[Iswg3906.organizers] next workshop

[Peter Hopperton]

Hi team,

I like the idea of meeting this Sunday.  We could meet at my place in the afternoon sometime, say from 1-3pm.  

We don't need to decide on anything about the donation before the meeting, so we can take time to talk over the issues Jessica brought up. You're right that $500 might be too much. As for the questions, the donation request came to me through a third party, and I only got in touch with Giibwanisi, one of the core land defenders at the Oshkimaadzig camp, a couple of days ago. Sending the questions in writing would have been a great idea, but it didn't occur to me when I eventually got his contact. We had a discussion by phone that covered much the same ground the questions would have, and I'd be glad to try to summarize our chat at the meeting. Giibwanisi is going to be spending the winter doing a lot of traveling and speaking, and is intending to come hang out in Hamilton in the early spring.

I've pasted in some text below from a public email he circulated elaborating on ACTION the Oshikmaadzig Unity Camp. It includes a pretty specific definition of decolonization and situates those projects within traditional prophecy and relative to the Canadian state and other political institutions.

Thanks and see you soon,

-p

Giibwanisi Dizhnikaaz (My name is red tailed hawk)
Mkwa Dodem (I am from the bear clan)
Shkukimikwe Donjibaa (I come from Mother Earth)
Oshkimaadziig niingdow (I am one of the new people as referred to in the
7th Fire Prophecy)
minwaa windigokaan niiindow (I am a contrary clown)

I am a cofounder of ACTION (Anishinabek Confederacy To Invoke Our
Nationhood) and the Oshkimaadziig Unity Camp.  ACTION is a grassroots
organization that seeks to build a national organization that is separate
from Band Councils and kkkanda.  We aim to build our nationhood through
Biskaabiyaang-We are returning (decolonization).  This work will be done
through reestablishing our original clan governance system, food and
economic security, and forgotten societies like the Windigokaan and
Ogitchidaa.

We seek this vision through our current project, the Oshkimaadziig Unity
Camp which is a land reclamation in what is knowns as Awenda Provincial
Park (just north of Barrie Ontario).  Our occupation of our traditional
territories, has been going on for 20 months.  There is very few of us
there, and quite often I find myself as the only represntation of
Anishinabek Nation out there.  We have faced community backlash,
repression/oppression from agents of the state like the OPP (Ontario
Provincial Police) the MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources), the park
superintendant, and of course the Chief and Council of the reserve I am
registered too.

We call ourselves the Oshkimaadziig, for it refers too the New People
described in the 7th Fire Prophecy, who will pick up our sacred ways, left
on the Good Red Road of the Anishinabek.  The time of the 7th Fire is
described as a catastophic era in which humankind has contributed to the
poisoning of land, air and water.  Disease is rampant, and there is much
war and violence.  There are two paths in which to choose from.  One is the
road that we are currently on, which will end very abruptly and painfully.
The other path is a return to our original and natural ways with Creation.
The Oshkimaadziig are not only tasked with returning to their natural ways,
but must also convince and or change the ways of the rest of humanity, more
specifically the "Light Skinned" people.  Either we are successful, and an
the 8th Fire can be lit, a fire of eternal warmth and peace, where all
human nations live as one nation in, or we are not and humanity is
extinguished.

I have taken it upon myself, as a member of the Anishinabek nation to
finally fulfill my roles and responsibilites to Creator, Grandfather Sun,
Grandmother Moon and Mother Earth and all Creation which is to live
Bimaadziiwin (The Good Way of Life).  It is my hope that I can continue on
the path I have set on, to teach, learn and inspire others to do the same.

Miigwetch (thank you)

Giibwanisi 		 	   		  
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