Wanda Nanibush - March for Climate, Justice & Jobs Launch

I want to first acknowledge that we are on the territory that is governed by the one dish with one spoon treaty, which is a treaty that defines this land as a space that we need to share and take care of for all. This is also the territory of the Mississaugas and the Haudenosaunee, previously there’s also the Ouendat and the Seneca, so I want to acknowledge all those people. I also want to acknowledge the 90,000 Indigenous Peoples that currently call Toronto their home. Lastly, I want to acknowledge all of the land in Canada as Indigenous land, and I want to acknowledge it as shared territory with all of the nations who’ve come here.

Welcome to #INMroots Number Eight!   The goal of the #INMroots newsletter is to share news stories that promote Indigenous rights and sovereignty and the protection of land and water. The newsletter will share our stories and actions, and honour resistance, while celebrating the world that we are protecting.

It was very powerful to watch a group of Teens aged 14-18 from the Seneca Nation who go to Salamanca High School make a recommendation to the Chairwoman of the United Nations Forum.

We in the audience were so powerfully moved that the much of the room rose to stand around the group of teens in support as they talked about their communities being forever changed by kids their age 14-18 committing suicide or making attempts on their lives. In some Indigenous communities the suicide rate can be up to 30 times the national average.

Today, the native peoples of the Amazon and the Amazon itself are in great danger.
On Tuesday 19 May 2015 a bid will be made to legislatively usurp the legal rights of the indigenous peoples of Brazil to their land. The only indigenous land that is still protected by the constitution is today being directly threatened by this law; which will also put in danger the procedure for marking out other native territories.

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) are ecstatic with the results of the last nights election ushering in a new NDP majority government in Alberta.  It is clear that Albertans also want change and we are encouraged this government will take the time to do the proper assessments that evoke that change.

As First Nations we are optimistic to finally have a government that recognizes and respects Indigenous rights and territories and look forward to sitting at the table with this new government to find effective ways to implement and respect Aboriginal rights across multiple sectors.

By Candyce Paul

From April 14 – 16, 2015 Kirstin Scansen, Marius Paul and Candyce Paul, of Committee for Future Generations, participated in this important conference, with professionals and grassroots indigenous people from 20 countries and 5 continents.

The Cree of Eeyou Istchee were one of the primary sponsors. They have led the effort through action and lobbying of the Quebec government to get a moratorium on uranium mining in Quebec. There was a large contingent of indigenous people from far and wide, Australia, Mongolia, Greenland, Africa,  Dineh from New Mexico, Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Innu from Quebec, Anishnabe from Ontario, Cree and Denesuline from Saskatchewan, Inuit from the NWT, all came to learn from the expert scientists, researchers, and physicians and to share our common experiences dealing with the nuclear industry.

Welcome to #INMroots Number Seven!   The goal of the #INMroots newsletter is to share news stories that promote Indigenous rights and sovereignty and the protection of land and water. The newsletter will share our stories and actions, and honour resistance, while celebrating the world that we are protecting.

We are all invited to add to this newsletter. Post your story now! The deadline for the next newsletter is midnight on Sunday May 10th. We will accept all submissions that are connected to Indigenous and environmental issues as long as they do not condone or promote violence or lateral violence or include hate speech.  

The next newsletter will be published on Monday May 11th, so check your inboxes!

If you see a news story on your social media networks that is worth sharing, please tag #INMroots.

"Reality
The impact will not endure-
of that you can be sure
and conquest is not my quest
much less my address. or redress:
so that there then
NOW
you may begin to see
I don't fly by doctrines
instead we
Nations of Indigenous Peoples
Are, have been, will permanently be-
reality"

-Chantlaca

In 2008 the very first session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was held. Every year in New York there are 2 sessions to address the issues of Indigenous People . Input is given by community members, Non-profit organizations, Academic Institutions and Indigenous Groups.

Welcome to #INMroots Number Six!   The goal of the #INMroots newsletter is to share news stories that promote Indigenous rights and sovereignty and the protection of land and water. The newsletter will share our stories and actions, and honour resistance, while celebrating the world that we are protecting.