The Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement of Ottawa (IPSMO) is a grassroots community organization that is committed to supporting indigenous struggles for justice, decolonization and self-determination.
We started organizing in 2006 in support of the Caledonia land reclamation, and are currently most active in supporting the Barriere Lake Algonquin, and working to end violence against indigenous women and girls.
We have regular orientation sessions for people who are or think they might be interested in organizing with us in support of indigenous resistance.
As part of Idle No More movement, Algonquins of Barriere Lake slow down traffic on Highway 117
Kitganik / Rapid Lake – January 16, 2013
Barriere Lake youth with banner in Ottawa January 11th, 2013.
The Algonquins of Barriere Lake will be slowing down traffic on Highway 117 today to draw attention to forestry operations that they oppose on their lands. Joining the chorus of First Nations across the country who are demanding the government honour their agreements with Indigenous peoples, and consult with them on development affecting their lands, Barriere Lake is demanding the implementation of a resource co-management agreement signed in 1991 with Canada and Quebec that continues to be neglected.
Barriere Lake is taking action today to protect the land and watershed for their future generations and for the future of Canadians. Resolute Forestry Products has already clear-cut several ecological sensitive areas of Barriere Lake’s traditional, unceded territory, such as bear dens and moose yards, that the community is trying to protect.
Barriere Lake has never been idle. But today marks the first day of coordinated Indigenous action and unrest until First Nations’ demands in this country are finally met.
Media Contacts:
Norman Matchewan, band councilor: 819-441-8006
For printing and distribution to help spread the message of #IdleNoMore
This is a 1-pg double-sided pamphlet (or french version or spanish version), in PDF format, that summarizes key points from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP). The pamphlet is entitled ‘Resetting and Restoring the Relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canada‘ and is written by Taiaiake Alfred and Tobold Rollo (the original unformated version is here).
The pamphlet also includes graphics and links for the Idle No More movement.
ATTAWAPISKAT, ON – 11 December 2012. Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat First Nation began a hunger strike today in protest of continuing governmental abuses against First Nations. Chief Spence stated: “Canada is violating the right of Indigenous peoples to be self-determining and continues to ignore our constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights in their lands, waters, and resources.”
Chief Spence is profoundly concerned with the hostile and adversarial approach of the Federal Government which is characterized by an intimidating and unilateral approach to working First Nations. Instead of being an advocate of First Nations, the Minister’s office is used to mislead the public about the facts of First Nation social realities and often deflects responsibility by casting blame on First Nations themselves.
First Nations are already severely and chronically underfunded on basic essential services like housing, water, food and education. These discriminatory practices have led to the current poverty crisis which impacts many First Nations which often suffer from multiple over-lapping crises in housing, water, sanitation, food insecurity, health and education.
Attawapiskat First Nation previously declared a State of Emergency in housing as some of their members were living in unheated sheds. Instead of offering assistance, Canada illegally placed the community into third-party management despite there being no problems with their audits. Shortly after the court case confirming Canada’s illegal actions, their proposal for housing was denied, leaving many community members without homes this winter.
Canada has since embarked on an aggressive, assimilatory legislative agenda without having first consulted, accommodated and obtained the consent of First Nations as required by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Further, Canada has attempted to silence First Nation voices by cutting essential funding at both the organizational and community levels. This is not what was envisioned in the treaty relationship.
Chief Spence feels that this backwards approach is not only poisoning Canada’s relationship with First Nations, but will irrevocably destroy the lands and waters that all Canadians need for sustainability and balance. Canada’s actions against First Nations will impact the future generations of all Canadians. She feels that Canada must withdraw the recent suite of legislation being imposed without First Nation consent and reverse its decision to cut funding to First Nation organizations and communities.
Chief Spence is encouraging First Nation leaders to support her on this hunger strike. She will remain on this hunger strike until both Her Majesty the Queen and the Canadian government agree to meet with First Nation leaders and engage in meaningful dialogue on our rights.
Attawapiskat First Nation is a remote, isolated First Nation in North Eastern Ontario, whose traditional territory includes lands around the Attawapiskat and Ekwan river systems in Northern Ontario. They form part of the Cree Nation and are affiliated with the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council.
Attawapiskat First Nation comprises 3,429 band members with approximately 1,800 on-reserve members. Chief Spence also sent an open letter to her membership yesterday (which is attached).
For further information, please contact Chief Theresa Spence (807) 629-6704), or by email to Theresa.spence@attawapiskat.org.
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UPDATED:
Exclusive CBC interview on 8th day of hunger strike (Dec 18th) – 17min:
This Tuesday, November 27th, communities from coast to coast are taking action in solidarity with the Unis’tot’en and grassroots Wet’suwet’en, to reaffirm and amplify the message that no proposed pipelines will proceed on their territories!
No to PTP! No to all pipelines on Unis’tot’en land!
On November 20th, Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Toghestiy intercepted and issued an eagle feather to surveyors from the Can-Am Geomatics company who were working for Apache’s proposed natural gas Pacific Trails Pipeline (PTP). In Wet’suwet’en law, an eagle feather is used as a first and only notice of trespass. The surveyors were ordered to leave the territory and the road leading into the territory has been closed to all industry activities. The Unist’ot’en are against all pipelines slated to cross through their territories, which include Enbridge Northern Gateway, Kinder Morgans northern proposal, Pembina, Spectra, and Pacific Trails Pipelines.
The Unis’tot’en are now calling for solidarity and support actions to get the message out loud and clear to corporations, investors, and government that they have no right or jurisdiction to approve development on Unist’ot’en lands.
So this Tuesday, November 27th, on unceded Algonquin territory, join in solidarity and resistance with Unist’ot’en in front of the PMO (Wellington and Elgin). Let’s tell them that we support Unist’ot’en and grassroots Wet’suwet’en and say no to all pipelines slated for their territories!
Bring banners, signs, noisemakers to make our voices loud and clear and reaffirm our solidarity with Unis’tot’en!
Invite friends and allies and help spread the word!
Let us know asap if you can help support and organize:
email stan.kupferschmidt at gmail.com or lena at lena.ca
Following the success of Honouring Indigenous Women: Hearts of Nations Vol. 1, published earlier this year, the Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement Ottawa (IPSMO) has now launched the second volume!
Sixty-two women and men from various nations contributed to this book. Indigenous women shared their lived experiences with regards to their relationships with the land, their birth mothers, families, communities, and themselves. Their Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies shared their thoughts on responsibilities to (re)build relationships with Indigenous women.
We are very grateful for the authors and artists who courageously shared their stories with us, and are honoured to publish their work. A list of our contributors is provided below.
We also would like to express our gratitude to Under One Roof Properties who generously donated us the layout by Nancy Reid from NR Grafix.
We are now looking for funds to print it in preparation for our book launch and to offer our contributors paper copies of the book in early 2013. We plan to have this book available for individual purchases, in local libraries and community resource centers, and for use as part of school curricula.
If you would like to help us with distribution, please us at ipsmo@riseup.net.
or make a cheque to ‘Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement Ottawa’ with ‘HIW-Vol.2’ in the memo line. Cheques can be mailed to: IPSMO, c/o OPIRG-Carleton, 326 Unicentre, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6.
The contributors featured in the book are:
Adelle Farrely, Angela Ashawawasegai, Angela Mashford-Pringle, Arlene Bowman, Belinda Daniels, Carrie Bourassa, Catherine M. Pulkinen, Catherine McCarty, Cecelia LaPointe, Cristina Afán Lai, Dawn Karima Pettigrew, Deanna StandingCloud, Donna Roberta Della-Picca, Dvorah Coughlin, Emilie Corbiere, Eva Apuk Jij, Faith Turner, Francine Burning, Greg Macdougall, Heather Shillinglaw, Helen Knott, Janet Marie Rogers, Janine Manning, Jodie-Lynn Waddilove, Lana Whiskeyjack, Leanne Simpson, Lesley Belleau, Linda Lucero, Lisa M. Machell, Lorri Neilsen GlennLouise Vien, Lynn Gehl, Marcie Riel, Margaret Kress-White, Mariel Belanger, Mikhelle Lynn Rossmulkey, Miranda Moore, Mona-Lisa Bourque-Bearskin, Nehi Katawasisiw, Nicole McGrath, PJ Prudat, R. Saya Bobick, Raven Sinclair, Robert A. Horton, Rosie Trakostanec, Samantha Elijah, Shauneen Pete, Simone Nichol, Susan Smith Fedorko, Tamara Pokrupa-Nahanni, Tamara Starblanket Neyihaw, Teresa Rose Beaulieu, Theresa Meuse, Waaseyaa’sin Christine Sy, Yolanda Teresa Philgreen and Zainab Amadahy.
Ottawa Organization Launches New Book Collection Honouring Indigenous Women
Ottawa, Unceded Algonquin Territory – On November 25, 2012, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement Ottawa (IPSMO) will launch a new book collection Honouring Indigenous Women: Hearts of Nations Vol.2. The book will be available at http://www.ipsmo.org.
Following the success of Honouring Indigenous Women: Hearts of Nations Vol.1, published earlier this year, IPSMO launched its “Honouring Indigenous Women Campaign” and released a call for submissions for the second volume of Honouring Indigenous Women. Through this initiative, the campaign organizers aim to re-centre our understanding of society based on the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous women. They also aim to create a venue where Indigenous peoples and their allies can express themselves through writing and art.
Sixty-two women and men from various nations contributed to this volume. Indigenous women shared their experiences about their relationships with the land, their birth mothers, families, communities, and themselves. Their Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies shared their thoughts on (re)building relationships with Indigenous women.
“We are very grateful for the authors and artists who courageously shared their stories with us, and are honoured to publish their work. We also would like to express our gratitude to Under One Roof Properties who generously donated us the layout by Nancy Reid from NR Grafix. This book was made possible thanks to them,” said Pei-Ju, one of the campaign organizers.
The book is available online free of charge. IPSMO is now looking for funds to print it in early 2013. The book will be available for individual purchase, in local libraries and community resource centers, and for use as part of school curricula. If you would like to help us with distribution, please contact IPSMO at ipsmo@riseup.net. To make a donation, please visit our PayPal website or send a cheque to ‘Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement Ottawa’ with ‘HIW-Vol.2’ in the memo line. Cheques can be mailed to: 326 Unicentre, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6.
For more information on the book, the campaign or to help with distribution, please contact Pei-Ju, Rachel or Lindsey at ipsmo@riseup.net (English or French)
“Given the devastating cultural, spiritual, economic, linguistic and political impacts of colonialism on Indigenous people in Canada, any serious attempt by non-natives at allying with Indigenous struggles must entail solidarity in the fight against colonization.
Non-natives must be able to position ourselves as active and integral participants in a decolonization movement for political liberation, social transformation, renewed cultural kinships and the development of an economic system that serves rather than threatens our collective life on this planet.
…
A growing number of social movements are recognizing that Indigenous self-determination must become the foundation for all our broader social justice mobilizing.”
This 10-min interview was conducted at the PowerShift Canada 2012 conference in Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Territory, on October 28 2012 by Greg Macdougall, EquitableEducation.ca, for IPSMO
Are you Anishinaabeg or a settler ally and would like to learn more about the Anishinaabeg knowledge philosophy, worldview, and culture?
Are you an Algonquin Anishinaabeg and would like to learn from an Algonquin person?
Are you interested in traditional symbolic literacy, want to learn more, or want to learn through it?
Are you a visual learner and a deep thinker? If so, this book is for you.
Short Description:
The stories in this book offer the reader a greater understanding of the Anishinaabeg knowledge philosophy and way of life. To help convey the deep knowledge inherent, and to accommodate vision learners, several ancient symbols and icons have been re-created and incorporated. The stories in this book are organized as 13 short chapters, 3 crossword puzzles, and 14 visuals which include the re-creation of petroglyphs, petrographs, wampum belts, photographs, as well as digital art. A special element is a discussion and visual of the 3 wampum belts exchanged during the 1764 Treaty at Niagara. The chapter organization begins with the creation story and unfolds to include chapters on the tree nation, the sacred pipe, the clan system, debwewin (truth) journey, the treaty process, and uranium mining and nuclear fission. This book has a larger font size and is 100 pages in length. Both community members and people interested in Indigenous knowledge philosophy will find this book a valuable read. It will make a great gift item too.
Author’s Biography:
Lynn Gehl is an Algonquin Anishinaabe-kwe from the Ottawa River Valley, Ontario Canada. She holds a Doctorate in Indigenous Studies, a Master of Arts in Canadian and Native Studies, an undergraduate degree in Anthropology, a diploma in Chemical Technology, and has worked in the field of environmental science for 12 years. Lynn is an outspoken critic of the Algonquin land claims and self-government process as it continues to operate through a colonial model, as well as an outspoken critic of the entitlement criteria for Indian status and First Nation citizenship. While living within the many contradictions of colonization, Lynn also advocates for the rights of Indigenous mothers and their babies as it is through Indian status registration that historic treaty rights are obtained. These rights include health care rights and education rights which mothers are in particular need of. While advocating for change in oppressive colonial law and policy is part of what she does,
Lynn is also an artist, and is interested in Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems that guide the Anishinaabeg forward to mino-pimatisiwin (the good life). In offering a contribution to the resurgence of Indigenous knowledge, Anishinaabeg Stories: Featuring Petroglyphs, Petrographs, and Wampum Belts reflects Lynn’s artwork and this latter IK interest.
To purchase this book: www.lynngehl.com $20.00 plus shipping and handling
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Click the image to download the book ad poster in PDF format.
Table of Contents
List of Art Work, Illustrations, and Photographs
CHAPTER 1 The Anishinaabe Creation Story
CHAPTER 2 The Tree Nation
CHAPTER 3 Winonah and Her Four Sons
CHAPTER 4 The Anishinaabe Clan System of Governance
CHAPTER 5 Kinoomaagewaabkong: The Teaching Rock
CHAPTER 6 The Grandmother of Sacred Pipes
CHAPTER 7 Debwewin Journey
CHAPTER 8 Mshkoziwin: The Art of Being Brave
CHAPTER 9 The Treaty Process
CHAPTER 10 Knowledge the Eagle Teaches about our Primary Constitutional Relationship
CHAPTER 11 Anishinaabe Numbers
CHAPTER 12 Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel
CHAPTER 13 Uranium Mining and Nuclear Fission
CROSSWORD PUZZLE 1 The Bald Eagle
CROSSWORD PUZZLE 2 Indigenous Place Names
CROSSWORD PUZZLE 3 Trees: The Second Order of Creation
Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement Ottawa 