[Indigsol] IPSMO Newsletter - Updates & Actions to address Canada's Discrimination against First Nations Women and Children
Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement -Ottawa
ipsmo at riseup.net
Mon May 24 18:36:02 PDT 2010
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Indigenous Peoples' Solidarity Movement Ottawa (IPSMO)
Newsletter May 24, 2010
www.ipsmo.org
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The Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement Ottawa acknowledges Ottawa
exists on unceded Omàmìwinini (Algonquin) territory. IPSMO is a
grassroots organization that directly supports indigenous peoples in
diverse struggles for justice. We also work within communities to
challenge the lies and half-truths about indigenous peoples and
colonization that dominate Canadian society. IPSMO is open to both
indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, and focuses on local and regional
campaigns.
CONTENTS
IPSMO EVENT UPDATES
ACTIONS & UPCOMING EVENTS
1) Celebrate the Arrival of MARCHE AMUN / AMUN MARCH
2) Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
3) May 31 – WAR CRIMINALS UNWELCOME HERE
4) Day of Action for Indigenous Rights! June 24th - March and rally
IPSMO EVENT UPDATES:
For those who missed our events last week, check the links below to listen
and watch our speakers on video:
1) Deh Cho “Fighting for our Land”:
http://ipsmo.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/deh-cho-fighting-for-our-land/ 2)
Community & Indigenous Resistance to Harmful Gold Mining in Guatemala &
Honduras:
http://ipsmo.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/resistance-to-harmful-gold-mining/
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ACTIONS & UPCOMING EVENTS
1) Celebrate the Arrival of MARCHE AMUN / AMUN MARCH
On June 1, 2010, after nearly one month of walking, the AMUN March will
arrive on Parliament Hill to draw attention to ongoing legislative sexism
in the Indian Act, and to call people of conscience to join the struggle
against it.
AMUN March kicked off its 500 km march from Wendake, QC to the Parliament
Hill in Ottawa on May 4, 2010 to pursue the fight that was undertaken by
Sharon McIvor (see Sharon McIvor’s fight for gender equality in the Indian
Act: http://briarpatchmagazine.com/sharon-mcivor/), and to request that
the Canadian Government resolve the injustices created by the Indian Act.
The Government of Canada introduced Bill C-3
(http://chiefs-of-ontario.org/Assets/Bill%20C-3.pdf) to bolster gender
equity in the registration provisions of the Act. However, this Bill is
just another continued failed remedial legislation, it partially corrects
discriminatory aspects of the Indian Act registration rules (See Sexist
Bill C-3 is racist and fatally flawed:
http://www.rabble.ca/news/2010/04/bill-c-3-sexist-racist-and-fatally-flawed).
Furthermore, the government of Canada failed to consult with Indigenous
Peoples and accommodate their concerns prior to introducing Bill C-3,
which violates Section 35 of Canadian Constitution Act of 1982. Not only
Bill C-3 does not end discrimination against Indigenous women and their
descendants, it also does not address the underlying issue of the Indian
Act – categorization of Indian status. If Canada is SINCERE in its
promise of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples following the Apology of
June 11 2008 and in the recent Throne speech, Canada must recognize and
respect the INHERENT RIGHT of Indigenous peoples to govern themselves, to
define who can be a citizen of their nation.
Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement Ottawa is one of many groups,
including the Native Women’s Association of Canada, and Québec Native
Women Inc., calling allies to come out and greet the march as it arrives
on Parliament Hill.
Community Feast to Welcome AMUN March
6 PM Monday, May 31, 2010
Odawa Friendship Centre, 12 Stirling Ave. Ottawa, Algonquin Territory
Everyone is Welcome to the fest!
Rally & Press Conference
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
11:45 AM March from Victoria Island to Parliament Hill.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
12 PM Welcome
Jeanette Corbiere Lavell,
President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada
Sharon McIvor, McIvor v. Canada
Dawn Harvard, President of the Ontario Native Women’s Association
Kathleen McHugh, Women’s Council Chair of the AFN
MichEle Audette and Viviane Michel, Marche Amun Organizers
12:45 Closing and Send-off
1-1:30 PM Press Conference (Charles Lynch Room, 130S, Centre Block)
ALL MEDIA WELCOME
For more background information:
http://ipsmo.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/celebrate-the-arrival-of-marche-amun-amun-march/
2) Canadian Human Rights Tribunal
PURPOSE: To witness the motion to dismiss the Human Rights Hearings
on whether or not the federal government is treating
First Nations children fairly.
DATE: June 2 and 3, 2010 (9:30-5:00)
LOCATION: The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, 11th floor,
160 Elgin Street, Ottawa ALGONQUIN TERRITORY
First Nations Child and Family Caring Society is trying to get as much
support out to 160 Elgin Street as possible on June 2nd and 3rd. The
hearings begin at 9:30, break at 12:00 for lunch and then go until 5:00.
If people could come even for a part of that time (like an hour or so) it
would be great.
This is a historic case because it would be the first time in Canadian
history that a Tribunal hearing has dealt with a whole people being
discriminated against (systemic discrimination), not just individuals.
The impact would be immense. Please come out and show our solidarity with
First Nations children and families.
BACKGROUND
On Feb. 26, 2007, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the First
Nations Child and Family Caring Society (FNCFCS) filed a complaint with
the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC) alleging that Canada is
racially discriminating against First Nations children by providing less
child welfare funding, and thus benefits, on reserves.
However, the government of Canada is trying to use a legal loophole to
request a dismissal of the case. The loophole is that Canada is saying
that they “fund” the services to the First Nations children, they do not
“provide” the services. Canada says its funding, no matter how
inequitable, is not a service and thus they should not be held accountable
under the Canadian Human Rights Act.
On Nov. 24, 2009, a Federal Court Prothonotary (legal person) rules that
Canada’s application to strike the tribunal should be stayed (held up)
until after the tribunal is over. On January 8, 2010, Chair Shirish
Chotalia (who was newly appointed by the Conservative Government on
November 2, 2009) postponed all tribunal hearing dates for January and
February 2010 and has decided to hear Canada’s motion to dismiss the
tribunal. Cindy Blackstock, Tom Geoff, Elsie Flett, who issued their
affidavits to oppose Canada’s application to dismiss the tribunal, were
cross-examined in the months of February and March. On June 2 and 3,
Canada’s lawyer and the Human Rights lawyer will be presenting their
arguments to the Tribunal chair and a decision on the motion to dismiss
the Tribunal will be made. AFN, Caring Society, Amnesty International and
the Chiefs of Ontario will be present to state their opposition to Canada.
The fact that Canada has been unable to find even one social worker to
testify that their funding leads to good things for children and families
is indicative of their culpability. They only have one expert witness and
he is a chartered general accountant with no known credentials or
experience in child welfare. If Canada loses on this legal loophole then
the First Nations children and families will have equal opportunities to
the rest of Canadians because the Government will have to “make it right”.
The more people, especially youth that come to witness this event, the
greater the message to Canada that the government cannot get away with
violating basic human rights of these children (according to the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child), which underfunding of First
Nations Child and Family Services represents. This is an opportunity for
non-Aboriginal people to show that we care!
For more details:
http://ipsmo.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/canadian-human-rights-tribunal/
3) May 31 – WAR CRIMINALS UNWELCOME HERE
Monday, 31 May 2010
5:00-6:30pm
Human Rights Monument
Corner of Elgin and Lisgar Ottawa ALGONQUIN TERRITORY
In support of the Ottawa Palestine Solidarity Network – Protest
Netanyahu’s visit to Ottawa
WAR CRIMINALS UNWELCOME HERE
At the end of May, Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu will be coming to
Canada, including visits to Ottawa and Toronto. The Ottawa Palestine
Solidarity Network is organizing a protest of Netanyahu’s visit on Monday,
May 31, starting at 5pm, at the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa. We need
you to join us and to bring all your friends.
The occupation. The wall. The siege. The Settlements. The impunity. The
Israeli occupation is becoming increasingly brutal with the unflinching
support of the Canadian government. For all these reasons and more, it’s
crucial for all Canadians who believe in justice and peace and justice to
take a stand.
The illegal siege of Gaza continues to suffocate the Palestinians who live
there, preventing them from rebuilding from Israel’s attack on last year
that killed 1400 people (half of them children). The recent legislation
giving the Israeli military discretion to deport Palestinians from the
West Bank is an affront to human rights and democracy.
The OPSN is calling on groups from coast to coast to organize local
solidarity demonstrations on or near May 31, to protest Netanyahu’s
upcoming attempt to re-brand Israel in Canada, and the complicity of the
Canadian government in Israel’s violations of international law.
Let us join together in solidarity to oppose occupation and take a stand
for justice, peace and human rights!
ottawa.palestine at gmail.com
http://notowarcrimes.blogspot.com
4) Day of Action for Indigenous Rights! June 24th - March and rally
Demand that Canada sign and implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples
Demand justice for over 520 missing and murdered Indigenous women End
the criminalization of Indigenous resistance: respect Aboriginal land
title
Stop Canada from extinguishing Aboriginal and Treaty rights - stop the HST
Stop the tar sands - a violation of Aboriginal and Treaty rights, and the
most destructive industrial project on earth
We are taking to the streets in Toronto to tell the world about Canada's
violations of Indigenous rights and to demand immediate action.
June 24th, 11 am
March start point: Queen's Park, South Lawn
When the G8/G20 comes to Canada in June let's tell the world the real
story about Canada's record on Indigenous rights:
* Canada is continuing its policy of assimilation and extinguishment
of Aboriginal rights, title, and Treaty rights. Canada's collusion with
Ontario to bring in a new 'Harmonized Sales Tax' is only the
latest unilateral extinguishment of Aboriginal and treaty rights
* Canada is the only country still opposing the UN Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples; the other three countries opposed to it have
changed their vote or are reconsidering. We recognize the
importance of the UN Declaration in protecting the rights of
Indigenous peoples in Canada as well as the rest of the world"
* Canada continues to criminalize Indigenous activists who stand up
for Aboriginal and treaty rights - even though these rights have been
affirmed by the Canadian constitution and the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
* Canada's policies of dispossession and control continue to create
extreme poverty and social distress for Indigenous Nations across
Canada.
* Canada's resource economy is based on the exploitation of
Indigenous lands. Industrial gigaprojects like the tar sands threaten the
health of communities, culture and the land.
For Defenders of the Land G8/20 Call Out:
http://www.defendersoftheland.org/dayofaction
IPSMO is organizing transportation to Toronto for June 24 Day of Action
for Indigenous Rights, please contact ipsmo at riseup.net if you are
interested in joining us.
In Sol,
IPSMO
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