One for One and All for None: the Indian Revolution?
Some people would have us believe that Indigenous People need a revolution in individual rights. That they need to be able to enjoy the secular wonders of colonial society - and know that, after 500 years of being kept face down as a people, they can finally have a chance to live "the good life".
Indigenous People just can't have that sort of life right now, we are told by these same people, because of "collective rights". A recent article by Joseph Quesnel attempts to explain.
The problem, according to Quesnel, is that "the collective wields power" over individuals, preventing them from exercising their so-called "principal rights". So instead of being able to fill out a human rights complaint or buy a brand new house, Indigenous People are forced to comply to the whims of "the collective" -- which is to say, the Band Council government that control it.
"First Nation governments wield extraordinary power in terms of housing, employment, health and social assistance that can make the people fear government, rather than the other way around. Individuals do not possess their own property, so the collective wields power over their lives," says Quesnel.
While it's true that Band Councils have a strong hold on community affairs, a revolution in Individual rights is a poor and diluted way to address it.
After all, the problem is not with "the collective" as if it's some "tyrannical beast" that we must "cut down to liberate ourselves from its clutches". The problem is with individual leaders (Chiefs and Councils), who are federal government employees, and those "the far away few" (Canadian politicians) who provide them with their money and power to do with as they see fit.... and of course, the new government policies and accountability measures to which they themselves are not accountable.
For the record, there is absolutely no problem with collective rights. Not even when it comes to the rights of individuals, which are not "gobbled up" by the monster as Quesnel asserts.
Quite the contrasty, individual rights are enshrined, and far more than any system where individual rights take precedent over collective rights, simply because individuals in a collective setting are prevented from holding any kind of special treatment or favor.
The same cannot be said in a place like Canada, especially because individual rights are in effect privileges that encourage competition over equal access.
It is in effect a no-holds-barred, "All for None" social system that individuals to undermine and profit beyond the means others: to buy a house or a thousand houses, destroy an apartment block for the 2010 Olympics; or hire a military force to invade a peaceful indigenous community and then kill them.
And of course, in a place like Canada, these privileges can be taken away at any moment. There is nothing to protect individual rights beyond the narrow-minded assumption that they are "a given." Just look at how easily the Bush administration undermined individual rights, and how powerless we were to stop it from happening.
That could never happen in a community that has its collective rights intact.
Why else do Elders speak of a time when there was ZERO poverty and homelessness, ZERO crime and disease, ZERO suicide, ZERO rape and abuse of women and children? This memory is not a random coincidence, but the result of an effective, community-based system of rights.
There was also ZERO abuse of power, because leadership was a branch of the community. Not an instrument to exploit it. Leaders simply couldn't get away with anything unless the community was willing to tolerate it. And if leaders needed to be pulled back into the community to heal, or banished from the community to heal themselves, it was done so without any complications.
Today we laugh at banishment, don't we? Think to ourselves, "well I'd just move to Toronto." At the same time, nearly every reserve is faced with a spectrum of problems so great that cultural extinction isn't so far off. It's too much for any one person to bare.
Quesnel would have us believe that it's all the result of a "tyrannical scourge:" a system of rights we developed through practical experience over thousands of years, rather than a very specific set of colonial polices and selected individuals who forget what it's like to be a part of something greater than their own self-interests.
Do we really lack freedom because we can't buy our own home? Do we really lack justice because we can't file a human right complaint?
Or do we need to strengthen our communities, come together and respond to those individuals and those polices that have collectively undermined us for centuries?
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Greetings. I’d just like to say that this is a bit of a test article for me, and I’d very much like to hear your thoughts. Would you like to see more writings like this in the future?
YES!!! About time. Absolutely essential that we, and others, are informed on the issues surrounding Native governance and collective, as opposed to individual, rights. Especially since the Canadian Government’s recently exposed move to enshrine individual rights governance on our reserves. By seeking to impose the right of the individual to ownership of private property, over the collective ownership of property,the government is simply taking another step towards our loss of collective status as the unconquered owners of this land.
There are those who may argue that our status as A People is secured in Canada’s constitution. I would argue that the government’s use of blood quantum in determining who, and who is not, entitled to Native status tells us where this ‘individual property rights on the reserve’ thingy is headed.
Each time we cede our rights to determine how we run our own affairs we put another nail in the coffin of our own demise.
Ziibi Qwa
Thanks for commenting Elisabeth.
By seeking to impose the right of the individual to ownership of private property, over the collective ownership of property,the government is simply taking another step towards our loss of collective status as the unconquered owners of this land.
That’s exactly it. And the end-goal is to disappear our culture and identity forever.
Blood quantum has an important role in this. I was actually just reading about it a few minutes ago… http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/40843122.html … and of course there was that study in winnipeg last year that warned how several (dozens) communities will face “legal extinction” in two or three generations unless blood quantum laws are disposed of.
There are those who may argue that our status as A People is secured in Canada’s constitution.
ha, they can argue all they want, but it doesn’t change the fact: those rights are nothing more than words on paper—words that can be disregarded any time and for almost any reason (as long as there is a “substantial objective” to justify their dismissal, according to delgamuukw.
No, our rights come from living our own life as separate and distinct from Canada. Anything less is, as you point out, “another nail in the coffin of our own demise.”
A
They are not the collective as you have wrote Ani WE are the collective either that or our collective is growing at a powerful rate this is not just happening here in Canada but worldwide i am surprised that you have not spoke about the change that is taking place where governments who once treated us like animals are now apoligizing and working on assisting us at self governance and more responsability as stewards of the lands by corporations having to now go threw us more and more to get to the resources,we have much power as a collective in this world more then you seem to realize this is one of my favorite sites but i believe that change IS taking place the world is a big place the tribes are spread threw out the world so it is difficult to get to all tribal people but the collective is growing in power worldwide and this collective is for the poor tribal people for the lands for the children for the Great spirits creation for the Great spirits children for we are all as the whiteman says Gods children and Gods children must be protected and Gods creation must be protected and respected do not underestimate the power of Gods collective in this world.For our prime creator is here in the collective.
They are not the collective as you have wrote Ani… I guess I didn’t express myself too clearly about that—WE are certainly the collective. Quesnel’s point is that the collective is nothing more than the band councils.
And you are right, the collective is growing, though we still have a pretty far way to go…
i am surprised that you have not spoke about the change that is taking place where governments who once treated us like animals are now apoligizing and working on assisting us at self governance and more responsability as stewards of the lands by corporations having to now go threw us more and more to get to the resources,
The truth is, I want to speak about positive changes. But as far as governments and corporations go, all I see is “two steps forward, 10 steps back” in a very old and very cruel game. Mind you, you’re right, it’s nowhere near as bad as what it was, but then nothing’s really changed over the years except their strategies: Before they used a brutal fist, now they use the gentle stroke of a pen (while keeping the fist on the table).
The BC government illustrates this well. They go on and on and on about how desperately they want better relations with Indigenous communities, but then they do nothing substantial to improve relations. Instead they try to reverse good (and legally appropriate) court rulings so they can get back to abusing the land and deny their obligation to consult. Then there’s BC Treaties! Some people talk about these treaties like they’re the greatest documents that ever existed, but in reality they are agreements to dissolve sovereignty in exchange for some easy cash.
Australia is another example. It’s great that they finally apologized for the stolen generation, ans just recently endorsed the UN declaration of indigenous rights… but at the same time, even as I write these words, the military is stationed in more than 40 indigenous communities, and the government is pushing forward a massive plan to extinguish indigenous rights. It’s like a rapist saying sorry when he fully intends to rape again.
we have much power as a collective in this world more then you seem to realize this is one of my favorite sites but i believe that change IS taking place…
More than change, my friend, there is growth. I see it well. The past 500 years (3000 in some cases overseas) has been a social, cultural and political winter for Onkwehonwe — but now that season is coming to an end. We are growing and we will continue to grow as long as we walk the necessary path…
What you must understand Ahni is that what is in the collective is the source and in the source is the prime creator which means that creation is at work and if the white governments and corporations wish to go to war against creation they will lose i have seen it in my visions it is best to work in harmony with creation not against it.now what is this about military on my peoples reserves?we have far more powerful allies then you think Ahni the elementals all of nature the heavens the planets,stars ect and the prime creator along with the Gods of old do you really think they can defeat such odds i think not.
Ok, I understand. And no, they ultimately can’t win because this is about life. We mustn’t forget where we are though. Here, now, we ARE ‘losing’ in the sense that many of our peoples are on the brink of extinction, and the entire world is being utterly soaked in dangerous toxins. (look at Canada for example) We’re dying inside and out while governments sit around talking about how much they love and care about us. The situation in Australia is just the tip of the iceberg. That’s why it’s so important that we come together, and that we do all the necessary ground work – which right now is resistance, reclamation, and, educating and empowering the youngest brother to heal…
About Australia, honestly it breaks my heart and infuriates me to the point of nausea. I can’t even write about it anymore. They’re doing what Canada and America did to us 100 years ago:
http://intercontinentalcry.org/australia-legislates-assimilation/
http://intercontinentalcry.org/international-day-of-action-on-the-nt-invasion-november-17/
Ahni i admire and respect your writing on this site you greatly impress me.The problem has always been on my side here is to keep the violence to a minimum.I feel we have been threw to much i have been quietly dealing with many of these issues threw Canada U.S and now more in Latin America we need more medicine people to become more involved in influencing events peacefully and in spirit i too have been working on that.Peace is my prime objective as i hope and pray all tribal people feel the same way i wish i could explain some of my works for they are vast,but as i said i work quietly and peacefully you see it is like a game of chess with the whiteman we must think 5 moves ahead they know our weakness well i know there weakness much can be done in peaceful ways for i feel we have been making headway i hope you feel the same way.If more can be done anyone of you please put in ideas so that we may work at this problem peacefully but with powerful medicine to back us.
First thing first, I agree completely about the use of violence. I don’t even think it worked in the past (if it did, there would be peace), and now it just gives states a perfect reason to come down on us. What hope is there for survival if we open the door so they can come in and kill us?
I know there are some who advocate violence, but it just can’t bring us what we need. Same with “shipping them” back to Europe. It’s a fun idea, but in reality they’ll just come back, and then history will repeat. And if we tried to kill them or something then we’d be no different from them. Above all we have to keep our integrity.
i feel we have been making headway i hope you feel the same way
yeah, we really have been making headway, but we still have alot more work to do.
I’m going to end there for the moment, Windtalker. I do have some ideas to share though, I just need a couple days to think about them. Respectfully, A
Hey, Windtalker. OK, there’s alot I would like to say here, but I’m going to I’m skip most of it and just focus on a couple ideas that have been mulling around for a couple years.
One that would be good for strengthening and healing our communities… would be to organize a series of grassroots projects to address specific problems in our communities. For example, one community could focus on ending alcohol abuse, another on housing, land restoration, diabetes prevention, etc. We could organize several dozen of these projects, and possibly aim toward developing a base model for other communities to use (and alter according to their own needs and traditions.)
The big thing here is that we do it on our own, with no external funding or help (least of all from governments or corporations).
I believe this alone could enable us to address every local problem. It would take time of course, but if we remained committed then it would work.
Leading up to this, we could organize several dozen regional forums for community reps (and whoever) to attend and organize the projects (which would ultimately have to be approved by each participating community)
For the sake of mentioning it, the efforts of the Zapatista and the Sarayaku (Ecuador) inspired this idea.
Come to think of it, both have an excellent grassroots model in play that’s well worth mentioning. It focuses on local, national, and international action:
1. Local efforts focus on healing and empowerment (developing their own schools, healing their land, and cutting all ties to the colonial system.);
2. Nationally, they focus on short and long term efforts to protect their rights, educate the public and create a true sense of democracy; and;
3. Internationally, they raise awareness and build solidarity.
Personally, I think this is THE model for indigenous grassroots activism, and something we should all take time to study.
Another idea, something for down the road perhaps, a continental confederacy. This is actually something I was working on in the past, but I walked away from the effort (and started this website). I was aiming for it to be like the Haudeanosaunee Confederacy…
I also wanted to build an “intercontinental” version for all indigenous Nations, and a global indigenous trade network (that would have been based on sharing and mutual benefit.) I think these probably speak for themselves!
Well, there’s millions of other great ideas out there, but these are the big ones for me. I would also like to hear ideas from others.
Ahni i must object on something you wrote earlier you wrote that we are losing,i beg to differ for you see if you give power on this site that we are losing then you feed it,now if you say we are winning then you give great power to that that it is why i write that we are making headway i feel we are winning even though this is not a game when lives and lands are at stake.The point being please write here that we are winning and not losing and all who read this will feel the same way let us all put power to the same thing the positive not the negative and good and powerful things will happen.Thanks for your consideration on that.
I’ve been thinking a great deal about your words, Windtalker.
I do agree that we are making headway, and that we are winning in the most important sense. We might even be just two or three moves away from ending this old game once and for all.
At the same, I can’t help but see that we are being attacked from almost every angle, and that a great many of us are in danger because of it. That’s the only reason I say we are losing. The violence that we suffered in the past still exists today in the policies of governments and the practices of corporations.
For US I have only hope and a belief that we can and will do everything that needs to be done for future generations.
I find it interesting i was thinking about a global tribal counsel before i finished reading your post so i guess we are on the same page i agree with all that you wrote once again and as i said i too feel that we should get the most powerful individuals from each nation worldwide together and create a global counsel with great power to back us.Not just educated people but people who have survived the school of hard knocks so to speak and have gained power because of it.Yes the educated among us would be needed those for example who know business the markets and government policies.But i feel that truly powerful people should also be involved with a collective agreement to deal with tribal problems and issues on a global scale.I know the tribes are spread threw out the world and i know many of us speak different langueges but like a braid when we put all singular hairs together a strong and powerful braid is created we as tribal people should make this braid.Now i have noticed how governments and corporations have not respected other tribal global counsels well that is why i suggest putting much power with it like the most powerful shamans and medicine people and holy men and women worldwide.No matter what you might think of the rich they do respect power and i mean real power not just a word.The fun part is getting all of the representives together.The spirit of the earth wishes this the spirit of the sun wishes this the spirits of our ansestors wish this and the prime creator wishes this.I am trying to get to the meeting here in bc maby that is a start yes?
Yes, would like to see more stories like this. Especially examples of people trying to do this and succeeding.
I think the same, that we need grassroots work done without government support. I know a lot of people who ‘appear’ willing, and maybe they are, but there is too much bickering among different political factions who try to control the people. Anyone who can overcome or who can go on despite that ugliness we need to hear and learn from. I think there may be examples in the indigenous people in Mexico.
Good to hear from you Min. I’ve been thinking about writing some more articles lately, but this website has been keeping me so busy, and I keep taking on more and more projects. Just now I’m trying to put together a global map to show every indigenous struggle in the world. It’s way too much for me, lol, but I think it’s something we need to see. It’s actually a pretty interesting project, because people can send alerts via text message (or through twitter) — so, eg. if something happened at Akwesasne, someone could phone in an alert and then whoever’s subscribed to updates for that region of the map would be notified instantly. It’s potentially extremely useful (If it was used widely, it could even save lives). If I had the money and the social support I’d like to make it into a website, maybe call it “signalfire” or something.
Beyond this, I’m seriously thinking about getting some more writers here. Then I can focus more on (taking apart silly ideas and) constructive writing, which I’d like focus on exclusively at some point. There’s dozens of different articles I’d like to write.
I know a lot of people who ‘appear’ willing, and maybe they are, but there is too much bickering among different political factions who try to control the people.
In some cases we can ignore them too, by walking away from the chest pounding and getting things started on our own. Sometimes all it takes is one person to set the example. Or we can humble the trouble makers, really put them on the spot so they have no choice but to look at their thinking and then improve it. It’s a big challenge, but if it makes opponents into allies then it’s worth it.
I think there may be examples in the indigenous people in Mexico.
There certainly are. The Zapatista have really laid it all out. There’s other good examples too. And lots about people putting aside their differences and working together for a common goal of some kind (Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Philippines, Cambodia, etc) I notice that it all seems to happen out of necessity, even with the Zapatista.
I’m gonna end on that note, but I will write about this at some point, Min. It’s really got me thinking
I too would like to see more articles like this. here in new zealand, maori continue the fight against colonisation and the deliberate destruction of indigenous people, beliefs and lifestyles.
One of the first things the colonisers did (or tried to do) was alienate maori from the land by creating ‘private’ ownership and destroying the collective ownership models. They wanted it that way because then they could pretend to buy the land – hard to do that when there are collective ownership. Of course they didn’t really buy the land – they stole and cheated for it. Once alienated from the land, the people are easier to split from each other and the cultural beliefs and knowledge handed down for generations is eroded. The eurocentric/capitalistic/consumeristic/individualistic models are not our model. They replace our models… or should i say they try to… because we, like you, aren’t going down.