First nations patiences waning

[jacee]

Time to open the books and get everything out in the open and then maybe the goverment will take these people seriously.

Not a problem. Already done in most cases. Check their websites.

[login]

Why is Stephen Harper afraid to look this woman in the eye?

The PM's view is that you win some, you lose some. Actually, he's lost quite a few and will probably lose more in 2013 because of the alleged unconstitutionality of much of his justice legislation as contained in poorly-debated omnibus bills. And that is a universe the prime minister is comfortable in —the winner-take-all world of expensive court rulings and a grinding process —life as an elitist joust where he with the longest lance usually prevails.

Which is why Stephen Harper can't understand Chief Theresa Spence. She is trying to get things done in the old way, using a habit of liberty not well understood by oligarchs or by people who are demoralized by the state of Canadian politics. She is asking for a face-to-face meeting with the man who is supposed to be working for her, for the people, not just his chosen people. She is asking for something Stephen Harper is not much good at giving —personal answers.

Chief Spence's request might be the fatigue of a front-line respondent to the worst poverty in the country. It might be dismay at how Harper's promise to forge a new relationship with Canada's aboriginals has utterly failed to materialize. It might be the Harper government's statutory war on the environment without bothering to get aboriginal approval for profound legislative change. It might be cuts to native health care or the abominable state of reserve education. Whatever it is, it has put Stephen Harper in an unfamiliar place —on the defensive.

In a hunger strike, most of the phases are well known. When glycogen is used up and no food is taken, the body begins consuming fat stocks. When they are gone, muscles and organ tissue are consumed to produce energy. But there is not much information about when a hunger strike begins to consume politicians.

The country is waiting to see what Stephen Harper will do about a woman who is dying to talk to him. If she does die, the prime minister will not have to ask for whom the bell tolls —and neither will anyone else.

Harper's taking a ridiculous stand here.

He can't speak to her and arrange a meeting?

I believe he should skip the politics of meeting with the chiefs, and speak to the women and youth ... Is that who he's afraid of?

you are wrong, the body consumes muscle before fat is gone, it starts catobolizing as soon as tnere is a protien deficiency. you are providing false information.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC436668/

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/forum/thread656.html

Edited December 24, 2012 by login

[jacee]

you are wrong, the body consumes muscle before fat is gone, it starts catobolizing as soon as tnere is a protien deficiency. you are providing false information.

It's a quote, the essence of which is ... that Harper's intransigence in refusing to speak or arrange a meeting will ultimately consume his career.

[login]

It's a quote, the essence of which is ... that Harper's intransigence in refusing to speak or arrange a meeting will ultimately consume his career.

only the comment on fat being the first to wear down is being stated as wrong. no comment on your opinion in general

[Sleipnir]

you are wrong, the body consumes muscle before fat is gone, it starts catobolizing as soon as tnere is a protien deficiency. you are providing false information.

So the body destroys it's means of locomotion, but holds useless fat when it's starving...makes perfect sense.

[Bonam]

So the body destroys it's means of locomotion, but holds useless fat when it's starving...makes perfect sense.

He is somewhat right, the body is not perfectly efficient at cannibalizing purely fat reserves in times of insufficient nutrition. Muscles and other tissues also get used in varying proportions, because fat only contains some of what the body needs for operation (fat contains no protein, for example).

Edited December 24, 2012 by Bonam

[jacee]

Attiwapiskat chief rebuffs Patrick Brazeau as Idle No More blockade of CN Rail line heads into fourth day

A court injunction has been issued giving police the power to end the blockade, but Sarnia’s mayor has said they won’t interfere as long as the situation remains peaceful.

Demonstrators say the blockade will continue until Prime Minister Harper meets with Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who’s on a hunger strike to bring attention to aboriginal issues.

Spence started the strike on Dec. 11, and has been living in a teepee on an island in the Ottawa River that many aboriginals consider to be sacred land.

She is seeking a meeting with Harper, the governor general and First Nations leaders to discuss the treaty relationship.

...

On Monday, Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau, who is Algonquin, was rebuffed in an attempt to meet with her.

Last week, Brazeau told the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network he didn’t think Spence was setting a good example for aboriginal youth.

Brazeau posted an account on Twitter of his efforts to meet Spence on Monday, saying he was first told she needed time to prepare to see him but then that she wouldn’t see him at all.

"Not sure if Chief Spence's advisors made the recommendation not to meet but regardless,I respect her decision."

I think we can expect more blockades.

Harper the gutless wonder ... the bacon-ater.

WHO ARE YOU AFRAID OF HARPER??

[Guest]

I wonder why Spence is afraid to meet Brazeau...

[cybercoma]

Some protestors from Turtle Island First Nation were holding a demonstration adjacent to the food court in the mall today. They had banners, signs, and drums. Pretty hard to ignore a huge drumming circle in the middle of the city's only mall on Christmas Eve.

Here's what their flyer said:

[FRONT]

BILL C-45: A CANADIAN ISSUE!

The voices of Aboriginal people have been the loudest against the changes introduced with Bill C-45 however this is an issue that will impact all Canadians.

This omnibus bill contains approximately 90 pieces of legislation that:

• weaken Canada's environmental laws,
  
• remove critical safeguards, and
  
• reduce opportunities for the public to have their say about major industrial projects that could threaten the air, water, soil and natural ecosystems on which all Canadians depend on.
  

The long-term health and safety of ALL Canadians is in jeopardy!

If these major changes are not stopped now, the effects will ripple across communities everywhere - putting OUR water, air, food and quality of life at risk.

YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!

Write letters, make phone calls and raise your concerns to your local MP, MLA, Federal and Provincial Ministers and/or Leaders.

For a template letter and list of people to contact visit:

http://mikmaqrights.com/page.asp?ID=661

[bACK]

What does it mean for Mi'kmaq and for ALL Canadians?

[note: this appears as a chart, but I can't format it that way here. Instead, I'm posting it point form]

Navigable Waters Protection Act

Mi'kmaq: reduces the protection of our waterways

Canadians: Only 97 of approx. 32000 major lakes in Canada are left protected; In NS, only the LeHave River, the Bras d'Or Lake and the Great Bras d'Or will be protected; Places like: Lake Ainslie (where hydraulic fracturing is a risk) and the Margaree River (well known for Salmon fishing) are NO LONGER protected.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

Mi'kmaq: Opportunities to examine and engage in the approval process for major developments are reduced; May lead to conflict between proponents, governments and the Mi'kmaq.

Canadians: These changes remove the requirement for rigorous review of the potential impacts to our lands, and waters, putting the environment at risk from potentially harmful damages.

Employment Insurance Act

Mi'kmaq: Mi'kmaq fishers and other seasonal workers will no longer be able to go on EI in their off season; Work must be found within six weeks of finishing the season.

Canadians: Seasonal workers such as those in tourism, fisheries and farming, will only have six weeks to look for a job in their field before they must take available work within an hour's commute that pays at least 70% of their previous salary.

Fisheries Act

Mi'kmaq: Introduced a definition "Aboriginal Fishery" that does not recognize a moderate livelihood fishery; Inconsistent with the affirmed Treaty Right in the 1999 Marshall Decision.

Canadians: These changes go directly against Supreme Court rulings and the Canadian Constitution; This will put stress on the relationship between the Federal Government, the Province and Aboriginal Peoples.

Indian Act

Mi'kmaq: Reserve land designations and the process to lease reserve lands to third parties was changed to a "simple majority" voting.

Canadians: It unilaterally made changes to the decision making process; This has set precedence for the Federal Government to be able to make legislative changes without input from Canadians.

IDLE NO MORE

[Sleipnir]

WHO ARE YOU AFRAID OF HARPER??

In case you haven't noticed, the HoC is closed for the winter holidays. Theresa Spence should come back when the parliament reconvene next year. Honestly are people this stupid to hold a hunger strike just before the holidays?

[jacee]

Rail, highway blockade planned for Thursday

Garden River First Nation plans to block the transportation of goods through its territory by rail and road for 12 hours on Thursday.

The blockade is a show of support for Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Theresa Spence, who began a hunger strike on Dec. 11, to protest Canada's treatment of First Nations people.

It also is part of the national Idle No More protests, says Craig Sayers, head councillor for Garden River.

Protestors will block the rail line while others will close the Trans Canada Highway at the intersection of 17A and B, at the city limits from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sayers said the highway blockade will only affect transports and local traffic will be able to get through.

Our railways and highways often run through Aboriginal territories and were put there with no consultation with them and no economic benefit to their communities. I guess at the time it seemed like a good idea to our governments ... but at times like these it becomes apparent just how vulnerable our commercial and economic system is to disruption of transportation.

So ... whatever it is that has Harper too scared to talk to Chief Spence and arrange proper meetings ... maybe some of the companies whose commerce will be disrupted can talk some sense into him.

Brilliant move allowing locals through and only stopping transports.

And so it begins ... Harper's lessson in respect ...

Edited December 25, 2012 by jacee

[Smallc]

So ... whatever it is that has Harper too scared to talk to Chief Spence and arrange proper meetings

He has no reason to meet with her, I'm sorry. Why wouldn't she meet with Senator Brazeau? Because she's a fraud, that's why.

[login]

He has no reason to meet with her, I'm sorry. Why wouldn't she meet with Senator Brazeau? Because she's a fraud, that's why.

so Stephen Harper and David Johnston are frauds too then?

it would take them maybe an hour to speak with her, instead they are indirectly causing a whole lot of problems for Canadians. grinch

]

check out 6:15

1 in 43 in canada

and many more take a look at the youtube videos

even if the blockades get broken up the costs will be many millions

Edited December 25, 2012 by login

[login]

here is one instance of a flash mob being confronted

security was pulled to the ground

check out 4minutes


in tb the police did not intervene apparently

lots of natives in tbd Edited December 25, 2012 by login

[Sleipnir]

it would take them maybe an hour to speak with her, instead they are indirectly causing a whole lot of problems for Canadians. grinch

Actually Theresa is causing a whole lot of problems for Canada. grinch

If you want something, create disobedience - that is the mentality of the protesters.

[jacee]

He has no reason to meet with her, I'm sorry. Why wouldn't she meet with Senator Brazeau? Because she's a fraud, that's why.

He has nothing to offer.

[Smallc]

How can she determine that without meeting with him?

[login]

I don't get the Brazeau refusal either,

[Smallc]

Because he exposes her. That's the problem.

[dre]

I don't think that I do. You fail to understand what I think. This land belongs to all Canadians. The treaties need to be updated for the good of all people, First Nations included.

Treaties need agreement from both signing parties to be updated.

[Smallc]

Treaties need agreement from both signing parties to be updated.

Well, technically, the Constitution could be amended to make the treaties void. It would require the agreement of all 11 sovereign entities that make up Canada.

[dre]

Well, technically, the Constitution could be amended to make the treaties void. It would require the agreement of all 11 sovereign entities that make up Canada.

Technically the government could sieze your land, and burn you at the stake. That would be no less legitimate. The constitution is there to protect us from such transgressions, not as a tool to commit them. Which is why what you are alluding to will never happen in a million years.

[Smallc]

The constitution is there to protect us from such transgressions, not as a tool to commit them. Which is why what you are alluding to will never happen in a million years.

I'm not sure what you think I'm suggesting, but it certainly isn't a transgression. I'm talking about the creation of a society in which all people really are completely equal.

[login]

@1:33



http://metronews.ca/...ly-in-winnipeg/ (notice how some facts are misreported in this article)



------

also in the us

Edited December 25, 2012 by login

[dre]

I'm not sure what you think I'm suggesting, but it certainly isn't a transgression. I'm talking about the creation of a society in which all people really are completely equal.

Tearing up treaties signed in good faith is what youre suggesting.