[IPSM] Thomas Berger speaking

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Thomas Berger is one of the only members of the Canadian political
establishment that I would happily shake hands with;

It will be very interesting to see if he is as clear about understanding
that a different approach to resourtces is a point of culture, which
itself is a point of nationhood: Berger's inquiry, which I have recently
been re-reading, though I have several disagreements here or there within
it, had one over-arching difference to almost every other "inquiry" into
Indian life-- it gave both dignity and voice in direct consultation with
the government to indigenous issues.

I strongly encourage people to attend who want to know more about the
struggles of the Dene and others in the north to prevent total destruction
through (among many things) a Mackenzie Valley pipeline-- especially as
the "environmental impact assessment" (run by Esso!!) is being conducted
right now for such a project, not only against the wishes of nearly all
northerners but the government Indians, but even against the Berger
inquiry itself-- that no pipeline be built until all land claims are
settled (problematic enough a recommendation: "extinguishment" began right
after the inquiry with the Inuvialuit settlement region and other
"deals").

This struggle is one of the most important in so many different ways, and
Berger is a great window into what is happening. I strongly urge all to
come.

--
Macdonald Stainsby
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope.
--Brecht.