[Indigsol] IPSMO newsletter: Ron Plain Legal Defense Fund & Upcoming Events

[ipsm ottawa]

Hello Friends,

Many exciting events are taking place in the next four weeks! But first, we
would like to draw your attention on *Ron Plan, an anti-Line 9 activist and
a member of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. *He is facing corporate reprisal in
court because of his involvement in support of the Idle No More and in
solidarity with Chief Theresa Spence. Ron is facing jail and severe fines
as a result of a CN Rail court action.

*Ron needs our help to pay legal costs of defending himself against this
corporate reprisal. Donations can be made on line at the Ron Plain legal
defense website http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/330858. Only 31 days left
to raise $10,000!*

On December 21, 2012, members of Aamjiwnaang First Nation began
their peaceful blockade of the CN St. Clair spur line. Dozens of
demonstrators set up tables, tents and vehicles on and around the track as
part of the
national Idle No More protests and in solidarity with Chief Teresa
Spence. See CBC news report:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/12/23/sarnia-cn-rail-blockade.html

After nearly a two-week long blockade, an Ontario judge ruled that it
must come down. Protestors complied and took it down. Lawyers for CN Rail
launched court action against Ron Plain, a member of the Aamjiwnaang First
Nation, alleging that he was in contempt of an injunction to disband the
protests on the railway tracks. Ron Plain was charged for failing to remove
the blockade of a CN Rail spur line that runs through the Aamjiwnaang
reserve, that is also within the city limits of Sarnia. Ron tells us:

"As a result of the manipulation of the legal system by a
private corporation, I am facing an indefinite jail time, a unlimited fine,
CN's estimated $180 to 200k legal fees and my own legal fees. I have
several very competent lawyers who want to help but know that taking on CN
will be a long expensive process and have asked that we raise funds. We
need your help. My wife and I thank you for this. I can be reached, if you
want to hear the whole story, at ronplain at activist.com."

You can also watch this video, a message from Aamjiwnaang: You've Inspired
A Nation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm7sqSeGJgM.

*Ron chose to be Idle No More and now needs your help to support his legal
defense.

Ron Plain, the Chief of Aamjiwnaang, Chris Plain, and Sarnia Police Chief
Phil Nelson were all named in a request for contempt charges by CN.
After the blockade came down, all but Ron Plain's name was removed from
the charges. "I'm the only one left. it's absolutely to be thrown under
the train, he says.
*

*Upcoming events:*


*1) A Winter Village: Indigenous Ars & Culture Festival*
*February 22nd ~ 24 *
*Richelieu Vanier Community Centre, Ottawa, ON*
* *
*2) Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Hearing in the First Nations Child
Welfare Case*
*9:30 am. Feb. 25, 2013
160 Elgin Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON*

*3) UVic Faculty of Human and Social Development, Indigenous Governance,
and the UVic Native Students Union Present:*
*INM: From Idle No More to the Indigenous Nationhood Movement*
*7-9pm PST (10-12 EST), Tuesday, February 26, 2013*
*LIVESTREAM:
http://www.spreecast.com/events/idle-to-no-more-to-indigenous-nationhood*
*
*
*4) OPIRG-Carleton Present:*
*Maria Campbell **On Storytelling
6:30 pm Thursday February 28, 2013
Tory Egg (3rd floor Tory Building), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON*

*5) Public Event:
Presentation of ‘The Last Walk of Adolfo Ich’ and a panel discussion with
Guatemalan human rights defenders and local guests about the
criminalization of dissent
6:45 pm. Tuesday March 5
Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave, Ottawa
*
*6) The Inconvenient Indian: An Evening with Thomas King*
*7:00 pm. **Wednesday, March 6, 2013*
*Centretown United Church (507 Bank Street, corner of Bank and Argyle,
Ottawa, ON*

*
*
*Here are the details:*
*
*
*1) **+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*A Winter Village: Indigenous Ars & Culture Festival
February 22nd, 6:30pm – 9pm
February 23rd, 1pm – 9pm
February 24th, 1pm – 3:30pm
Richelieu Vanier Community Centre, Ottawa, ON **Algonquin Territory*
*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*
*Invite your friends via Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/446539235416304/ !

Circadia Indigena - First Peoples’ Art and Performance in Canada’s National
Capitol is pleased to announce its first annual public event:

A Winter Village ~ Indigenous Arts & Culture Festival. This weekend arts
festival takes place within the traditional season of storytelling, and
occurs during the beginning and renewal of the year’s ceremonial cycle.
This gathering will offer exceptional multi-disciplinary arts and cultural
programming, and will be a platform for celebrating indigenous winter
culture by highlighting the storytelling traditions of First Nations’,
Inuit, and Métis Peoples. Indigenous storytelling has many forms; Creation
stories, history, visions, teachings, news, ceremony, messages, songs, and
many more. This gathering will draw on these forms and showcase them
through Elders, cultural presenters, and artists in a presentation and
workshop format.

The gathering will be a space for the sharing of Indigenous knowledge
through storytelling, cultural presentations and performances by First
Peoples’ artists. This year we will gather the artists together across
three different themes within the Winter Village:

(1) The time of year tells us it is the beginning and renewal of the
ceremonial cycle, we will share the ways First Peoples’ mark this time with
celebration and ceremony.
(2) We will highlight our storytelling traditions within this traditional
“storytelling time” of the winter cycle.
(3) And we will share the beauty of the winter cultures of First Nation’s,
Inuit and Métis peoples.

Gathering to Expand our Imagination, our Vision, and the expression of
Culture through art.

For more information contact: CircadiaIndigena at hotmail.com, or call
(613)878-0119.


2) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
*Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Hearing in the First Nations Child Welfare
Case*
*9:30 am. Feb. 25, 2013
160 Elgin Street, 11th Floor, Ottawa, ON **Algonquin Territory*
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Tribunal hearings are open to the public and APTN will provide daily
updates on their National News program.
"The I am a witness campaign invites organizations and people of all ages
to follow the case in person or online and to decide for themselves if
First Nations children are being treated fairly." On I am a Witness web
site (http://www.fncaringsociety.com/i-am-witness), you will find a
comprehensive timeline with the legal submissions by all parties in the
case along with relevant reports from credible independent sources like the
Auditor General of Canada.

It is a time for all Canadians to hear the evidence of both sides and to
make an informed decision about the kind of Canada they want to see for all
children now and into the future.

For more details on the hearing:
http://www.fncaringsociety.com/i-am-witness-tribunalcourt-dates.


*3) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*OPIRG Carleton Presents:
**Maria Campbell**
          On Storytelling
6:30 pmThursday February 28th, 2013
Tory Egg (3rd floor Tory Building)
Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Unceded Algonquin Territory*
*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*
*
Invite your Facebook friends to this event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/473250946057493/ !

10$ (suggested donation, no one turned away)
Proceeds go to Families of Sisters in Spirit (
http://www.facebook.com/groups/126522944087041/?fref=ts)

Tickets available at the door or in advance at:
->OPIRG-Carleton (326 University centre upstairs from Ziggy's and
downstairs from CUSA) at Carleton University
-> Octopus Books at Under One Roof, 251 Bank St. 2nd floor
-> Octopus Books in the Glebe at 116 3rd ave

Maria Campbell is a Métis leader, playwright, author, community organizer,
grandmother, and much much more! She is most well known for her
autobiographical book entitled Halfbreed published in 1973. This work has
been pinpointed by many as foundational in its inspiration of later
Aboriginal authors and artists. Janice Acoose has noted that “many
contemporary Indigenous women …look to Maria Campbell’s text as the one
which encouraged them to speak out, name their oppressors, and re-claim
their selves”.
Much of Maria's work has an irresistible ability to reach through pain and
trauma to expose the resilience, beauty and strengths of Métis people,
families, communities and culture. We are so honoured to have her as an
OPIRG Carleton colloquium speaker!

For more about Maria, see:
http://www.firstnationsdrum.com/2007/01/maria-campbell-metis-author-elder/.


*4) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*UVic Faculty of Human and Social Development, Indigenous Governance, and
the UVic Native Students Union Present
INM: From Idle No More to the Indigenous Nationhood Movement
7-9pm PST (10-12 EST)
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
First Peoples House, Ceremonial Hall
University of Victoria*
*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*

Twitter: #F26Forum
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/164768627005844/

*LIVESTREAM:
http://www.spreecast.com/events/idle-to-no-more-to-indigenous-nationhood*

*DESCRIPTION: *After the tremendous response to our last Idle No More
Public Forum, this follow up event will explore the next phase of INM, as
we move from 'Idle No More' to an Indigenous Nationhood Movement. We have
gathered in flash mobs, rallies and round dances in streets and malls
across Turtle Island and, now, Indigenous peoples are rising together to
protect our lands and rebuild our nations. But what is at stake in this
process? What does Indigenous nationhood look like? And what is required to
build a lasting Indigenous resurgence movement that includes Indigenous and
non-Indigenous peoples? As part of Indigenous Resurgence Week 2013, this
public forum will bring together activists, thinkers, educators and
community leaders to reflect on this important transitional time in the
movement and to reflect on the ongoing work being done in our communities
to mobilize action, education, and land defense.

*SPEAKERS:*
- Taiaiake Alfred (Kahnawake Mohawk, Professor, Indigenous Governance, UVic)
- Toghestiy (Hereditary Chief of the Likhts'amisyu Clan, Wet'suwet'en)
- Freda Huston (Wet'suwet'en, Spokesperson for the Unis'tot'en Action Camp)
- Dawn Smith (Nuu-chah-nulth, LE,NONET/UVic Education)
- Fred Speck (Gwawaenuk Tribe / Kwakwaka'wakw, Idle No More Organizer)

*Moderator:* Jarrett Martineau (Ph.D. Candidate, Indigenous Governance,
UVic)
Online Moderators: Geoffrey Rankin (Beaver Lake Cree Nation) and Tobold
Rollo (@SettlerColonial)

All nations and people welcome. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday for another excellent discussion.


*5) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*Public Event:
Presentation of ‘The Last Walk of Adolfo Ich’ and a panel discussion with
Guatemalan human rights defenders and local guests about the
criminalization of dissent
6:45 pm. Tuesday March 5 2013
Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Ave, Ottawa ON **Algonquin Territory*
*ADMISSION BY DONATION*
*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*
*
A Co-Presentation with Toronto’s Aluna Theatre of ‘The Last Walk of Adolfo
Ich’ and a panel discussion with Guatemalan human rights defenders and
local guests about the criminalization of dissent.

More and more, people are being targeted for disagreeing with what
governments and industry - such as Canadian mining companies - want to do
in their communities and on their lands. In the worst of cases, Indigenous
leaders, farmers, journalists and environmental activists are killed.
Increasingly, attempts to silence environmental defenders take place
through stigmatization and criminalization. We must creatively and
consciously come together and defend dissent.

The Last Walk of Adolfo Ich is a staged reading including song, story, and
images, about the case of Adolfo Ich, a Mayan community leader who was
killed by security forces contracted to a Canadian mining company in
Guatemala. The text has been extracted from statements and interviews used
with permission, and government and public websites. Klippensteins
Barristers & Solicitors of Toronto has undertaken lawsuits in Ontario
courts against two companies, HudBay and HMI Nickel, regarding this murder.
Hearings begin in Toronto on March 4th 2013.

The Criminalization of Dissent, a panel discussion with Guatemalan guests
will follow the performance. Panelists will discuss current threats and
opportunities that communities and their allies face in the fight for land
and justice against unfettered mining developments from Guatemala to Canada.

*For more details: **
http://defenddissenttour.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/event-tour-in-ontario/ *
*Invite your Facebook friends:
https://www.facebook.com/events/475149669218052/ !*
*
*
*
*
*6) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*The Inconvenient Indian: An Evening with Thomas King*
*7 pm. **Wednesday, March 6 2013*
*Centretown United Church (507 Bank Street, corner of Bank and Argyle,
Ottawa ON **Algonquin Territory**
Tickets: Pre-purchased tickets cost $5 in person or $6.50 online. Tickets
are $10 at the door. They can be picked up at either Octopus Books location
(116 Third Avenue or 251 Bank Street, 2nd Floor), or purchased online at <
octopusbooks.ca>.*
*+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++*
*
*
The Inconvenient Indian is a critical and personal meditation that Thomas
King has conducted over the past 50 years about what it means to be
"Indian" in North America.

For the past five decades, Thomas King has worked as an activist for Native
causes, as an administrator in Native programs, and has taught Native
literature and history at universities in the U.S. and Canada. King was the
first Aboriginal person to deliver the prestigious Massey Lectures, and is
also the bestselling, award-winning author of five novels and two
collections of short stories.

He will be interview by Waubgeshig Rice, author and local news video
journalist on CBC Television.

Location: Centretown United Church (507 Bank Street, corner of Bank and
Argyle

Tickets: Pre-purchased tickets cost $5 in person or $6.50 online. Tickets
are $10 at the door. They can be picked up at either Octopus Books location
(116 Third Avenue or 251 Bank Street, 2nd Floor), or purchased online at <
octopusbooks.ca>.

Invite your friends on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/541101799244222/.

*Event Sponsors:*
Aboriginal Service Centre - Carleton University,
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW),
Centretown United Church,
Department of English Language and Literature - Carleton University,
First Peoples Council - Carleton University,
Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement Ottawa (IPSMO),
KAIROS Canada,
Odawa Native Friendship Centre,
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) - Carleton,
Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) - National Capital Region,
Random House of Canada,
School of Canadian Studies - Carleton University
Wabano Centre,

*Reviews:*

"Fascinating, often hilarious, always devastatingly truthful, The
Inconvenient Indian is destined to become a classic of historical
narrative. For those who wish to better understand Native peoples, it is a
must read. For those who don't wish to understand, it is even more so."
—Joseph Boyden

“A book of incredible range and genius. From the iconography of the
‘Indian,’ sedimented in everyday objects from butter to missiles, to the
ongoing economic war waged against First Nations peoples across North
America, Thomas King is magisterial in this devastating and comprehensive
dissection of history, contemporary politics and culture. His analysis is
incisive, the seam of irony running through his prose, as affable as a
filet knife.”
—Dionne Brand





-- 

In Solidarity,
IPSMO
on unceded Algonquin Territory
--

Web Site: http://www.ipsmo.org
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ipsmo
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