[homeles_ot-l] Fw: Say no to Aboriginal Day Hate Crimes - Dites non aux crimes haineux de la Journée des Autochtones

Fri Jun 22 16:02:33 EDT 2007

Happy Aboriginal Day!!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Nikki Maier 
To: internalall at wabano.com 
Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 3:44 PM
Subject: FW: Say no to Aboriginal Day Hate Crimes - Dites non aux crimes haineux de la Journée des Autochtones

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From: Suzanne Doerge [mailto:sdoerge at cawi-ivtf.org] 
Sent: June 22, 2007 12:36 PM
To: 'Suzanne Doerge'
Subject: Say no to Aboriginal Day Hate Crimes - Dites non aux crimes haineux de la Journée des Autochtones
Importance: High

Say no to Aboriginal Day Hate Crimes

(la version français suit)

City for All Women Initiative wishes to express our deep sorrow for the hate crime experienced by the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community on National Aboriginal Day (see details below French text).  Though this act took place near Maniwaki, Quebec, we recognize that such senseless acts affect Aboriginal women and men everywhere, and can be a wake up call to us here in Ottawa on how far we need to go as a society to get it right.

We stand with the Aboriginal community in this difficult time while calling on the City of Ottawa to continue its efforts to develop the cultural capacity to work effectively with First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in our city so that the culture and dignity of Aboriginal peoples is fully recognized and valued.

      To demonstrate your solidarity, you can support the National Day of Action on Friday, June 29th 2007. This is an opportunity for First Nations and all Canadians to stand together in support of a better life for First Nations citizens and a stronger, harmonious Canada. National Chief Phil Fontaine will give voice to First Nations CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND ELDERS who will be leading our March of Solidarity.

      The March will start at 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 29th from Ottawa City Hall (Festival Plaza) at 110 Laurier Avenue West to Victoria Island, traditional land of the Algonquin Nation.

Dites non aux crimes haineux de la Journée des Autochtones

Initiative : une ville pour toutes les femmes désire exprimer son profond chagrin à la suite du crime haineux dont a été victime la communauté de Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg lors de la Journée des Autochtones (voir les détails ci-dessous). Même si cet événement s'est produit près de Maniwaki (Québec), nous reconnaissons que des actes aussi insensés affectent les femmes et les hommes autochtones de partout, et que ceci pourrait nous servir de « réveil », ici à Ottawa.

Nous appuyons la communauté autochtone pendant cette période difficile, tout en invitant la Ville d'Ottawa à continuer ses efforts pour développer une capacité culturelle à travailler d'une façon efficace avec les Premières nations, les Inuit et les Métis dans notre ville, afin que la culture et la dignité des peuples autochtones soient pleinement reconnues et estimées.

      Si vous voulez manifester votre solidarité, vous pouvez épauler la Journée nationale d'action le vendredi 29 juin 2007. Ce sera une occasion pour les Premières nations et tous les Canadiens et Canadiennes de se tenir côte à côte en appui d'une meilleure vie pour les Premières nations et d'un Canada plus fort et harmonieux. Le Chef national Phil Fontaine prêtera sa voix aux ENFANTS, JEUNES ET AÎNÉS des Premières nations, qui mèneront la Marche de solidarité.

      La marche partira à midi, le vendredi 29 juin, de la place des Festivals de l'Hôtel de Ville (110, avenue Laurier Ouest) et se dirigera vers l'île Victoria, terre ancestrale de la nation algonquine.

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Greetings to all,

On this day when we are to celebration the great and rich heritage and culture of the aboriginal peoples, we, the members of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Algonquin First Nations, have become victims of a hate crime. I am deeply sadden by this - I have no words to describe the sorrow that my spirit and heart are carrying at this moment.  My heart is wounded, but my spirit is not broken.  I appeal to you for help. 

As a community member, as a mother, as a grandmother, to you my brothers and sisters in culture and spirit, I am seeking your help - sometime during the night, my community, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg has become the victim of a hate crime, our Cultural Centre has been vandalized, with huge black paint swatzika signs and with the wording "White Power" written completely around the entire building, furthermore, picnic tables and tents have been destroyed. Just as our community was preparing for its aboriginal day celebration today, there is no celebration, our community is in tears, and I must say that this heinous crime also raises the issue of our safety and security of our people, our community. 

Please, I am asking you as brothers and sisters, to get this message out to media, to the public. This crime must be reported to the public.  We need the media's attention on this devastating situation! We need public attention and support. If you have further questions, you may contact the Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre directly at 819-441-1655, and ask for Slyvia, Anita, Rene or Gilbert, or you may contact me at 613-728-5999. 

I Thank You for your attention to this message and for any help you can provide.

Claudette D. Commanda  

Kitigan Zibi Algonquin Anishinabeg 

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