NOVEMBER 2012 More Tinkering in Brief with Indian Act First Nations Citizens Are Once Called Outdated and Racist
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Page 1 Volume 24 Issue 9 Published monthly by the Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation Single Copy: $2.00 NOVEMBER 2012 More tinkering In Brief with Indian Act First Nations citizens are once called outdated and racist. Clarke served as chairman of the Senate again watching from the sidelines is a citizen of Muskeg Lake First Aboriginal Peoples Committee, in- as Canadian Parliamentarians de- Nation in Saskatchewan. troduced a self-government bill the bate what they think is best for The Act outlines the relation- same week as he retired from the them – this time in putting for- ship between Canada and its First Upper Chamber at the mandatory ward three legislative proposals to Nations peoples. It restricts the age of 75. eliminate the 136-year-old Indian power of band councils, governs Grand Council Chief Patrick Act. land use and housing on reserves, Wedaseh Madahbee was shaking Calling the act an "interna- and created a system of residential his head at the ongoing efforts of tional embarrassment," interim schools that historians say caused the Stephen Harper government to Russell Means, 72 Liberal leader Bob Rae introduced untold damage to aboriginal com- ignore First Nations input in deal- Russell C. Means, the Oglala Sioux who was one of the key a private member's bill that would munities across Canada. ing with their issues. American Indian Movement (AIM) leaders of the 71-day 1973 pro- eliminate and replace the law, Rae's proposal would give the “The Conservative govern- test at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, has died at the age of 72. which has long been contentious government three months to begin ment continues to use policy and AIM’s guerrilla-tactic protests against the annual celebration of Co- both inside and outside First Na- negotiating with individual First legislation to do an end run around lumbus Day and the “Chief Wahoo” mascot symbol of the Cleve- tions communities. Nations to replace the Act with our inherent, treaty and Section 35 land Indians baseball team called attention to the United States’ his- "We are now living under a law a series of new laws. Those laws rights,” said the spokesman for 39 tory of injustices against indigenous peoples. that was established in 1876 that is would be based on historic treaty member communities of the An- simply an expression of the colo- rights of each aboriginal commu- ishinabek Nation. nial relationship of the time," Rae nity and standards established in “The Americans hacked Indi- Alexander passes at age 90 said. "It's way past time that we the United Nations Declaration on ans to death. In Canada it’s death transform that relationship." the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by a thousand cuts. Who’s the Lincoln Alexander, Canada’s first black His announcement came less among other conditions, he said. more inhumane?” member of parliament, and later the 24th Lieu- than a week after the Conserva- And in the Senate, Conserva- Madahbee said the Rae ap- tenant Governor of Ontario, passed away on tives backed a bill by Tory MP Rob tive appointee Gerry St. Germain, proach – involving negotiations Oct. 19, 2012. Clarke to amend the Act, which he a Métis from Manitoba, who with individual First Nations over He once said that First Nations remain the a two-year period – was the pre- longest discriminated group in our history. Lincoln Alexander ferred option. “At first glance this plan is a more desirable process than what Kateri first indigenous Saint the Conservatives are proposing. Kateri Tekakwitha was the first indigenous Bob Rae says he wants to talk person from North America to be canonized Nation-to-Nation and that’s a good by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 21. first step. I think that this process Also known as the “Lily of the Mohawks”, needs to be community-driven. Kateri was born in 1656 in the Mohawk com- “In this two-year process, the munity of Ossernenon and served in a Catho- Liberals need to put resources lic mission near present day Kahnawa:ke. aside for community and leader- “With the long history that some of our ship engagement. A legal analysis citizens have had with the Roman Catholic needs to be done as well. The Con- Church, it is a long-awaited recognition of the servatives think they have all the role that Kateri Tekakwitha played in being Nun in headdress answers, but they just don’t get it. a spiritual role model and now a Saint,” says holds image of They are still talking about extin- Grand Council Chief Madahbee. Kateri. guishment. What they’re propos- ing reeks of the ‘69 White Paper. “At the same time, we haven’t Celebrating Christmas by giving forgotten that things like the ‘69 White Paper were done while the A look inside... The Union of Ontario Indians Fort William office hosts an annual Liberals were in power. Christmas toy and food drive for non-perishable food items, toys, “All parties better realize this pajamas, puzzles, crayons, art supplies, and movie passes in is a major process – like the consti- Thunder Bay. Anishinabek Nation Deputy Grand Council Chief Glen tutional process in 1982 – asking Hare seen here with Nolanna Hardy participated in last year’s event. This year, guests will participate in the Dilico Children’s Foundation questions like what’s federal, pro- Christmas Wish Box Campaign. Donations can be dropped off at vincial and First Nation jurisdic- ● Anishinabek Page 3 300 Anemki Place, Suite A until Dec. 20. – Photo by Judy Currie tion. How can we work together?” ● War of 1812 Page10 Residents evacuated due to flooding ● Remembrance Day By Marci Becking the clean-up process is underway.” Pages 12-13 MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION – Chief Joe Buck- Chief Buckell says that the road into Michipicoten ell says that his entire community was displaced for will take a couple more weeks to get it back to its ● Education Page 14 four days when high levels of water caused the road previous standard. going into his community to erode away. “We would like to thank Emergency Management Chippewas of the Thames artist Nancy Deleary enlarges the All 60 on-reserve residents were evacuated by Ontario and the Municipality of Wawa for helping us. Tecumseh block design onto an 8 by 8 feet wood panel for others helicopter to the nearby town of Wawa that had ser- Our citizens all had rooms and meals provided. It to paint in. The Tecumseh panel was the first to go up on the 119th anniversary of his death, October 5, 2012 at the corner vices available for the citizens of the Michipicoten was very well organized.” of Jubilee Rd. and Muncey Rd. on top of hill on Chippewa's First Nation. Chief Buckell says that Michipicoten First Nation ceremonial grounds. See Barn Quilt story on Page 16. “Everyone is now safe back in their homes,” says will be developing its own contingency plan in case – Photo by Leslee White-eye Chief Buckell. “Some basements were flooded and any future disasters like this one occur. Page 2 Anishinabek News November 2012 Canada promises to polish the chain OTTAWA – During a ceremony to honour First Nations for their role in defending Canadian sovereign- ty during the War of 1812, Chief Isadore Day asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper to begin “polish- ing” the treaty agreement that had ensured the Anishinabek alliance for the Crown. “He understood that our ac- ceptance of the War of 1812 com- memorative medals and banner was conditional on his government agreeing to recognize our formal request for Canada to polish the covenant chain,” said Day, a di- rect descendant of Genebek, who fought alongside Chief Shingwauk and other Anishinaabe warriors in the 1812 campaign. Day serves as Lake Huron Regional Chief of Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinnini, and Serpent River FN Elder and Veteran Art Meawasige presented the Treaty of 1764 Covenant the Anishinabek Nation, and car- Chain Wampum Belt to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. David Johnson during a Rideau Hall ceremony to commemorate First ries the name of his grandfather Nation contributions to the successful defence of Canada’s sovereignty during the War of 1812. Wiindawtegowinini, whose name appears on the Robinson Huron in exchange for generous gifts, a allies. an urgent need to renew the rela- the Prime Minister, who saluted Treaty of 1850. promise to establish an exclusive “In your respective roles and tionship between First Nations and their ancestors for having made “a Chief Day displayed a replica Indian Territory between Upper authorities we seek to make, once the Crown in Canada. great and critical contribution to of the Treaty of Niagara Covenant Canada and the 13 Colonies of the again, the Covenant Chain a bond “Families and children in our Canada, one in which events may Chain Wampum Belt for Gover- United States, and a pledge from that shines of friendship, peace, communities today continue to be well have ended very differently. nor General David Johnston and Sir William Johnston that the First and prosperity,” said Chief Day, impacted with afflictions of pov- “Had Canadians, Aboriginal, Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Nations would never experience “only this time that Anishinaabe erty, addiction – and removal of French, English and others, not The belt, made of 10,076 beads poverty “as long as the world shall are treated with honour, respect children from our homes and from repelled an American invasion from the Quahog shell, was pre- last.” and dignity so that our children our people. We never gave up ju- during the three-year struggle that sented backwards, with the 1764 Accompanied by Serpent Riv- can be proud of their ancestry risdiction.