary to Indigenous people and their needs take a back seat to them,
Allies, are fully grounded in their own history and culture,
Allies, are aware of their privileges and discuss them,
Allies, reflect on their ignorance of the groups oppression and hold this ignorance at the forefront of their mind,
Allies, need to use critical thought versus subjectivity to understand the larger power structure of oppression,
Allies, must ensure the needs of the most oppressed are looked after these being: women, children, elderly, young teenage girls and boys and the disabled.  Any other action is inadequate and serves to promote the structures of oppression,
Sometimes Allies are chosen to further an agenda that isn't in line with Indigenous people and people should act accordinglyAllies, do not take up space, resources or anything that an oppressed group uses.
Allies, do not take up time at meetings or events, they must listen more than they speak.

Allies realize that they do not understand the extend of oppression as much as the oppressed group does, and
Allies, accept that learning is a responsibility to being an effective ally.

To read the full text, the link is posted on the Idle No More's official website.

I e-mailed Jessica Gordon on February 2 after reading this poster with the following questions.

Text of the e-mail with headers removed. 
The numbers refer to specific headings in the "Ally Bill of Responsibilities"

"My questions are:

Is Idle No More endorsing a document that classifies every other citizen of Canada who is not First Nations as secondary to First Nations as stated in point #2 of the document?
That all those who are not First Nations are ignorant as stated in point #5?
Points #7 and 8 are unclear are you able to clarify the meaning for me?
That according to point #10 even if First Nations members who are male are given any support that this aids to promote oppression?
And in points #12 that Non Native leadership is invalid?
Point #15 are Non-Native people expected not to have a voice in community meetings or events?
Is this the direction that Idle No More is headed?
How do you think Idle No More supporters will react to this document?
Thank you for your time Mrs Gordon, I look forward to hearing from you."

Mrs. Gordon has not responded to my questions.

On February 5, 2013, Windspeaker issued an article by Sylvia McAdams another of the founders of Idle No More, "Creative resistance" continues battle with "dangerous" policies. 

In this article McAdams explains the origin, methods and aims of Idle  No More.

“I think this is where people are mistaking Idle No More as an Indigenous movement; really, it’s a grassroots movement for all people. It’s an energetic movement, and it’s bound to inspire all walks of life. It’s a beautiful movement and people want to be a part of it. It’s inspired grassroots people to be creative in their resistance. When we speak of water and the protection of water and land, of course it’s going to motivate and inspire people to want to protect that for our children and the generations to come.”

Conclusion.

“If you’re thinking about joining this movement, whether you’re Indigenous or non-Indigenous, I ask that you put the past injustices aside, and join Idle No More for the love of our children, and for the love of all of our lands and our waters. That’s what we ask.” Windspeaker, Volume 30, Issue 11, Year 2013.

McAdam's again states that Idle No More is a grassroots movement that is not only about First Nations, how the issues will affect all Canadians and how everyone should cooperate to protect the lands and waters.  However, the "Ally Bill of Responsibilities" posted on Idle No More's site demonstrates a stance that puts First Nations ahead of even their supporters.

To clarify Idle No More's position, I again e-mailed both Mrs McAdam and Mrs Gordon.

They have not responded to me.

Treaty Essential Learning from the Office of the Treaty Commissoner

Here is a Treaty Backgrounder from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. (OTC)

Purpose of the OTC is:

"The OTC will assist the Parties in understanding the relationship building process inherent in the Treaties and promoting that relationship amongst all Canadians.

The OTC is committed to coordinating the research, initiating, facilitating and supporting of initiatives aimed at achieving First Nations economic independence in the context of Treaty in a modern environment.

The OTC is committed to coordinating independent and focused research on Treaty issues to assist the Parties.

The OTC is committed to engaging in public information and public awareness programming to educate and advance good relations among all the peoples of Saskatchewan on Treaty issues." the Mission Statement of the OTC.

The OTC produced:  We Are All Treaty People (pdf) a document used to prepare teachers to use the OTC's Treaty kit in classrooms in Saskatchewan.

Covering:

1: The Treaties,
2: Treaty Relationship,
3: Historical Context of the Treaties,
4: Worldviews,
5: Symbolism in Treaty Making,
6. Contemporary Treaty Issues.

The link to "We Are All Treaty People" is published here with permission from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner.  Any feedback that will help improve this resource can be left in comments and will be forwarded to the OTC.

Idle No More's Working document outlining its future strategies

Idle No More released a working document outlining its strategies for Idle No More, grassroots and supporters January 23, 2013.

"We intend to accomplish these goals by, immediately,

• Implementing leadership  structure and councils -  Council of women
• Taking training in; coordinating rallies, media, messaging, safety issues, identifying- provocateurs, misinformation shills, propaganda etc.
• Placing key spokespeople and connecting with experienced experts in different areas; i.e. treaty research, Indigenous rights and governance, environmental activism, writers, international spokesperson, national etc.
• Creating chapters across Turtle Island under umbrella of main INM.
• Requesting regular meetings with First Nations leadership to have ongoing discussions regarding 3rd party agreements between Government of Canada and industry corporations"  

          From Idle No More's Official Website.