| Canada's Indigenous Resist 150 Years of Colonization, Genocide |
| Written by <a href="index.php?option=com_comprofiler&task=userProfile&user=33791"><span class="small">teleSUR</span></a> |
| Saturday, 01 July 2017 08:31 |
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Excerpt: "While the Canadian government spends a half-billion dollars on celebrations for 'Canada 150,' Indigenous organized events and protests are standing in steadfast rejection of Canada's legacy of colonization and dispossession."
Canada's Indigenous Resist 150 Years of Colonization, Genocide01 July 17
An organization called Idle No More called for a National Day of Action to reject the glorification and gratuitous celebration of colonial occupation, and to celebrate ongoing Indigenous resistance. “This day of action is to celebrate our Indigenous and human rights to self-determination, our lands, territories and resources. It is also to educate Canadians about how their constitutional framework, first established 150 years ago in the British North America Act of 1867, illegally confiscated our lands, territories and resources, spawned the post-confederation Indian Act and attempted to write Indigenous jurisdiction – and Indigenous Peoples – out of existence,” read the group's call to action. Events are taking place around the country, including Toronto, Ottawa, Sorrento, Victoria, and Montreal. On June 29th during a “reoccupation” action in Ottawa, the Bawating Water Protectors resisted an onslaught of police forces attempting to stop them, and succeeded in erecting a tipi at Parliament Hill, where it will stand through July 1st when Canada 150 celebrations are set to take place. “The goal of this... action is to reaffirm our rightful claim to these lands as the original caretakers of Turtle Island, and to demand the repatriation of the territories that were and are illegally seized by the Canadian state,” the organizers of the action wrote on the facebook event.
Police and protesters engaged in an hours long standoff, and nine people were arrested initially, although they were later released. Prime Minister Trudeau later visited the tipi, where he gave a message of working towards “reconciliation,” with Indigenous groups so that “the next 150 years are way better.” However, organizers of Idle No More have made it clear that Trudeau, often praised as a liberal, progressive favorite, has only acted to continue the occupation of Indigenous land in spite of his rhetoric toward “reconciliation.” “This assault has not stopped. If anything, it has accelerated under the current government,” Idle No More organizers wrote on facebook. “Prime Minister Trudeau has been approving pipeline projects and continues to bank on the exploitation of our resources. He does not want to recognize indigenous land rights.” Organizers in Toronto will be holding an “Unsettle Picnic” to “remind MP Carolyn Bennett” who will be hosting a Canada 150 picnic that day, that she is “celebrating 150 years of Colonialism and genocide the Canadian state has and continues to inflict upon Indigenous people.” |
hile the Canadian government spends a half-billion dollars on celebrations for “Canada 150,” Indigenous organized events and protests are standing in steadfast rejection of Canada's legacy of colonization and dispossession.