Warrior Life Studios

Pam Palmater

Tag: hatred

  • Trump’s “Crazy Town” Represents a Clear and Present Danger to Canada

    Trump’s “Crazy Town” Represents a Clear and Present Danger to Canada

                                (Photo taken when I marched in Trump Protest in NYC) Donald Trump shocked countries around the world when he won the election for President of the United States of America (USA) on November 8, 2016. Trump was formally elected as the 58th US President, together with Mike Pence as his Vice-President, by the Electoral College on December 19, 2016. However, the official inauguration ceremony did not take place until January 20, 2017. While most of us were in a state of shock during the weeks between Trump’s election and his inauguration; millions of Americans immediately took to the streets in nationwide protests under the collective chant “Not my President!”. Trump’s presidential welcome (or lack thereof) did not get any better at his inauguration. In fact, attendance at Trump’s formal inauguration ceremony was one of the lowest in modern history – the crowds were only a fraction of the size that attended former President Obama’s inauguration. Not only has the open wound of Trump’s election failed to heal, but Trump’s toxic team has infected the White House with such high levels of corruption and lies that no one knows who to trust anymore.

      (Photo I took just before the rest of the protest march arrived at Trump Tower in NYC) Since taking office, Trump has tried to fulfill his campaign promises of enacting a Muslim travel ban; erecting a wall between the USA and Mexico; deporting undocumented immigrants, and nominating conservative judges to the Supreme Court with mixed results. While his Supreme Court appointment, Brett Cavanaugh went through despite multiple sexual assault allegations – it may go down as one of, if not the, most controversial appointments in US history. Trump’s travel bans were overturned by the courts and his wall will likely never be built. At the same time, he has engaged in an anti-media campaign to discredit any media outlet critical of his Presidency as “fake news”. His obsession with fake news is more of a reflection of his own lies and those of his reported Russian hacker friends, than any media-wide conspiracy to lie to the American people about the President. He has also used social media to call out his perceived political enemies, name-call anyone who doesn’t agree with him and taunt world leaders. While his national security team has no doubt worked overtime to prevent World War III; Trump’s presidency has the added stress of one political scandal after another. From his reported relationship and subsequent pay-off to porn star Stormy Daniels; to his alleged collusion/collaboration with Russia; and the guilty pleas of former Trump aides to various criminal offences; Trump has no doubt set the record for the most tumultuous first 18 months in office. Unlike our ability to change the channel when Trump’s former reality show “The Apprentice” would invade our TV screens, the very real “live reality” show of Trump’s presidency is the only channel available to Americans right now. While Trump’s crazy hair, weird hand gestures and remarkably bizarre and often incoherent rants might provide endless fodder for late night comedy shows; this President’s junior high school style diplomacy does more than just reflect poorly on Trump as an individual. The Office of the President is an institution that is supposed to represent the American people, but currently appears to only represent Donald Trump’s every whim or vendetta in an embarrassing Twitter drama. The now infamous anonymous op-ed allegedly written by an insider has described Trump as “impetuous, adversarial, petty and ineffective”. Excerpts from award-winning journalist, Bob Woodward’s new book: Fear: Trump in the White House, together with insights gleaned from other journalists with access to the White House, like Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House expose the current turmoil within the White House. Taken together with Trump’s own public behavior and the insights gleaned from former senior officials, we all have cause to be worried; and when I say “we”, I mean Americans, Canadians and Indigenous Nations all over Turtle Island.

                                          (photo from Google images) It’s not much of a stretch to assume that a White House in this much turmoil, being led by someone who thrives on conflict and chooses to align himself with autocrats and dictators over America’s long-held allies; presents a clear a present danger for national security at a global level, but also public safety at the local level. Canada is America’s closest ally – politically and geographically. Any form of major or sustained attack on the USA, risks the safety of Canadians working in the US or inter-married with Americans. Similarly, those Canadians living in border towns may suffer the consequences of attacks made in close proximity. As a known ally of the US, retaliatory attacks on the US might also be accompanied by direct attacks on Canada. It matters very much to our safety and security to know what is happening in the south. So, while Canadians, like many Americans, would also like to turn the channel when Trump appears on our news stations – our collective worry prevents us from doing so. It is far worse for sovereign Indigenous Nations who pay the price for decisions made without us.

                                (photo about Standing Rock from Sacred Ecology) It’s no coincidence that Canada has been sucked into the trade dispute between the US and China. Recently, several Canadians were detained by the Chinese government, reportedly as a bargaining chip to force Canada to release an Executive from Huawei being held for extradition to the US. While Canada is not a party the US-China trade dispute, Canadians are collateral damage on Trump’s toxic, combative presidency. It is important to note, that these observations from the northern part of Turtle Island are not related to the divide between liberal and conservative ideologies or Republican and Democrat politics. These concerns are not about NAFTA, the trade tariffs Trump imposed on Canada or the fact that Trump called our Prime Minister “very dishonest and meek”. No, these concerns represent the very real concerns of Canadians and First Nations, who, like many Americans and Native American tribal governments, value the advances made in our societies in relation to Indigenous sovereignty and rights, civil rights, human rights and freedoms, and the push to address social injustices like racism, poverty and homelessness. It is also safe to say that the recent United Nations Report on Climate Change has Indigenous Nations all over Turtle Island deeply concerned about the health and well-being our lands, waters and future generations if “leaders” like Trump remain in power. Trump may be able to brag about the American economy and the low unemployment rates, but this does little to quell the violence which stems from white supremacy and racists emboldened by Trump’s perceived alignment with these groups. His outright refusal to condemn Naziism and his claim there are good people within the white supremacist movement has made it even more difficult to keep the lid closed on Pandora’s box of hatred. Under the guise of “making America great again” the worst segments of society have come forth in more public ways to spread their hatred against racialized peoples under the guise free speech and diversity of thought. And why should northern Turtle Island be concerned? Because white supremacy, hatred and race-based violence is an infection that spreads when you give it oxygen. And given that Turtle Island is divided by an artificial border, there is little stop this rise in white supremacy from expanding its lethal infection north in Canada.

                  (photo of white supremacists in Charlottesville from PBS website) And it is spreading north. Steve Bannon, Trump’s former strategist, whose far-right ideologies are praised by Neo-Nazis and the KKK, was invited to speak about populism at the Munk debate. However, while hatred is spreading, that doesn’t mean it is new to Canada. One need only look at Canada’s lethal genocidal policies against Indigenous peoples and it ongoing racism, violence and destruction of native lands to know – racism and white supremacy is alive and well in Canada. It is the recent rise in populism, fueled by Trump, that has encouraged it to spread to new generations in Canada in more public ways. The reported anti-black and anti-Indigenous actions of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and the hateful, anti-immigrant rants of Maxime Bernier are just the tip of the iceberg. Formerly hidden or subversive hate groups in Canada and the US have been given very powerful signals from exceptionally powerful men (usually right-wing, ultra-conservative) that the coast is clear to more actively spread hatred. So, Trump’s impact on Canada presents a very real and present danger to Indigenous Nations and racialized Canadians. So the question is: are Americans (and Canadians) truly condemned to two more years of Trump’s “Crazy town” or are there realistic alternatives? Early in his presidency, some political commentators offered their analyses on the chances of Trump being impeached. More recently, commentators and politicians alike have suggested the possibility of declaring him unfit under the 25th amendment. While some worry that this may cause a constitutional crisis, others like Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren – embroiled in her own controversy of white appropriation of Indigenous identity – feels that the US may already be in a constitutional crisis if Cabinet feels Trump can’t do the job. What most political analysts do agree on is that there is a very remote chance that Trump will ever be removed from office. Could this be why there is reportedly a core group within the White House trying to protect country? Could this be why senior White House officials are taking huge personal risks to expose the potential danger within and protect the American people? While it is hard to know anyone’s personal motivations, it would be incredible to think that someone is watching out for the people. Some believe that a true patriot – a real American – is one who votes and that true loyalty to the American flag and constitution means standing by your President no matter what. Sure there is some buyer’s remorse amongst some who voted for Trump, and some feelings of regret by those who didn’t vote at all having assumed that there was no way Trump could be elected. But what about the collective fear and worry by Americans and Native Americans – regardless of their voter status or their political leanings – about the very real and dark turn of events since Trump’s election? What of the confirmed Russian interference with the election, the risks of retaliation from other countries against Trump’s aggressive tactics, the thousands of children traumatized when they were separated from their migrant families, destruction of native lands, murdered and missing Native American women, or the very obvious rise in racist, white supremacist banter? How does American loyalty to the institution of the Presidency jive with their loyalty to equality, democracy, freedom of the press, human rights, the right to life and their own constitution? If this is the difficult issue facing Americans right now, imagine how those working in the White House feel? Worse, imagine how Native Americans feel that this is all taking place on their sovereign territories? While it may be easy to condemn the unnamed officials who are trying to keep the White House stable despite the Trump circus, what real choice do they have if they are committed to “the people” – which is supposed to be the real government anyway? It may not follow the rules of democracy or the processes laid out in policies, but how long can good people use process, protocol or past practice as an excuse not to act?  In his address to before the Canadian Parliament in 1961, America’s 35th President John F Kennedy said; “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. I am sure many Americans are hoping that more good people come forward and take concrete actions to protect the US and Canada both from the risks posed by Trump’s “Crazy town”. In the meantime, my money is on “the people” – the people who have risen up and taken a stand against this infection of hatred – those who shoulder the unfair burden of making sure it doesn’t turn into a plague. Our sovereign Indigenous Nations have something to say about the threat to public safety and national security in our territories. Our treaty partners have not only breached our treaties, but their self-interested, hateful actions pose real dangers to our peoples and our Canadian and American allies. The fight for our future is real. We better make 2019 the year of the revolution and Make America (and Canada) Native Again.

          (I took this photo while marching in the anti-Trump protests in NYC shortly after his election). For my Youtube video about this topic, please see the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPFaniEbiOs&feature=share

  • First Nations Too Generous Funding Canadian State

    Unbelievable! I am not sure how I can be both shocked and not, every time I see an irresponsible poll or article like the one below: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Government+generous+with+aboriginals+Canadians+tell+pollster/6867983/story.html I guess maybe some would say I am too hopeful? That despite all the racism, hatred and lack of compassion shown for our people, that this will change. But I am. I am hopeful because our people are strong, proud and have the power to stand up to this bullying. Canadians can follow the lead of First Nations in resisting and defeating this dictatorial bully government. I KNOW that there are Canadians out there who see what is happening for what it really is: after-the-fact justification for the theft of First Nation lands and resources. Most Canadians know that the right-wing propaganda is just that. What concerns me are all those new Canadians and young Canadians who can and will be influenced by the media’s irresponsible hate messaging. Take this article for example – the statements in the poll would lead respondents into a certain mind frame. The poll options seem to relate to the money spent on First Nation peoples by government. Just think about the messaging. The statements  assume that there is money which “belongs” to Canadians that is then “given” to First Nations. Right off the bat, most people who hate paying taxes will latch onto any excuse to justify why they should not pay taxes. If pollsters can find a scapegoat, like First Nations, then they could easily latch onto that as their outlet for tax-frustration with their own government. More than that, thinking about the theme of the questions puts Canadians into the wrong mindset – it provides them with faulty facts – that Canada uses taxpayers money to fund First Nations. The fact is: First Nation lands and resources fund the Canadian, provincial and municipal governments in this country – NOT the other way around. The reason why Canadians have such a high standard of living compared to the rest of the world is because Canada uses our lands and resources to fund them. Although Canadian governments tax their citizens, these taxes come from land use, businesses and jobs all created off the wealth of this country – which belongs to First Nations. This kind of corrupted messaging –  that we are somehow living off of Canadian taxpayer-funded welfare – has led to the current state of hatred, racism and lack of compassion for our peoples. This government propaganda forces a wedge between First Nations and Canadians and ensures that there is little public support for addressing the current crisis of poverty in many First Nations. This Harper government, together with its ultra-fanatical right-wing supporters portray First Nations as “soviets”, “communists”, “lazy”, “primitives” and describe our communities as “cesspools”. This tactic is ancient – it tries to link biology to an imagined concept of race and make us appear less than human. Why? So that land theft can be justified. So that government has an excuse to not have to spend any of our own money to address the lethal poverty in our communities. If government can convince Canadians that we are poor because we choose to be, or we commit suicide because we can’t cope with the “modern world” then this lets people feel off the hook. That is why lack of water, food and housing in other countries is considered a crisis in need of UN intervention and millions in Canadian funds to help, but in Canada it is the fault of First Nations – so no assistance. I just published an article called “Stretched Beyond Human Limits: Death by Poverty in First Nations” in the Canadian Review of Social Policy. This journal is a special edition focusing on poverty issues, and because First Nation poverty is so acute in Canada, they have agreed to allow free access to my article so as to raise awareness about the causes, the effects and what can be done to address it. http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/crsp/article/viewFile/35220/32057 I have been researching the issue of poverty in First Nations for several years now and am part through writing a book on the topic. This article is like a brief overview of the issues that will be covered in this book. The main premise of this article is: “There is evidence showing that there is a direct link between discriminatory federal laws and policies, and the crisis of poverty and preventable deaths in First Nations. Canada controls tyhe lives of First Nations, provides them with inequitable funding that results in conditions of extreme poverty, which the research has shown leads to their premature deaths.” While past governments have tried to various degrees to address the issue, this Harper government has specifically decided to ignore the problem and have even instituted more funding cuts. Now, the news paper article alleges that billions are given to First Nations with no improvements. What Canadians don’t realize is that almost half of that funding goes to support employees of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) many of whom get raises every year, have six figure salaries, paid vacations, trips overseas, go on paid language training for years at a time, get sick days, health coverage and retirement pensions. This giant INAC bureaucracy is well-paid and never has to worry about enough water, food or safe housing. What if that funding went to First Nations to provide their own programs and services? What if INAC employees had to account to US for whether they are working hard enough for our people? What if no results meant that INACers lost their jobs and funding? I am a strong believer in accountability – but it is INAC that is living high on the hog while our people suffer – not us. There are good people that work in government, many have chosen to work there to try to make things better. But they are not the decision-makers – the Harper government’s dictatorial approach to running this country means that Harper calls all the shots. Therefore we need to stand up and demand better. Irresponsible polls like this one do not help advance the issues – nor does it do anything to help us come up with solutions. How could anyone responding to this poll be able to make an informed judgement about whether Canada gives First Nations too much money if they don’t know how much money we get, how that compares to what provinces and municipalities get, and what the money is used for? I could say the exact same thing about Canada – we keep giving the province of Manitoba millions in tax-payer funds but they still have a growing problem with homelessness. Maybe we should cut off Manitoba’s transfer payments? What kind of policy logic is that?? Governments are transferred money from tax revenues to pay for essential social services like health, education and water – this is exactly what happens in First Nations except we are chronically under-funded in comparison. Why are provincial residents entitled to clean water and First Nations are not? We need to start having fact-based discussions around what the issues are and how to address them. Rhetoric and personal opinions do little other than perpetuate misinformation and hatred. Let’s have a real discussion and start treating First Nations like human beings – instead of constantly blaming them for being impacted by federal control. Canada can’t have it both ways – they can’t control every aspect of our communities, chronically underfund them and then deny responsibility for the extreme poverty and pre-mature deaths that result. It’s time for an economic action plan that includes everyone.

  • “No Natives” Allowed: How Canada Breeds Racism and Fear

    On the one hand, I cannot believe that we as Indigenous peoples are still subjected to such overt racism on a such a frequent basis. On the other hand, I am not surprised, given that this kind of anti-First Nation sentiment is still out there in more hidden forms also known as systemic racism. I guess the best way to describe my feelings is that I sometimes feel overwhelmed that these perverse ideologies don’t just come from a few wackos, but comes from all elements in society – individuals, business, professionals, academics, politicians, and government.

    I received this picture from people on Facebook today who wanted to bring this issue to the attention of the public and the police. This picture is allegedly of a restaurant in Lakefield, Ontario. It was reported in the Toronto Sun that the police are investigating this as a hate crime. Here is the link to that story: http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2011/03/16/17638211.html If this incident actually happened (and everyone is innocent until proven guilty), it is a symptom of how Indigenous peoples are portrayed generally in our society – in schools, the media and by federal and provincial governments. Even if this one turns out to all a big misunderstanding, there used to be many similar signs like this, just for Aboriginal people:

    I am less surprised by this kind of overt racism from members of small communities, when I hear famous people, like Kevin O’Leary (who appears on Dragon’s Den and CBC News’ Lang & O”Leary show). You will recall, that Kevin O’Leary called his co-host an “Indian giver” and when she rebuked him for such barbaric language, he repeated the phrase and defended his use of it. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/950584–cbc-ombud-slams-o-leary-s-offensive-on-air-comment This comment was made on Canada’s CBC News during prime time when a large number of Canadians would be watching. It happened LAST October 2010 and not a word of apology was issued by O’Leary or CBC. It wasn’t until 5 months later and AFTER the CBC Ombudsperson had publicly released their decision that the comment was wrong and so was CBC for not immediately addressing it – that we heard any mention of an apology. Specifically, the Ombudsperson stated: “In this instance, the preferred course would have been for O’Leary not only to privately recognize the fault of his ways but to publicly express remorse, either that night or the next night or soon after. But if he wasn’t going to publicly apologize, the program could have done something further to make amends. Its obligation goes beyond the complainant to the viewers in order to uphold the broader reputation of the program and CBC itself.” http://www.cbc.ca/ombudsman/pdf/2011-03-02-Jamieson.pdf This is obviously the point I am getting at about the effect such comments have, especially when left for many months to fester. The problem is that Indigenous peoples are getting it from all sides and by not acting to address these issues, it’s no wonder society thinks this is acceptable. Scripted apologies forced by legal decisions, litigation or threat of job loss are hardly sincere or even effective at undoing the damage caused. http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/pundit+censured+offensive+exchange/4399119/story.html You will recall on the very same day that Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered a public apology on behalf of all Canadians for the physical, sexual, and other abuses committed in residential schools, his conservative MP, Pierre Poilievre, had the nerve to question the compensation being given to survivors and asked whether it was “value for money”. I still feel nauseated when I read his comments. As if there is any monetary amount that could ever compensate for sexual abuse like rape, physical abuse like beatings, neglect that resulted in many deaths and the loss of culture, language and hope. http://www2.macleans.ca/2008/06/11/pierre-poilievre-shows-his-empathy-for-residential-school-survivors/ Keep in mind, Canada has compensated Japanese families for ripping them from their homes and putting them in camps during the war. The Chinese were also compensated for the head tax that was imposed on them to prevent them from immigrating to Canada. While the Supreme Court of Canada has specifically said that discrimination is not “a race to the bottom” (i.e. who is more discriminated against), they have said that often times Aboriginal peoples are dually disadvantaged on mulitple levels not necessarily experienced by other groups. http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/1999/1999canlii687/1999canlii687.pdf Indigenous peoples suffered in residential schools for their entire childhoods and many others suffer the deadly inter-generational effects for communities all over the country which could take generations to address. How could the residential school compensation be less “value for money” than another group’s? Somehow, conservatives and others find a way to insert doubt and blame into the conversation when it is about Indigenous peoples. We all know about Senator Patrick Brazeau who uses the Senate chambers, resources, and logo to film carefully worded videos meant to portray First Nations as lazy and corrupt. In fact, on my previous blogs, I have highlighted his negative, stereotypes of First Nations and how in one show he even accused First Nations as hubs of “illegal activity”. This all coming from an individual who claims to be First Nations – imagine the powerful effect this would have on the views and opinions of non-Aboriginal peoples. That brings us to Minister of Indian Affairs, John Duncan. As you know from my previous blogs, I am no fan of Minister Duncan given his past racist comments about Indigenous peoples and their rights. https://pampalmater.com/2010/09/indian-agents-are-back-pm-new-indian.html Duncan was very much opposed to Aboriginal and treaty rights to fish, ignored their constitutional protection, and characterized them as “race-based”. http://www.mediaindigena.com/rickharp/issues-and-politics/indian-affairs-minister-john-duncan-menacing-or-muzzled More recently, however, Minister Duncan appeared before the Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples regarding Bill S-11, the bill dealing with safe drinking water on First Nations. Senators have commented that all witnesses, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, including water experts and legal experts all agree that this Act is so bad that even amendments could not save it. On March 8, 2011, Minister Duncan, expressing his frustration, commented that:

    “This committee has been receiving a very one-sided view on the way things are going.  We’ve actually been working very collaboratively especially with the Treaty 6, 7 and 8 group from Alberta….  You’re correct in concluding that everyone does not have the same view.  But I think this committee has managed to somehow capture a prevalence of negative views.  Sometimes that’s what happens.  It’s easier  in First Nation politics to be aggressively  contrary to something than it is to be supportive.  And that’s an observation that I will make and stand behind and it’s something I hope we can change”

    How could we as Indigenous peoples NOT be, at the very least, “agressively contrary” to the sexual abuse in residential schools, the outlawing of our cultures, the legislated exclusion of our women and children from our Nations, the removal of thousands of our children to child welfare agencies, the early deaths of our people from extreme poverty, the theft of our traditional lands and resources,  and the political and legal destruction of our laws, governments and communities? In other countries, this can and has resulted in revolutions. While I can’t say for sure what was going on in his head, it certainly appears to me that Minister Duncan gave his comment some thought before he said it as he followed up his comment with confirmation that he will stand behind it. This is not dissimilar to Kevin O”Leary standing beside his racist remarks, or Tom Flanagan standing beside his comments. I have always been told to believe people when they tell you who they really are – so I am listening. Aside from showing a pre-disposition to having racist views about Indigenous peoples, Minister Duncan’s negative stereotyping of First Nations does little to suggest his views have evolved over time. Looking at it from society’s point of view, if the Minister of Indian Affairs, who is supposed to be an advocate and champion for Aboriginal peoples in Canada has such hostile, negative views about Aboriginal peoples, why would we expect society to be any better? It is almost as if Minister Duncan is sickened to even have to work on this portfolio – which begs the question – why the heck does he?

    Sadly, comments by our top law enforcement agencies about Indigenous peoples do not fair any better. Official documents in the Canadian Military have characterized Mohawks as insurgents or terrorists. This not only false and offensive, it also serves to spread fear and distrust amongst non-Indigenous society. My children’s own friends ask questions about whether we are “terrorists”.

    http://video.ca.msn.com/watch/video/military-apologizing-to-mohawks/16ahlo0dq

    The damage has been done. No carefully worded apology will be able to undo the damage to Indigenous peoples and especially the Mohawk in this case. Canadians are more likely to see us as terrorists than the First Peoples of this country. If there was any doubt, just ask Christy Blatchford and TVO, who portrayed Mohawks in Six Nations as lawless and out of control: https://pampalmater.com/2011/01/update-tvo-agenda-botches-show-on.html

    Yet, despite the military’s indication in 2010 that they would be offering a very carefully worded apology, one remains to be given. Many months later and not a single word has been issued. It makes me wonder what kind of priority they made of the apology. Instead, there seems to be a universal default that these comments will be allowed to be said, defended, repeated, and given time to sink in before any superficial apology is offered. We deserve more than this anti-First Nation propaganda on our own homelands.  http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Military+apologize+Mohawk+Warriors/4015748/story.html

    Add to this the list of right-wing academics who promote the assimilation of Aboriginal peoples in various forms like Tom Flanagan, Dale Gibson, Frances Widdowson, and Alan Cairns, etc. This is reinforced by some teachers in schools which either don’t teach their students about Aboriginal peoples, do so in a minimal way or teach some of these same stereotypes. This is further reinforced by the various media outlets who make millions off portraying First Nations as lazy, crooked, criminals and movies or TV shows which promote an archetype of Indians that few today can live up to – the “good” version or the “bad” version.

    This is an old battle, one that we have been fighting since contact. While many in society would like to believe that old colonial ideologies about Indigenous peoples have long waned, the opposite is true. Just take a peek at some of the vile comments posted on online media stories about Indigenous peoples and you’ll see what I mean. Not only do Indigenous peoples face this battle on multiple fronts and on a daily basis, but they must also face the battle within themselves, Every day we face the battle to prove we are worthy as human beings. Too often this battle is lost and we lose our young people to suicide, violent deaths, and early deaths from diseases, malnutrition, and lack of housing caused by extreme poverty.

    I’d like to point out that the Criminal Code of Canada specifically prohibits hate crimes (section 319) which provides that public statements made against an identifiable group that incites violence against that group is a CRIME. Similarly, section 318 specifically probihits GENOCIDE – which is the killing of an identifiable group, or creating lufe conditions would bring about that group’s physical destruction. Sounds like an option, but the tricky part is you have to get the Attorney General to agree to bring these charges. So, back to the drawing board…while assimilation, racism, theft of our lands, resources and souls continues…

    Those of us who manage to wake up every day and win this internal battle (at least enough to keep trudging along), must then engage in the political and legal battle for our basic human rights and freedoms, to protect our cultures and identities for future generations, as well as the key issues like sovereignty, Aboriginal and treaty rights, land rights and so on. We have to know more than anyone else about our issues, we have to work harder than anyone else, and we have to find ways to do so politely and with smiles on our faces lest we be characterized as “agressively contrary” or “terrorists”. So the next time you hear someone say how easy First Nations have it; how they get everything for free; or how lazy they all are, why don’t you suggest they live with Indigenous peoples for a while and see what the “free & easy” life is really like? Or perhaps they’d like to discuss the subject with those of us who fight in this battle 24-7? It is time Canada accepted the fact that we will not be assimilated. Whether you call it “agressively contrary”, “insurgency” or “criminal” – we will continue to protect our cultures and identites for future generations. If only Canadians could leave their minds open long enough to see the incredible strength of our diverse peoples, the beauty of our rich cultures and traditions, the unique ties we have to our territories, or the incredible pride we have in our identities – then they would see why we refuse to give it up.