Category Archives: Injustice

Nimama, are they going to take me away too?

Posted on February 5, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

My youngest daughter was six years old when she asked me this, clinging to me in desperation, her face distorted and her eyes full of tears. I hadn’t expected such a visceral reaction, and before I could say something intelligent … Continue reading →

Posted in Injustice, Residential schools | Tagged Nicola I. Campbell, Project of Heart, Residential Schools, Shi-shi-etko, Shin-chi's Canoe | 31 Comments

No offense but…

Posted on January 27, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

I recently had a fight with someone I consider a friend, and day three after the event, I am still trying to deconstruct how it all went so wrong. This ordinarily would not be blog material, except that the situation … Continue reading →

Posted in Alienation, Decolonisation, Injustice | Tagged anti-racism, colonialism, Decolonisation, Indigenous solidarity, oppression, privilege | 41 Comments

Speaking different languages at the CFNG

Posted on January 25, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

Well folks, there was a lot of ‘speaking two different languages‘ going on in Ottawa yesterday. For me, the highlights of the Crown-First Nation Gathering held yesterday in Ottawa came from the mouths of two women, Dr. Pam Palmater and … Continue reading →

Posted in First Nations, INAC, Injustice | Tagged Act Indian not Indian Act, CFNG, Chief Jody Wilson Raybould, Crown First Nation Gathering, Doug Cuthand, First Nation Crown Gathering, Indian Act as a tree, Ottawa on Algonquin territory, Ovide Mecredi, Pam Palmater, Shawn Atleo | 11 Comments

Guest Blog: Don’t give up on Attawapiskat!

Posted on January 23, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

The following article is my first ‘guest blog post’, by David Schulze, a partner in the law firm of Dionne Schulze in Montréal, which specializes in representing Aboriginal communities and individuals. I think it is important to remember that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, First Nations, Injustice, James Bay Cree, Treaty 9 | Tagged Aboriginal rights, Attawapiskat, David Schulze, Diamond mine Attawapsikat, Dionne Schulze, Isolated northern communities, JBNQA, Magdalen Islands, Moving Attawapiskat, Treaty 9, Treaty 9 adhesion | 21 Comments

Rights? What rights?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

Something indigenous people never get tired of hearing about is how we were conquered/defeated/never had rights. I know I just can’t get enough of having this explained to me by loudmouthed bigots and helpful progressives both! It leaves me with … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, Injustice, Law | Tagged Aboriginal rights, Adverse possession, Calder, Delgamuukw, Doctrine of Discovery, Mabo, res nullius, terra nullius | 9 Comments

The “that isn’t traditional” meme.

Posted on January 14, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

Dude. Say it with me. Traditions aren’t technology-dependent. I feel like I’ve said this so often, it should be indelibly emblazoned on the mind of every person who has ever lived, but the sad fact of my limited vocal reach … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, Culture, Injustice, Lac Ste. Anne, Representation of natives | Tagged frozen in time, gill nets, Interim Metis Harvesting Agreement, Métis Nation of Alberta, powdered wigs, Powley decision, that's not traditional, traditional native hunting | 26 Comments

Residential Schools: an Introduction

Posted on January 13, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

I feel emotionally strong enough today to begin to tackle a subject that I tend to avoid a lot of the time…Residential Schools. A number of people have requested that I write something about this, but each time I’ve tried … Continue reading →

Posted in Injustice, Residential schools | Tagged Carlisle Indian Industrial School, compassion fatigue, historic trauma transmission, intergenerational trauma, Into the West, Residential school apology, Residential school survivors, Residential Schools | 26 Comments

No justice, no peace.

Posted on January 10, 2012 by âpihtawikosisân

I hope everyone had a holiday and managed to enjoy it…I used to think that people complaining about putting on weight over the holidays was an exaggeration, but that was back when my metabolism allowed me to gorge myself on … Continue reading →

Posted in Aboriginal law, Alienation, INAC, Indigenous law, Injustice, Law, Representation of natives | Tagged Aboriginal non-Aboriginal relationship, Historical Treaties, Modern Treaties, RCAP, RCAP 10 years after, RCAP 15 years after, Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, What is the RCAP | 14 Comments

We’re more than just poverty.

Posted on December 16, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

Today was a bit of a low day for me, emotionally. Try as I might, I can’t seem to escape the negativity being spewed from so many mouths, streaming from the tips of so many furiously typing fingers. No, I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Alienation, First Nations, Injustice, Parts of language, Sioux | Tagged Diane Sawyer, First Nations strength, Hidden America: Children of the Plains, Not poverty porn, Pineridge reservation, Rosebud reservation | 24 Comments

Lights! Camera! Action!

Posted on December 15, 2011 by âpihtawikosisân

originally published on OpenFile Montreal, December 13th, 2011 I was asked to review the latest remake of the classic disaster film, First Nations Housing. Although the film is still currently in production, the rumours of scandal on set, reports of … Continue reading →

Posted in First Nations, INAC, Injustice | Tagged Attawapiskat Crisis, Attawapiskat Zamboni, Chief Spence, How much does Chief Spence make, What do we do about Attawapiskat | 8 Comments