Ben Powless

U.S. conservatism is built on racism, but it may no longer deliver corporate benefits

Ben Powless — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 23:23:35 +0000

A long simmering culture war is back in full effect across the United States -- and has spilled over into other parts of the world, including Canada. It's a culture war that has been long festering, known well to those who perceive themselves to be on the losing end of this culture war -- cultural conservatives -- as well as their victims -- largely, anyone who wasn't a straight, white Christian (and sometimes male). And surprisingly, most lower and middle class white people are at the losing end of this war, but continue to support the movement.

Photos: Thousands gather for Truth and Reconciliation Commission's closing events

Ben Powless — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:55:32 +0000

On the second day of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's closing events, hundreds of participants were witness to a series of events, including official speeches, survivors sharing their stories, interactive workshops and archival presentations.

In this photo essay, Ben Powless documents final presentation and events of the Truth and Reconciliation, in Ottawa, between May 31 and June 3, 2015.

For the complete photo series, please see Ben Powless' flickr page.

In pictures: the Families of Sisters In Spirit vigil honours missing, murdered Indigenous women

Ben Powless — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 16:10:32 +0000

rabble staff: The Familes of Sisters in Spirit (FSIS) is a grassroots not-for-profit volunteer organization located on unceded Algonquin Territory (Ottawa) led by families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls with support from Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies.

On Friday, October 4, FSIS held their third annual vigil honouring missing and murdered Indigenous women in Ottawa.

The following are photos by rabble.ca blogger, Ben Powless. See more about FSIS see their Facebook page.

Ottawa residents reject Energy East pipeline

Ben Powless — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 05:42:08 +0000

Press release and photos from today's action:

Photos from the Ottawa Vigil for Trayvon Martin

Ben Powless — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 01:05:24 +0000

A vigil was held today at the Human Rights Monument in Ottawa, Canada in honour of Trayvon Martin. Residents gathered in a moment of silence, and shared poetry and thoughts about the young man and what his life - and death - meant.

Idle No More, Defenders of Land call for intensifying actions through spring, summer

Ben Powless — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:07:47 +0000

Idle No More's founders and its chapters across the country have issued a call to build mounting pressure, including through mass non-violent direct actions to be joined by non-natives, to challenge "the Harper government and the corporate agenda."

The declaration, jointly released with Defenders of the Land, a network of Indigenous communities, leaders, and activists involved in high-profile struggles to defend their land rights, calls for a "Solidarity Spring" to precede a "Sovereignty Summer," with actions on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, Earth Day on April 22, and through the summer.

March 4 Justice completes 4,400 km trek from Vancouver to Ottawa for Indigenous justice

Ben Powless — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 16:53:39 +0000

For most of us, a kilometre is a decent distance to walk to just buy groceries. For Leo Baskatawang, four thousand and four hundred kilometres was worth it to go to seek justice for Aboriginal Peoples in Canada.

Leo, a 32-year-old Masters student, decided earlier this year that something needed to be done. He had watched the coverage of the Crown-First Nations summit in January, and realized that the government was giving short-shrift to Aboriginal issues. "That was the last straw," he said of the summit.

Marchers set off from Victoria Island to Parliamant Hill after a brief ceremony.

Rio minus twenty: Too little, too late

Ben Powless — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 18:24:38 +0000

Indigenous leaders march to deliver the Kari-Oca Declaration.

It's been twenty years since the first Earth Summit. That's nearly 500 months, or over 7,000 days. Yet, during all that time, state governments around the world have nearly completely neglected their responsibilities to the natural world, and it's starting to show.

The 'Death of Evidence' and attack on Indigenous knowledge

Ben Powless — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 18:46:37 +0000

Yesterday, a large rally was held in Ottawa, with around 2,000 people showing up to mourn the "Death of Evidence". You can read a report on the rally here.

The following is adapted from a speech delivered to yesterday's The Death of Evidence rally.

Photo essay: Ottawa action to stop the tar sands

Ben Powless — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:05:15 +0000

Hundreds of people from across North America gathered on Parliament Hill for a rally followed by a mass civil disobedience sit-in. Participants are delivering a resounding message to Harper: "We want to build a green energy future that respects Indigenous rights and prioritizes the health of our environment and communities."

For more photos see the Tar Sands Action flickr site.

George Poitras, Mikisew Cree First Nation

Downtown Eastside Women's Housing March in photos

Ben Powless — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 22:02:30 +0000

A selection of photos documenting the 2011 Women's Housing March in the Downtown Eastside, opposing gentrification and pushing for social housing. The march was held September 17, 2011.

A women's drum group lead the march through the Downtown Eastside.

A banner drop saying "Developers Control City Hall" set the tone for the march.

My speech on Indigenous issues at the anti-Harper Welcoming Protest

Ben Powless — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 05:03:33 +0000

Delivered on June 10, 2011 at the Welcoming Protest outside the 2011 Conservative Party Convention.

Seh:kon, Skennen:koah

My name is Ben Powless, and I am a citizen of the Kanienkehaka, or Mohawk, Nation. I am honoured to have been asked to speak before you today as an Onkewehonwe, as an Indigenous man. I thank you all for coming out today. I want to repeat sentiment that our very presence here today is proof that Harper does not represent us, as Indigenous Peoples.

Tar Sands tailings poisons muskeg and nearby First Nations community

Cathryn Atkinson — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 09:17:39 +0000

Friday, November 26, 2010

Here we were, standing on traplines and hunting trails that remain in use by members of the Fort McKay First Nation, as the toxic waste covered many hectares with ooze. It was like a massive oil spill

The trip out to the tar sands tailings pond reminded me of other recent trips to places where indigenous people were trying to survive.

It recalled for me a trip out to the Russian Arctic earlier this year to visit a group of Saami (Indigenous) reindeer herders struggling to maintain their way of life, and also the work I did last year with a group of Amazonian peoples who were trying to stop oil companies and oil spills in the Peruvian jungles.

But in the end this was far worse, even compared with those two dire situations, and it was being promoted by the Canadian and Alberta governments.

Canada endorses the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights -- time to party?!

Ben Powless — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:21:37 +0000

So, Canada has announced that it will ‘support' the UN Declaration. Is it time to celebrate yet? What does that even mean?

Let's take a closer look. First off, they announced this on a Friday afternoon, right after they announced major plans with the Afghanistan war, burying the story. Second, the announcement came as a press release posted online - no press conference where people could ask clarifying questions, no informing Indigenous Peoples, just a passive admission on a website.

An Indian Summer for the tar sands

rabble staff — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:24:34 +0000

Impacts and resistance to the tar sands megaproject in Alberta are broad and increasingly well known -- and are spreading like wildfire around the globe.

An Indian Summer for the tar sands