Manmeet Singh Bhullar

Manmeet Singh Bhullar
March 1, 1980 - November 23, 2015
State Memorial November 29, 2015 at the Jubilee
"Dear God make me more loving and compassionate, give more of myself in service, help me see the greatness imbedded in all and enjoy the moments!" - Manmeet Singh Bullar


Manmeet Bhullar, MLA for Calgary-Montrose, gives his Maiden Speech in the Alberta Legislature on April 16, 2008
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-8lmn-LQsQ
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=405CkMxNw0o

Manmeet showed up at my door one day. Anyone who knows me, knows I don't pull a punch. Poor Manmeet had to deal with the wrath of hearing all about the sins of his predecessor, Hung Pham, as I tried to get Hung Pham's help with the issues I had at the Peter Lougheed Hospital with the birth of my daughter. Manmeet took it so well. In fact, he immediately sympathized and talked about his auntie, a midwife. I told him all of that could have been avoided had midwifery been covered as we could never afford the $3500 to have a midwife at the time. THAT is what he took from our conversation and knew that was an easy solution. We stayed in contact over the next while. He wanted to make sure I wasn't associated with doulas or midwifes in the sense that I would financially benefit in anyway. One day, May 4th, I got a call from his office telling me he talked to the health minister and it was going to get funded. I was literally one of the first people to know. I went to the International Day of the Midwife rally at McDougall the next day and told everyone the great news. No one believed me and laughed because, like me, they were incredibly cynical of politician promises, and in their case, have literally been advocating for funding for decades. True to his word, Manmeet had Hansard sent to our home. He actually mentioned me in the Legislature! I put that into my girl's baby book. A man of integrity, within weeks of being elected, he got it done. This was the start of our relationship.

April 2015 - Manmeet campaigning in Abbeydale
Photo credit: Manmeet Bhullar

During the second election, I was in the Alberta Liberal Party as a member. Due to the politics of the time from the leader of the moment, Dr. Raj Sherman, asked Iqtidar Awan to run. I had to help because I was a proud Liberal and I had asked Manmeet repeatedly if he would cross the floor and wear red, LOL! So back to the election, the night and day I'm scrutineering in Abbeydale. I'm worried sick that the Wildrose was going to win. (Ron Leech, Calgary-Greenway Wildrose candidate and evangelical pastor, wrote a 2004 article for the Calgary Herald that condemned gays. Don't get me started on the lack of libertarian values in the party claiming to be libertarian.) The results came in and Manmeet clearly won these polls. That was a huge relief to me because Abbeydale was suppose to be the Wildrose stronghold at the time. So the PC scrutineers told us right in the parking lot that Manmeet won. I was so happy that I celebrated right there. The Wildrose scrutineers were heartbroken and one even asked me why I was happy. I told her I was scared a homophobe like Leech could be a representative for me and how wrong that was. Besides, I had hope we could get Manmeet to cross the floor, LOL! (I know, I'm wrong and he was so loyal to the PC's. He told me that the colours didn't matter but as a PC he could things done. We agreed to disagree on that, LOL!)
 

Over the course of knowing him, I talked to him about violence in the community and solutions. I confided in him the honour based violence policy I was working on before I submitted it at the Federal Liberal policy convention in Alberta as most of it would be a provincial initiative anyway. My hope was he could use it anyway and figure out the provincial Progressive-Conservative way to do it, even if they took the credit. The truth is, he wasn't that type of politician to take credit. If I didn't tell the story of the midwifery funding, no one would know about it because he accomplished so much and that was done literally within his first month of being elected with almost no fan fare. He once said the health minister at the time couldn't understand why funding midwifery was so important to Manmeet. He said I inspired him to advocate. The truth is, he just had it in him to advocate for the underdog. That is why I respected him so much. Our area, our communities, need strong advocates. While we were talking about the honour based violence policy, he told me that he was having people in his community getting mad at him because he was trying to stop child abuse and sexual child abuse. He even told me about a man who was threatening him. He didn't back down or off at all. I was so moved by him. Most politicians don't deal with the tough topics like that and certainly not to the community who funded him. But he did it anyway. He understood the need for strong, male leaders like him to speak up. I told him I would love to support him in anyway, not that he needed my help. Those wide shoulders took on so much.

When he took on the portfolio that dealt with child welfare, I was worried for him. I knew dealing with amazing advocates like Velvet Martin meant solutions that Manmeet could work with. However, I also knew there were very, very desperate parents and now adult foster kids that have been traumatized by the system. Only at the memorial service, hearing from his family and friends, was it clear that portfolio was as bad as I knew is it and he took every child's pain personally. His friend said even when encouraged to quit the portfolio, he angrily would shoot back NO! He knew he was strong enough and if the kids were going through the system, it's the least he could do to advocate for them. Sure enough, he did make positive changes in the system before moving on.

There was a stabbing at the night club where Manmeet's office was. I seen the police, and because I didn't actually know yet the details, I just went over to see if it was at Manmeet's office. There he was. That was a relief. I asked him if his staff were ok and no one from his staff was hurt. He told me it was stabbing next door and that he will likely move his office. He did. Across the parking lot, LOL! I was just happy he and his staff were ok. A little too close to home for both of us and of course, a worry about it being related to his work.

Manmeet arranged through my friend Saima a chance to meet Jim Prentice in the leadership race. Jim was the favorite to win, and I wanted to meet the ex-Indian Affairs minister for Harper. Poor Manmeet's team was scared when I said I would come, shooting Saima messages about me being this or that. Like a true friend, she defended me. I offered to send a bunch of questions to them I would ask Jim to help ease their worries, LOL! We went, and had a great time as many other activists and friends I admire were also in attendance. You can't ever talk to Manmeet at events like that because SO many people want to talk to him, LOL! He was more the celebrity than Jim was. I did talk to Jim too but he just assured me he was friends with Indigenous, politely disregarded me and moved on in true patriarchal, colonial form, LOL! It didn't matter as he moved on to Premier and thankfully took down not one, but two ultra conservative parties after 44 years of ruling. (What a relief and I'm grateful.) Manmeet and I likely would have agreed to disagree on that topic. I told him in the last election I could never vote for the ex-Indian Affairs minister under Stephen Harper and wished Manmeet wasn't on Jim's team because Manmeet knew I just adored him. He told our friend Saima that I should run. I told her that Manmeet only wanted me to run to split the progressive vote, LOL! I was happy Manmeet won but over the moon when Prentice stepped down after the historic NDP win. And for what's it's worth, Jim Prentice did an outstanding job as the Master of Ceremonies at Manmeet's service.

I was always busy and Manmeet was always busy. I would shoot him emails on Motion 503, gay rights, missing and murdered Indigenous women, Cindy Gladue and talk to him about Colton Crowshoe. He wanted to know more and hoped to meet Colton's dad. I told him about the family violence day conference happening in the community and told him he needed to be there. Last minute he could and because I was asked to go to Siksika to talk about missing and murdered Indigenous women, he could take my spot on Thursday. Instead of attending, he died a hero on the QE2. My friend Saima and I said Manmeet was a tank. He was. Of course it took a semi to kill him. Of course he had to be out trying to help someone after speaking at a local event in Calgary on the subject of violence.. Like his sister who clearly was unhappy with the lack of consultation on the decision to leave this world, I am too. Manmeet and I will have to agree to disagree on that decision as well.

He stood for women's reproductive health choices. He stood against child sexual abuse, standing for their human rights. He was a leader to men to stop violence. He stood against violence. The last thing he was working on was Afghanistan seeking refuge from religious persecution. He stood for human rights. He is one of my heroes. He inspired me to be involved in politics. I honour him, his friends, his colleagues and his family. Their years of work in his life and words lifted me today. I still can't believe he is gone.

Rest in peace Manmeet. I hope we, the community you inspired, can continue your work. Thank you for teaching me so much, most importantly, faith in service. #NiceToManmeetYou

Bill C-51 Panel discussion to the Muslim Community.

Today I was honoured to speak at the Condemning & Confronting Terrorism: Panel Discussion on Bill C-51 organized by Fayaz Tilly, Ilm Intensive, and Saima Jamal. Thank you to the other panel guests, Stephen Garvey, Faraz Bawa, and Brian Seaman for your thoughts and professional opinions. I spoke about the long history of racially targeting and spying on Indigenous Peoples of this land in the boundaries of Canada. To all those amazing people that attended the 8th Fire Gathering and the march downtown against Bill C-51, here is the speech I said:

My speech, March 14, 2015 at a Bill C-51 Panel discussion to the Muslim Community.

-Welcome to Treaty 7 Territory, the land of the Blackfoot Confederacy-

This land has been colonized for over 140 years. In 1877, Treaty 7 was signed with:

  Kainai Nation (Blood)

  Pikani First Nation (Peigan)

  Siksika Nation (Blackfoot)

  Tsuu T'ina Nation (Sarcee)

  Stoney First Nation – Bearspaw, Chiniki, Wesley
  Assiniboine Nation – Nakota, Dakota, Lakota

I speak on behalf of my own perspective as a Yellowknife Dene born in Calgary/Treaty 7, in the Blackfoot Confederacy. I want to acknowledge the event organizers for allowing an Indigenous woman to speak.

There are many misconceptions about the First Peoples’ of this land as I have been personally told by local members of the Muslim community. I pay taxes and have NOT received a free university education. These myths were told to you on purpose to demonize a made up enemy which is something I think your community is being unfairly targeted with now. Communication, education and historical context are the key to finding solutions for you in Canada. I hope to teach some history you may not be aware of because of purposeful agenda to NOT teach the truth of the land you are on. I hope to show you a long history of spying on, tracking, an unfair racial targeting of the First Peoples’ of this land and how the Muslim community can navigate through these waters.

The Indian Act exists today. It is a racist piece of legislation designed to manage and track “Indians” with a legal status as wards of the state. The Indian Pass System was in the Cdn west from 1882-1935 by Indian agents. Indian agents were imposed leadership from the Cdn government where our ancestors had to fill out permission slips and have one on their person at all time so the local NWMP/RCMP could verify we had permission to leave the imposed reservation system the Indian Act created. That system was later studied and implemented in South Africa for their apartheid system. Today, I have my Indian Act imposed Status card on me. This is a tracking system.

The Indian Act started out within the Department of National Defence, because we were (and still are) the enemy. We later we were the largest population willing to fight for the King in the Great War. On the Armed Forces webpage they quote: “Aboriginal soldiers were seen to be adaptable and patient, with keen observation powers, stamina, and courage.”
http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/dhh-dhp/pub/boo-bro/abo-aut/chapter-chapitre-05-eng.asp
“The sacrifice of killed and wounded achieved very little politically, economically or socially.’ Historian James Dempsey has described the disappointment felt by many Prairie Indigenous veterans when they returned home. Their exposure to the broader world had changed them profoundly, but they returned to the same patronizing society that they had left. Although eligible for the vote overseas, we lost our democratic rights in Canada. Requirements for veterans’ settlement packages disadvantaged many Indigenous veterans. Although they had fought overseas, their legal status had not changed; they continued to be wards of the Crown.” We did not the right to vote until the 1960’s and in 1965 in Alberta. (That right was fought for by other white veterans with our veterans. People who fight for our rights, we call allies.)

Most of our public fights have been through the courts through the course of past 140 years since our Ancestors signed what our people believe to be peace treaties. However, the Oka Crisis in the summer of 1990 showed the long history of the RCMP and the First Nations, in this case the Mohawks, resulting in violence and death. In the summer of 1995 at Gustafsen Lake in BC, a standoff between the RCMP and First Nations, ended up being the most costly of its kind in Canadian history having involved 400 police officers and support from the Canadian Military (under Operation Wallaby). To this day, there are calls for an independent, impartial inquiry into the RCMP siege at Gustafsen Lake and the alleged ensuing cover-up. Splitting the Sky was one of the leaders at that conflict. He died in 2013 of a bump on the head that the investigators say is a result of him falling and hitting his head. Out of respect to his family’s wishes, his cause of death of has not been disputed.

More recently in 2006, “Information obtained by Access to Information requests reveals that almost immediately upon taking power in 2006, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) was given the lead role to spy on First Nations. The goal was to identify the First Nation leaders, participants and outside supporters of First Nation occupations and protests, and to closely monitor their actions.” June 7, 2011 First Nations Under Surveillance Harper Government Prepares for First Nations “Unrest" by Russell Diabo and Shiri Pasternak http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/first-nations-under-surveillance/7434

PM Harper also cut funding for the Court Challenges Program on September 25, 2006; he did this by executive decision with no debate in the House of Commons. The Court Challenges Program operated on a meagre 2.3 million dollar budget, but it was a critical program that provided legal and financial assistance to those seeking equality who could not otherwise challenge unconstitutional laws. PM Harper justified this unilateral action by stating he "intends to behave in a constitutional manner" and his government "does not intend to adopt unconstitutional legislation."

On July 27, 2009, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations Leadership issued a statement on their website on how appalled and shocked they were by the Cdn Defense and Foreign Affairs Institute’s report alleging First Nations as a threat to the industry and labeled First Nations as eco-terrorists.

December 5, 2011 - The federal government created a wide-ranging surveillance network in early 2007 to monitor protests by First Nations, including those that would garner national attention or target “critical infrastructure” like highways, railways and pipelines, according to RCMP documents obtained through access to information requests. “Since the dismantling of the Aboriginal JIG [Joint Intelligence Group], the work done by the JIG is no longer performed at RCMP HQ Criminal Intelligence [CI]. However, we cannot confirm that RCMP divisions are not performing Aboriginal JIG activities under another name of program.” The so-called Aboriginal JIG that gathered the surveillance was run by the RCMP Criminal Intelligence branch and the RCMP’s National Security Criminal Investigations (NSCI), which has teams of officers in strategic locations across the country that deal with “threats to national security and criminal extremism or terrorism.” http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/rcmp-spied-protesting-first-nations/9303

Idle No More, and activists against the Northern Gateway pipeline were spied on by CSIS and the RCMP after an access to information request came out showing CSIS and the RCMP were taking direction from the National Energy Board.  http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2012/05/09/rcmp_spied_on_bc_natives_protesting_pipeline_plan_documents_show.html
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/12/04/mounties_spied_on_native_protest_groups.html
This is an another example of intergovernmental cooperation against First Nations.
“In what may be a pitch to the private sector, the RCMP slideshow presentation states that the aboriginal intelligence unit can “alleviate some of your workload as we can help identify trends and issues that may impact more than one community.” It can also “provide information on activist groups who are promoting aboriginal issues within your area.””

Under the Indian Act, there are human rights violations in every sector because we are at an infrastructural funding deficit with the Federal government transfer payments. To compound the issue, we also get targeted for pointing it out. Cindy Blackstock is being monitored because of her human rights claim for Indigenous children against the Cdn government of unequal funding for foster care system. No other municipality or province would tolerate that treatment but our peoples and Chiefs live under this every day. As Pam Palmater said in her blog that was later published on Rabble.ca: “If someone were to ask me who was the LEAST likely to be spied on by Canada, I would have said Cindy Blackstock because for anyone who knows Cindy or her work, they know she is a peaceful, law-abiding citizen with a big heart. Her only alleged "subversive" or "hostile" act against Canada is that she peacefully advocates on behalf of the most vulnerable in our society: First Nations children.

Cindy does not do her advocacy by riding in on combat helicopters or tanks -- but instead runs the First Nation Child and Family Caring Society, donates her free time to spreading information and speak publicly about the realities faced by First Nations children, and is now running the Have a Heart campaign to raise money for First Nations children.”

Dr. Pam Palmater has also been spied on which she details on her same blog, CSIS and me, Jan 5, 2012. Dr. Palmater a Mi'kmaw lawyer and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation in New Brunswick. She teaches Indigenous law, politics and governance at Ryerson University and heads their Centre for Indigenous Governance. http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/pamela-palmater/2012/01/csis-and-me-what-first-nation-activities-are-not-considered-p

April 30, 2013 -Canada can't account for $3.1B in anti-terror funding, auditor general’s spring report finds http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-can-t-account-for-3-1b-in-anti-terror-funding-ag-finds-1.1303999
that means they will find the resources to target you with no accountability or transparency. Remember, this is before Bill C-51 so their claims of having oversight has been proven to be unfounded time and time again.

On Feb. 7/14, First Nations Education Act (FNEA) was launched at Kainai High School, Blood Reservation, here in Treaty 7. Although it was billed on the PMO’s press release as “open to the public, all of us “uninvited” had Blue dots placed on our hearts. It was placed over my heart and worse, my daughter’s. We were watched with Blue Dots, tracked by the police which started the #Bluedot movement and was recognized by Idle No More. That happened here and I bet you didn’t read about it the newspapers or seen that on the TV news. Awful things happened that day but the point is we were monitored by the police as uninvited, in our lands, on our territory. I blogged about it and as far I know is literally the only piece that documented it.  http://redneckgirlthatcould.blogspot.ca/2014/02/first-nations-eduction-act-launch-day.html

All of these examples are violations of our own Charter of rights and Freedoms. Now you know why you’ve been told so many lies about First Nations, Metis and Inuit. With my examples of spying and surveillance, the Japanese interim camps and since Sept. 11, the security certificates, you need to get political in a different way by going into every party and start submitting your own policies.

Feb. 21/14, A resolution to denounce spying on Indigenous peoples/organizations passed at the Liberal Party of Canada Convention protecting Indigenous Charter of Rights in Sec. 35.
WHEREAS the Conservative Party of Canada created a vast surveillance network

to monitor First Nations, Metis, and Inuit (Indigenous) peoples;

WHEREAS the Federal Government of Canada currently spends millions (how much) of taxpayers dollars annually on these surveillance networks straining the taxpayer;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada support the immediate end to discriminatory surveillance practices against Indigenous peoples.

http://apc-cpa.liberal.ca/files/2013/12/08.-A-Resolution-to-Denounce-Spying-on-Indigenous-Peoples.pdf
I wrote that policy, I advocated for it and it passed. You can do this too.

“Looking at the flipside to these surveillance projects reveals another important dynamic at-play: the strength of ecological movements is being acknowledged.” http://www.desmog.ca/2013/02/06/surveillance-environmental-movement-when-counter-terrorism-becomes-political-policing
If the Muslim community is being unfairly targeted, that means you also have power for them to worry about. Start letter writing campaigns to your newspapers. Join local community boards and other ethno-cultural boards because the more exposure your community gets in a positive way, the more other people will advocate for you. You can’t just stay in your communities talking to your own. Join the military, police and run for office so we can get policy makers at the table that are culturally sensitive. If you learned anything from me today, it’s that Canada has a long history of racially targeting and being actively engaged in is one of the solutions to manage it and hopefully, working to change it.

No one from the Indigenous community wants you to leave. As First Nations, our Ancestors signed those Treaties believing we could respectfully live in peace with the newcomers. I still believe that and want to honour my Ancestors wishes. We can be your allies and embrace this land together. Respect our spirituality and we’ll respect yours as we learn and grow from each other. All of this falls in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and our historical Treaties. I’m Treaty, you’re Treaty, we are ALL Treaty. Honour the Treaties.

I am truly honoured to be here and humbled to be able to speak with these fine individuals who share our worries and concerns in their own way. Mahsi Cho.

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Racism and it's Effects on lndigenous Health

Racism and it's Effects on Indigenous Health

"Where you are born should not dictate your potential as a human being." ~ Romeo Dallaire

On December 10, 2014, the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative (CUAI) Human Rights and Health Domains presented in recognition of International Human Rights Day, "Racism and it's Effects on Aboriginal Health" at Mount Royal University, Leacock Theatre, Treaty 7 territory with the opening prayer by Doreen Spence. There were wonderful speakers.

I want to focus on Dr. Cheryl Currie's research. From the biography provided by CUAI, she is a AIHS Translational Health Chair and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge. Her research explores the upstream determinants of Indigenous health, strength and resilience in Canada. She works in partnership with urban and rural Indigenous communities to examine health determinants and to develop and evaluate interventions that address community-identified health needs. Dr. Currie is committed to conducting practical, translational research that governments and community stakeholders can use to guide action.

Dr. Currie started out by talking on there being no biological criteria to support race. Race is a social construct and there are many stereotypes in Canada that we need to address and debunk. Right now an Indigenous person with the same level of education will make 30% less simply because they are Indigenous. So when researching this topic, she found that what US African Americans experienced in a lifetime were comparable to what Indigenous peoples' in Canada experience within a year.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.

 Dr. Currie talked about how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should start to include racism in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMV.) She cited many medical examples of psychological stress and how it can create dysfunction for life from adrenal cortical and cortisol level dysfunction, to hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA or HTPA axis) adrenal gland dysfunction. She cited studies of racial discrimination being associated with red blood cells and oxidative stress as well as breast cancer being linked to racism. The SWAN heart study - Chronic exposure to everyday discrimination and coronary artery calcification in African-American women. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16738065 There is also the example of the Sami peoples of Scandinavian countries. She spoke of the need to do more studies that are Canadian specific.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.



From Dr. Currie's presentation.

On Dec. 2, 2004, the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights, gave the Human rights and Indigenous issues, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and
fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, by Rodolfo Stavenhagen   http://www.gcc.ca/pdf/INT000000012.pdf in which was focused on racism in Canada and Australia. There were many recommendations. Immediately, Australia launched a kindergarten to grade school education reform to stop racism. Recommendations were ignored by Canada, leaving us 10 years behind. Thankfully, Dr. Currie is working with an Indigenous chair on racism in Australia that confirms the barriers she faces in her research today, was the experience in Australia 10 years ago giving her direction on how to approach.

Epigenetics shows the intergenerational trauma's known to show in a person's genes. Articles from Grandma's experiences leave a mark on your genes to Ghost in your Genes by Nova - documentary show the science already proving experiences of 9/11 babies, or on the great grandkids of Holocaust survivors. The U of L is world renown in neuroscience and epigenetics yet there is still a need to have more studies specific to Indigenous peoples' in the boundaries of Canada and how the intergenerational experiences of colonialism has on genetic health.

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation

From Dr. Currie's presentation. She spoke in detail about blaming the victim in the health field, debunked some myths about Indigenous peoples` having a genetic disposition to alcohol. She also talked about scientific proof of Type 2 Diabetes being linked with chronic stress issues and intergenerational trauma, debunking a genetic disposition.

Solutions were also presented. She spoke of learning the history of colonization, the four phases of colonization, and to be educated on the impacts of internalized oppression with the video of The Kenneth en Mamie Clarks' doll experiment. She spoke of the need to celebrate diversity, the need to return to culture, and the pride that increases with these actions. The peer reviewed Resilience and Indigenous Spirituality: A Literature Review shows the positive results in reducing suicide and alcohol abuse with an increase in culture. Taking action against injustice, protecting young people from oppression, teaching people to create a safe space are ways to help. Demanding our provinces follow the BC example of using Indigenous Cultural competency training program in health services. Lastly, she spoke of being an Ally and how Anne Bishop`s book Becoming an Ally has a free chapter to give to people.

Dr. Currie`s research should be used in evidence-based policy nationally. In health, poverty is considered the number one determinant in health. Dr. Currie is correct to say it is actually racism. We can see that with the imposed Indian Act is a racist act that created systemic poverty, creating the health issues we see today. Having a kindergarten to grade school education program that focuses on history of Indigenous knowledge, and racism prevention are needed. Having health professionals and other professions have complete Indigenous Cultural competency training nationally is needed. Changing the systemic oppression of the Indian Act is also needed.

She ended her talks with a wonderful thought. Human dignity, plus compassion equals peace. She can be reached at Cheryl.currie@uleth.ca

For more on Historic Trauma and Aboriginal Healing.

Walking for the Survivors

I would like to introduce James. James is going on a journey. From his Facebook event site:

"Walking from Victoria to Ottawa Honouring Survivors and the Family that Never Made it Home. For Residential School Children and Murdered & Missing Women."

Thanks to the work of a local Idle No More organizer who stumbled on his journey and took it upon herself to help him along the way, and allow a few of us locals to know about James and his journey, we all were lucky enough to meet him on Friday when he literally walked in Calgary. We met him and had a bite to eat with some coffee. Immediately I was struck by how kind and genuine his spirit was. He told us his story about being struck by lightning, twice. The ease and tone of the conversation could have left us all there to chat all night but we had to get this man, who had been on his feet too long, in a warm bed already arranged. We made plans for a trip to the reserve land south of the city to the two Indian Residential schools (IRS) right away. Things changed up a few times but solidified on an afternoon trip down on Tuesday so that Wednesday morning, there could be the visits to the IRS.

Tuesday, April 22 a group of us headed down to Cardston from Calgary to stay the night. Across from the gas station stood an older building we found out was the Blood Indian Hospital. James immediately took some medicine and walked over the road to it. He heard babies crying. There were many other strange stories associated with that building that was told to us over the course of the night.



Former Blood Indian Hospital. Photo credit to Parks Canada

General view of the Blood Indian Hospital, showing the flat-roofed two-storey rectangular form, 1990.

Santé Canada / Health Canada, 1990

At the gas station, we were greeted by amazing hosts that were kind enough to feed us, sing original songs, have conversation and a warm place to sleep. I couldn't believe how hard the wind was hitting us through the night and how happy the kids were to play together!

The next morning came so quick. On Wednesday, April 23, 2014 James met up with a local Elder at St. Paul's IRS. One of the kids and James seen the image of a nun in the window. There were many young presences felt. He encouraged the kids to stay behind while he, with medicine, and the Elder walked around the ground. James has the gift of being able to talk to the spirits. He spoke to the children spirits to take them home, back to their families waiting for them.

While he was doing his work, I left some tobacco, prayed and took a rock. We were told a few different stories of encounters of these grounds. I hope there will be less activity now that James has been there.



St. Paul's Indian Residential School.

Next we off to St. Mary's with the wind still howling. While James and the Elder went around those grounds, one of our group told stories about not being allowed to go to the cemetery in the back. So much unresolved activity. She also told us of the importance of binds or drapes over windows at night, leaving us to question why the wind was blowing so hard at night. Again, I left some tobacco, prayed and took a rock hoping that James' work will help bring some spirits home. 


Former Indian Residential School, St. Mary's. (This photo was not taken April 23 but on Feb. 7/14)

Even though we had some breakfast from our wonderful hosts, we went into town for a brunch to fill up the kids for the ride home. We had wonderful conversations, and a few other stops before we were on our way. Just before we left, we were given water willow sticks for protection of our homes. There more exchanges of gifts that were nothing short of beautiful moments. After lots of hugs, we were on the road again to Calgary.

We made one more short stop to the Big Rock in Okotoks. James sang as we drummed. I left some tobacco for the moment and day. I felt much stronger after that.

I can't seem to put into words the gravity of his work. Is there a way to quantify or verbalize the gift of a person releasing trapped spirits here on Canadian soil, a legacy of our colonized history, to the next place of where they are meant to go? Very few of us use our knowledge in this way that James is doing. His work alone is helping the road of healing and recovery in our dark history. When we talk about truth and reconciliation, we need to start with K-12 programs nationally. Here is James, already working on a level there can not really be political interfered on. There are just somethings that can not have total government involvement in and spiritual peace and healing is one of them. Can you feel the depth of that? I wish I was a literary samurai that could use words to describe the magnitude of that work he is doing..

Pray for James. He is so humble, he would not ask for it. He needs our support, love, courage and strength. My hope is you will follow James and his journey. Tell your friends about him.

Spread the word

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Chi Miigwetch ~ Thank You

First Nations Education Act launch day at Kainai High School, Blood Reservation, Alberta

First Nations Education Act (FNEA) launch day at 
Kainai High School, Blood Reservation, Alberta
Feb. 7/14

 I am a Yellowknife Dene born in Treaty 7. My mother was from Yellowknife. I have status under the imposed Indian Act. I live in the urban setting of Calgary and traveled out three hours each way to see this historic event. Let's start by acknowledging this event happened in Treaty 7 Territory of the Blood Reserve which is the Kainai Nation, at the Kainai High School. I have heard two ways to pronounce Kainai: ken-eye or G-ai-nah. This gentleman explains it well here. A huge thank you  to the Kainai Nation for hosting and opening up for this public event.

When we took the directions from the official press release of the PMO, I posted on Facebook that if these are not right, to please text me. I had the support of a former resident of the Kainai, Kimberly Wesealfat on the phone when I came to barriers, which I did face and had her help getting through. I wore a Liberal Party of Canada lanyard and card around my neck and wondered if that would help or hinder me. I told my daughter I worried we wouldn't be allowed in. I didn't say that it was because all the registered First Nations are on a RCMP watch list here, here, here, here, here and can not seem to find the 3.1 billion dollars it took to carry it out, but I was thinking it. I didn't want to scare her so I said, "because I'm a Liberal." She said that I need to take that off then, LOL! I wish it was that easy, LOL! (However, I'm sure many people would agree with her, take that shit off, LOL!) While I do chuckle, the truth is, that concept of conforming when it's not right, is not funny and a piece of me wished I taught that better to her.

There was two line ups. One for invited guests, which I was not, and the public. We all had to show picture ID or we would not be allowed in. (As some people may know, not only is that a violation of rights but a barrier for some First Nations.) Some people showed their Indian Act imposed status card. (Some people mistakenly call it a Treaty card which I'll blog about later.) I showed my drivers. We all got wanded and our purses checked. I told my daughter they are not allowed to touch her and to stay close which she said scared her that this situation was happening. We were told to wear blue dots on our hearts and went into a different room than the invited guests. At least we got in! I heard others say people were turned away shortly after we got in. Some people made placards with messages that were taken away.

I do like to take pictures and videos and I did. So this video here is just of my daughter and I listening to the events. We found a few faces we knew, like Professor Anthony Hall from the University of Lethbridge, so we set up shop. You can see the agents watching over us, creating tension. My daughter was bored at this point so off to the washroom we go. This was actually my highlight because there were some girls in their regalia playing around. You have to hear a jingle dress to understand how sweet, adorable and innocent it is to watch and hear a jingle dress play hide and seek. It's impossible because of the noise but when you're little, it`s so sweet and just fun. Also, the ribbon was sticking out of the lockers so as a by-stander, it was the sweetest thing in the world to witness. (Thank you ladies for being my highlight!)

It just went downhill from there. The new Indian Affairs minister spoke glowingly of  predecessors. To me, this is the supreme position of managing apartheid so that anyone would willingly and eagerly take that position makes me feel nauseous. The highlight of the speech was when Shannon Houle of Treaty 6 courageously spoke of the people of nations NOT agreeing to this, not being consulted and that we object. In the feast room, this was the reaction and we supported her with cheers which no media outlet reported as far as I seen at the time when this blog was created. Not too much after that moment so we just waited and waited for the speeches to end. Shawn Atleo spoke so well of the FNEA and wanted to mark it with this ceremony so I was left wondering why he didn't have this whole production and the paddle signing ceremony in his territory. I felt very disillusioned with the AFN at that point.

To people who may not understand, Shawn Atleo is National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Canada. There are two kinds of chiefs. One is one of the people that speaks on behalf the consensus of their nation. The other kind is an indian act chief that does what the Indian Affairs ministers mandate. To be fair to indian act chiefs, if they don't play along, their nations get less funding. It is perfectly working apartheid, discrimination and pain in the communities. I would also argue that most Canadians see this in their own politicians, which is why there is so much political apathy. When we see party infighting, it's akin to the lateral violence we see in First Nation communities, people attacking each other over political ideology. First Nations don't have political parties though. They have the indian act that dictates their actions so they don't get to make decisions like other municipalities do. You either work with the dictatorship of the indian act or you receive less. That has caused so much friction in the First Nation communities. So when I say I was disillusioned with the AFN, I mean I have to question now if the AFN is just a support group for indian act chiefs or does it represent the people? At this point, I don't think the voice of the people is being heard, even after Idle No More. His words hurt the spirit of reconciliation in trying to appease Harper`s new bill.

Now, back to lateral violence, the first thing that happened after the official ceremonies ended was the MC talking to the crowd in the feast area. Right away there was a lateral violent joke made about Shannon Houle's action to speak out. The crowd was unhappy with the joke. You can view the video here. Then in the language of the Blackfoot, we were told not to cause trouble.

For people who may not understand why there is so much gravity to this, I reference back to Shawn Atleo's speech where in residential schools, tongues were pricked when their own language was said. There were beatings for not conforming. First Nations through residential schools and through the indian act have been taught to conform or else. The law was you hand over your kid to residential schools or go to jail. The media and history books paint anyone of First Nation descent in a negative way, rather than as a martyr for standing up for civil liberties, rights and freedoms. Louis Riel was hanged for this and many of the history books talk about him as a traitor because he stood against the slaughter of the Metis and indigenous people of this land. So that is why when you see the next videos why people didn't do more. It pains me to read people say "well, they must have done something to "deserve" that" as victim blaming is rampant in a colonized society. Until our truths come out, there just can't be reconciliation until there is more understanding of this bigger picture.

So there had been some length of time from when the MC said that joke to when one of the crowd and her daughter were asked to leave. Video I am only assuming she was being targeted because of the lateral violent joke that was said and her being singled out, a reminder for the First Nations, if you don't behave, this is what happens to you. Shortly after that, her other 17 year old is removed. Video I am not too sure in this video why they were asked to go but I took this video of others being told to leave. Video This is incredibly embarrassing for everyone. The people used to remove the women were The Brave Dog Society who are supposed to protect the people from the Government of Canada`s people.

The Government of Canada agents watching over us this entire time, the stops at the door, just can created this awful, avoidable tension. However, conformity is taught and valued in a colonized state so that is why no one dared stepped in and the colonizers excuse people who do this as "they are just doing a job." That job has a long history of oppression here in Canada and I wish people would lose that shiny image of the Mounties and government agents.

So, after they got rid of those they deemed to be troublemakers, the media came in. Shortly after, The Grand Entry began. I noted it began with the colonizers flags first. From there it was nice to watch the drummers and dancers. I was given food and was grateful to have something to eat too. (Thank you to those caterers that gave food to the public.) The last people in our section that did not leave to being forced out, did silently hold up Stop Harper signs which they were escorted out. Video

Shortly after that, we left when the dancers came over to eat. I did go to the washroom and was told that the girls being told to leave were identified as Idle No More. The same person told me that they should be able to peacefully protest. The truth was, they were not protesting and were just targeted for speaking out against a lateral violent joke. It also shows that people in the office were being told lies of what was happening.

This is not reconciliation.

So I hope there is a bit of perspective of what it was like to be at this event launch. Thank you for reading and watching my videos.

I smell... votes from freedom loving Canadians!

Since the last blog, it turns out Stephen Harper has decided to prorogue parliament, again, causing 19 Bills to die along side study committee's and standing committee's. I don't know about you but as a tax payer that knows how much time, energy and our dime goes into each, I was pretty miffed. I also think it's a horrible decision to prorogue parliament at weeks on end because it gives a bad example to other commonwealth nations. (Fitting on the night of Globalfest devoted to Britain.) No other PM has used prorogation like this. It's mainly used as a parliamentary procedure to reset the parliament to move forward, a few days at the most.

Now the bright side? Many! First, Sophie and Justin are expecting a third! (I don't care what the politics, I celebrate babies!)

Next, the Liberals at Globalfest in Calgary East, Elliston Park again tonight!

We had a great night. I am celebrating going through all my first batch of Justin Trudeau buttons, and have more to give for the next two evenings at Globalfest. It was quite a bit windy and chilly but it only happens once in a blue moon! (For real, people were asking us where they could get blankets.) We did have some great pictures of the fireworks with the blue moon in the shots.

Talked to many Liberals that just seem a bit afraid to say they are a Liberal in the heart of Tory town. One lady in particular came from out east but votes Liberal every election. I find when I tell people my story, there is a change of heart. In this case, this woman even put her button on the outside of her Westjet jacket which made me happy.

I'm born and raised Albertan. So why am I a Liberal? Well, I actually identify as a libertarian. However, I'm not racist, sexist nor homophobic so many of the so-called official libertarian political groups I don't support because I see their leaders acting in any way that clearly oppresses a group of people in some way. I have a maple leaf tattoo and have been thinking about getting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms done too because I believe in those rights and freedoms. (Actually, I don't think the government has the right, law or not, to "give" us those rights in the first place but thankfully, Peter Lougheed and Pierre Elliott Trudeau did make the document.) So, Harper campaigned on accountability, transparency and many other things that sounded great. However, I just didn't feel like he was trustworthy because of the rumours of his Christian Fundamentalism, and abortion stances. (Again, I'm a libertarian and can't understand why anyone thinks controlling my reproductive rights is ok. It's my body and no one else's business regardless of YOUR religious beliefs.) But the biggest red flag for me was the talk about allowing self governance for First Nations. Most Cdns don't understand the gravity of that statement because understandably they haven't been told the whole story of why First Nations don't have self governance in the first place and have been told spin. (I grew up in Alberta, remember?) Not too many people have taken the time to actually read the Indian Act. So changing the way the governance system works means either overhauling the Indian Act or even making new treaties, despite the fact the original treaties weren't lived up to. Experiencing racism my entire life, I'm well aware of what the average settler Christian Albertan thinks of First Nations and it's based on ideas that are easily shown to be the opposite of what they think. (Again, most people don't read the Indian Act. I'm pretty sure they would be shocked if they did.) So I was very wary of this idea of self governance knowing how there is a long history of First Nations getting the short end of the stick on government negotiations. The fact was, the Kelowna Accord was a great step forward towards equality yet Harper opposed it. So I didn't trust what his idea of self governance was going to look like.

So, during the election, I met all the candidates running, except my actual MP as I just never could see him during the campaign. (Funny how that works in Alberta.. I can never seem to meet any prominent Conservative. Why is that?) I immediately connected with the Liberal candidate and started to volunteer right away, again, knowing the Kelowna Accord was something worth fighting for. 

So back to Globalfest, I tell people that Harper campaigned on elimination of the gun registry because of possible misuse of the registry that would target gun owners. I'm a former small bore rifle instructor and believe that properly trained individuals should be able to use firearms so THAT concept made a lot of sense to me considering how I was seeing how other government agencies were using registries in an inappropriate way. (The cannabis registry and other Health Canada initiatives seemed to be targeting people who were trying to follow the letter of the law.) These are libertarian senses tingling here. So imagine how I felt when found how a registry for our Natives was used? Documents came out in 2011showing that Harper started monitoring First Nations in 2006 using The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). So, by just being born a full status Dene, I'm on a monitoring list accessible by the government through INAC. Imagine how that affects my libertarian senses? Actually the story I tell shocks many people, even the kind, self-identified Conservative supporters that stopped at the booth to grab a button. (Did I mention we went through our first batch of Justin Trudeau buttons? Happy dance!) I get to speak up by wearing a Liberal badge so I do. And my story helps other people wear their Liberal buttons proudly because they hold my values of not discriminating specific targeted groups.

Now another targeted group is medicinal cannabis users. Now they can't grow their own product despite needing this product. Growing a plant is not allowed? Libertarian nor not, does that make logical sense at all? In Alberta, the settler dogma is strong. The settlers coming to Alberta, had to be self sufficient, clearing land, growing their food, and hard work earned the name of a responsible Albertan. (Fitting to be at Elliston Park, a park named after prominent settlers, to celebrate fireworks. A name, which Calgary East Federal Liberals submitted to Elections Canada when the boundary changes occur in the next months.) Yet, now, you can't grow a plant in your home, after you worked your whole life and now need the medicine? It's a joke of government intrusion, unless of course, you support big government Mr. Harper. ((wink)) So I've teamed up with our local 420 cannabis group. Two members are going to be helping in the tent on Thursday as they are strong advocates for medicinal use. (I'm fighting this fight now while I'm healthy because when I get sick, I want to use my energy to get better. That and I think it's wrong for the government to tell me or you what freedom we can and cannot enjoy.) We are going to host the local 420 group at our series: Desirable Future on the 18th to discuss the issues around cannabis and develop a policy that works for Calgary East, building on the  Which brings me to title of this blog.. When the sun goes down, I smell votes from freedom loving Canadians!

Globalfest hosts around 18,000 to 20,000 people a night. Check out more of the crowd gathering while the sun is still up:

Britain's fireworks, kicked off with God Save the Queen:

Great songs too, Adele's Set Fire to the Rain and Paul Potts.

I can't stress how great the staff at Globalfest are. They have worked with us when they didn't need to, whether it was meeting their deadline or help with questions, they have been there. However, imagine my surprise to get Nikki Macaraeg, one of the full time Globalfest employee's to physically help me set up my tent when I got there. (I didn't even recognize her at first because of sunglasses, etc.) We even moved a bit closer to the other political tents because of a move by another vendor. Just all worked out fantastically. I just can't tell people how easy and great it's been organizing this event myself. They even have a cargo box so we don't have to haul our stuff to and from the parking lot like we did previous years. It just makes set up and tear down so much easier that I could actually enjoy the fireworks with my family. Thank you Globalfest! Thank you Nikki! 

Thank you Reg for helping in the tent! Thank you Wendy from LPCA and thank you LPC for making this possible. 

Thank YOU for reading my blog!

New to politics? There is support!

Hello everyone. I'm in Calgary East: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liberal-Party-of-Canada-Calgary-East/189158167835740 (Deepak Ohbrai is our mp, in one of the ridings with the lowest voter turn out's nationally.)

Earlier this spring, we asked the presidents of the local EDA's and the provincial president Wendy Butler for assistance to attend our local fireworks festival that brings in between 18-20,000 people a night. (Previously we had been able to have a fundraiser that gave us the money to do this but we couldn't do it this year.) At a meeting we had, Brian G. Rice had encouraged to try again when we didn't hear back right away. Sure enough, Wendy got us the funding and we had our first night last night for the third or fourth year now and we'll continue to be there for the rest of the festival. Both national and the LPCA helped us get banners, lit and tattoos to give to others. We are promoting an event series as well which was planned to do outreach to our community for policy submission. Ben Howe helped us develop an on-line survey http://calgaryeast.liberal.ca/survey/171/ for those who couldn't attend our event. https://www.facebook.com/events/644975205515428/

We always get some great stories from the tent. Last night, I was so honoured to have a firefighter come to my Liberal tent last night and tell me about the pro-firefighter private members bill that was a no-brainer to pass but apparently Harper executive ordered it not to be presented in the House, pissing off the Firefighters and their unions.

We smell cannabis every night at Globalfest, LOL! (I don't want to make light of the seriousness of this issue though as we have many medicinal users that are being targeted and mistreated.) I was able to get to many cannabis supporters which is encouraging we are on the right track. (We have the local 420 group coming to our series on the 18th which many cannabis supporters were happy about.)

So over the last month, I've had a ton of help from people all over the country. I feel very supported and hope this helps raise the Liberals profile locally. We see Deepak every year and it was great to remind him that the Liberals are always there to keep him transparent. (Like a bee in his butt, LOL!) I sweated last night setting up and tearing down the tent, along with two other volunteers, our policy chair, and the President of the Young Liberals at the U of C, so the slogan so "hope and hard work" does apply, LOL!

I am very grateful for the help and support for new presidents like myself face. Just thought I'd share.