Cree Mailing List Digest October 1997 X-List-Subscribe: X-List-Unsubscribe: X-List-Archive: X-List-Post: X-List-Owner: X-List-Help: , -> New Cree Language Lesson posted (10) by Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> -> re: cree internet by Nicole Stuckenberger <(suppressed)@uni-muenster.de> -> Re: cree internet by (suppressed)@aol.com -> German Theatre project concerning indiginous people from all over the world! by "S.Franz" <(suppressed)@gigaperls.org> -> [admin] arpp.carleton.ca service disruption by Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> -> (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> -> Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by "Alain J. Godbout" <(suppressed)@magi.com> -> Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> -> Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by (suppressed)@kootenay.awinc.com -> Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> -> Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> -> Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by (suppressed)@enter.net -> Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality by James Wastasecoot <(suppressed)@MBnet.MB.CA> -> Cree: Kahnawake opposes grain elevators by Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> -> Clox.bak by Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> -> [admin] arpp.carleton.ca service disruption by Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 1 Oct 1997 01:25:59 -0400 From: Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> Subject: New Cree Language Lesson posted (10) Another lesson from "A Cree Phrase Book" has been turned into HTML: Lesson 10: A few ailments and discomforts http://arpp.carleton.ca/cree/lesson/10.html - -- grant@achilles.net http://arpp.carleton.ca/ O- <*> To find out about the Cree mailing list send a message to cree@arpp.carleton.ca with the subject set to the word: help mailto:cree@arpp.carleton.ca?Subject=help http://arpp.carleton.ca/cree/ ki'htwa'm ka-wa'pamitina'wa'w ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 6 Oct 1997 04:54:43 -0400 From: Nicole Stuckenberger <(suppressed)@uni-muenster.de> Subject: re: cree internet Hello to everybody and please give my hello also to J.Spring form the aol! thank you very much for responding and discussing. In this letter I want to summarize your arguments (and please correct me, if I understood something wrong) and write down my new thoughts. The opinions you were so kind to speak out, vary - if I see it rightly - considerable in respect to the importance of communication rules, but there was also a common sense of being part of a kind of world community. So that there is a NET everybody agrees, but how much it should carry CREE (or more universal cultural) characteristics is a thing everybody thinks different about. And also about what this characteristics could be there a various opinions. Are Cree people like everybody else on the world? (Here I would like to ask what do you understand as mainstream 'global'? L.P.Brown wrote "We all think the same, we are not so unique as to not cherish the same simple things in life ...". Well, if I may answer directly: I would say so too, considering for example that we both use the internet, use the same language for writing, have, love laughing, to be together with other people and so on. Maybe you could say 'We are all humans'. But, if I may tell something about my own experiences in Canada as well as in the USA and even in Europe, there are differences all over. Maybe some people stress the differences too much and the unity too less, nevertheless differences are there, I think. For example when I stayed with Cree people I had to learn totally new communication styles. Everybody understands a smile, tears, etc. but I think we interpret (or at least some do) looking directly into the eyes of your partner while speaking, differently. In Germany you should do it more or less constantly in order to demonstrate intrest and because we think that you can get information about the personality and the truth of your partner this way (well that is very crude formulated). A Cree woman told me that she gets the feeling of an aggressive behavior. Another thing: in Germany you ask direct questions: What do you think, what do you do, whiy, when, for what purpose, etc. and you expect an direct answer. When I spoke with Cree people they teached me that it is impolite do force people to answer in this way (unless you know the very well or have a special purpose for doing so). There seems to be a different idea about the sphere of self-decision. Another example: while talking with Cree people I experienced sometimes silence for considerable time (while thinking about something important). Can you image how hard it is, if you learned that silence in an ordinary conversation means that the contact has broken off, to take the time and wait for the answer your partner decides to give to you. I learned this and I learned to appreciate this Cree conversation rule, but I still did not learn (at least that is my impression) to ask for what I like to know in an polite way. And that is just one thing. If you would come to Germany and if you would behave in a Cree way people would first totally misunderstand you as being impolite. Should that be different in the net? Well, I think you are tolerant and forgive me my mistakes, but imagine the confusions if there are people form Indinesia, Afrika, China, Cree Nation and Germans talking about something ... That may sound to you that I would prefer a kind of universal communication style, but that is not the case - nevertheless it is a problem. At least in Germany there is a discussion about the ethics and norms (maybe that is something typical German) which should govern the internet communication. Compared to writing normal letters, phoning or talking to other people the net is very relaxed and easy in its style. But I also read some discussions elsewhere where people became rude, impolite, aggresive, etc. just because they were anonymous, far away from there partners and did not care for their reactions. Is there so much a difference between who to act towards people in the net to who to act towards them in 'real' life? What I would suggest at this point is, if people start to work on conversational ethics, every nation in the world should partake and make suggestions like L.P.Brown who said that people are or better in world wide context should be fun loving, simple, and sharing (which I by the way experienced as typical Cree and learned much from it). You are right when you say that we have to understand ourselves as people and therefore take the advantage of a net, but I do not think that it is easy. R. Soosay wrote that respect of prayer, religion, ceremonies, ... should be self-evident and I think it is important that you said so - but worldwide for a lot of peoples it is something which must be (again) learned or at least accepted and which is not self-evident at all. And it is important for making this point of view clear in the net (if we are thinking about a kind of universal ethic of net communictaion). A total open-mindedness towards the net (and not only to the technology as such) would mean that nothing is sacred or special any more, at least that is my impression. The net is sometimes a kind of imperialism of the 'anything-goes' slogan. And somehow I appreciate it and somehow I do not like it. J. Spring wrote "Our culture is what makes us who we are. Globalization as i see it; would do away with cultural boundaries and in some instances that is good. However; if the goal is a better understanding of other people's views and how other cultures live; then i don't see globalization as being a good move.". I must thank him for setting my problem in a much clearer way than I was able to do. He suggested that the Elders should make suggestions towards this situation. And here again we find a really important distinction at least between our cultures. We would only seldom ask our Elders for devices for new situations - there is not the same respect you have for your elders (at least in the urban areas). And I think a lot of our old people do not very much care for the new techniques. Maybe this situation is due to the history of Germany (the now old people were part of the horrible time of Nazi-Germany, even if they did not take part or even fought against it, and are therefore not respected too much). The internet is seen (at least in germany) as something belonging to a new world, a modern, individualized, technizised, gobal, young, mobile world - and quite often there is no space for cultural specialities. Maybe I see it too dark - but this is a kind of thinking which does not have to be accepted - at least because the internet is still a young and fomable culture. This way of individualized thinking leads to boundaries which are not open anymore, because this is the only way to defend ones one cultural identiy. An acceptance of differences as well as of the unity could lead to compromises, to something new, but old. Well it is still confusing isn't it. But from what you wrote I would like (maybe from a German point of view) to make the suggestion of formulating a kind of device for a communication style which is understandable for outsiders and which takes care of the specialities of peoples thinking. I don't know if there is a group out there in the net, which is working on it, but it would be worthwhile. Even though I cannot really imagine what exactly it should contain. Hoping for a further discussion, yours Nicole St. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 6 Oct 1997 17:58:34 -0400 From: (suppressed)@aol.com Subject: Re: cree internet In a message dated 97-10-06 05:00:40 EDT, Nicole Stuckenberger writes: << But from what you wrote I would like (maybe from a German point of view) to make the suggestion of formulating a kind of device for a communication style which is understandable for outsiders and which takes care of the specialities of peoples thinking. I don't know if there is a group out there in the net, which is working on it, but it would be worthwhile. Even though I cannot really imagine what exactly it should contain. >> Hi, I've been a member of this mailing list since Nicole's original questions were raised and have watched the conversations about it quietly and thoughtfully. Something in this struck me today. First of all, I'm not Cree. I subscribed to this list for a different purpose - to learn. Second, I work with kids on America Online, monitoring their chat rooms and teaching them how to communicate in a safe, clean way. I think the best form of communication is the simplest form and that's what I work to teach the kids I monitor. Treat others like you want to be treated yourself. The internet is no different than any other form of communication. While we can't "see" body language and we can't "hear" voice inflections, we can communicate them if we choose to. Through the use of emoticons (internet smilies) or just putting emotions and actions in parenthesis, we can tell another reader our moods. Nicole commented that she had seen posts in other places where, because the writer was protected by his anonymity, he chose to strike harshly or derrogatorily. Probably that writer receives the same treatment in real life and this is the one place where "he" can be controlling. I understand Nicole's concerns, but I think the simplest route is always the best. If you treat the other readers like you want to be treated, then you will receive that kind of treatment. ::smile:: As for ceremonies, spiritualism, etc., I believe that is a personal choice and that most would choose to solicit that kind of information through a personal e-mail in a one-on-one situation versus a public request for information here... but ::wink:: That's how I'd want to be treated. I'm going to fade back into the background now and continue to do what I joined this list to do .. learn from all of you. Sincerely, Nagi ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 9 Oct 1997 16:56:19 -0400 From: "S.Franz" <(suppressed)@gigaperls.org> Subject: German Theatre project concerning indiginous people from all over the world! Dear Public, we«re in preparation for a 28-hour theatre expedition ".... and tomorrow the whole world", which will take place from the 18. october 1997, 20:00 (MEZ) until the 19. october 1997, 24:00 (MEZ) in Munich, Germany. This is a theatre event, in which the internet and its meaning in the whole world plays an important rule, so that we try to correspond with very different people from all over the world. You can take part in this unique event, by dicussing with us in our online forum about different topics, by chatting with us during the 28-hours or by sending e-Mails or any interessting photos, videos or other material to us. We will use your input for the performance and You will be able to see the results via RealVideo live on the Internet. Visit our homepage http://www.prot.de , to learn more about the details. We invite You to the expedition "....and tomorrow the whole world" and wait couriously and unpatiently for Your reactions! Thank You for Your engagement The Internet Supervisor of the project Sylvia Franz ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 11 Oct 1997 13:28:06 -0400 From: Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> Subject: [admin] arpp.carleton.ca service disruption The arpp.carleton.ca server will experience a disruption of service at the end of this month and the beginning of the next (October 30 - November 6). The server may be unavailable during part or all of that period. The reason is that the server will be relocated to a different city at that time. I'm hoping the transition will be relatively invisible to the users of the system, but want to give you advance warning in case problems come up during the move. - -- grant@achilles.net grant@kagi.com http://arpp.carleton.ca/ O- <*> PGP 5: 4077 8306 9115 94B0 CEA6 F4F4 3B9A 9482 D158 7B9A ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 14 Oct 1997 22:23:19 -0400 From: Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> Subject: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality This appears to be primarily a U.S. action, but I think it is of relevance here. Forwarded from the Antifa Info-Bulletin: - --- begin forwarded text From: Tom Burghardt <(suppressed)@igc.org> U R G E N T A L E R T _____ * REFUSE & RESIST! * 305 Madison Ave. Suite 1166 New York, NY 10165 Phone 212-713-5657 E-mail: resist@walrus.com WWW: http://www.calyx.net/~refuse/ Source: CClarkKissinger@compuserve.com - Friday, October 10, 1997 - ----- _________________________________________________________________ OCTOBER 22, 1997: NATIONAL DAY OF PROTEST AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY! _________________________________________________________________ * PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL FRIENDS, LISTS AND HUMANS TODAY! WARN THE TOWN, THE BEAST IS LOOSE. . . Kids in our society have always been treated as second-class citizens -- whether we're thrown out of malls cuz we "take away" from their appeal to shoppers, get silenced in school when we challenge authority figures, or get jacked up on the streets by cops who know they'll get away with it. But today things are actually getting worse... Every day police insult, harass, brutalize, and murder members of our generation. What makes it even worse, is that they get away with it! They are silencing, terrorizing, humiliating and even killing off our generation and it has become clear that no one else is going to do it for us, it is up to us to put an end to this madness. So, what are we going to do? The buzz is out...Wear Black on Wednesday, October 22, the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation! We will wear black as a sign of unity across the country, showing that we will not remain silent about harassment and torture by the police. We will wear black because the hundreds of victims of police murder can't. We will wear black because police brutality is not just happening in a few places or neighborhoods. Wearing black all over the country is a way fight this national problem on a national level. No matter where you are, you can know that you are among thousands. We all strengthen each other. We will wear black because the police feel that even if they get caught, that no one is watching. Having a sea of people of every nationality dressed in black in neighborhoods, in schools, downtown, uptown, EVERYWHERE, will show them that people ARE watching. We will not tolerate this, and we are getting organized to stop it. * * * Wear black, and JOIN IN THE PROTEST in YOUR AREA. Find the creative ways to alert others, tens, hundreds, even thousands of others to wear black that day, and do something dramatic to oppose police brutality. Start spreading the word right now! Figure out the best ways to reach out to the most people, and who they can reach out to. Here's some other things to do right away: * FORWARD THIS MESSAGE ON YOUR EMAIL NETWORKS! * Make a simple leaflet with the message above and pass it out/post it now. * Find out if there are already plans for protests underway in your region by contacting the National Office of the October 22 Coalition at: 1-888-NO-BRUTALITY or (212) 664-7793. (Last year on October 22nd over 40 cities and towns held actions, so it is likely something is being planned near you.) If there are plans, bring a contingent from your school or work with a banner announcing who you are, and your message to the world on this. Be counted! * Get hold of the public service announcements (they're like commercials) which feature people like Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, Iris Baez and Nicholas Heyward who both had sons killed by police, Joie Lee, (actress, "Do the Right Thing"), hip hop group Goodie Mob, Reg. E. Gaines, (poet and author of Broadway musical, "Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk"), Danny Hoch, (actor in HBO's Subway Stories), and others. Get this tape shown in classrooms, the cafeteria, at student meetings, etc. Get your school or friends to donate money to have the PSA's aired on national TV. For instance, if your group can donate $300 to "Adopt-a-Spot", a PSA can reach 200,000 people on BET (Black Entertainment Television). To get the tape, or to contribute, contact the 10/22 Coalition (212-664-7793). * Go to all student groups, student gov't, professors, churches, and other schools. Show them the PSA's and see how they can get involved. * Plan a rally, poetry event, party or speak out on 10/22. * Get some artists to set up an exhibit calling people's attention to the problem police brutality. * Call a meeting to get others involved in making this day happen. * Set up a table with literature and sell buttons or stickers and get people to sign up who will work with you. * Get the following 30-second message read on your school or community radio station. (You can substitute the time/place of the protest in your area): "Police Brutality. It's a national outrage. If you want to help stop it, join people across the country and wear Black on Wednesday, October 22nd, the National Day of Protest Against Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation. To find out about the protest in your area, call toll-free 1-888-NO BRUTALITY. That's 1-888-NO BRUTALITY. Sponsored by the October 22nd Coalition". * * * To order t-shirts, buttons, posters, the Stolen Lives book, the public service announcements, or make desperately needed contributions, please contact the October 22 Coalition at: 1-888-NO-BRUTALITY or call 212-664-7794 (Fax= 664-7794). Check out their website: www.unstoppable.com The Stolen Lives Project is a project of the October 22nd Coalition, the National Lawyers Guild and the Anthony Baez Foundation. The project is collecting the stories, names, and dates of all people who have been killed by police, border patrol, or died while in custody since 1990. For the first time, the families of victims are being joined together nationwide, as part of building a movement which will end this epidemic of police killings. This list is not yet complete; the police refuse to provide this information. So, if you have a relative or a friend whose life has been stolen in this way, contact the October 22 Coalition. The Stolen Lives Project will continue after October 22nd. PSAs will be continue to be aired on TV, artworks will be made, the Stolen Lives book must appear everywhere... There is something for everyone to do. October 22nd is the beginning of a movement. It is not just one day where we should be vocal and then return to silence. Together we will stop police brutality. * * * HOW MANY "ISOLATED INCIDENTS" DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC? Most people are aware of police brutality and murder either from experience or from the cases that make the news. These cases are reported as individual incidents, the actions of "a few bad cops." But this fails to notice that police brutality has increased all over the country and that very few cops are ever punished. In New York City, for example, the police kill someone on average every 10 days. Their victims are often not armed, already in handcuffs when killed, and they have been as young as thirteen. Yet only one cop has been convicted of manslaughter in NYC since 1977. This pattern continues across the country. BUT ISN'T BEING A COP ONE OF THE HARDEST, MOST DANGEROUS JOBS? Statistics show that a cop is at half the risk of death or injury on the job than a farmer, truck driver, or logger. Yet if a farmer, logger, or truck driver were to shoot an unarmed teenager in the back or kill someone over a parking space, do you think they would be forgiven by the courts? Would they be given recognition for their bravery? THIS EMAIL LETTER WAS SENT TO YOU BY REFUSE & RESIST! Refuse & Resist! recognizes that there is a climate in this country that is trying to instill values of a white-supremacist, male-dominated, exclusively Christian regime. We insist that it is all one attack and that issues around police brutality, reproductive freedom, racism, homophobia, etc...are being perpetrated by a common enemy so... R&R! unites youth, students, professionals, suburban and city people, artists, working people and prominent figures in a common effort to build a movement and climate of resistance -- where there's a refusal to accept or be complicit to the crimes against the people. Check out our web-site at www.calyx.com/~refuse * * * * * ANTIFA INFO-BULLETIN (AFIB) 750 La Playa # 730 San Francisco, California 94121 E-Mail: tburghardt@igc.org * On PeaceNet visit ANTIFA INFO-BULLETIN on pol.right.antifa or by gopher --> gopher://gopher.igc.apc.org:7021/11/europe Via the Web --> http://burn.ucsd.edu/~aff/afib.html * ANTI-FASCIST FORUM (AFF) Antifa Info-Bulletin is a member of the Anti-Fascist Forum network. AFF is an info-group which collects and disseminates information, research and analysis on fascist activity and anti-fascist resistance. More info: E-mail: aff@burn.ucsd.edu Web: http://burn.ucsd.edu/~aff +:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+ +: A N T I F A I N F O - B U L L E T I N +: :+ :+ +: NEWS * ANALYSIS * RESEARCH * ACTION +: :+ :+ +: RESISTING FASCISM * BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY! +: +:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+:+ ++++ stop the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal ++++ ++++ if you agree copy these 3 sentences in your own sig ++++ ++++ see: http://www.xs4all.nl/~tank/spg-l/sigaction.htm ++++ - --- end forwarded text - -- grant@achilles.net http://arpp.carleton.ca/ O- <*> To find out about the Cree mailing list send a message to cree@arpp.carleton.ca with the subject set to the word: help mailto:cree@arpp.carleton.ca?Subject=help http://arpp.carleton.ca/cree/ ki'htwa'm ka-wa'pamitina'wa'w ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 15 Oct 1997 10:36:07 -0400 From: "Alain J. Godbout" <(suppressed)@magi.com> Subject: Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality Please! Forwarding this type of messages does not contribute to the mailing list. It simply clutters the information. Although I may fully agree with the agenda, I feel this is not appropriate to this discussion group. Thanks. - ---------- > De : Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> > A : cree@arpp.carleton.ca > Objet : (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality > DateÊ: 14 octobre, 1997 22:21 > > This appears to be primarily a U.S. action, but I think it is of relevance > here. > > Forwarded from the Antifa Info-Bulletin: > --- begin forwarded text > > From: Tom Burghardt <(suppressed)@igc.org> > > > U R G E N T > A L E R T > _____ > > * REFUSE & RESIST! * > 305 Madison Ave. Suite 1166 > New York, NY 10165 > Phone 212-713-5657 > E-mail: resist@walrus.com > WWW: http://www.calyx.net/~refuse/ [long quote, of previous message, truncated] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 15 Oct 1997 11:58:37 -0400 From: Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> Subject: Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality I forwarded an article about protests against police brutality to the Cree List. In response, Alain J. Godbout wrote: >Please! >Forwarding this type of messages does not contribute to the mailing list. >It simply clutters the information. Although I may fully agree with the >agenda, I feel this is not appropriate to this discussion group. Thanks. As both a participant and the manager of the list, I disagree. The Cree and other aboriginal people of north america are no strangers to police brutality. It affects Cree communities, so is of interest here. - -- grant@achilles.net http://arpp.carleton.ca/ O- <*> To find out about the Cree mailing list send a message to cree@arpp.carleton.ca with the subject set to the word: help mailto:cree@arpp.carleton.ca?Subject=help http://arpp.carleton.ca/cree/ ki'htwa'm ka-wa'pamitina'wa'w ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 15 Oct 1997 12:58:45 -0400 From: (suppressed)@kootenay.awinc.com Subject: Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality OK you guys ... I can see both sides. However, as I have been taught my elders ... negative attitudes do not get us anywhere. Also, tarring all police with the same brush is like buying into all the negative things said about our people. Geri ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 15 Oct 1997 22:59:22 -0400 From: Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> Subject: Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality Wow...good points Geri! On Wednesday, 15-Oct-97 at 12:57:04 (EDT) ghunter@kootenay.awinc.com wrote: > OK you guys ... I can see both sides. However, as I have been taught my > elders ... negative attitudes do not get us anywhere. Also, tarring all > police with the same brush is like buying into all the negative things > said about our people. > > Geri What intrigued me the most about the original post was the fact that the date of the protest was set for October 22nd, which, for me, made an interesting counter-point to another spot on the calendar exactly one-half-year removed... April 22nd or Earth Day! Second, the idea of simply choosing to wear black on Wed 22-Oct-97 is a very gentle and respectful way to stand and say, "No MORE! - The Whole World Is Watching." -- It's more of a statement than a "protest". But you are so right about taking care about "tarring all police with the same brush" -- however, we all know of circumstances yadda, yadda... So perhaps, if one wanted to participate, it would be best to think of doing so as an "expression of a watchful attitude" and guard against projecting and "protesting with a negative attitude"? Perhaps this Day of Protest, falling as it does on the other side of the calendar from a Day-That-Should-Be-For-Our-Mother-the-Earth, is symbolic of a time when we are all becoming FREE to stand and respectfully say, "No MORE!" about MANY things... Anyway, having slipped out of "lurk mode," I go off on a bit of a rant in the next post. Hope I don't offend...and I do pose a Cree languge question at the end so please Bear with me ! c-ya! Ross Standing Bear - -- +----------------------------------- ~~~ -----------------------------+ | Standing Bear @ @ Ross Monteath | | as857@freenet.carleton.ca . ^ . Amazing Images Inc | `----------------------------------- \_/ -----------------------------' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 15 Oct 1997 23:00:46 -0400 From: Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> Subject: Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality On Wednesday, 15-Oct-97 at 11:58:55 (EDT) Grant Neufeld wrote: > As both a participant and the manager of the list, I disagree. The > Cree and other aboriginal people of north america are no strangers to > police brutality. It affects Cree communities, so is of interest here. I agree. However, I would like to comment on is Grant's use of the phrase... "aboriginal people of north america" I would prefer to see the use of a phrase like... "Original People of Turtle Island" ...for, you see, even the seemingly "politically correct" language of the "dominate culture" harbors a form of "cultural brutality" that should not be tolerated and must be resisted... I belong to several lists and the Cree list is such a quiet, respectful little list that I am always surprised and pleased with whatever comes in on it. This posting was no exception, particularly since I have not seen it before. While I am `only' the father of a Cree -- Mehican Kinnipat (sp?) or "Sleeping Wolf" -- I want him to grow up with a self-discovered pride in his Native heritage AND a Love for the Land that we are ALL a part of. He has never known a time when it was illegal to play a drum or dance or smudge or speak Cree for that matter!...and I hope and pray that he never will! He will turn 5 in December and has been a tiny-tot traditional dancer since he was two. Over the summer he really started to pick up his feet and at one point announced that he wanted to be called Mehican rather than Sleeping Wolf (or his "real" name, Dakota, ...and Dak-i-doo was right out! ). At some point I am looking forward to explaining to him that his ancestors lived rich, full and free lives here on Turtle Island during a time long ago when there were no Police Forces and institutions such as prisons or reservations...that concepts such as "police brutality" did not exist and that confused people who made poor choices about doing the right or wrong things (criminals) where guided back into society by understanding how to make the right choices in "healing circles" right within their own communities (much like the Talking Circles that he has attended at Kumik, our Elders Lodge.) On the other hand, I know that today Original People make up one the smallest "ethnic groups" of the total population of north america, yet "aboriginals" also make up the largest single "ethnic" percentage of the inmate population in north american prisons. These statistics, plus the fact that "Indian reservations" were set up as a form of concentration camps to deal with an "Indian problem" created by foreign "settlers" (former "house guests," if you will) makes me very angry... yet another form of "police brutality" IMO. While not Cree specific, the RCMP tactics in the arrests and the stiff sentences handed down in the case of a group of Sun Dancers in BC verus the "pardon" handed down re: the 1995 OPP shooting of Dudley George earlier this Summer made a pretty clear statement that Canada intends to support continued "police brutality" and racist tactics when dealing with issues affecting the Rights and Freedoms of the Original People of Turtle Island! Apparently the Canadian government will not have to call in the army when dealing with the next Oka-type "crisis" that emerges because the RCMP are now the proud owners of a fleet of APCs (Amoured Personnel Carriers) manned by Special Tactical Unit trained in military-style campaigns against organized civilian populations. There comes a time when one has to stand and say, "No MORE!" No MORE ingoring the Treaties! No MORE delaying the Land Claims! No MORE raping our Mother, the Earth! No MORE subtle dominant racism! No MORE "police brutality"! Sorry for the rant, but I know that it will not end in my life time. I understand that we are entering an age of global "Forgiveness and Reconciliation" but it has to work both ways! I know that at some point in my Cree son's life there will come a time that he will have to understand much of this and I pray that he will follow the same respectful and joyful Heartbeat that caused him to "really start to pick up his feet" this summer when it comes time for him to stand and say, "No MORE!" You know...the image of Elijah Harper holding an Eagle Feather and quietly shaking his head, "No." to the Meech Lake Accord in the Manitoba Legislature is one image of how I would like to see Mehican Kinnipat stand and say, "No MORE!" Perhaps this Day of Protest, falling as it does on the other side of the calendar from a Day-That-Should-Be-For-Our-Mother-the-Earth, is symbolic of a time when we are all becoming FREE to stand and respectfully say, "No MORE!" about MANY things...and I wrote about this to some 'net friends last December just after Mehican's Fourth birthday... One feeling is certain. On the day that my little Sleeping Wolf is called upon to stand and say, "No MORE!" is the day he will be Sleeping Wolf no more. On that day he will earn a new Name from all his Spirit Relations. On that day he will truly become a fine young Warrior of the Eighth and Final Fire. Meegwetch, Muskwa Kananebut Peda, Mato Nazee Mitekuye oyasin. We are all One. c-ya! Ross Standing Bear PS- Any help with the REAL spelling for Mehican Kinnipat and/or Muskwa Kananebut or the Cree for "Hunting Hawk" would be appreciated (Swampy Cree from Northern Alberta in particular)...that's really why I'm "lurking on the list" anyway! {^_-} - -- +----------------------------------- ~~~ -----------------------------+ | Standing Bear @ @ Ross Monteath | | as857@freenet.carleton.ca . ^ . Amazing Images Inc | `----------------------------------- \_/ -----------------------------' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 17 Oct 1997 05:53:25 -0400 From: (suppressed)@enter.net Subject: Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality I am full blood Cree. You should live in Quebec. If your native and do a misdeminor, you will more than likely have the book thrown at you in some Northern parts of Quebec(my region) My sister's husband is spending 3 month's in jail for not paying for his Kentucy Fried Chicken. Last year he was beat up and thrown in jalil for not having money for the cab......................Louise ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 17 Oct 1997 21:32:54 -0400 From: James Wastasecoot <(suppressed)@MBnet.MB.CA> Subject: Re: (fwd) Oct22: Day of Protest Against Police Brutality At 10:23 AM 10/14/97, you wrote: >I am full blood Cree. You should live in Quebec. >If your native and do a misdeminor, you will more >than likely have the book thrown at you in some >Northern parts of Quebec(my region) > My sister's husband is spending 3 month's in jail >for not paying for his Kentucy Fried Chicken. Last >year he was beat up and thrown in jalil for not having >money for the cab......................Louise > > I eat bush chicken myself. I think you should keep writing about your experiences at the hands of the authorities. I don't understand why anyone could be thrown in jail for not paying for cab fare. JW ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 22 Oct 1997 05:54:42 -0400 From: Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> Subject: Cree: Kahnawake opposes grain elevators Thought this might be of interest... (sure do miss those little "Words of the day" posts ) c-ya! Ross - --- Ross's forwarded message --- |Date: Wednesday, 22-Oct-97 05:44:58 (EDT) |From: Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> |To: |Subj: _ADM: The Grain Plan?_ Oh, those Rockefellers, Mulroneys and Bilderburgers...always up to something new! -- "Hey, Rocky! Watch me pull a silo out of a reservation..." "Careful, Brianwinkle! Remember what happened the last time you tried that trick..." Just watch...they'll start building that friggin' golf course in Oka (Kanehsatake) again at the end of October - get everybody all upset over that - then, while everybody's looking over there, they'll quietly begin construction of these grain silos in Kahnawake! This land is ours as a heritage given to us as a sacred legacy. It is a place where our fathers lie beneath those trees, our mothers sang our lullaby and you would tear it from us and leave us wanderers at the mercy of fate. -- Chief Joeseph of Kanehsatake, 1873 - --------- "RE: Mohawk Fight Multinational Corporation" --------- Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997 10:05:44 -0400 From: Kahn-Tineta Horn <(suppressed)@cyberglobe.net> Subj: Students and parents fight Multinational corporation on Kahnawake Mohawk Territory] Indigenous Environmental Network: There is a project here on Mohawk Nation land for Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) to build 4 grain elevators right next to a school. The band council and the Canadian government have given the go ahead. An environmental assessment was done through a contract with ADM which gave it a glowing report. The students and people of Kahnawake have done their own studies and have found the gases, grain dust, vermin, fire and explosion potential to have been overlooked. Foremost is the loss of land and the encroachment by one of the biggest food cartels in the world on our land. The people do not want it. How can it be stopped? As well, On the CBC News on October 14th there was a report that the multinationals, Archer Daniels Midland and Copeland, are taking over the Canadian prairie grain business. The Canadian government under former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney changed the regulations of the grain industry so that it would open the door for the big corporations to step into Canada and take over the industry. Brian Mulroney and Nelson Rockefeller Jr., among others, are on the Board of Directors of ADM. Kahnawake Mohawk Territory is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River right across from Montreal. The St. Lawrence Seaway, a railroad and a major highway run through the territory. The majority of Mohawks are opposed to the project, but construction is to begin on November 11th 1997. The multinationals have targeted places where they could put their grin elevators right across Canada. Kahnawake appears to be the site of ADM's grain elevators in the East. Out West they are working around the clock to build elevators across the praries. In the past, grain elevators were owned by the farmers' coops which were set up in the early 1930's to stop private industries from trying to control the prices. With the new regulations the multinationals are once again privately owning the grain and setting the prices, as they did in the 1930's. The United States is coming to Canada, setting the prices and starving the Canadian farmers out of business. The multinationals will be buying up the farmland and will control the buying and selling of the grain. The U.S. presently does not need to sell grain and will use Canada as a storage place and then sell when they decide. In other words, the multinationals will buy up the grains, fix the prices, store the grain in Canada and then decide where and when to sell to the world and for how much! According to the Royal Proclamation of 1763 the Minister of Indian Affairs and the Canadian government have a fiduciary responsibility in regards to lands and monies set aside for Indigenous Nations. I have asked the Minister to intervene in favour of the Mohawks Nations regarding the mismanagement of land in Kahnawake as there are grain elevators being build on Indigenous land without proper environmental assessments. Also there is mismanagement of funds allocated to the Kahnawake band council, an arm of the Canadian government, and I am asking the Minister of intervene and ensure that proper environmental assessments take place before any action is taken. I am urging that the Minister subject the Kahnawake band council to a forensic audit without delay. We need information on the environmental impact and how to stop this multinational from setting up on our land. Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated. Kahn-Tineta Horn, President, Canadian Alliance in Solidarity With Native Peoples 514-635-8696 416-972-1573 email: mohawkns@cyberglobe.net casnp@pathcom.com -- Source: Wotanging Ikche--nanews05.043 25-Oct-97 - -- +----------------------------------- ~~~ -----------------------------+ | Standing Bear @ @ Ross Monteath | | as857@freenet.carleton.ca . ^ . Amazing Images Inc | `----------------------------------- \_/ -----------------------------' - -- +----------------------------------- ~~~ -----------------------------+ | Standing Bear @ @ Ross Monteath | | as857@freenet.carleton.ca . ^ . Amazing Images Inc | `----------------------------------- \_/ -----------------------------' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 25 Oct 1997 20:09:43 -0400 From: Ross Monteath <(suppressed)@freenet.carleton.ca> Subject: Clox.bak That's right Cyber-folkies!... For those of us who have been living on borrowed time, tonight's the night we switch back from Daylight Savings Time to Daylight Spending Time...aka Standard Time -- Clox.bak 1 Hour around about 2am! Enjoy those extra Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's! Dream up some Health, Peace and Happiness for future generations, OK? - -- +----------------------------------- ~~~ -----------------------------+ | Standing Bear @ @ Ross Monteath | | as857@freenet.carleton.ca . ^ . Amazing Images Inc | `----------------------------------- \_/ -----------------------------' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 31 Oct 1997 08:21:11 -0500 From: Grant Neufeld <(suppressed)@achilles.net> Subject: [admin] arpp.carleton.ca service disruption The arpp.carleton.ca server will be experiencing a service disruption starting sometime tomorrow (Saturday, November 1), since I'm moving to a new city. It may be unavailable or sporadically unavailable until some time in the next week. I'll send out a notice when things have stabilized. (or maybe I should say 'if' they stabilize...) - -- grant@acm.org grant@kagi.com http://arpp.carleton.ca/ O- <*> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Digest