[IPSM] May 13-15 (Montreal): LAND, DECOLONIZATION AND SELF-DETERMINATION conference

[Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movment - Montreal]

[Please post and forward widely ... Announcing ...]

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LAND, DECOLONIZATION AND SELF-DETERMINATION
A conference to confront Canadian colonialism and strengthen movements for
self-determination

May 13-15, 2005
Montreal, OCCUPIED KANIEN'KEHA:KA TERRITORY
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* films, workshops & presentations;
* strategy and organizing sessions;
* Land, Decolonization and Self-Determination March

Land, Decolonization and Self-Determination aims to demystify the process
of decolonization in the 'Canadian' state. The conference will bring
together those at the forefront of self-determination struggles, and
organizers and activists participating in solidarity work across Turtle
Island (ie. occupied North America).

This conference will strategize ways to dismantle the colonial 'Canadian'
state, break down the walls of Fortress North America, and forge links of
resistance. Let us share information, advance dialogue and fight together.

organized by the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement (IPSM) and No One
Is Illegal-Montreal (NOII)

Childcare on-site. Translation available. FREE.
INFO: decolonization at riseup.net or 514-398-7432
http://ipsm.nativeweb.org

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Preliminary Conference Schedule:

Friday, May 13:
-> All-day discussions and strategy sessions
-> Film Festival
-> Evening panel and discussion
-> Lunch and dinner.

Saturday, May 14:
-> Three blocs of workshops on various themes
-> Strategizing/organizing plenary
-> Evening social and party
-> Lunch

Sunday, May 15:
-> Brunch
-> Land, Decolonization and Self-Determination March
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The 'Canadian' government, in its propaganda and legislation, has
perpetuated the idea that decolonization means taking Indigenous Peoples
out from under the yolk of the Indian Act by making them Canadians and
allowing delegated governance.

This conference will expose the 'Canadian' government's current
legislative drive as nothing more than an attempt to complete the colonial
project, and acquire legal access to remaining Indigenous lands and
resources in order to successfully compete in the global economy.
Participants will learn what decolonization means from the perspective of
Indigenous and other self-determining communities. We will learn of the
many strategies employed past and present - legal, political, social and
cultural - by Indigenous and other oppressed peoples in their fight
against 'Canadian' colonialism.

Our vision of decolonization at this conference includes deepening our
analysis of the various ways in which colonization manifests itself. We
encourage the participation of people active in diverse social justice
movements so that we can collectively strategize; we include movements
that address occupations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Haiti and
elsewhere; the attacks on the rights of immigrants and refugees; the
Prison Industrial Complex; the 'war on drugs,' the 'war on terrorism,'
reparations campaigns; anti-racist, anti-patriarchy and queer liberation
movements; capitalist globalization, police harassment and brutality,
attacks on the poor; and more.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP AND GET INVOLVED?

-> ENDORSE: We are actively seeking endorsements of our conference. If
your group supports the conference basis of unity (attached below) please
let us know by e-mail or phone.

-> DONATE: We are in need of funding to meet the various costs associated
with this conference, including transportation for out-of-town guests, and
making sure the conference is free for participants. If you can donate,
please get in touch. Cheques should be made out to 'QPIRG-McGill' with
'IPSM' in the memo line. Cheques can be mailed to: QPIRG-McGill, 3647
University Street, 3rd Floor, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B3

-> PARTICIPATE: Land, Decolonization and Self-Determination is both a
public education and organizing conference. We are encouraging the
participation of organizers and activists who are interested in building a
'Canadian' decolonization movement. If you would like to get involved,
please get in touch. Also, if you live in the Montreal-area and would like
to help organize the conference, get in touch too!

INFO: decolonization at riseup.net or 514-398-7432
http://ipsm.nativeweb.org
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Land, Decolonization & Self-Determination conference basis of unity

-We reject the mutually reinforcing structures of capitalism, imperialism,
colonialism, patriarchy and racism, and the institutions in which they are
embodied. We are organizing this conference with the understanding that
capitalist globalization is nothing new - it is simply a new name for the
colonialism and culture of genocide which Indigenous peoples have been
resisting for centuries. We challenge anti-war and social justice
activists and organizations to recognize that there can be no justice on
stolen land.

-We assert that decolonization 'at home' is an integral part of the
struggle for global justice and self-determination - in concretely
targeting the roots of injustice inside Fortress North America, we oppose
injustice everywhere.

-We advocate the use of a broad range of tactics and creative initiatives
in building a decolonization movement, and affirm the importance of
building relationships of mutual aid and solidarity, within and across our
movements, ranging from anti-poverty and prison abolition to queer and
trans liberation, from immigrant and refugee struggles to environmental
justice.

-We see decolonization as being only possible through active and
collaborative efforts. This necessarily requires a parallel process of
mutual self-determination and active solidarity between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous communities, founded on a respect for the autonomy of all
peoples, groups and individuals

INFO: decolonization at riseup.net or 514-398-7432

-- 
the INDIGENOUS PEOPLES SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT is a Montreal based collective
whose primary goal is to ally ourselves with indigenous peoples in the
active fight for mutual self-determination and decolonization

Info: ipsm at resist.ca
http://ipsm.nativeweb.org
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