Barack Obama's election speech "sending positive smoke signals" to the world
First Nation’s Response to Obama’s Victory - SENDING POSITIVE SMOKE SIGNALS
For years, Aboriginal member Richard Ogima, host of NishTv.com, lived in defeat and shame about his own reddish-brown skin. He had believed in the many lies people had told him all throughout his life; that, in order to have total success, he must be born into a specific people group.
Many years later, Richard stepped out and began to study what makes success and to learn why certain people in the world are able to achieve more success than others. It was through this journey that he discovered the power of positive thinking. The negative ideas that were planted deep within his mind were up rooted and destroyed. Because of this, he began to experience victory in over-coming alcoholism, smoking, and obtaining his high school diploma.
“The election of Obama is much more than just electing a President, it is the breaking up of a mind that is filled with doubt, it is the smashing down of negative strong holds that say we can’t go the distance because of the skin we are in.” Richard says.
For Richard, Obama is a symbol of hope, victory and achievement for all people of brown skin.
“When Obama mention the North American Indian’s in his victory speech, increased excitement came over me. Just to see Obama win the election was enough for me, but when he mentioned our people in his victory speech, I was overwhelmed with tears of excitement” said Richard.
Richard hopes that others from the Aboriginal community will benefit from the Obama victory.
“I think a lot of people need to see this type of success in order to move forward. This victory gives us a boost of confidence towards achieving educational goals, overcoming addictions and following our dreams. What can stop us now?”
To hear more from Richard Ogima, visit www.nishtv.com and listen to his motivational video called Sending Positive Smoke Signals.
++++++++++++
NAN press release ...
NAN Grand Chief says historic U.S. election sends message of hope
THUNDER BAY, ON, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy says the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States sends a message of hope to people around the world.
"Senator Obama's historic win sends a message to the world that by living in a democracy with unlimited opportunity, anyone can grow to become anything they want to be. What happened in America Tuesday night will have a ripple effect around the world," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "The election of the first African-American president was immediately felt across NAN, and has brought a sense of hope and confidence to the people of Nishnawbe Aski that a better future will dawn for all people."
Obama, a Democratic senator from Illinois, won a decisive victory over Republican Senator John McCain in the November 4 presidential election, winning both the Electoral College tally and the popular vote.
Beardy said Obama's election shows how far African-Americans have come in their struggle against discrimination, intolerance and injustice, and shows that people of different races are able to overcome their differences to work for a better future for their children. Beardy is hopeful that Nishnawbe Aski Nation can make progress with the Government of Canada to implement rights for First Nations guaranteed under Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution.
"By electing the first African-American president the people of the United States are showing the world it is possible to close a dark chapter of history and move beyond racial and cultural divides. This is a great message for Canada - that our differences can become our strengths when we unite to work for a better tomorrow," said Beardy. "NAN is ready to move forward with government-to-government relationships that will lay the foundation for a strong, healthy, and prosperous future for all Canadians."
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities within James Bay Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 territory - an area covering two-thirds of the province of Ontario.
-30-
/For further information: Michael Heintzman, Media Relations Officer - Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4906/
++++++++++++
AFN press release ...
AFN National Chief Congratulates President-Elect Barack Obama
OTTAWA, Nov. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine today offered his congratulations to U.S. President-Elect Barack Obama.
"I want to offer my sincere congratulations to President-Elect Obama on his victory last night," said National Chief Fontaine. "Canada and the United States are closely connected and share many common issues and values. What happens in the United States affects us here. In recognition of this, the Assembly of First Nations often works closely with the National Congress of American Indians on common issues facing Native Americans in the US and First Nations in Canada."
"For this reason, we are pleased to note that the President-Elect has put forward a progressive and positive approach for Native American peoples, an approach that earned him the endorsement of many Native American people and organizations. President-Elect Obama speaks of justice, reconciliation and a real 'nation-to-nation' relationship between the federal government and the First Peoples. This is, in fact, what First Nations in Canada are seeking and we hope that his leadership, influence and example will help move the Canadian government into a new era of fairness and justice for First Nations.
In turn, I respectfully urge the President-Elect to reconsider his nation's rejection of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Ratifying the agreement will send a strong signal to Indigenous peoples around the globe and the Canadian government - who also refuse to endorse it - that we are indeed in a new era of hope and opportunity.
Canada offered a new hope to First Nations with its apology for the residential schools. We must complete this work of reconciliation. We must seize this momentum of hope and change that is taking hold across the land and commit ourselves to justice and fairness for First Nations. As we witnessed last night with Barack Obama's victory, we can achieve what was once thought impossible."
The Assembly of First Nations in the national organization representing First Nations in Canada.
-30-
/For further information: Karyn Pugliese, A/Communications Director, Assembly of First Nations, (613) 292-1877, kpugliese@afn.ca/