INDIGENOUS POLITICS: FROM NATIVE NEW ENGLAND AND BEYOND
Radio Program on WESU, Middletown, CT
Tuesdays 4-5 PM EST
Listen Online While the Show Airs: www.wesufm.org
On Tuesday, February 23, 2010, join your host, J. Kehaulani Kauanui, for an episode of "Indigenous Politics" that will focus on a proposal being considered by the Vermont legislature to apologize for its 1931 Sterilization Act, which was part of a eugenics campaign that targeted persons of French Canadian and Abenaki ancestry, as well as other non-Anglos and individuals deemed mentally disabled.
Our guests on the program include Nancy Gallagher, author of Breeding Better Vermonters: The Eugenics Project in the Green Mountain State, and Judy Dow (Abenaki) who sits on the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs.
~~~
This show is syndicated on select Pacifica-affiliate stations: WPKN in Bridgeport, CT and Montauk, NY; WNJR, in Washington, PA, WETX-LP, "The independent Voice of Appalachia," which broadcasts throughout the Tri-Cities region of East Tennessee, southwest Virginia, and northwest North Carolina; WBCR-lp in Great Barrington, MA nd WORT in Madison, WI.
~~~
All past programs of "Indigenous Politics" are archived online:
www.indigenouspolitics.com
~~~
The show's producer and host, Dr. J. Kehaulani Kauanui is an associate professor of American Studies and Anthropology at Wesleyan University. She is the author of Hawaiian Blood: Colonialism and the Politics of Sovereignty and Indigeneity
(Duke University Press, 2008). http://jkauanui.faculty.wesleyan.edu
Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights
February 22, 2010
Okanagan Indian Band Blockades Logging
Okanagan Indian Band’s fight for watershed providing an alternate image of B.C.
Chief Fabian Alexis, band member Dan Wilson, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip have set up a blockade at Browns Creek near Vernon.
By Kathy Michaels
Chief Fabian Alexis, band member Dan Wilson, and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip have set up a blockade at Browns Creek near Vernon.
By Kathy Michaels
Kelowna.com
Only a day has passed since the Okanagan Indian Band blockaded Tolko’s entrance to the Browns Creek watershed and it’s already become fodder for international news coverage.
A German film crew was at the blockade near Vernon yesterday morning, said Chief Fabian Alexis, from the roadside check-point set up in front of the band’s public works office on Westside Road.
And with hoardes of Olympic media close at hand, it’s suspected more will follow to chronicle the breakdown of negotiations that in some form have taken the better part of the decade.
Concerns over Brown’s Creek are long-standing. Since 2003 the band has been before the courts dealing with it in some form and contending further logging in that area would threaten the viability of the surrounding community’s water supply while damaging archeological sites. In recent years they’ve taken on Tolko Industries. Talks over the chunk of land have consistently been peaceful, but this Saturday they reached a boiling point.
Of the belief Tolko Industries would soon start moving equipment and crews into the watershed band elders called an emergency meeting.
Once there, the 100 in attendance voted unanimously to blockade and by Monday 60 band members were at the site this morning when Tolko representatives came by to assess the situation, said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.
“Tolko arrived at 9:45 a.m. and their senior officials approached us and singled out Chief Fabian Alexis and myself and asked us if we would allow equipment and crews passage,” he explained. “We said ‘no.’”
The exchange was cordial, said Phillip, adding that it was repeated twice and seemingly scripted. He added it is likely Tolko will be invoking an injunction order sometime this week.
While the Okanagan band insists Tolko Industries doesn’t have a right to log while land claims remain unresolved, a B.C. court ruled Feb. 11 that the Vernon-based logging company could go ahead with cutting in the Browns Creek area following an archeological consultation.
That consultation was less than genuine and the decision was ultimately flawed, contend both Stewart and Alexis —who have gained the support of the Union of British Columbian Indian Chiefs —and that’s why they’ve taken this course of action.
Stewart pointed out that it would be impossible to conduct an archeological investigation with four feet of snow on the ground, but Tolko did it anyway. When they went to bring their new evidence back to the judge, they were told she was on vacation and they’d have to go another route. Blockading, ultimately, is what was chosen.
“The provincial government has made it clear that the financial interests of Tolko are of greater concern to them than the health and safety of the people who derive their drinking and irrigation water from the Browns Creek watershed,” said Chief Alexis.
“When it comes to protecting the watersheds that supply Vernon with its water, government agencies would not hesitate to act, but suddenly when it involves our community, our concerns are discounted.”
It’s an issue that has an impact beyond First Nation people as well, he said, pointing out that here are many non-natives in the region who would be impacted.
Perhaps that’s why those who are set up at a check-point are receiving a fairly warm reception.
As they drove by signs bearing messages like, “Save our water, say no to Tolko” drivers of all races waved, honked and gave thumbs up to those who were taking on check-stop duty.
“There’s been some good suggestions and support from our neighbours who don’t just reside on the reserve,” said Alexis.
Throughout the process, Tolko representatives have said the area of dispute, which has been heavily impacted by the mountain pine beetle epidemic, is a vital timber supply for the company’s sawmill in Armstrong.
At deadline, Tolko and government officials could not be reached.
A German film crew was at the blockade near Vernon yesterday morning, said Chief Fabian Alexis, from the roadside check-point set up in front of the band’s public works office on Westside Road.
And with hoardes of Olympic media close at hand, it’s suspected more will follow to chronicle the breakdown of negotiations that in some form have taken the better part of the decade.
Concerns over Brown’s Creek are long-standing. Since 2003 the band has been before the courts dealing with it in some form and contending further logging in that area would threaten the viability of the surrounding community’s water supply while damaging archeological sites. In recent years they’ve taken on Tolko Industries. Talks over the chunk of land have consistently been peaceful, but this Saturday they reached a boiling point.
Of the belief Tolko Industries would soon start moving equipment and crews into the watershed band elders called an emergency meeting.
Once there, the 100 in attendance voted unanimously to blockade and by Monday 60 band members were at the site this morning when Tolko representatives came by to assess the situation, said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.
“Tolko arrived at 9:45 a.m. and their senior officials approached us and singled out Chief Fabian Alexis and myself and asked us if we would allow equipment and crews passage,” he explained. “We said ‘no.’”
The exchange was cordial, said Phillip, adding that it was repeated twice and seemingly scripted. He added it is likely Tolko will be invoking an injunction order sometime this week.
While the Okanagan band insists Tolko Industries doesn’t have a right to log while land claims remain unresolved, a B.C. court ruled Feb. 11 that the Vernon-based logging company could go ahead with cutting in the Browns Creek area following an archeological consultation.
That consultation was less than genuine and the decision was ultimately flawed, contend both Stewart and Alexis —who have gained the support of the Union of British Columbian Indian Chiefs —and that’s why they’ve taken this course of action.
Stewart pointed out that it would be impossible to conduct an archeological investigation with four feet of snow on the ground, but Tolko did it anyway. When they went to bring their new evidence back to the judge, they were told she was on vacation and they’d have to go another route. Blockading, ultimately, is what was chosen.
“The provincial government has made it clear that the financial interests of Tolko are of greater concern to them than the health and safety of the people who derive their drinking and irrigation water from the Browns Creek watershed,” said Chief Alexis.
“When it comes to protecting the watersheds that supply Vernon with its water, government agencies would not hesitate to act, but suddenly when it involves our community, our concerns are discounted.”
It’s an issue that has an impact beyond First Nation people as well, he said, pointing out that here are many non-natives in the region who would be impacted.
Perhaps that’s why those who are set up at a check-point are receiving a fairly warm reception.
As they drove by signs bearing messages like, “Save our water, say no to Tolko” drivers of all races waved, honked and gave thumbs up to those who were taking on check-stop duty.
“There’s been some good suggestions and support from our neighbours who don’t just reside on the reserve,” said Alexis.
Throughout the process, Tolko representatives have said the area of dispute, which has been heavily impacted by the mountain pine beetle epidemic, is a vital timber supply for the company’s sawmill in Armstrong.
At deadline, Tolko and government officials could not be reached.
B.C. band fights logging on site of land claim
CBC News
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is backing efforts by the Okanagan Indian Band to stop logging in its land claims area while the band resolves land title issues.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said he is concerned Tolko Industries will attempt to move equipment and crews into the Brown's Creek watershed on Monday, and said the union will take all steps necessary to protect land rights in the area.
The Okanagan band insists Tolko Industries doesn't have a right to log while land claims remain unresolved, but a B.C. court ruled earlier in February that the Vernon-based logging company can begin cutting in the Browns Creek area, near Vernon.
That prompted elders and band members to pass a motion during an emergency meeting on Saturday night to establish checkpoints to monitor and regulate traffic through the community. The band is concerned that logging in the Browns Creek watershed will threaten their water supply and archeological sites.
Tolko maintains it has developed an appropriate logging plan for the area that includes protecting significant archelogical sites.
'All options on the table'
Chief Fabian Alexis of the Okanagan Indian Band said on Friday that “all options were on the table” in order to protect his community’s water.
"The provincial government has made it clear that the financial interests of Tolko are of greater concern to them than the health and safety of the people who derive their drinking and irrigation water from the Browns Creek watershed,” he said.
“When it comes to protecting the watersheds that supply Vernon with its water, government agencies would not hesitate to act, but suddenly when it involves our community, our concerns are discounted. This systemic racism will not stand,” said Alexis.
"Title over these forest lands is something that is before the courts, therefore for the provincial government to allow as much clear-cut logging as possible around our reserve before title reverts to us is not only utterly cynical, it is in this instance thoroughly irresponsible,” he said.
With files from The Canadian Press Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/02/22/bc-okanagan-tolko-logging-land-claim.html#ixzz0gJf2zoz7
Vernon Morning Star: Band launches Browns Creek Blockade:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/vernonmorningstar/news/84983602.html
Urgent Media Advisory: Okanagan Indian Band Blockades Tolko's logging operation to protect their watershed!
Today
URGENT MEDIA ADVISORY
February 22, 2010
Okanagan Indian Band began blockade at 7:00 am
Okanagan Nation Territory, Vernon – Please be advised that in response to threats from Tolko to commence logging of the watershed that supplies the majority of the 1,800 residents of the Okanagan Indian Band with their drinking water, the band membership will be commencing a protective blockade of the watershed starting at 7:00 a.m. Monday, February 22nd at the Okanagan campsite located near Bouleau Lake.
The media are welcome to attend however due to the icy winter road conditions a 4x4 vehicle is required to reach the camp. Media needing a ride can arrange one by contacting the Okanagan Indian Band Territorial Stewardship Office at (250) 542-7132.
Anyone attending the camp is advised to dress warmly with proper winter attire as temperatures will likely be below freezing even during the day.
Under the authority of the Okanagan Nation, a parking area will be designated. Parking will be free to the media, OKIB members and supporters but all forestry vehicles (both corporate and ministry) will be charged a parking fee of $10 per day.
All proceeds from the parking fee will go to the Okanagan Indian Band’s save the watershed fund. Please note that title to the area is a matter that is presently before the courts and that the Crown has been unable to produce any documentation showing acquisition of title from the Okanagan Nation.
For more information please contact:
Chief Fabian Alexis cell (250) 306-2838, phone (250) 542-4328
Sherry Louis
Executive Assistant
Okanagan Indian Band
12420 Westside Road,
Vernon, BC, V1H 2A4
okibcouncil@okanagan.org
250.542.4328 (t)
250.542.4990 (f)
Articles Google News
BC band fights logging on site of land claim
CBC.ca - 5 hours ago
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is backing efforts by the Okanagan Indian Band to stop logging in its land claims area while the band resolves ...
Blockade to remain, Tolko to go to court
Castanet.net - Elisha Dacey - 2 hours ago
Chief Fabian Alexis of the Okanagan Indian Band says the current blockade near the Brown's Creek Watershed will remain while ...
WEB FIRST: Band launches Browns Creek blockade
Vernon Morning Star - Vernon Morning Star - 4 hours ago
Okanagan Indian Band members have taken action against logging on the west side of Okanagan Lake. As of 7 am Monday, a blockade was established near Bouleau ...
OKIB Blockade Up Monday Morning
CKFR - 5 hours ago
The Okanagan Indian Band is following up on a threat to make it difficult for Tolko to begin logging in the Browns Creek Watershed. ...
Blockade goes up over Brown's Creek
Castanet.net - 7 hours ago
by Castanet Staff - Story: 52874 The Okanagan Indian Band has followed through with its threat to blockade the Okanagan campsite near Bouleau Lake. ...
British Columbia: Okanagan Nation Warns "All Options on Table" in Looming ...
Pacific Free Press - Feb 21, 2010
by Okanagan Nation In response to the imminent threat of logging within the watershed that supplies the Okanagan Indian Band with much of its drinking water ...
UBCIC Supports Okanagan Indian Band in Browns Creek Faceoff
Market Wire (press release) - Feb 21, 2010
VANCOUVER, BC, PRESS RELEASE--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2010) - Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs stated ...
Letter of Support: Browns Creek Watershed Protection
PR-USA.net (press release) - Chief Alexis - Feb 21, 2010
I am writing in support of the courageous stand you, your council and your community are taking in defense of your water supply. ...
Band considers forestry blockade
Vernon Morning Star - Richard Rolke, Vernon Morning Star - Feb 20, 2010
Members of the Okanagan Indian Band held a checkpoint on Westside Road Saturday to look for Tolko vehicles, ...
CBC News
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is backing efforts by the Okanagan Indian Band to stop logging in its land claims area while the band resolves land title issues.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said he is concerned Tolko Industries will attempt to move equipment and crews into the Brown's Creek watershed on Monday, and said the union will take all steps necessary to protect land rights in the area.
The Okanagan band insists Tolko Industries doesn't have a right to log while land claims remain unresolved, but a B.C. court ruled earlier in February that the Vernon-based logging company can begin cutting in the Browns Creek area, near Vernon.
That prompted elders and band members to pass a motion during an emergency meeting on Saturday night to establish checkpoints to monitor and regulate traffic through the community. The band is concerned that logging in the Browns Creek watershed will threaten their water supply and archeological sites.
Tolko maintains it has developed an appropriate logging plan for the area that includes protecting significant archelogical sites.
'All options on the table'
Chief Fabian Alexis of the Okanagan Indian Band said on Friday that “all options were on the table” in order to protect his community’s water.
"The provincial government has made it clear that the financial interests of Tolko are of greater concern to them than the health and safety of the people who derive their drinking and irrigation water from the Browns Creek watershed,” he said.
“When it comes to protecting the watersheds that supply Vernon with its water, government agencies would not hesitate to act, but suddenly when it involves our community, our concerns are discounted. This systemic racism will not stand,” said Alexis.
"Title over these forest lands is something that is before the courts, therefore for the provincial government to allow as much clear-cut logging as possible around our reserve before title reverts to us is not only utterly cynical, it is in this instance thoroughly irresponsible,” he said.
With files from The Canadian Press Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/02/22/bc-okanagan-tolko-logging-land-claim.html#ixzz0gJf2zoz7
Vernon Morning Star: Band launches Browns Creek Blockade:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/vernonmorningstar/news/84983602.html
Urgent Media Advisory: Okanagan Indian Band Blockades Tolko's logging operation to protect their watershed!
Today
URGENT MEDIA ADVISORY
February 22, 2010
Okanagan Indian Band began blockade at 7:00 am
Okanagan Nation Territory, Vernon – Please be advised that in response to threats from Tolko to commence logging of the watershed that supplies the majority of the 1,800 residents of the Okanagan Indian Band with their drinking water, the band membership will be commencing a protective blockade of the watershed starting at 7:00 a.m. Monday, February 22nd at the Okanagan campsite located near Bouleau Lake.
The media are welcome to attend however due to the icy winter road conditions a 4x4 vehicle is required to reach the camp. Media needing a ride can arrange one by contacting the Okanagan Indian Band Territorial Stewardship Office at (250) 542-7132.
Anyone attending the camp is advised to dress warmly with proper winter attire as temperatures will likely be below freezing even during the day.
Under the authority of the Okanagan Nation, a parking area will be designated. Parking will be free to the media, OKIB members and supporters but all forestry vehicles (both corporate and ministry) will be charged a parking fee of $10 per day.
All proceeds from the parking fee will go to the Okanagan Indian Band’s save the watershed fund. Please note that title to the area is a matter that is presently before the courts and that the Crown has been unable to produce any documentation showing acquisition of title from the Okanagan Nation.
For more information please contact:
Chief Fabian Alexis cell (250) 306-2838, phone (250) 542-4328
Sherry Louis
Executive Assistant
Okanagan Indian Band
12420 Westside Road,
Vernon, BC, V1H 2A4
okibcouncil@okanagan.org
250.542.4328 (t)
250.542.4990 (f)
Articles Google News
BC band fights logging on site of land claim
CBC.ca - 5 hours ago
The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is backing efforts by the Okanagan Indian Band to stop logging in its land claims area while the band resolves ...
Blockade to remain, Tolko to go to court
Castanet.net - Elisha Dacey - 2 hours ago
Chief Fabian Alexis of the Okanagan Indian Band says the current blockade near the Brown's Creek Watershed will remain while ...
WEB FIRST: Band launches Browns Creek blockade
Vernon Morning Star - Vernon Morning Star - 4 hours ago
Okanagan Indian Band members have taken action against logging on the west side of Okanagan Lake. As of 7 am Monday, a blockade was established near Bouleau ...
OKIB Blockade Up Monday Morning
CKFR - 5 hours ago
The Okanagan Indian Band is following up on a threat to make it difficult for Tolko to begin logging in the Browns Creek Watershed. ...
Blockade goes up over Brown's Creek
Castanet.net - 7 hours ago
by Castanet Staff - Story: 52874 The Okanagan Indian Band has followed through with its threat to blockade the Okanagan campsite near Bouleau Lake. ...
British Columbia: Okanagan Nation Warns "All Options on Table" in Looming ...
Pacific Free Press - Feb 21, 2010
by Okanagan Nation In response to the imminent threat of logging within the watershed that supplies the Okanagan Indian Band with much of its drinking water ...
UBCIC Supports Okanagan Indian Band in Browns Creek Faceoff
Market Wire (press release) - Feb 21, 2010
VANCOUVER, BC, PRESS RELEASE--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2010) - Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs stated ...
Letter of Support: Browns Creek Watershed Protection
PR-USA.net (press release) - Chief Alexis - Feb 21, 2010
I am writing in support of the courageous stand you, your council and your community are taking in defense of your water supply. ...
Band considers forestry blockade
Vernon Morning Star - Richard Rolke, Vernon Morning Star - Feb 20, 2010
Members of the Okanagan Indian Band held a checkpoint on Westside Road Saturday to look for Tolko vehicles, ...
February 21, 2010
OLYMPICS: Coast Salish blockade bridge where ancestors were desecrated
Blockade Golden Ears Bridge
Anti-2010 Olympics Convergence, Coast Salish Territories, (Vancouver, B.C.)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/salmonsovereignty
Contact: salmonsovereignty@hotmail.com
As part of the Anti-Olympics Convergence in Vancouver B.C., members of Coast Salish Katzie First Nation and supporters blocked the Golden Ears Bridge.
The Bridge spans the Frazer River between Pitt Meadows and Langley, and is adjacent to Katzie 1 and Katzie 2 Reserves. It is about a half hour drive outside of Vancouver.
The bridge opened on June 16, 2009. It is owned by Translink, who say, “It will have major long-term impacts on the region, improving travel times and promoting economic activity.” It is clearly disregarding the negative impacts on Indigenous people.
Construction of the bridge desecrated a 3,000 year old burial ground. Its massive pilings in the river disrupt currents, and the ability of local Katzie fishers to fish. Situated at the mouth of the Frazer River, the bridge effects already threatened habitat for Salmon and Indigenous fishing communities all up the Fraser River.
Statement by a participant in the action:
“My people have been told when to fish and how big our net can be since our book of rules (Indian act) in 1896. My family has been arrested for fishing when they were not allowed.”
“The bridge affects my family in many ways. For thousands of years my family has been fishing on the Fraser River. The exact same spot where they built the Golden Ears Bridge is where my father, my grandfather and so on, is where we were taught to fish. The exact same spot we have been fishing is where there is a 6 lane bridge.”
“That bridge has caused hurt and pain with me and my family. The bridge is built on my peoples sacred burial grounds. That bridge has destroyed the river far beyond Katzie’s boundaries. Because of the bridge I’m forced to change my teachings and ways of fishing. That bridge has destroyed the natural path for the salmon to continue up the river for indigenous people to eat to survive. Dredging gravel out of the river to build bridges and highways for the Olympics is destroying the delicate ecosystem and putting declining fish stocks at further risk.”
These people worked on the site where the bridge is now built. They asked to be anonymous because they would lose their jobs:
“We dug up history of our ancestors - human remains, arrow heads and beads. They gave us a choice: Either we dig up our peoples history or they were going to send non-native people to do it. We were forced and no options from our community!”
~Anonymous hired archaeologist worker.
After the remains were found, members of Katzie First Nations people were paid to build tiny coffins and bury the bones where they were found. Many of the workers thought this meant they wouldn’t build the bridge at that spot.
“So many bones were found, in fetal position, and scattered bones were found These are my people; these bones are my grandfathers and grandmothers. After we had a ceremony to bury the bones in small coffins we made, they went ahead and built the bridge anyway right over top of our sacred burial ground.”
~Anonymous Katzie First Nations worker.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/salmonsovereignty
Contact: salmonsovereignty@hotmail.com
For more info on Anti-2010 Olympics see:
http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/ http://2010.mediacoop.ca/
COMMENT
"My heart goes out to the Coast Salish Katzie First Nation who has to endure this outrageous act of man. I know how hurt you feel to have to rebury your ancestors because my people (Sinixt Arrow Lakes Nation) have been doing this since the mid-1980s in British Columbia. I pray the Creator blesses you generously."
Yvonne.
Anti-2010 Olympics Convergence, Coast Salish Territories, (Vancouver, B.C.)
Video: http://www.youtube.com/salmonsovereignty
Contact: salmonsovereignty@hotmail.com
As part of the Anti-Olympics Convergence in Vancouver B.C., members of Coast Salish Katzie First Nation and supporters blocked the Golden Ears Bridge.
The Bridge spans the Frazer River between Pitt Meadows and Langley, and is adjacent to Katzie 1 and Katzie 2 Reserves. It is about a half hour drive outside of Vancouver.
The bridge opened on June 16, 2009. It is owned by Translink, who say, “It will have major long-term impacts on the region, improving travel times and promoting economic activity.” It is clearly disregarding the negative impacts on Indigenous people.
Construction of the bridge desecrated a 3,000 year old burial ground. Its massive pilings in the river disrupt currents, and the ability of local Katzie fishers to fish. Situated at the mouth of the Frazer River, the bridge effects already threatened habitat for Salmon and Indigenous fishing communities all up the Fraser River.
Statement by a participant in the action:
“My people have been told when to fish and how big our net can be since our book of rules (Indian act) in 1896. My family has been arrested for fishing when they were not allowed.”
“The bridge affects my family in many ways. For thousands of years my family has been fishing on the Fraser River. The exact same spot where they built the Golden Ears Bridge is where my father, my grandfather and so on, is where we were taught to fish. The exact same spot we have been fishing is where there is a 6 lane bridge.”
“That bridge has caused hurt and pain with me and my family. The bridge is built on my peoples sacred burial grounds. That bridge has destroyed the river far beyond Katzie’s boundaries. Because of the bridge I’m forced to change my teachings and ways of fishing. That bridge has destroyed the natural path for the salmon to continue up the river for indigenous people to eat to survive. Dredging gravel out of the river to build bridges and highways for the Olympics is destroying the delicate ecosystem and putting declining fish stocks at further risk.”
These people worked on the site where the bridge is now built. They asked to be anonymous because they would lose their jobs:
“We dug up history of our ancestors - human remains, arrow heads and beads. They gave us a choice: Either we dig up our peoples history or they were going to send non-native people to do it. We were forced and no options from our community!”
~Anonymous hired archaeologist worker.
After the remains were found, members of Katzie First Nations people were paid to build tiny coffins and bury the bones where they were found. Many of the workers thought this meant they wouldn’t build the bridge at that spot.
“So many bones were found, in fetal position, and scattered bones were found These are my people; these bones are my grandfathers and grandmothers. After we had a ceremony to bury the bones in small coffins we made, they went ahead and built the bridge anyway right over top of our sacred burial ground.”
~Anonymous Katzie First Nations worker.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/salmonsovereignty
Contact: salmonsovereignty@hotmail.com
For more info on Anti-2010 Olympics see:
http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/ http://2010.mediacoop.ca/
COMMENT
"My heart goes out to the Coast Salish Katzie First Nation who has to endure this outrageous act of man. I know how hurt you feel to have to rebury your ancestors because my people (Sinixt Arrow Lakes Nation) have been doing this since the mid-1980s in British Columbia. I pray the Creator blesses you generously."
Yvonne.
Bolivia's People Summit to challenge rich nations on climate
Bolivia: ‘People’s Summit’ to challenge rich nations on climate
Raul Connolly
Green Left
20 February 2010
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/827/42566
Bolivia’s foreign minister David Choquehuanca said on February 8 that Bolivia is very concerned about the inadequacy of the greenhouse gas reduction commitments made by developed countries in the Copenhagen Accord at the United Nations climate summit in December, http://www.pwccc.wordpress.com/ said.
Speaking alongside representatives from campesino (peasant) and indigenous organisations, Choquehuanca said: “The commitments, of the developed states, related to greenhouse gas emission reductions will result in more than three degrees increase in temperature above pre-industrial levels.
“Some experts even say that the temperature could rise as high as four degrees above pre-industrial levels. The situation is serious. “An increase of temperature of more than one degree above pre-industrial levels would result in the disappearance of our glaciers in the Andes, and the flooding of various islands and coastal zones.”
Choquehuanca said Bolivia’s demand at the Copenhagen conference was that the greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 40% or more below 1990 levels by 2020. But the emissions reduction targets in the Copenhagen Accord of the countries that have been historically responsible for global warming only amount to 12% to 18 % by 2020.
He said what happened at Copenhagen reinforced the need for the People’s World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth Rights, which is being organised by the Bolivian government in Cochabamba over April 19-22.
“This conference will be a transparent and inclusive event, in which no one will be marginalised. The conference will be attended by citizens, social movements, scientists. “We have also been inviting all the governments and the organisations within the United Nations to participate as delegates and experts to discuss along with the peoples how to address the crisis that affects us all.”
Announcing the objectives of the summit, Bolivian President Evo Morales, the first president from Bolivia’s indigenous majority, said it was clear the so-called developed countries of the world have usurped the bounties of Mother Earth at the expense of the world’s poorest people, a February article on Bolivia Rising reported.
Morales said: “Those most affected by climate change will be the poorest in the world who will see their homes and their sources of survival destroyed, and who will be forced to migrate and seek refuge.”
He pointed out that 75% of historic emissions of greenhouse gases came from “the countries of the North that followed a path of irrational industrialisation”.
He said the Copenhagen conference showed the failure of the industrialised countries to recognise their climate debt.
Morales said: "Climate change is a product of the capitalist system."
The aims of the People’s Conference include: to discuss and agree on the Universal Declaration of Mother Earth Rights; develop proposals for new international agreements; to develop a plan for the holding of an international Climate Justice Tribunal; and define strategies and plans for action and mobilisations for action on climate change.
Bolivia Rising said parliamentarians from the European United Left and the Nordic United Left proposed a resolution in European parliament that “welcomes the initiative” taken by Morales in calling the conference.
It urged "the Commission, the Member states, the European Parliament and the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly to send representatives to this important event”.
The Bolivian government expects around 5000 people from around the world to go to Cochabamba and take part in the conference, Associated Press said on February 8.
Raul Connolly
Green Left
20 February 2010
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2010/827/42566
Bolivia’s foreign minister David Choquehuanca said on February 8 that Bolivia is very concerned about the inadequacy of the greenhouse gas reduction commitments made by developed countries in the Copenhagen Accord at the United Nations climate summit in December, http://www.pwccc.wordpress.com/ said.
Speaking alongside representatives from campesino (peasant) and indigenous organisations, Choquehuanca said: “The commitments, of the developed states, related to greenhouse gas emission reductions will result in more than three degrees increase in temperature above pre-industrial levels.
“Some experts even say that the temperature could rise as high as four degrees above pre-industrial levels. The situation is serious. “An increase of temperature of more than one degree above pre-industrial levels would result in the disappearance of our glaciers in the Andes, and the flooding of various islands and coastal zones.”
Choquehuanca said Bolivia’s demand at the Copenhagen conference was that the greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 40% or more below 1990 levels by 2020. But the emissions reduction targets in the Copenhagen Accord of the countries that have been historically responsible for global warming only amount to 12% to 18 % by 2020.
He said what happened at Copenhagen reinforced the need for the People’s World Conference on Climate Change and Mother Earth Rights, which is being organised by the Bolivian government in Cochabamba over April 19-22.
“This conference will be a transparent and inclusive event, in which no one will be marginalised. The conference will be attended by citizens, social movements, scientists. “We have also been inviting all the governments and the organisations within the United Nations to participate as delegates and experts to discuss along with the peoples how to address the crisis that affects us all.”
Announcing the objectives of the summit, Bolivian President Evo Morales, the first president from Bolivia’s indigenous majority, said it was clear the so-called developed countries of the world have usurped the bounties of Mother Earth at the expense of the world’s poorest people, a February article on Bolivia Rising reported.
Morales said: “Those most affected by climate change will be the poorest in the world who will see their homes and their sources of survival destroyed, and who will be forced to migrate and seek refuge.”
He pointed out that 75% of historic emissions of greenhouse gases came from “the countries of the North that followed a path of irrational industrialisation”.
He said the Copenhagen conference showed the failure of the industrialised countries to recognise their climate debt.
Morales said: "Climate change is a product of the capitalist system."
The aims of the People’s Conference include: to discuss and agree on the Universal Declaration of Mother Earth Rights; develop proposals for new international agreements; to develop a plan for the holding of an international Climate Justice Tribunal; and define strategies and plans for action and mobilisations for action on climate change.
Bolivia Rising said parliamentarians from the European United Left and the Nordic United Left proposed a resolution in European parliament that “welcomes the initiative” taken by Morales in calling the conference.
It urged "the Commission, the Member states, the European Parliament and the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly to send representatives to this important event”.
The Bolivian government expects around 5000 people from around the world to go to Cochabamba and take part in the conference, Associated Press said on February 8.
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