Indigenous Nationhood

If it doesn't tackle policing, Trudeau's national inquiry risks becoming national disgrace

Pamela Palmater — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 17:51:20 +0000

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No, racism against Indigenous people is not a figment of the imagination

Pamela Palmater — Mon, 16 May 2016 21:29:57 +0000

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Don't partake in celebrations over new Supreme Court ruling on Métis just yet

Pamela Palmater — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:29:23 +0000

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The Daniels decision hasn't been out for 48 hours yet and already there is mass confusion about what it does and does not say. Despite the buzz in mainstream and social media, it does not make Métis and non-status Indians "Indians" under the Indian Act.

Trudeau's promises of 'renewed relationship' with First Nations evaporated with Liberal budget

Pamela Palmater — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 17:12:24 +0000

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won the hearts of many Canadians by finally getting rid of Stephen Harper and his decade of oppression, violation of civil rights and vilification of First Nations.

Police violence in Ontario has reached a crisis level and we should be very upset

Pamela Palmater — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:16:50 +0000

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With Harper gone, it's time for First Nations to look within

Pamela Palmater — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 20:56:10 +0000

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Why Trudeau was right not to appoint a First Nations minister of Indigenous Affairs

Pamela Palmater — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 21:02:38 +0000

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Editor's note: This blog was written prior to Justin Trudeau selecting his cabinet. He appointed Carolyn Bennett to the renamed Ministry of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Wednesday morning.

The power of Indigenous peoples has never come from voting in federal elections

Pamela Palmater — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 21:52:38 +0000

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Canada's testimony at the UN Human Rights Committee needs correcting

Pamela Palmater — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 18:19:41 +0000

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Brief for the Human Rights Committee's Concluding Observations of Canada: Clarifications Related to Canada's Testimony

Corporate Social Responsibility

Pamela Palmater to United Nations: Canada must set right its relations with Indigenous peoples

Pamela Palmater — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 15:55:46 +0000

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Statement of Pamela Palmater to the 114th Human Rights Committee Session: Formal Briefing on Canada
(July 6, 2015 Geneva, Switzerland)

What happened in residential schools was genocide. But what really matters is justice.

Pamela Palmater — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 16:51:38 +0000

What happened in residential schools was not "cultural genocide". It wasn't "language genocide". And it wasn't "almost genocide". What happened in residential schools was genocide. Canadian officials targeted Indians for assimilation and elimination purely for economic and political reasons. Scalping bounties on certain Indigenous nations are indicative of such a lethal mentality.

Canada's residential schools weren't killing culture, they were killing Indians

Pamela Palmater — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 18:59:31 +0000

This article originally appeared on teleSUR English. It is reprinted here with permission.

Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) just released its Executive Summary Report on their inquiry into Indian Residential Schools finding that in Canada's dealings with Indigenous Nations, it had engaged in a form of genocide and made 94 recommendations for action.

Pamela Palmater: Indigenous people are already criminalized and Bill C-51 hasn't even passed yet

Pamela Palmater — Wed, 13 May 2015 17:24:27 +0000

The Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence -- April 27, 2015

RCMP report on murdered and missing Aboriginal women is statistically skewed

Pamela Palmater — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 21:47:57 +0000

In 2014, the RCMP released a report on their "National Operational Review" on the issue of "Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women" which amounted to 1181 women total -- 164 missing and 1017 murdered. The core conclusion of the report was that "Aboriginal women"* were overrepresented in the numbers of murdered and missing. They cautioned readers that their report contained a certain amount of "error and imprecision" given the 30 year period of review, the human error of investigators, inconsistency of collection, and definitional issues.

'There is no way to save this bill': Pamela Palmater skewers Bill C-51

Pamela Palmater — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 16:59:49 +0000

Mr. Romeo Saganash (Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, NDP): Thank you, Mr. Chair. Welcome and thank you to both of our witnesses this morning.

I want to start with Ms. Palmater. I've been in this business for more than 30 years as well. I've been called many names, too. All of our protests and challenges posed by aboriginal peoples in this country are always related to the economy of this country: resource development is, of course, an important aspect to all of that.

Canada's negligence and indifference is killing Indigenous people

Pamela Palmater — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 19:22:06 +0000

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Harper may have just turned Indigenous activists into terrorists

Pamela Palmater — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 19:31:33 +0000

Prime Minister Harper's Conservative government has introduced Bill C-51 The Anti-Terrorism Act, 2015, which it claims is needed to protect Canadians from terrorism. Experts and commentators have called the bill, which will create a secret police force for Harper: terrifying, illegal, unconstitutional, dictatorial and totalitarianism. In case you don't know what totalitarianism means, it's a term usually reserved for fascist (extremist or dictatorial) leaders that lead a centralist government that does not tolerate differences of opinion and tries to exercise dictatorial control over many aspects of public and private life -- including thought. Voila: Bill C-51.

Stephen Harper and the myth of the crooked Indian

Pamela Palmater — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:28:04 +0000

Can you think of any Prime Minister, President or World Leader that would withhold food, water, or health care as a bullying tactic to force its citizens into compliance with a new government law, policy or scheme? Can you ever imagine this happening in Canada? I don't think most of us could.

Yet, this is exactly what is happening with Harper's implementation of the illegal C-27. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Bernard Valcourt has threatened to cut off funds for food, water and health care if First Nations do not get in line and abide by this new legislation -- despite the fact that it was imposed without legal consultation and is now being legally challenged. How many First Nations children will have to die for Harper to sit down and work this out with First Nations?

Unstated paternity still excluding Indigenous women from 'Indian' status

Pamela Palmater — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:05:55 +0000

Dr. Lynn Gehl is a First Nations woman who is grounded in the traditional Indigenous knowledge of her Algonquin Anishinaabe culture and tradition. Gehl's family originates from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (formerly Golden Lake Band) in Ontario. Yet, despite her connection to her culture, her Algonquin upbringing, and her ancestral ties to her First Nation, Gehl is denied legal recognition as an "Indian" by the federal government.

Adventure lodge's racist brochure sparks ire from local First Nation

Pamela Palmater — Fri, 30 May 2014 18:28:13 +0000

It is hard to believe that in 2014, there are still businesses who provide services to the public that have no problem profiting from the lands, resources and traditional knowledges of Indigenous peoples, but who, at the same time, spread racism and hatred against us. Laurie River Lodge, an outdoor adventure business located in northern Manitoba and owned by Brent and Erin Fleck, is one such company.

Laurie River Lodge has a website which includes a link to a promotional brochure which explains what clients can expect when they purchase an adventure with their lodge.

'Dramatic Contradictions': James Anaya's report on dismal living conditions of Canada's First Nations

Pamela Palmater — Fri, 23 May 2014 18:17:19 +0000

The United Nations Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples James Anaya released his advanced, unedited report on "The Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Canada." The Rapporteur based his report on research, various sources, a visit to Canada in October 7-15, 2013, meetings with federal and provincial government officials, and meetings, visits with and submissions from Indigenous peoples.

There is a disturbing underlying theme in the report -- one that speaks of "dramatic contradictions":

Harper's assimilation agenda just collided with First Nations resistance -- and lost

Pamela Palmater — Fri, 16 May 2014 17:50:44 +0000

This has been a difficult month for Prime Minister Stephen Harper in terms of Crown-First Nations relations. Harper seemed too busy picking fights with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Beverley McLachlin and defending another "dodgy" Senate appointment, to notice that Canada's already brittle relationship with First Nations was crumbling.

Don't stop the pressure on the First Nations Education Act

Pamela Palmater — Thu, 08 May 2014 18:28:56 +0000

On Monday, only three days after Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn Atleo resigned, Prime Minister Harper's Conservative government has made its move. Contrary to Harper's usual backroom politics and secret meetings with the National Chief, Harper has switched it up. He has decided to play this political game out in the open for all to see. Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Minister Bernard Valcourt offered a statement to the press today saying that it will put consideration of Bill C-33 First Nation Control of First Nation Education Act on hold until the AFN clarifies their position.

Aboriginal peoples must stay united against the First Nations Education Act

Pamela Palmater — Sat, 03 May 2014 22:22:05 +0000

Editor's Note: Since this article was first published on Pamela Palmater's blog Indigenous Nationhood, AFN Chief Shawn Atleo resigned in a shock move Friday afternoon, citing his controversial relationship to the First Nations Education Act (FNEA). For more, read Dr. Palmater's earlier post, "Chief Shawn Atleo should tear up FNEA."

Chief Shawn Atleo should tear up First Nations Education Act

Pamela Palmater — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:40:09 +0000

The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Shawn Atleo made a "historic" deal with Prime Minister Stephen Harper on First Nation education. What makes this deal so historic? Well, it's the deal that no First Nation asked for and it's one that Atleo had no power to make. It's historic because not only will Atleo go down in history as the worst National Chief, but he has taken the AFN down with him. For the most part, many Regional Chiefs sat by and watched him do it. Now, the AFN thinks that by analyzing its own deal, this will help make the bitter taste of assimilation wash down more easily. They are wrong.

First Nations Education Act: Standardizing 'the Indian in the child'

Pamela Palmater — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 19:26:52 +0000

On February 7, 2014, Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn Atleo stood with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Bernard Valcourt and announced a "historic deal" on First Nations education. They announced that the federal government would change the name of education legislation to First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, together with $1.9 billion in future monies.

Conservative budget poses stark question for First Nations

Pamela Palmater — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:37:58 +0000

Harper has released the Conservative government's federal budget for 2014 and one might think we were transported back in time to 1814. Promises of federally-controlled schools for Indians and trained, cheap labour for the extractive industry are the highlights of this budget. Instead of providing funds to address the socio-economic crises that exist on many First Nations, or implementing Aboriginal, treaty and inherent rights, Harper has offered more beads and trinkets -- except these beads are more like bombs. Harper is poised to eliminate our rights in the name of national security.

Recognize Aboriginal rights and say 'no' to the First Nations Education Act

Pamela Palmater — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 18:41:22 +0000

On Friday Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Bernard Valcourt and National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Shawn Atleo announced "re-tooled" education legislation. It should be pointed out that despite all the hype leading up to this announcement, there is no actual legislation to scrutinize. So, what did First Nations get from this announcement?

After a year of Conservative scandals, why would First Nations want them running their schools?

Pamela Palmater — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 18:49:17 +0000

They say absolute power corrupts one absolutely, but this saying would not even begin to describe this Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper's leadership. There has never been a more dictatorial, aggressive, scandal-laden government than Harper's "Cons". "Cons" is a fitting nickname for this ruling Conservative party given the countless scandals since they have come to power.

'O Canada!': A Mi'kmaw national anthem

Pamela Palmater — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 23:42:41 +0000

O Canada!
Your homes on Mi'kmaw land
True genocidal drive
By all your Queen's command
With greedy hearts
You watched us die
Our strong Nation divided and poor
All for money and power, O Canada
We stand on guard against thee
Our land is not your commodity for fee
O Canada! We stand on guard against thee
O Canada, our Nation is still here;
O Canada! We stand on guard against thee
O Canada! Our Mi'kmaw Nation sovereign and free.

1725-26 -- Peace and friendship treaties signed with Mi'kmaw to stop hostilities on all sides and protect hunting, fishing, fowling;

1752 -- Treaty with Mi'kmaw confirming hunting and fishing rights;