The Spirit of All Nations.
Like many Generation X’ers from Six Nations I grew up watching cartoons on Saturday mornings and learned the phrase “Yabba-dabba-doo!” from the Flintstones. It’s funny how these programs can really condition our minds because for the next thirty years, like Fred Flintstone, I used the term “maroon” interchangeably with “moron” and I thought it was a funny play on words.
While the provincial election may not have affected many non-voting Onkwehon:we people on Election Day, it most certainly will. As much as it is true that “Indians and their lands” are the fiduciary responsibility of the federal government, don’t think the province has no jurisdiction or power to impose on Native people.
KANONHSTATON – The six nations territories had another unwarranted visit from Gary Mchale making a so-called citizens arrest.
When the settlers disembarked from the Mayflower and stumbled ashore in 1620 we gave them the benefit of the doubt that their intentions were basically good. Relying on Onkwehon:we wisdom, these adventurers survived the first few winters due to the generosity of their benevolent native hosts. The sincerity of this settler/host relationship culminated in a series of treaties known as the Covenant Chain (1676) and the Two Row Wampum (1692) asserting the co-equality and autonomy of each party.
There are an endless number of opinions out there about the welfare of the Native peoples and whether or not their concerns are valid. Anyone who has ever become involved in the Native world from more than a peripheral standpoint can tell you without a doubt that the concerns are founded, and in reality, understated and under emphasized.
This past Wednesday busloads of Onhkwehonh:we descended upon Parliament Hill to protest the impositions of Bills C-10 and C-33 and the grossly overlooked issue of…
There is a saying that goes “it takes a village to raise a child.” Those words ring true to us. The 26th annual Community Awareness Week begins on Six Nations May 14th and goes to May 27, 2014. And as another saying goes, “there is something for everyone.” Community involvement is the surest way to be a part of the lives of our neighbours and friends. If we are to shape the minds and opinions of our youth then one of the best ways to do so is to be involved in their lives. A community puts forth the norms and acceptable mores of that society which in turn are shown by example to the children of the village.
The resignation of National Chief Shawn Atleo was unprecedented. Never before has a leader of the Assembly of First Nations stepped down. Stating that he didn’t want to stand in the way of children affected by the passage of Bill C-33, the newest version of the First Nations Education act that the Harper government is trying to ram through against the will of Onkwehonwe people, Atleo stepped aside.
Every once in a while we encounter someone that makes us stop and think about the world around us. It’s not like listening to an announcer on the radio, or the host of a television news program but an actual in the flesh person who speaks to us in a way that makes us stop what we’re doing and really pay attention. When we meet this kind of person they make us take stock of how we are living our lives and how we should be living our lives.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s wife Laureen spoke at a TIFF Gala in Toronto, to raise money for homeless cats. During the Canadian First Lady’s welcoming address, a frustrated young 21-year old Canadian woman rose in the audience and spoke out these words: “Raising awareness about cat welfare is a good look for your husband’s upcoming campaign strategy…. Don’t you think supporting government action on missing and murdered indigenous women in this country would be a better look?”
This statement is full of implications. Missing and murdered indigenous women are an issue that the Harper government continually refuses to address despite huge public outcry. Mrs. Harper was put on the spot and made a choice to respond, finally offering the Canadian population the only, if even unofficial, response to that outcry.
What frightens you? For some of us the impenetrable dark of night can be unsettling. Others fear the face of a clown or committing to an idea without total assurances of security. There are many ideas and notions in this world that are potentially alarming and lead down the road of fear. Unfortunately people don’t realize how the emotion of fear can control their future actions and perceptions. Additionally, the sentiment of fear can be used. Fear is a tool the government uses to assert control over people and to direct them down the highway of their own destruction.
When we are born into this world we are a clean slate. Our needs are the most significant aspect of our survival. As we grow our capacities are enhanced and we are taught the values of life according to the people surrounding us and our environment along with our own unique experiences.
Have you ever been to Mexico and seen the beautiful turquoise waters embraced by fine white sand? Taken a long appreciating look at the clear blue of the sky? Walked out into your backyard to breathe in the smells of an earth renewing itself? Stopped to listen to the croaking of the frogs alerting us to the coming change in weather? We have so much natural beauty around us. Why then are we are failing to appreciate and be responsible for what has been placed under our care? We need to take the time to respect the cycles of life and renewal.
In speaking only for myself and not the rest of the Elected Council, I believe there is a double standard in our community when it comes to accommodation deals with developers wanting to develop on our land and I’m fed up with it. Both the Elected Council (EC) and the Confederacy Council (CC)/Haudenosaunnee Development Institute (HDI) make deals on behalf of the community and both councils should be held to the same standards of accountability. But that doesn’t happen. Oh yes, rest assured the EC is held accountable but when it comes to the CC/HDI the community and the media close a blind eye.
