PEACEKEEPERS AND PROTECTION INTERCESSION PROJECT Cover Letter

PEACEKEEPERS AND PROTECTION INTERCESSION PROJECT cover letter

07/25/2014

____ Executive Director ____Foundation 123 Whatchamacallit street,

RE: PEACEKEEPERS AND PROTECTION INTERCESSION PROJECT

Dear  _______,

Ancestral Connections is pleased to present this proposal for your review. We look forward to partnering with you to provide a public safety & intervention program for members who have strong ties to their community.  These citizens of communities, which they would like to be responsible for, will be participants and volunteers in the Peacekeepers and Protection Intercession Project. The cities of Regina and Saskatoon have recently been named crime capitals of Canada. The objective of the Peacekeepers and Protection Intercession Project is to help the communities of and surrounding the two major cities in Saskatchewan act as humanitarian and community intervention models.  Participants of the project will be trained, educated and certified in various themes such as; non-violent intervention strategies, First Aid/CPR, self defense, security & safety, first response, patrolling, tracking and search & rescue.  All of these components and activities will be aimed at alleviating and preventing crime and building community safety.  We will see the participants obtain security licenses and many more certificates that would build transferable successes to individuals and communities.

During the past few years, we have seen an influx of attention towards police relations with those in the core communities and on First Nations.  We have seen dramatic improvements of the mentality of those wanting better for themselves and their fellow citizens.  We have also seen and are proud of the fact that many people wanting to take ownership of their communities although are not sure where to begin.  With the Peacekeepers and Protection Intercession Project we are guaranteed to produce citizens who are much more active in the wellness of their localities.  We will also see those at risk become more aware of people patrolling the communities who have a genuine care and interest in their well being.  Peacekeepers and Protection Intercession Project will also work with the local RCMP or city police services when needed.  One of the benefits of having citizens trained in the program is having a community member act as a liaison for certain situations where necessary.  Some of these instances may be Land claims issues, no go zones, sacred and ceremonial places of significance, child safety & apprehension, missing persons and also mediate with those who do not have trust in the authorities.  Peacekeepers and Protection Intercession Project will act as and may be called on as an intermediary in these situations.

We have seen the need for crime prevention and safety and we are now seeking to address the needs of all stakeholders of respective communities. Our proposal requests $___, in funding to obtain the training, meals and lodging for project participants. Travel and honorariums for facilitators is also necessary to equip  Ancestral Connections to supply the Peacekeepers and Protection Intercession Project with these valuable human resources.

We appreciate ___ Foundation taking an interest in helping our citizens develop their care and empowerment for their communities through the Peacekeepers and Protection Intercession Project.  Please give me a call if you require any further information or have any questions concerning this proposal.

Thank you,

Jessica Gordon

Indigenous laws, justice, rights and privilege go beyond any colonial laws

***Much of this speech was directed to the government of canada but I felt the visit of the UN special rapporteur was the best place to voice it at the time.
Treaty 4 Territory October 2013.  We were only given 5 minutes as INM founders so I cut mine down pretty short.  
I had a Janice Switlo look it over a few days prior and she helped me with a bit of the wording towards the end (the uppercased selection)

I firmly believe that we MUST build nationhood locally for our sovereignty to be taken seriously by the government.  In the passage towards the end, I am speaking to what the governments should be doing to honour us.  We as Indigenous peoples know what must be done and we do not need any government to give us the go ahead.  The resurgence of our ways will be the answer.

Indigenous laws, justice, rights and privilege go beyond any colonial laws

My people have been disconnected, disillusioned and disheartened.
This is not by their own doing.   This DOES NOT mean they are
lost.  They land in a place of strength.  They find their purpose.  They are useful.  They become
something bigger than what they once were.   We are still here and we will never be
gone even when the government of Canada continues its attempts at genocide.

As a woman and as a Mother, compassion for MY people will never end.
I have watched many of my people suffer the effects of genocide.  
My people are homeless, lack safe
drinking water, go hungry, our children are taken away or are
threatened to be taken away daily.  Our men and women are the first to
be taken into cells, incarcerated and given sentences that are unlike
those of our non-indigenous brothers and sisters.   Our Women go
missing, our men disappear.  Our youth are unable to access proper
education and employment.

Our access to living and practicing our traditions, speaking our languages, accessing our lands  is denied by the government which is supported by
the extractive industry.  WHY? Because we are connected to the land.  
The government disregards our people so they can continue to rape the land
for profit.  The trinkets they give us is only to keep us quiet.  They
give lip service and purposely send our people to training programs
and jobs that are part of the industry that destroys earth and thus
destroys our race.

The legislation, laws, policies and regulations that
government has imposed on us has been purposeful and systemic to ensure our people cease to exist.  The Indian act is perpetuated and has created a state
of dependency on our people.   The ongoing policies of racism,
oppression and genocide is purposeful.  The governenment justifies a
terribly unequal relationship of paternalism and facilitates
government control of lands and resources.  We have an illegitimate
government because the treaties have not been honored.  Not only in
the laws of the colonial government but also in the spirit and intent
of the treaties.  These laws and legislation breaks indigenous laws
which are older than this colonial government.

What are some of the ways we break free from this genocide?

AMMEND AND REPEAL ALL ACTS OF CANADIAN GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION SO AS
IT DOES NOT CONSTRUE, ABROGATE OR DEROGATE FROM OUR INHERENT LAND AND
TREATY RIGHTS AS AFFIRMED IN THE GOVERNMENTS OWN CONSTITUTION

NO ACTION BY THE COLONIAL STATE OF CANADA TO BE TAKEN OR THREATENED
AGAINST OUR LAWFUL USE OF OUR LANDS AND SOVEREIGNTY

RESOURCE EXTRACTION AND NEGOTIATIONS OF RESOURCE EXTRACTION CEASE
AS WE RESTORE OUR COMMUNITIES AND STRENGTHEN OURSELVES SO THAT WE AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN CARRY ON to OUR TRUE PATH;
.....
SOCIAL SERVICES MUST CONTINUE AT LEVELS COMPARABLE TO FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL STANDARDS

POST SECONDARY CAP IS TO BE LIFTED AND SCHOOL FUNDING ON RESERVE AND
ANY FUTURE INDIGENOUS SCHOOLS TO BE AT PAR FINANCIALLY WITH PROVINCIAL
STANDARDS ACROSS THE BOARD

THE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF TREATIES AND INHERENT RIGHTS BE DETERMINED AS
OUR NATIONS , WITH CERTAINTY,  BELIEVE THEM TO BE UNDER ORAL HISTORY AND THE SPIRIT AND INTENT WITH WHICH THEY WERE AGREED TO

FUNDING FOR NATIONHOOD PLANNING, GOVERNANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING TO
BE DIRECTED STRAIGHT TO THE BAND LEVEL ONCE INTERIM TRADITIONAL
SPOKESPEOPLE ARE SELECTED BY OUR OWN PEOPLE ...BY METHODS ....OF OUR OWN
CHOOSING AND MOST CERTAINLY NOT TO LOBBY OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT
ARE NOT OUR GOVERNANCE.  THEY CANNOT DO THIS WORK FOR US.

UNTIL OUR RESTORED GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES ARE SUFFICIENTLY IN PLACE.; 

COMPENSATION FOR ALL PAST RESOURCE
EXPLOITATION FROM THIS DAY FORWARD BE PLACED IN TRUST ON OUR
CONDITIONS AND TERMS

RECOGNIZE THAT THE ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS, FEDERATION OF
SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN NATIONS AND ALL OTHER STATE IMPOSED AND STATE
FUNDED POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS, NON-PROFITS AND LOBBY GROUPS DERIVED
FROM THE INDIAN ACTION (1951) AND OTHER CANADIAN STATE LEGISLATION AND
OR POLICY, ARE NOT OF US, ARE NOT TITLE HOLDERS.  
ALL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THESE ENTITIES MUST CEASE.  NONE OF THESE ENTITIES BINDS US.  EVERYTHING MUST BE ADDRESSED WITH US ONLY.

GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY, RESTORE YOUR HONOUR AND RESPECT CONSISTENT WITH THE RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR PEOPLE AND YOU WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE CREATOR

ACT HONORABLY AND CONSTITUTIONALLY RESPECT THE RULE OF LAW

NOW...

It has been said time and time again that my people will rise up.
That we will be the ones to ensure Mother Earth is protected.  We have
been kind and patient.  My people have suffered enough and we know it
will only get worse.  We as human beings of this land know this.  We
have given this government far too much time and credit.  We are tired
but not tired enough to sit and wait.  WE WILL, by any means necessary
ensure we do not stand idly by as the government continues their
attempts to destroy us a a people.

WILL They??

AFN, executive, regionals, PTO's and Confederacy must force the govts to deal with each nation. AANDC has regional offices that can develop capacity agreements to deal with administering respective nations/communities/freedom schools /home schoolers own education acts/regulations/curriculum. Of course, we already have the resources in our communities to deliver education to our students inside as well as outside the current education system. Lack of money and resources isnt so much the problem as the lack of will, coordination and faith that we can develop our own systems while incorporating conventional methods.

Change The Game By Not Playing At All

We cant keep fighting colonial government for something we can and should be doing ourselves.
Resurgence of our traditions, return to use of the land by taking only what you need for sustenance, medicines, prayers and teaching.
All of these laws, policies and politics won't mean a damn thing when they come to lay pipe, build wells, steal water and remove people. Its going to come down to on the land protection.
Setting up camps, freedom schools &  mapping where the sacred sites and traditional use areas are, so we prove we are actually USING the lands. We will have the basis of ongoing use of the land once we get out there.
The chiefs, Confederacy,  PTOs can still be relevant by directing their resources to local communities for things such as survival training,  traditional land use, mapping, freedom schools and direct action TRAINING - so we can be prepared to minimize the possibility of arrests, "injunctions" by knowing and exercising our rights based on court cases, international law, and most importantly inherent.
Rather than react to government and colonial structures of AFN, why not draft declarations that we are returning to the land, that we are inherently free, that we are responsible to the land, water and people.
Can they stop you from being free? Hell no. Change the game by not playing at all.

Education Trumps Politics

STRATEGIC HITS USING LEVERAGE
Focus on strategy while establishing nationhood should be the priority of our actions rather than depending on AFN Executive to speak for the Nations.  We should not be under the illusion that a new National Chief is the answer or even that AFN is the answer.

But as it is....do the chiefs, regional, PTO's, and AFN executive not realize how much potential and leverage they have to show the government of canada that we have the potential to cripple the education system off reserve?

Pulling our children from the system to being under the First Nations jurisdiction, even just for a short time, would be very effective in changing policy. 

Take a look at Saskatchewan for example;  There are approximately 4000 First Nations funded students that attend provincial schools and depending on tuition agreements that number could be approximately $40 million.  Thats $40 million that we can rightfully hold from the provinces.  Thats 4000 students that can learn in an environment that respects their culture, language and land.

ASSERTING OUR AUTONOMY
We all know that AFN as it is today and prior to Atleos resignation, cannot serve its the purpose because of the many diverse communities. Why is the executive not listening to Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy when he asks that the confederacy of nations be revived?  POWER AND STATURE is the reason. The ones in control do not wish to relinquish it.  They are clinging onto their  chiefdom and 'job' rather than duties.

So while it is still here, we should use the AFN and PTO's as a tool by accessing and using their capacity to meet, coordinate, implement and force the government to meet with the First Nations or territories directly.  Force the AFN executive and the structure as it is now to empower nations and provide resources to meet and formulate nation building.

The AFN executive must hear the voice of their people prior to the May 15th and May 27th meetings.  They cannot rely on their technicians to guide their hearts.   After such, the AFN executive and PTO's must listen to the grassroots and assist in Nationhood building which could include providing templates for our own respective Nations education acts and assist in making the transition as easy as possible.   While many Chiefs of First Nations are busy running local band administration, politics and the front line, regional chiefs have the capacity to forum with members to see where they go from here and provide recommendations.

Until there is a body that can effectively force the government and industry to deal with the nations, we must use the resources of the AFN and PTO's while maintaing autonomy.   The AFN and executive are not rights holders, rather the AFN executive should be forcing the government to deal with our nations and territories directly.  

If there is to be an advocating body it it to be a grassroots membership directing the path.  Since there is no such body, the Confederacy of Nations would be the most inclusive of what is presently out there.  As I said above, I do not see the executive taking a chance on invoking such a logical and powerful structure. 

If the AFN executive fails to hear the voices they will prove they are irrelevant and redundant.

"The role of the National Chief and the AFN is to advocate on behalf of First Nations as directed by Chiefs-in-Assembly.  This includes facilitation and coordination of national and regional discussions and dialogue, advocacy efforts and campaigns, legal and policy analysis, communicating with governments, including facilitating relationship building between First Nations and the Crown as well as public and private sectors and general public.

SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES
The only solutions I feel is effective is local jurisdiction and responsibility.

We need not to beg the government to recognize our inherent right to educating our children.  We do not need them to give us permission to do everything necessary for our future generations.

We must establish curriculum based on our traditions, worldview and also include conventional education then implement it.

We have the solutions in our communities and the resources are on the front lines.  The educators, the parents, the elders, knowledge keepers and most importantly the youth are these resources and they should not be underestimated or ignored.

The present Education system does not meet the needs of our cultural identity, language, learning styles, the consideration of family dynamics, ceremony, and history.  So rather than forcing our children to accommodate the needs of an an education system that doesn't respect their needs, we should be forcing the education to accommodate our children's needs.  An action such as this would force the government to consult with First Nations or Territories directly.

An action like this is NOT idealistic or radical.  Its pride, faith and inherent knowledge that makes it possible.


http://www.muskratmagazine.com/home/node/256#.U2qUP15H3FJ

Proof is in the pudding

We are being put to the test and now is the time to show what we are capable of.

From my perspective, I feel we as grassroots people should approach PTO's, Band councils, Tribal councils and FN urban service providers and begin strategy on a national call to action.  What would this would look like:

Pull students from the schools for the most part of June.  Call it National Cultural Resurgence & Education Month, if you may. 

Return to community building and empowerment.  Freedom schools can be set up concentrating on language revitalization, cultural teachings & storytelling, land based education in medicines, botany, hunting, tracking and survival skills.

Call a strike for all on reserve teachers & administrators to walk out of colonial structures and constraints and onto the land for the survival of our people by providing your knowledge.

We have the resources, intelligence, capabilities and the heart to accomplish this.  There is no barriers to such an action.  Working together to send a message not only the government but more importantly to our youth - "WE WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN".  "Youth are our future leaders and we should support them", lets prove this to them by taking ACTION.  

This is a call to all Chiefs, Councilors, educators, service providers to meet with the grassroots people and come up with a plan to PROVE we will exercise our jurisdiction of our children's education.

A couple examples that it IS possible and CAN be done:

http://freedom-school.org
The Akwesasne Freedom School (AFS) was founded in 1979 by Mohawk parents concerned with the lack of cultural and linguistic services available in local public schools.  As an independent elementary school, AFS has existed on a shoestring budget for over 25 years. In 1985, the parents who administer the school made a historic decision to adopt a total Mohawk immersion curriculum. It was a historic decision. AFS was the first to implement this curriculum and did so without approval or funding from state, federal or provincial governments. By focusing on our young people, we reverse the assimilation process and ensure that the Mohawk people do not lose their language, culture and identity.The school continues to immerse its students in levels Pre-K to 8 in the Kanienkéha (Mohawk) language and culture. All instruction, as well as recess periods, outdoor activities, field trips, meals and extracurricular activities are conducted in the Mohawk language.


http://www.ganienkeh.net/33years/
In the winter of 2005 - Rontewennanónhnha – Ganienkeh’s first total immersion school became a reality. Experienced Kanien’kehà:ka language teachers and program developers were recruited for this one-of-a-kind opportunity to develop Kanien’kehà:ka language programs at Ganienkeh. Programs are being developed and implemented that will work and are not tainted by the bureaucratic constraints of “Indian Country” schools still dependent on funding from US and or Canadian sources. Our education is truly in our control and this was mandated and insisted upon by our youth who truly appreciate one of our greatest resources – our language, our direct link to the natural world around us.

http://www.meccs.org
Mother Earths Childrens Charter School
Canadas first and only Indigenous Charter school

Our Vision

Rediscovering the gifts and potential given to them by the Creator, our children will achieve personal excellence and fulfillment.

Our Mission

To wholistically nurture, guide and challenge each child’s spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional self through traditional Indigenous teachings.

http://punkin0001.wix.com/anishinaabekgardens
Anishinaabek Gardens Homeschool Academy is a private homeschool located in Michigan but available online for all families across the world. This is an umbrella school for families that need private school enrollment with little interference over their educational activities. Families may purchase their own curriculum of their choice or we can plan a curriculum specifically for their needs. You may request assistance with transcripts, graduation activities, and homeschool advising. 

Knowledge is Free

Autonomous education is what I prefer rather than having our children herded into a system and curriculum based on colonial constructs.  
The free will to choose what is best for our children rather than a one size fits all model. We are built of many nations and to think that legislation, even if we were the ones writing the regulations - the rich diversity of our culture would be sacrificed to some extent.
The ability to choose, what parents and their children feel necessary to learn,  is true freedom.  Working with like minded people to develop their own curriculum,  support and share  knowledge is liberation.  
Developing Freedom schools, home-schools, charter schools and co-ops is what I would love to see. Something like this takes coordination, commitment and resources.  
If there was a fight I am willing to put all my dedication into it would be gathering these resources and pressuring the government to also provide. Regardless of what the government does or doesn't do, I believe we can still do what is necessary for our childrens future. 
Once we begin to establish nationhood and modelling holistic education, governance, protection; others will follow suit.  Indigenous as well as those not originally from Turtle Island will see these models as a concept that works to not only protect humanity but Mother Earth as well.
We will provide cultural teachings, language and land based education to our children as priority while incorporating math, science and other subjects given in conventional education systems. 
Shifting the worldview that success isn't based on western concepts of materialism and financial wealth to the worldview that what we as Indigneous people know - success based on the wellbeng, health and comfort of our families and Mother Earth.

If there is to be any mobilization against government it should be done as an act of resurgence rather than reaction.There is a great opportunity now to pressure the government by exercising our jurisdiction of education.  It is my belief that if a mass mobilization of parents, educators, traditional knowledge keepers and Elders liberated their children from schools, even for just a short time, as we establish more secure means of teaching our own, we can send a message to the government, school boards and provincial regulators.  They will see and feel the potential results that we are a force to be reckoned with.  They will see that they must heed our warning and provide the resources necessary to make Indigenous peoples education a priority.   With all the technology available, the possibilities for reaching many is endless. Satellite schools can be set up in homes, halls, band offices and even in parks on the land.  Free universities that provide every bit of relevant concepts that conventional institutions teach can be a reality.  Knowledge is free, degrees are not.  It is the ability to exercise our responsibilities that we are fighting for.