Kahnawake: Mohawk Women Title Holders file objection over Highway 30

ROTINO’SHONNI:ONWE FILE OBJECTION AGAINST SUPER HIGHWAY 30“COLONIAL OPPORTUNISTS, WATCH OUT!”
KAHNAWAKE WOMEN TITLE HOLDERS OF THE ROTINO’SHONNI:ONWE FILE OBJECTION AGAINST SUPER HIGHWAY 30
Mohawk Nation News
Aug. 17, 2008. Someone is trying to plow under the Mohawks and our history. The three clans each had their villages around a river that bore the name of their clan. Bear River is Mount Royal which is now Montreal; Wolf River is Chateauguay to the west of Kahnawake; and Turtle River is St. Constant-Laprairie-Candiac to the east of Kahnawake. The fields contain dozens of Mohawk village and burial sites.
Quebec is building a mega highway through the territory of the Iroquois Confederacy known as the protectors of the “Eastern Door” of Turtle Island. The territory has never been surrendered. Yet the Quebec government is handing out permits to companies to build on our land without our consent. These companies use our land as collateral to raise money from the public, which is criminal fraud.
To stop a further invasion and breakdown of our community, the Women Title Holders of the Rotino’shonni:onwe [the voice of the people] served a “Notice of Objection” on Canada, Quebec, the colonially established Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and their agents.
The colonial band council headed by Mike Delisle [communications@mck.ca] has supported the super highway through the middle of Kahnawake in exchange for some land and “other undisclosed considerations” citing he had made a “gentlemen’s agreement”. Nothing is in writing. It looks like a business partnership between him and Quebec. The people erected a large sign on the proposed route stating “Mohawk Territory – No Trespassing”. The Quebec Police have torn it down. Our people have gone out to the site to put it back up. The farmers of St-Constant have shown strong support for our cause. "Farmers oppose Hwy. 30 expansion" by Stefan Christoff http://www.hour.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=15304For more info visit: Autoroute 30 au Nord http://www.sos30.com/index.html
More news to come. Read the following “Notice of Objection”. MNN Mohawk Nation News http://www.mohawknationnews.com

NOTICE OF OBJECTION - August 17, 2008TO ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION OF “HIGHWAY 30” AND TRESPASSING IN KAHNAWAKE OF MOHAWK TERRITORY BY COLONIAL OPPORTUNISTS OF CANADA AND QUEBEC
Burial sites being desecrated and natural waterways being diverted
FROM: The Kanion’ke:haka/Mohawk Nation of the of the Rotino’shonni:onwe [Iroquois].
OBJECTION: To the development of Highway 30 through the territory of the northern protectors of the Iroquois Confederacy, the Kanion’ke:haka [Mohawk], who are the “Keepers of the Eastern Door”. The entity known as “ Quebec ” is attempting to illegally build Highway 30 through the ancient community of Kahnawake. Old villages, burial sites and waterways are being destroyed or diverted. This development violates the Two Row Wampum, the Kaianereh’ko:wa [the Rotino’shonni:onwe constitution] and international law as it does not have the fully informed consent of the Kanion’ke:haka. The construction permits issued by the government of Quebec are illegal. Our land cannot be alienated. Quebec is encroaching on unsurrendered Kanion’ke:haka territory and using it as collateral to raise money to fund their businesses. This constitutes fraud. It will encourage a further invasion and breakdown of our solitary community for the benefit of a few.
TO: The colonial entities that are carrying on illegal activities, known as:- “Canada”;- “Quebec government”;- Chenail Construction Brinco Quarry and others; - “Mohawk Council of Kahnawake”; and - Any and all their agents are all squatting on our territory.
The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake who gave permission to Quebec is a “band council”, a colonial entity that is set up by the colonial entity known as “Canada”. Its members have become Canadian citizens of “Indian” ancestry". They have no legal right to make any decisions on our unceded territory. Mike Delisle Jr., the band council chief, cannot make a “personal decision” or “gentleman’s agreement” [!] to make secret deals or override the voice of the people. These foreign corporate franchises can never have title to or interest in our land;
RE: The attempt to illegally develop Highway 30 through the Kanion’ke:haka territory on the portion known as “Kahnawake” and surrounding settlements known as “St. Constant”, “Delson” and “Candiac”. This usurpation of our territory does not have the fully informed consent of the Kanion’ke:haka, violating international law.
BASIS OF ACTION: WAMPUM 44 OF THE GREAT LAW OF PEACE, KAIANEREH’KO:WA
According to Wampum 44 of the Kaianereh’ko:wa, the Great Law of Peace, we, the Kohtihon’tia:kwenio – Women Title Holders – are the caretakers of the land, water and air of “Onowaregeh” [Turtle Island]; and as trustees, our obligation is to preserve and protect the land for the future generations.
a) WHEREAS the foreign invaders cannot determine our identity. We are Haudenosaunee, Six Nations of Onowaregeh. According to the Two Row Wampum Agreement, it is illegal for colonial institutions like Canada, Quebec, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and their agents to violate internationally recognized principles of fundamental justice;
b) WHEREAS the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People has been adopted by a majority of 144 states; international law has affirmed that colonialism is dead, that all Indigenous peoples are to be treated as equals to all other peoples; and we accordingly claim our right to the full enjoyment as collectives and as individuals to all the human rights and fundamental freedoms that have been recognized in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international law, including the right to self-determination and self-government without being subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of ourselves and our culture.
c) WHEREAS respect for our rights is entrenched in the constitution of Canada, the British North America Act, Sections 109 and 132;
d)WHEREAS the Charter of the United Nations has been signed by its members to resolve differences peacefully without using force. According to the July 7th 2008 decision of the Ontario Court of Appeal, the indigenous people have a right to freedom of speech and to demonstrate to protect our lands without hindrance;
e) WHEREAS Canada has ascribed to the internationally recognized standards for respecting political rights of the People as set out in the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide, United Nations Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and other international legal instruments;
f) WHEREAS General Assembly Resolution 1541 (XV) requires the informed consent of the people before they are included in another state; and the international Court of Justice affirmed this Resolution in the Western Sahara case; and the Indigenous people never consented to be part of Canada;
g) WHEREAS Canada must abide by the international law principles that there can be no arbitrary encroachment on Indigenous peoples; ignoring the true Indigenous people is illegal; independent Indigenous peoples’ rights must be respected and heeded; and our perspectives on the issues must not be ignored. Canada cannot legally deal with its band council system or other colonial entities on behalf of the true Indigenous People. We are independent sovereign people who must be dealt with as a nation.
h) WHEREAS the Kanion’ke:haka have a constitution. We cannot be governed by foreign laws that we have always resisted and we will continue to resist the usurpation of our territory and resources;
i) WHEREAS states must provide redress for violations of our rights through effective mechanisms; we hereby notify Canada, Quebec, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and all their agents that their attempt to build Highway 30 on the said part of our territory is unlawful and will be resisted. They must deal with the Women Title Holders who are the lawful owners of the territory through diplomatic relations.
WE, THE KOHTIHON’TIA:KWENIO OF THE ROTINO’SHONNI:ONWE SEEK TO INFORM YOU THAT THIS IS FULL AND FAIR NOTICE THAT:
Canada, Quebec, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and other colonial agents must cease and desist their attempts to violate our authority by building Highway 30; that they must deal with us as a nation as required under both our law and international law; that any individual or foreign entity wishing to discuss any issues between us must provide full information through the proper diplomatic channel, which is the Governor General of Canada, who has a duty to inform us.
We, the Kohtihon’tia:kwenio, brought this matter to the attention of Canada in an action in the Supreme Court of Canada – Kanion’ke:haka Kaianereh’ko:wa Kanon’sesneh v. Attorney General of Canada and her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario, Court File: 05-CV-030785. This case in effect acknowledged that Canada has no authority over us and our territory. We remain independent and sovereign.
FOR THE ABOVE REASONS, WE, THE KOHTIHON’TIA:KWENIO OF THE ROTINO’SHONNI:ONWE - IN ORDER TO PROTECT OUR PHYSICAL INTEGRITY AND LEGAL RIGHTS – REQUEST THE FOLLOWING:
1) The Women Title Holders will not tolerate the violations of our constitution, ancient customs, traditions, inherent rights and agreements by Canada, Quebec, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and its agents who are attempting to encroach on our territory. The colonists are breaking their own laws by openly desecrating our historic rivers and village sites and burial grounds. At least 8 sites have been found on the proposed route. Natural waterways are being diverted. No valid environmental studies have been carried out.
2) We invite Canada, Quebec, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake and their agents to resolve our differences in a mature and peaceful way, by rediscovering and brightening the spirit of the Two Row Wampum and the Covenant Chain that began our international relationship centuries ago.
3) Should Canada, Quebec, the Mohawk Council of Kahnwake and their agents continue to breach our rights, we shall take the necessary measures available to us in the international arena to correct the injustices that have been committed against us.
4) It is unacceptable to abuse people on the basis of race, religion, nationality, belief or membership in a particular social group. We invite all members of the colonizing societies to become partners with us to end this cycle of abuse, stop enforcing illegal jurisdiction over us and our territory, halt the illegal construction of Highway 30 and extend dignity, equality and a voice to all peoples.
KANION’KE:HAKA OF THE ROTINO’SHONNI:ONWE:
Karakwine /s/ Turtle Clan
Contact: karonhiarokwas@yahoo.com;
address - Box 2208,
Kahnawake [Quebec Canada] J0L 1B0.
Sent to: All media; Canada, Quebec; Queen Elizabeth II; United Nations, Six Nations Confederacy: Kanion’ke:haka [Mohawks] of Wahta, Six Nations, Tyendinaga, Akwesasne, Kahnawake, Kanehsatake, Ganienkeh and Kanatiohareke; stock exchanges; Ethnoscop; Chateauguay and St. Constant Historical Societies; Cities of Montreal, Chateauguay, St. Constant, Laprairie, Delson, St. Catherine; Governor General of Canada; Minister of Indian Affairs.

Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents in First Nations Territory

Message from John Hummel,
Published with permission
While searching the Treasury Board of Canada's 'Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory' database, I discovered that there are 12 Federal Contaminated sites listed where Biological/Chemical Warfare Agents are present. I have attached a list of these sites as well as the complete site report and a map of the one near the city of Campbell River, British Columbia. This toxic site is located in Campbell River First Nation Traditional Territory. At the Campbell River toxic site, biological/chemical warfare agents were found in the air! Here are the 'Federal Site Identifier' Numbers for all twelve of these Federal toxic sites across Canada which contain biological/chemical warfare agents:
00000941
00008332
02739056
05031001
05031003
08591001
14976016
14976062
14976063
31517001
67631001
70030002
If you wish to see complete site reports and maps for these toxic sites, here's how, 1) Go to this Link: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/fcsi-rscf/numbers-numeros.aspx?Language=EN&sid=wu6813313800
2) Click on 'Federal Site Identifier', type in one of the numbers above in the box and then click on 'get details' and the full Contaminated Site Report will appear,
3) If you wish to see a detailed map of that particular contaminated site, look in the body of the report for a link titled: 'Locate this site on a map' and click on it. Also, there is a contact person listed in the report for each site if you wish more detailed information. The Canadian federal Government is legaly liable for cleaning up this toxic mess.
For Land and Life,
John H.W. Hummel
Toxics Researcher
611 Eighth Street,
Nelson, British Columbia
Canada V1L 3A6
Tel: (250)505-2165
Email: jhwhummel@shaw.ca
P.S. There is also a 'Zoom In' feature for the maps.

Read more: 'Biological and chemical warfare agents: Poisonous Cauldrons'
http://archive.peacemagazine.org/v05n6p14.htm

Mount Rushmore National Memorial August 29, 2008

Please double click to enlarge poster for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial on August 29, 2008.

Dakota women arrested countering genocide

Article by Brenda Norrell

Photo by Tom Cherveny/West Central Tribune

Winuna of Granite Falls is taken into custody shortly after her mother, Dr. Angela Wilson or Waziyata Win, was also taken into custody.

UPPER SIOUX AGENCY STATE PARK, Minn. -- Dakota women were arrested on Saturday, August 16, 2008 during a counter genocide protest. Dakotas from the Yellow Medicine Dakota Community, with their allies, countered the Upper Sioux Agency State Park's program. The genocide celebration was part of the Sesquicentennial of the state of Minnesota, portraying the 1858 1st Regiment.
Chris Mato Nunpa, retired Dakota professor, said, "My daughter, Waziyata Win, and my grand-daughter, Winuna were arrested. Fortunately, they both were released later in the day.
"It was incredible the amount of armed law enforcement personnel that were there. We had no guns, clubs, knives, etc. We were peaceful and non-violent. To me, it just illustrates the level of racial hatred and fear of the Dakota and of Indigenous Peoples that is present here in southwestern Minnesota and elsewhere throughout the U.S.
"Again, it shows how we as Indigenous Peoples are living in oppression, in this case we are oppressed by their law, their legal ideology which is used to enforce the exploitation and continued oppression of the Indigenous Peoples. They have the guns and the men to enforce their law, even though we were on Dakota land," Mato Nunpa wrote.
"They, the wasicu, have the forums and and freedom of expression. We express our views, the TRUTH, and we get arrested."
Dr. Mato Nunpa, Ph.D., retired, was an associate professor of Indigenous Nations and Dakota Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall.
Mato Nunpa said the state's celebration reveals nothing about the massive land theft, broken treaties or genocide perpetrated on the Dakota by the Euro-Minnesotans. The state's celebration does not reveal the bounties, mass executions, forced marches and forced removal of the Dakota People from their ancient homelands in Minnesota.
Video of arrest of Dakota women:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wcTPQLKGz4

West Central Tribune: 'Re-enactment leads to arrests'

http://www.wctrib.com/articles/index.cfm?id=40485&section=news
Chris Mato Nunpa: "Dakota exercised their fishing rights on Sunday, July 20, 2008 on Lake Harriet, a lake in the ceded area of our Treaty of 1805."
Video of treaty fishing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5kgLcC7afQ
or
http://www.youtube.com/user/alliesms
More by Chris Mato Nunpa on Minnesota's genocide and concentration camps:
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/chris-mato-numpa-minnesotas-genocide.html

Reader comment, published with permission:

Hi Brenda,

As I read the story and watched the video of the confrontation last weekend at the Upper Sioux Agency it became crystal clear that white Minnesota cannot deal with the truth and reality of its history. It's pathetic that not only did white Christian Minnesota lie, coerce, swindle, and kill the Dakota people, but also goes to great lengths including arresting minors to shut them up and keep them from revealing the true history. Once again, only the conqueror's version of history prevails and can be told. How utterly pathetic. I also read the posted comments pertaining to the video and was appalled at the racist and imbecilic remarks that were directed at Chris and his family, and at the Native American people in general. Maybe the comedian Ron White is correct when he says "Ya can't fix stupid."

In the Spirit and the Struggle,

Dave Murray