Water is a Human Right: Protecting the Antler River

London Council of Canadians Meeting 
March 30, 2016 

 “Water is a Human Right: 
          Protecting the Antler River” 


Blog by Michael Loebach

Chief Leslee Whiteye 
Chippewas of the Thames First Nation 

Chief Whiteye gave her thoughts on the impact of water as essential to all life. Her nation is downstream from London and wishes to act on water issues, but it seeks to develop relationships with the various entities in the stream, as no one can work on this alone, and actions of the different entities impact others in the stream. Complacency is a problem; thinking someone else will take care of this; the results can show as in Flint, Michigan. The different users of water for fishing, recreation, and industry, both in First Nations areas and in urban areas, must consider the impact on safety and the future, of their use of the water, and be accountable for their impact. Recently, her nation has joined with two other local ones to work together with the City of London to develop a policy with respect to sustainable water use. This is how her ancestors did things with neighboring nations in the past. Water’s well-being is critical to our social, cultural and spiritual well-being. Her hope is that the process with the city will be respectful, not just picking sides, as that leads to litigation, costs, and no results; give and take is needed. Her nation respects the municipal structures but needs to be consulted, and the two entities need to problem solve together and to combat complacency and not leave the issue to industry. 


Grandmother Irene Peters 
Munsee Delaware First Nation 

Grandmother Irene described herself as a Great Lakes Water Walker of the Turtle Clan. She said that she did not want to talk negatively, but that water had to be respected and looked after and not have garbage thrown in. The water is a living spirit; life must be respected; no one should take away life, least of all their own; they need to wait to be called. She had a stroke and felt it was her time, but then she saw that she was not being called. She looked to water to heal, going to a sweat lodge to throw water over hot rocks, to connect with her grandparents, to pray, to heal, and to look for help from the water spirit. She drank water to heal from her stroke and to rehabilitate. In the full moon ceremony there is a connection to grandmother moon, who needs to be trusted, who regulates water, looking to women to purify, and to learn; and to grandfather fire to which all goes to life. The young must learn to respect puberty and menstruation and must learn that water is essential to birth and comes before the baby. She tried to join the Water Walker, Grandmother Josephine Mandamin, in her walk around Lake Superior, but she missed her at that time. She then joined her later to walk around other Great Lakes. She learned how water heals; a doctor had given up on life for a baby, but the baby was brought to the water on the walk, and was healed. An older man with a leg problem (he had been hit by a truck) came and was healed, as he believed water could heal. 


Steve Sauder 
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority 

Steve spoke of the Thames River, which has various names, including Antler River. He spoke of his youth when he was curious about nature and spent time at a farm in the countryside and at an outdoor school. Recently he had the opportunity to go to Belize and explored nature, found 115 species of plant and animal life new to him, and was able to connect to nature. He spoke of a 16 year old who was hired by the Authority, who had no formal training in nature, but stood out for his love of nature; he is Scott Dillingwater, and he is now a world-renowned expert on turtles. Scott has headed a project of reproduction of soft shell turtles, which has taken 15 years of work; this year they were able to release 4,000 baby turtles into the river, the survival of which is a strong indicator of river health. Habitat is crucial; they saw that the Avon River banks were barren; there were no tree or plant buffers, but after restoring these they now see brook trout. Wetlands need to be restored, and phosphorous management needs to be more strongly emphasized. They are working on projects in Glen Cairn and Ingersoll. He then showed a video on Scott Dillingwater, which showed soft  shell turtle nests and the release of baby turtles into the river. 


Tom Cull 
Thames River Rally 

Tom spoke about Thames River Rally, a project he started in 2012 with his partner, Miriam, who decided to do a clean up of the river in the Carfrae Park area; in the first year of this project, on the first day they got only one further participant; but with ongoing efforts and a newspaper article, the project has gone on for 5 years, and hundreds have been involved in various cleanup projects in the city. They have learned the links between the environment and social issues, such as poverty, homelessness and addiction, and they see that a strong river leads to a strong community. They have partnered with London Cares, an addiction control agency, and have placed needle bins in many areas, which get up to 4,000 needles per week thrown into them instead of into the river or on the banks. They have, for now, discarded the idea of forming a charity as they see it as too much paperwork, and they prefer using their energy and resources on direct action, in cleanup efforts. They are pursuing a dialogue with first nations and community health organizations. 


Scott Howe 
Grade 8 teacher 
Thames Valley District School Board 

Scott related his experiences with his grade 8 class, which developed Taps On/Taps Off research projects in art, science and math classes, and so became excited and motivated about water issues. At first, the purpose of Taps Off was to advocate shorter showers; then they got interested in broader issues, including the election, the Paris climate summit, and they also learned about First Nations problems with water, in which they had to turn their taps off because of pollution; they learned that the government said it would take ten years to fix, so they did research on the origins of the situation and why it might take that long. They researched the town of Alvinston, Ontario, where there was a water scare, and went to London city hall and spoke to staff for 70 minutes on water issues. They have also contacted David Suzuki to hear what he has to say about solutions to the climate problem. 


Bryan Smith 
OPAL (Oxford People Against the Landfill) 

Bryan spoke about the proposal to put mid-level Toronto garbage into a depleted limestone quarry near Ingersoll. This is an upstream problem (for London) which affects water in the air, on the surface and in the ground. The goals of OPAL are: a) to stop the dump; b) to get the city of Toronto to change its garbage shipment plan. They have held “trashapalooza” events, which are an exchange of used items to prevent them from being put into the garbage stream. 


Question and Answer Session 

Steve Sauder was asked about farm runoff and said that it was getting better and that bigger farms did not necessarily do worse on this. He was asked about phosphorous and said that testing was most important and useful and had to be done right. 

Chief Whiteye spoke about the ongoing efforts to get a friendship agreement between the City of London and First Nations. 

Mark Drewe, our videographer for this event, spoke about his group, which is planning a London-to-Lake St. Clair canoe and kayak trip down the Thames, and stated that Rogers has agreed to do a documentary about the trip.


(Photos courtesy of Mark Drewe)

CINEMA POLITICA presents VISIONS OF ABOLITION: 6:30 pm, Monday Jan. 9, 2015

VISIONS OF ABOLITION: 
From Critical Resistance to a New Way of Life

6:30 pm, Monday January 9, 2015

Stevenson and Hunt Room 
London Public Library 

Timed to tie in with the Prisoners' Justice Film Festival, our co-sponsor for this film. 

Giselle Dias, who heads the PJFF, will speak and moderate Q and A.

Doors open 6:00 pm for set-up 

After introductory remarks, the film will start at 7:00 sharp.

Late comers please enter through the door at the back of the room. 

Everyone is welcome! 

This is a FREE event offered by Cinema Politica in parternership with the London Public Library.

FRAGRANCE FREE EVENT! Please be respectful of attendees who have serious allergies! 

Organized by the Solidarity Film Coalition under the auspices of the London Chapter of the Council of Canadians.

Cosponsored by the London Public Library, the Prisoner's Justice Film Festival, L.A.C.A.S.A. and Seeds of Hope, 

Details: 

http://www.cinemapolitica.org/london 

Visions of Abolition is a feature length documentary about the prison industrial complex and the prison abolition movement. 

Part I 
“Breaking down the Prison Industrial Complex” weaves together the voices of women caught in the criminal justice system, and leading scholars of prison abolition, examining the racial and gendered violence of the prison system. Our film features the work of Susan Burton, a formerly incarcerated mother who established A New Way of Life, a group of transition homes for women coming home from prison in South Los Angeles (39 mins). 

Part II 
“Abolition: Past Present and Future,” documents the recent history of the prison abolition movement through the organizing efforts of Critical Resistance and explores the meaning of abolitionist politics. By focusing on the collaboration between Critical Resistance and A New Way of Life, (known as the L.E.A.D. Project) the second half of the film unfolds a vision of abolition in practice (48 mins). 

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

‘Visions of Abolition’ documentary linked to Ontario migrant detentions and crisis at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre In conjunction with the London Public Library (londonpubliclibrary.ca), Cinema Politica London (cinemapolitica.org/london) presents the documentary film Visions of Abolition on Monday February 9, 2015 starting at 7 pm, in the Stevenson and Hunt Room, London Public Library, 251 Dundas St. 

“The reality is that colonialism and racism are still inextricably linked to higher incarceration rates of Indigenous people and People of Colour,” says Giselle Dias of the Prison Justice Film Festival. In the trailer (www.visionsofabolition.org/trailer.html), Angela Davis makes the connections between slavery, indentured servitude, and prisons. “Canadians must also see the links to the over-incarceration rates of Indigenous people to on-going colonization (reserves, residential schools, 1960's scoop and now prisons).” continues Dias. “Our jails (including the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre outside London) are over-crowded and therefore dangerous because we continue to over-incarcerate people with mental health issues, homeless people, poor people, immigrants and refugees and other marginalized populations. We must start putting resources into housing, mental health services, harm reduction, addressing poverty and most importantly stop considering prisons a solution to social problems.” 

Visions of Abolition is a new feature length documentary about the prison industrial complex and the prison abolition movement, in two parts. 

Part I “Breaking down the Prison Industrial Complex” weaves together the voices of women caught in the criminal justice system, and leading scholars of prison abolition, examining the racial and gendered violence of the prison system. Features the work of Susan Burton, a formerly incarcerated mother who established A New Way of Life, a group of transition homes for women coming home from prison in South Los Angeles. 

Part II “Abolition: Past Present and Future,” documents the recent history of the prison abolition movement through the organizing efforts of Critical Resistance and explores the meaning of abolitionist politics. By focusing on the collaboration between Critical Resistance and A New Way of Life, (known as the L.E.A.D. Project) the second half of the film unfolds a vision of abolition in practice. 

Co-sponsored by the Prisoners' Justice Film Festival (prisonjusticefilm.wordpress.com). 

Giselle Dias of the PJFF will be present for a brief moderated Question and Answer session after the film. 

Join us to learn and discuss how our societies could look without prisons, and how communities can resist the Prison Industrial Complex. 

Visions of Abolition will screen in the Stevenson-Hunt rooms (opposite Wolf Hall), London Public Library, 251 Dundas St. 

Doors open at 6:30 pm on Monday February 9. 

Part of a monthly series of screenings by Cinema Politica London in partnership with the London Public Library (see www.cinemapolitica.org/london for details). For information about these screenings, please contact london@cinemapolitica.org or David Heap (djheap@uwo.ca or 519 859 3579). 

For the Prison Justice Film Festival, please contact Giselle Dias (519-282-9291). 

Doors open 6:00 pm for set-up. After introductory remarks, the film will start at 7:00 sharp. Late comers please enter through the door at the back of the room. Everyone is welcome! This is a FREE event offered by Cinema Politica in partnership with the London Public Library. FRAGRANCE FREE EVENT! Please be respectful of attendees who have serious allergies! This film event is free of charge and accessible. 

Underground parking (two hours free) can be validated at the Central Library welcome desk while it is open.

CINEMA POLITICA presents: SILENCE IS GOLD

SILENCE IS GOLD

Monday 
January 12, 2015 London Public Library 
Central Branch 
251 Dundas St. 
Stevenson and Hunt Room 

Doors open 6:00 pm for set-up

After introductory remarks, the film will start at 7:00 sharp. 

Late comers please enter through the door at the back of the room. 

Everyone is welcome! 
This is a FREE event offered by Cinema Politica in parternership with the London Public Library. 

FRAGRANCE FREE EVENT! Please be respectful of attendees who have serious allergies! 

Details: http://www.cinemapolitica.org/london 

After Alain Deneault wrote an exposé of corruption and crime in Africa called Noir Canada, he and his publisher were threatened with a defamation suit by the world’s largest gold mining firm, the Canadian company Barrick Gold. Despite the threat, they still believed public debate was possible, so they decided to proceed with publication. Deneault and his collaborators soon found themselves mired in a legal hell that showed them what 21st-century censorship is all about. For four years, Julien Fréchette patiently followed all the twists and turns of the Noir Canada affair and the debate over strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). This gripping legal thriller sheds light on major issues of concern to us all. (NFB Canada)

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January 5, 2015 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

In conjunction with the London Public Library (londonpubliclibrary.ca), Cinema Politica London (cinemapolitica.org/london) presents the documentary film Silence is Gold, about one of Canada’s largest mining companies attempt to silence an exposé of Canadian mining practices in Africa. 

In 2008 Alain Deneault co-wrote Noir Canada: Pillage, corruption et criminalité, a book highly critical of the Canadian mining industry in Africa. Prior its launch, Noir Canada publishers Les Éditions Écosociété Inc. received a letter from Canadian gold mining giant Barrick Gold, threatening legal action for alleged false information and libel. The launch was postponed but not before Écosociété had distributed nearly 2,000 copies of the book. Barrick then filed a libel suit for $6 million against the writers and the publisher.  

The case is considered by many to be a prime example of a “strategic lawsuit against public participation”(SLAPP). In 2011 the Quebec Superior Court ruled that "Barrick seems to be trying to intimidate authors", that the suit was "seemingly abusive", and that Barrick must pay the authors and publisher $143,000 to prepare their defense. Later that year Deneault and his team, exhausted by the court proceedings, reached an out of court settlement with Barrick. 

During the process, however, a coalition of activists began to push for anti-SLAPP legislation and in 2009 Quebec adopted an anti-SLAPP bill, a landmark piece of legislation protecting freedom of speech in Québec. 

For four years film directorJulien Fréchette followed the proceedings, documenting each legal twist and turn, revealing just how far the Canadian mining industry is willing to go to silence criticism of its mining practices. 

Professor Lorraine McNeil admits she is not surprised by Barrick Gold’s tactics: “This is not the first time a Canadian mining company is accused of abusive practices”. In fact, members of the indigenous Mayan Q’eqchi’ from Guatemala have filed three lawsuits in Ontario courts against Canadian mining company HudBay Minerals over the brutal and abusive treatment of several of its members. The abuses are alleged to have been committed by mine company security personnel at HudBay’s former mining project in Guatemala.
http://www.chocversushudbay.com/ 

Silence is Gold raises crucial questions about the limits of free speech, public debate, equal access to justice, and ultimately, our democratic institutions. 

Please join us to watch and discuss this important film, which will be screened on Monday, January 12th, 7 pm, at the Central Library, 251 Dundas Street, London, ON. 

For more information, contact: 

Lorraine McNeil: 519-859-4308 
Marie-France Arismendi: 519-851-0122

CINEMA POLITICA presents "THE BIG SELLOUT"

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

‘The Big Sellout’ film mirrored locally in health care privatization by stealth 

Monday December 15 at 7 pm. Central Branch, London Public Library, 251 Dundas St. 

In conjunction with the London Public Library (http://londonpubliclibrary.ca), Cinema Politica London (http://cinemapolitica.org/london) presents the documentary film The Big Sellout. 

“Modern warfare has tried to dehumanize people, to take out the sympathetic element. When you drop bombs from 50,000 feet, you don’t see who they’re landing on, you don’t see the damage. It’s the same thing in economics when you talk about statistics and don’t think about the people that lie behind those statistics.” Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize Winner, former World Bank Chief Economist in The Big Sellout 

The Big Sellout shows us the human faces behind economic policies, how ordinary people can fight the commodification of basic public services. It tells true stories, from Philippines to South Africa, from Bolivia to England, about the human costs of economic policies obsessed with ‘efficiency’ and economic growth. The film raises serious questions about the role of governments in serving corporate interests instead of public benefit. “These stories may seem distant and removed from local circumstances, but all the same key ingredients are present in Ontario,” says Peter Bergamis of the London Health Coalition. “Londoners and other Canadians are victims of the same toxic myth-driven policies of financial elites. Universal public health care is maligned and misrepresented as unsustainable or inefficient. In the name of austerity, our government plans to continue eviscerating hospital services.” 

Just as importantly, The Big Sellout also showcases ordinary people who stand up and demand alternatives to neo-liberal economic policies, a model shown to be as hollow as it is unsustainable. Bergamis argues that we urgently need the same kind of resistance here in Ontario, where the provincial government is already systematically closing down outpatient services such as physiotherapy, labs, pain clinics, fertility clinics and more. “Their written plan is to close all outpatient services. As many surgeries and diagnostic tests as can be stripped from local public hospitals without public scrutiny, are slated to be contracted out to private (for-profit) clinics, “ he continues. “This is a wholesale assault on our values as Canadian citizens and must be resisted or else Medicare will vanish from our social fabric.” 

Join us to learn vital lessons about how we can and must resist the current assault on healthcare and other public services. The Big Sellout screens in the Stevenson-Hunt rooms (opposite Wolf Hall), London Public Library, 251 Dundas St. Doors open at 6:30pm on Monday December 15. This film event is free of charge and accessible. Underground parking (two hours free) can be validated at the Central Library welcome desk. 

Part of a monthly series of screenings by Cinema Politica London in partnership with the London Public Library (see www.cinemapolitica.org/london for details). For information about these screenings, please contact london@cinemapolitica.org or David Heap (djheap@uwo.ca or 519 859 3579). For the London Health Coalition, please contact Jeff Hanks (jeffryhanks@gmail.com or 226 448 3607) or Peter Bergmanis (Peter.Bergmanis@sjhc.london.on.ca or 519-860-4403). 

After introductory remarks, the film will start at 7:00 sharp. Late comers please enter through the door at the back of the room. Everyone is welcome! This is a FREE event offered by Cinema Politica in parternership with the London Public Library. FRAGRANCE FREE EVENT! Please be respectful of attendees who have serious allergies!

CINEMA POLITICA presents "FINDING DAWN" on Nov. 10, 2014

Monday, November 10, 2014
6:30 pm - 8:45 pm
Doors open 6 pm
London Public Library
Central Branch
251 Dundas St.
London, Ontario

Stevenson and Hunt Room

Free! 

A National Film Board of Canada film.

FRAGRANCE FREE EVENT! 
Please be respectful of attendees who have serious allergies! 

Remembering missing and murdered Aboriginal women everywhere

Details: 
http://cinemapolitica.org/london 

From Cinema Politica:

FINDING DAWN puts a human face on a tragedy that has received precious little attention – and one which is surprisingly similar to the situation in Ciudad Juarez, on the other side of the U.S. border. Dawn Crey, Ramona Wilson and Daleen Kay Bosse are just three of the estimated 500 Aboriginal women who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada over the past 30 years. Acclaimed Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh embarks on an epic journey to shed light on these murders and disappearances that remain unresolved to this day. She begins at Vancouver’s skid row where more than 60 poor women disappeared and travels to the “Highway of Tears” in northern British Columbia where more than two dozen women (all but one Native) have vanished. This engrossing film illustrates the deep historical, social and economic factors that contribute to the epidemic of violence against Aboriginal women. It highlights the disturbing, world-wide culture of impunity that allows murders of women – especially those who are poor, indigenous, or sex workers – to go unsolved and unpunished. Recommended viewing for courses in Native and Indigenous studies, women’s studies, sociology, psychology and courses that cover issues of violence against women.

From the NFB:

Dawn Crey. Ramona Wilson. Daleen Kay Bosse. These are just three of the estimated 500 Aboriginal women who have gone missing or been murdered in Canada over the past thirty years. Directed by acclaimed Métis filmmaker Christine Welsh, Finding Dawn is a compelling documentary that puts a human face to this national tragedy. This is an epic journey into the dark heart of Native women’s experience in Canada. From Vancouver’s skid row, where more than 60 women are missing, we travel to the “Highway of Tears” in northern British Columbia, and onward to Saskatoon, where the murders and disappearances of Native women remain unresolved. Along the road to honour those who have passed, we uncover reason for hope. It lives in Native rights activists Professor Janice Acoose and Fay Blaney. It drives events such as the annual Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver and inspires communities all along the length of Highway 16 to come together to demand change. Finding Dawn illustrates the deep historical, social and economic factors that contribute to the epidemic of violence against Native women in this country. It goes further to present the ultimate message that stopping the violence is everyone’s responsibility.
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Bill Paul's interview with Roberta Cory, Chair of the London Chapter of the Council of Canadians, and Paula Papel, an active member of our Solidarity Film Coalition and Seeds of Hope, re our screening of Finding Dawn, which interview aired on Nov. 2:

http://www.1069thex.com/podcasts-straight-talk-2/

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CINEMA POLITICA LONDON | PRESS RELEASE November 7, 2014 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

SUMMARY: 
Cinema Politica (CP) London presents a community film screening, FINDING DAWN, and invites community groups and individuals to engage in local dialogue on the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada, to be held on Monday November 10th at 6:30 pm in the Stevenson-Hunt rooms of the Central Public Library. This film event is free of charge. Parking is validated at the Central Library welcome desk. Doors open at 6 pm.

"I awoke today, slowly thinking about the long day before me, ready to unfold into endless possibilities. Then, I remembered HER: my auntie, my cousin, my daughter, my mother, my sister, my grandmother, my niece, my granddaughter, my neighbour, my teacher, my friend... I wonder where she is right now--because she is not here, we have no idea where she is, and her disappearance is not being treated seriously, so she is not safe. Trembling, I wonder: AM I NEXT?" 

A prevailing thought in the minds of Canadian aboriginal woman today, #AmINext? is the slogan for the current media discussion on the fate of missing and murdered aboriginal women here in Canada--an ominous possibility that reflects the palpable fear arising from this crisis of accountability toward these vulnerable citizens. This is also nothing short of apathy on the part our Canadian authorities toward the safety of citizens from any sector of society in Canada, since the vast majority of the perpetrators of these crimes are still at large, and they can strike out at any one of us. 

What would you do if one day you heard that your daughter had not returned from a walk in the park that afternoon? Where would you go for help if your mother did not arrive home after shopping for groceries? Who would you turn to if your wife said she would be back in an hour after running some errands, and night had come, with her still not returned home? 

The answer to those questions, and the expected investigations from the corresponding authorities should be a forgone conclusion to all of us, right? 

Think again... 

These women's stories are out there, about 1200 of them, according to the latest RCMP report which was brought about in response to the media frenzy around the murder of aboriginal student Loretta Saunders, which made headlines around the world earlier this year. Ironically, Saunders had been actively researching the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women...until she was murdered.

Since then the media has never been more attentive to the call for a wider public inquiry into the high rate of murdered First Nations women in Canada. Yet every day more stories appear about aboriginal women missing or murdered, with the victims' lifestyles being blamed, their families being stonewalled or discriminated against in their search for answers, and shockingly for us all, authorities not reacting with due diligence to provide timely assistance when it is their sworn public duty to carry out. The Native Women's Association of Canada cites the eye-opening statistic that 49% of all women murdered in Canada are aboriginal, but the vast majority of these crimes have not been resolved. 

Those authorities, who could be part of the solution, hold the public responsibility to mobilize the resources necessary to bring hope or closure to the families of these women, while putting in place measures to safe-guard Canadian society against such criminality. In the media, these same authorities have refused to acknowledge this as a national crisis affecting us all. But how can this not be a crisis and a tragedy for all Canadians, when a vulnerable sector of our society suffers the daily terror of unknown but probable violence, at anytime and anywhere, risking their ongoing psychological and physical well-being. 

To highlight this issue, Polaris prize-winning Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq recently revealed to the media that this sort of predatory situation is often experienced by aboriginal women, having happened to her during her recent collaboration with Royal Winnipeg ballet, while walking alone on a lunch break. Since not even fame precludes vulnerability to such risks, all Canadians need to be invested in bringing these crimes to justice. 

So, what can you do to find out more about this? In conjunction with the London Public Library (londonpubliclibrary.ca), Cinema Politica London (cinemapolitica.org/london) extends an invitation to the general public to attend an exciting film screening exploring the topic of missing and murdered aboriginal women. Award-winning NFB film Finding Dawn is directed by acclaimed Métis filmmaker and researcher, Christine Welsh, who addresses the deep historical, social and economic factors at the heart of this epidemic of violence against Aboriginal women, while introducing you to some of these women's stories. 

This November film event serves as a remembrance moment, honouring the lives of all missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada, in addition to being a conversation space for the audience to engage with many Indigenous and mainstream social agencies who are part of the local dialogue on this issue. As well, Western University's chapter of Amnesty International will be on hand to discuss the "No More Stolen Sisters" campaign.   

Cinema Politica London's Finding Dawn film event will take place Monday November 10th at 6.30pm in the Stevenson Hunt Rooms (opposite Wolf Hall) of the Central Public Library. Doors open to the public at 6pm and parking can validated with the library while you attend the event. 

So come to this free event, see a riveting film, Finding Dawn, and join the conversation with many other like-minded people on this important issue.
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Map Created Of Turtle Island's Missing And Murdered Aboriginal Women

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• For press and media inquiries on the current C.P. London film screening, Finding Dawn, please contact Paula Papel at london@cinemapolitica.org | 519.697.9252 
• Updated event info at:  london@cinemapolitica.org | https://www.facebook.com/events/1487036518235562/ | http://londoncouncilofcanadians.blogspot.ca/2014/11/cinema-politica-presents-finding-dawn.html
• For Cinema Politica London's Sept-May monthly film screenings (with times and dates, trailers, synopses, and more), please visit our website: www.cinemapolitica.org/london

OCTOBER 2014 NEWSLETTER

The Council of Canadians is the VOICE of progressive Canadians in 52 cities all over Canada. It is grassroots and bottom-up in its organization, with a small paid staff of researchers in Ottawa who provide the data we need to campaign on issues. 95% of all operating money comes from individual donations. The average individual donation is $50. We are non-profit but are not a charity because we educate and lobby for social and environmental justice. Each chapter determines which issues are important to its local supporters and is as active in campaigns as time and energy allow. Our London Chapter has eight committees: 

The Solidarity Film Coalition manages the Cinema Politica film series, which shows documentary films at the Central Library on the second Monday of each month. The motto of Cinema Politica is “Screening Truth to Power”.

The Trade Justice Committee campaigns against corporate-driven international trade agreements that would take away Canadian democracy and basic rights of self- determination. It has been active in educating London City Council about the perils of the Investor-State clause of CETA, and has been instrumental in getting London City Council to vote unanimously to have the option to vote for an ‘opt-out’ of CETA. 

The Health Care Committee works with the London Health Coalition to keep health care public and is currently engaged in planning a campaign and rally for Nov. 21 in Queens Park, to resist the austerity budget and the adoption of two-tier health care in Ontario. 

The Peace and Human Rights Committee has been active in bringing back John Greyson and Tarek Loubani from an Egyptian prison, supports the boat from Gaza, and opposes war as a solution to problems, social, religious, political or otherwise. 

The Energy and Climate Committee opposes expansion of the Alberta Tar Sands and the movement of bitumen by pipeline and rail. Because we have probably gone past the threshold where our climate can right itself, our position is that any further use of fossil fuels is suicidal for humans and life on this planet. It is also our position that pipelines and rail transport of dangerous substances threaten cities, First Nations, and wildlife, and poison watersheds and rivers they pass through. We actively oppose the reversal of flow of Enbridge’s 38- year-old Line 9 pipeline, just north of London, which crosses the Thames River north of Fanshawe Lake.

The Water Committee will be approaching our new City Council next spring to ask that London become a Blue Community. This means enforcing the bottled water ban in municipal venues and committing to keeping London Hydro public. We have been supporting OPAL (Oxford People Against the Landfill) by protesting with them in Ingersoll, Woodstock, Beachville, and other nearby towns most Fridays at 3:00 pm. In 2015 we will be working with First Nations to organize a water walk along the Thames River from Tavistock to Lake St. Clair.

The Democracy Committee works with Leadnow to fight for fair elections and proportional representation, so that our election process is a more just and accurate reflection of the wishes of all Canadians.

The Food Security Committee is working with City Council to make London a pollinator sanctuary for bees and butterflies. It opposes GM foods, and supports urban agriculture and the distribution and marketing of local food.

 

We strongly urge citizens to go beyond emotional or intellectual sympathy with the campaigns of the Council of Canadians and to contact us and get involved. We will put you in touch with whichever committee chair is working on your favourite issue. Help make Canada THE CANADA WE WANT. 

CINEMA POLITICA LONDON REVIVED! TODAY!

Cinema Politica London is happy to be back under new management after a two year hiatus! It is now being run by the Solidarity Film Coalition, a committee of the London Chapter of the Council of Canadians. Co-sponsors include L.A.C.A.S.A. (Latin American Canadian Solidarity Association), the London Public Library, and Seeds of Hope. Our kick-off film is, appropriately, "We Are Wisconsin", a rousing cheer leading inspiration to action for grassroots movements! It is guaranteed to knock your socks off! 

TODAY! Monday Sept. 8, 2014 at 7 pm in Stevenson & Hunt Room, London Public Library, 251 Dundas St.

All of our showings are free of charge, but we do welcome donations any time.

http://www.cinemapolitica.org/london

Trade with the New Generations in Mind

I am fascinated by new generation trade pacts, described as the transfer of power from people to transnational corporations.* I find the topic both compelling and repelling. Despite the discomfort, the study of trade offers essential understanding for those interested in preserving natural life and community infrastructure from nation to nation. 

Years ago, my undergraduate professors startled me with the news that “new generation” trade deals give large corporations the opportunity to manage the public’s assets, and also to sue countries when public laws decrease corporate profits. Should we not ask for more in our global policy? Because if profit of the largest entities is the prime intention, than that is simply what we will get, and all the environmental and geo-political instabilities associated with that. When setting regulations between countries can we ensure resource security, vital public services, and the greater political security that comes with that? 

Trade deals are written in private. What if the best in us was put forward for their composition. What if the wisest elder, with a great sense of humour, soft heart, and economic knowledge sat at the table to negotiate? Why not seek robust economy based in real jobs and environmental security? 

Such global-impact regulations should be approached with loving-kindness. For no child in the so-called Global North will be secure in an insecure world and no child in the Global South, with all its restriction of access to clean water and basic human rights, will be fully nourished. We could take less in the North in exchange for greater security. 

We can do better than an international trade law that allows corporations to sue nations if corporate profits decrease over the use of public laws. 

People are awakening to what is truly valuable. When I think of the people in my city I see so many whose primary desire is security for families, friends and community. This is a reason to learn about trade pacts. 

As a North American, the place of birth of the “New Generation” deal, I feel a responsibility to be part of general dialogue to create fairer trade. I am curious about global law after the new generation pact and what else is possible! 

This blog is a creative space for exploring New Generation trade from a different perspective, one that is truly generational and focussed on what we are offering children and their children to come. In peace and faith! 

Jennifer Chesnut
Trade Justice Chair

*trade pact description from Maude Barlow, Chair of the Council of Canadians

Published originally on  August 30, 2014 in http://newgenerationtrade.com/2014/08/30/trade-with-the-new-generations-in-mind/

London Regional Social Forum, July 11-13, 2014

Final program:

 http://londoncouncilofcanadians.ca/LondonRegionalSocialForum2014.pdf 

Facebook page:

 https://www.facebook.com/events/464484100320894/

Kamilla Pietrzyk

The incredible program for the Forum begins Friday, July 11, 2014 at 6:00 pm with Musical Entertainment by Margo Does, activist/song-crafter, Indigenous Welcome by Gary Dickey, and Welcome by Lorraine McNeil and members of the organizing group. This welcome will be followed by the  Keynote Talk: "History and Impact of the Social Forum Movement" by Speakers Kamilla Pietrzyk and Ajamu Nangwaya. 

Ajamu Nangwaya

Then at 9:00 pm there will be rousing Musical Entertainment at East Village Coffee House, for which Tickets are available: $8 /sliding scale.

The spectacular program for Saturday July 12, 2014 promises to be a blockbuster, starting with a Panel Discussion at 10:00 a.m. on "Building Movement and Broad Resistance to the Right in Canada", With long-time activists and authors from across Canada: Tony Clarke, Carol Baker, Ken Lewenza Jr. and Matt Price with Murray Dobbin via Skype, followed by a Q and A session moderated by Patti Dalton. From 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm there will be a wide variety of workshops, including "The Fight to Protect our Groundwater", "Understanding and Resisting the Expansion of the Prison State", "Global-Local Solidarity with Palestine: Gaza's Ark and BDS", "Anarchist Perspectives", "Residential Schooling and the Indian Education Act: Why all the Hype?", "Peace Process in Colombia", "The Ontario Common Front", and "Grassroots Resistance to Line Nine". Following the workshops everyone is invited to join in on a walk led by the infamous giant LINE 9 SNAKE, and, if enough puppeteers are available, the giant Blue Water Serpent will come too. Both puppets are 30 feet long. Participants will decide on the details of the walk! 

Finally, Rabble.ca is holding a Book Launch at 7:00 pm for "The Best of Rabble 2014: The Year of Living Consciously"! Wow! Just wow!

Rain can have no effect on the program (all inside) on Sunday July 13, 2014, the grand finale, with eight more fabulous workshops starting at 10:00 a.m., including "Mayan Communities Fight Back Against Canadian Mining Companies: The case of the community of El Estor against Hudbay Minerals", "Exploring the Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson", "NGO-ization", "Women and Leadership in a Changing World", "Mesoamerica Resiste: a global struggle against capitalism", "Power to the 99% through Monetary Transformation", "Building Community: The Invisibles of Organizing", and "Alternative Media Panel Discussion".

Lunch will be provided by London's renowned Food Not Bombs group, and the Forum will be concluded with a Presentation at 4:00 p.m. on The People's Social Forum, Ottawa, Aug. 21-24, 2014 and a discussion of ideas for the PSF and the future of social forums in general and the London Regional Social Forum in particular. Once again we will be entertained by the biting guitar and wit of Margo Does as she sings us out following closing remarks by Meg Borthwick. What a day!