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#IdleNoMore – flash mob round dance at Brantford City Hall @ 6 pm

We are holding a flash mob round dance at Brantford City Hall (at the mayor’s office) today (Monday) at 6 pm as part of the international day of action in support of Idle No More. The action will be framed under the slogan of “Idle No More – Honor the Two Row!”

This action will kick off a campaign to insist that the city of Brantford do the following in order to live up to its responsibilities under the Two Row Wampum.

PEACE – Declare a moratorium on new developments until the underlying land claim issues in Brantford are resolved. In particular, support a halt to all development on such contested sites as Tutela Heights, Hardy Road, and Davisville. Onkwehonweh land rights must be respected, green space must be valued, and farmers need land to grow the food we need to eat. Expanding the city limits in order to pave over more land is wrong.

RESPECT – Immediately turn the water back on at Kanata Village. The City of Brantford’s decision to shut off the water not only creates a fire hazard but is also a sign of total disrespect to the rightful occupants of Kanata Village.

FRIENDSHIP – The City of Brantford must take the principles of the Two Row Wampum seriously. The Two Row has a prominent place in the city’s coat of arms and heritage, it’s time for all Citizens of Brantford – including the Mayor and the City Council – to live up to their responsibilities under the Two Row.

Following the flash mob on January 28 there will be a public forum at Kanata Village on Thursday January 31st at 7pm to discuss how the Two Row Wampum remains relevant today, and what future steps will be required to achieve these demands.

Hopefully you can join us tonight and again on Thursday as well.

https://www.facebook.com/events/542781645746649/

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About Mohawk Workers - Kanata

Very simply, frauds and deceit have usurped this war reparation and robbed our people of what is rightfully ours, leaving us with only a Land Claim. Broken deals, fraud, embezzlement and genocide – and worse – all perpatrated at the unclean hands of too many to count at this time. We are (Mohawks) Ka-nyen-geh-ha-kah of Grand River, founders of the Five Nation League and what some call the "Great Peace".

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Doreen Agostino says : January 28, 2013 at 10:23 am
‘The Intimacy of Self and Earth Mother’

In June 2002, I had the privilege to participate as a Needub in the meeting of the Wulustuk Grand Council in Woodstock. Grand Chief Ennis gave us a document entitled The Wulustuk Grand Council’s vision on Wulustukieg Unity and asked for our feedback. I found this document most inspiring and it prompted me to write the following:

With this and in all things we say and do, we are of one mind and one heart with the Ancestors. With this and in all things we say and do, we keep uppermost within our hearts and minds the well-being of the Seventh Generation.

Since the beginning of time, the Wulustukieg People have had a solemn responsibility to respect, protect and honour our Sacred Earth Mother. There may have been distractions during the journey. Perhaps some of our people forgot the original instructions. However, this one thing is still true: from times immemorial the Wulustuk People have been here, are still here, and will continue to be here because of this sacred purpose given to us by our Creator.

Natural Law, birthrights, treaty rights, and the rule of law (the concept of British Common Law) are all in favour of our being a self-determining people. If this is the case, what is preventing us from living the full value and expression of self-determination?

Our Ancestors were a free, self-determining, peaceful people for the many millenia before European contact. The traditional form of governance of the Wulustukieg for a thousand generations was our Grand Council. Unfortunately, there are times when light weakens and darkness moves in. Our traditional form of government was nearly wiped out entirely because of our inability to successfully counteract the deliberate and systematic efforts of foreigners and their descendants to impose on us their views and ways.

Even the light of a candle can keep darkness at a distance. Our traditional Medicine Elders have taught us that as long as there is even one Wulustukieg who remembers and lives our traditional teachings, their light will radiate and inspire others and our traditional form of governance will not die.

Today, we are witnessing a new Dawn. The first ray of the rising sun brings joy and confidence after the darkest of nights. Throughout the world, traditional leaders and their people are coming back to the roots of their traditions. Even though their efforts do not get the attention they deserve, they are patiently watering the roots of life and the first fruits are taking shape.

In this phase transition between night and day, we have important choices to make. Are we the generation that is allowing the final and irrevocable break in the sacred hoop of life that connects us with our Ancestors and the Seventh Generation? Or are we the generation that is really coming back home, to our inner Being, to what is left of our cherished traditional teachings, to our Mother Tongue, to our Land, to Earth Mother who is presently suffering from all kinds of untold abuses?

To be a self-determining people we need to know ourselves, to refer back to ourselves, to be self-referral. We need to connect with the Self, that universal level of life that impartially nourishes all life from atoms to galaxies. That universal intelligence that silently administers all life is never far. It is deeply seated within each one of us. It regulates our heartbeats, our bloodflow, our growth and evolution even at night when deep sleep takes us. We need to withdraw from the objects and mirages of modern life–at least a few minutes every day–and turn inward so as to become acquainted will all levels of our being, from the surface to the source.

If we are to do justice to our traditional teachings, each one of us needs to experience our roots deep within. This daily experience will enrich us all. Each one of us is the basic unit of our people in the same way that a green tree is the unit of the green forest. Becoming more self-referral will help us triumph over the object-referral habits of the Western World that is swamped in material values that are eating up the soul and destroying life. Becoming self-referral will help us recognize those who are honestly seeking to embrace more universal and lasting values; it will help us forge lasting alliances with all peaceloving people whoever and wherever they may be.

When the waves on the ocean settle down, they intimately connect with their common basis, the unbounded surface of the ocean which is the source, course and goal of all their activity. Like the silent surface of the ocean, our inner being–the Self–is an unbounded ocean of consciousness. We have suffered and are still suffering because we have unfortunately lost connection with that essential level of our life. Amidst the tumultuous waves of change that our people have undergone and witnessed, the wisdom of our Medicine Elders has fortunately guided and encouraged us.

Nobody can rightly make choices in our place. However, in order to make wise choices, we need to expand our awareness. Expanding our awareness cannot be left to chance. We need adequate knowledge and technologies. We need to remember that everything in Nature evolves according to cycles of rest and activity. Silent rest and dynamic activity are the two steps of progress. Silent rest has become more precious than ever at this time when noisy hyperactivity pervades our midst and surroundings. Silent rest allows us to know ourselves and restore our vital forces.

A better knowledge of who we are will increase our organizing and nourishing power. Knowledge is always structured in consciousness. All the choices we make depend upon the quality of our consciousness. We need expanded awareness to remember, appreciate and be grateful for the traditional teachings of our Ancestors. We need expanded awareness to fathom the impact our decisons and actions will have on the Seventh Generation. We need expanded awareness to always consider the well-being of our family, our community, and our nation. We need expanded awareness to understand how our inner life is affecting the outer life. We are intimately connected to Sacred Mother Earth. When She suffers, all Her children, all forms of life are suffering.

The natural way is always towards peace, unity, healing and accountability to the Seventh Generation. We find this through our traditional teachings. The Wulustukieg People have lived these teachings and values for thousands of years. Whatever is universal and useful is not destroyed by the passage of time. We have longevity working in our favour.

We know in our hearts and minds that honouring and respecting the Ancestors–the Custodians of traditional teachings–has always led us on the right road. Since all our traditional teachings are based on honouring and protecting all of creation and Sacred Mother Earth, all our behaviours and social policies must reflect these same values. We need not to forget that the Europeans at the time of contact referred to our people as the “Children of God” and to the unspoiled land as a “Paradise on Earth”. In togetherness, we are the Children of God and we have the ability to bring back Paradise on Earth.

Any policy, regulation or law imposed upon another will neither be successful, nor be understood and supported by the one upon whom it is imposed. That is why consensus works. There is presently very little in place that fosters trust between our people and the transplanted Europeans. The history of the last 500 years is one of broken promises, broken treaties, lies, deceit, abuse, stolen land, racism and genocide. This has been 500 years of dark night when everything we loved and cared for has been trampled and trashed. Even though our hearts are sorrowful, we see the first rays of the Dawn and we welcome its reassuring light because the value of what we have always cherished will be recognized. More than ever, we need to practice consensus in our midst so as to be an inspiration to all peaceloving people.

Today and in togetherness, we need to begin healing ourselves and work toward healing the relationships with others so that Paradise on Earth Mother can be enjoyed in this generation. Is this goal too ambitious? Nothing is impossible to the invincible power of Natural Law. Because we are all related–Earth Mother, human beings, animals, plant life, the elements, the planets, the stars and galaxies–we are responsible for one another. What happens to one of us happens to all. We need togetherness in our silent rest. We need togetherness in our dynamic activity.

One piece of straw can be carried away and eaten up by an ant. Many pieces of straw woven together can tie up a bear or a buffalo. One working alone is lost. When two of us share the same goals there is some safety. When three of us agree there is still place for mistakes. However, when four of us reach a consensus and act as of one heart and mind, we are invincible, we are in tune with Natural Law and we receive its full support.

More than ever, we need to make alliance with the Government of Nature which maintains unity and harmony amidst all diversity. When unity becomes lively in individual and collective consciousness, all levels of administration of society reflect the cosmic administration of Natural Law, the “Will of the Creator” to which all religions and traditions aspire to enjoy a heavenly life on Earth.

We are the Wulustukieg. We are the people of the Peaceful Waters that flow in this beautiful part of the world. The Peaceful Waters of fully developed consciousness can help us appreciate and enjoy the intimate connection between our inner Self, Earth Mother, and the whole cosmic life. Let us come back home in the fullness of our heart and soul. Our homeland will then rejoice and be really ours in every possible way. Earth Mother will abundantly shower Her blessings and treasures upon Her children.

May all Wulustukieg People join the circle of the Grand Council.

Wol-i-won.

Miville Couture,
A Needub from Saint John, NB.

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An “Act of Genocide” Indian Residential Schools in Canada & Crimes Against Humanity Concealed – Revealed

The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair was appointed the Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in June, 2008. Justice Sinclair pointed out that the United Nations’ definition of genocide includes forcibly transferring children of a group to another group based on race.

He argued that in the past, Canada was careful to exclude its residential school policies from being scrutinized under this definition.

“But the reality is that to take children away from their families and place them in another group in society for the purpose of racial indoctrination was and is an act of genocide, and it occurs all around the world.” – Justice Sinclair

“Systemic Racism: Serious Crisis” – Former Supreme Court of Canada justice Frank Iacobucci

‘Systemic racism’ toward Onkwehon:we (indigenous) people in justice system is outlined in a stinging 2013 report by Former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci.

“I have called it a crisis, a serious crisis. And I am not an alarmist. We are talking about the lives and liberties of people. I don’t know if you can get more of an important issue subject than that.

... If we don’t take hold of this seriously, we are going to, I think be perpetrators, unwittingly, of personal tragedies here.

... We can’t continue to treat First Nations as objects. We have to be partners. I don’t care if it is in the justice system or economic development. " - Former Supreme Court of Canada justice Frank Iacobucci

April 11, 2013: U.N. Ambassador in Geneva Admits 3 Human Rights Rapporteurs’ Visits to Canada Were Finally Approved

During Canada’s appearance in Geneva before the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Elissa Golberg, was asked by delegates from Chile why UN Special Rapporteurs had not been granted access to investigate, monitor and assess Canada as their mandates require.

The council was told that the three requests to visit Canada as part of the UN’s monitoring and assessment of international human rights had recently been approved. Finally, Special Rapporteurs who are independent experts appointed by the UN’s Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country’ situation or a specific human rights theme.

Haldimand Pledge April 7, 1779:

“Some of the Mohawks of the Villages of Canojaharie, Tikondarago, and Aughugo, whose settlements than had been on account of their steady attachment to the King's service and the interests of Government ruined by the rebels; having informed me that my predecessor, Sir. Guy Carleton, was pleased to promise, as soon as present troubles were at an end, the same should be restored at the expense of the Government, to the state they were in before these wars broke out, and said promise appearing to me just, I do hereby ratify the same and assure them the said promise, so far as in me lies, shall be faithfully executed, as soon as that happy time comes.”

Our Struggle – The Double-standard – Apartheid in Canada

The crime of apartheid is defined by the 2002 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as inhumane acts of a character similar to other crimes against humanity "committed in the context of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime." On 30 November 1973, the United Nations General Assembly opened for signature and ratification the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. It defined the crime of apartheid as "inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group of persons over any other racial group of persons and systematically oppressing them." This website tells the Mohawk story. See our "Genocide" page for more on these subjects.

House of Commons May 11th, 1914

"But there are bands of the Six Nations Indians located on the Grand river in Ontario who, I maintain, are in a different legal position from any other Indian bands who are native to the country. These Indian bands on the Grand river had their original home in the United States. At the close of the war of the revolution they emigrated to Canada and were given lands under a special treaty, not as subjests of Great Britain, but as allies of Great Britain, and I maintain that the holding of these Six Nations Indians on the Grand river is of such a kind that this parliament has no right to interfere with it." - Hon. Frank Oliver, M.P., May 11, 1914 [From: House of Commons Debates, Third Session-Twenty-Twelfth Parliament, 4-5 George V., 1914 Hon. Frank Oliver, Liberal MP] Mr. Oliver's statement was re-stated (for a second time) in the House of Commons Debates Fourth Session-Twenty-First Parliament, 15, George VI, 1951 by John Horne Blackmore (Conservative MP for Lethbridge).

Ka-nyen-geh-ha-kah of Grand River assert that:

1. An imperial "proclamation" doesn't sell land, it recognizes it. 2. The Haldimand holding is of such a kind that no Canadian body (including parliament) has any right to interfere with it. 3. Ka-nyen-geh-ha-kah represent the ‘head’ and founders of the League of Five Nations Confederacy, and trustees and protectors of the Haldimand Proclamation of 1784 which states the outright ownership to the Mohawks and those others that wish to follow; of the lands “six miles deep from the mouth to the source of the Grand (Ouse) River”.

The Great White Roots of the Tree of Peace

"Roots have spread out from the Tree of Great Peace: one to the north, one to the east, one to the south and one to the west. These are the Great White Roots and their nature is Peace and Strength. If any man or any nation outside of the Five Nations shall obey the laws of the Great Peace (Gayanerekowa) and shall make this known to the statesmen of the League, they may trace their back the roots to the Tree. If their minds are clean and if they are obedient and promise to obey the wishes of of the Council of the League, they shall be welcomed to take shelter beneath the Tree of the Long Leaves. We place at the top of the Tree of Great Peace an eagle who is able to see afar. If he sees in the distance any danger threatening, he will at once warn the people of the League." [Kayanerehkowa, Wampum #2]

Deganawida Appoints the Mohawk Chiefs Leaders of the Confederacy

"I, Deganawida, appoint the Mohawk statesmen the head of the leaders of the Five Nation League. The Mohawk statesmen are the foundation of the Great Peace and it shall be therefore be against the Great Binding Law to pass measures in the Council of the League after the Mohawk statesmen have protested against them. NO COUNCIL OF THE LEAGUE SHALL BE LEGAL UNLESS ALL OF THE STATESMEN OF THE MOHAWKS ARE PRESENT. [From: THE GREAT WHITE ROOTS OF THE TREE OF PEACE." [Kayanerehkowa, Wampum #6]

1812 Governor’s Instruction

On May 1, 1812, the Crown's duly authorized representative, the Governor-General of Upper Canada issued instruction further regulating the alienation of Indian lands in the then Province of Upper Canada by requiring: (a) that the person administering the government in Upper Canada requisition any Indian lands wanted for public service and identify those lands with a sketch; (b) that all purchases by the Crown be made at a public council according to the ancient usages and customs of the Indians to whom the lands belonged, with proper interpreters present and without the presence of liquor; (c) that the Governor or two persons commissioned by him, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, two or three members of his Department and at least one military officer be present at the public council; (d) that there be a proper explanation to the Indians of the nature and extent of the proposed disposition and the proceeds to be paid therefore; and (e) that deeds of conveyance and descriptive plans of the lands so conveyed be attached to the deed and be executed in public by the Principle Indian Chiefs and the Superintendent of the Indian Department or his appointee, and duly witnessed.

Haldimand Proclamation of 1784

"Whereas His Majesty having been pleased to direct that in consideration of the early attachment to his cause manifested by the Mohawk Indians, and of the loss of their settlement which they thereby sustained– that a convenient tract of land under his protection should be chosen as a safe and comfortable retreat for them and others of the Six Nations, who have either lost their settlements within the Territory of the American States, or wish to retire from them to the British — I have at the earnest desire of many of these His Majesty’s faithful Allies purchased a tract of land from the Indians situated between the Lakes Ontario, Erie and Huron and I do hereby in His Majesty’s name authorize and permit the said Mohawk Nation and such others of the Six Nation Indians as wish to settle in that quarter to take possession of and settle upon the Banks of the River commonly called Ours [Ouse] or Grand River, running into Lake Erie, allotting to them for that purpose six miles deep from each side of the river beginning at Lake Erie and extending in that proportion to the head of the said river, which them and their posterity are to enjoy for ever.”

Statement of Carl J. Artman (Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, US Senate, September 14, 2006)

"Tribal sovereignty is inherent, and this sovereignty is best exhibited in a vibrant tribal government - one that understands judicious exercise of its jurisdiction for the benefit of its members and the seventh generation. Tribal governments embody the power of sovereignty. The tribal government cares for the present and plans for the future. It is what the outside examines to judge the health of the tribe. It is the face of the tribe and hope of the tribe's future. Tribal governments can accomplish great things. The peoples and tribes of the Haudenosaunee, the Iroquois Confederacy, comprise the oldest continuous participatory democracy on earth. Authors of our, the United States, representative government, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were inspired by the Iroquois Confederacy, its inner-workings, and the Constitution of the Iroquois Nations known as the Great Binding Law, GAYANALAGOWA. Our Founding Fathers' inspirations, rooted in the Haudenosaunee, guide all of our lives today and continue to motivate people across the globe to achieve a greater freedom for themselves and their fellow countrymen."

1763 Royal Proclamation

By Royal Proclamation dated October 7, 1763, the Imperial Crown recognized indigenous title in the North American colonies including Canada, reserved large tracts of land for Indians, and assumed fiduciary responsibilities to protect the indigenous peoples in the enjoyment of their inherent and aboriginal rights and in particular in the possession and use of their lands. Pursuant to the Royal Proclamation of 1763, no lands were to be taken from indigenous people without their express consent. In particular: (a) colonial governments were forbidden to grant any unceded Indian lands; (b) private parties were forbidden to settle on unceded Indian lands; (c) private parties were forbidden to purchase or otherwise possess unceded Indian lands; and (d) a system of public purchases was adopted as the official mode of extinguishing Indian title.

1704 Order of Queen Anne’s Council

The Imperial Crown recognized Indigenous tribal sovereignty and dealt with the issue of corresponding court remedies in North America in 1704 when Queen Anne commissioned a Standing Trial Level Sub-Committee of the Appellate Level Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in order to deal with the question of jurisdiction over boundary disputes between the Imperial Crown and pre-existing indigenous tribal governments in the case of Mohegan Indians v. Connecticut (1704). The Committee found that there was an intrinsic bias in the British courts against indigenous land claims and that a special constitutional court should be convened in order to deal with the issue of the indigenous land claims such as that of the Mohegan Indians. The committee accepted the premise that since indigenous tribunals and jurisdiction pre-existed Imperial authority in British North America, indigenous people have original jurisdiction whereas, in contrast, since Imperial courts were here second, the Imperial Crown has derivative jurisdiction. It held that the mode of derivation was understood to be territorial purchases, and it was settled international and constitutional law that the issue of purchase, upon which jurisdiction turns, cannot legally be resolved unilaterally by neither indigenous, nor Imperial courts, but rather, jurisdiction over such native versus newcomer disputes vests in an independent and impartial third-party court system to be established pursuant to the said order in council for this specific constitutional purpose. Contrary to the findings, such a court was never convened, and Indigenous people continued to lose their lands notwithstanding the Committee's findings.

Walton vs. Mohawks

"The defendants argue that I should use my discretion to order no costs as this litigation was in the public interest and these defendants are public interest litigators. They further argue that the subject matter of these proceedings were essentially title related. I disagree. The subject of title to the land was certainly put forward but only on the basis of a foregone conclusion that the land belonged to the First Nations, which I found at present not to be the case. The main issue raised by the defendants was that burial grounds of the First Nations people were on the subject property and should not be disturbed by the digging of the archaeologists." - Superior Court Judge Harrison Arrell, November 21, 2012 Judgment on Costs