[Indigsol] IPSMO's Newsletter, June 8-15: Meetings, Events, Articles

[Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement -Ottawa]

IPSMO's Newsletter, June 8-15: Meetings, Events, Articles
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Meetings:

1) IPSMO’s next General Meeting, Tuesday, June 16 at 6pm
2) Ardoch Algonquin Working Group Meeting, Monday, June 15 at 6pm
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Events:

3) 2nd Solidarity Rally with Indigenous in Peru,
   Thursday, June 18 at 11:30am
4) Anti-Olympics Speaking Tour is in Ottawa, Saturday, June 13 at 2:00pm
5) Pray for the Land, Sunday, June 28
6) July Delegation to Venezuela:
   Human Rights, Food Sovereignty & Social Change
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Indigenous Resistance:

7) Akwesasne updates
8) Tyendinaga Answers Akwesasne’s Call
9) Six Nations blocks Highway: Solidarity Action with Akwesasne
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Articles:

10) IPSMO statement: Justice and Freedom for John C. Moore
11) Mining company warns of another Caledonia
12) First Nations attack Mining Act changes
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1) Next IPSMO General Meeting

General Meeting
Tuesday, June 16 at 6pm
Exile Infoshop
256 Bank St.
This location is not wheelchair accessible
ipsmo at riseup.net
http://ipsmo.wordpress.com

This is a meeting where our 4 working groups report back, and we discuss
anything else that relates to our organizing.

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2) Ardoch Algonquin Working Group Meeting, Monday, June 15 at 6pm

Ardoch Algonquin Working Group Meeting
Monday, June 15 at 6pm
Exile Infoshop
256 Bank St.
This location is not wheelchair accessible
ipsmo at riseup.net
http://ipsmo.wordpress.com

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3) 2nd Solidarity Rally with Indigenous in Peru, Thursday, June 18 at 11:30am

SOLIDARITY WITH INDIGENOUS IN PERU!
Demonstration and information picket in front of the Peruvian Embassy

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Thursday, June 18 - 11:30am -1:30pm
Peruvian Embassy, Ottawa
130 Albert, between O’Connor and Metcalfe
Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement –Ottawa
 ipsmo at riseup.net –  http://ipsmo.wordpress.com
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Call for group endorsements of demands – see below
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This protest is in response to calls for international solidarity by
indigenous movements in Peru.

Come out to demonstrate in order to keep international attention focused
on Peru!  Help make sure that they respond to the demands that are being
made, and that they honour their word to stop killing protestors and
indigenous people!

Indigenous led protests against new “Free Trade” agreements in Peru have
been met with brutal violence by the Peruvian government. The Peruvian
police and military murdered up to 100 protesters on June 5/6 2009, and
are continuing to terrorize people under a declared 'State of Emergency'
while blaming the protesters for the violence. The Peruvian government
considers the profits made from exploiting logging, mining, oil and
agroindustry more important than the lives of protesters and indigenous
people.

If we are serious about safeguarding the human rights of the Indigenous
and non-Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, we need to act now. The violent
repression of Indigenous protests and the loss of civil liberties must
come to an end. If we want to protect and preserve the Amazon, and its
bio-cultural diversity, especially in the face of climate change, there is
no better protection than keeping it under the control of those who have
maintained it forever. The free trade laws that open up the Amazon to
logging, mining, oil and agroindustry must be suspended. Indigenous
Peoples' rights - to self-determination, to their lands and resources, to
their lives - must be protected and guaranteed. If we are to stop other
atrocities and bloodshed, the battle line must be withdrawn, immediately,
and there must be dialogue.

It is essential to understand that this is not an “indigenous issue” or a
“Peruvian” issue; this is a global issue; this is “our” issue in the
north. Since the 1980s and 1990s, the governments of the USA and Canada --
along with our “development” institutions (from the World Bank,
International Monetary Fund and Inter-American Development Bank, to our
“aid” agencies [US-AID, CIDA]) -- have been pushing for and insisting on
the “free trade” trade model of development / exploitation, on the signing
of “free trade” agreements. Canada signed a “free trade” agreement with
Peru on May 29, 2008, and on June 3, 2009, Bill C-24 was passed in the
House of Commons to implement this agreement. The Peruvian government has
also signed “free trade” agreements with the United States, the European
Union,
Chile, and China, all of which endanger indigenous territorial rights and
Amazonian biodiversity.

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OUR DEMANDS OF THE PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT:

1) Immediately suspend violent repression of indigenous protests and the
State of Emergency
2) Repeal the Free Trade Laws that allow oil, logging, and agricultural
corporations easy entry into indigenous territories
3) Respect indigenous peoples' constitutionally guaranteed rights to
self-determination, to their ancestral territories, and to prior
consultation
4) Enter into good faith process of dialogue with indigenous peoples to
resolve this conflict

!! We are calling for groups and organizations to endorse these demands
and this action. To do so, please email  ipsmo at riseup.net by Wed June 10
at 1pm !!
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RSVP to this event on Facebook, and invite your friends:
 http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=89930363498

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4) Anti-Olympics Speaking Tour is in Ottawa, Saturday, June 13 at 2:00pm

Anti-Olympics Speaking Tour
Christian from Vancouver/Montreal will be speaking

Saturday, June 13th at 2pm
Exile Infoshop
256 Bank St.
613 237 9270
FREE!
 mattm-b at resist.ca

The ongoing struggle against the 2010 Olympic games, instigated in 2003,
is one of the major links between the defense of the earth and support for
basic struggles for rights in BC. These Olympic games will accelerate the
process of devastation.

The Olympics are but another facet of the capitalist, colonialist,
patriarchal and imperialist war that is destroying the earth and our
communities, especially indigenous communities.

This often obscured fact is very evident to us.

Corporate sponsors, the elite and mass media are united to promote the
games, which are too often used to justify domination everywhere.

This is why we are mobilizing to stop them, just like we are mobilizing to
put an end to exploitation everywhere.

Tournée anti-olympiques a Ottawa, Samedi, Le 13 de Juin
Samedi, Le 13 de Juin a 14h00
256 Bank St.
613 237 9270
GRATUIT!
 mattm-b at resist.ca

La campagne des luttes contre les Olympiques de 2010 qui dure depuis 2003
et continue est en ce moment au BC un des principaux liens dans la
continuité de la défense de la terre et du vivant en général. Ces
Olympiques accélèrent tous les processus de dévastation.

Les Olympiques ne sont qu’un autre événement de la guerre capitaliste,
colonialiste, patriarcale, impérialiste
 qui ne cesse de détruire la
terre, la majorité d’entre nous et particulièrement nos camarades
indigènes.

Cette réalité pourtant si évidente nous est constamment cachée.

Des compagnies commanditaires des Olympiques aux médias de masse, les
élites s’unissent pour promouvoir ces “jeux” qui ne sont qu’un important
moment de la restructuration constante de la domination partout.
C’est pourquoi nous nous mobilisons pour les arrêter comme nous le faisons
pour mettre fin à ce monde d’exploitation généralisée.

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5) Pray For The Land, Sunday, June 28th

An invitation from the Ardoch Algonquin to join them on June 28

IPSMO will be arranging car rides to the Robertsville mine site.  If you
want to go, contact us at ipsmo at riseup.net.

If you are planning to drive, and are want to take people with you,
contact us: ipsmo at riseup.net

June 28th 2009
On the Robertsville mine site

Participate in a universal call to prayer!

Human beings have an innate understanding of their relationship with the
earth and when the time comes we all welcome it among the most meaningful
obligations of our lives.

People of every faith recognise their sacred responsibility to care for the
earth. On June 28th, the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation is inviting people
of all faiths to join them again in praying for their homeland which has
been seriously harmed by uranium exploration.

If you have ever felt the need to speak up for creation and seek justice
for people who live close to the land please come to Robertsville to join
us. If you can't come out to the land please encourage your faith
community to remember the Ardoch struggle when you gather together.

For information:
Robert Lovelace
705-748-9685
lovelace at queensu.ca

For a map to Robertsville, more pictures and site information go to the
Ardoch Algonquin First Nation Website: http://www.aafna.ca/
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6) July Delegation to Venezuela: Human Rights, Food Sovereignty & Social
Change

When: July 27 to August 5  2009
Where: Start and end in Caracas; visits to the states of Cojedes,
Portuguesa, and Aragua
Cost for Activities: $700. This will cover all lodging, all transportation,
and some meals for the duration of the trip. Additional expenses during the
trip will be minimal.
**airfare not included**
Anyone interested should email cbalbertolovera at gmail.com as soon as
possible. Space is limited.

The Alberto Lovera Bolivarian Circle of NY invites you to join us in July
for a 10-day trip to Venezuela examining advances in food sovereignty and
other initiatives for social change. Start off in the capital city of
Caracas, then travel to 3 additional states, including visits to newly
formed cooperative farms and rural development projects in the countryside;
community and national media outlets; government sponsored social programs,
including Mercal markets and Barrio Adentro medical clinics, and much more.
Meet with farmers, community leaders, and government officials. Sightseeing
and visits to some of the country's beautiful natural areas will also be
included.

Check out this article in the Monthly Review about one of our past trips to
Venezuela:

http://www.monthlyreview.org/mrzine/magdoff040208.html


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7a) Akwesasne updates

 The Mohawk community of Akwesasne is currently blockaded by both American
and Ontario Police forces on either sides of the border, due to their
defiance of the order to have the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) be
allowed to carry lethal weapons on the border that straddles their
community. This territory is both in New York and Ontario, and traffic (in
particular residents of the reserve) have been prevented from entering this
community.

The residents of this community are asking people to attend immediately, if
possible, to witness, record, or otherwise exhibit solidarity with the
Mohawk community as they resist this particular attempt to reduce their
rights and self-determination.

For those who can, please make your way to this border community-- near
Cornwall, Ontario.

For more information, please contact Sandra Cuffe (to get interviews,
updates, etc from community members) at:

514 583 6432, or Sandra C <lavagabunda27 at yahoo.es>

7b) "Akwesasne under siege" (rabble.ca, June 5, 2009):
http://rabble.ca/columnists/2009/06/akwesasne-under-siege

7c) Mohawks continue struggle at border (Indian Country Today, June 5, 2009):
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/home/content/47044112.html

7d) AUDIO: Interview with Sakoietah, member of the Men’s Traditional Council
at Akwesasne (No One Is Illegal-Montreal Radio, June 4, 2009):
http://www.radio4all.net:8080/files/jaggisingh@gmail.com/2840-1-sakoiepah-final.mp3

7e) Interview with Brendan White, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (Ottawa
Citizen, June 3, 2009):
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/This+unique+situation+have+Akwesasne+with+Mohawk+spokesman+Brendan+White/1658208/story.html

7f) VIDEO: Kanietakeron gives message to CBSA agents (video by Neddie
Thompson, May 31, 2009)
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J-479EaojM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH7zuzkbjuc

7g) VIDEO: Protest at border crossing by Akwesasne Mohawks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRM6ev4FBVg

7h) Mohawk Nation News (MNN) Articles:
http://www.mohawknationnews.com/news/news4.php?en=en&layout=mnn&category=26&srcurl=%2Fnews%2Fnews3.php%3Flang%3Den%26layout%3Dmnn%26sortorder%3D0

7i) Akwesasne Forums:
http://akwesasne.ca/
http://myakwesasne.com/

7j) PHOTOS from Akwesasne (by independent journalist Sandra Cuffe):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lavagabunda/

7k) Previous No One Is Illegal-Montreal Updates:
http://nooneisillegal-montreal.blogspot.com/2009/06/akwesasne.html

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8a) Tyendinaga Answers Akwesasne’s Call

** forward widely **

For Immediate Release:

Tyendinaga Answers Akwesasne’s Call,
Shuts Down Skyway Bridge, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory

(Sunday, June 7, 2009) The community of Akwesasne has been living
without the freedom of mobility for one week.  People have been cut
off from family and friends, barred from access to elder relatives in
need of care, unable to get to work and hundreds of children have had
their school year disrupted.

It is no secret that there are significant tensions between the
community of Akwesasne and Canadian Border Services Agency.  Hundred
of complaints have been filed for incidents like conducting a cavity
search on a teenager, subjecting a pregnant woman to repeated x-rays
and interrogating children after forcibly removing them from the care
of adult family members.

As a result, the community of Akwesasne has clearly stated that it has
substantial concerns over the arming of these same guards.  The
position of the Federal Government that it refuses any discussion with
Akwesasne is ludicrous and will only engender further mistrust and
frustration.

Tyendinaga understands this frustration and calls for the Federal
Government to enter into meaningful discussions with the community of
Akwesasne.

Ignoring the concerns of First Nations communities will not make the
issues go away.

8b) Protesters blocking Skyway Bridge

http://www.intelligencer.ca/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1603144##

8c) Shawn Brant at it again, protesters won't leave

http://www.intelligencer.ca/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1603698##

8d) Local protest set up despite wishes of Akwesasne Mohawks

http://www.intelligencer.ca/PrintArticle.aspx?e=1603449##>

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9) Six Nations blocks Highway: Solidarity Action with Akwesasne

"Native protesters cause highway chaos"

Native activists have all but shut down the Brantford-bound 403 in a
protest in sympathy for the Akwesasne reserve in eastern Ontario.

http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/581546

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10) IPSMO statement: Justice and Freedom for John C. Moore

IPSMO statement: Justice and Freedom for John C. Moore

The first sentence of our basis of unity states, "The Indigenous Peoples
Solidarity
Movement – Ottawa (IPSMO) is a grassroots organization that directly supports
indigenous peoples in diverse struggles for justice."

A lot of the time, that means we are working together with Aboriginal
communities or
nations. But today, we're here to support an individual Aboriginal man,
John C.
Moore, in his quest for justice.

We recognize the colonial and genocidal history of this country, and we also
recognize that this history has not ended and continues with us into
today. We also
recognize the systemic racism of the criminal system - which we have
explored in one
of our events titled "Indigenous Peoples and the 'Criminal Injustice
System'".

We'd like to share a quote from Sarah Dover, a Toronto-based lawyer, who
is quite
succinct: "... there's a case called Regina v. Gladue, 1999, that said
that there is
a historical and systemic background that has resulted in Aboriginal
people being
over-incarcerated. And let me be clear: the Supreme Court said in this
case, the
Canadian criminal justice system is racist. That is in legislation."

When we look at the details of John Moore's case, as presented here to you
today, we
see evidence that an innocent man has been wrongly convicted,
incarcerated, and is
still suffering the effects for a crime he didn't commit.

And so we ask that the Members of Parliament who have the authority to do
something
about this, that they do something to ensure real justice for John Moore,
to clear
his name and to allow him to live freely.

And we ask that the media, who have the privilege and responsibility of
making
things known to the public, to make the facts of this case known, so that
more
people can be aware of what has happened, and also of what can be done to
make
things right.

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11) Mining company warns of another Caledonia

Big Trout Lake

James Cowan, National Post Published: Thursday, May 28, 2009

A protracted dispute between a mining firm and an Ontario First Nations
community threatens to escalate this summer, with the company warning of
another Caledonia if the provincial government does not quickly intervene.

Platinex Inc., a Toronto-based exploration firm, has spent the past three
years feuding with the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (commonly known as KI)
community over access to a mining claim near Big Trout Lake, roughly 580
kilometres north of Thunder Bay.

The company agreed to suspend its search for platinum on the site last May
while the Ontario government brokered a truce between the two sides. But
Platinex representatives say no real negotiations have taken place in the
past year and it is no longer feasible to simply let the claim sit idle.

If provincial officials do not act soon, they could face a situation similar
to the stand-off between native protesters and land developers in Caledonia,
according to Stephen Skyvington, a lobbyist with Blackstone Public Affairs
Group, who acts as a spokesman for Platinex.

"A confrontation is likely unless the government starts taking this
seriously," he said. "We've been forced into this situation by government
inaction and incompetence."

The company last year launched a $70-million lawsuit against the government
alleging, in part, that the province had failed to enforce the rule of law.

The disputed claims are located on Crown land, which Platinex leases from
the province. The KI reserve is 40 kilometres across Big Trout Lake from
Platinex's claims, but community members contend the proposed drilling site
sits on the band's traditional lands. Protesters from the KI reserve have
twice stopped Platinex from beginning exploration. Chief Donny Morris said
the company can expect further protests if it returns to the claim site.

Platinex employees first attempted to begin drilling in February, 2006, but
protesters forced them to abandon their camp after a few days. (The company
alleges KI members blocked roads and threatened to destroy the local
airstrip; band members contend their activities were peaceful).

A second attempt to begin exploration took place in November, 2007,
following an Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision that found the
company took adequate steps to consult the aboriginal community and
preliminary drilling would do minimal harm to the land.

Despite this court ruling, Chief Morris and five other band members refused
to allow Platinex access to the site and threatened to charge company
employees with trespassing.

All six individuals were later sentenced to six months in prison for
contempt of court, but had those sentences reduced to a few days on appeal.

The KI First Nations have no interest in negotiating directly with Platinex,
Chief Morris said, noting the company filed a $10-billion lawsuit against
his band in 2006. (The company reduced the size of its claim to $10-million
last year).

"I'm not sitting down with Platinex. I believe we paid our dues when we were
jailed and that company does not exist here," Chief Morris said.

Platinex argues the KI are equal victims of the Ontario government's failure
to adequately intervene in the dispute.

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1636995
top <mhtml:mid://00001011/#top>

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12) First Nations attack Mining Act changes

By JIM KELLY
Friday, May 1, 2009

The response by native leaders to proposed changes to Ontario's Mining Act
can best described as lukewarm.

Both Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Chief Donnie Morris and
Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy have mixed feelings about the
legislation, which was introduced Thursday.

On the one hand, Morris is pleased that Ontario is the first jurisdiction in
Canada to recognize aboriginal and treaty rights in its mining legislation.
"If they recognize aboriginal treaty rights in the legislation, it's opening
a door," he said from Sioux Lookout.

But Morris said no government officials have come to his community to
discuss the proposed revisions.

"That tells me we're left out."

Morris and five other KI band members were sentenced to six months in jail
in March 2008 for a December 2007 civil contempt of court conviction after
the group failed to obey a court order to allow Platinex Inc., a
Toronto-based mineral exploration company, to begin drilling on KI
traditional lands.

They were freed two months later.

Beardy said that while he acknowledges the province's attempt to address
First Nations' concerns, he is concerned that the legislation might not
fully recognize the rights of First Nations regarding mining on NAN
territory.

"Our primary concern is that NAN First Nations must have free, prior and
informed consent before any activity can take place in their homelands," he
said in a prepared statement.

"That's the standard expressed in Article 32 of the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and that's the standard we
expect Ontario to meet,' Beardy said.

In fact, he said no prospecting, staking, exploration or mine development
should proceed without a written agreement in place, at the discretion of
the First Nation.

Part of the legislation states that aboriginal communities would be notified
immediately after a claim is staked.

Other key areas NAN First Nations want addressed in the legislation include
participation in regulations, environmental standards, land use planning,
map staking and land designations, and provision of funding and technical
resources.

Beardy agreed with Morris that there has been a lack of consultation.
"We will continue to insist upon a mechanism through which NAN First Nations
will be consulted and will have meaningful input into the decision -making
process," Beardy said.

"We have a sacred responsibility to future generations to secure the
protection of our homelands, which has been the basis of the survival of the
people of Nishnawbe-Aski for generations."

Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle said the government
as had extensive consultations with aboriginal groups.

"We had an extremely positive experience working very closely with Grand
Chief Beardy and NAN as well as other First Nation organizations across the
province," he said.

"And, many of the issues they consider priorities we have included in the
legislation," Gravelle said.

"This has been a very positive process and my challenge . . . has been to
find a balance which certainly is very much to properly respect the needs
and the aspirations of our aboriginal communities while we still maintain a
very positive investment climate for the mining industry," he said.

Gravelle said talks have included all aboriginal peoples including Metis and
Inuit.

"This is the most extensive consultation our ministry has ever been engaged
in."

A Goldcorp Inc. spokesman praised Gravelle's efforts to modernize the act.
"I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Minister Gravelle,"
vice-president (Canada and the U.S.) George Burns said in an email to The
Chronicle-Journal.

"Ontario is recognized internationally as a safe and attractive jurisdiction
in which to invest in mining. From what I understand of the proposed
legislation . . . the government of Ontario continues to support the mining
industry as a cornerstone of Ontario's economy while ensuring, as it must,
that mining activity is carried out in a sustainable and socially
appropriate manner," Burns said.

Goldcorp is one of the world's leading producers engaged in gold mining and
related activities including exploration, extraction, processing and
reclamation.

The company's operating assets include the Red Lake, Porcupine and
Musselwhite gold mines in Canada.

Meanwhile, MPP Howard Hampton (NDP-Kenora) said he sees two major flaws in
the legislation: consent and revenue sharing.

"Despite all the promotion and hype, the so-called new Mining Act fails to
deal with two of the fundamental issues," he said.

"Consent was a central issue with KI," Hampton said.

"First Nations are saying 'you can't just come and set up a mine in our
traditional territory when we say no,'" he said.

Hampton said First Nations are not opposed to mining, but they want a piece
of the pie.

"The changes to the act totally ignore (revenue sharing)."

A spokesman for the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association said he
doesn't have any major concerns about the legislation.

"Overall it looks good to me," said past president John Halet. "It's pretty
much what I expected.

" They've (government) gone right down the middle of the road and they have
to satisfy both sides, First Nations and the industry," he said.

"So politically they've done it correctly and they're looking at doing the
right thing for the First Nations and the mining industry."

http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=182970
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