Our Future Standing Proud Oherokon Rites of Passage
AKWESASNE –Last week over 75 youth were put out from anywhere from 1-4 days to Fast in a rites of passage ceremony in Akwesasne called Oherokon “Under the Husk”.
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So what’s the fuss with Tobacco?
Just about everyone has heard about the recent “largest tobacco bust” in North American history. There is nary a media source that is reporting all the elements of this raid right. Some have spoken of 400 armed officers of different jurisdictions coming together to carry out coordinated raids on Onhkwehonh:we territories. Other reports spoke of mafia connections to an organized native crime syndicate with the implication being that hundreds of Native peoples were arrested in these raids. Still other reports spoke to the gathering of firearms in the hundreds and a substantial accumulation of marijuana plants along with 3,4, 5, no, wait for it! 6 trailer loads of raw tobacco leaf. So what is the fuss about and why the amazingly disparate descriptions of what actually took place in the Kahnawake and Akwesasne territories?
James Blood keeps it raw
Hip hop artist James Blood of TrueRez Crew and RedStar is one of the foremost native hip hop artists in Haudenosaunee territory today. James sees hip hop as a “voice for the voiceless.” While hip hop began as a youth culture among black and latino youth in the South Bronx and Harlem in the 1970’s, James is part of the cutting edge of hip hop culture in Six Nations and he’s adding his own flavour to hip hop culture, rhyming about the struggles of being native.
The “Contraband” Raids are about PR: Interview with John Kane from “Let’s Talk Native”
The Mohawk radio personality believes that the police raids around Montreal, earlier yesterday, are more about public relations than targeting criminal organizations. He says that by criminalizing the trade and manufacturing of tobacco, the Canadian government is violating Mohawks’ rights to develop their own economies.
Lobby group calls on Ontario to not raise taxes on Tobacco
The Ontario Convenience Store Association has delivered 20,000 postcards signed by voters to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne urging her not increase taxes on tobacco. An increased tax on cigarettes would hurt convenience stores, but would be a boon to the so called “contraband” tobacco market that already flourishes in many First Nations communities.
Onondaga Nation files human rights violation in Washington DC
In the Great Law as told by Jake Thomas, there would be a time that a strong wind would come in and threaten to blow down our great tree of peace. It was said that the tree would fall, but that it would not touch the ground because Haudenosaunee people would care for it so deeply that they would stand together around it, and that it would rest upon their joined arms.
Grassy Narrows stands against resumption of logging
On April 1, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ (MNR) 10 year Forestry Management Plan (FMP) for the Whiskey Jack Forest comes into effect, with over 50 000 hectares – that’s more than 500 square kilometers of forest scheduled for clearcutting.
An Old Warrior Has Gone Home
If the comings and goings of people can be compared to a pebble tossed into a lake and the resulting ripples that radiate infinitely, then I would say that the passing of John R Bradley, a member of Six Nations, will bless many with a spirit of good nature and humour for generations. His life was all about sacrifice, dedication and doing his very best for family and friends. He passed away on April 1, 2014 at the age of 94.
Six Nations Skating Club Carnival 2014
The Six Nations Skating Clubs annual Carnival took place at the Gaylord Powless Arena Saturday afternoon to a large and appreciative crowd. Instructors Maryl Dejong, Ty Lickers, Caitlin Ogino and Stacy Hill orchestrated every age group represented in the popular community event.
Something New In OL’CD
Making a living as an artist is not an easy thing to do but most of the time the rewards are amazing. As a writer I understand that money is not the big motivation to write. Most writers in this country just get by. However, even if the monetary rewards are not great I find there is a lot of satisfaction in being able to work at something I have a passion for. I believe that is the case for most artists whether they are writers, visual artists, performance artists, dancers or musicians.
The Power of Words and the Perpetuation of Stereotypes
I think we can all agree that words carry incredible power and their meanings are often times not held in what is being said verbally, but the connotations that are being applied subliminally.
What you don’t know about the Two Row Times didn’t tell you about wind turbines
I cannot get behind the “local news” treatise condemning wind energy in the March 19th news piece entitled: “What you’re not being told about wind energy.”
Something New In OL’CD
Making a living as an artist is not an easy thing to do but most of the time the rewards are amazing. As a writer I understand that money is not the big motivation to write. Most writers in this country just get by. However, even if the monetary rewards are not great I find there is a lot of satisfaction in being able to work at something I have a passion for. I believe that is the case for most artists whether they are writers, visual artists, performance artists, dancers or musicians.
TABA Awards
The Toronto Aboriginal Business Association (TABA) Awards celebrated four Aboriginal entrepreneurs’ accomplishment on March 19 at the Grand Hotel. The awards were given to Ruby Dreger – Lifetime Achievement; Theresa Ducharme – Businesswoman of the Year; Jesse Sargent – Businessman of the Year; and Louise Solomon – Youth Entrepreneur.
Women shut down Via rail line
TYENDINAGA – At 1:15 PM, the skies were overcast but much warmer for the women of Tyendinaga as they stood their ground about 52 feet from the tracks at the Wyman Road location on the edge of Mohawk Territory.