[opirgyork] Weekly Digest - June 7th 2010

[OPIRG York]

Greetings all!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the OPIRG elections! We have a new, 
excited and vibrant board of York students and community members, ready 
for the upcoming year!
Make sure to check out the MANY events happening around the G20 @ 
www.g20.torontomobilize.org

Below is a list of stuff happening this week - make sure to check them out!

Stay tuned for a full detailed list of events coming up around the 
resistance against the G20.

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1) A PEOPLE'S VISIT TO THE METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE
2) A public forum on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
3) TRIGGER Festival 2010: Militantly Unapologetic; Radically Queer
4) Justice for Junior: Fundraiser Party!
5) One Tribe Nation's first fundraiser party
6) Challenging Hate crimes...celebrating our survival
7) Join the first steps in officially recognizing the Sikh Genocide!
8) ANNOUNCING A CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE ALGONQUINS OF BARRIERE LAKE: 
OPPOSE SECTION 74 of the INDIAN ACT


1) A PEOPLE'S VISIT TO THE METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE

JUNE 8 2010
222 Bremner Boulevard, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
10AM - 1130AM

Bring Large Placards and Signs Describing the Worlds We Wish to Live In

We've spent the last eight months knocking on doors, talking to 
families, friends and neighbours, arranging transportation and 
accommodation, gathering food, sleeping bags and tents and supporting 
over a dozen actions that will take place between June 21-27, 2010. 
Thousands of people are planning to attend these events that will 
showcase the world we wish to live in.

Throughout all this, the G20 leaders have remained in hiding, while 
their lackeys, the Toronto Police, the RCMP, CSIS and now the Integrated 
Security Unit have harassed and intimidated organizers, bought 
themselves CAD $1,100,000,000 worth of weapons, fences and cops and made 
plans to turn the city into a residents' nightmare.

Of course, for us, this isn't about the cops, it's about the G20's 
anti-people and anti-environmental policies. So on June 8th, we are 
going up to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with large placards 
describing the world we wish to live in. A world with Indigenous 
Sovereignty and Self-Determination, Environmental and Climate Justice, 
Migrant Justice and an End to War and Occupation, Income Equity and 
Community Control over Resources, Gender Justice and Queer and 
disAbility Rights.

We invite everyone to join us with their own signs and placards. And 
your own cameras and recorders. On a walk through the Metro Toronto 
Convention Centre. The G20's policies impact our communities everywhere 
- our resistance is also everywhere.

NOTE: Speakers at this event include people who have faced police 
intimidation and violence, organizers from the summit legal project and 
community organizers.

http://g20.torontomobilize.org/

-----------------------------------------------------

2) Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid (CAIA) presents: A public forum 
on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla

Over the past week the world has erupted in outrage and repulsion over 
Israel's deadly and illegal takedown of an entire flotilla of boats 
carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. At least 9 unarmed internationals 
have been confirmed murdered, several more remain in hospital or 
unaccounted for, and hundreds were kidnapped and brutalized in Israeli 
prison. As eyewitness accounts from the released flotilla activists 
emerge, so too does the overwhelming evidence of brutalization and mass 
theft by the Israeli state. The biggest theft of all is the tons of aid 
that is now in Israel's grip, and is being blocked from delivery to the 
people of Gaza.

Speakers at this public forum will provide an account of the events, 
some legal analysis, and an explanation of some of the current state and 
UN level negotiations regarding an inquiry into Israel's actions and the 
fate of the stolen aid. They will also discuss the context of Israeli 
apartheid, focussing on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign 
that Palestinian civil society has chosen as its primary vehicle for the 
anti-apartheid movement. The BDS call for a global day of action on June 
5 was answered by massive protests across the world (see media links below).


Please join us to hear the speakers and for this critical discussion of 
next steps in responding to the BDS call to break the siege on Gaza.


Thursday, June 10, 2010
7:00 - 9:00
OISE-U of T (Room t.b.a. - look for posters in lobby)
252 Bloor Street (on north side between Bedford and St. George, above 
St. George subway)
All welcome!

To learn more about CAIA go to www.caiaweb.org


MEDIA LINKS:
Canadian media coverage of demonstrations globally:
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20100605/gaza-blockade-protests/

Coverage and statement by Canadian flotilla activist, Kevin Neish:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100606/national/gaza_ships_neish

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3) The provocative and diverse TRIGGER COLLECTIVE is hosting Toronto’s 
second ever annual TRIGGER FESTIVAL 2010

TRIGGER brings together performers, artists, activists and facilitators 
to address and confront shared experiences of violence, oppression and 
marginalization.

By showcasing cabaret, art, music, workshops, crafts and skill sharing, 
TRIGGER reclaims the notion of survival through art as activism and 
activism as art.
****

Friday June 11th - Hosted by the fabulous Bronno
*FILM SCREENINGS - READINGS - MUSIC - VOGUE*
Doors at 7:30pm - Screening begins at 8pm.
Admission $7 - $10 sliding scale

Film screening:
Alec Butler
Trans Cabaret 46mins
“We will transform your confusion into translightenment”

KYISHA Williams
RED LIPS [cages for black girls] 16mins
“black.queer.sexy.slut.cherry.red.locked up.locked down.black.whore.red 
lips.justice”

Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP)'s Queer South Asian 
Youth (Q-SAY) project 27mins
"Brown Like Me"

Jess MacCormack & Rae Spoon
"Joan" 5mins
"Psychic Capital" 15mins
"We become Our Own Wolves" 4mins

Provocative Readings:
Anna Camilleri: “Target Practice”
Debra Anderson: “Curfew”
Zoe Whittall: “Holding Still For as Long as Possible”
Dee Lishus

Music & Vogue Performances by:
Stacey Be
Secret Brothers
Kiki House of PinkLady


Saturday June 12th - Hosted by the TRIGGER Collective
*WORKSHOPS - DISCUSSION - SNACKS - ACTION*
............free all day..............childcare provided.............
Doors at 10:30am - Workshop begins at 11am

11 – 12 T.R.A.M.P. (Tenacious Radical Anarchist Miffed Parents) Queer 
parents focusing on becoming a queer parent, accessing spaces as a 
parent & building queer community around parents.
Facilitated by: Gra(y)den Esquire, Alanna Sassypants & Property

11 – 12 Queers bash back G20! Luscious queers share visions of what 
queer resistance(s) can bring to this mass mobilization and plan, act, 
initiate! Facilitated by: Hussan SK, Mo & Marika

12 – 2 Mental Health Stigma-Busting in Queer Communities and Beyond. 
Addressing Privilege, Access, Stereotypes, Psychiatric Survivors and our 
allies. Facilitated by Lindsay Czitron

2 – 4 MONTREAL'S Prisoner Correspondence Project! Troubles with 
Protection in a Prison Nation - a workshop on queers, sex crimes and 
offender registries.

4 – 6 Building Sexual Consent from the Ground Up - a no touch, practical 
workshop developing skills on how to negotiate sex, end partner/date 
violence and uncover our individual and collective strengths. 
Facilitated by Lusty Day & Juliet November of Whores on Top

6 – 7 Integrative Medicine as Healing: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water & Wood. 
Participant NADA acupuncture treatment during workshop. Using 5 elements 
to address trauma, rage, healing and emotional power. Facilitated by 
Renee Pilgrim


Saturday June 12th - Hosted by the Fabulous Dandy
*PERFORMANCES - LIVE ART - DANCE - MUSIC - DJ - PARTY*
Doors at 9pm Interactive Show at 9pm & Stage at 10pm
Admission $7 - $10 Sliding Scale

(interactive performance works 9pm onwards)
MONTREAL'S Coral Short - the artist addresses stigmas of public crying 
and attempts to make it acceptable through the use of onions
MONTREAL'S Johnny Forever - "S(low)Burn" Butch Queen or Die. In 
stilettos entirely of ice, the artist melts alongside their audience
(interactive performance works 10:30pm onwards)
Mikiki - the artist interrogates science, myth and performativity while 
trying a little tenderness
Ms. Virilia Crush & Scout - Creating a survival map

(stage shows 10pm onwards)
ILL NANA / DiverseCity Dance Company - "Stronger With Each Tear" and 
"Especially With Love"
Tricks - "food. yum. love. yum. heartbreak. shit. power. yum. identity. 
yum. kleenex. shit. 1 billion served. yummy shit."
MONTREAL'S Douche La Douche & Johnny Forever - "Hold Heart"
Olive - Hoop burlesque
Mister Ease - "A man under a mask"
Brescia Birdthroat Bloodbeard and Leelee Davis - "multimedia mix of 
shadow puppetry, raw a'capella song, and movement"
MONTREAL'S Maxime De L'Isle - Creating a space for rage
Luka Sidaravicius - [insert smart acronym]
Property - Genderqueer Femme Reading
DJ Like The Wolf

Photography
Karla Kenny - “Scars as Souvenirs”
Tanja Tiziana - “Between Black & White: A Portrait of Transgender Toronto”

TRIGGER acknowledges that the festival is being held on Aboriginal 
Native land.

TRIGGER will be providing Active Listeners, Attendants and Closed 
Captioning during the festival.

A militantly unapologetic group of performers, facilitators, speakers, 
musicians and activists will transform, evoke and stimulate with 
outrageous interactive performances reclaiming the notion of the queer 
survivor through art as activism and activism as art.

TRIGGER identifies the queer survivor in relation to the individual 
experiences of: Aboriginal queers, refugee queers, sexually assaulted 
queers, disordered queers, diagnosed queers, queers of colour, poor 
queers, fat queers, struggling queers, disabled queers, abused queers, 
working queers, anti-capitalist queers, homeless queers, trans 
identified queers, gender non-conforming queers, questioning queers and 
unstable queers. TRIGGER celebrates the strength of each queer within 
our community and their ability to survive

-------------------------

4) Friday June 11th
9pm - 3am
Latin Fever
2200 Hwy 7/Keele St.

19+ Event - Doors open at 9pm
Advanced tickets: 10$, 15$ at the door
- Special performances
- Arrive early to avoid disapointment

Have you caught the FEVER?? Cool it off with us at Latin Fever located @ 
2220 Hwy 7 west at Keele, on Friday June 11, 2010. Tickets are selling 
fast, grab one while they last for ONLY $ 10.00. RVSP me if you want 
your tickets.

Contact info:

Chinie (647)333-7394
Baby Black (416) 569-2509
Dyrone aka Manopla (647) 828-0839

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5) JUNE 11, 2010 - SAVE THE DATE!

A Night of Mask! presented by Apples Honey?

Come out & MASQUERADE with us! Celebrating FREEDOM! Celebrating LIFE!

$15 Before June 1st & $20 at the door

Location

Samovar Room (1 block south of Wellesley/Parliament)
51A Winchester Ave.

GET YOUR MASK NOW!

Doors open at 9:30pm

Dj's Rolling Cash+Black Cat+dBoom+Quinces
Dubstep+Jungle+hiphop+reggae

Special Guests: Circus Alchemy

Tickets available now at:

Soundscapes
572 College St.

Play De Record
357A Yonge St.

Shanti Baba
546 Queen St. W

nufunk.ca | fusicology.com | nowtoronto.ca | tovacoproductions.com | 
samovarroom.com

This event initiative is created to help raise money for a grassroots 
project called the One Tribe Nation Project. An ARTS collective coming 
together to build a sustainable community center for the children in 
Haiti. We believe ART can HEAL the world!

"It is with your dancing and singing that will allow us to be able to 
help the children in Haiti to do the same, helping to restore harmony to 
their lives."

Hope to see you all there!!

(REDUCED PRICE LIST AVAIL $10 INSTEAD $20 AT THE DOOR ...no one will be 
turned away for lack of funds. We are celebrating freedom so pease 
message us the code "masquerade" if you'd like a discount)

Limited Masks will be available at the door for a suggestive price of $5 
or pwyc

Wishing that this reaches your hearts & spirits in good health
~HARMONY & BLESSINGS~

---------------------------------

6) Challenging Hate Crimes...Celebrating our survival
Sunday June 13th
3pm - 5pm
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. West

FREE ADMISSION. Featuring Red Slam Collective, Najla Loves, Shi Wisdom, 
and *MgO*. Speakers include Barbara Hall from the Ontario Human Rights 
Commission, Supporting Our Youth (SOY) and AQSAZine. (Come for 
community. Stay for the food.)

More info: www.metrac.org
RSVP: info at metrac.org | 416-392-3135

-----------------------------------

7) On June 9th, 2010 Member of Parliament, Andrew Kania will join Sikhs 
in marking a moment in history that will forever be enshrined in the 
Sikh struggle for justice and aspirations for Human Rights.

On this day, Mr. Kania will read a motion in the House of Commons for 
the Government of Canada to officially recognize the genocides of 
November 1984 carried out in India.

The Sikh Activist Network, strongly urges all (com)passionate youth to 
take part in this landmark moment in Sikh History, in at least one of 
two ways.

* Sign the Petition (online|pdf) to show your support for the motion 
that will be read by Mr. Kania

* Join us on June 9th as we travel to Ottawa to attend the reading of 
the motion in the house.

The reading of the motion will be presented by Liberal MP, Andrew Kania 
at which point the Conservative Government will have 21 days to respond.

INTERESTED IN ATTENDING!!??
For any YOUTH interested in attending please send the following 
information to info at sikhactivist.net as we make arrangements for free 
transportation to Ottawa.

* Name
* Phone #
* Email

Learn more on the sikh activist website!
http://sikhactivist.net/?p=554

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8) ANNOUNCING A CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE ALGONQUINS OF BARRIERE LAKE
OPPOSE SECTION 74 of the INDIAN ACT:
HARPER, STRAHL TO WIPE OUT THE BARRIERE LAKE ALGONQUINS’ CUSTOMARY 
GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

The Canadian government is preparing to forcibly assimilate Barriere 
Lake’s customary governance system using an archaic and rarely invoked 
piece of Indian Act legislation – Section 74. This strategy is a 
draconian, last ditch attempt to sever the community’s connection to the 
land, which is at the heart of their governance system. By breaking 
their connection to the land, the Canadian and Quebec governments hope 
to get away with violating resource-use agreements and illegally 
clear-cutting in their traditional territory.

Section 74 hasn’t been forcibly imposed on a community since 1924, when 
the Canadian government unilaterally deposed the traditional government 
of Six Nations, padlocking shut the Haudenosaunee Confederacy lodge.

Barriere Lake is one of only two dozen Native communities still 
operating with a recognized traditional governance system. They 
attribute the strength of their community, language, knowledge and 
protection of the land to its endurance. The impacts of losing their 
customary governance system would have devastating consequences on their 
way of life.

There is a broad consensus in Barriere Lake in favour of retaining their 
customs and against a Section 74 order erasing their Customary government.
Take a stand today!
Support the Barriere Lake Algonquins and their inherent right to govern 
themselves according to their customs:

EVERYWHERE: Write/call/fax Minister of Indian Affairs Chuck Strahl and 
Indian Affairs Quebec Regional Director Pierre Nepton: 
http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post.html

OTTAWA: JOIN Barriere Lake community members in Ottawa on June 14 and 15 
2010

June 14: Feast and Celebration of Customary Government: 
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125575680806297

6:30PM, Monday, June 14, 2010
Mac Hall, Bronson Centre at 211 Bronson Avenue, Ottawa, ALGONQUIN TERRITORY

June 15: Demonstration: Stop Harper and Strahl’s Elimination of 
Algonquin Customary Government: 
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128467113839884

11:30AM, Tuesday, June 15, 2010
In front of Indian Affair’s Minister Chuck Strahl’s office
Bank St and Wellington St, Ottawa, ALGONQUIN TERRITORY

TORONTO: Come MARCH with community members at the Indigenous Day of 
Action Against the G8/G20 on June 24th in Toronto: 
http://www.defendersoftheland.org/story/179

June 24: Day of Action for Indigenous Rights!
11:00AM, March start point: Queen’s Park, South Lawn
To arrange a bus ride from Ottawa to Toronto for June 24, please send 
your request athttp://g20.torontomobilize.org/ottawatranspo

---> For more info, to donate, or to endorse the campaign: please email 
barrierelakesolidarity at gmail.com

www.barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com, www.ipsmo.org


:::: BACKGROUND ::::

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake live on their unceded territory 300 
kilometers north of Ottawa, in Quebec. They govern themselves by a 
customary system, the Mitchikanibikok Anishinabe Onakinakewin. Unlike 
most First Nations, they have never had band elections imposed on them 
by the federal government through the Indian Act.

Section 74 of the Indian Act states that the Minister of Indian Affairs 
can impose an electoral system on First Nations with customary 
leadership selection processes:

“Whenever he deems it advisable for the good government of a band, the 
Minister may declare by order that after a day to be named therein the 
council of the band, consisting of a chief and councillors, shall be 
selected by elections to be held in accordance with this Act.”

On April 8, 2010, Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl signed off an 
order to invoke section 74, initiating the process to impose Indian Act 
band elections on Barriere Lake. The federal government has already 
hired an electoral officer to oversee this process, meaning the federal 
government aims to hold elections within a matter of months.

Despite its inclusion in the Indian Act, section 74-imposed band 
elections would be a violation of Barriere Lake’s Indigenous customs, a 
draconian interference in their internal affairs, a breach of their 
constitutionally-protected Aboriginal right to a customary system of 
government, and a violation of the minimum standards included in the 
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is an 
attempt to politically weaken the community, by destroying the way they 
have governed themselves since time immemorial.

The affirmation of Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Section 35 of the 
Canadian Constitution in 1982 guarantees Barriere Lake’s right to 
maintain their customary system of government. There has been absolutely 
no case-law since 1982 that would indicate that the Minister has the 
power to infringe on Barriere Lake’s rights.

The Government move also contradicts a recent Federal Court decision 
concerning Barriere Lake’s leadership. On February 17, 2010, Federal 
Court Judge Robert Mainville concluded in the case of Ratt v. Matchewan 
that Barriere Lake can “select their leadership in accordance with their 
customs unimpeded by any conditions or requirements which the Minister 
may deem appropriate.”

But the Canadian government, even if they had Canadian law on their 
side, would have no authority to interfere with Barriere Lake’s inherent 
jurisdiction over their lands, which precedes Canadian sovereignty 
claims by thousands of years. Barriere Lake has never ceded their lands 
by treaty or agreement and continue to exercise their jurisdiction over 
their lands by responsibly managing the territory.

Barriere Lake’s customary government is tied to their use of the land – 
their hunting, fishing, trapping, harvesting over their vast traditional 
territories. Only those band members who live within their territories 
and have knowledge and connection to the land can participate in their 
customary system of government. The position of Chief is based on 
hereditary entitlement, but other factors are equally or more important, 
including leadership abilities, knowledge of the land, and community 
support. Elders have a key role in the leadership selection process, 
ensuring the customs are respected. They oversee a blazing ceremony, 
nominating potential leadership candidates who are then approved or 
rejected by community members in public assemblies. Leadership requires 
the consent of the governed, meaning leaders can be removed at any time. 
Such a directly democratic form of government accords well with the 
community’s decentralized organization.

For the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, their governance system is one of 
the sources of their political strength and assertiveness: eligible 
community members have a stake in the land, and they will select leaders 
who ensure its protection and responsible management.

But if the Canadian government can impose section 74 Indian Act band 
elections, this will change. Elders will lose customary responsibility 
for cultivating leaders and for shepherding leadership selections. 
Voting by secret ballot would undermine the consensus-based, directly 
democratic process. Fixed terms for elections would destroy the 
hereditary elements of their system. Indian Act elections would open 
eligibility for selecting leaders to people on the band registry list, 
not just those who live and use the traditional territory. As in many 
First Nations across the country, off-reserve band members who have no 
stake in the land’s protection but a say in elections or referendums 
concerning agreements or modern treaties will likely vote for cash deals 
that may extinguish Inherent, Aboriginal, or Treaty rights to the land.

The federal government’s attack on the community’s inherent right to a 
customary governance system has served the ends of the Quebec 
government, which has been allowing forestry companies to illegally log 
in Barriere Lake’s traditional territory, without consulting and in 
areas that are supposed to be off-bounds under the terms of the 1991 
Trilateral agreement. Quebec has just issued cutting permits for a new 
period of logging.

—->Please take a moment to support a community that has protected their 
territory from extractive industries for decades at great expense and 
sacrifice to their lives.

DEMAND THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESPECT BARRIERE LAKE’S CUSTOMARY 
GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

SEND AN EMAIL VIA THE BARRIERE LAKE SOLIDARITY 
WEBSITE:http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2007/10/blog-post.html