SOMETHING HAPPENING IN INDIGENOUS COUNTRY?

 Author: Bill Lee

Toronto march in solidarity with Standing Rock, November 5, 2016

- Photo: Barbra Nahwegahbow

There may be something going on in the Indigenous anti-Colonial social justice struggle. Indigenous friends and students and other social justice campaigners seem to think maybe. It seems to me there is and it involves not only the various actions we are seeing (we'll get to those in a minute) but a significant analysis, determination, sophistication and discipline with which they are being carried out.     Maybe it is just me, but are not more and more Indigenous people and their allies refusing to accept statements of good intentions from corporate and government leaders? Are there not a number of significant resistant actions going on these days? Of course the big news, though until recently rather under reported in the corporate media), is the resistance at Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the standing up against the ridiculous attempt by the company Energy Transfer Partners

to put yet another potentially leaky and thus polluting pipeline under the Missouri river up river from where the community is situated. That is good news on its own, the preparedness of Indigenous people to take direct action to protect their lands, not only for ecological reasons but to protect those that are sacred sites from being violated. But it doesn't end there, Indigenous people from literally all over the world and their allies are joining them in their resistance, some coming to take a direct part and others mounting acts of solidarity in various places (see picture from a recent Toronto action). As well, all sorts of non Indigenous allies are taking action in their own localities to draw attention to the struggle. They understand the concept "Mni Wiconi" (Water is Life) that has become the rally cry of the resistance. Some are even joining the people at the camps where the water protectors are stationing themselves. And some celebrities like Mark Ruffalo have joined the people.
     Two important things should be made clear here. First they are obviously taking on corporate interests (Energy Transfer Partners is backed by powerful financial interest, like Wells Fargo and City Bank) and power. If we want to get a good sense of the leading 21st century colonialism we need look no further than Standing Rock. The corporations have brought not only their own private security force but the power of the state, police (the state of Ohio has sent state troopers to shore up the aggression) and national guard. And they are using much of their fire power, rubber bullets, mace, pepper spray and water cannons for example. Second, these Indigenous people at Standing Rock are serious and thoughtful actors; they are clearly in it for the long haul, well organized and disciplined. This is what is required in any attempt to confront and disrupt the capitalistic colonial system that is bent on making profit on the backs of Indigenous people.
    Now let's consider some of what's been going on in Canada. One would have to have been living in a cave not to hear or read something about some serious action here. First we have had had the movement, led by Cyndy Blackstock, of exposing and demanding change to the colonial practices of the various child welfare systems in Canada, the systems that continued the legacy of the residential school evil by separating children from their families and communities. The Harper government sic'd the Mounties onto Blackstock, but she was simply too smart and too tough for them. Her movement has only become stronger.
    Another important focus of action is The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. It should be remembered however that this initiative only came about after a major push by Indigenous groups, primarily women and allies. The Harper government was dead set against it and even after the election of the Liberals they had to keep up the pressure. The commission proponents did not have to face the same kind of government police state tactics but it was a long slog and its arrival is, like the struggle on the issue of children in care, represents the importance of well organized, sustained pressure.
    Obviously the two examples are not of direct action. However, it is not so long ago that Idle No More grabbed attention with a wide array of actions, some of them disruptive, aimed at bring focus to the colonial relationship between Indigenous people and the Canadian state. And certainly with Oka in Quebec, Burnt Church in New Brunswick, Gustafson Lake in BC, the Ipperwash Provincial Park action in Ontario and the more recent Idle No More initiatives that occurred across Canada, there are lots of recent historical examples that offer inspiration for Indigenous people to draw upon. And, action does not always have to be direct. Indigenous groups have had a fair amount of success in the courts over the last decade.
    I don't know if there is a critical mass yet, but Indigenous people are forcing the Canadian state to confront the 60's Scoop, that extension of the residential school strategy to weaken Indigenous communities and identity. It is also interesting to see the different groups in Canada, USA, Mexico and Australia (probably I'm overlooking some place) challenging the colonial status quo. I'll be very surprised if the Standing Rock resistance dies down soon (unless there is some positive Presidential action after the election) and there is the real potential for a lot of resistance on the various pipelines likely in this country. Last Thursday I heard a Six Nations Chief opine that in Canada, with the various pipeline proposals might face "dozens of Standing Rock situations". Most if not all of the Canadian pipeline possibilities would draw a good deal of resistance not only from the usual array of Indigenous and ally groups but from local people fearing for their safety and the ecological movement in general. A recent article from the CBC noted "Pipeline activism is rising and Kinder Morgan knows it. I'd be naive if I didn't expect that,' CEO Ian Anderson told reporters". (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tmx-kindermorgan-bc-oilpatch-pipeline-standing-rock-1.3836489).
    So, is there a critical mass developing. Though I cannot be sure, I am going to suggest to my students in Indigenous community organizations’ classes to pay close attention.