Let’s look at reality. When it comes to disposing of our garbage I too have concern for the environment. In my opinion, and my opinion only, it seems some people’s concern for the environment is short sighted. All we have now to dispose of our garbage is a dump, just a plain old dump.
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) wrapped up its 13th session this week. Thousands of representatives of UN member states, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) as well as approved participants from academia and the media. The latter was how I got in. For two weeks hundreds of speakers offered statements and interventions, many of them coming from the Native people of Turtle Island.
This declaration does not ask for permission to be removed from the Canadian Citizenship and Immigration registries. In fact it was an act of peaceful overture that acknowledges a state of war that exists between the Canadian government and Myself.
Every so often, we come across someone writing about Native issues with an authoritative voice and we immediately think erudite information is forthcoming. The articles come off sounding reasonable and to the point and they are written in a forward thinking manner. Such an article was published by the Ottawa Sun this past Wednesday, May 14, 2014 by columnist Anthony Furey. Furey acknowledges reports on “horrid conditions, an exposé on financial shenanigans, and protests” by Onhkwehonh:we people as if they were the histrionics of a spoiled child calling attention to selfish needs.
As I sit, peacefully reflecting on the last week, I am enjoying the most perfect bowl of cornsoup. My children are resting peacefully in the living room eating the soup I made. My husband is away working but I will keep this soup warm until he comes home. Love is definitely in the air in my indigenous home.
After spending the week in New York City attending the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and listening to dozens of speakers offering their…
The Two Row Wampum as I understand it describes the movement over time of two vessels, a ship and a canoe, travelling in parallel down the river of life. The ship represents the settler societies of Turtle Island, such as Canada and the US, and the canoe represents the Onkwehon:we people.
Fewer things are more distinctly Six Nations than Bread and Cheese Day. For those of you who don’t have a clue what I am talking about, allow me to explain.
The Harper Government is attempting to pass legislation to control the tobacco trade on all Onhkwehonh:we Territories. That legislation is Bill C-10. The main reason, supposedly, for this internecine interference is the “supposed” misappropriation of tax dollars spent on the Native territories for Native smokes which are then not being funneled into government coffers.
This year marks the 26th annual Six Nations Community Awareness Week. This year’s event is scheduled for May 14th to May 27th, 2014.
Well, now that everyone can feel better about their battle and stance on unacceptable racism in the wake of giving the old “what’s for” to Donald Sterling, the racist owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, we can all go back to settling in with the institutional racism that keeps Daniel Snyder, the equally racist owner of the NFL’s Washington R-word, warm and safe at night. I know “spic,” “wetback,” chink” and the R-word still can appear in print but if the N-word can’t, then, in my book neither can the R-word.
Kind of an essay, but worth the read I think… As John’s funding campaign is coming to a close for this quarter, I was musing over the fact how fortunate the native community is to have someone so dedicated to their issues. I wish I could stick his spirit in a Xerox machine so I could have a copy to utilize for other issues!
For most Native communities today, tobacco is what makes the economy go around. Over the last 30 years the tobacco trade has become the largest employer among Native people in our communities. The proposed Bill C-10 would destroy the economic foundation of our sovereign rights as Native people.
On May 12, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will begin its 13th session at the United Nations in New York City. The session will run for two weeks and cover a broad range of topics.
The event is not open to the public. Only confirmed and registered NGO and IPO representatives are allowed to participate. However, as a UN accredited member of the media, I will be there, too. Yeah, that’s right. Two Row Times columnist and radio show host John Kane will be there having the conversations that may or may not be welcome.
