Ben Powless

Ben Powless is a Mohawk from Six Nations in Ontario. He is currently studying Human Rights Indigenous and Environmental Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa, after spending a year in an international exchange program, studying sustainable rural development between Alberta and Mexico. He has been involved with the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition since its inception, working at both the national level and with the Ottawa Chapter. He is also heavily involved with the Indigenous Environmental Network, having represented them at various international events, most recently at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's High-Level Conference on World Food Security, Climate Change and Bioenergy. He also sits on the board of the National Council for the Canadian Environmental Network, is on the Youth Advisory Group to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, and is very involved in the local Aboriginal community. Powless aspires to eventually work in national and international issues involving indigenous rights, human rights and their interplay with the environment

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

Ben Powless

| February 8, 2017

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

| June 2, 2015

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

| October 6, 2013

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

| October 1, 2013

Press release and photos from today's action:

Photos from the Ottawa Vigil for Trayvon Martin

Ben Powless

| July 14, 2013

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.

The original Defenders of the Land gathering, 2008.

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

Ben Powless

| March 19, 2013

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

| September 6, 2012

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

| July 14, 2012

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

| July 11, 2012

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

| September 27, 2011

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

Ben Powless

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