Deconstructing Colonialism

Mondays at 7:00pm (first class is Feb. 5/07)

at the Aboriginal Resource Centre - 620 Gordon St. (for more specific directions, email ipsm.guelph@gmail.com)

Description:

We'll be discussing colonialism and unlearning the attitudes and beliefs that it tries to instill. Through discussion, listening to speakers, and watching documentaries we'll be learning more about Indigenous resistance movements and the practice of self-determination.

Classes left:

Week 5 (March 12th) Movie "Secwepemc: NYM blockade of Sun Peaks" Discussion of tourism, industry, and direct action

This movie follows the Native Youth Movement (near Kamloops, BC) as they fight the expansion of the ski resort Sun Peaks and the destruction of Native land.

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Week 6 (March 19th) Movie "Above the Law: Deception at Gustafsen Lake" & Discussion

In the late summer of 1995 in British Columbia the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) laid siege to a small group of native sovereigntists in the biggest RCMP operation in Canadian history, which has since become known as the "Gustafsen Lake Crisis." It ended in a year-long criminal trial and conviction of 13 people.

This hour long video introduces the viewer to the main issues and background behind the standoff, and some of the key participants. It includes interviews with native rights lawyer Dr. Bruce Clark, Free the Wolverine Campaign spokespersons Dacajewiah (Splitting the Sky/ John Hill) and Bill Lightbown, Flo Sampson, and POW Wolverine.

This video also includes RCMP surveillance footage taken during the standoff which exposes the RCMP propaganda and lies about several incidents that it attempted to use to justify murdering Ts'peten (Gustafsen Lake) defenders.

This video ultimately exposes the ongoing colonialism in Canada towards the Native peoples and is an excellent organising tool for activists fighting for Indigenous sovereignty.

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Week 7 (March 26th) Movie "Two Worlds Colliding: the case of Neil Stonechild" Discussion of police brutality, deep institutional racism

Two Worlds Colliding chronicles the painful story of what came to be known as Saskatoon's infamous freezing deaths, and the schism between a fearful, mistrustful Aboriginal community and a police force that must come to terms with a shocking secret. On a bone-chilling January night in 2000, Darrell Night was dropped off in the outskirts of Saskatoon by two police officers.

Night stepped forward and he set into motion a chain of events that included a major RCMP investigation, the conviction of the two officers, and an inquiry to determine whether police had any involvement in an old case the 1990 freezing death of 17-year-old Neil Stonechild.