Chief Theresa Spence, Mushkegowuk People of Attawapiskat First Nation and the International Indian Treaty Council file urgent “Action Request” with U.N. human rights body By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 25, 2013: Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence hasn’t given up her fight against Prime Minister Stephen Harper‘s draconian omnibus Bills C-45 and C-38.
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The Canadian Progressive: Harper’s Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan Unexpectedly Resigns, Says He Lobbied A Tax Court Judge
by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 15, 2013: Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan resigned from Prime Minister Stephen Harper‘s cabinet Friday after admitting that he lobbied a tax court judge on behalf of an unnamed constituent. Duncan, the Conservative MP for Vancouver Island North, issued a statement in which he said he wrote
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Senator Patrick Brazeau Must Go!
If Brazeau stays on as an independent Senator, he’ll cost Canadian taxpayers at lease $7-million by the time he retires approximately 37 years from today. By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 8, 2013: Conservative Sen. Patrick Brazeau’s charges of assault and sexual assault offer Prime Minister Stephen Harper the opportunity to do the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Stephen Harper Launches Major First Nations Termination Plan
As Negotiating Tables Legitimize Canada’s Colonialism by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 3, 2013: The following is a prophetic editorial detailing a major plan by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives to terminate First Nations in Canada “as negotiating tables legitimize Canada’s colonialism”. The editorial originally appeared in the June-October 2012 edition of the First
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Theresa Spence Ends 43-Day Hunger Strike With Declaration “Towards Fundamental Change”
by Guest Blogger | The Canadian Progressive, Jan 25, 2013 Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence signed the First Nations declaration that ended her 43-day hunger strike at Ottawa’s Victoria Island . The 13-point declaration, entitled “First Nations: Working Towards Fundamental Change”, was signed jointly with First Nations leaders and Canada’s federal opposition parties.
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Calling In The Backup: Chiefs Unite To Face PM Harper
This is Day 40 of Chief Theresa Spence’s Hunger Strike. She has reportedly lost 30 pounds while living on a liquid diet to protest living conditions and treaty infractions faced by natives across Canada. The Huffington Post featured this report by Canadian Press reporter Heather Schofield. OTTAWA – Top First
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: A Matter of Honor: First Nations Appeal to The Queen
Richard ‘Hub’ Hughes- Political Blogger Canadians following the ‘Idle No More’ efforts that have sprung up across the country by tuning in to the MSM will no doubt have a very shallow and generally bigoted account of what is happening and why. Part of the reason is that very few
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Norway’s experience with Big Oil offers lessons for Idle No More
by Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Jan 21, 2013: Norway’s experience with Big Oil offers lessons for Idle No More and other progressive movements determined to stop Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservatives from turning Canada into a petro-state. Earlier, I blogged about a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Aboriginal status ruling challenges policymakers
by John D. Whyte | The Leader Post, Jan 17 2013 Recent developments in relations with aboriginal peoples – the prime minister’s meeting with First Nations leaders, the protest by Chief Theresa Spence, who is on a liquid fast, and especially the Idle No more demonstrations – are likely to
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: NWAC President writes to PM Harper regarding Chief Spence
by Michèle Audette | Native Women’s Association of Canada, Jan 16, 2013 Dear Prime Minister Harper, Let me introduce myself, my name is Michèle Audette, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada. I am a mother of five adorable children, and I am deeply committed to my nation and
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: AFN update on meeting with PM Harper, Chief Spence and Idle No More
by Assembly of First Nations | Jan 16, 2013 The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is pleased to offer this update regarding recent discussions, strategy sessions, meetings and developments regarding the First Nation-Crown relationship, and the continued priorities of First Nations in achieving change for our peoples, communities and nations. Meeting
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Tom Jackson Brings Some Joy To The People Of Attawapiskat
Idle No More Rabble.ca brought us this piece about Tom Jackson’s trip to visit the people of Attiwapiskat. The video provides a glimpse into their lives hopes and fears.
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Idle No More – I Am Bullet Proof (Video)
Idle No More During the birth of the ‘Idle No More’ movement many have asked what it is that the Natives want and the answers are many. Some sense of native’s view of history and life after the arrival of the ‘Europeans’ are to be seen in this video.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: AFN National Chief Shawn Atleo sidelined by norovirus
by Assembly of First Nations, Jan 14, 2013: First Nations citizens have just witnessed one of the most important chapters in our recent history. Through the pressure of the grassroots, the sacrifices made by Chief Spence and her fellow strikers, and the work of many regional Chiefs and the National Executive
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Chief Spence decries Harper’s “paternalistic relationship” with Aboriginals
For Immediate Release: January 11, 2013, Victoria Island, traditional territory of the Algonquian Peoples: Chief Theresa Spence is standing firm on her request that both Prime Minster and Governor General of Canada need to be present and participate at the meeting with First Nation leaders. This statement comes on the
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Misguided Journalist Terry Glavin Misunderstands ‘Idle No More’
Don Maroc-Cowichan Conversations Contributor MISGUIDED VICTORIA JOURNALIST MISUNDERSTANDS IDLE NO MORE by Don Maroc Terry Glavin is a well know media commentator on all things cultural and political. He claims to be left-leaning although he doesn’t always come off that way in his books and regular column in the Ottawa
Continue readingWalking Turcot Yards: Solidarity with IDLE NO MORE and Chief Theresa Spence
Solidarité avec Chief Theresa Spence & Idle No More / Solidarity with IDLE NO MORE and Chief Theresa Spence *BRING DRUMS AND PERCUSSION* On Friday January 11th, 2013, stand in solidarity with Chief Theresa Spence and all First Nations. January 11, 2013 1-3pm 1001 Place Jean Paul Riopelle Between Square
Continue reading350 or bust: Idle No More Challenges Enbridge’s Pipedreams
“Everything that we do to water, we do to life because water is life. It’s not just us – we are all connected, we have to protect everything that lives, that shares the earth that we do…Idle No More is about us standing up and speaking up. We have never
Continue reading350 or bust: Idle No More Challenges Canadians’ Commitment to Truth & Reconciliation
As I write this, Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat Cree First Nation has been fasting for 28 days as she awaits a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Last week, without acknowledging Chief Spence or the growing Idle No More movement, Mr Harper agreed to a meeting with Canadian
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Harper government bills that enraged First Nations, Theresa Spence, and birthed #IdleNoMore
Yesterday, Idle No More, the grassroots movement for Aboriginal justice, flexed its muscle with peaceful blockages of bridges and border crossings across Canada. Dr. Pamela Palmater, an indigenous activist and chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University, says #IdleNoMore is pushing back at the aggressive assimilation agenda of the right-wing Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
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