CHRISTINE'S BLOG: September 2014

Monday, September 29, 2014

Events

Events:

Sisters In Spirit Week 2014 - 5 Days of Events prior to Sisters in Spirit Vigil

Mon. Sept. 29: Art workshop – Understanding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) through art. 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-4pm at NWRCT. Facilitated by Red Pepper Spectacle Arts. ALL WOMEN WELCOME.

Tues. Sept 30: Media Day- raise awareness about MMIW through handing out flyers.

Wednesday, Oct. 1: Hand drumming with Amy Desjarlais. 10am-12pm. Drop in and learn three different women's honour songs.
Sweetgrass Ceremony – Private healing ceremony for families who are affected by MMIW with Grandmother Wanda Whitebird. 1:30-3:30pm at NWRCT. Please contact 416-963-9963 ex. 212.

Thursday, Oct 2: Letter writing campaign with Amnesty International and Button Making with Native Youth Sexual Health Network. 10:30am-12:30pm at NWRCT.
NWRCT Presentation and Teach-in: Dispelling Stereotypes about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. 5-7pm at NWRCT with Dr. Suzanne Stewart and Lee Maracle. Open to general public.

Friday, Oct 3: Social Media Campaign to raise awareness about Sisters in Spirit and MMIW. Tweet, Facebook, etc.

Sat. Oct 4: Sisters in Spirit Vigil. Join us in Allan Gardens from 6:30-8:30pm. All welcome. See https://www.facebook.com/events/1469168156683383/?fref=ts

September 30, 2014-The Red Revue presents Midnight Shine with Special Guest Jace Martin and the Pace

The Red Reuve presents an Album Release Party for Midnight Shine- “Northern Man”

Special Guest
Jace Martin and the Pace

Tickets $10

Doors Open 7:30 p.m.
Open Mic 8 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Jace Martin and the Pace 9:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Midnight Shine 10:15 p.m. - 11:15 p.m.

September 30
Tuesday
Hard Rock Cafe
Toronto

For more info, email millie.andpva@gmail.com.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Weekly Events

Events:

Thursday September 25, 2014-5:30pm-8pm- Anishnawbe Health Toronto invites you to participate in the feedback session for the design of their new facility. To be held at Daniel’s Spectrum, 585 Dundas Street East. ( 1 block east of Sackville Street on Dundas Street East.

September 27, 2014- 3pm-The Centre for Aboriginal Initiatives Presents Cara Krmpotich: Repatriation and the Force of Family. Main Activities Hal, Multi Faith Centre, 2^nd Floor, 569 Spadina Ave

September 27, 2014- 11am-Protest to End Violence Against Women. Come one, come all, to a protest on September 27, 2014 at the Gates of St. Paul’s University College University, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.

September 29-October 4, 2014-Sisters in Spirit Week: Arts Workshop, Sweetgrass Ceremony, Teach-In, Social Media & Letter-writing Campaign

Sisters In Spirit Week 2014 - 5 Days of Events prior to Sisters in Spirit Vigil

Mon. Sept. 29: Art workshop – Understanding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) through art. 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-4pm at NWRCT. Facilitated by Red Pepper Spectacle Arts. ALL WOMEN WELCOME.
Tues. Sept 30: Media Day- raise awareness about MMIW through handing out flyers.

Wednesday, Oct. 1: Sweetgrass Ceremony – Private healing ceremony for families who are affected by MMIW with Grandmother Wanda Whitebird. 1:30-3:30pm at NWRCT. Please contact 416-963-9963 ex. 212.

Thursday, Oct 2: Letter writing campaign with Amnesty International and Button Making with Native Youth Sexual Health Network. 10:30am-12:30pm at NWRCT.
NWRCT Presentation and Teach-in: Dispelling Stereotypes about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. 5-7pm at NWRCT with Dr. Suzanne Stewart and Lee Maracle. Open to general public.

Friday, Oct 3: Social Media Campaign to raise awareness about Sisters in Spirit and MMIW. Tweet, Facebook, etc.

Sat. Oct 4: Sisters in Spirit Vigil. Join us in Allan Gardens from 6:30-8:30pm. All welcome. See https://www.facebook.com/events/1469168156683383/?fref=ts

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Life's Journey-Unanswered Questions Don't Have to Stop You From Healing

The Indigenous Adoptee Gathering of 2014 in Ottawa is nothing short of amazing because it gives a voice to all of us who once were silenced- that means adoptees, those who survived foster care etc etc.....

Today I had a profound thought after a sharing circle I participated in. Though I have always known it deep down inside me, it awakened within me again today when I realized that I have this one haunting question that I would love to ask my ex-adoptive parents

"What was so wrong with me, that you didn't keep me, like you kept my sister?"

For god sakes I was a kid, you guys were the adults. Then in my head I realized this is a question that will probably always haunt me, and may never get answered because my adoptive parents are no longer in my life, which is completely my choice. I recognized within me, unanswered questions and what they can do to me, is up to me.

Everyone's healing journey is different. I went through a gamut of problems-eating disorders, suicidal ideation, very deep depressions and other self harming behaviours before I realized with the help of therapy, friends and community I was worth fighting for, I was worthy of living despite not feeling like I was.

Now I see that no matter how far I go in my healing journey there will always be questions and sometimes there will be questions that will go unanswered. It's these unanswered questions I believe I need to make peace with in order for my healing to continue and for me to not stray back to where I used to be..... I so don't want to go back down that road. I recognized today that its the community and friends I have built around myself (not to mention my awesome nieces, my sister and others) that have literally helped save me and made me who and what I am today.

Chi miigwetch to everyone in my life, your support means more than words can ever say!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Events

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Saturday, September 20, 2014-10am-4:30pm-The S.W.E.E.T. Success Experience Live Event with Brenda McIntyre-Medicine Song Woman @ Dovercourt House, Main Floor Studio, 805 Dovercourt Rd Tickets available at http://ah133.infusionsoft.com

Saturday September 20, 2014-7pm-10pm- Drum Journey Circle@ the Life Loft, 390 Dupont Street, Suite 201

Sunday, September 21, 2014-11am-6pm-The Word On The Street, Toronto's Book and Magazine Festival. Join us for our 25th festival! We are Canada's largest, one-day, literary festival. Each year, we turn Queen's Park Circle into a book and magazine lover's paradise by showcasing Canada's hottest new books and authors, as well as the best Canadian magazines!

To see a full festival schedule, visit: http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/toronto/whatson/intro.

September 27, 2014- 3pm-The Centre for Aboriginal Initiatives Presents Cara Krmpotich: Repatriation and the Force of Family. Main Activities Hal, Multi Faith Centre, 2^nd Floor, 569 Spadina Avenue

Friday, September 12, 2014

Book Launch-Celia's Song by Lee Maracle

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Film Review: Trick or Treaty?

By: Christine Smith (McFarlane)

Canadian Distributor- National Film Board of Canada

Acclaimed Canadian documentarian Alanis Obomsawin does another incredible job with her latest documentary “Trick or Treaty,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.

Although Obomsawin uses the backdrop of numerous integral events such as the hunger strike of Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat First Nation and the rise of the Idle No More Movement, and other youth oriented movements, she mostly digs into the history of Treaty 9- an agreement in 1905 where it is alleged that First Nations communities relinquished their sovereignty over traditional territories.

According to the Indian and Northern Affairs website, Treaty No. 9 was created in response to continuous petitions from the Cree and Ojibwa people of northern Ontario, and in keeping with its policy of paving the way for settlement and development, the federal government in 1905-1906 negotiated Treaty 9, also known as the James Bay Treaty. It is said that “For the first and only time, a provincial government took an active role in negotiations.”[1] and together with the area acquired by adhesions in 1929-1930, Treaty 9 covers almost two-thirds of the area that became northern Ontario.

However Obomsawin, through numerous interviews with legal, historical and cultural experts- as well as those whose ancestors were present when the treaty was signed reveals the deceptions and distortions in which the real agreement was subjected to by successive Canadian governments. It becomes clear through the interviews that the printed copy of the treaty is not the only valid version and that the First Nations who signed the treaty, were not able to see the written treaty itself until decades later. It was also written in a language they didn’t understand.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Obomsawin’s latest documentary because she is a force to be reckoned with as far as film documentarians documenting the state sanctioned indignities and injustices visited on First Nations peoples and their communities. She has created numerous bodies of work that show a reality that is not often shown by government and mainstream media.

Cast & Credits

Executive Producer: Annette Clarke

Producer: Alanis Obomsawin

Production Company: National Film Board of Canada

Principal Cast:

Screenplay: Alanis Obomsawin

Source Author:

Cinematographer: René Sioui Labelle, Philippe Amiguet, Michael Darby

Animator:

Editor: Alison Burns

Sound: Glenn Hodgins, Donald Ayer

Music: Alain Auger

[1] (http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100028855/1100100028857)

Monday, September 8, 2014

Events

Events:

Monday September 8, 2014-7pm-Turn the Tables: Self Determination Not Termination Tsilhqot'in Supreme Court Decision Webinar Implications of the BC Premier Sept 11th, 2014 Meeting with First Nation Leadership Council & BC Chiefs regarding the Tsilhquot'in Supreme Court of Canada Decision

Host: Arthur Manuel
Moderator: Ryan Day

Anywhere you have computer access!

September 11, 2014-7pm-9pm-Toronto Launch! Undocumented: The Architecture of Migrant Detention @ Art Metropole 1490 Dundas St. West. Merging graphic novel with architectural design, academic research with oral storytelling, Undocumented: The Architecture of Migrant Detention is a visual exploration of migrant detention in Canada written and illustrated by Tings Chak. This forthcoming graphic novel is published by The Architecture Observer (Montreal/Amsterdam), and is supported through the ongoing work of the End Immigration Detention Network.

Friday September 12, 2014-11:00am-12pm- Orientation for New Aboriginal Students at FNH Join us for our Orientation! Learn about supports we offer, financial aid/awards, student groups, meet new people and find out how to get involved on campus.
There will be refreshments and prize draws!

September 27, 2014-9am-4pm- A Hurdle to Success: The Path to PAN AM/PARAPAN AM LEGACY: A free symposium exploring the path to success in Sports and School. Advanced Registration is Required. Space is limited. RSVP at: ahurdletosuccess.eventbrite.ca

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Book Review- Real Justice-Convicted for Being MI’KMAQ: The Story of Donald Marshall Jr.

Book Review- Real Justice-Convicted for Being MI’KMAQ: The Story of Donald Marshall Jr.

By: Christine Smith (McFarlane)

Can you imagine one night being out with a friend and hanging out with them, and after an encounter with two strangers, your friend lays dead, and you stand accused of his/her murder? This is what happened to Donald Marshall Jr, at the time a young Mi’kmaq living on the Membertou Reserve in Cape Breton with his family in 1971.

“Convicted for Being Mi’kmaq: The Story of Donald Marshall Jr.” is a story about a gross miscarriage of justice and how after Marshall’s friend’s murder, Donald is framed for the crime and spends 11 years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. It is also a story about courage and betrayal, of perseverance and luck.

Marshall knew that he was innocent of the murder of his friend, but the officer in charge of the murder investigation was determined to prove his guilt. He bullied other teens into lying so that Marshall would be considered guilty and convicted.

After surviving eleven years in the penal system, it was pure luck and perseverance on Donald Marshall’s part that his case was looked at again, after a jailhouse visit from someone who knew who the real killer was. Individuals who had been previously involved with the case admitted that they had been coerced into lying by the police at the time of the murder in 1971.

It was in 1983 that Marshall was acquitted of the murder he was wrongfully sent to prison for but the victory was bittersweet because the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Appeal Division) laid responsibility for his wrongful conviction at his feet. A Royal Commission of Inquiry was established due to Marshall's case in 1990.

The 1990 Royal Commission Report was a searing indictment of the justice system that wrongfully convicted Donald Marshall. It stated that it robbed him of far more than just his liberty. It robbed him of the kinship of his family and community, separated him from his language and culture and subjected him to tension, humiliation and the violence of prison life.

The Royal Commission came to the painful conclusion that racism played a significant role in Marshall’s wrongful arrest and conviction. Marshall’s conviction was also exposed at a time when Canadians and the Canadian justice system had not yet exposed the extent to which the factors in his case, and those unique to subsequent cases, had operated to send other innocent people to prison for murders they didn’t commit.

The reality that factors such as race and socio-economic status contribute to making a person more vulnerable to being wrongfully convicted is deeply troubling, but Marshall’s story is inspiring.

Author Bill Swan does an excellent job of bringing forth Marshall’s story and making other aware that even faced with adversity and struggles, Marshall never lost hope about becoming a free man.

Donald Marshall Jr eventually became a native activist and he is often referred to as the “reluctant hero” of the Mi’kmaq community.

“Convicted for Being Mi’kmaq: The Story of Donald Marshall is published by James Lorimer & Company Ltd and is 179 pages.

Monday, September 1, 2014

Event Postings

Events:

Sunday September 7, 2014-1pm- Kaha’ wi Dance Theatre Audition Notice. Pre registration required. For more information please call (416) 923 7373 or visit www.kahawidance.org

Saturday September 13, 2014- Fundraiser Gala and Silent Auction at the Native Canadian Centre Order tickets via Eventbrite:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/fundraiser-gala-silent-auction-tickets-12617933579?aff=efbevent

Please join us in this event to support and learn about our Memory Meaning-Making & Collections project. You will have the opportunity to view specially selected items from our artifact & art collection and enjoy a musical performance by Cris Derksen.

Participate in a silent auction for a chance to own:

- Rare Framed print of Carl Beam’s “Fragile Skies”

- “The Next Leaders” Original painting by Manitou Animki Penashi

- Jewellery and artwork by local Aboriginal artists such as Phil Cote, Barb Nahwegahbow, Amber Sandy, and Mike Ormsby

- Hand-crafted wooden bowl by Stinson Studios

- Vintage turtle blanket throw from Pendleton Woolen Mills.

-Ticket purchases are eligible for a charitable donation tax receipt.

- And much more!