Jordan's Blogarama

This is a blog telling about what I did in the run of a day and/or my opionion on whatever topic I feel like posting about.... yep, check back often for more details and don't be afraid to spread the word about my blog!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

" Federal apology will ring hollow: Labrador Inuit " -CBC News

Hey everyone, I was shocked to learn that not only are the Labrador Innu not recognized as Aboriginals and First Nations, they aren't recognized. Plus, since the school in Central and Northern Labrador was run by the Roman Catholic Church of Canada, with the consent of Premier Joey Smallwood (according to a documentary I saw in Scwrk. class), then Premier Williams will need to be pressured to start an NL Provincial "Truth and Reconcilation Commission".

Why is that? See this CBC Story- " Federal apology will ring hollow: Labrador Inuit
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | 9:06 AM NT Comments16Recommend17CBC News"

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/06/11/labrador-apology.html

Here are the comments I posted on the article:

" In order for the Labrador Inuit to get healing, the Roman Catholic Church of Canada will need to apologize. Why? Because the Provincial Gov't under Joey Smallwood gave the Roman Catholic Church permission to open up schools not only in Central Labrador, but also Davis Inlet. Sounds like it's time to demand Premier Williams set up his own "Truth and Reconcilation Commission", but on a provincial level!"
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(june 12/11th 2008)

This is my response to the story " PM cites 'sad chapter' in apology for residential schools " found on CBC News at the following

link: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/11/aboriginal-apology.html?Authorized=1&AuthenticationKey=1_3_96371ce8-b5e0-42d9-a1e0-7f7265fd7e95.8041751



' This statement isn't correct. There were Residential Schools in North-West River, Labrador, and in Davis Inlet. Unlike other provinces, when NL (Newfoundland and Labrador) joined Canada, the provincial gov't remained responsible for the administration of such schools, with the Roman Catholic Church actively administering them, with the sanction of the provincial government. As a result, an formal apology (in the same spirit as Mr.Harper's) must be made, as the Labrador Innu are the only group to've not received an apology now.

My evidence? " Inuit React to PM's Apology
June 12, 2008"- VOCM News

Link: http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=29317

The Labrador Innu Leader said they feel more excluded than ever, since they've yet to be acknowledged for what they've gone through, so it rings hollow from them until the provincial gov't issues a similar apology. Why? Because Premier Williams only apologized for the 2 aboriginal resettlement programs that Premier Joey Smallwood did in the 1950's, NOT what came after that!'

"Your Interview: Truth and Reconcilation Commission"

Here are my comments on "The Truth and Reconcilation Commission"( Comments (10)
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 | 11:05 AM ET) (Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourinterview/2008/05/truth_and_reconciliation_commi.html )

Original segment of the article.... ' The Canadian government recently announced that Justice Harry LaForme would lead a federal commission that will dig through and hear personal stories from survivors of the residential school system.

The five-year commission will give voice to victims and take steps towards healing for those who suffered through the schools' systemic abuse.

On Thursday, May 8 Justice LaForme took your questions on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Read his answers below.'

Comments leading up to my own...

(1) " Garnet Angeconeb


Reconciliation is a process that is ongoing in terms of making lasting social change. Once the mandate of the TRC is over, what measures will be place to ensure the process of reconiliation continues?

Justice LaForme: In general terms, the work of the TRC includes deciding or making recommendations regarding this important issue. Of course reconciliation is only possible if there is a collective desire to do so. At the least, it will include education (e.g. a rewriting of the history of Canada ); perhaps some form of research/commemoration facility; and continued healing.

In the end, we expect that the answer to this question will flow from the truth and reconciliation process itself."....(Source: cbc.ca)

(There are 9 others, but I won't post them, in order to avoid copyright infringement






' " It has been mentioned that New Brunswick, P.E.I., and Newfoundland and Labrador weren't part of the Federally Funded "Residental Schools Program". I had remembered learning in a Social Work Documentary that the program in NL was run by the Roman Catholic Church, especially in Davis Inlet and Sheshasiu. In what way did the NL (Newfoundland and Labrador) program vary from those in provinces such as Alberta and BC?"

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

My comments on "[CBC News'] IN DEPTH: Truth and ReconciliationFAQs: Aboriginal Truth and Reconciliation Commission FAQs about the federal commission"

Hey everyone, here are on comments on... http://www.cbcnews.ca " IN DEPTH:
Truth and Reconciliation
FAQs: Aboriginal Truth and Reconciliation Commission
FAQs about the federal commission on aboriginal residential schools in Canada
Last Updated: Friday, May 16, 2008 | 11:34 AM ET Comments17Recommend19CBC News "

(Original Story Link: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/05/16/f-faqs-truth-reconciliation.html )

These comments were posted in response to those made by CarolLois

" The mandate of the TRC is already troubling enough - it has no power to subpoena, to lay criminal charges, to bring perpetrators to justice - but recently extra rules were added:

1. No-one giving their testimony to the TRC is allowed to name the names of perpetrators, or any staff member at a residential school.

2. Any statement given before the TRC is owned by them, ie, survivors' testimonies becomes copyrighted and controlled by the government.

3. No-one can use anything given to the TRC in a lawsuit or any action against the government or the churches.

These three rules alone mean that the TRC actively undermines the rights of residential school survivors, and effectively silences them. The TRC is in fact one huge legal gag order on the survivors."

CarolLois, before you go judging the Commission, consider this. Did it ever occur to you that the only way for the wounds of the systematic abuse and genocide of Aboriginals in Residential Schools is to do so in a way sensitive to Aboriginal culture. Aboriginals have a history of 'Healing Circles', where everyone approaches as equals, and can speak freely. It's only in setting up the Commission this way that not only will Aboriginals have a chance to mourn publicly, to expose what happened,etc..., but to showcase the 'restorative justice' model that Aboriginal perfected.

If us North Americans and Canadians took the time to respect the unique values, aspirations, and goals of First Nations people and other National Minorities in Canada, Canada wouldn't be as divided as it is today. The biggest flaw of Canadian Federalism is its excessive centralism. I may disagree with PM Harper on alot of things, but on that point I agree.

Now's the time to give Aboriginals the self-government, Aboriginal Charter (see Nunaviasut, a self-governing Innu Territory in Northern Labrador and Quebec, consisting of 1-2 million Innu), etc... If people would stop seeing things from a 'Euro-centric/ neo-Euro-centric' view, injustice in North America would be greatly diminished.'
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3-4 Weeks ago, I was glad to attend the 2nd Annual "[MUN] Aboriginal Solidarity Breakfast", in conjunction with the National Aboriginal Day of Action.

Here are the highlights:

1. Melissa Penney, MUNSU (MUN Student Union) Director of Campaigns spoke out about her experiences as an Aboriginal. (She was formerly the MUNSU Aboriginal Rep., and became the only woman to be elected in the 2008 MUNSU General Election out of the 5 Director Positions)

2. Yvonne Jones, NL (Newfoundland and Labrador) Leader of her Majesty's Royal Loyal Opposition. Not only did he detail the failure of Previous and Current Provincial and Federal Governments to deal with Aboriginal Issues concerning Land Claims, she explained the plight of the Labrador Innu, even referring to the injustices of Davis Inlet. (Patty Pottle later pointed out not only is Ms.Jones the first woman leader of a provincial political party in NL, but also the first Aboriginal Woman Leader of a provincial political party.)

3. Patty Pottle, Provincial Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, spoke about the accomplishment of the Williams Gov't since 2003 on Aboriginal issues". She revealed that she is the First Innu Woman to be included in a Provincial Cabinet, and explained her business expertise in Hopedale, NL (Labrador), her place of birth

(a) The 2005 Innu Land Claims Agreement, thereby creating Nunaviasut (Innu for "our land") in Northern Labrador and Quebec,a self-governing region of 1-2 million Innu, and a smaller number of other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups)

(b) Investing in Restorative Justice Initiatives

(c) Dealing with Metis Hunting and Fishing Rights,etc...

(I got the impression that Ms.Jones and Ms.Pottle, despite being on opposite sides of the House of Assembly, respect each other not only as fellow NLers, but also as fellow Aboriginal Women)

4. The Aboriginal Solidarity Breakfast, featuring:

(a) Fish cakes (it had peas, fish, rice,all within a bread shell. By far the best fish i've ever eaten!)

and other great meals

5. The Aboriginal Thought-singing, and Dances

(a) The Thought-singing was amazing, with Innu (and some Metis?) men and women (some in Traditional wear, others in urban wear) performed together. Although I couldn't understand the lyrics, they first sang "The Ode to Labrador" in English, and then sang it in Inuktatut (I apologize if I spelt it wrong!). They also performed songs about love, work,etc... During most of the songs, the singers burst into laughter at the end. In fact, they had to sing some songs 2-3 times, due to spontaneous laughter of their own making breaking their focus. They must really love their culture, and it certaintly was breath-taking

(b) the Drum dancers... Some in traditional wear, and others in urban wear, used plastic drums, with caribou hids (or was it musk-ox hides) to drum the beat. Not only did they move in unison,but they moved the drum was as much art as a batton. In fact, they even had drum solos, with one woman averaging 5-6 beats a second at maximum speed.

Overall, I left 2-4 weeks ago at 9:30a.m (it started at 7:45a.m, but the ceremonies didn't start until 8:30a.m... I guess they weren't expecting such a large turnout rate!) with a new appreciation for Innu culture, having left the CEGEP de Trois-Riviere,Quebec (Explore Programe) bursary 3 summers ago with the same feeling. I recently felt the same way after attending a fundraiser for the MUN IIA (MUN International Indian Association), where tickets were 10$ for students, and 15$ for adults.(It was located @ the Hindu Temple on the East End of St.John's... I didn't know St.John's had such a temple with 600 members, until this past sunday!) What did we do? We got to eat a 'West Bengali'-style meal, heard the organizers speak about the expansion to the only School for children with Disabilities in Herora, India (it's about 16km from Calcutta, India, made famous by Mother Theresa's work). Having started as a one-floor, three room school with 25-35 students, it is currently being turned into a two-story building, which can will be able to accept 30-60 new students.

Not only will they learn to read and write, but they'll learn vocations such as carpentry, farming, construction,etc..., allowing them to live a more independent and/or interdependent lifestyle. Having been conditionally accepted into the MUN School of Social Work, this is becoming an amazing summer!