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| Canadian Flag, 2011 Majority Conservative Government: PM Stephen Harper |
Now This may be something different, I know and like the song, hence the coining the term "Our home and native land". I grew up in a different era, On my grandfathers truck we had a huge flag and it was always upside down. As a child i often wondered Why Upside down? as i grew and begun to piece together the difficulties of the relationship between First Nations and The Government of Canada. here is a little history on why those relationships were not so great:
- 1722 British Privy Council memorandum sets out doctrines of Discovery and Conquest!
- 1763 Royal proclamation of King George III recognizes Aboriginal Rights and Title!
- Small pox, Influenza & Measles ravaged our peoples through ought the Country!
- 1846 Oregon Treaty establishes Canada-US Boarder, Where do we fit in this?
- 1857 Residential Schools made its first of many appearances in Canadian law! *1 see PM Satement
- 1884 Potlatch Ban made it illegal to engage, even assist or bear witness in our culture!
- 1951 The Potlatch Ban lifted in hopes sustaining the customs and culture of the ancestors!
- 1960 scoop: The stolen generation, children apprehended from their families!
- 1994 In my local area Nuu-chah-nulth made a declaration, this solemn declaration ignited the Modern Treaty Process
- 2001 Agreement in principal with the parties Nuu-chah-nulth, B.C. & Canada
- 2003 Ratification process 6 yay 6 nay, the nay has the larger portion of the populous
- 2003 Maa-nulth is born and a chance to finish what we started; *2 see six stages of treaty
- Vancouver 2010, Showcases a truly Multi-Cultural Country *3 see 2010 winter-Olympics
- 04-01-2011 Maa-nulth Effective Date of our Historic Treaty!
- 07-01-2011 Canada Day! I AM CANADIAN
I come from a home where my nananiqsu "grandparents" promoted ḥaaḥuupa "Traditional teachings" and in my house we spoke nuučanuł told our himwic̓a "Stories" and my favorite nunuuk and ḥuyaał "sang and danced" in my home there was no oppression or victimization they taught what they as teachers thought was right to teach. For that i am truly grateful it was not just them it was their parents as well, whom i might add did not speak a lick of English but ironicallyr they were called nanny and poppa hahahah.. Add to that there were also just people in general for the environment my grandmother Molly Haipee my sole surviving grandparent and teacher to this day, the environment she created was full of great joy, willingness to Learn and Teach.
I remember standing on a beach and my Grandfather said to me: The sacred Trinity of Time “for everything there is a past, present & future. This beach were standing on that grain of sand was once much, much more perhaps a Boulder or even a mountain.” We as people and nature are always in a state of evolution. if you do not learn you do not grow grandson, what did i learn from that I learnt that the only thing i have power to change is now and tomorrow.
How do i want to be remembered? I want to be thought of as strong, idealistic and truly knowing my complete identity I was taught to know my nananiqsu "grandparents" for they represent what i loosely call elements 4 grandparents 4 elements of qu?as "People" 1. Mind 2. body 3. spirit 4. emotions, finding balance in 4 is difficult we often forget our spiritual and emotional well being. For every milestone we Potlatch nourish our bodies with food and activity, nourish our minds through learning and teaching, nourish our spirit through song and Love, nourish our emotions through social interaction and expression of how we feel.
We have a sad, sad past full of betrayal, hurts, grief and shame I cannot deny that I accept that and I move forward 100% Canadian the only thing i can change is ME i accept the sad past for what it is past wrong doings, we are Canadian in a Multi-Cultural Country where people all over the world wish they had it as bad as us, we don't have it so bad. I sit here on my computer hooked up to an internet from a home built on a solid foundation that is lit and has power, food is in my fridge and freezer. I am happy I AM CANADIAN i also have the memories of Vancouver 2010 that event was the foundation of my pride, I also have Maa-nulth Treaty i have been vaccinated, I speak my Language the Potlatch Ban is Lifted, I have a National Chief A-in-chut Shawn Atleo whom represents First Nations People the the world wide Political landscape for that I am proud, Shawn was there when Our PM Stephen Harper made the Apology regarding Indian Residential Schools. I forgive you Canadians for I know it was not you whom wronged my peoples in the past, but together We can make it right. lets learn together share in the beauty of our cultures and acknowledge we are in the best country in the world. For our own sake and the sake of our children! yac̓pa način "Lets walk together"
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| Maa-nulth Final Agreement! |
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| National Chief Shawn Atleo: A-in-chut |
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| Host Nations Vancouver 2010 |
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| Opening Ceremonies Vancouver 2010 |
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