Last week, we posted a piece on an inflammatory, student-written article concerning a powwow held on a campus in Long Beach, California. The writer and editor-in-chief have since apologized for running it. That apology (and several letters to the editor) can be found on the first two pages of the “68-08” issue of their newspaper.
Author: Peter Scott Vicaire
Canada: Assembly Of First Nations Marks World Water Day On March 22
From: Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources – March 22, 2011
Today, the Assembly of First Nations will mark World Water Day.
AFN National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo stated: “World Water Day is an opportunity to make a national commitment to ensuring that First Nations families have safe and clean drinking water. For many First Nations families, it is a daily struggle to get access to clean and adequate supplies of potable water and basic sanitation.”
Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta) Seeks Indigenous Studies Professor
The Department of Humanities, Mount Royal University, invites applications for a tenure-track position in Indigenous Studies at the rank of Assistant Professor, effective 15 August 2011. This position is open to all areas of Indigenous Studies broadly defined, with a preference for those candidates with a background in History. A completed Ph.D. is preferred and experience in undergraduate teaching is required.
Ontario Human Rights Tribunal Finds Oji-Cree Man A Victim of Police Racial Profiling – AKA “You Rode That Bike How Far?”
The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario has determined that Garry McKay, 51, an Oji-Cree man living in Toronto, was the victim of racial profiling. He was stopped by police in a laneway because he was riding a new-looking bicycle. He was then arrested for possession of stolen property, patted down for weapons, handcuffed, and placed in a cruiser for 19 minutes.
However, the color and bicycle type did not match the description of the one he was accused of stealing, which was listed in the police computer as stolen in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The distance between Toronto and Winnipeg is almost 1400 miles (2253 km).
A hearing will be held in the future to determine whether police will be fined.
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Breaks Story: A Sordid Tale of Bad Water, a Blonde Escort, and a Former Aide to Prime Minister Harper
Bruce Carson, 66, a former, long-time aide to Prime Minister Harper is under investigation for lobbying Indian Affairs and Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan on behalf of a water filtration company (H2O Pros) which was attempting to land contracts to sell filtration systems to First Nations reserves with severe water problems. The contracts were potentially worth millions to the company which “employed” a 22 year old escort, Michele McPherson. Carson and McPherson share a home outside Ottawa.
Building Strong Sovereign Nations: Anishinaabek Leadership For Seven Generations Tribal Governance Training Conference ~ May 19/20 ~
The Building Strong Sovereign Nations Tribal Governance Training Conference is quickly approaching. It’s happening on May 19th and 20th at the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey. Here’s a link to the registration page.
California Powwow is “Disingenuous” and “Cheap”
** UPDATE — March 22 — ** The writer of the article has released an apology. It can be found on the first two pages of Issue “68-08,” along with a message from the editor and several letters to the editor concerning the article. Here’s a link to the online copy.
The student newspaper, “Union Weekly” at Cal State Long Beach, published an article last week concerning a powwow which took place on campus. It really speaks for itself.
Here’s a link to the newspaper’s Facebook page.
Electricity in the Labrador Air
A 6.2 billion dollar “hydroelectric megaproject” is possibly in danger as the NunatuKavut Community Council says that Nalcor Energy (a Crown corporation) and the province have shirked their duty to consult the group and should compensate it. It claims that their Aboriginal rights will be harmed if the environmental hearings continue.
Ontario Judge Adjourns Murder Trial For Lack of Aboriginal Jurors
A judge has adjourned a murder trial in Thunder Bay after ruling it was impossible to convene a jury representative of the northern Ontario city’s aboriginal population.
It has been postponed until November.
Here’s the story from cbs.ca.
British Columbia Supreme Court Held That Province Did Not Meet “Duty To Consult” Standard With Adams Lake Indian Band
In Adams Lake Indian Band v. British Columbia (Lieutenant Governor in Council), [2011] B.C.J. No. 363, the British Columbia Supreme Court allowed a petition by the Adams Lake Indian Band, which was resisting the actions of a ski resort seeking status as an incorporated municipality.
The Band claimed that the area in question is part of their traditional territory and that the provincial government failed to adequately consult it about the formation of a new municipality.
The province maintained there was adequate consultation and accommodation of the Band’s concerns and interests. The court disagreed.
Turtle Talk 
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