Since December of 2012, and the rise of Idle No More events, there have been numerous “teach-ins” throughout the country. Some of them focused on the theme of reconciliation, others provided necessary background to those unfamiliar with the causes of ‘indigenous discontent’, while others attempted to provide a possible vision for the future. Whether you…
Category: Injustice
Canada, it’s time. We need to fix this in our generation.
Today is December 16, 2012 and Chief Theresa Spence has been on a hunger strike for six days. Contrary to what some media outlets are reporting, she is not doing this only to protest Bill C-45 or even the deplorable treatment her community has received since declaring an emergency last year. She has vowed to…
White paper, what paper?
If you hang around native people long enough, you’ll probably hear references to white paper, and it might have you scratching your head. The trick is to capitalise the words. They’re talking about THE White Paper. Now, that still won’t clarify much for you. A White Paper is essentially a federal government policy document, presented…
Undermined at every turn: the lie of the failed native farm on the Prairies.
What do you know about farming among the Prairie nations? Here’s what I knew. I knew that after the annihilation of our main economic base, the buffalo, native peoples in the Prairies were encouraged to become farmers. I knew that ‘experts’ were sent by Indian Affairs to teach on-reserve populations how to farm. I knew…
Treaty Talk With âpihtawikosisân
tânisi nitôtêmitik, welcome to Treaty Talk With âpihtawikosisân! In previous episodes, we’ve explored the way in which modern treaty making resembles the approach taken during the creation of the historical numbered Treaties. We’ve also looked at how ‘without prejudice’ agreements stall and perhaps undermine the maintenance and exercise of Aboriginal rights, as an alternative to…