By: Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation | Press Release: Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Indigenous people living downstream from the tar sands explain in their own words why they are saying enough is enough. Shell Canada is proposing two new tar sands mine projects in northern Alberta, Canada. From the perspective of the Athabasca
Continue readingTag: First Nations
The Canadian Progressive: Prominent Canadians want Victoria Day renamed to honour Aboriginals
From Victoria Day to ‘Victoria and First People’s Day’. How does that sound? Prolific author Margaret Atwood, Green Party leader Elizabeth May, actor Gordon Pinsent and other prominent Canadians are demanding that “Victoria Day” be renamed “Victoria and First Peoples Day”. To honour Aboriginal peoples’ contributions to Canada. The group, which
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Sen. Patrick Brazeau defies Senate order to return housing allowance
By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive: Our Senatorial soap opera entered a new chapter on Tuesday. Independent Sen. Patrick Brazeau informed the media that he’ll defy the Senate’s order to repay the $48,744 in living and travel expenses he fraudulently claimed from Canadian taxpayers. “Senator Brazeau has fulfilled his obligations in forwarding all relevant
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. – Michael Harris tears into the Cons for their latest set of Senate abuses: It is time once more to throw up on your shoes over the Senate. We all did that when Liberal Senator Andrew Thompson went missing in action for a decade
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Indigenous resistance grows strong in Keystone XL pipeline battle
By: Crysbel Tejada and Betsy Catlin | First published by Waging Nonviolence on May 8, 2013: On cloudy days, heavy smoke fills the air of Ponca City, Okla., with grey smog that camouflages itself into the sky. The ConocoPhillips oil refinery that makes its home there uses overcast days as a disguise to release more
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: First Nation demands resignation of Alberta Energy Regulator chair, ex-Big Oil exec Gerry Protti
By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive: The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) is demanding the resignation of Gerry Protti, the newly-appointed chair of Alberta Energy Regulator, a new agency charged with monitoring environmental issues. The ACFN is concerned that, under Protti’s leadership, the agency will prioritize advancing the interests of the oil, gas and
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Vancouver symposium explores commodification of Aboriginal culture
By: Simon Fraser University | Press Release: Simon Fraser University archaeology professor George Nicholas is joining international scholars at a Vancouver symposium May 2 to explore the commodification of Aboriginal culture. “The abundance of souvenir totem poles and inukshuks in many shops locally often makes it difficult for tourists and locals alike to
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: The Audit With a Twist #cdnpoli
$3.1 Billion is missing according to a damning audit of the Harper Government. Let’s see what political pundits recently have said about audit failure: Federal government audit ‘severely critical’ – The Star headline “The independent audit […] speaks for itself, and we accept its conclusions and recommendations,” said Jan O’Driscoll,
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Paul Martin accuses residential schools of ‘cultural genocide’
Residential schools engaged in “cultural genocide,” former prime minister Paul Martin said Friday at the hearings of the federal Truth And Reconciliation Commission, adding that aboriginal Canadians must now be offered the best educational system. “Let us understand that what happened at the residential schools was the use of
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Indigenous rights are the best defence against Canada’s resource rush
First Nations people – and the decision of Canadians to stand alongside them – will determine the fate of the planet By: Martin Lukacs | The Guardian (UK), Published on Fri Apr 26, 2013: In a boardroom in a soaring high-rise on Wall Street, Indigenous activist Arthur Manuel is sitting across from one
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – The Broadbent Institute’s “Union Communities, Healthy Communities” report discusses the significance of the labour movement in achieving positive social outcomes. And Rick Smith concurrently writes that the right’s attacks on unions represent a solution in search of a problem: (W)hen unions are
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Organizations hold forum on missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada
Gone but never forgotten: First Nations women murdered in alarming numbers and little is done about it By: Ryan Bromsgrove | Vue Weekly: “She was just getting her life on track; she got married, she was settling down, she was really focused on keeping the family together, and she happened to be hanging out
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: NDP MP urges Harper Conservatives to take Aboriginal claims seriously
By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive: New Democrat Aboriginal Affairs critic, Jean Crowder, is calling on Stephen Harper and the Conservatives to respect Canada`s First Nations. And take their land and other outstanding claims seriously. The full text of Crowder`s motion, tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday: That this House call on the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: BC NDP candidate resigns over racist comments against First Nations
By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive: Dayleen Van Ryswyk, the BC NDP candidate for Kelowna-Mission, has resigned after the racist comments she made online against Canada’s First Nations surfaced earlier today. She also denigrated French Canadians. Called them bigots. This sad episode will not slow down the New Democrats‘ march to a
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: NDP Convention 2013: Resolution on Idle No More, Aboriginal Peoples
By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive: 5-05-13 Resolution on Idle No More, submitted by the Aboriginal Peoples Commission. WHEREAS years of inaction and broken promises from successive liberal and conservative government has led to severe social injustice and shocking poverty in too many communities WHEREAS as a consequence we are witnessing an historic and
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: ‘Idle No More’ Inspires Canada’s First Nations
Via Aljazeera / YouTube: An aboriginal protest movement in Canada has captivated the country and gained supporters around the world. But can Idle No More and the rest of Canada’s indigenous community come together and force the government to act? Guests: Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, Pamela Palmater, and Tim Powers.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – Michael Harris takes aim at Stephen Harper’s thugocracy: There is little that Stephen Harper has done that other prime ministers before him have not. But no one has used closure, time allocation, committee secrecy or omnibus legislation to a degree that renders Parliament
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Aboriginal Students Centre Launch at UofR
The expanded space for the ASC was launched on Thursday in the RIC building. Many dignitaries were on hand. Shawn Fraser was rep’ing the City, and gave a short and sweet 2 minute speech. Everyone else was a bit more verbose, but all heartfelt and excited by the newly christened
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive | News & Analysis: Sunday Roundup: Harper Picked Chinese Pandas Over Journey of Nishiyuu Aboriginal Youth
By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive: This week six courageous “Journey of Nishiyuu” Aboriginal youth arrived in Ottawa after walking 1 600 kilometres from Whapmagoostui on Hudson Bay in northern Quebec. They’d hoped to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In a gesture like to further galvanize the popular view that Harper
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: The Most Racist Thing I Have Ever Seen Published
Educate First Nations to be modern citizens Don Olsen, The Daily News Published: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 via Educate First Nations to be modern citizens. This is the most racist thing I have ever seen published. The Nanaimo Daily News published a document either as an editorial or a letter
Continue reading