#humans are canadian

[jpitha]

The story grew in the telling.

After humanity made contact with the K'laxi and the other sapients in the galaxy, humans sought to find their place. Their world was harsher, heavier, more dangerous than most everyone else's but that doesn't mean that the humans were. Most humans the other sapients met were kind, understanding, helpful people, ready to lend a hand and defend their friends.

And there was Gord.

He said his name was Gord Beaverbrook, captain of the Medicine Hat, and he came from Manyberries Alberta, Canada, Earth. If that was his real name or real place of birth, nobody knew. After he came with his wares, nobody really cared to follow up.

Humanity was in space for a long time before they met the other sapients in the galaxy. As far as anyone could tell the Hat was there nearly from the beginning. A small, dense ship, the Hat had a massive flywheel in the center to help orient it while coasting through space. Lightly armed and over engined, the Hat was a ship from another era. Covered in patches, makeshift repairs, and painted a vermillion red it was easy to recognize.

You see, when Gord learned that the other sapients of the galaxy had a hard time with most human foods, he dug deeper and learned that glucose and it's relatives - sugar - is fine for most of them. Above all that, what they craved the most was flavor. Being from a country on Earth known for making a particular glucose suspension made from the reduced circulatory fluid of some kinds of Earth flora, Gord saw an opportunity.

Gord and the Medicine Hat became Mapleleggers.

They'd link into a system through their suspiciously overpowered wormhole generator - they never used the warp gates other folks used - land quietly, offload liters and liters of "Montreal Molasses" take payment in cash, or kind (Gord always offered a discount for hockey memorabilia) and would take off and scoot to orbit and out of the system before customs could catch them. Sometimes, the hat would have to drop a cloud of oily blue smoke to throw customs off their trail, but they always got away, laughing.

As more folks learned about Gord and the Hat, the tale grew in the telling.

Some said that the Medicine Hat demanded Cheezies and Timbits long after anyone in space knew what they were. Gord would tell folks not to worry, he'd pick up some when he was "back in Lethbridge."

Some said that the crew of the Medicine Hat wore plaid flannel that was color coded to their role, though nobody ever saw anyone other than Gord.

Some even said that the Hat had a cigarette vending machine onboard.

You tell me that this whole story is nothing but a human tall tale. You tell me that Gord never existed and the Hat is nothing but a legend.

I ask you: Just what is it you're putting on those pancakes there? eh?

[allthecanadianpolitics]

The Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) is permanently ceasing operations, Concordia University confirmed last Friday. In a notice published on its website, the university blamed “budgetary constraints” for the decision. “We extend our sincere gratitude to all faculty, staff, students and partners who dedicated themselves to advancing MIGS’ mission over the years,” the university wrote. The institute was long considered one of Canada’s leading think tanks, working to develop better policies to protect human rights.

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @newsfromstolenland

[the-eyespy]

🇵🇸🇨🇦 The vandalism of a landmark Palestinian flag street art in Montreal by Zionists is a despicable act. However, the resilience of Palestinian youth, who are restoring it to its former glory, is inspiring. This reaffirms the unwavering commitment to the cause of a Free Palestine.

[mysharona1987]

[lovesitcomsandgaystuffs]

[teaboot]

How do Canadian schools teach about indigenous Canadian history and culture? -a curious USAmerican

In my experience we learned about colonization at the same time as we learned about the formation of Canada. At first it was "European settlers came and pushed out the indigenous population", then in the higher grades we learned more about the how and the why.

For example, how carts full of men with rifles would ride around shooting Buffalo, then leaving the meat on the ground to rot, because "a dead Buffalo is a dead indian", which was so fanatical it almost wiped out wild Buffalo entirely

Also how Canadian settlers were lured in with beautiful hand-painted advertisements for cheap, beautiful, fertile land that was unpopulated and perfect, if only you'd sail over with your entire family and a pocket full of seeds- only to be met with scared, confused, and angry lawful inhabitants already run out of ten other places, and frigid winters, and rocky, forested, undeveloped dirt.

also, smallpox blankets, where "gifts" of blankets infected with smallpox were intentionally given out

And treaty violations- Either ignoring written agreements entirely, or buying them out at insanely low prices and lying about the value, or trading for farming equipment that they couldn't use because they weren't farmers.

Then in the first world war, where they told indigenous peoples here that they'd be granted Canadian citizenship if they enlisted

To Residential schools, which was straight up stealing kids for slavery, indoctrination, and medical experiments

But we also covered the building of the Canadian Railway in which Chinese immigrants were lowered into ravines with dynamite to blow out paths through the mountain for pennies on the dollar

And the Alberta Sterilization Act, where it was lawful and routine procedure to sterilize women of colour and neurodivergent people without their awareness or consent after giving birth or undergoing unrelated surgeries

But I'm rambling.

We kind of learned Aboriginal history at the same time as everything else? Like. This is when Canada was made, and this is how it was done. Now we'll read a book about someone who lived through it, and we'll write a book report. And now a documentary, and now a paper about the documentary. Onto the next unit.

And starting I think in grade 10 our English track was split between English and Aboriginals English, where you could choose to do the standard curriculum or do the same basic knowledge stuff with a focus on Aboriginal perspectives and literature. (I did that one, we read Three Day's Road and Diary Of A Part-Time Indian, and a few other titles I don't remember.)

There was also a lunch room for the Aboriginal Culture Studies where Aboriginal kids could hang out at lunch time if they wanted, full of art and projects and stuff. They'd play music or videos sometimes, that was cool

And one elective I took (not mandatory cirriculum) was a Kwakiutl course for basic Kwakwakaʼwakw language. Greetings, counting to a hundred, learning the modified alphabet, animals, etc. Still comes in handy sometimes at large gatherings cause they usually start with a land recognition thanking whoever's land we're on, with a few thanks and welcomes in their language.

And like- when I was in the US it was so weird, cause here we have Totem poles and longhouses and murals all over and yall... don't? Like there is a very distinct lack of Aboriginal art in your public spaces, at least in the areas I've been

My ex-stepfather, who was American, brought his son out once, and he was so excited to "see real indians" and was legitimately shocked to learn that there weren't many teepees to be found on the northwest coast, and was even *more* shocked when we told him that you have Aboriginal people back home too, bud. Your Aboriginal people are also named "Mike" snd "Vicky" and work as assistant manager at best buy.

If you'd ask me, I'd say that the primary difference is that USAmerica (from what I've seen, and ALSO in entirely too much of Canada) treats our European and Aboriginal conflicts as history, something that's tragic but over, like the extinction of the mammoths, instead of like. An ongoing thing involving people who are alive and numerous and right fucking here

But at the end of the day, I'm white, and there are plenty of actual Aboriginal people who are speaking out and saying much more meaningful things than I can

So I'm just gonna pass on a quote from my Stepmum, who's Cree, that's stuck with me since she said it:

"You see how they treat Mexicans in America? That's how they treat us here. Indians are the Mexicans of Canada."

[liminalweirdo]

In today's update of Canada Loves Eugenics, 10,064 people died in 2021 through medically assisted death in Canada, and while MAID supposedly exists to allow people with severe, incurable illnesses to die with dignity on their own terms, MAID is generally used because disabled and mentally ill people cannot access governmental assistance and are living in poverty.

The Canadian government is actively pushing poor, disabled people to death.

oh and by the way, Canada performs more organ transplants from MAID donors than any other country in the world.

"Six disability rights and religious advocates told Reuters that the pace of the planned changes to the assisted death framework in Canada brings additional risks of people opting for MAID because they are unable to access social services - the lack of which could exacerbate their suffering." - source

Anyway, it's basically like this: the USA has the Americans with Disabilities Act and Canada has MAID

[artobotsrollout]

Because of the bullshit happening in Alberta Canada right now by Danielle Smith that's going to be harmful to Trans youth, I figured now is a good time to remind everyone that this blog is LGBTQIA2S+ friendly. I am also bisexual myself. Trans rights are human rights. If you have a problem with any of that then please leave.

If you live in Alberta Canada PLEASE check out this site for more info and sign this petition.

[andrumedus]

Truth is, I want you to be safe, want you to sleep so I can sleep.

Sam Cheuk, Postscripts from a City Burning; “11/06/19 (2)”

[jpitha]

Hidden Depths

Deep inside the maintenance tunnels and forgotten alcoves of the joint Human/K'laxi starbase someone skulks.

People often forget that the Starbase was made up of a K'laxi research station, the Starjumper Picaresque and more than a century of ad hoc additions, relocations and changes.

In all that time, something was bound to be forgotten about.

The person walks nonchalantly, whistling a tune long forgotten by most sapient beings. They aren't in a hurry. Strolling down an empty corridor, someone watching could see an overlay flashing orange in their eyes if you knew where to look. They're searching for something.

The air is still and old. There's enough oxygen for the time being, but even if there isn't, or the gas mixture changes, it doesn't really matter.

Right down this hall, then left down what looks like it used to be a main corridor, but on it's side, they look up. A Pressure Door is in the ceiling. Originally it was a wall based on where the panel to open it is. Sighing heavily, they look around for a way up.

There, to the left, those vents look sturdy enough. They use them like a makeshift ladder and climb to the ceiling. If they stretch, they can just slap a small box on the panel. It clicks and whirrs for a second and then with no fanfare at all, the pressure door opens.

Now what?

In one fluid motion, they let go of the vent, then use gravity to help load their legs and they spring towards the open door. Grasping the seals with their hands they hang for just a moment, meters over the corridor.

With surprising strength, they haul themselves through the door, and slap the close button behind them. If someone else was listening carefully, they might have heard a whine of servos when they hauled themselves up. Maybe not though.

The door slides shut silently. and they stand on the door, now the floor of the next room.

It's pitch black. They turn on a light that is built into the red hat on their head and a sharp beam of white light illuminates the room.

it's on it's side. The being is standing on what used to be the walls. But, in the middle of the wall opposite them, what used the be the floor is a chair.

It's a command chair from a Starjumper. The Picaresque's command chair.

Walking along the wall, they approach the chair and examine it. It seems to be in good shape. Dusty, but not damp or damaged or burnt. They whistle a low note of surprise.

They touch the headset on their ears.

"Yeah. I found it...No, it's all here...What do you mean "How do I know?" It's a chair! It's not missing parts or pieces and it hasn't been touched in more than a century...is it connected to the grid? Of course not. Nobody has been out this way since Picaresque was broken down."

As if to prove the point Gord touches the panel on the right armrest of the command chair and immediately it lights up.

"Shit! Okay, maybe it is connected. FINE...Stop Hat, you know I can't understand you when you get excited. Yes, it might be connected, but it can't be doing anything."

There was a trilling in his headset. Gord froze.

The trilling continued. Someone was calling him.

He took a deep breath, held it for a beat and let it out, and touched his headset again.

"You got Gord! What can I do ya for?"

A voice talked to Gord for only a minute. Gord said nothing.

Slowly, Gord reached up and with shaking hands, ended the call on his headset. He took it off, and sat down heavily on the wall/floor.

Thundering footsteps were heard on the other side of the pressure door in the wall/floor of the room he was in. Voices shouted in the empty

"The Sapient who currently goes by Gordon Beaverbroook! Where are you? Starbase has narrowed your location to this area. Show yourself and you shall be allowed to leave freely! If we have to find you, you will be remanded into custody."

Gord looked down at the pressure door. It would be so easy. Open the door, drop down, affect a disarming smile, get taken into custody, yada yada what are you doing, you're banned from this Starbase, and the horse you rode in on. Gretzky knows he's been though that plenty of times. Usually he only has to avoid the place for 50 years before everyone who cares has retired or died.

But.

He was asked very pointedly to get something.

And just now, someone else has made him another offer.

And they used his original name.

Part 2

[allthecanadianpolitics]

As Palestinians in Gaza seeking to escape the Israel-Hamas war begin applying to come here through a special immigration program, immigration lawyers say Ottawa is asking for an unprecedented level of personal information from prospective migrants. "It's strikingly different than what is ordinarily required for a visitor visa application," said immigration lawyer Pantea Jafari. "[The federal government] is asking for significantly more information than any of those applications, and even more than any permanent resident's application." This week, the federal government launched a new program to permit up to 1,000 Palestinians who are extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to apply to come to Canada and stay for three years if their families can support them financially.

Continue Reading

Tagging @politicsofcanada

[trilliath]

It's a lot, sometimes. When you finish a story, a show or book or fic or whatever, that is one of those ones in your heart that's like. Real. Real, not in a "i'm out of touch with reality and can't separate it from fiction" sort of way but in a "it doesn't really matter that the material is fictional, I was subsumed enough in it that I felt deeply - and my emotions, my love for these characters, my experience and memory of these events in their story, are still real regardless" sort of way.

And like. The tragedy of it is that in the end, you are alone in it, in the grief of the story itself, or the ending of it, because they're not real. The people you shared the experience of the story with are not real, and so you have nobody to feel that with but your own mind.

Hell of a thing.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

That is some straight up fuckin' DEVILRY right there.

Mrs. Desmond was fined for defrauding the Federal Government of one cent, the difference in the Amusement tax on an upstairs ticket of two cents and a downstairs ticket of three cents.

[dontforgetukraine]

Valentina Kuryliw’s latest book on human rights and the Holodomor titled "The Historian’s Craft Lesson on Human Rights and the Holodomor" will be available for free until the end of November on the Ukrainian World Congress' website. The PDF is available in both English and Ukrainian as well as an English powerpoint.

The book offers innovative methods for teaching high school students about the Holodomor and human rights, using a variety of historical sources and interactive tasks.  In the book, students take on the role of “young detectives,” investigating, analyzing, and synthesizing the information provided during the lesson. This approach promotes student engagement in the learning process, develops critical and historical thinking skills, helps express thoughts and ideas clearly, and encourages further exploration of the topic. In this lesson plan, teachers become facilitators in dialogue with students to help them arrive at their own conclusions, according to Kuryliw’s description.

[enbycrip]

Another enormous and ongoing factor in “Canada is not a human rights paradise”; MAiD.

Canada legalised “medically assisted death” and what literally every disability rights group said would happen immediately proceeded to happen; they started offering it instead of care to disabled people.

Far from being limited to terminally ill people in intense pain, which is what they spoke about when pushing the policy, it’s now routinely offered to disabled and chronically ill people who are suffering *because they are living in poverty* and *unable to access the pretty basic care and assistance that would be needed for a decent quality of life.” They are currently expanding the programme to include mentally ill people because of course they are.

I know disabled and chronically ill Canadians who are living in tremendous poverty - like, crowdfunding food and heating in *Canadian winters* poverty - who speak continuously about the fact that every time they seek any form of government or public assistance, all they get is offered “assisted suicide.”

There is literally no way this is anything other than eugenicist genocide of disabled people. And no one seems to give a shit other than disabled people, because abled people *continuously* seem to believe that death is preferable to disability. They continuously and massively overestimate the suffering involved in, say, incontinence.

[theartisticcrow]

No fucking the Canadian government is trying to make "thoughtcrime" an actual crime.

If you live in Canada, you can oppose the bill here. Otherwise, I suggest posting about it because the system sucks and our government is actively working against us. There was a lot of talk when KOSA was a big concern, but I've seen little to no talk when similar bills are in the middle of being proposed in other countries