NATIVES SUPPORT A NORTH AMERICAN CLEAN GREEN ENERGY ECONOMY
OBAMA, CANADA MUST ADDRESS DIRTY OIL FROM THE TAR SANDS
CONTACT: CLAYTON THOMAS-MULLER, CANADIAN INDIGENOUS TAR SANDS CAMPAIGN, INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK, OTTAWA (CELL) 218-760-6632, OFFICE (613) 789-5653;
ERIEL DERANGER, RAINFOREST ACTION NETWORK-EDMONTON, (CELL) (587) 785-1558;
TOM GOLDTOOTH, INDIGENOUS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK, USA (CELL) (218) 760-0442
By Indigenous Environmental Network
Ottawa, Canada, February 19, 2009 – United States President Barack Obama is meeting today with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada for his first foreign visit as a President. The main discussion will center on trade between the two nations as well as topics of environment, climate and energy security in North America. Obama's concerns about implementing an agenda for a clean and green energy economy highlights' Canada's oil sands, a vast potential oil source that comes at a big cost to the environment and the human rights of Aboriginal communities. "Obama is building a new energy economy and importing dirty oil from the Canadian tar sands is not a right fit", says Clayton Thomas-Muller, Native tar sands campaigner of the Indigenous Environmental Network from his office in Ottawa. "Canada needs to stop expansion of this carbon intensive fossil fuel in Alberta that is destroying the boreal forests, degrading the sacredness of the watershed and creating environmental health concerns of First Nation communities surrounding the tar sands development", added Thomas-Muller.
Canada's tar sands consist of huge deposits of heavy crude oil mixed with sand and clay in the province of Alberta and represent the biggest oil reserves outside of Saudi Arabia. The ecological footprint of approved projects in the tar sands and its infamous tailings ponds already represents an area the size of Vancouver Island. In the years to come it will grow to an area 90,720 square kilometers in size with 20-30 % being stripped mined and the other 70-80% being developed by a process called SAG-D which requires immense amounts of water and energy as well as the building of thousands of miles of roads and pipelines. The use of water in the process of extracting the tar sands and upgrading the bitumen for transport is of particular concern. If the current development continues at the same pace the tailings ponds will grow to a combined size comparable to Lake Ontario.
The Athabasca Chipweyan First Nation and the Mikisew Cree First Nation are two of five Aboriginal communities within the Athabasca tar sands development zone that comprises approximately 60% of the First Nation population in the region. "Residents of my community have for the past thirty years recognized the impacts from industrial development on our lands, water, air, wildlife and most recently the health of our people. The devastation of our homelands in this short period of time is perplexing to my people since it is only a fraction of the time that these impacts have occurred compared to the thousands of years we have inhabited these lands." says George Poitras, former chief of the Mikisew Cree.
Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipweyan First Nation is also concerned about President Obama meeting with Harper. Joining forces with environmental organizations and Mikisew, Chief Adam says, "Obama must ask Canada to clean up its tar sands and to respect the rights of our aboriginal First Nations. Both the federal and provincial governments of Canada have failed our aboriginal community for the sake of money, for the sake of corporate interests, and for the sake of increasing energy exports to the US. We are seeing disheartening toxicity levels in our animal life and have now received confirmation of unacceptable cancer rates."
"There are many political layers surrounding a campaign towards a bi-national energy and environmental policy between Canada and the US. The rapid expansion of the tar sands infrastructure results in a road of destruction directly affecting the rights of First Nations, American Indians and Alaska Natives on all sides of the political borders," added Thomas-Muller.
The tar sands expansion has an infrastructure with many connecting and supplying pipelines and associated projects that are needed to transport fuels for the production of tar sands bitumen and to move crude oil to the lower 48 of the US for refining. This involves some massive new pipeline projects to Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Louisiana, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and elsewhere including efforts to send the crude oil to existing refineries in Ontario and Quebec. The Canadian government is further compounding land and water rights issues with the approval and construction of expansion projects infringing into traditional territories in Northern Saskatchewan as well as Alberta. The projects for the delivering of this crude oil include major pipeline construction in traditional aboriginal territories in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and US States. The bulk of these projects are raising questions of adequate consultation with the First Nations and American Indian communities.
"The Alberta government's approval of the NCC pipeline directly infringes upon our inherent rights as aboriginal peoples especially since we, the Lubicon Cree have never ceded our rights to the land," relates Melina Laboucan-Massimo who is Lubicon Cree. "We already have logging and conventional oil exploitation taking place on our territory, how much more can the land or our people take?
Prior agreements between the Bush administration and Harper have been made to retrofit over forty oil refineries, double some in size and with some plans to build new refineries in the US to prepare for the export and processing of Canadian tar sands crude oil. American Indians in the US are afraid Canadian export of more crude oil will result in an increase of cancer clusters in the communities that live next to these refineries. "We have on our reservation, on our Ponca land in north-central Oklahoma, a ConocoPhillips refinery which has been here for over 50 years," explains Casey Camp-Hornik, a member of the Ponca Nation who works with the Coyote Creek Center for Environmental Justice. "This company is active in the oil sands in Canada and making plans to ship this dirty oil to its refinery next door to our Ponca territories to be refined. Our people already have cancer, asthma and other health effects from the petroleum infrastructure in our homeland."
An oil refinery is being proposed to be built on the land of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold in North Dakota. The crude oil that will feed this refinery is coming from the tar sands in Alberta. Kandi Mosset, tribal member of the Three Affiliated Tribes says, "Canada will be shipping its dirty oil to my people. We're not going to get the energy, only the pollution. Our Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people are already experiencing disproportionate environmental fallout from oil development and from the burning of lignite coal in power plants that surround our lands. Several community members, including myself, are tired of being sick and are tired of seeing everyone, even babies, dying from unprecedented rates of cancer. We are taking a stand and fighting back, not only for our own lives but for the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves and we will not stop fighting until we have a reached a true level of environmental and climate justice in our Indigenous lands. We hope Obama tells Canada to stop shipping its dirty oil to the US. People have told me the reason that Canada is not meeting its Kyoto Protocol target commitments to reduce its greenhouse gases is because of the tars sands. Climate change is affecting my community, something has to change."
"Our Alaska Native subsistence way of life has been under constant threat by oil and gas development since the discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay. REDOIL has consistently objected to the subsistence rights of our communities being eroded to satisfy the high fossil fuel consumption needs of the US. We strongly oppose the proposed Alaska natural gas pipeline that will link the gas fields of the North Slope to the tar sands development in northern Alberta. We should have a Canadian-US energy policy that does not put Native communities in peril," says Faith Gemmill, Executive Director of Resisting Environmental Destruction on Indigenous Lands (REDOIL) based in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Dene, Cree and Métis communities of Canada and other Native communities being affected by the tar sands infrastructure want to look beyond the dependence on a fossil fuel regime and be visionaries and doers on supporting the development of clean production and clean renewable energy within their lands.
The Indigenous Environmental Network working in alliance with the First Nations and Métis of the community of Fort Chipewyan located downstream of the tar sands development zone are looking for solutions to provide a healthy sustaining community for their future generations. "The sustainable future for First Nations in Alberta and Canada isn't going to be sinking all our eggs into one of the dirtiest, most energy intensive and destructive sources of oil on the planet," said Eriel Deranger, Dene campaigner with the Rainforest Action Network, based in Edmonton. "It's time we focus our efforts on building a clean sustainable future with our people working in a safe, green energy economy."
February 19, 2009
February 18, 2009
In Memory of Bob Robideau
In Memory of Bob Robideau
International Peltier Forum: "We were just notified that Robert Robideau passed away at his home in Barcelona, Spain on Tuesday, February 17th, 2009."
Remembering a warrior and brother at Big Mountain
A tribute to Bob Robideau
This is one great brother to always remember. I am so privileged that I got to see Bob at Pueblo, Colorado, during the Longest Walk II --almost a year ago.
Brother, I will think of you as I stand my ground along with my elders at Big Mountain and knowing that you were a brave warrior when AIM was alive and strong! Spirit Brother, I will remember you when I look up to the Tree of Life, the Sun Dance Center Pole in that Sacred Hoop of our peoples, and knowing that you are now with our ancestors.
Aho. To All My Relations. Kat, Dineh of Big Mountain
Listen to Bob's final interview on justice for Leonard Peltier
Red Town Blog Talk Radio
Jan. 31, 2009
Robert Robideau: a member of the Turtle Mountain and White Earth Ojibwa tribes. He has been an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) since 1973. Robert Robideau will be talking about the Leonard Peltier and the Anna Mae case. He will be talking about how it can affect the freedom of Leonard Peltier. We will be taking questions relating to these cases.
Bio Robert Robideau, in his own words
I am a member of the Turtle Mountain and White Earth Ojibwa tribes. I have been an active member of the American Indian Movement (AIM) since 1973. A member of Northwest AIM, Dakota AIM in the 1970s, today I am a member of Autonomous AIM. I served as AIM spokesman for New Mexico from 1993-94. Darrell (Dino) Butler, and I were acquitted in the deaths of two FBI agents in 1976 on grounds of self-defense.
The charges arose after a shootout with the FBI on Pine Ridge reservation in June of 1975 that left two FBI agents and an Indian man dead. This period known as the reign of terror, in which 60 AIM members were killed and hundreds more assaulted in a government-sponsored action to destroy AIM. These killings and assaults came in the aftermath of the Wounded Knee takeover by AIM in 1973. I have served twice as National-International Director for the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC).
Leonard Peltier, is an internationally known political prisoner who has served more then 32 years in prison for the same alleged offense as I was charged and acquitted. I have appeared on 60 Minutes, West 57th Street, EDJ and in other major television documentary programs. I have also appeared in the documentary film, Incident at Oglala and other major documentaries relating to AIM, Anna Mae Aquash and Peltier.
I have spoken extensively on AIM, Leonard Peltier and the Anna Mae Aquash cases both in the States and Europe. I have written extensively on the Peltier case and on Native American Indian issues. I am the founder and director of the American Indian Movement Museum in Barcelona, Spain, where much of the history of AIM and my art work remains on display.
An Inventory of work with the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee and the American Indian Movement, from 1973-1994 is located at the University of New Mexico, Center for Southwest Research.My art can be found at the Bonnie Kahn Gallery.
In a recent e-mail, Bob said he planned to return to the states in March and make his home here, possibly in Santa Fe. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Slingshot Hip Hop Berkeley
Host: SNAG Magazine/PEP
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Pueblo Nuevo Galley
Street: 1828 San Pablo Ave. #1
City/Town: Berkeley, CA
Slingshot Hip Hop braids together the stories of young Palestinians living in the West Bank, Gaza and inside Israel as they discover Hip Hop and employ it as a tool to surmount divisions imposed by occupation and poverty. From internal checkpoints and Separation Walls to gender norms and generational differences, this is the story of young people crossing the borders that separate them.Come to the screening especially if you're interested in meeting and helping members of the Native delegation that will be going to Palestine in August!
TBS program mocks sacred pipe and culture
By Tamra Brennan
I was channel surfing this evening and came across this Program "10 items or less" on TBS, the episode was called, "Dances with Groceries."
They mocked Native heritage throughout this entire program, including disrespecting the sacred pipe.
In the program aired on Tuesday night 2/17/09 9:00 pm (mtn time) Character Leslie Pool, played by John Lehr discovers that he has "Shawnee" heritage. He then decides to start running his grocery store in the "Indian way" makes everything organic, puts up dream catchers, states he even has a birthmark on his butt in the shape of a tomahawk. Character, Mercy P. Jones, played by Kim Coles tells Pool to stop with the "Indian Heritage nonsense."
In a scene in Pool's office, he brings out a "peace pipe" and wants to smoke it with Mercy Jones. She grabs the pipe away from him and slams it down on the desk.
Pool, with his new found "heritage", goes to the Shawnee Tribal Council to complain about the local city gov't attempting to take his store under eminent domain. He brings Yolanda, played by Roberta Valderrama to this meeting as his "war council." He mentions a quote from Tecumseh, the council then beats him with clubs. Later in the program, this is described as their way to initiate him into the Tribe. He is then made a full fledged Tribal Member, talks about becoming a council member.
I would suspect the Shawnee Tribal Council wouldn't be to thrilled, or take this program lightly either.
At the end, Pool brings out the "peace pipe" again, this time he is in a steam room with several other men, he proceeds to start smoking it, talking about the ancient ritual. One of the men asks Pool what's in that pipe anyway, Pool responds, he was given some tobacco and other stuff, by one of the other characters (either Todd or Carl, didn't catch the name for sure). The man said, oh you should have known better than to accept anything from him. Then Pool begins to "hallucinate" after smoking this "peace pipe."
This mockery and disrespect needs to be brought to the attention of the producers of TBS. They need to be educated that this spoof mockery of our culture is not acceptable. They have disrespected the sacred pipe and our spiritual beliefs and ways, a immediate public apology is in order on their program and website http://www.tbs.com/shows/10itemsorless/.
These TV and radio programs, need to be held accountable for their disgraceful and disrespectful actions, on these programs. This is happening far to frequently.
You can file a complaint with TBS at:
TBS
Re: 10 Items or Less Program
404-885-0758
their online email form is located at:
http://support.tbs.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=5475
Thank you for taking the time to make your voice be heard, regarding this issue!
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
http://www.ndnnews.com/
http://www.protectsacredsites.org/
http://www.protectbearbutte.com/
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
I was channel surfing this evening and came across this Program "10 items or less" on TBS, the episode was called, "Dances with Groceries."
They mocked Native heritage throughout this entire program, including disrespecting the sacred pipe.
In the program aired on Tuesday night 2/17/09 9:00 pm (mtn time) Character Leslie Pool, played by John Lehr discovers that he has "Shawnee" heritage. He then decides to start running his grocery store in the "Indian way" makes everything organic, puts up dream catchers, states he even has a birthmark on his butt in the shape of a tomahawk. Character, Mercy P. Jones, played by Kim Coles tells Pool to stop with the "Indian Heritage nonsense."
In a scene in Pool's office, he brings out a "peace pipe" and wants to smoke it with Mercy Jones. She grabs the pipe away from him and slams it down on the desk.
Pool, with his new found "heritage", goes to the Shawnee Tribal Council to complain about the local city gov't attempting to take his store under eminent domain. He brings Yolanda, played by Roberta Valderrama to this meeting as his "war council." He mentions a quote from Tecumseh, the council then beats him with clubs. Later in the program, this is described as their way to initiate him into the Tribe. He is then made a full fledged Tribal Member, talks about becoming a council member.
I would suspect the Shawnee Tribal Council wouldn't be to thrilled, or take this program lightly either.
At the end, Pool brings out the "peace pipe" again, this time he is in a steam room with several other men, he proceeds to start smoking it, talking about the ancient ritual. One of the men asks Pool what's in that pipe anyway, Pool responds, he was given some tobacco and other stuff, by one of the other characters (either Todd or Carl, didn't catch the name for sure). The man said, oh you should have known better than to accept anything from him. Then Pool begins to "hallucinate" after smoking this "peace pipe."
This mockery and disrespect needs to be brought to the attention of the producers of TBS. They need to be educated that this spoof mockery of our culture is not acceptable. They have disrespected the sacred pipe and our spiritual beliefs and ways, a immediate public apology is in order on their program and website http://www.tbs.com/shows/10itemsorless/.
These TV and radio programs, need to be held accountable for their disgraceful and disrespectful actions, on these programs. This is happening far to frequently.
You can file a complaint with TBS at:
TBS
Re: 10 Items or Less Program
404-885-0758
their online email form is located at:
http://support.tbs.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=5475
Thank you for taking the time to make your voice be heard, regarding this issue!
In peace & solidarity,
Tamra Brennan
http://www.ndnnews.com/
http://www.protectsacredsites.org/
http://www.protectbearbutte.com/
PROTECT BEAR BUTTE!
"Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes"
"Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?"
"Our sacred lands are all that remain keeping us connected to our place on Mother Earth, to our spirituality, our heritage and our lands; what’s left of them. If they take it all away, what will remain except a vague memory of a past so forgotten?" ......excerpt from One Nation, One Land, One People by Tamra Brennan, 2006
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