#indigenous politics

[allthecanadianpolitics]

The federal government is set to formally apologize to Dakota and Lakota Nations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan on Monday for historically recognizing them as refugees, a label that one chief says turned them into "second-class First Nation citizens."

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree will give a formal apology on behalf of the federal government to nine Dakota and Lakota Nations during a ceremony in Whitecap Dakota Nation, Sask., on Monday.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan says it's a long overdue apology for designating the Dakota and Lakota as "refugees."

"There's several generations and grandparents and others that have endured a lifetime of living with this label.… It's unfortunate that they're not around to hear the apology," he said. "Having the label taken off us is going to be good news." [...]

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Tagging: @newsfromstolenland

[allthegeopolitics]

A fight for Maori rights drew 42,000 protesters to the New Zealand Parliament in the capital Wellington on Tuesday. A nine-day-long hikoi, or peaceful march – a tradition of the Maori – was undertaken in protest against a bill that seeks to reinterpret the country’s 184-year-old founding Treaty of Waitangi, which was signed between British colonisers and the Indigenous Maori people. Some had also been peacefully demonstrating outside the Parliament building for nine days before the protest concluded on Tuesday. On November 14, the controversial Treaty Principles Bill was introduced in Parliament for a preliminary vote. Maori parliamentarians staged a haka (a Maori ceremonial dance) to disrupt the vote, temporarily halting parliamentary proceedings. [...]

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[chwiirleader]

A Eulogy to the Métis Nation of Canada

Métis Nation of BC (MNBC) has now formally withdrawn from the Métis Nation of Canada(MNC), following in the footsteps of Manitoba Métis Federation(MMF) and Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MNS). Here is a bit of background on what's going on.

MNC was seen as a dead end after MMF and MMS left. The remainder of MNC stopped being viable because Métis Nation of Alberta/MNA held disproportionate power in over the others. So Métis Nation of British Columbia/MNBC elected to pull out and negotiate directly rather than through an organization they would have minimal power to negotiate in. This is my understanding of the reasoning behind MNBC's departure from MNC.

As part of this divide and conquer strategy, MMF is getting a treaty, which is great, but my concern is that this appears to be being done by closing the door on other settlements citizenship pathways. It is currently challenging to register with MMF if you live outside of Manitoba for example. I’m hearing reports this either has somewhat begun to change (it was impossible previously)  or is headed towards being changed but at present Métis people are told to register with their province/territory of residence which creates a conflict.

Currently I am aware Métis citizens applying from outside of district have faced friction in getting applications submitted as the process doesn’t even have an option for those currently living outside of Manitoba. This certainly creates the impression that you need to live in the homeland in order to be a citizen, which seems like a very flawed approach to a kinship network based citizenship system where many of us live outside of our traditional territories for work, family etc. This feels a bit like an attempt to force us back to reserve.

There are also reports of severe issues of nepotism and lack of democratic process in MMF which has the rest of us concerned about how they will act when they hold more power than the other nations. .

It was believed that bowing out of MMC was the best of two bad choices, though only time will tell if it was the right choice, being independent for the moment leaves us room to join in a new national movement/representation system if such an opportunity arises. In the meantime, MMF being in charge of rights negotiations for all Métis people sounds like a path towards exclusion for a majority of Métis people and less accountability. This has me concerned.

MNBC has also made many mistakes. Probably more than I am aware of. Locally a previous generation of elected officials made some major tensions with the local First Nations by being very disrespectful, a rift that’s been challenging to heal. Métis Nation of Ontario/MNO was a lost cause and has continued down this path of disrespect which I think is the fundamental reason these cracks began to show so blatantly. MNBC and the other Métis Nations have increasingly distanced themselves from MNO mostly due to this and the shared impression that their citizenship requirements are too lax. Our rights cannot come at the expense of the local land holding nations, which is exactly how the federal and provincial governments like to position the debates.

My concern is that this is being used to close the door to those from Métis settlements outside of the red river valley. My family has both in our past with family from the Red River Valley, Paperchase Reservation and Lac St Anne as well as deeper roots further east in Haudenosaunee and Anashinabeg kinship networks so it’s disturbing to see the other clearly indigenous part of our heritage essentially put out to drift even when it won’t impact my own citizenship significantly.

In general I think settled treaties are being used to close the door on new treaties to try to “wrap up” the reconciliation process from the federal government's viewpoint. This feels like a divide and conquer strategy and disturbs me greatly that so many of us appear to be adding fuel to this fire.

It’s a troubling time to be Métis, I’m very curious to see what developments occur over this next year. This is disappointing in BC for 2SLGBTQQIA+ folx because we just had our bill for representation at the provincial level approved a couple of months ago and now the future of MNBC is uncertain. I’m not sure we will get the same kind of respect and consideration outside of the current framework.

This all being in the backdrop of an anti-incumbent and anti-2SLGBTQQIA+ wave has be extremely concerned for the well-being of my people.

My efforts will continue to be towards building community locally by creating reasons and excuses for us to meet up and hang out as Métis people. At the end of the day, its the community and people that matter and no amount of legislative change will make us stop being proud to be Métis.

Please note that I am speaking as a citizen, not in my capacity as a local chapter’s elected 2S rep. I listened to the debates and gave feedback through our rep (mostly that we needed more time to consult our citizens) but I had no direct vote in this decision.

[indio-politics]

If your response to a Native begging you not to vote and further harm our people is “well then who do I vote for” “xyz is dangerous” *defends Biden, a notorious white supremacist* *defends any non Trump candidate that is notoriously racist* *weaponizes our own oppression to gaslight us* you are not an ally, you never were. You are as anti-indigenous as everyone else.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Each of the more than 630 First Nations represented by the AFN is entitled to send its chief, or an approved proxy, to the Special Chiefs Meeting to vote on resolutions on their nation’s behalf.

An emergency resolution advocating for a permanent ceasefire in Israel and Palestine, which recognizes the Palestinians as an Indigenous People under international law, passed unanimously. [...]

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[dogfishmonger]

do not forget about reservations.

do not forget about the people on reservations.

when you are making and reading posts about dire predictions for quality of life, do not forget about reservations.

we already have issues accessing clean water. we already experience devastation from climate change. we are already going missing for our race. we are already being murdered for our culture.

it will only get worse.

it’s possible to live through. every single person indigenous to north america has a chance to live through this. i’m not trying to fear monger; i’m trying to remind you.

please do not forget about us when you assure people that “everything will be okay; people are living under far worse circumstances in other countries”.

people are living under far worse circumstances here. and it can get worse. and it will get worse. and we need you to remember that we’re here when it happens.

[reasonsforhope]

"In a historic “first-of-its-kind” agreement the government of British Colombia has acknowledged the aboriginal ownership of 200 islands off the west coast of Canada.

The owners are the Haida nation, and rather than the Canadian government giving something to a First Nation, the agreement admits that the “Xhaaidlagha Gwaayaai” or the “islands at the end of world,” always belonged to them, a subtle yet powerful difference in the wording of First Nations negotiating.

BC Premier David Eby called the treaty “long overdue” and once signed, will clear the way for half a million hectares (1.3 million acres) of land to be managed by the Haida.

Postal service, shipping lanes, school and community services, private property rights, and local government jurisdiction, will all be unaffected by the agreement, which will essentially outline that the Haida decide what to do with the 200 or so islands and islets.

“We could be facing each other in a courtroom, we could have been fighting each other for years and years, but we chose a different path,” said Minister of Indigenous Relations of BC, Murray Rankin at the signing ceremony, who added that it took creativity and courage to “create a better world for our children.”

Indeed, making the agreement outside the courts of the formal treaty process reflects a vastly different way of negotiating than has been the norm for Canada.

“This agreement won’t only raise all boats here on Haida Gwaii – increase opportunity and prosperity for the Haida people and for the whole community and for the whole province – but it will also be an example and another way for nations – not just in British Columbia, but right across Canada – to have their title recognized,” said Eby.

In other words, by deciding this outside court, Eby and the province of BC hope to set a new standard for how such land title agreements are struck."

-via Good News Network, April 18, 2024

[batboyblog]

Things the Biden-Harris Administration Did This Week #39

October 18-25 2024.

President Biden issued the first presidential apology on behalf of the federal government to America's Native American population for the Indian boarding school policy. For 150 years the federal government operated a system of schools which aimed to destroy Native culture through the forced assimilation of native children. At these schools students faced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and close to 1,000 died. The Biden-Harris Administration has been historic for Native and Tribal rights. From the appointment of the first ever Native American cabinet member, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, to the investment of $46 billion dollars on tribal land, to 200 new co-stewardship agreements. The last 4 years have seen a historic investment in and expansion of tribal rights.

The Biden-Harris Administration proposed a new rule which would make contraceptive medication (the pill) free over the counter with most Insurance. The new rule would ban cost sharing for contraception products, including the pill, condoms, and emergency contraception. On top of over the counter medications, the new rule will also strength protections for prescribed contraception without cost sharing as well.

The EPA announced its finalized rule strengthening standards for lead paint dust in pre-1978 housing and child care facilities. There is no safe level of exposure to lead particularly for children who can suffer long term developmental consequences from lead exposure. The new standards set the lowest level of lead particle that can be identified by a lab as the standard for lead abatement. It's estimated 31 million homes built before the ban on lead paint in 1978 have lead paint and 3.8 million of those have one or more children under the age of 6. The new rule will mean 1.2 million fewer people, including over 300,000 children will not be exposed to lead particles every year. This comes after the Biden-Harris Administration announced its goal to remove and replace all lead pipes in America by the end of the decade.

The Department of Transportation announced a $50 million dollar fine against American Airlines for its treatment of disabled passengers and their wheelchairs. The fine stems from a number of incidences of humiliating and unfair treatment of passages between 2019 and 2023, as well as video documented evidence of mishandling wheelchairs and damaging them. Half the fine will go to replacing such damaged wheelchairs. The Biden administration has leveled a historic number of fines against the airlines ($225 million) for their failures. It also published a Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, passed a new rule accessible lavatories on aircraft, and is working on a rule to require airlines to replace lost or damaged wheelchairs with equal equipment at once.

The Department of Energy announced $430 million dollars to help boost domestic clean energy manufacturing in former coal communities. This invests in projects in 15 different communities, in places like Texas, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Michigan. The plan will bring about 1,900 new jobs in communities struggling with the loss of coal. Projects include making insulation out of recycled cardboard, low carbon cement production, and industrial fiber hemp processing.

The Department of Transportation announced $4.2 billion in new infrastructure investment. The money will go to 44 projects across the country. For example the MBTA will get $400 million to replace the 92 year old Draw 1 bridge and renovate North Station.

The Department of Transportation announced nearly $200 million to replace aging natural gas pipes. Leaking gas lines represent a serious public health risk and also cost costumers. Planned replacements in Georgia and North Carolina for example will save the average costumer there over $900 on their gas bill a year. Replacing leaking lines will also remove 1,000 metric tons of methane pollution, annually.

The Department of the Interior announced $244 million to address legacy pollution in Pennsylvania coal country. This comes on top of $400 million invested earlier this year. This investment will help close dangerous mine shafts, reclaim unstable slopes, improve water quality by treating acid mine drainage, and restore water supplies damaged by mining.

Data shows that President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act (passed with Vice-President Harris' tie breaking vote) has saved seniors $1 billion dollars on out-of-pocket drug costs. Seniors with certain high priced drugs saw their yearly out of pocket costs capped at $3,500 for 2024. In 2024 all seniors using Medicare Part D will see their out of pocket costs capped at $2,000 for the year. It's estimated if the $2,000 cap had been in effect this year 4.6 million seniors would have hit it by June and not have had to pay any more for medication for the rest of the year.

The Department of Education announced a new proposed rule to bring student debt relief for 8 million struggling borrowers. The Biden-Harris Administration has managed despite road blocks from Republicans in Congress, the courts and law suits from Republican states to bring student loan forgiveness to 5 million Americans so far through different programs. This latest rule would take into account many financial hardships faced by people to determine if they qualify to have their student loans forgiven. The final rule cannot be finalized before 2025 meaning its fate will be decided at the election.

The Department of Agriculture announced $1.5 billion in 92 partner-driven conservation projects. These projects aim at making farming more susceptible and environmental friendly, 16 projects are about water conservation in the West, 6 support use of innovative technologies to reduce enteric methane emissions in livestock. $100 million has been earmarked for Tribal-led projects.

[hope-for-the-planet]

Under what legal experts called a “historic” settlement, announced on Thursday, Hawaii officials will release a roadmap “to fully decarbonize the state’s transportation systems, taking all actions necessary to achieve zero emissions no later than 2045 for ground transportation, sea and inter-island air transportation”, Andrea Rodgers, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the case, said at a press conference with the governor.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Two decades of boil water advisories are over for Hiawatha First Nation after the completion of the first phase of the community’s new water treatment plant and distribution system.

A grand opening was held earlier this week for the new plant and system situation in the First Nation located 30 kilometres south of Peterborough. Chief Laurie Carr says the system is a symbol of change for the community which has long advocated for better long-term solutions for boil-water advisories across Canada.

“We are thrilled to have finally reached the final stages of this first phase of the Hiawatha First Nation Water Systems project,” said Carr.

“The new facility provides one-third of our community with safe and clean drinking water, ending years of boil water advisories for these citizens. This achievement brings us great joy and marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to the well-being of our residents.”

The water treatment plant on Hiawatha Line features a centralized treatment unit, officer and garage buildings and a distribution system serving along 42 homes Hiawatha Line, Lakeshore Road and parts of Paudash Street. Approximately 130 homes still need to be hooked up to the new system. [...]

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Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[dduane]

Going forward, the new Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will be managed in partnership with tribes and Indigenous groups in the area, who will advise the federal government. It marks a growing movement under the Biden administration to give tribes a say over the lands and waters that were taken from them. “We’re still here, and so are the Indigenous people wherever you live,” says Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, who led the campaign for the sanctuary. “Being able to address climate change, use traditional ecological knowledge, and participate in co-management is Indigenous peoples’ contribution to saving the planet.”

[jeannereames]

THIS THIS THIS THIS!!!!

Why has it taken 200+ years to get a native governor? (That's rhetorical; of course we know why.)

Better yet, she's an activist for indigenous rights.

[politijohn]

Source

Is this really satire?

[indio-politics]

If you participate in electoral politics, if you campaign or vote for colonizers, if you support the illegitimate colonial entity that is the United States, if you support the illegitimate colonial power that controls the lives, lands, and resources of Indigenous peoples (US territories and others) you are an enemy of Indigenous people, directly undermining our sovereignty, and participating in our genocide. “Vote blue no matter who” is anti-indigenous violence. Shaming, harassing, dehumanizing, and daring to BLAME indigenous people for our oppression if we exercise our right to not vote is anti-indigenous violence. You have no right to control Indigenous lands and peoples. If you vote or support voting, ESPECIALY if you dare to weaponize Black and Brown oppression and lives to justify harming us by voting, you are anti-indigenous and signing off on our genocide, so DO NOT INTERACT WITH ME. You are NOT WELCOME on my page.

[liberaljane]

Digital illustration of an indigenous man with two braids wearing a jean jacket. There's text that reads, 'Columbus didn't discover anything.'

[jingerpi]

Nazi Germany lasted for ~10 years. the US' genocide of indigenous people inspired the Nazis, and we've been at it for ~500 years. 55 MILLION indigenous turtle Islanders were killed by American colonialists. Tell me again why we're arguing over whether or not these bourgeois politicians are 99% Hitler? This country is far worse than the Nazis were even remotely capable of. There are nearly 1.8 MILLION people in Slavery in the United States right now. This country is cartoon levels of evil, and beyond that! it's beyond parody! it's worse than you can possibly imagine. and that's just two examples over the 500 years they've been at this, and they only domestically! Do you have any idea what the ruling class has done in other countries? the war and famine they've intentionally induced from profits? The millions they've bombed? The only country to ever use nuclear bombs! and it was on civilians!

So yes, of course we cry out death to [US]America. Do you seriously not understand how deeply deeply evil this country is? Again:

Death to the USA