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Native groups protest in Toronto on eve of G20
Native groups and their supporters took over downtown streets on Thursday afternoon to bring attention to issues facing First Nations communities across the country. The protest began at Queen's Park with speeches denouncing the G20 and Canada's Conservative government. Protest leaders were fiery and angry but encouraged everyone to remove face coverings, stay peaceful, and not head towards the fence. They even arranged their own security for the event.
The Toronto Community Mobilization website lists the protesters demands as follows:
- that Canada sign the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights
- justice for missing indigenous women
- respect for aboriginal land title and treaty rights
- that a stop be put to the tar sands project
The march proceeded down University Avenue, turned east on Queen Street, went north on Bay, and then wound its way across Wellesley, down Yonge, and finally across Gerrard to Allan Gardens.
The marchers stopped at several intersections to perform Native music, forcing traffic to grind to a halt.
Despite the congestion, the rally was a peaceful affair. Maybe all the talk about protester violence and police harassment was an exaggeration? Hopefully, but we'll have to wait until the weekend to find out.
All images by the author except for the last, which was sent to us by June Avila.
Additional photos from the protest in the slide show below:
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Looking forward to more great G20 coverage on BlogTO over the coming days.
And raising the flag of the Mohawk Warriors society makes as much sense as the flag of the Tamil Tigers. Glorifying a goon squad? Thanks but no thanks. Keep your money raising through smuggling operations to yourselves, there's no honour in it. It does nothing to advance native rights.
All I care about is the treatment and welfare of all Canadians (including first nation and aboriginal peoples).
The conditions on the reserves of northern ontario are artrocious. 3rd world in our own backyard and no one cares. We can raise a billion dollar for Hati, but we turn a blind eye to 12 year old kids up north that are so desparate and destitute that they kill themselves.
This issue is the greatest shame of Canada and it's about time the yuppies living in the 416/905 and other major cities in Canada started caring.
either way, Western countries have or have had a lot of business that falls under weapons, liquor, and tobacco. Of course though, we should group all 12,000 Natives who live at the Six Nations reserve into smugglers, just as every person who lives at Regent Park/St. James Town/Jane & Finch are gangster thugs who live off welfare and nothing else but that.
And in case anyone starts bringing up things like OLG and gov't corruption, at least there are mechanisms to weed out corruption. The warriors are in control on the reserves to no such mechanisms exist there.
Man, this is getting way off topic.
At least then MY taxes wouldn't be going to support a bunch of whiny cry babies who are just looking for a free ride on the public teat. I mean good gawd - look at the riff raff in those pictures! Who would hire any of them?
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Of course, we should just ignore the government sponsored cultural genocide (yes, it is cultural genocide, check the UN guidelines/rules on it) to literally "kill the Indian in the child". I'm sure if any of us were forcibly taken from our homes when we were a child to be beaten and not learn anything at school (some didn't even learn the alphabet and only sang hymns all day), we would be horrible parents too. If you grow up being beaten, how are you supposed to take care of your kids properly?
As Feldwebel Wolfenstool says, we're lucky that an incredibly vast number of Aboriginal protests are peaceful and only small, unofficial splinter groups do stupid things.
It was so many years ago.
Get over it, move on, and contribute to society.
Numerous ethnic groups have been subjected to atrocities all over the world.
The world and Canada doesnt owe you anything.
For the record, the genocide carried out against Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island is one of the largest and most horrendous holocausts in world history! and it continues today!!!
1)Through environmental racism, reserves are targeted for placement of toxic industry. (read about Grassy Narrows where an entire community suffers from Mercury poisoning)
2) Continued destruction of territory that Indigenous people rely on for their livelihood kills Indigenous communities through slow death measures (part of original definition of Genocide). Read about Sun Peaks ski resort built on unceded land in BC where traditional peoples rely on the land for hunting and gathering.
3) Continued intervention in Native families by a racist child 'welfare' system.
4) Failure to address the devastation of Indigenous communities by the residential school system.
5) Failure of the 'justice' system to address the disproportionate disappearances of Indigenous Women.
6) Targeting of Indigenous peoples by racist police and 'justice' systems.
So, is it any wonder that abused populations display signs of unwellness.
Let's start asking questions about European depravity. What was it that caused our ancestors to go around the world raping and pillaging Asia, Africa, north and SOuth America, Australia and New Zealand. Do we have some kind of inferiority complex that means we feel the need to go around asserting our control over everyone. Do we have a disease that makes us inclined to stealing, raping and carrying out genocide??!! Let's figure that one out before we make RACIST statements about Indigenous people and Black people. That would go a lot further toward helping the world out of the downward spiral of environmental and social devastation that Europeans have created!
I mean, if the living conditions really are that bad, then do what any of us would do and clean it up! Go to Home Depot and buy some plants and lawnmowers and building materials-tax free of course-and fix it up!
Its like me protesting cause my house is messy. What a joke.
*shakes head in disgust*
I'd join in this discussion, but trying to explain to a cretin how to tie their shoes is frusterating, it's just easier to tell them to use velcro.
The reality of this situation escapes you two to so much of a degree it's not even worth bothering with anymore.
While I dont condone the unethical treatment of people, the fact remains that this is in the long ago past, and we as taxpayers have long since paid out the ass for it.
You must be out-of-your-mind if you actually think these people are actually that pushed down by society that they cant get jobs...and that is not a hyperbole either.
While I dont condone the unethical treatment of people, the fact remains that this is in the long ago past, and we as taxpayers have long since paid out the ass for it.
You must be out-of-your-mind if you actually think these people are actually that pushed down by society that they cant get jobs...and that is not a hyperbole either.
Anyway, thanks for the convo. Im done with this now.
The first residential schools were established in the 1840s with the last residential school closing in 1996.
Here's something for you to learn: 54% of natives dont complete school anyways.
More fun facts here: http://drp.ly/1gdM6P
For as long as natives continue to whine and state that it's everyone else's fault that they live in misery, nothing will get better for them. Sure, they might get more money thrown at them, just to shut them up and appease a few white consciences, but they will continue to wallow in sub-par conditions. Once they improve their own leadership, earn a reputation for honesty and hard work, stop depending on constant hand-outs, they have a chance.
If each of the "First Nations" protesters took the time used to participate in G20 events and used it to work behind the counter at a Tim Hortons or sweeping floors at a local high school, they'd EARN enough money to send a few individuals to rehab. And honestly, wouldn't that have more true impact for the better than all this ridiculous shouting in the streets.
And - a side note - G20 protesters are filthy. You should see the trash littering the streets where they've marched! It's truly disgusting...
Aside from the street theater of the protests - remember that alone we can't do much. But together, we all can link our experiences of injustice (as well as empowerment) to become a force to be reckoned with. Strength in numbers. Get to know others and discover how MUCH we have in common. You'll see.
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Could any one provide any ideas or sites about how to get government grant money to begin with my personal small business? I have been looking on the internet but just about every website requires for money and I've been told by the unemployment office to avoid the websites that ask for cash for grant related information because they are scammers. I'd personally be really grateful for any advice.