NAFPS Forum
General => Welcome & News => Topic started by: Ric_Richardson on December 13, 2012, 03:15:33 pm
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Tansi;
Does everyone in Canada know about the "Idle No More" movement that is confronting issues related to Treaties and the Environment, in Canada? Check out their Facebook pages!
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I support Ide no More
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And the #IdleNoMore hashtag on Twitter. Chief Theresa Spence is on Hunger Strike, with many fasting and praying in support, demos all across the land, lots is happening!
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Tansi:
Although there has been a news blackout, reminiscent of those around the "Arab Spring", amongst government and corporate controlled media, we are relying on social media, independant media and Aboriginal media, to get information out there.
We hope and Pray that our government will recognize how misguided their efforts are and will respond, in positive ways, to the attention that Idle No More is getting!
Chief Theresa Spence, who has health issues, including Diabetes, is on her 7th day of her hunger strike, awaiting meetings with our non-responsive government!
As is happening, across our country, we are having an Idle No More rally, in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, tomorrow. Information about this can be found on the Idle No More Facebook page. We know that we are getting support from people in other countries, including the USA and are grateful for this!
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Tansi:
As Idle No More continues to grow, we rely on international attention and social media to keep people informed! Dec. 21, 2012 marks a date, which will see coordinated efforts, in many countries and across Canada, to bring even more attention to this movement.
Check out www.idlenomore.com
Today, I heard on radio that our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper (no relation to Elijah) misses hockey, since the NHL lockout. While he continues to ignore Aboriginal people and all others who support the Idle No More movement, he instead focuses on inconsequential situations. The Queen's representative in Canada, our Governor General, has no comment about this, either.
This movement insists on Peaceful and Respectful rallies and demonstrations. Pipes have been raised and the Drums have called on our ancestors, for their support! Yesterday, in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, we had a successful and well attended rally, which drew in people from many, many miles away and, in the crisp Northern Saskatchewan weather, several hundred people walked, Peacefully and Respectfully, to show support.
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More than 1,000 join native protest after closing roads in London Ontario
Video http://www.lfpress.com/2012/12/19/native-protest-shuts-down-highways (http://www.lfpress.com/2012/12/19/native-protest-shuts-down-highways)
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Idle No More is in the States and Mexico now as Native Stand up
This is the seventh generation
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Support is in Portland, Oregon
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/12/local_native_american_activist.html#incart_river
Local Native American activists to show solidarity at Pioneer Place with Canadian movement
By Victoria Edwards, The Oregonian
on December 22, 2012 at 6:20 PM, updated December 22, 2012 at 6:44 PM
Native American activists will gather in downtown Portland’s Pioneer Place mall on Sunday to show support for native people in Canada, where a legislative bill that is seen as trampling treaty rights has sparked a wave of protests in recent weeks.
The gathering is set for 2 p.m. and will feature singing, drumming and a round dance, said Candida King Bird, a Portland activist. She said it will likely be brief since participants don’t want any problems.
More than 80 people have so far confirmed they’ll be there, King Bird said.
People will also be holding signs showing opposition to C-45, the bill in Canada that set off protests there and have led to support events in the United States. While the protests and events under Idle No More, the name of the movement, were sparked by the bill, the movement has come to include broader issues including indigenous rights, sovereignty and living conditions.
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Tansi;
We continue to grow, Peacefully and Respectfully and our voices will be heard!
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May our voice to be heard loud and clear
we are IDLE NO MORE!
We stand together under one fire for our people, our land, our water our way of life
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Tansi;
As we continue to have flash mob Round Dances at many locales, as well as rallies in many outdoor areas, the cold (30 below Celcius, here right now) we hope that the govt will recognize that the issues will be heard and positively dealt with!
The Canadian govt passed this Omnibus Bill C-45 in December, thinking that no one would notice, with Christmas happening, and that it would be too cold for activism.
They have woken the people, since Treaty Rights are affected, as well as Environmental regulations, which affect All people in Canada! Three First Nations and one Non-native Women started a Fire, which has caught on, around the world. The Women in our Matriarchal societies, Traditionally provided guidance for direction and we men were responsible for taking action, along with them.
We can no longer stand back! We must be Idle No More!
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I've never heard of this before: Idle No More, but also Spencer's fast and, of course, the barrage of legal modifications going on in Canada that are violating treaties.
I guess politicians and companies hope that people will just forget what the word "treaty" means?
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Tansi;
www.idlenomore.ca
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Tansi;
For more info, check out www.aptn.ca and go to news.
Ric
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Idle No More support in western Washington, USA:
Tacoma http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/entertainment/spew-blog/2012/12/Idle-No-More-movement-hits-tacoma-mall/ (http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/entertainment/spew-blog/2012/12/Idle-No-More-movement-hits-tacoma-mall/)
Seattle http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/article/video-1300-person-idle-no-more-flash-mob-seattle-146549#.UNvBOZN0Lbw.twitter (http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/article/video-1300-person-idle-no-more-flash-mob-seattle-146549#.UNvBOZN0Lbw.twitter)
Tukwilla http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnTMzkl7AFQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnTMzkl7AFQ)
Olympia http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/29/2368095/idle-no-more-supporters-fill-westfield.html (http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/29/2368095/idle-no-more-supporters-fill-westfield.html)
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There was an INM flash mob in Eugene:
http://www.eugeneweekly.com/blog/native-american-idle-no-more-eugene-flash-mob
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Support from Chief Arvol Looking Horse, 12/30/2012. Shared with permission of author:
This is About Mother Earth!
As Keeper of our Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, I would like to send out support for the efforts of Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation, for giving of herself through fasting with prayers for the protection of Mother Earth.
Throughout history, there have been many Voices from different Nations trying to alert us of the prophecies that are now upon us. We are in a time of Great Urgency, especially since the animals have been showing their sacred color white to tell us we need to change the Path we are on.
The war in the Middle East over money, oil and power, in the name of Spirituality, has been affecting us for far too long. A Healing now needs to happen from that lesson. Those lessons now exist in those territories in the lack of animal and plant life, as well as the many orphans and childless parents.
Political decision makers throughout history have made decisions that have affected many People, lands and animal/plant life, the recent decision made to subject Mother Earth and take away any protection she had left, is a decision that affects all humanity.
This effort has to be understood the same light of our Peace work, which is “All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer”. This effort to protect Mother Earth is all Humanity’s responsibility, not just Aboriginal People. Every human being has had Ancestors in their lineage that understood their umbilical cord to the Earth, understanding the need to always protect and thank her. Therefore, all Humanity has to re-connect to their own Indigenous Roots of their lineage - to heal their connection and responsibility with Mother Earth and become a united voice.
In a Sacred Hoop Life, where there is no ending and no beginning!
Chief Arvol Looking Horse
19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe
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A heads-up for folks in areas that want to support Idle No More, but that may not have large NDN populations. We have seen some non-Natives, and some pretendians, trying to colonize Idle No More.
Please forgive my redundancy if you've seen me post this stuff elsewhere, but...
One thing that some of the non-Natives have been misinterpreting (not with this statement in particular, but with the concept of "Indigenous" in general). Arvol wrote:
"Every human being has had Ancestors in their lineage that understood their umbilical cord to the Earth, understanding the need to always protect and thank her. Therefore, all Humanity has to re-connect to their own Indigenous Roots of their lineage - to heal their connection and responsibility with Mother Earth and become a united voice."
I have always found this to be a beautiful and inspiring statement, ever since Paula first spoke it to me. But lately we have come across some appropriators and exploiters misinterpreting the idea of Indigenous roots (http://nicdhana.blogspot.com/2012/05/white-americans-and-indigenous-identity.html), thinking that "roots" means that they are also Indigenous people (NDNs), or that they can choose to *become* Indigenous (through stealing ceremonies from NDNs). Some of these appropriators and ceremony-sellers have come in through the "Occupy"/"Decolonize movement. So, just making a note here for anyone else who gets odd reactions from non-Natives when they share this, or if they see shameons posting it in places and misrepresenting what Arvol is saying.
Going back to our Indigenous roots means taking the challenge of learning the languages, ways and ceremonies of our own ancestors, not stealing ceremonies or identities or terminology from Native people.
Here's a post from the Idle No More founders on advice for non-Native allies: http://idlenomore.tumblr.com/post/38705071010/im-non-indigenous-how-can-i-participate-in-idle-no
If you want to do a local action, or join a local group, find out what Native people in the area are doing - in most cases they have already organized groups. For the most part, so far things are overwhelmingly Indigenous at the demos. But we actually *are* seeing a bit of a problem with non-Natives wanting to form and lead Idle No More groups (in some cases, they are misrepresenting themselves as Native and forming a group where there is already a Native one). While I'm seeing that respectful support is very appreciated, we need to make sure this is truly solidarity and not appropriation. For instance, if people are doing a solidarity action that does not involve Native spiritual leaders, for them to pray and sing in the ways of *their own* culture, not imitate the ways of NDN people or try to use their sacred songs or ceremonies (including smudging). Non-natives, if you go to an action and find that pretendians are appropriating, stand up to them and say something. NDNs in my area have already had to do some creative re-scheduling, and making networking for events private, in order to avoid being colonized.
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This is being posted all over Facebook:
Last night after an Idle No More flash roundy at a Walmart in Cloquet, Minnesota, we had a beautiful talking circle at the Fond du Lac reservation tribal center. An elder lady named Mary Moose explained to us that she hoped we understood her English, because she grew up speaking Ojibwe and Cree. She told us she had a dream in which she was visited by an elder who has walked on, the late Tom Stillday from Obaashiing in Red Lake Nation. She told us how in her dream Tom told her we need to help people in Canada, and he suggested everyone, all anishinaabe, all indigenous people put out a spirit plate on the same day at the same time to awaken the spirits, to ask for their help. Mary relayed that we should choose a date and time, and do it every year on that same day.
So the people in the talking circle decided to do this at noon on New Year’s Day...
The instruction was that you may offer your feast food to any of the four elements: you can place the spirit plate in a water body, in a fire, in the air by hanging it in a tree, or on the earth. Mary and other elders will be speaking for the food. She asks everyone to do this, wherever you are. A facebook event has been created for this coming New Year’s Day, the event is called “ Idle No More! Anishinaabe Calling Around The World! ”
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I'm not native, and I don't know/understand about offering food to spirits, or anything else..
At noon on New Year's Day I will pause, as I do in my way, in support, in giving.
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Pono, have you checked if this story is true and, if so, did Mary Moose give her permission for this to be posted publicly?
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I haven't been able to find a Facebook event listing yet for "Idle No More! Anishinaabe Calling Around The World! ”
The basic story is indeed posted all over, one version out on web has an added bit: "From Susan Prentice Hallett (A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE!): http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?2118-Paging-Gazhekwe&p=359303#post359303 (http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?2118-Paging-Gazhekwe&p=359303#post359303)
There is a Susan Prentice Hallett on Facebook from Minnesota, I sent her a message asking if she knows anything about this.
(Also found it here on causes.com in pledge form: http://www.causes.com/causes/614713-help-save-cowichan-traditional-homelands-and-its-people/actions/1720641 (http://www.causes.com/causes/614713-help-save-cowichan-traditional-homelands-and-its-people/actions/1720641) )
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https://m.facebook.com/events/578130678867637?refid=8&_ft_=qid.5827245817558605908%3Amf_story_key.578130678867637 (https://m.facebook.com/events/578130678867637?refid=8&_ft_=qid.5827245817558605908%3Amf_story_key.578130678867637)
Idle No More! Anishinaabe Calling Around The World!
Public · By Raven Sohm
Mary Moose has asked ALL Anishinaabe to come together and feast at 12pm CST on New Years day. Mary gave the message that she was told in her dream where Tom Stillday said that it is time to wake up the spirits within ourselves and to feast our spirits and those that help us. This will keep Anishinaabe strong through harder times. She asks this to be done no matter where you are!!! She and other elders will be speaking for the food. You may place the feast food in the water, a fire, hanging in a tree, or on the earth. For those in the Cloquet/Duluth area, we are trying to set up a feast to be held at the Cloquet EMP for that time. Skip Sandman will be speaking for the food and the people.
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The newspaper article on Olympia Idle No More event includes a very important quote from Erin Genia:
Saturday’s demonstration began with several songs accompanied by drums in the crowd. The first song was performed by a Squaxin Island Tribe family.
“That song belongs to a specific Squaxin family that cannot be used by anyone else,” Genia said. “We were honored they gifted that song for that moment.”
http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/29/2368095/idle-no-more-supporters-fill-westfield.html (http://www.theolympian.com/2012/12/29/2368095/idle-no-more-supporters-fill-westfield.html)
Any of us who want to be allies need to know this and can help educate others: what happens at Idle No More events isn't available for cultural pillaging.
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As Idle no more spread across the world we welcome support from people who will stand with us but
it hurts my heart that hte fakes and fraud are jumping out there to make this there issues
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In some areas, Indigenous organizers are scheduling teach-ins for non-Natives who want to support, but who don't understand how to do so respectfully. In these cases, Indigenous organizers are requiring that the non-Natives attend an educational meeting before they are invited to any public events. And if someone continues to act offensively after that... they don't get invited :)
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to allows us to sing, dance and pray helps us heal as a people
we welcome supporters who will stand with us but not interfer
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Canada meets key aboriginal demand with Jan 11 meeting:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/canada-meets-key-aboriginal-demand-jan-11-meeting-203747972--finance.html
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Also
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/hunger-strike-pressures-canada-pm-aboriginal-protests-spread-150933283.html
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Tansi;
It is good that the government has agreed to meet with representatives from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), but it remains to be seen, if this meeting will result in positve movement forward on the issues raised by Idle No More. Changes to Environmental regulation and changes to the Indian Act, that were in Bill C-45, were made without Consultation or Accommodation with Rights bearing Aboriginal people.
Ekosi
Ric
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These are the people who love Harper, and support what he is doing to Indigenous people in Canada - white supremacists:
http://www.canadianprogressiveworld.com/2012/08/08/the-day-canadas-white-supremacists-saluted-stephen-harper/
Not only do these Neo-Nazis support the violation of the First Nations treaties, they are even trying to colonize Indigneous Identity themselves, by declaring themselves "Indigenous European": http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/3153
The white supremacists want only white people in the lands where they have invaded, and one of their tactics is to usurp Indigenous identity - socially via political movements and "spiritually" via the newagers and shameons - until their white voices and communities totally eradicate and replace Native ones.
We are seeing newage shameons colonizing Idle No More pages on FB. They are hoping that by claiming to be allies, they will get a pass. Some of them are going to INM events to push their own agendas and try to steal songs and ceremonies. These newagers are now claiming to be Indigenous, based on a radical misinterpretation of the idea of "Indigenous roots," or simply because they are white supremacists. The worst offenders are newagers, pretendians and neopagans. As some of them are falsely claiming to be Celtic, or ripping off outsider fantasies of Celtic ways and calling it "Indigenous European Knowledge," one of the anti-racist groups I work with had to issue a statement against this genocidal colonization of Indigenous Identity: http://www.bandia.net/caorann/ie.php
As we've seen with the newage promotion of the racist fantasies of Steiner and the fake, genocidal "Rainbow Prophecies," the roots of the newage movement are white supremacist. We've even seen people promoting new fake prophecies about white people coming to save the day and learn all the NDN ceremonies, and attributing their words to long-dead NDN leaders.
Sherman Alexie saw it coming:
How to Write the Great American Indian Novel
By Sherman Alexie
All of the Indians must have tragic features: tragic noses, eyes, and arms.
Their hands and fingers must be tragic when they reach for tragic food.
The hero must be a half-breed, half white and half Indian, preferably
from a horse culture. He should often weep alone. That is mandatory.
If the hero is an Indian woman, she is beautiful. She must be slender
and in love with a white man. But if she loves an Indian man
then he must be a half-breed, preferably from a horse culture.
If the Indian woman loves a white man, then he has to be so white
that we can see the blue veins running through his skin like rivers.
When the Indian woman steps out of her dress, the white man gasps
at the endless beauty of her brown skin. She should be compared to nature:
brown hills, mountains, fertile valleys, dewy grass, wind, and clear water.
If she is compared to murky water, however, then she must have a secret.
Indians always have secrets, which are carefully and slowly revealed.
Yet Indian secrets can be disclosed suddenly, like a storm.
Indian men, of course, are storms. They should destroy the lives
of any white women who choose to love them. All white women love
Indian men. That is always the case. White women feign disgust
at the savage in blue jeans and T-shirt, but secretly lust after him.
White women dream about half-breed Indian men from horse cultures.
Indian men are horses, smelling wild and gamey. When the Indian men
unbuttons his pants, the white woman should think of topsoil.
There must be one murder, one suicide, one attempted rape.
Alcohol should be consumed. Cars must be driven at high speeds.
Indians must see visions. White people can have the same visions
if they are in love with Indians. If a white person loves an Indian
then the white person is Indian by proximity. White people must carry
an Indian deep inside themselves. Those interior Indians are half-breed
and obviously from horse cultures. If the interior Indian is male
then he must be a warrior, especially if he is inside a white man.
If the interior Indian is female, then she must be a healer, especially if she is inside
a white woman. Sometimes there are complications.
An Indian man can be hidden inside a white woman. An Indian woman
can be hidden inside a white man. In these rare instances,
everybody is a half-breed struggling to learn more about his or her horse culture.
There must be redemption, of course, and sins must be forgiven.
For this, we need children. A white child and an Indian child, gender
not important, should express deep affection in a childlike way.
In the Great American Indian novel, when it is finally written,
all of the white people will be Indians and all of the Indians will be ghosts.
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Sherman Alexie, “How to Write the Great American Indian Novel” from The Summer of Black Widows. Copyright © by Sherman Alexie. Reprinted by permission of Hanging Loose Press.
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237270
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I support the ideals of Idle No More.
I wish Pittsburgh was a little more on the ball with this ... :-\