Archive

May 29th, 2008

Forcing First Nations from the land and into cities means less respect for people remaining in remote / rural areas

National Day of Action
May 29th, 2008
March of Solidarity in Sioux Lookout

Nishnawbe-Gamink Friendship Centre and co-host Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee of Sioux Lookout

Community and First Nation’s Organizations standing together in a Spirit of Unity to support a better life for all

Opening Ceremonies: Traditional Songs and Prayer lead by elder Ralph Johnson @ 12 p.m.

Solidarity Walk begins @ 1:00 p.m. at Friendship Centre

King street towards Dingwall Ford Motors

May 28th

First Nation leaders freed by Ontario Court of Appeal for protecting their traditional lands from mining companies

From CTV - Canaidan Press 

Aboriginal protesters freed from jail

May. 28 2008

TORONTO -- Moments after the Ontario Court of Appeal decided he'd served enough time behind bars, the last of seven aboriginal protesters jailed over disputes with mining exploration companies walked out of court saying he planned to stroll barefoot in the grass.

Pikangikum First Nation receiving $1.25 million from Ontario to build a community centre

A correction to the Ontario government press release from Lyle Keeper  

Supporting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for Canada's respect for human rights

Arthur Manuel articulates the importance of the Olympics to any country and their position on human rights. The Harper government's position on Indigenous human rights is demonstrated by their refusal to  support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

----- Original Message -----
From: Arthur Manuel 
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 1:54 AM
Subject: FW: 2010 Resistance! Meeting

Dear Friends:

Canada’s Human Rights Record is on the Table. 

May 27th

Harper government negotiating new international digital material copyright laws in secret

From Canwest News Service

Copyright deal could toughen rules governing info on iPods, computers

Vito Pilieci, Monday, May 26, 2008

OTTAWA - The federal government is secretly negotiating an agreement to revamp international copyright laws which could make the information on Canadian iPods, laptop computers or other personal electronic devices illegal and greatly increase the difficulty of travelling with such devices.

May 26th

National Day of Healing and Reconciliation ceremonies across Canada recognizing residential schools survivors

From the "About NDHR" (National Day of Healing and Reconciliation) web site  

Mission Statement

National Day of Healing and Reconciliation is a movement of people committed to moving forward collectively within our families, communities, and across Canada for the purposes of healing and reconciliation.
 
Objectives:

Fundraising for ceremonies and protest, a steadfast First Nation chief and a letter from an international environment group

The following e-mail appealing for funds for the Queen's Park camp organizing committee; the Canadian Press article concerning Chief's Donnie Morris' position on Ontario's free entry for mining law; and the press release concerning the letter to Ontario from Robert Kennedy, Jr, indicate growing support for First Nations and the May 29 National Day of Action where all Canadians can come together to demand equal treatment for First Nations across this country.

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Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2008

May 25th

Research Chair in Aboriginal and Rural Health established at Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Ontario press release ... 

McGuinty Government Invests In New Research Chair At Northern Medical School

May 23, 2008

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is teaming up with the province and the Heart and Stroke Foundation to improve the health of Aboriginal people and rural residents.

The government and the Foundation will each invest $1.5 million to establish an endowed Chair in Aboriginal and Rural Health at the school.

"It's all about the kids" - National Day of Action highlights inadequate gov't programs and services

The book review of Marie Wadden's "Where the Pavement Ends" follows this article and provides another context for the National Day of Action efforts on the part of First Nations and their organizations to help Canadians understand the importance of strategically investing in the children, their families and their communities.

From Saskatoon Star Phoenix

Residential School story - "I just can't seem to get back what they took" - Curve Lake First Nation

From the Peterborough Examiner

Plucked from his family in Curve Lake, artist Freddy Taylor endured life in a residential school

GALEN EAGLE - May 24. 2008

Freddy Taylor barely looks up from painting when asked about the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a forthcoming apology from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.