The national shame of aboriginal incarceration

The national shame of aboriginal incarceration

The Globe & Mail

July, 20, 2011

Highlights:

"Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, says first nations children are more likely to go to jail than to graduate from high school. Shocking indeed, but true. In its Throne Speech, the Harper government renewed its commitment to aboriginals. Yet, during the federal election campaign, there was hardly a mention by any party leader of the plight of first nations peoples and the destitute social and economic conditions in which they continue to live.

Federal correctional investigator Howard Sapers, in his 2009 report, says that the gap between aboriginal and non-aboriginal offenders continues to grow and that the rate for aboriginal incarceration in 2008 was nine times the national average. This gap will widen and these numbers will increase with the Harper government's proposed crime bill. The ugly reality is that aboriginals will be especially hard hit by this legislation."

Mi'kmaq Scalp Bounty -- it's waaaaaaaaaaay past time to repeal this outrage that is STILL on the books!

So, this isn't a local story, and it's not a story about poverty (per se), but I was completely astounded to hear this on CBC radio over my Sunday morning coffee, and because this blog is also about accessing justice, I hope you won't mind me writing this post.

According to the news story, the 250 year old bounty on Mi'kmaq scalps remains on the law books in Nova Scotia.

The bounty offered:

"And, we do hereby promise, by and with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council, a reward of 30£ for every male Indian Prisoner, above the age of sixteen years, brought in alive; or for a scalp of such male Indian twenty-five pounds, and twenty-five pounds for every Indian woman or child brought in alive: Such rewards to be paid by the Officer commanding at any of His Majesty's Forts in this Province, immediately on receiving the Prisoners or Scalps above mentioned, according to the intent and meaning of this Proclamation."

This proclamation is still on the books and the Canadian government has steadfastly refused to rescind it.

From the Halifax Chronicle Herald: Like Scrooge, Halifax can control its future


From a 1999 (!?!?!?!?!?!) News Release from Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs : Canada must repeal scalping order against "Indians"

From a 2000 CBC News story: 200-year old scalp law still on Nova Scotia books

Here's some history: http://www.danielnpaul.com/BritishScalpProclamation-1756.html

And some more background: http://www.mediacoop.ca/blog/max-haiven/7577

Anti-Hate Resources in London : Police-reported hate crimes up 42 per cent in 2009

The highlights:

"Because not all victims come forward to police, StatsCan said the 2009 police-reported total "likely undercuts" the true number of hate crimes that occurred across the country that year.

Statistics Canada said 54 per cent of the hate crimes reported to police in 2009 were motivated by race or ethnicity, which was more than cases in which victims were targeted because of their religion (29 per cent) or sexual orientation (13 per cent).

Four in 10 police-reported hate crimes were violent in nature, while 54 per cent involved mischief offences, such as graffiti or vandalism."

Here's a link to the full article.

LUSO Community Services offers programs to community groups, organizations and schools to address issues of racism, bullying, hate and bias activity and discrimination. 

London Police Service Youth Crime Unit are responsible for the investigation of hate-motivated crimes. These officers liaise regularly with community organizations, including the London Urban Alliance, in their efforts to eradicate hate-crime. The philosophy of the Unit has been to thoroughly investigate all reports of hate-motivated crime, with the understanding that even seemingly isolated incidents of criminal activity can have broader implications for the community at large.

Anti-Hate, Anti-Bias Hotline The Hate Helpline is a confidential service that offers support in the form of informationfi dential service that offers support in the form of information and referrals to people who have experienced or witnessed hate-motivated activity, bias, or discrimination due to factors such as gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion, ethnicity, family status, and race. If you or someone you know has experienced prejudice or hate, please call the Hate Helpline to make a report and/or access support.
Hate Helpline: (519) 951-1584

London’s Diversity and Race Relations Advisory Committee (LDRRAC) is dedicated to making London an inclusive, safe, and equitable community for the benefit of all community members. As a committee of individuals appointed by City Council, to provide leadership on matters related to diversity, inclusivity, equity and the elimination of discrimination in the City of London.

Aboriginal Affairs: A new name with an uncertain meaning

Aboriginal Affairs: A new name with an uncertain meaning

Globe & Mail

May 18, 2011

Briefly:

Of all the repositioning unveiled in the Harper cabinet shuffle, none may have such lasting consequences as a simple name change.

The department that had been called "Indian Affairs" since before Confederation has been rebranded as "Aboriginal Affairs."

At first glance, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's reclassification appears to be in keeping with prevailing moves toward political correctness: replacing a label that doesn't have much relevance any more with one more widely accepted. "Indian" is dated, in much the same way as Inuit are no longer called Eskimos. But there is power in naming. The semantic shift could have all sorts of consequences for native people from the laws governing their treatment, the services they get, and even their identities.

Minister's title change worries First Nations

Winnepeg Free Press

May 19, 2011

Aboriginal leaders buoyed by stronger cabinet voice, but puzzled by name change
The Canadian Press

May 18, 2011