A group of Chippewa from Lac du Flambeau locked themselves inside the Tribal Council office yesterday morning to demand a federal investigation into the current Tribal government.

It wasn’t long before the police showed up — from nine different agencies. Fortunately they understood the action was peaceful and remained in the background during the lock-in, which lasted for about 14 hours.

Calling themselves Ginews (Ojibwe for Golden Eagles), the group said in a statement early on that the Tribal Council has abused their position to the point where everyone at Lac …

The Lheidli T’enneh Treaty, one of several ‘new treaties’ being pushed forward in British Colombia, is said to be worth about $73 million. Supporters of this treaty allege that, if it went forward, it will provide the Lheidli T’enneh with self-government and secure for them land and ‘rights to resources.’

The reality however, is that this treaty will reduce the Lheidli T’enneh to little more than a token idea, with no land whatsoever. This will be followed by the Lheidli T’enneh having no authority and no ability to self-govern, because …

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 …

Across the land there are hundreds and thousands of voices speaking about the irresponsible and exploitative conduct of Band Councils, and the Canadian Government. It’s unfortunate, but many of these voices seem to be drowned out by the empty promises of better days, and by flimsy government assurances that everything’s alright.

As discussed in the letter below, in this one example, it occurs while the integrity of a Nation and the land that sustains it is twisted, hollowed out and sold on the stock market.

Dear Honourable Members and Respected Chiefs

My name is Sim git Luu t’aa, …

B.C. gov’t, natives ink treaty worth more than $76 million
Miro Cernetig mcernetig@png.canwest.com
CanWest News Service; Vancouver Sun
Monday, October 30, 2006

VANCOUVER — A historic treaty worth in excess of $76 million is being proposed with a tiny northern B.C. Indian nation, awarding the 320 Carrier Indians a share of the province’s salmon fishery, forests, hydroelectricity and a major chunk of real estate within the city of Prince George.

“Today we witnessed a significant milestone in the history of reconciliation of First Nations rights and title in British Columbia,” Premier Gordon Campbell said Sunday after unveiling the proposed “historic agreement” in a ceremony in …