Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

May 3, 2007

Canada ready to pull oxygen plugs on Mohawk elderly



CANADA CANNIBALIZES MOHAWK ELDERS

Kahentinetha Horn
Mohawk Nation News
May 3, 2007.
Canada is bankrupt in more ways than one. It’s morally bankrupt in what it’s trying to do to the elders of Akwesasne Mohawk community.

When tyranny sets into a country, it starts by attacking the fringes of society who are the weakest - the Indigenous people, elders, homeless, youth, babies and welfare recipients. Then they slowly work their way into the core of society.

After receiving a letter from the Canadian government, on May 2 there was a meeting of elders called in Akwesasne at the old age home. It was attended by Mohawks up to 90 years old and beyond. This is a new attack on us. Canada seems bent on showing us they have no conscience, as if we didn’t already know that.

Canada wants the elders to sign waivers so they can investigate their “worldwide income”. The United States government has already given Canada all this information anyway. Right now they can’t use it because the elders have to give their consent. Once they get it, they can get any information anywhere and use it.

Some of us have had so many jobs, we can’t even remember them all. We aren’t at the top of the corporate hierarchy where we can hire platoons of lawyers and accountants to help us get away with murder.

Canada, you’re playing hardball with our old folks. It’s like a “shakedown by gangsters”. The civil servant, otherwise known as the “loan shark”, showed up at the meeting, faced the elders, and told them in no uncertain terms, “If you don’t sign these waivers in 60 days, you’re done for”. The trucks will be here to take away your wheel chairs, oxygen tanks and convalescent beds. You’re reminding us what a rotten system you have. We should ask Hugo Chavez for help. Viva Hugo Chavez!

They want to cut off our pensions sooner because of the huge influx of the “baby boomers” coming up to pension age real soon. They just don’t want us to enjoy a peaceful old age. They are meddling into our lives and private affairs just to put pressure on us. Is it a make work program for civil servants? Or is it part of a generalized cultural belief that it is proper to harass lndigenous people by any means possible? That pressure might kill some of us off. Obviously, you don’t care. We’re just living too long for your purposes.

Ottawa has thousands of these “economic hit men” who are ready to converge on other people after they successfully wipe out the Mohawk elders.

We are not part of Canada . You are squatting on our land. Stop harassing your landlords. These pensions are due to us because we are denied use of our territory to make a living on.

Canada, you’re on the verge of hysteria to go after our old people. You are afraid you’re not going to be able to eat unless you get rid of what you call “useless eaters”. This phrase was coined by Henry Kissinger. So you attack the weakest, our elders, whom you plan to throw out with no money. Why, because Canada is taking orders from the U.S. Because of how you treated us, you cursed our land for yourselves. To save yourselves you must pay homage to us.

Canada, are you going crazy? What’s wrong? What you’re doing reminds us of the sinking of the Titanic! As the ship was going down, they kept the poor people down in the holes. The rich people were jumping into the lifeboats and killing each other to get on. They pushed and shoved women and children out of the way. This happens when the ship goes down.

The rich think they can escape the devastation. One way or another the invaders to Turtle Island are going down. That is why you are starting to attack and cannibalize our weak. Then slowly you’ll go after everybody else.

Canada, you are going against all natural laws by doing away with the weak – the minorities, old age pensions, mother’s allowance, welfare and other pensions and social services like medicare. You have turned around everything that is natural for the sake of filthy lucre. Instead of honoring the owners of the land, you’re hell-bent on putting us in the line of fire first.

Is this pushing Indigenous people into thinking about going off the grid and surviving “underground”?

We hear there is an Ombudsman Privacy Commission in Ottawa appointed by the loan shark’s henchmen. If you can drag him away from his fancy lunch at the Parliamentary restaurant, they could put their mind onto protecting peoples’ rights to confidentiality. The government pays them. Do you think they are going to object if the government wants to intrude on everybody’s life?

The old are afraid. We worked for these pensions, no matter where. Getting a delegation to go to Ottawa won’t mean much unless we have support from all our friends and allies.

If the person refuses to sign, families will have to take them out of hospital and care for them at home. The elders were told they can be charged criminally. Under what section of the Criminal Code will they be charged? It looks like a new crime has been invented without the sanction of parliament. It’s like taking away our children to residential schools to be killed by threatening to charge us criminally.

In Canadian tax law the government says they have a right to know about the worldwide income of all its citizens. Firstly, we are not Canadians and never will be. If that’s the case, then why do they need our permission to get this information legally? Obviously they can’t have this information unless we allow it.

If we are receiving both U.S. and Canadian pensions, they will not cut us off completely, they say. Pensions are really government run insurance schemes, not income. Are they going to cut off private insurance next? They have no rights to the proceeds of an insurance scheme.

They want to create criminals out of nothing! They have been selective about their victims. They want to steal those pensions that Indigenous people have worked for legitimately in the U.S. and paid their dues. Canada wants to lower their money and benefits in Canada .

The government “hit man” told them, “We could be hard on you if you don’t sign these documents”. How much courage does it take to browbeat a 90 year old in a wheel chair or a 100 year old in a convalescent bed?

Should we trust them? If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. What they are trying is illegal. They want to search anywhere in the world for information about us. This waiver will be used to check anything they want, bank accounts, go into our communities and even look under our beds. This will give them carte blanche and give the Gestapo economic police a right to check for any hidden money. Even in our bras! Isn’t this a real invasion of privacy?

We shouldn’t sign this. Us elders should say, “F—k you”. We won’t let you economically blackmail us to give up our right to privacy. Hope they don’t plan to do cavity searches!

They cannot make us sign papers that give all rights over us. You can be sure the rich elites don’t have to put up with this. They are the ones busy putting this thievery into effect. A pickpocket has more class. At least he’ll drop your wallet in an alley so we can get back our ID. But the government keeps everything. In other words, we are the richest poor people in the world.

Tell Prime Minister Stephen Harper http://us.f520.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=harper.s@parl.gc.ca; Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice http://us.f520.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=prentice.j@parl.gc.ca; Governor General of Canada at http://us.f520.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=gg@gg.gc.ca; and anyone else you can think of to stop this genocide. Nia:wen.

Kahentinetha Horn
MNN Mohawk Nation News
http://us.f520.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Kahentientha2@yahoo.com & http://us.f520.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=Katenies20@yahoo.com
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May 2, 2007

Federal Troops Interrogate Zapatista Comandantes in the North


Subcomandante Marcos: "If the federal government has decided to close this civil route also and opts now for the reinitiating of the war in the Mexican Southeast, they should say so clearly. In whatever case, we are ready. For one thing or the other. We make a call to all honest and noble people to come out against this harassment. Democracy! Liberty! Justice!" (Photo Brenda Norrell)


Federal Army Troops Harass the Sixth Commission Delegates
By Subcomandante Marcos


Troops Aggressively Interrogated Civilians Who Accompanied the Zapatista DelegationBy the Sixth Commission EZLN (Translated by El Kilombo) Communiqué from the Indigenous Clandestine Revolutionary Committee—General Command of the Zapatista Army for National Liberation Sixth Commission of the EZLNMexico

April 30th, 2007

To the People of Mexico: To the People of the World: To the Other Campaign:The EZLN makes the following public denouncement:First: Elements of the Federal Army harassed the delegates of the Sixth Commission of the EZLN that are carrying out the work of the Other Campaign in the Northeast region of our country.Second: On April 29th at around 7:30p.m., the convoy of adherents of the Other Campaign that is accompanying Comandantas Miriam and Eucaria and Comandante Zebedeo were detained at a military checkpoint stationed on the highway between Montemorelos and Linares, Nuevo Leon.The soldiers aggressively searched and interrogated the civilians that accompanied the Zapatista delegation, took pictures of them and of their vehicles, and searched the vehicles exhaustively.Third: Since the beginning of our direct participation in the Other Campaign, various federal and state police agencies, as well as army intelligence and the CISEN, have dedicated themselves to vigilance over the Sixth Commission, taking photos, collecting information, and in some cases, harassing the people that accompany us or who we listen to on our journey.These spies and undercover agents have confirmed that the EZLN is not promoting armed struggle but rather people’s civil participation. They know that, in contrast to the government and political parties, we are not telling lies, but rather listening and making echo of the injustices that our people suffer in all of the national territory. They also know that we do not transport weapons or drugs.In the last part of the first phase, this harassment was even greater, and now, on this occasion, the aggression was directly against the Zapatista delegation.Fourth: With the movement of the Other Campaign, the EZLN has followed a civil and pacifist path of struggle. It is public and provable that the EZLN has nothing to do with organized crime, neither within nor outside of governmental or political party spheres. This is a ridiculous pretext with no substantiation, used as an excuse to assault our compañeros.Fifth: If the federal government has decided to close this civil route also and opts now for the reinitiating of the war in the Mexican Southeast, they should say so clearly. In whatever case, we are ready. For one thing or the other.Sixth: We make a call to all honest and noble people to come out against this harassment.Democracy!Liberty!Justice!
From the Other Mexican North.For the Indigenous Clandestine Revolutionary Committee—General Command of the Zapatista Army for National Liberation.
Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos
En Espanol:
From: Narco News (includes translations into numerous languages)http://www.narconews.com/

Western Shoshone and Australian Aboriginals tell Barrick Gold: "LEAVE!"

Western Shoshone and Wiradjuri Nation tell Barrick Gold: LEAVE!

Peaceful protesters arrested outside Barrick meeting

UPDATE: http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/209897
Barrick takes rare loss on hit to unwind hedge
Anti-mine activists arrested outside annual meeting of shareholders
May 03, 2007
Lisa WrightBusiness Reporter
TORONTO STAR
Two anti-mining protesters were arrested yesterday outside Barrick GoldCorp.'s annual meeting at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre just asthe company celebrated a long-awaited milestone with the elimination ofits controversial hedge book.A woman in her late 20s who was handing out pamphlets about the negativeimpacts of global gold mining and a Toronto man in his early 40s, whotried to intervene during her arrest, were hauled off in a police van atabout 9:30 a.m., accused of trespassing and obstructing officers, policesaid."They're free to get their point across but they were on privateproperty," Sgt. Mark Hayward told the Toronto Star."They were asked to leave and they refused to leave so they werearrested," he said, adding a handful of others complied and moved acrossFront St. The woman was released and not charged, while details of theman's status were not immediately available.He added that eight officers were waiting at the scene this morningafter receiving intelligence of potential protests against Barrick, theworld's largest gold miner and a favourite target of environmentalactivists for their mining practices."We want to raise awareness about the significant ecological damage thattheir projects have caused in remote communities," said Natalie Lowreyof Friends of the Earth Australia.A Barrick spokesperson said the police were simply doing their jobprotecting the public.Another small rally was held outside Barrick's head office on Bay St.late yesterday to continue the day of protest in tandem with the annualmeeting in the John Bassett Theatre, with some environmentalists giventime to speak to shareholders.Barrick reported a net loss of $159 million (U.S.) in the first quarter- its first quarterly loss in five years - after taking a hit of $557million to unwind its hedge book.Barrick is now free to sell all production from its 27 mines at spotprices. Gold fell by $2.10 to close at $672.30 yesterday in New York.The strategy of forward selling production was a $2 billion windfallover the late 1980s and 1990s when bullion continued to tumble. ButBarrick's share price took a beating as gold began to climb over thelast five years."When you look at the whole ball of wax, in the 20 or so years ofBarrick hedging, it's probably been an even sum game for them, but Ithink the market will take it kindly," said analyst Michael Fowler ofDesjardins Securities.Flamboyant company founder Peter Munk told the audience Barrick has done"a superb job" in growing to the top of the heap globally and that thelagging stock price should reflect that."We're very pleased about what we've accomplished because the market islooking for unhedged producers and there's a very bullish sentiment onthe gold price now," said chief financial officer Jamie Sokalsky.Barrick boosted its annual dividend 36 per cent and has $3 billion incash. Shares jumped $1.56 (Canadian,) or 5 per cent, the most in almosta year, to close at $32.71 in Toronto.

TORONTO – May 2, 2007 - Western Shoshone and Wiradjuri Nation Aboriginals told Barrick Gold Corporation to leave their lands during the annual stockholder meeting here. Western Shoshone Defense Project (WSDP), a grassroots Native American group based in Nevada attended, with support from the Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization. Dedicated to protecting the land rights and preserving the homelands of the Western Shoshone people, the WSDP is concerned about Barrick's plans to mine on Mount Tenabo and Horse Canyon, important spiritual areas in Northern Nevada and home to Shoshone creation stories. "As the world's largest gold mining company, Barrick should be an industry leader and respect the rights of communities to give their free, prior, and informed consent to all mining projects proposed on their lands," said Keith Slack, senior policy advisor for Oxfam America. "Respecting the right of consent is critical for protecting indigenous peoples’ sacred sites.""The United Nations has recognized that the U.S. government and the mining companies are violating Western Shoshone land rights," said Larson Bill, community organizer for the Western Shoshone Defense Project. "We have repeatedly tried to engage with Barrick regarding their plans to mine on Mount Tenabo, but all they have done is bring in more drilling rigs and put up fences.""We are bringing a petition signed by over 18,500 people telling Barrick to stop all activity on Mount Tenabo and Horse Canyon. These are people all over the country who understand that this is Western Shoshone land and the mining companies have no right to destroy it," said Bill. Slack continued, "Today's meeting is an opportunity for the WSDP to take their concerns directly to Barrick and its shareholders."Oxfam America works to ensure the oil, gas, and mining industries respect the rights of community members impacted by extractive industries projects, and that projects contribute to the long-term reduction of poverty. For more information, or for an interview with Keith Slack or Larson Bill, please contact Helen DaSilva at hdasilva@oxfamamerica.org, (617) 728-2409 (office) or (617) 331-2984 (cell).

From Wiradjuri Nation in Australia:
2 MAY 2007
Peter Munk, Chair of Barrick Gold Admits Liability for The Desecration Of Lake Cowal Sacred Site, Australia
At today’s Barrick Gold AGM held at the Convention Centre in Toronto, Neville ‘Chappy’ Williams, traditional owner of Lake Cowal and Western Shoshone delegates from Nevada successfully questioned the Barrick Gold Board of Directors during the live webcast. Shareholders were amazed and concerned the interveners had traveled so far to raise their objections Peter Munk tried to explain why Barrick Gold shares continued their ‘disappointing’ decline in value whilst the mining industry is “drowning in liquidity” as he put it. Peter Munk blamed Barrick Gold’s demise on NGOs who pressure governments to require too many permits before mining can commence. He cited 500 permits before the controversial Pascua Lama could begin construction in a glacier area on the border of Chile and Argentina. The Western Shoshone delegate, granddaughter of the late Mary Dann articulated her intense opposition to Barrick’s plan to mine her Peoples’ sacred mountain. Next Neville ‘Chappy’ Williams too the microphone and passionately put his case and personally served a Notice to Quit on Peter Munk and the Board of Dirctors. He stated: “On April 07, Barrick’s mines manager, Bill Shallvey, refused to be served this document. As an elder of the Wiradjuri Nation I serve this document on Barrick Gold on behalf of the Mooka and Kalara united families within the Wiradjuri Nation.” The Notice to Cease Illegal Occupation of Lake Cowal includes: “Under Wiradjuri custom, tradition and Law/Lore you have received your three warnings. You must now respect the unceded sovereignty of the Wiradjuri Nation and cease all operations; restore the landscape; remove all equipment and replace all artifacts to their GPS’d positions.” We reserve our right to take further action as necessary.” After the AGM Neville ‘Chappy’ Williams approached Peter Munk and stressed that Barrick Gold is desecrating the sacred site of Lake Cowal. Peter Munk tried to say he had so many employees he didn’t really know what Barrick Gold was doing. Eleanor Gilbert, challenged this by saying: “But the buck stops with you Mr Munk. Ultimately you are the one responsible.” Peter Munk agreed. Neville Williams continued by detailing the desecration and stressed his right to religious freedom under section 116 of the Australian Constitution. As Peter Munk moved away he turned to Neville Williams and with a haunted look in his eyes said: “I’m so sorry.” Media from Quebec and Chile recorded Peter Munk’s admission of liability. Later a shareholder approached Neville Williams saying: “I’ve got shares in Barrick. I’m thinking now whether I should sell my shares in Barrick Gold.” In a peaceful demonstration outside the AGM supporters were handing out the Alternative Annual Report for Barrick Gold [www.protestbarrick.net] when two were roughly arrested for trespassing whilst they stood on the sidewalk. Contact Neville Williams 647 268 4440 or +61 421 795 639



Photos: GOLD MINING CORES OUT MOUNTAINS: Newmont gold mining on Western Shoshone land/Project Underground. (R) Lake Cowall gold mine processing plant in Australia. Image: Natalie Lowrey

MIGRANT RALLY: Los Angeles Police Beat Women, Shoot Rubber Bullets at Families

Now being censored by much of the print media, but shown on television news, Los Angeles police fired rubber bullets at families and even beat a female legal observer with a baton during the migrant rally in a park on Tuesday:
Photo and article by Leslie Radford:
http://la.indymedia.org/archives/archive_by_id.php?id=1437&category_id=3

May 1, 2007

Border Guardians Spew Hatred During Migrant March in Tucson


TUCSON, Ariz. -- Thousands marched for migrant rights here on Tuesday, as less than a dozen members of the hate group Border Guardians yelled profanity and racial slurs at marchers. Photos by Brenda Norrell: (Above) Russ Dove, member of Border Guardians, attempts to provoke marchers with racial insults and obscenities. (Below) Sebastian Quinac, Mayan Cakchiquel from Guatemala, stands as Border Guardians assemble behind him and insult marchers. Photo 3: Mario Guardo rode his motorcycle with an American flag and the sign, "Humanitarian Aid is Never a Crime." Photo 4: Thousands marched, shouting, "Cesar Chavez," and "No More Deaths," through the streets of Tucson.




News articles on marches for migrant rights in Tucson and Phoenix:
COMMENT POST: In response to the comment posted, I don't have video posted, but there are two videos at You Tube of Border Guardians in Phoenix, see link below. Tucson TV stations were present at the Tucson rally, so the stations may have news video available.