In my post the lead up to June 29, I mentioned how in due time we’ll see what this day of action serves… I also talked a bit about the nature of protests, and our need for strategy and to define attainable goals. Following this post up, and latching on to the need to do things differently, here’s an analysis of the AFN’s day of action by Warrior Publications (following some of my own commentary.)

With respect, it seems to me the day of action was for us, fruitless. …

June 29 is almost here and I thought I would post an overview of what is being planned. First though, I would like to reiterate something, which Wasase recently pointed out in a commnuique: the need to go beyond a day of action.

With respect, one day of action is simply not enough when our struggle is one that spans our entire lives. It has been going on for dozens of generations now–What can we really accomplish in this one day? There is much need to put this in perspective.

Protest has never changed a System or a Nation, especially …

The following is a look at the AFN, their upcoming National Day of Action; Canada and their recent response to it; and finally the People and a recently-planned alternative day of action, For July 1.

Canada’s Reaction to the AFN; some questions
As June 29 approaches, Canada has started moving to quell so-called “native anger.” Recently, Jim Prentice announced a new plan to begin addressing the backlog of more than 800 unresolved land claims, by creating an independent body based on the Indian Claims Commission.

Yesterday, PM Stephen Harper also came forward, announcing a new bill to be co-written with the Assembly …

A few times recently I’ve encountered folks online trying to understand the band council system and why so many are against it. For them I started writing an article about it, but I just came across the following text which breaks it all down very nicely. So, here you go….

(While were at it, let’s make this a Q&A page. Is there anything you want to know about Indigenous People in so-called Canada? I might not have the answer myself, but I can find it.)

What is the Indian Act?
The Indian Act …

MNN. Dec. 27, 2006. Wow! There must be a Santa. Jim “Jonestown” Prentice got kicked out as Minister of Indian Affairs. Why? We hear the Indians were clobbering him for his “red neck” stances everywhere he went. He was committing political suicide. Big Daddy, Stephen Harper, had to hang on to all those connections that “Jonestown” has to those big oil companies in Calgary who backed his last election.

More important is that nobody has any business being a “Minister” of Indians or being our “great white father”. Putting a white fool …

I’m putting this up reluctantly, because the AFN get’s an F too; also for the hypocritical irony of what Prentice says…

Native group to give Ottawa failing grade for treaties
Royal commission’s recommendations still being ignored 10 years later, AFN says
BILL CURRY

OTTAWA — Native leaders will mark the 10th anniversary of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples today, with the release of a report card that shows Ottawa has failed to act on the vast majority of its recommendations.

The Assembly of First Nations gives Ottawa an F in all areas dealing with the respect of treaties, which the commission …

Protest Rally Against AFN Sell-Outs and Commemoration of 16th Anniversary of Oka Crisis

Tuesday, July 11, 2006,
4 PM at Canada Place

On Tuesday July 11, 2006, at 4 PM, the Indigenous Resistance Organizing Committee (IROC) will rally at Canada Place to denounce the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) as a state-funded agent of colonialism, comprised of collaborator chiefs from the Indian Act band council system. The AFN is holding its annual general assembly there July 11-13. It began July 10 with a golf tournament in Surrey.

The AFN claims to be …

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and band councils are unrepresentative and illegitimate.
We recognize that the falsehood of the Indian Act, the illegitimacy of band councils and the
corruption of the AFN are root causes of the decline of our nations and suffering in our communities.

On the occasion of the AFN’s annual general assembly, as the “National Chief” will be elected by band council chiefs, we will gather to speak out against the Indian Act system and the collaboration of AFN and band council chiefs with the government of Canada’s goal of destroying our nations and the land.

We call on all …

An Open Letter Regarding Projects Between First Nations and Israeli People
By Ahniwanika (John Schertow)

A few months ago I read a news article about a project to create a Native Embassy in Israel (link to article below). I was suprised and confused at this development, and that in the comparison of Jewish and
Native People, there was no mention of Palestinians, or for that matter, the frequently volatile relationship between them and the Israeli People.

I also shared a concern with others in that, it doesn’t make any sense for Tadoule Lake First Nation to get an embassy in Israel - not while …

Dear Friends, Ref: First Nation trip to Israel (see press release below)
The Canadian Jewish Congress has organized a trip to Israel with leading members of Canada’s First Nation people.
Phil Fontaine, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations stated, “Indigenous people in Canada have much in common with the people of Israel, including a respect of the land…” Perhaps Mr. Fontaine and other native leaders are unaware of Israel’s well documented practices of polluting or stealing water from stolen Palestinian land, uprooting, destroying and stealing olive trees, destroying farmland and olive grows in the process of building Israel’s illegal wall on stolen …