Dr. Wabanakwut Kinew – Interim Associate Vice President for Indigenous Relations, University of Winnipeg from Cape Breton University on Vimeo.
Watch this. It’s very good. Wab starts out talking about Cpl Cirillo and Tecumseh (!) but moves on to offer good advice not only to young Canadians but to all Canadians. Continue reading Wab Kinew: "This country is true. This country is strong. This country is free."
E-5 Emergency resolution on the on-going crisis in First Nations Communities
Submitted by : Aboriginal Commission
WHEREAS the continuing incation of the Conservative government has pushed the arleady heightened sense of frustration felt by First Nations expressed through the Idle No More grassroots movement to a tipping point : Continue reading NDP Convention: E-5 Emergency resolution on the on-going crisis in First Nations Communities
E-1 Emergency resolution on NunatuKavut Community
Submitted by: Labrador
WHEREAS the NDP has consistently called on the Government of Canada to live up to its responsibilities towards all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, and to make treaties, as well as the settlement and implementation of comprehensive land claims a priority; Continue reading NDP Convention: E-1 Emergency resolution on NunatuKavut Community
The NDP convention considered the following motion:
5-01-13 Resolution on Aboriginal Education
Submitted by the Longueuil—Pierre Boucher
WHEREAS despite the unanimous adoption of the NDP motion “Shannen’s Dream” by all political parties in the House of Commons, the situation of schools on reserves is still alarming; and
WHEREAS Aboriginals also have the highest school dropout rates in Canada;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New Democratic Party will continue to work towards the realization of “Shannen’s Dream” with First Nations leaders to guarantee First Nations children access to the same standard of education as other Canadian children.
Among those speaking in support of this motion were NDP MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) and Nycole Turmel (Hull-Aylmer).
Motion passed.
NDP convention now considering:
5-05-13 Resolution on Idle No More
Submitted by the Aboriginal Peoples Commission
WHEREAS years of inaction and broken promises from successive liberal and conservative government has led to severe social injustice and shocking poverty in too many communities
WHEREAS as a consequence we are witnessing an historic and growing grassroots movement joining Indigenous peoples and other Canadians in a long overdue conversation
BE IT RESOLVED that the New Democratic Party continues to work towards building a new relationship on a nation-to nation basis with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the NDP engages with grassroots Aboriginal activists who are calling on the government of Canada to repeal legislation like omnibus bill C-38 and C-45 that diminishes environmental protections of land and water and affect Aboriginal and Indigenous rights and title
Elder Raymond Robinson spoke to this motion.
NDP MP Romeo Saganash spoke to this motion.
After several speakers, the motion passes.
Transcript provided by CTV of Leader of the Official Opposition Thomas Mulcair on CTV’s Question Period this afternoon. Kevin Newman is the interviewer:
NEWMAN: On December 18th, you called on the government to hold a meeting with First Nations. That’s now happened. You also called for the prime minister to meet with Chief Spence. He offered, she declined. Is it time for her to end her protest?
MULCAIR: I’m always very concerned when someone appears to be willing to end their own life, even though they’re fighting for a cause that they find that important. I would sincerely call upon Chief Spence to realize that there has been a step in the right direction, to try to see now if we can keep putting pressure on the government to follow through. It has been a year where nothing was done after a very formal meeting. But finally the government seems to be moving so I think that the best thing to do would be to step back from that now. Continue reading NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair adds his voice to those calling on Chief Spence to eat something
Just in from the Governor General’s press office:
Planned Scenario for the Ceremonial Meeting with First Nations Leaders
on Friday, January 11, 2013, at 6:30 p.m., in the Ballroom at Rideau Hall
Earlier today, outside Langevin Block, where the Prime Minister-First Nations working meeting is taking place I snapped this pic:
So who’s at this meeting that many of those outside Langevin Block today (above) did not want to take place? Continue reading Attendance list for Prime Minister- First Nations meeting
As I blog this at 11 a.m. Eastern, we are two hours away from a scheduled meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper, some of his cabinet ministers and officials and some First Nations leaders. We believe Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo will be one of those leaders along with AFN B.C. regional chief Jody Wilson-Raybould. But we’re still not quite sure if that meeting will occur and,if it does, if it will be with those FN leaders. Continue reading Palmater: If GG and PM do not come to chiefs' hotel, there will be consequences
