Ottawa, ON) – Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde released this statement today calling for the removal of RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki:
“Given months of civil unrest and multiple issues relating to the safety of First Nations people across the country, I will be writing to Prime Minister Trudeau to express that we have lost confidence in Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Brenda Lucki. The safety and security of all Canadians, including First Nations people, must be the top priority of the Prime Minister and the federal government. I am asking the Prime Minister to remove Commissioner Lucki and to replace her with someone who will focus greater attention on public safety and combating racism.”
The AFN is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Follow AFN on Twitter @AFN_Updates.
ANCOUVER – The British Columbia Achievement Foundation announced today the 2020 Awardees of the Carter Wosk for Applied Art and Design program.
“This year’s awardees of the Carter Wosk Award demonstrate creative flair and attention to detail, blending art and function to make our world a better place,” said Foundation Chair, Anne Giardini. “It is always an honour to showcase ways in which British Columbians make purpose beautiful and beauty functional” she added.
Recipients of the 17th annual award program are selected by an independent jury and include:
Benjamin Kikkert, Hot glass and mixed media artist / glass designer Karen Konzuk, Concrete jewellery and objects Jeff Martin, Furniture design
Outstanding Achievement for Product Design Michael Barton and Mari Fujita
The board of the BC Achievement Foundation named Nancy Bryant as the 2020 Award of Distinction Laureate honouring her career and lifetime achievement in costume design.
BC Achievement is grateful for the generosity and ongoing support of the Yosef Wosk Family Foundation. The Carter Wosk Award is named in honour of BC philanthropist, academic and visionary Yosef Wosk, Ph.D., OBC and Sam Carter, BC educator, designer and curator.
The above artists and designers were selected by the 2020 jury: past recipient, Pam Goddard, Propellor Design a multi-disciplinary design studio; Ron Kong, craft advocate; Bill Pechet, 2018 Award of Distinction Laureate and Anita Sikma, past recipient and jewelry designer.
Awardees will be celebrated in online campaigns culminating in a recipient film and a tribute production to the 2020 Award of Distinction.
BC Achievement is an independent foundation established in 2003 to celebrate community service, arts, humanities and enterprise. For information on BC Achievement, visit www.bcachievement.
Contact: Cathryn Wilson, Executive Director BC Achievement Foundation info@bcachievement.com | 604.261.9777
2020 Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design – Awardee Backgrounders
Jeff Martin, Furniture Designer Vancouver Recipient
Jeff Martin is a furniture designer and collaborator. His studio, Jeff Martin Joinery, explores research-based design that creates beautiful, interesting and high-quality furniture with sales across Canada, US and Europe. One of his studio’s philosophies is that beauty is inherently a characteristic of how interesting something presents. Never one to remain with a single medium, Jeff has expanded his practice to experimental glass blowing, focusing on cork molded, mouth blown collectible glass vessels.
Jeff has recently moved to a large production facility based out of Vancouver’s 1000 Parker Street studio which serves as a showroom and makes space for other designers to help promote their work. It is in keeping with Jeff’s mentorship to younger artists and designers along with his determination to collect and promote their work that makes him a force within the design community.
Benjamin Kikkert, Hot glass and mixed media artist and glass designer Vancouver Recipient
Benjamin Kikkert is a hot glass and mixed media artist whose work explores themes of landscape and history through cultural, industrial and impressionist artifact. The vibrant and gritty textures of this work at once evoke senses of familiarity and discovery within the viewer. Collections document specific places and can include work installed in situ, with past projects including expeditions to the high Arctic, Newfoundland and Georgian Bay to name a few.
Working from his studio, Vancouver Studio Glass on Granville Island, Benjamin offers the public an “open kitchen” approach to a professional glassblowing studio. Contemporary custom glass design and traditional craftsmanship are presented together with ever changing variety. His goal is to offer the visitor an original experience with each visit to his studio, and to share his passion for the possibilities of glass.
Karen Konzuk, Concrete jewellery and objects Garden Bay Recipient
Through a studied use of clean lines and an unwavering commitment to a minimalist aesthetic, Karen’s studio, KONZUK has developed a renowned modern line of handcrafted concrete jewellery for the contemporary design lover. Her wearable architecture is artfully constructed from the meaningful use of industrial materials inspired by her appreciation of the west coast landscape and the majestic sky.
Karen has garnered international attention including being invited in 2019 to develop an official jewellery collection by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation on Wright’s works. She has retailed in internationally recognized museums and art galleries such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Guggenheim, NYC—and closer to home, at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Polygon Gallery.
Karen has recently expanded her designs to include household objects that evolve the striking aesthetic of her jewellery pieces into a series of extraordinary objects that bring a sense of drama to the living space.
Nancy Bryant, Costume Designer Vancouver Award of Distinction Laureate
Nancy is an established costume designer who has worked creatively with various dance, theatre, opera and film directors internationally and across Canada. Vancouver has been her home for the last 40 years. Her work with choreographer Crystal Pite has had much notoriety in Europe, USA and across Canada as well as theatre projects with Morris Panych and Kim Collier locally, for the Shaw Festival and Canadian Stage. She is known to bring her unique vision to every project she works on, while maintaining a collaborative approach. Her attention to detail has brought her numerous awards for costume design including Jessie Richardson theatre awards, the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award, a Leo (film) Award and two Olivier Awards.
In addition, Nancy has worked with the Paris Opera, The Royal Ballet (London), The Netherlands Dance Theatre, the Zurich Opera Ballet, the Monte-Carlo Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballet BC and the National Ballet of Canada and designed for theatre directors and artists such as Stan Douglas (Helen Lawrence), Morris Panych for many of his productions (including The Overcoat) and Kim Collier and Jonathon Young (Tear the Curtain) of the Electric Company. Her involvement with each of her creations and the actors who wear them is legendary, “She has been known to stand backstage during a dress rehearsal, sewing costume pieces onto actors as they walk onstage.” — Morris Panych, director and playwright.
Michael Barton and Mari Fujita, Product Design Vancouver Outstanding Achievement
Michael Barton and Mari Fujita are multidisciplinary designers who share backgrounds in art, film making, and architecture. Through their roles in the design practice Maiku Brando, they endeavour to produce delightful and useful human-scale products.
Michael and Mari aim to share a feeling of joy through design. Their practice is focused on the development of inventive and elegant design solutions, while seeking the potential for their designs to deliver a greater impact. They apply traditional and emerging technologies and materials in novel ways, while constantly questioning conventional industry practices and production methods.
Their design practice stands out as symbolic of the times we are in. The pandemic demands a practical response – and their face mask design unites functionality with extreme comfort, unique graphics, and an ethos of care. Each product is designed, hand dyed, hand printed, and hand sewn in Vancouver, transcending the medium. Genuine practical and psychological needs are met by their product: people need PPE and they also needed to feel uplifted. Maiku Brando strives to give both. “When society is faced with challenges, it is time to double our commitment to the acts which elevate us.” — Michael Barton
Ottawa, Ontario – Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced the appointment of Allister Surette as Federal Special Representative, a neutral third-party who will communicate with and rebuild trust between commercial and Indigenous fishers. Mr. Surette will gather the different perspectives on the issues, seek to build understanding, and make recommendations to the Ministers of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and of Crown-Indigenous Relations, as well as to the public, so parties can move forward toward a positive resolution.
The Federal Special Representative will begin his work immediately. His initial priority will be to meet with Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq and commercial sector leaders and harvesters to listen to concerns, communicate information, and foster dialogue with the objective of decreasing tensions and preventing further escalation of this conflict.
In the coming weeks and months, the Federal Special Representative will meet with commercial leaders and harvesters in other parts of Atlantic Canada, Indigenous leaders in Nova Scotia and in other parts of Atlantic Canada and the Gaspé region of Quebec, provincial governments, and others as appropriate.
Commercial and Indigenous harvesters have been fishing side-by-side for decades. While work continues with Mi’kmaq communities on implementing their Treaty rights, the appointment of this Federal Special Representative will help all parties gain a better understanding of the issues in the region and will provide advice on ways to repair and continue to improve relationships going forward. Discussions facilitated by Mr. Surette will provide a structured forum to address genuine questions and concerns from those involved, and to foster long-term cooperation.
The right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood is a right stemming from the 1760-61 Peace and Friendship Treaties, reaffirmed by the Supreme Court of Canada under the Marshall Decision. The Government of Canada is dedicated to implementing this right.
Much work has been done since the Marshall Decision to advance Indigenous fisheries and implement their Treaty Right, but there is still more to do. Fishing is a main economic driver in coastal communities and we will continue working diligently on a path that ensures a safe, productive, and sustainable fishery for the benefit of all harvesters.
With 6,460 participants representing 401 tribes from all 50 states, the Indigenous Futures Survey unveils the needs, priorities and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples
Tulsa, OK (October 26, 2020) – Today, IllumiNative, Native Organizers Alliance and the Center for Native American Youth released the first annual Indigenous Futures Survey (IFS) conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of California, Berkeley. The Indigenous Futures Survey is the first of many steps towards understanding the motivations and changing beliefs of Native communities to correct the inaccurate portrayals and lack of visibility of Tribal communities.
From June 23, 2020 to August 15, 2020, 6,460 Indigenous peoples from all across the U.S. participated in the largest and most comprehensive study ever conducted in Indian Country. The aim of the survey was to understand the priorities, needs and perspectives of Natives peoples on several key issues such as COVID-19, the presidential election and systemic racism. The COVID-19 and political reports provide insight on the direct impact of COVID-19 on Native Communities, why Native communities were disproportionately hit by COVID-19, the consequences of the lack of federal government aid, voting, key battleground states, political and civic engagement, voting behavior, and voter suppression.
“I’m grateful for all of the participants, partners, researchers, and grassroot organizations that helped make this possible,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, Founder and Executive Director of IllumiNative. “The findings of the Indigenous Futures Survey reveals the true power of the Native vote. For so long, Native peoples have been silenced by voter suppression tactics and oppressive barriers to vote. By releasing this data, we aim to regain our political power and mobilize a historic voter turnout across Indian Country.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from and amplify the voices of our relatives throughout Indian Country,” says Nikki Pitre, Executive Director of the Center for Native American Youth. “The survey findings firmly establish the priorities of our people. It is now up to all of us to elect those whose platforms are reflective of addressing those priorities.”
The IFS dispels the inaccurate narratives and misconceptions that the Native vote is inconsistent and unengaged. Key findings include:
Despite that 27% have experienced barriers to voting and 95% distrust the federal government, Indigenous peoples are incredibly politically engaged with 77% participation in the last election (local, state, and/or federal).
The majority of participants (95%) reported engaging in at least one of the following activities within the last five years: Attended a protest, attended a political rally or other election related events, participated in a community action group/grassroots organization, donated money to a political party, or campaigned for a candidate.
51% of Indigenous peoples identify as Democrats, 26% as Independents, 9% as Democratic Socialists, and 7% as Republicans.
Key issues impacting political and civic engagement include: access to quality healthcare, violence against Native women, children and LGBTQ+ individuals, improving mental health, caring for Tribal elders, disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Native communities and climate change.
51% of participants with COVID-19 symptoms and/or diagnosis could not access testing, while 11% reported that someone in their family or immediate circle passed away due to COVID-19.
In the last month, 31% of Indigenous peoples reported feeling depressed, 54% frustrated, and 63% stressed.
45% reported that their household’s financial situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, while 36% of participants that were employed prior to the pandemic reported having their work hours cut or being laid off as a result.
“The Indigenous Futures Survey is the next step in reclaiming our collective voice and power,” said Judith LeBlanc, Director of Native Organizers Alliance. “The survey highlights that Native voters are an educated sector of the electorate. Although Natives were the last to get the right to vote, we vote in greater numbers than the general public. Native peoples are engaged in challenging narratives online and ready to protest on the streets. We are politically engaged and passionate, and these findings will show you just that.”
“The Indigenous Futures Survey aimed to amplify the voices of Native People, to center the injustices contemporary Native Peoples experience, and to galvanize change. These political and Covid-19 reports represent a first step in building a future in which we enjoy the same rights, protections, and opportunities that other Americans enjoy. To create this future, Native people must advocate for our own needs and priorities, and non-Native people must learn to see, hear and value our voices,” said lead researchers Dr. Stephanie Fryberg of the University of Michigan and Dr. Arianne Eason of the University of California, Berkeley.
Understanding the issues that are important to Native peoples is imperative in reaching the engaged Native electorate, especially in the seven key swing states with a large Native population: Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota and Nevada.
We would like to express our immense gratitude to the research team who worked tirelessly on this project:
Dr. Stephanie A. Fryberg (Tulalip), University of Michigan
Dr. Arianne E. Eason, University of California, Berkeley
J. Doris Dai, University of Washington
Julisa J. Lopez (Amah Mutsun), University of Michigan
Jamie Yellowtail (Northern Cheyenne and Crow), University of Michigan
Ariana Munoz-Salgado, University of Michigan
Emma Ward-Griffin, University of California, Berkeley
Be a part of the First Nations Health Manager’s Association’s Virtual Celebration
Wednesday, November 4 at 1PM EST on ihtoday.ca
Thank all healthcare workers and tell us about your community and how they have make a difference in your life!
Send us your 15 second shout outs to fnhma@ihtoday.ca By October 30 for your chance to get on the national broadcast
As we fight the Covid 19 pandemic together health workers, your nurses, doctors and health managers are stretched to the limit to protect and support your communities .
We would like to hear your quick personal story about a health worker in your community or just a thank you. Now more than ever health workers need our support and sending a shout out could bring a much needed smile to their faces
So, use your phones and send us a quick story telling us who you are, where you’re from and your story. Good lighting and sound will be appreciated. Send them to fnhma@ihtoday.ca by October 30 and look for them on the broadcast stream at www.ihtoday.ca, on Facebook and radio, from 1pm-4PM, EST, Wednesday, November 4
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation (SMEDCO) and Northern Research Group (NRG) are pleased to announce that we have entered into a partnership focused on supporting Métis community economic recovery.
Under this partnership, SMEDCO and NRG will collaboratively deliver consulting services to Métis communities whose business activities and economic growth have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Funding for the initiative has been provided through SMEDCO’s COVID-19 business relief partnership with Indigenous Services Canada.
“SMEDCO is the only Métis capital corporation in Saskatchewan offering a full suite of financing solutions for Métis businesses since 1987.We are now able to provide non-repayable COVID financial support to Métis businesses that were unable to access other COVID funding “ said Tristan Zachow – Chief Executive Officer. Working with a Métis owned company who knows and understands the needs of Saskatchewan Métis communities is the perfect fit!
“NRG is proud to be working with SMEDCO to deliver much needed consulting supports to Métis communities. COVID-19 has stifled economic growth for many Métis communities and introduced new challenges for Métis community owned businesses” said Matt Vermette- CEO of Northern Research Group. “We are looking forward to working with Métis communities to adapt to those challenges and plan for economic recovery so that they can continue the important work of creating wealth and employment opportunities for our fellow Métis citizens.”
SMEDCO is the economic development hub for the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan and has been working towards enhancing community economic development since 1987.
NRG is a 100% Métis owned, Saskatchewan-based business and economic consulting firm. Their team has a long history of working with small businesses and Métis communities throughout the province of Saskatchewan.
Details regarding the consulting supports available to Métis communities and application forms can be found at https://smedco.ca/covid-business-fund/
Kanesatake, 21 octobre 2020 – Le Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake (MCK) souhaite publier la déclaration suivante concernant le projet de la municipalité d’Oka de désigner la Pinède, les mêmes terres où se sont déroulés les événements tragiques de 1990, comme site du patrimoine d’Oka.
Pour débuter et pour plus de clarté, l’intention derrière certains termes doivent être définis dans ce communiqué de presse.
Premièrement, le terme « propriétaire » lorsqu’il s’agit des titres contestés :
Le Conseil Mohawk a toujours cru que le titre non autochtone est un titre artificiel acheté qui a été imposé en plus du titre réel d’occupation historique inhérente du peuple Mohawk.
Deuxièmement, le terme « consultation » :
Le terme « consultation » avec les Premières Nations doit être mis en œuvre conformément aux directives de la Cour Suprême en vertu du jugement Haida ou d’autres procédures judiciaires connexes ainsi qu’aux articles 35 et 25 de la Constitution.
La « consultation » publique d’Oka sur la désignation unilatérale de la Pinède en site du patrimoine municipal
Le 19 octobre 2020, la Municipalité a tenu ce qu’elle considère comme étant une « consultation » publique sur sa CHAÎNE YOUTUBE au sujet d’un règlement qu’elle propose qui aurait pour impact de désigner la Pinède comme site du patrimoine municipal en vertu de la Loi sur le patrimoine culturel de la province.
Le MCK partage la consultation dans sa version complète, puisque la municipalité d’Oka a jugé bon de supprimer la section des commentaires, où, près de la totalité des commentaires formulés à la fois par des autochtones et non autochtones étaient pour le moins dire très critiques à l’égard du projet proposé.
De nombreux sauts impressionnants de logique et de désinformation ont également été véhiculés par le maire, ainsi que de nombreux faits et précisions qui semblaient délibérément omis de la conversation, les plus notables étaient :
La ‘noble’ intention du maire et de la municipalité
La municipalité prétend agir de « bonne foi » pour préserver les terres, tout en ne tenant pas compte du fait que les Mohawks sont actuellement engagés dans un effort de protection de la Pinède avec le propriétaire du titre artificiel des terres et Environnement Canada.
De plus, ce n’était pas plus tard qu’en mars 2019 qu’Oka avait donné son consentement à GDB CONSTRUCTION pour construire un développement résidentiel dans les « petites communes ».
Aucune consultation offerte – Un procédé qui déborde de racisme systémique
Lors du la « dite consultation » du 19 octobre, le maire a affirmé que : « Le Processus de ‘consultation’ de ce soir est en lien aussi avec le processus de consultation des membres de la communauté de Kanesatake, parce que on s’entend que les gens de Kanesatake font partis du territoire de Oka, donc Kanesatake fait partie du territoire d’Oka » (voir 27:00 vidéo Youtube ‘Consultation’ Publique Oka).
Ceci a été fait plutôt que de s’engager au préalable avec les Mohawks dans un forum transparent et séparé, tout en sachant délibérément que Kanesatake a un projet de protection de la Pinède sur la table, et ce, avant d’aller rapidement de l’avant avec ce projet. Les circonstances de la soi-disant ‘consultation’ conduisent à une violation de la décision de la Cour Constitutionnelle et Suprême.
La Pinède n’appartient pas à Oka
Lors de la ‘consultation’ sur le projet de règlement touchant la Pinède, le maire a affirmé que les Mohawks de Kanesatake ne devraient pas « venir nous dire dans notre carré de sable quoi faire et quoi ne pas faire ». Le Conseil Mohawk se demande où se trouve le bac à sable municipal, car celui de Kanesatake s’étend sur 260 miles carrés.
Le maire tente délibérément ici d’ignorer que les Mohawks de Kanesatake ont une revendication historique de longue date sur environ 260 miles carrés de terres promises en vertu du traité de 1760. La manière dont la municipalité souhaite faire avancer ce projet est imprégnée de racisme systémique et ne peut être interprétée que comme une autre façon, un déguisement pour déposséder les Mohawks de leur gouvernance des terres.
De plus, pour que les choses se calment, au lieu que le maire rejette le blâme sur les Mohawks pour les tensions, ce dernier devrait plutôt s’abstenir de faire des commentaires incendiaires envers les Mohawks ainsi qu’arrêter de s’engager dans des actions qui menacent les terres et la souveraineté des Mohawks, particulièrement celles qui concernent la Pinède … telle est la leçon que nous aurions tous dû tirer après 1990.
Site patrimonial municipal ou provincial … Même différence …
Lors de la ‘consultation’ du 19 Octobre, le maire a affirmé que le Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake tentait de désinformer ses membres en déclarant que la désignation de la Pinède comme site patrimonial sera municipale et non provinciale. Pourtant, la municipalité devra passer par la Loi Provinciale sur le Patrimoine Culturel afin de citer la Pinède comme site patrimonial de la municipalité … c’est ici un simple jeu de mots pour détourner de l’enjeu réel et évident qu’Oka veut garder le contrôle total de ces terres.
Le « propriétaire » de l’intérêt privé n’appuie pas la motion de la municipalité
Lors de la ‘consultation’, le maire a faussement affirmé que M. Gollin qui détient le titre artificiel sur 2/3 des terres ciblés par le règlement « … est au courant de nos démarches, M. Gollin ne s’est pas opposé, ne s’opposera pas non plus à ce changement de zonage et à ce projet de règlement » (voir 36:50 vidéo Youtube ‘Consultation’ Publique Oka).
Le fait est que M. Gollin est engagé proactivement dans des discussions depuis plus de 2 ans et rencontre toutes les parties concernées incluant divers paliers gouvernementaux afin de comprendre la problématique à portée de main, et a décidé de retirer son titre acheté sur le terrain pour TOUS LES MOHAWKS DE KANESATAKE.
Lorsqu’on lui a demandé si la municipalité révoquerait son projet d’adopter son règlement si le propriétaire privé écrivait à Oka une lettre pour exprimer sa désapprobation du règlement, le maire a répondu de manière évasive à la question (voir pièces jointes pour consulter cette lettre). Il faut également dire que le ‘propriétaire’ privé a récemment vu ses impôts augmenter considérablement sur ces terres, ce qui pourrait être interprété comme un abus de pouvoir et une intention malveillante.
Le maire d’Oka prétend à tort que si le Canada écoutait les Mohawks, ils devraient rendre les clés de l’hôtel de ville et rentrer en Europe par bateau
Voici là un looooooooong saut dans la logique. Le Grand Chef Mohawk Serge Otsi Simon a répété à maintes reprises publiquement que : « Personne ne va nulle part. Nous (les Mohawks) sommes ici, et eux (les non-autochtones) sont ici. Nos chemins sont tressés et nous devons trouver un moyen de travailler ensemble et de vivre en paix ».
De tels commentaires et comportements divulgués par le maire et son conseil municipal de 9 membres non autochtones envers le peuple Mohawk, tout en essayant de s’approprier unilatéralement le patrimoine Mohawk, ne peuvent avoir d’autres impacts que la flambée des tensions dans la région.
De telles manifestations méprisantes et flagrantes ne font qu’attiser le racisme entre nos peuples, laissant beaucoup de gens se sentir frustrés et impuissants face à l’équité et à l’imposition de tels processus. Le peuple Mohawk ainsi que toutes les autres Premières Nations du Canada ont été témoins de cette même histoire encore et encore pendant plus de 300 ans, et pire que tout, cela se reproduit aujourd’hui, en 2020, sur les mêmes terres exactes où la tragédie de 1990 s’est produite.
Le maire déclare qu’ils sont ici depuis 300 ans.
Contrairement à nos 2000 ans + d’occupation dans la région, comme le prouvent les artefacts trouvés dans le parc d’Oka. Le fait est que la paroisse de l’Annonciation n’a été créée qu’après 1874, avant la création d’Oka, en ce sens, la revendication de 300 ans du maire ne tient aucunement la route.
Le maire déclare également qu’à cause de cela, ils ont autant de droits que nous, alors qu’en fait ils n’ont pas entièrement les mêmes droits. S’il existe des droits, ils ont été acquis par des transactions malhonnêtes depuis 1840.
Aucun commentaire raciste lors de la diffusion
Sachant très bien que les commentaires seraient effacés de la vidéo Youtube et du dossier public une fois la ‘consultation’ terminée, le maire a affirmé à plusieurs reprises que des commentaires racistes avaient été faits lors de la séance, ce qui est une autre fausse déclaration et preuve supplémentaire des véritables intentions du maire. Les seuls commentaires empreints de racisme ont été ceux articulés par la maire, alors que la liste de tels commentaires publics venant de sa part ne fait qu’allonger (voir Youtube – ‘Consultation’ publique d’Oka)
Pourquoi tant d’empressement tout à coup ?
Alors pourquoi le maire est-il si pressé de faire avancer ce projet, pendant une pandémie, sans consultation appropriée, alors que les terres sont déjà considérées comme une `aire protégée environnementale’, et ce, seulement après avoir appris que le Conseil Mohawk de Kanesatake était impliqué dans ses propres efforts de protection des terres avec M. Grégoire Gollin dans le but de redresser une injustice historique ?
Dans un esprit de paix et d’amitié,
Niawenhkó:wa
Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon
Trouvez ci-joint certaines des communications que nous avons publiées concernant :
Kanesatake, October 21st 2020 – The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake would like to issue the following statement relating to the Municipality of Oka’s plans to designate the Pines, the same grounds where 1990’s tragic events unfolded, as Oka’s Heritage site.
To begin and for clarity, certain terms must be understood within this press release.
First, the term ‘owner’ when it comes to the disputed titles:
The Mohawk council has always believed that the non-Native title is an artificial purchased title that was imposed on top of the real title of inherent historical occupation of the Mohawk people.
Second, the term ‘consultation’:
The term “consultation” with First Nations must be implemented as per Supreme court directives under Haida or other related legal proceedings as well as sections 35 and 25 of the constitution.
Oka’s Public ‘Consultation’ about unilaterally turning the Pines into a Municipal Heritage Site
On October 19th 2020, the Municipality held what they consider a public ‘consultation’ on their YOUTUBE CHANNEL about a by-law they are proposing that would site the Pines Forest as a municipal heritage site under the Province’s Cultural and Heritage Act.
MCK shares the ‘consultation’ in its full version since the municipality of Oka has seen fit to remove the comments section, where, comments made from both indigenous and non-indigenous people were virtually unilateral in their criticism of Oka’s proposed project.
Many impressive jumps in logic and misinformation were vehiculated by the mayor, as well as many facts and precisions which seemed to be deliberately left out of the conversation, most notable were :
Oka’s ‘noble’ intent
The Municipality claims to be acting in ‘good faith’ to preserve the land, all while not addressing the fact that the Mohawks are presently engaged in an Environmental Protection effort with the owner of the lands and Environment Canada.
Additionally, it was only in March 2019 that Oka had given its consent to GDB CONSTRUCTION to build a residential development within the small commons.
No consultation offered – A process overflowing with systemic racism
During the said ‘consultation’ of October 19th, the mayor asked that: “Tonight’s “ ‘consultation’ process is also linked to the process of “consulting” members of the community of Kanesatake, because we agree that the people of Kanesatake are part of Oka territory, so Kanesatake is part of Oka territory ” (see 27:00 Youtube ‘Consultation’ Publique d’Oka).
This was done rather than first engaging with the Mohawks in a transparent and separate forum, knowing full well that Kanesatake has a Protection project of the Pines on the table, and doing so in a hasty manner during a pandemic. The circumstances of the so-called ‘consultation’ lead to a violation of the decision of the Constitutional and Supreme Court.
The Pines do not belong to Oka
During the ‘consultation’ about the by-law affecting the Pine Forest, the mayor alluded to the fact that the Mohawks of Kanesatake should not “come and tell us in our sandbox what to do and what not to do”. The Mohawk Council wonders where the municipal sandbox is, because the Kanesatake sandbox spans 260 square miles.
The mayor here attempts to deliberately ignore that the Mohawks of Kanesatake have a long-standing historic claim to roughly 260 square miles of land pledged under the 1760 treaty. The way the municipality wants to move this project forward is steeped in systemic racism and can only be interpreted as another way, a disguise to dispossess the Mohawks of their land governance.
In addition, to calm things down, instead of the mayor blaming the Mohawks for the tensions, the mayor should instead refrain from making inflammatory comments towards the Mohawks as well as stop engaging in actions that threaten Mohawk lands and sovereignty, particularly the Pines … this is the lesson we should all have learned after 1990.
Municipal of Provincial Heritage Site … Same Difference
The Mayor claimed on October 19th that the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake was attempting to disinform its members by stating that the designation of the Pines as a Heritage Site will be Municipal and not Provincial. Yet, the municipality will have to go through the Provincial Heritage and Culture Act in order to cite the Pines as a heritage site for the municipality … this is a simple play on words to divert from the real and obvious issue that Oka wants to remain in full control of those lands.
The private interest ‘owner’ is not in support of the municipality’s motion
During the ‘consultation’, the mayor falsely affirmed that Mr. Gollin who holds the artificial title on 2/3 of the land targeted by the by-law “… is aware of our steps, Mr. Gollin did not object, and nor will he oppose either this zoning change or this draft by-law ” (see 36:50 Youtube video ‘Consultation’ Public Oka).
The fact is that Mr. Gollin has been proactively engaged in discussions for more than 2 years and is meeting with all concerned parties including various levels of government in order to understand the issue at hand, and has decided to withdraw his title purchased in the field to ALL KANESATAKE MOHAWKS.
When asked if the municipality would revoke its plan to adopt its by-law if the private owner wrote Oka a letter expressing his disapproval of the by-law, the mayor evasively answered the question (see attachments for this letter). It must also be said that the private owner ’has recently seen its taxes significantly increased on this land, which could be interpreted as abuse of power and malicious intent.
Oka’s mayor falsely claims that if Canada listened to the Mohawk, they would have to give back the City Hall keys and return by boat to Europe
That is one looooooooong jump in logic. The Mohawk Grand Chief Serge Otsi Simon has repeated countless times publicly that “No one is going anywhere. We (Mohawks) are here, and they (Non-indigenous) are here. Our paths are braided and we have to find a way to work together and live in peace”.
Such comments and behaviors being displayed by the mayor and the municipal council of 9 non-indigenous members towards the Mohawk people, all while trying to unilaterally misappropriate Mohawk Heritage will only lead to more tensions.
Such blatant and contemptuous displays only stokes racism between our people, leaving many feeling frustrated and powerless about the fairness and imposition of such processes. The Mohawk people as well as all other First Nations in Canada have witnessed this same story again and again for over 300 years, and worst of all, it is happening again today, in 2020, on the same exact lands where the 1990 tragedy ensued.
The mayor states they’ve been here for 300 years
As opposed to our 2000 years+ occupation in the region, as proved by the artifacts found in Oka park. The fact is, the Parish of L’Annonciation was created only after 1874, before the creation of Oka, in this sense, the mayor’s claim of 300 years makes no sense.
The Mayor also states that because of this they have as much right as we do, when point of fact they do not entirely have the same rights. If any rights exist, they were acquired through dishonest dealings since 1840.
No racist comments during the broadcast
Knowing full well that the comments would be erased from the Youtube video and the public record once the ‘consultation’ was over, the mayor claimed on multiple occasions that there were racist comments being made towards him and the committee, which is another false statement and further proof of the mayor’s true intents. The only racist comments were those articulated by the mayor, which he has a long public record of making them. (see Youtube ‘Oka Public Consultation)
Why the hurry all of a sudden?
So, why is the mayor in such a hurry to push through with this project, during a pandemic, without proper ‘consultation’, when the lands are already considered ‘environmental protected area’, and only after learning that the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake was involved in its own efforts to protect the lands that the mayor set-out to undermine Mr. Grégoire Gollin’s efforts to right a historical injustice?
La présidente Rébecca Kudloo demande un financement supplémentaire pour améliorer les déterminants de la santé des femmes et des filles inuites en plus de mesures axées sur la jeunesse, afin d’augmenter le nombre de fournisseurs de soins de santé inuits.
OTTAWA, 15 octobre 2020 – demain, vendredi, Rebecca Kudloo, présidente de Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, soulignera comment la Loi canadienne sur la santé laisse tomber les femmes et les filles inuites lorsqu’elle participera à une réunion nationale sur le racisme dans le système de soins de santé.
Kudloo présentera également des recommandations pour lutter contre le racisme dont sont victimes les femmes et les enfants inuits dans le système de santé. Elle soulignera également le rôle que joue le racisme systémique dans les déterminants de la santé des femmes inuites, qui mènent à des résultats de santé de beaucoup inférieurs à ceux d’autres femmes au Canada.
Voici les points saillants des recommandations :
— Une augmentation du financement pour veiller à ce que les principes de la Loi canadienne sur la santé, y compris l’accessibilité, l’intégralité et l’universalité, soient respectés pour les femmes et les filles inuites, où qu’elles vivent, et qu’il y ait des ressources en santé durables et suffisantes dans chaque collectivité.
— Une éducation qui intègre la lutte contre le racisme et qui offre une sécurité culturelle, afin que les enfants et les jeunes inuits reçoivent des programmes de sensibilisation aux STIM, que les élèves du secondaire reçoivent des conseils sur la façon de devenir un professionnel de la santé, et qu’ils puissent étudier dans des salles de classe au secondaire et dans des milieux cliniques exempts de racisme et de discrimination.
— Former, recruter, maintenir en poste et encadrer du personnel et des fournisseurs de soins de santé inuit à tous les niveaux du système de santé et créer des milieux de travail et d’apprentissage où le savoir inuit, le leadership et l’esprit d’entreprise sont encouragés.
— Une formation adaptée et appropriée sur le plan culturel pour veiller à ce que tous les étudiants formés pour travailler dans le domaine des soins de santé, ainsi que le personnel de la santé actuel, reçoivent une formation de sensibilisation culturelle sur l’histoire et la culture inuites. Les étudiants et les travailleurs de la santé devraient également recevoir une formation sur la violence basée sur le genre. De plus, ceux qui travaillent dans les collectivités inuites devraient recevoir une formation linguistique en inuktut.
resident Kudloo calls for additional funding to improve health determinants for Inuit women and girls and a focus on youth to increase Inuit health providers
OTTAWA – Rebecca Kudloo, President of Pauktuutit Women of Canada, will highlight how the Canada Health Act is failing Inuit women and girls when she participates in a national meeting to address racism in the healthcare system, tomorrow.
Kudloo will also table recommendations to address racism experienced by Inuit women and children in the healthcare system. In addition, she will highlight the role systemic racism plays in health determinants for Inuit women which lead to poorer health outcomes, relative to other women in Canada.
Highlights of the recommendations include:
‐ Increased funding to ensure the principles of the Canada Health Act ‐‐ including accessibility, comprehensiveness and universality ‐‐ are upheld for Inuit women and girls wherever they live, and that there are sufficient and sustainable health resources in each community.
‐ Ensuring anti‐racism and cultural safety in education so Inuit children and youth receive STEM outreach programs; high school students receive counselling about the path to becoming a health professional; safe and respectful post‐secondary classrooms; as well as clinical settings that are free of racism and discrimination.
‐ Training, recruiting, retaining, and mentoring Inuit staff and healthcare providers at all levels of the health system; as well as creating working and learning environments where Inuit knowledge, leadership and enterprise are valued.
‐ Culturally aware and appropriate training to ensure all students training to work in healthcare, as well as present‐day healthcare staff, receive cultural awareness training regarding Inuit history and culture. Students and healthcare workers should also receive gender‐based violence training and those working in Inuit communities should receive Inuktut language training. ‐ Inuit‐informed delivery of healthcare so that Elders, community leaders, women and youth are involved in the design and delivery of healthcare programs and services for their people and communities.
“For Inuit women and girls, healthcare services fail most of the five basic principles of the Canada Health Act: accessibility, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and public administration,” said Kudloo. “This is important because under the federal legislation, provincial and territorial health insurance programs must conform to the conditions of the legislation to receive federal transfer payments, under the Canada Health Transfer.”
Systemic racism is also a key factor in many of the well‐known determinants of health, including employment, education, justice and income. Racism negatively impacts Inuit students’ success in graduating high school. It also limits their goals for post‐secondary education, including becoming a health professional. In addition, racism contributes to a lack of employment opportunities and the marginalization of Inuit in the workplace, including in well‐paying jobs in the healthcare system.
“The bottom line is that racism experienced before an Inuit woman even seeks healthcare impacts her socioeconomic status which, in turn, negatively impacts the quality of healthcare she receives and her health outcomes,” said Kudloo.
The delivery of healthcare services to Inuit fails the principle of comprehensiveness because clinics in Inuit communities are not equally resourced, with comparable clinics in southern Canada. Nor are Inuit always treated with the same level of diligence, care and compassion as other sick or injured persons visiting an emergency room, seeking help for mental illness and addictions, or receiving treatment for cancer or chronic diseases.
For example, one young boy was misdiagnosed in Iqaluit and prescribed Tylenol. By the time he was properly diagnosed in Montreal, his cancer had progressed too far for his life to be saved. As well, too often when families go south for help, they encounter ignorance and racism from health providers. For example, one Inuk woman learned her son was diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) because the pediatrician mistook his Inuit features of slanted eyes and high cheekbones as evidence of FASD.
The delivery of healthcare for Inuit fails universality because of a lack of equal access across the country to services, especially in remote areas. During the MMIWG inquiry, families testified that the quality of healthcare provided in Inuit Nunangat is poor. Some examples cited: the failure to diagnose a torn ACL, the failure to diagnose tuberculosis, and the failure to diagnose leukemia. Tylenol was so often improperly prescribed to Inuit patients in even dire medical circumstances that it was described as “the smallpox for Inuit”. The delivery of healthcare for Inuit fails the principle of accessibility because necessary healthcare services are not available for Inuit women and girls in their communities. Two major examples of this are the lack of mental health services and the lack of obstetrical services.
