2/25/2018 2 Comments #119: Look for and share the positive stories about Indigenous people, not just the negative ones.
Speaking of passing along positive stories. Make sure you congratulate or send positive thoughts to the following women:
Indspire 2018 Nicole Bourque-Bouchier Esquao Awards 2018 Corrie Flett Lisa Bourque Nancy Hollman National Youth Aboriginal Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2017 Isabell Ringenoldus
2 Comments
#87. That fish you are going to catch during this long weekend? Learn the Indigenous word for it and local teachings about it. While I didn't catch a fish I did make art with the scales from a whitefish. - Dene ᐊᑎᐦᑲᒣᐠ or atihkamek - Cree This amazing form of art is made possible by the unusual characteristics of the northern whitefish scale. To create these unique pieces, the scales are removed, cleaned and slowly dried. When dry, the scales curl in a manner suggestive of flower petals, although you could easily wet them again to make them flat. They are then applied in a three dimensional setting to a backdrop, in my case on a piece of canvas. Fish bones are often used to accent the artwork (guess where I have placed my fish bones). The scales can be used in their natural state (yellowish white), or dyed in various colours using regular dye such as Rit or food dye. Either way both forms keep this crystal like finish and reflect the light in the most beautiful way. To learn more about the traditional teachings about fish scale art, click here. Thank you so much to Athabasca Tribal Council for bringing in Nancy Hager, a wonderful teacher and Northern Tutchone Artist who walked us through the artisanal process. If you are looking to contact her check out her website: www.yukontraditionalart.com. 2/20/2018 0 Comments #88: Indigenous Hollywood #88. Did you know that two remarkably successful Hollywood films included Indigenous actors? Watch The Revenant’s Melaw Nakeh’ko and Wonder Woman’s Eugene Brave Rock. Indigenous actors are amazing. Although, I'd like to take a moment to recognize those behind the lens. Last night I had the opportunity to see Marvel's Black Panther. A phenomenal movie with incredible special effects. Those effects were the creation of Josh Samuels, a Haida from the St'langng 'Laanaas Clan from Yan Village, born in Masset B.C. His Haida name is GIN K'ALANG GAYAA (Good Artist). Some time after Graduating in 2005 from George M. Dawson Secondary, he moved to Vancouver to purse his dream of becoming an Animator. He attended Vancouver Institute is of Media Arts for two years and then went onto be contracted with various animation companies, before landing his dream job. Working for Method Studios who Marvel Studios contacted for the Black Panther Movie and was one of the lead Roto-Animators. Roto Artists trace the areas of live action frames where computer graphics will overlap or interact with live images. It is extremely detailed work and when you see Black Panther you will appreciate the micro-detailing. Another amazing Indigenous Film Movement is the Sundance’s Native American and Indigenous Program. As far as roles, indigenous actors and actresses—that is, the ones who actually get cast in substantial parts—have often been reduced to playing caricatures of themselves, as seen in recent stereotype-ridden flicks like The Ridiculous 6. But that isn’t the case at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, where eight indigenous-made projects were showcased at the end of January this year. Check the program out below. 2/11/2018 0 Comments #62: Imagine living for six weeks on a hunger strike, with no sustenance but broth. To get a meeting with the prime minister. Hello, Chief Theresa Spence.With all the politically driven dialogue this weekend, I want to talk about hunger strikes and bring to attention the extreme effects that result from such a politically motivated choice. To be clear: I strongly discourage this form of protest.
One of the first recorded hunger strike is detailed in ancient Indian scriptures, which talk of the brother of the exiled King Rama using the threat of a fast to coax him into returning. He placed himself on a bundle of sacred grass at his feet and refused to budge. I'm not sure of his fate, but can't imagine that it ended well (If you know the account and more importantly the ending - please comment!). More contemporary and well known hunger strikes include:
Most adults need at least 1200 calories per day to keep your organs working at a functional level. At first when I looked at this particular act I asked myself if I were to diet for 6 weeks, would I have an idea of what Chief Spence went through? The answer is no. Chief Spence was ingesting around 200-300 calories per day by way of lemon water and fish broth. Even at 1200 calories per day, I wouldn't be facing the same symptomatic effects that she did. After two weeks on a hunger strike, I would have difficulty standing, suffer from severe dizziness, sluggishness, weakness, loss of coordination, low heart rate and have a constant chilled feeling. For longer strikes the risks become extreme, and would likely result in:
Dieting and especially extreme fasting needs to be seen for what it is, a form of self-harm. Unlike other protests, a hunger strike has no direct effect on the intended target. The protester suffers, not the person or institution protested against. The protester relies on the moral force of their actions, or the media coverage, to achieve their particular goal. However, if what they are protesting doesn't come to fruition, what then? I'm no dietician, and in probably the worst physical condition of my life to be honest, but even I know that risking organ failure and ultimately death is not worth media coverage or political gains. I realize that there are circumstances where hunger strikes may be the only available method of protest, especially within correctional institutions, however still hold the stance that a hunger strike should be the last resort for extremely dire situations, if not avoided completed. This morning, Ralph and I discussed over our breakfast the feeling of hopelessness in the process of reconciliation when it comes to Canada's legal system. While we are not related to the Boushie family, their injustice at losing one so young in such a way is felt by many, including us.
Like a lot of people, (although, clearly not enough), we are outraged by the continued failure of the justice system. Yesterday, it showed us that justice is targeted subjectively and wrongfully concentrated on those who are disadvantaged rather than those who are individually responsible for their actions. The public debate over the institutional racism of the Canadian justice system and their stigmatized victims is too narrow of a focus. Blaming the system, based upon historical racism, is not enough. In every circumstance, we should also be looking at those who are responsible for denying rights and justice in the now. I'm not normally one to encourage verbal lynching, but clearly specific individuals had a role and we need to be talking about their actions and what we can do to educate and bring to light the facts of this case. Since the murder occurred (and murder it was), an extremely concerning vote took place at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) convention. 93 per cent of delegates voted in favour of a resolution calling on its leaders to lobby the federal government for more relaxed self-defence laws. Lionel Story, deputy reeve of the Rural Municipality of Kindersley, which submitted the resolution, said it was not a response to Boushie’s death, but rather an effort to make would-be criminals “think twice” before trespassing on people’s property. We all see the message between the lines, the justification for vigilantism and violence. Relying on ordinary empathy, religious ideas, or moral common sense—particularly in our pluralistic and racially divided society—can take us only so far. Its our role then to actively address apathy and ignorance to blatant injustice. Votes, such as the one made in Saskatchewan by Rural Municipalities and the role that social media and reputable media sources, are leaps toward a very dark and violent future. "The power of the media to create and destroy fundamental human values comes with great responsibility. Those who control the media are accountable for its consequences.” (United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)) In Rwanda, radio played a big part in sharing the message “go to work” as a call to kill the Tutsi and the Hutu who opposed the Rwandan regime. That an individual or group killed someone in response to the radio broadcasts or newspaper articles was not required to prove the incitement to genocide charge. How do we live in a world where self-defence is cited against the unknown. How do we justify murder when the gun was pointed, and whether the pin struck or not at the squeeze of a finger, it was pointed at someone's head. Someone's child. Someone who had a future. Global news (yes I just lambasted the media and now are using their investigative skills) shared a telling summary of the cases that have set the foundation for the Gerald Stanley's acquittal.
In no way am I suggesting that theft should go unpunished. However, it is not a reasonable justification of vigilantism and murder under the muse of property protection. Justifying murder as a punishment for theft, or the potential of theft, is where this jury is leading our society. In the book Proper Studies (1927) by Aldous Huxley he says that "facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored". We can only hope that an appeal will be granted and that this time the pin strike will fire and justice will prevail. We can only hope that we can find other solutions to prejudice and racism than violence. Update: Very good friends of ours brought up a good point with us after reading the post, one thing we didn't go into is the reason behind some of the aforementioned thefts, and the association with drugs and alcohol which is not necessarily race related. In these cases, it is likely that they fall under the drug associated crimes, under the term economic-related crimes. Economic-related are the case when an individual (or groups) commit a crime to fund a drug habit. I would argue that in general drug use and associated or pre-existing poverty is symptomatic of a broader problem in Canadian society that now crosses all backgrounds. Having spent part of my youth in Montreal, in a diverse community, Black History Month was not only social profit driven but was the foundation of my school's curriculum and activities. When we moved back to Athabasca, Alberta, nearby one of the oldest settlements of Oklahoma farmers our Social Studies teacher made sure that all of us knew of the rich history and perseverance of families who thrived as homesteaders and generational farmers. The history of Amber Valley is embedded in many lives around Northern Alberta. My mosom would tell me about the baseball games that would take place between Calling Lake and Amber Valley. Through sport, the Cree and Black communities turned from opponents on the field to friends at the dance hall; forming lifelong friendships, and whenever necessary allies. My support as an ally for the Black Lives Matter movement is to share this amazing documentary about Amber Valley (just a short 2.5 hours south of Fort McMurray). |
About me
I grew up in Athabasca, AB and have spent the majority of my life in Northern Alberta or Montreal, PQ. My husband has been in Fort McMurray since the 70s and continues to love this town and all that it has to offer. We are avid outdoor enthusiasts, spending our summer weekends quadding and camping. As Opimian members we thoroughly enjoy wine pairings and tastings and are working on our wine collection. Ralph is a carpenter by trade and has framed more houses in Fort McMurray than I could count and knows the city inside and out. I work all throughout the region from the NWT to Janvier for the tribal council. My passion is doodling and photography which is featured throughout the website (various mediums), writing, Indigenous studies, and learning in general. Categories |