Political prisoners denied basic human rights
The Elsipogtog protest against fracking seems to be over for everyone except Mi’kmaq men Aaron Francis and Germaine Jr. Breau who have been held in custody since the RCMP raid on October 17th 2013.
Columns
Honouring Dick Hill
When someone who inspired foundational change in the community leaves us, it is very important to take the time to acknowledge such a loss. Such is the case for Six Nations this week as we say goodbye to Dick Hill.
30 Years and $33 Million
It’s not a prison sentence. It just feels like one. And I’m sure it feels the same to many others. It’s the cost for gaining “recognition” by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. And $33 million is what it cost the Shinnecock people. However, as exorbitant – and unbelievable – as this sounds they are actually the lucky ones.
Pay It Forward 2014
So there’s this kid I know of, well he’s not a kid actually. More of a young man. His name is Ascension. His mama and I were pregnant at the same time and would often wave miserably at each other as we waddled throughout the hot summer of 2001.
Back to Our Path is not a Trip Backward
Many of us are familiar with our expression Ohnkwe Ohnwe. It is what we use to describe ourselves as the original people of Turtle Island. The approximate translation is “real human being, forever.”
True repentance
A cold autumn morning in my first year of high school, a girl named “Ang” taught me how to smoke. Ang was fourteen, and I thought she had it all; she was pretty, swore like a trucker straight to her parents face, and all the boys liked her. One morning before school she offered me a cigarette.
Here We Go Again
I’m sorry, but I can’t resist the temptation. As we rip open a new calendar I can’t help but reflect on the past year and the one that is now before us.
America’s Greatest Public Execution
The story of the executions in Mankato, Minnesota that would be the final chapter of the Dakota War of 1862 seems to always miss the mark, at least for me.
The happiest kids on Sour Springs Road
Every year down on Six at New Years you will hear folks greeting each other with a festive “Nu-yah! Nu-yah!”. For some it is just another rez term. Nobody knows where it originated from. Nor do they know why you have to say it twice: that’s just how it is and how it always was.
2013 Akwesasne Year in Review
December 2012 – A federal search warrant raid on Dec. 18 on the closed Three Feathers Class II Casino resulted in the arrest of the Wolf Clan Representative from the Akwesasne Men’s Council. The raid and arrests of two other Akwesasne men left many questions for Kanienkehaka Kaianerehkowa Kanonhsesne clan members.
Morning Coffee Thought: Settler Ally vs. Settler Brother/Sister
I’ve been struggling over this term “ally” for a long time now. Many “light skinned” people have approached me, wondering how to improve relations with me, and my Nation, and other Onkwehon:we nations.
Tis the season for decolonization of christianity
What do you know about the very First Christmas? Maybe you’ve heard the Bible story; an angel, a pregnant lady, some shepherds with donkeys and wise men riding camels all end up in a stable in Israel looking at this tiny baby boy.
Pope Francis: A Gimmick or a Game Changer?
We are hearing much about this new Pope and his radical support for the poor, but the truth is there will remain a gaping hole in his posture until the papal bulls responsible for the Doctrine of Christian Discovery are addressed.
Kindness is who we are, don’t mistake it for weakness
I have been blessed with knowing many great teachers and Elders over the years. Truth is, I would not be the person I am today without the direction and leadership I sought from the Elders.
Love, Hope and Courage
There is a coin I keep in my wallet. It’s one of those inspirational tokens you can pick up in the hospital gift shop. On one side it reads ‘Survivor’ and on the other ‘Love, Hope, Courage’.