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A friend passed this on to me.  Expect for me "to set the record straight" again over this by the end of next week.
NORTH AMERICAN Indigenous Caucus Affirms
Support for Unprecedented Indigenous Participation
in 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Hereditary Chief Sets the Record Straight

By Grand Chief Edward John and
Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie


(Vancouver – March 6th, 2008): A meeting of Indigenous leaders and
activists preparing for an upcoming United Nations conference voiced
support for the Four Host First Nations continued work with the Vancouver
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Organizing Committee (VANOC) to
achieve "unprecedented Aboriginal participation" in the 2010 Winter Games.

An excerpt from the resolution reads as follows: "Participants affirmed
their support for the unprecedented level of Indigenous participation in
the 2010 Olympic Games…."

Members of the North American Regional Indigenous Caucus were gathered in
Vancouver, in the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, to
prepare for the 7th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues in April 2008.

On February 23, day two of the event, some caucus members introduced a
short text condemning the 2010 Winter Games, and linking the Games to the
death of an elder from the Squamish nation. Other members disagreed. As
the caucus operates through consensus, the co-chairs (Grand Chief Edward
John and Kenneth Deer) asked to hear from Coast Salish leaders from the
host First Nations.

Hereditary Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation welcomed the
delegates to the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations
(FHFN), and thanked them for the important work they are doing on behalf
of all Indigenous Peoples.

Chief Campbell then took the opportunity "to set the record straight"
regarding the involvement of Coast Salish and Interior Salish Peoples in
the 2010 Winter Games.

The 2010 Winter Games are being held within the shared traditional
territories of the Four Host First Nations (FHFN) ~ the Lil'wat, the
Musqueam, the Squamish and the Tsleil-Waututh. The four have formed the
non-profit Four Host First Nations Society, and established the FHFN
Secretariat to coordinate their collective efforts as host Nations.

Chief Campbell said he is "working closely with Squamish Hereditary Chiefs
Bill Williams and Gibby Jacob to bring life to the vision of the late
(Squamish) Chief Joe Mathias, who insisted that the Coast Salish Peoples
must be full partners" in the 2010 Games. "We are not sitting idle. We
are not passive. We are not assimilated peoples," he said.

Chief Campbell, who was raised by his grandfather, explained that, as a
Hereditary Chief, he is responsible for bringing forward the traditional
knowledge and language of his ancestors, and adapting to a modern context
based on this strong cultural foundation.

The Chief further explained that the Squamish Nation used the opportunity
of the Games to raise awareness about their traditional territories,
protect their territories and develop wildlife management plans.

This included identifying the wild spirit places in the territories, and
informing the Organizing Committee that they could not undertake
development in those areas. He noted: "We didn't wait or ask permission
to protect our territories… and we will not ask for anyone's permission to
do business in our territories."

Interviewed after the event, Chief Campbell noted that "the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples upholds the Indigenous
right to self-determination.

"When other Indigenous Peoples come to our territories and claim to speak
on our behalf, they are not respecting this fundamental right."

Tewanee Joseph, the Executive Director of the Four Host First Nations
Society, who attended the event with his two year-old son, added "our
whole focus for the Games is for our children. We are focusing on their
future and opportunities for them."

He also shared a message of being inclusive, and noted that "everything is
not perfect in British Columbia or in Canada. We have challenges every
single day as First Nations peoples. But the only way to resolve them is
by working together."

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief Wilton Littlechild shared
his extensive experience with Olympic Games, and noted that the AFN has
signed an MOU to support the work of the four host nations.

"Since the Games in Calgary in 1988, the IOC and governments have learned,
and it is really quite incredible what is being done here," said Regional
Chief Littlechild. "These 2010 Games have, by far, the largest Indigenous
participation at every level."

Interviewed after the Caucus meeting, the Regional Chief said that: "Since
its inception, the AFN has fought at national and international levels for
the principle of respect for traditional territories. It is very
significant that the traditional and shared traditional territories of
these nations are being recognized and respected by the Olympic partners."

He added that "(the Four Host First Nations') partnership with VANOC and
the IOC, and your involvement in decision-making at the highest levels,
provides a model for harmonious relations between Indigenous Peoples and
other jurisdictions. The right to be involved in decision-making
processes regarding issues that may affect the territories, rights and
interests of First Nations Peoples is a principle that the AFN has firmly
asserted over the years."

The FHFN have signed a protocol with VANOC that formalizes the
relationship and sets a very high standard not only for participation, but
for true partnership. The protocol includes FHFN involvement in
everything from the opening and closing ceremonies to employment,
marketing and procurement. In addition to the protocol, the Squamish and
Lil'wat nations have negotiated legacy agreements which include many
benefits for the members of the nations.

During the caucus meeting, one participant stated that "a few Indians
dancing around in the Opening Ceremonies will not do anything for the
downtown east side."

In response, Chief Ian Campbell noted: "We are participating in every
aspect of these Games from the opening ceremonies to representation on the
VANOC Board of Directors."

"The opening ceremonies are important to us, and our songs and ceremonies
are very sacred. I don't want to hear anyone belittling them or
disrespecting them in our territories," said Chief Campbell. He added:
"Our songs are our laws and protocol. They are the land. I am a yuni-lead
singer responsible for our sacred songs. This is taken very seriously and
is a responsibility which my elders have bestowed on me."

Furthermore, regarding the initial draft resolution which linked the death
of a Squamish Nation elder to the 2010 Winter Games, the Chief explained
that he has spoken with the family, and they have asked that others cease
using her name and respect the Squamish Nation protocols.

"In our tradition we go into grieving for four years. We don't mention
the name of the deceased, or their ancestral names, until such time as
their memorial takes place. The family has asked me to ask those of you
who would use her name to respect this protocol," Chief Campbell said.

Following the discussion, caucus members agreed to develop a new text that
could be included in the meeting report. The resulting consensus text
(relevant 2010 Games text in bold) is as follows:

Participants affirmed their support for the unprecedented level of
Indigenous participation in the 2010 Olympic Games in British Columbia,
Canada. Participants also noted that the 2010 Olympic Games can provide
an important opportunity for Indigenous peoples and the world community to
promote human rights and address the human rights record and actions of
Canada on the local, provincial, national and international levels.

It should be noted that one of the principal reasons for Canada to vote
against the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was that
they opposed the provisions on indigenous rights to lands, territories and
resources (Article 26) and the principle of free, prior and informed
consent. Canada's and British Columbia's policies fail to recognize
Aboriginal title and Indigenous free, prior and informed consent.

"Participants also expressed outrage that indigenous persons and
activists, including indigenous elders who stand up for indigenous land
rights and assert their free, prior and informed consent are often
criminalized and jailed.

Hereditary Chief Campbell and other FHFN members expressed satisfaction at
the result after the meeting, stating that it is important that people
appreciate what is Games-related and what is not.

Chief Campbell noted that they had been looking for an opportunity to
counter the "misinformation being circulated" by non-Salish individuals
who are opposed to the Games and "falsely claim to speak for the
Indigenous people within whose territories the 2010 Winter Games will take
place."

- 30 -

For additional information, contact:

Grand Chief Ed John: 604.926.9903

Lea Nicholas MacKenzie: 778.327.5778

I'm writing this as the Kanienkehaka are being besieged by the Ontario Provincial Police. I'm also watching the news with everything circulating this "Truth and Reconciliation Commission", and the head judge of the commission being announced. I'm also sadly disappointed about the Assembly of First Nations future attempt at...well, whinning. May 29th, 2008 is the set date for another one of it's "Day of Action", except this one with the added "against poverty."

Last years June 29th Day of Action was met with lukewarm response with a few actions taking place in major cities. It's was mostly peaceful except for a few Mohawk blockades on roads, highways, and rail lines. But what's sadly disappointing his the lack of real leadership on the AFN's part, and, really how disappointing their best can do; Phil Fontane. Every so often I see him in the news, or in an article, but his lack of vision and leadership is becoming myopic for many indigenous youth.

Startling even more is how much this brings to mind, how much indigenous people in this country, do not know what's going on. We do not know what's going in the doors of band council meetings, in the cross country or cross-sea's dealings between these politicians and other officials, and we don't know about the kinds of social, political, and economic thoughts and idea's our people can and are putting forward. Maybe it's me, and no one is suggesting anything. But as we become devoid of our own peoples voice, we naturally have left, the Colonial Settler states. In it's ignorant media, education, and leadership. Canadian civil society depresses me with it's racism and prejudice, and it's lack of understanding of our issues. But I guess actually looking at these issues around their citizen legitimacy and such is, well, pretty darn to hard to look at.

Of course all this talk about "reconciliation" is one sided. The indigenous peoples are unequivocally assumed to give up something, to rise to the standard of it's Settler counter-part. What has Settlers, the Canadian state, or Canadian civil society given up for our people? Have they had to compromise, over and over and over again, like we have. With our rights, with our existence, with our relationship. Where has their law been changed to become more align with our own. We're force to change our ways to the way colonial law decides our rights and fight within their courts to get decision on by them about us. Or we are asked to defend our position on "why we are from here" and "do you have proof for that". Shall we ask instead, "Why should you be allowed to stay here, on our stolen indigenous land."

So you can see why I'm skeptical of the Assembly of First Nations, or the Four Host First Nations, or any other political structure based of colonial paradigms and ideals. And why I'm apprehensive about this "Truth and Reconciliation Commission". I believe it is good for people like my grandmother who are alive and get something about it. But this question of the residential school system, it's effect on our peoples, on my generation, is something larger. We need to really ask ourselves, what is going to be our generations response to this massive assault from the past on our peoples today and from here on. I'm afraid that the longer we wait, or ponder these things over in negotiations, land claims, protests, we're going to slowly loose. Loose what? Loose our existence, in a meaningful way.

My faith in our political leadership has been trampled.
My faith in our elders resolve to deal with these issues is trumped.
My faith in the system is non-existent.

But my faith, in something else, is still strong.

If we are to act in a meanful way on these issues, it will take a fearlessness not seen since our ancestors.  Something so powerful and...dangerous.... to create a lasting effect just as powerful or more then the residential school system, the colonization, and it's ensuring result.

On February 18, 2008, members of the Native 2010 Resistance disrupted an Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Four Host First Nations (FHFN) photo op at the Sutton Hotel, located on Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver).

Indigenous women From the Native 2010 Resistance poured bags of apples onto the podium where National Chief Phil Fontaine was announcing “First Nations participation and volunteer opportunities with the 2010 Olympics”. Like apples, Phil Fontaine and the Four Host First Nations sell-out chiefs are red skinned but white on the inside, bargaining off Indigenous lands for profit. Fontaine tried to keep his composure, his podium filled with apples as Native women yelled in front of his face “No Olympics on Stolen Native Land!” and told the small crowd “You should all be ashamed of yourselves for contributing to the rape and destruction of Mother Earth!.”

Indigenous resistance against the games has been snowballing as more are learning about Olympic industrial development and destruction taking place on Skwxwú7mesh-ulh (Squamish), Lil’wat, St’at’imc, Stölo, Nlaka'Pamux, and Secwepemc Native Lands.

While the Four Host First Nations claim to have avid support, the room that the media event took place in was nearly empty for the first 20 minutes and filled to a measly 15 people with only one media personnel to take advantage of the ‘photo op’. There was also no security at the event or around the hotel during the affair.

The AFN, which is the so called “national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada”, will assist the Four Host First Nations and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) in distributing a series of newsletters that will provide information on how to volunteer at the Winter Games. The AFN will also make available other opportunities for First Nations peoples to participate in the Games including the Vancouver 2010 Torch Relay, Cultural Olympiad, and employment and procurement opportunities.

According to conversations at the event today, Four Host First Nation’s reps expect over 350 First Nations volunteers for the 2010 Olympics. However, the prospect seems daunting given the mounting resistance against and knowledge of the negative impacts on Indigenous lands, and related Indigenous homelessness and poverty. Native youth, Elders, women, and men are growing more skeptical about participating in the 2010 Games and are fighting back.

The Native Resistance vows to continue to disrupt events that support the 2010 Olympic Games and contribute to the theft of Indigenous lands, to homelessness and poverty.

This is absolutly amazing and hilarious at the same time. Phil Fontane has made a lot of questionable decisions and statements, increasingly showing how disconnected from the people the AFN is. The AFN is not a grassroots organizations working with or for the people. It's really come down to a Conservative gov't sponsored lobby group. Four Host First Nations, the organization created to represent the interests of the band councils involved in the 2010 Olympics, and those band councils are also increasingly disconnected. I've seen and heard about media interviews with chiefs and CEO's from these organizations, and the claims they make about the benefit of the Olympics is showing to be further from the truth.

2 weeks of games and my people will have little to show for it. Destruction of land and culture for capitalistic job training, and "careers" that will only last a year or two after the Olympics have come and gone. Let alone the cultural appropriated and degradation coming to "prepare the people for 2010". Their main claim for ancient indigenous cultures is to "share our culture with the world", yet these same cultural elitists don't share it with their own people. They share it with their business buddies, and egos' to create self-produced CD's, movies, and other paraphernalia.

Resistance to 2010 Olympics is not about us, about a small group fighting against the corporations. It is about standing up for what is right, not easy, in this world, for the next generation. What will future generations say, when they don't know or feel the almighty power of "jobs" for some dude who died a few hundred years ago. All they will see and know is the expansion of sacred sites for condo, the development of food gathering sites for ski hills, and mass produced cultural icons for Jim and Sally in China, Europe or where ever. I say no to the 2010 Olympics as a Skwxwu7mesh for all those who cannot', and for all those who have not yet because they are not in existance yet. Small minded visions of now, and not the future, but use slogans of "for the future generations". How much are they getting paid to do this, and how much are the people paying for it.

No Olympics on Stolen Land.

OTTAWA, July 11 /CNW Telbec/ - The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and
the Four Host First Nations (FHFN), the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and
Tsleil-Waututh nations, have agreed to work in a positive and mutually
beneficial partnership regarding First Nations participation in the Vancouver
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. To this end, they will sign a
historic Memorandum of Understanding tomorrow morning (Thursday) at the AFN
Annual General Assembly in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the World Trade and
Convention Centre.

"The 2010 Olympics will provide a unique opportunity for First Nations
and Canadians to work side-by-side, and to share in the long-term social and
economic legacy that these historic Games will provide," said National Chief
Phil Fontaine. "The AFN is committed to working with the Four Host Nations,
who have already done a tremendous amount of work over the past several years.
We encourage all First Nations peoples to participate - either as athletes,
volunteers, exhibitors, performers, or spectators. In less than three years,
the eyes of the world will be upon British Columbia and Canada. The strength
and diversity of First Nations cultures and traditions will be witnessed by
billions. We will leave a lasting impression."

The signing formalizes their relationship and commitments to work in
partnership to ensure successful 2010 Winter Games and to develop
opportunities and legacies for First Nations Peoples, particularly First
Nations youth.

This MOU is part of the FHFN commitment to ensure that First Nations,
Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada have opportunities to be involved, and
to enrich the Games through their cultures.

Chief Gibby Jacob of the Squamish Nation and board member of the
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games (VANOC), said that "the relationship between the AFN and the FHFN will
provide First Nations Peoples across Canada with an opportunity to fully
participate and to share their diverse cultures with the world - thereby
enhancing the Games and building a lasting legacy for First Nations beyond
2010."

The signing of the MOU will be witnessed by David Guscott, VANOC EVP of
Corporate Strategy and Partner Relations. John Furlong, CEO of VANOC also
shared words of congratulations. "The 2010 Winter Games will be stronger
because of unprecedented Aboriginal participation in the planning and hosting
of the Games and we are honoured to be witnessing this historic MOU," said
Mr. Furlong. "The AFN and FHFN have embraced our vision of touching the soul
of our nation and will help us share the rich and diverse cultures of
Aboriginal Peoples with the world. They share our desire to make these
Canada's Games and truly make the 2010 Winter Games a celebration of the
Canadian spirit that will leave lasting legacies for future generations."

Tewanee Joseph, Executive Director and CEO of the FHFN, strongly believes
"an MOU between the AFN and the FHFN is significant in building a strong
relationship with other First Nations. We are working towards a common goal
which is to have a successful 2010 Olympic and Paralympic games with First
Nations participation."

The MoU signing ceremony and remarks will take place between 10:15 to
10:50 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom, World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing
First Nations citizens in Canada.


For further information: Assembly of First Nations: Bryan Hendry,
A/Director of Communications, (613) 241-6789, ext. 229, cell (613) 293-6106,
bhendry@afn.ca; Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor - Office of the National
Chief, (613) 241-6789, ext 243 ,(613) 298-6382,
npine@afn.ca; Rene Pollett,
Communications Specialist, (613) 241-6789, ext. 314, cell 613-295-2149,
rpollett@afn.ca; Four Host First Nations: Tewanee Joseph, Executive Director,
FHFNS,
fourhostnations@shaw.ca, www.fourhostfirstnations.com


I'm a member of this 'Squamish Nation' and it's the first I hear of it. The 2010 Olympics have been so hidden from our own people. Little to no information was given to us prior to the announcement of Vancouver getting the 2010 Olympics and to this day little information is being given by the Land Claims Department and Chief & Council of the Squamish Nation (The Land Claims Department is headed by Gibby Jacob, VANOC Board Member). Organized opposition was never given to the band council although there is opposition growing because of the lack of communication between the sell-out Chiefs and the people.

Right now, knowledge is key. My people simply do not know what's going on. If my people had more information to the things being effected because of the 2010 Olympics. Developments of sacred sites like Deeks Creek, Mount Garibaldi, and the others must be known about. I meet more my people who say, "Yeah, I was against the Olympics" or "I'm against the Olympics" all time but the right question's need to be asked.

I am deeply getting more and more frustrated by all the things I hear about in the Province, the Vancouver Sun, the Globe and Mail, Google, and listservs I belong to.


To my people, the Sḵwxwú7mesh:

I'm calling any concerned people of our nation. Band meetings and water-cooler-talk about the horrible things happening cannot go on. Even if you are not against the Olympics openly, I implore you to look at what's going on with our people, our land, our culture. Search your principles on what you believe in and what you stand for. Destruction of land, especially spiritual places cannot happen. The justification of the theft of our land cannot go on. The Canadian government and the Provincial governments history of abuse to the Indigenous people all over Canada, and the world.

If you are concerned and want to work on something together, please contact me. I'm calling on any of my people who do not wish everything to be sold away for money. Our children must know that some collaborated, and others resisted.

dustin.riversATgmail.com
(Replace the AT with @)