It's a Grand thing to do Police, native students pull together, and find that's best September 27, 2008 Paul Morse The Hamilton Spectator PARIS (Sep 27, 2008)

Twenty aboriginal students from Hamilton and 20 Hamilton cops milled about on a narrow muddy shoreline in Paris, trying hard not to step on toes or accidentally clunk each other in the head with canoe paddles.

Ahead lay a 15-kilometre excursion down the Grand River to Brantford in a unique bridge-building experiment called The Journey.

Some of the teenagers were from Cathedral and Sir John A. Macdonald high schools in town, others from alternative educational programs. And for some -- cops and kids alike -- it was a journey into the unknown.

Sherri Nelson, a Hamilton police constable with an irrepressible smile, was paired up with Albert Sears, 18, from Six Nations who now lives in Hamilton's inner city.

One cop, one teen in each canoe -- the idea was that they'd leisurely canoe and chat and get to know each other.

It became immediately obvious that the Nelson-Sears partnership was not a good idea. In the excitement of all the bridge-building, no one bothered to check if either knew how to canoe.

Gripping their paddles as if they were poling a raft, both instantly lost their smiles as the current snatched them up.

"Steer left," Albert said urgently, "We've gotta go left."

"What do you mean, steer, aren't you steering?" Sherri cried. "Oh god we're twisting, how do you steer, Albert?"

Around them, cops and kids were bobbing on the waves, some guiding their canoes with expert strokes, some flailing away like waterwheels, but eventually all got under way.

By some miracle, Sherri and Albert managed to point the craft downstream and chatted about themselves. How Albert ran with a crowd that didn't like cops, how they told each other they were tough enough to take care of things themselves, how he wanted to be an electrician.

They didn't notice the growing ripples ahead of them. Without warning, the rapids turned them broadside and crashed them into a rock.

"Ahhhhhhhh," screamed Sherri as the canoe flipped, catapulting both into the rushing waters.

But as the current snatched her away, Sherri suddenly felt a hand dart down into the water and grab her hand as Albert pulled her to her feet in the chest-high stream.

"My sunglasses," moaned Sherri, "my $350 prescription, antiglare, scratch-proof polarized designer Ray-Bans. Let's go find them."

Together, in the ankle deep mud, they started laughing, now friends.

"This has been a really good experience," said Tara Williams, advocacy program co-ordinator with the Aboriginal Health Centre in Hamilton.

"It's good for our youth, especially those in the cities who don't often get a chance to get to do outdoor activities and develop relationships with others."

The Journey builds upon other Hamilton police initiatives in the aboriginal communities.

When he first heard about the chance to take a canoe ride with police, Brodie Staats, 15, was not impressed. "I thought, oh great, cops. Here we go again. Another fake event. But you know what, this was fun."

As they beached their canoes, Brodie's muscular cop partner challenged him to a Grand River throwdown. The cop was swimming before he knew what happened.

So Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse decided he had to defend the force's honour.

"Brodie, Brodie, Brodie," screamed the teens -- and a few of the cops -- as the two locked arms. Leendertse, too, found himself in the drink.

pmorse@thespec.com

905-526-3434

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/441378

Tyendinaga, Construction stopped on police facility TMT Support Native protesters stop building Installation of police facility delayed 'until further notice' Posted By STEPHEN PETRICK, THE INTELLIGENCER September 24th, 2008 http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1214040 The installation of a new police building here has been delayed "until further notice," after a group of band members set up a blockade Tuesday to protest its arrival. Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte officials were preparing to have a 4,635-square-foot building shipped from a Hamilton-area manufacturer this week and put together on a gravel pit on York Road, just west of Quinte Mohawk School. But a group of about 50 people were at the site Tuesday afternoon, vowing to block officials from placing a prefab building they feel the community was not consulted about. "Our people never sanctified it, ratified it or condoned it," Bryan Isaacs told The Intelligencer from just outside the protest site. "There's no one in favour in our group because we were never consulted." Inside the site, several women were sitting in lawn chairs. They said they were upset the band council made plans for a roughly $1.9-million facility when the money could have been spent to address the lack of safe water in the territory and poor housing conditions. "You have kids in the school out there without water," said Evelyn Turcotte, pointing to Quinte Mohawk School. "There are housing issues and mold issues." Another woman, who did not give her name, said, "I've been buying water for 30 years." The group, which identified themselves as the Kanyen'kehaka women of Tyendinaga, also issued a press release calling on Prince Edward-Hastings incumbent Daryl Kramp as well as Minister of Indian Affairs Chuck Strahl and Prime Minister Stephen Harper to listen to their needs. "Canadians overwhelmingly support clean water efforts, funding for education and safe housing for Native people, and yet, while all of those concerns remain ignored, this multi-million dollar investment proves only to 'fix' an otherwise unwarranted problem." The comments came as the Mohawk band council gathered for a special meeting to discuss what to do with the facility. The building has already been put together by NRB, a modular building company in Grimsby, Ont. The band was expecting it to arrive Monday, but found out Tuesday the trip had been delayed as the company still needed to obtain some Ministry of Transportation permits to make the drive. Armed with that knowledge, the band requested the company to hold onto the building until the conflict is resolved. "The council made a decision that it would remain there in storage until further notice," Maracle said, moments after the meeting. He also scoffed at comments that band leaders are not making clean water a priority or holding enough consultation on the building. Had the building arrived Monday, he said, a "community ratification process" would have taken place to determine whether the building meets the approval of band members. It would have sat on the site "unhooked" until at least Oct. 31, Maracle said. That ratification process, he added, would have followed a series of public meetings on the issue earlier this year. He also said he agrees with protesters that water quality on the territory needs to improve. "That's why I started a water study many years ago -- to document the condition of the water so we could make a case to the government for some funding for water," he said. He added that Indian Affairs has committed money for a new water treatment plant and project workers are now deciding what technology needs to be used before construction can begin. The new police building is intended to allow Tyendinaga Mohawk Police Services to expand from eight to 11 officers. The band is contributing close to $980,000 toward its costs, with the final $900,000 coming from the provincial and federal government. Despite the commitment, the department will be operated solely by Mohawk people, Maracle said.

Six Nations-Brantford, Court Update: My understanding is that Boots Powless' son was released on bail today, and the other youth on recognizance, unconfirmed. Both have other scheduled court dates. I am still truly fuzzy on why they were stopped at all, let alone arrested, and I didn't hear of anything outstanding that wasn't already in process. All in all, a pleasant day, mostly spent outside waiting, chatting ... and with the best possible outcome, for now. The best possible court outcome will happen when Brantford court rules on the permanent injunction, and turns it down, as per recent Ontario Court of Appeals ruling: http://www.ontariocourts.on.ca/decisions/2008/july/2008ONCA0534.pdf [48] Where a requested injunction is intended to create “a protest-free zone” for contentious private activity that affects asserted aboriginal or treaty rights, the court must be very careful to ensure that, in the context of the dispute before it, the Crown has fully and faithfully discharged its duty to consult with the affected First Nations: see Julia E. Lawn, “The John Doe Injunction in Mass Protest Cases” (1998) 56 U.T. Fac. L. Rev. 101. The court must further be satisfied that every effort has been exhausted to obtain a negotiated or legislated solution to the dispute before it. Good faith on both sides is required in this process: Haida Nation, p. 532. Six Nations Needs Urgent Support BRANTFORD: This morning, the Brantford Police arrested two young activists from 6 Nations, aged 17 and 19. The two were arrested in transit while trying to leave the campsite on Fen Ridge Court. Twenty cops in 8 unmarked cars pulled over the vehicle they were travelling in, and arrested the two teenagers who are currently in jail. Activists at the site in Brantford have asked for supporters to come to the site tonight and/or tomorrow. The Hampton Inn site on Fen Ridge has been shut down completely for two weeks. It had also been shut down several times over the last few months by various representations from 6 Nations including Ruby and Floyd Montour, the Confederacy Council, the Men's Fire, and now grassroots activists including Boots Powless and a newly dubbed NYM-6 Nations (Native Youth Movement). The current callout comes directly from the activists on site. The group has maintained the site beside the Hampton Inn development site in a tepee for over 60 days, upholding the declaration put forward by the Men's Fire that these sites should be shut down pending settlement of outstanding land disputes. Further, all three sites that have been targeted from the base camp have been sited as posing ecological threats; the Fen Ridge industrial development area and the Oak Park Road development site are located in an environmentally sensitive area less than a kilometre from the Grand River. A Callout for supporters to be physically on-the-ground as early as tonight has been issued from the camp. BYO FOOD and phone cards ("solo" brand) appreciated. To get to the site: take the 403 to Brantford, exit at Oak Park Road, turn right at the T junction off the exit, then take the first left onto Power Line Road; the site is down the road a few hundred meters, and should be evident across from the King & Benton site. Look for the tepee, Boots has asked people to meet there first. Questions call: (519) 717-7043, or (519) 717-7099 http://www.honorsixnations.com/ Background: http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/18535 >>>> As usual, bring solidarity, your own tent/bedding and food supplies, and some to share. No alcohol, no drugs, no weapons. granny NOTE: Brantford police currently have only a temporary injunction, and they know it could be lifted as early as the next court date ....? Brantford City Police are cozy with the City that signs their paycheques. Brantford City Police haven't yet acknowledged or accepted the responsibility of upholding the Charter Rights of Six Nations people, to put it politely. Brantford City Police may be aggressive tonight, and already have been today. What did they arrest the youth for today? For being on and coming off the site?? 'Suspicion' of "mischief"? gmab Thanks to Janie Jamieson who alerted all of us to the aggressive acts of the police against her sister and friends, and good thoughts to those youths who are now in custody, and to 'Boots' for letting us know they need support. granny Original message from Janie Jamieson: Wednesday September 10, 2008 BRANTFORD, Ont. Subject: Police Attack on Haudenosaunee woman and youth in Brantford Today Wednesday September 10, 2008 BRANTFORD, Ont. Today at approximately 11:00am my one year old son and I were leaving the King and Benton site in Brantford, Ontario. My sister left the site a few seconds behind me. Two youth were travelling with her. I stopped at the stop sign and then proceeded through. I checked my rear view mirror to see how far behind my sister was. When I looked I saw a non-Native man with a closely shaved head pulling on her truck door with one hand while punching the driver's side truck window with his other hand. He had a closed fist and was hitting the window with full swings. With all the threats made against our people and the violence and abuse we survive, I thought she was under attack by a group of skinheads, as there were several unmarked cars blocking her in. I drove up to a spot where I could safely turn around. When I got back to the corner all vehicles were gone. I turned right because traffic was slow in that direction. Sure enough, the same cars had her truck surrounded but now the skinhead that was viciously, forcefully trying to attack them earlier had on an OPP vest and a belt loaded with weapons. By then there were approximately 8 cruisers both marked (OPP and Brantford City Police) surrounding my sister and the two youth. They had one youth handcuffed. Moments later they handcuffed the second youth. I told the police our youth are under our authority and jurisdiction as Ogwehowe women and the police had no right or authority to kidnap our children on our own territory. The police were informed our youth had EVERY authority to uphold our traditional laws. The police were then told to cease and desist their armed invasions of our people. They were also told the kidnapping of our children needed to stop as well. They were told they keep trying to escalate things with our people and the tactics they are using is nothing short of declarations of war. We were told how everything they were doing was "standard". (Yes, even for an allegation of "mischief".) As hard as it was to believe it was standard police practice, I do believe it. It was almost a year ago 9 of our people were attacked at Stirling Street for upholding their land rights by 200 fully armed RCMP, OPP, OPP Riot Squad and the Hamilton City Police . The acceptable standard to deal with our people for minor offences was most recently set in 1995 in Stoney Point when Dudley George was murdered by a paid sniper. While we were talking about 5 officers (without permission) began searching my sister's truck for "weapons". I put tobacco in the hands of the youth and told them to hold onto it and not let it go. The police told me I couldn't do that and to get rid of it. The youth held onto it and were then placed in separate cruisers and taken to the Brantford Jail. One youth may get out today. The other young man is up for bail tomorrow at 9:00am at the Brantford City Court on 44 Queen Street. Also, Bawa Construction (Hampton Inn & Suites) has resumed construction despite being given several warnings they are building illegally on traditional territory in Grand River Country. I've been told construction will be shut down soon. We are asking for support in the form of supplies and people both at the construction site (ASAP) and at the courthouse tomorrow. To get to the construction site take the 403 west towards London, Ont. Exit off Oak Park Road. Turn left and drive over 403. Construction site is immediately on the right hand side. Boots Powless' son was one of the young men targeted and arrested today. Our people have upheld their words regarding maintaining peace. At no point have any of our people stepped out of the Kaiienarekowa. The developers and the police continuously escalate events by targeting our children, women (mothers and grandmothers) and men. There is a consistent effort to attack our women and children to protect the finances of local and international corporations. Just like the targeting of our people and constant attacks by fully armed civil servants continue, we, as ogwohwe will continue to uphold our great-great grandchildren's right to exist. We are justified. Janie Jamieson Grand River Country _______________________________________________ six_nations_info mailing list six_nations_info@masses.tao.ca https://masses.tao.ca/lists/listinfo/six_nations_info

Kahnawake: SQ Police Banned by Mohawk Traditional Council

re: http://grannyrantson.blogspot.com/2008/08/kahnawake-teen-cyclist-killed-in-sq.html

MTC Letter to Stockwell Day

August 13, 2008 Stockwell Day Minister of Public Safety And Emergency Preparedness Canada Greetings from the Mohawk Nation With the recent feeble apology of the Canadaian Government to the Native victims of the residential school instrument of genocide, it has become clear that there is no desire to correct the inhumane behavior of your church and state, but rather, only a desire to absolve those guilty of perpetrating such crimes against humanity. This has become blatantly clear through the continued racist policy of armed invasion by your police forces within our territories, which resulted in the late David Cross being murdered right in front of his family by S.Q. agent Robert Lessard, on October 20, 1979. This blunder has caused a reconfiuration of such policies, culminating in the illegal policing agreement that was signed by the elected mayor of Kahanwake and the Quebec Government, which provided the ways and means for non-native police forces to enter into our territory to enforce foreign laws and jursidiction. However, this murderous policy of invasion disguised as a policing agreement, has once again caused the death of one of our sons, fifteen-year-old Tyler Glasgow, who lost his life as a result of the illegal intrusion into our territory by a non-native police officer. Regardless of how one may examine this most recent incident of loss of life, the root cause of such atrocities is the undeniable fact that armed non-native forces have absolutely no business within our territory. Every time a non-native police force enters any of our territories it is an armed attack of aggression upon our women and children, which threatens the day-to-day lives of innocent people as well as the lives of those who are illegally invading our territory. Therefore it has become necessary to inform you, in a peaceful fashion before violence erupts, that this encroachment into our territories by armed non-native forces will no longer be tolerated by the Mohawk People. It is now left upon you to inform all non-native forces that any violation of our territory will be viewed as an armed act of aggression against our women and children, to which any of our men have been granted full right to deal with in any fashion necessary to effect the neutralization or removal from our territories of such agents of your government. This is not a lawless act of aggression to any imagined authority, rather it is a response by the Mohawk people to acquire justice to effect a peaceful end to these continued armed acts of aggression by your government against our safety and welfare. Do govern yourself accordingly In Peace and Friendship Secretary, Stuart Miyow Mohawk Traditional Council Box 531 Kahnawake J0L 1B0 http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=176917133&blogID=424556456

Kahnawake: Teen cyclist killed in SQ chase

"The local police know where people live, and they wouldn't be as reckless and endanger the local children. So why would the officers of police who don't know the neighbourhood have any business on the reserve?" she asked. Police have not released the victim's name.

Update: Hearing pending ... http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=c305a705-d0f4-49d9-93af-c8d977aaf96c Teen cyclist killed when police chase enters Mohawk reserve Last Updated: Friday, August 1, 2008 | 10:58 AM ET Comments28Recommended16 CBC News A 15-year-old was killed while riding his bicycle on the Kahnawake reserve west of Montreal on Wednesday night when he was hit by a car being chased by police from the nearby County of Roussillon. Mohawk peacekeepers said Thursday the cruiser was out of its jurisdiction when it followed the speeding car onto the reserve. Kahnawake police spokesman David Lahache said many aspects the accident are still unknown. "Early on, the Kahnawake peacekeepers called in the assistance of the Sûreté du Québec's accident reconstruction unit to help them with their investigation," he said. Lahache said the 25-year-old driver, who has not yet been identified, will likely face multiple charges, including reckless driving causing death. Roussillon police said they were on the reserve for only a few seconds. But local residents are angry about it. "All the boys and girls in our neighbourhood who know this little boy are being affected — the mothers, parents — everyone is being affected. These are our children that are walking on the streets," said Samantha McComber, who lives in an area called Mohawk Valley right next to the accident scene. Kahente Doxtater also lives in the area. "The local police know where people live, and they wouldn't be as reckless and endanger the local children. So why would the officers of police who don't know the neighbourhood have any business on the reserve?" she asked. Police have not released the victim's name. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story ... chase.html

Canada's new residential schools: PRISONS

This is something I’ve been saying quite a lot lately with the recent Harper apology for residential schools. Sure, government regulated residential schools might have closed, but they’ve been replaced with the systematic apprehension of our people forced to become prisoners yet again for reacting to centuries of abuse.

As part of their eight-part series on Crime and Punishment, this Sunday’s Toronto Star had a full front-page spread on Prisons Poisoning Natives.

Just to review the statistics:

3.8% of the Canadian population is Aboriginal

We make up almost 20% of the prison population

33% of our youth are currently incarcerated

I recently took part in a county jail and state prison panel in the United States where, for some reason, when we were discussing “minority” representation, no one knew that Native American youth are incarcerated 2.5 times more than White youth* (some studies show as many as 40% of our youth are ending up in jail).

How much more can we handle? We’re still reeling from 500 years of colonization, and people expect that we should have bucked up and solved it all ourselves in the last 50 (not to mention the fact that colonization is still ongoing, you can look at the abhorrent resource extraction going on in Inuit territory for that).

http://www.shamelessmag.com/blog/2008/07/prisons-are-the-new-residential-schools/

For starters, I titled it "Prisons are the new residential schools" because each of their goal is very similar: punish people and anilhilate culture for being Native. To even begin to fathom or know why people (and so many Aboriginal people in this case) end up in prison, is to understand the realities a lot of us are coming from. Over 90% of Aboriginal people today are affected by residential schools on some level, so many of us are descendants of survivors, or have family members, or simply face modern-day colonization to the extreme day in and day out. This includes poverty, sexual abuse, racism, and the list goes on. Only if you look at the stats on a per capita basis, it's even more frightening since there aren't that many of us in comparison to the rest of the Canadian population to begin with. It is still incredibly painful.

The same things happened in residential school, mind you.

We've had money thrown at us to supposedly form some sort of healing process for all of this, but what it has turned into is this re-hurting and re-victimization process, only this time it's against each other.

So is the answer really to throw us in jail continuously after all is said and done? Myself personally having worked in youth detention centres this very year and trying to answer back to these youth who wonder how they even ended up here, I just don't believe that harsher punishment is the answer. Are we also not forgetting the innate racism and prejudice that permeates the law enforcement system and judicial systems? In Minneapolis for example, Native Americans are pulled over 9 times more than any other race. For what?! Driving while "Indian"?

And let's also remember the number of political and activist prisoners there are in jail, who rightfully stood up to protect the land that is being threatened away from us every day (Shawn Brant, Bob Lovelace anyone?)

__________

* Aboriginals are 7 times as likely to die in custody as whites, and 3 times as likely to die in custody as blacks. (StatsCan circa 2005)