By: Simon Fraser University | Press Release:

Simon Fraser University archaeology professor George Nicholas is joining international scholars at a Vancouver symposium May 2 to explore the commodification of Aboriginal culture.

“The abundance of souvenir totem poles and inukshuks in many shops locally often makes it difficult for tourists and locals alike to discern what is authentic and what is merely a cheap knock-off of native heritage,” says Nicholas. “But these commodified symbols of indigenous culture raise more than just the question of real versus fake.”

Residential schools engaged in “cultural genocide,” former prime minister Paul Martin said Friday at the hearings of the federal Truth And Reconciliation Commission, adding that aboriginal Canadians must now be offered the best educational system.

“Let us understand that what happened at the residential schools was the use of education for cultural genocide, and that the fact of the matter is — yes it was. Call a spade a spade,” Martin said to cheers from the audience at the Montreal hearings.

Gone but never forgotten: First Nations women murdered in alarming numbers and little is done about it

By: Ryan Bromsgrove | Vue Weekly:

“She was just getting her life on track; she got married, she was settling down, she was really focused on keeping the family together, and she happened to be hanging out with the wrong kind of person.”

Charmaine Desa would have been 43 this year had she not been beaten to death so badly in 1990 that her sister Colleen Cardinal couldn’t recognize her face. Last week in Edmonton—the same city that Desa was murdered in 23 years ago—the Native Women’s Association of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations held the National Forum on Community Safety and Ending Violence in response to the worrying trends of murdered aboriginal women.

Aboriginal women are five to seven times more likely than other women to die as a result of violence, but the statistic has yet to be taken seriously by the general public or the federal government.

By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive: 

New Democrat Aboriginal Affairs critic, Jean Crowder, is calling on Stephen Harper and the Conservatives to respect Canada`s First Nations. And take their land and other outstanding claims seriously.

The full text of Crowder`s motion, tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday:

That this House call on the government to: (a) abandon its confrontational approach to First Nations, Métis and Inuit in favour of a nation-to-nation dialogue; (b) make treaty implementation, as well as the settlement and implementation of land claims, a priority, including in Labrador; and (c) begin negotiations in good faith with NunatuKavut Community Council on their comprehensive land claim that has been without a response since 1991.

By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive:

Dayleen Van Ryswyk, the BC NDP candidate for Kelowna-Mission, has resigned after the racist comments she made online against Canada’s First Nations surfaced earlier today. She also denigrated French Canadians. Called them bigots.

This sad episode will not slow down the New Democrats‘ march to a majority in the next provincial election. And yet, the party should have done a better job as far as vetting candidates is concerned.

By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive:

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

Via Aljazeera / YouTube:

An aboriginal protest movement in Canada has captivated the country and gained supporters around the world. But can Idle No More and the rest of Canada’s indigenous community come together and force the government to act? Guests: Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, Pamela Palmater, and Tim Powers.

Related:

Canada’s Indigenous #IdleNoMore Movement Gains Momentum (VIDEO)

A quest undertaken by the youth of Great Whale to solidify the traditional bonds between First Nations

By: Chief Stan George

Journey of Nishiyuu. Facebook Photo

Accompanied by one experienced guide, 6 youths from the community of Great Whale, located in Northern Quebec on the shores of Hudson’s Bay, have commenced a sacred quest that is intended to unite the different First Nations of Canada.

They will walk from Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuaraapik to Parliament Hill in Ottawa, a journey totalling over 1500 kilometres, to deliver a strong message to other First Nations across Canada that the Cree Nation of Quebec are not sell-outs but true keepers of their language, culture, traditions and, more importantly today, that the Cree Nation continues to respect the sacred laws of our ancestors.

 By: Idle No More | Press Release:

Idle No More protest on Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Idle No More has sparked an awakening of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples internationally in support for democracy, human rights and environmental protections. In three short months, the movement has succeeded in raising global consciousness through education, cultural resurgence, and democratic political activism.

We have shaken the foundations of inequality in Canada, and invited communities to join in a movement for social and environmental justice. We now need many more people to stand with us.

By: Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive:

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake are affirming their opposition to Copper One’s Rivière Doré Project “and all claim staking and mineral exploration” in their unceded territory.

The following press release via Barriere Lake Solidarity: