MNN is rewriting history!

[CDNBear]

This is a blog I wrote elsewhere on the net, regarding journalism, for lack of a better term, in the Native community.

The slipery slope of Native journalism...

If one were to take a walk through this sub forum, one would find many an article from a source, known as The Mohawk Nation News, MNN.

Over the years I've enjoyed reading their rants, semi supported a few positions, and laughed at others. But I've noticed a disturbing trend over the years. One that seems to have hit new heights as of today's reading of their site.

I've long believed that flying the flags of Palestine, Hamas, Lebanon and the Hezbolla at rallies and protests was counter productive and unwise, if not simply illegal.

By doing so, we legitimize violence as a means of communication and negotiations. Something I'm loath to throw my support behind.

That's not to say I won't pick up a weapon and defend a place, person or just ideal, if need be. It is to say that the groups the Haudenosaunee have decided to ally themselves with, have a charter of murder and violence, written down as an expressed policy.

But the moral relativism of many outspoken Haudenosaunee and those virulent groups they've chosen to embrace, is again, counter productive to the cause. And as far as I am concerned, abhorrent at best.

On one hand the Mohawk of Akwesasne cry about the supposed violence that is inflicted upon them by brutal Canadian Border Guards, speak of the colonial powers perpetrating genocide upon them and so on. While they embrace groups that condone the wholesale slaughter of an entire race, negotiate with rockets and target civilians.

This belief that we Haudenosaunee have something in common with the Palestinians and Lebanese, in my honest opinion, is slightly askew. Maybe it was all my years in Montreal, associating with the local Heebs, but I actually think we share more in common with the Israeli's then anyone else. But I digress...

So as I was reading through the latest installments from MNN this morning. I was struck by the absurdity that jumped off the screen at me. These pieces couldn't have been written to inform. They scream out at me, as if they were written to inflame, incite and stir.

That's not to say that there isn't a smidgen of truth somewhere tucked haphazardly under the hyperbole and rhetoric. But those facts stuck under the rantings, no, ravings, of someone with a clear agenda, are lost. Only the informed and educated reader can discern between reality and the pulp fiction being presented as "news".

This kind of journalism, for lack of a better word, is the lowest form, in my mind. It panders to a specific group and is used to maintain the status quo ideology that is, "Whity is out to get me". I haven't actually believed that for years. But some Natives actually get off the rez once in a while and breath some clean fresh air, open their ears and minds, then grew in the sunshine that is reality.

We're being screwed!

By everybody!

Ya, to some extent whity is still out there, trying to get something for nothing and using his buddies in gov't to force their mines and deforestation programs on our tradition territories. Ya, the courts sometimes appear bias when dealing with Native issues.

But worse then that, many of our leaders are darling gov't lackeys, maintaining the status quo, while lining their pockets. Many of our young men have turned to criminal activities to make a living, instead of embracing the generous grants available to them, to expand their minds and earn an honest living. Led by older Natives, that simply perpetuate the cycle of stupidity.

I recently posted an article on a Private Members bill current making its way through Parliament. I was simply stunned that it actually exists. Let alone getting support. The gov't has always sided with the deep in their pocket Chiefs on these matters. Hell they've even gone to court to illegally over turn a just and fair election. To re-install their favoured lackey's back into power.

I'll cautiously watch as this unfolds, I'm leery of things that don't follow the usual path. I'll actually be amazed if that bill becomes legislation.

I'll be even more amazed, if it actually makes a difference.

But more importantly, I'll be watching my community, to see how this is taken. My feelings as of right now are, that it will be met with great resistance, by the the loud and obnoxious. MNN will likely be reporting on it soon. I can't wait to the journalistic integrity pour off the screen. As they spin it into something negative.

Bear out...​

As I was catching up on some of the articles I've missed this month at MNN, I found this one...

CONFEDERACY OF INDIGENOUS ARAB NATIONS

In which, I found this erroneous revision of history...

The numbers and emphasis are mine.

This strategy is familiar. When the French and English washed up on our shores, they immediately tried to figure out and take over our power structure.(1) It was based on friendship and alliances between hundreds of Indigenous nations.(2) We agreed to live peacefully.(3) If one member deviated from the great peace, sanctions followed.(4) There were no leaders, just the people.
The French approached the Algonquin and Huron. The English approached the Iroquois.(5) Attempts to start fights between us failed. The holocaust followed.

For the love of Gawd and everything intelligent! Have the Mohawk gone right off the deep end?

Do people actually believe this?

I was 6 years old when I knew this to be untrue.

1, The only known alliance at the time was the 5 Nations of the Haudenosaunee. Who were sworn enemies to the Wendat (Huron) and Algonquin. Their word for us was Iroq, or snake. The French add "uois", as the prefix for many.
2, Though there were tenuous peace treaties among many Nations, the only long lasting a the strongest treaty, was between the 5 Nations, Onondaga, Oneida, Cayuga, Seneca, and Mohawk. On a grand scale there was slavery, battles and and outright slaughter, among many Nations. From the 5 Nations and the Wendat, to the Cree and the Innu.
3, This is somewhat true. As the Mohawks of the Eastern Door found out, when they allied themselves with the French and broke the Great Peace. Now they rewrite history as if nothing ever happened.
4, What a load of shyte. There were elected leaders,Sachems, among many Nations.
5, Failed? Really? The Wendat, the First Nation to begin scalping for cash, were our sworn enemies, and had been since before the Europeans landed. It only got worse when the fur trade was added, and territory was fought over. How can anyone in their right mind say it failed, when a place with a documented history, (As maligned and incorrect as it may be) such as Sainte Marie Amongst the Hurons exists?

Now you would think that the article in question would have been written by someone, whom may not know or understand. But that would be untrue. It was written by Kahentinetha Horn, a Clan Mom from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. Oral accounts of history are not dead. I was made aware of them at a very early age. To say many of the accounts don't match the recorded history of the European authors, Parks Ontario and History Classes the country over, would be an understatement, but they certainly do not reflect Mrs. Horns bastardize version either.

To say this is the worst kind of journalism, again for lack of a better term, would equally be an understatement. I can't help but to feel sorry for anyone that has such a limited grasp of the real history, and walks away from having read this article of Mrs. Horn'. Only to have a grossly misinformed view of a truly rich history. Fraught with turmoil, beauty, love, loss and rebirth, befitting a master piece of Hollywood.

 

[SLM]

Sadly I find that this kind of "journalism" is all too common these days. Opinion, passed off as fact and/or news, in an effort to support a position and thereby bias the reader to the writer's point of view. From there it is often only a short hop, skip and a jump to outright distortion of facts, rationalized by the 'greater good'. Does the ends justify the means? Only if there is no value placed on truth or integrity.

Well written blog and good post.

 

[petros]

This kind of journalism, for lack of a better word, is the lowest form, in my mind. It panders to a specific group and is used to maintain the status quo ideology that is, "Whity is out to get me". I haven't actually believed that for years. But some Natives actually get off the rez once in a while and breath some clean fresh air, open their ears and minds, then grew in the sunshine that is reality.

We're being screwed!

By everybody!

Ya, to some extent whity is still out there, trying to get something for nothing and using his buddies in gov't to force their mines and deforestation programs on our tradition territories. Ya, the courts sometimes appear bias when dealing with Native issues.

But worse then that, many of our leaders are darling gov't lackeys, maintaining the status quo, while lining their pockets. Many of our young men have turned to criminal activities to make a living, instead of embracing the generous grants available to them, to expand their minds and earn an honest living. Led by older Natives, that simply perpetuate the cycle of stupidity.

Come west for a second "eye opening" experience Bear. The only word I can use to describe the situation compared with eastern nations is "raw".

 

[CDNBear]

Come west for a second "eye opening" experience Bear. The only word I can use to describe the situation compared with eastern nations is "raw".

I've experienced the west good friend, and Karrie made it clear that things have not changed much since my last visit.

To quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"

As mushy and sentimental as that may seem. It does actually have a valid tone.

We inhabit a small rock in space, we all face disastrous consequences if we don't stop raping and mutilating said rock.

And in the end, we are all actually in this together, and no one is going to get out alive.

Why make the short trip so ugly?

 

[petros]

No, it's not getting any better. It's only getting worse. It's like that Thompson guy in Niagra. I do support his right to protect hiimself but on the other hand I see a full blown race war in the west if Canadians are given the "right" to use brutal force.

Personally I feel stuck in the middle and somewhat helpless. I've done my best for my neighbours and friends but when their children become the enemy where does one stand?

 

[CDNBear]

No, it's not getting any better. It's only getting worse. It's like that Thompson guy in Niagra. I do support his right to protect hiimself but on the other hand I see a full blown race war in the west if Canadians are given the "right" to use brutal force.

Personally I feel stuck in the middle and somewhat helpless. I've done my best for my neighbours and friends but when their children become the enemy where does one stand?

I feel for you bud.

 

[petros]

Politically I feel they want the decay.

I don't see any change for the good.

I'm not afraid for myself. I'm afraid for the children that don't see any hope or away out.

Have you ever been propositioned by a girl in grade 7 or 8 while she is out for recess? I'm still having troubles wrapping my brain around that one and it has been a couple months.

Will the bigger $10Billion "Super Prisons" just house more dadless (different from fatherless) native youth where they are given gang leaders as role models? Of course they will.

How much of the at $10B do you think goes for rehabilitation and counseling?

If being dadless isn't bad enough Harper will be putting another 4000 women behind bars in the next 5 years. Is a prison the right place for a mother to raise her dadless kids?

I know who those prisons are being built for and it's not whitie.

 

[CDNBear]

Petros, I have no answers for you.

But I'm trying to make a difference.

 

[petros]

Me too and I'm a fraction as dedicated as my amazing wife. When I see her absolutely livid about the native "final solution" and it's acceptance by the broad scope of the populus including the natives a little part of me dies.

I'm a humanist not a socialist, a liberal or a conservative and what I see happening is eugenics and it being acceptable as long as it happens behind tall fences and inside windowless human warehouses.

 

[CDNBear]

Me too and I'm a fraction as dedicated as my amazing wife. When I see her absolutely livid about the native "final solution" and it's acceptance by the broad scope of the populus including the natives a little part of me dies.

Your wife is in social work yes?

I'm a humanist not a socialist, a liberal or a conservative and what I see happening is eugenics and it being acceptable as long as it happens behind tall fences and inside windowless human warehouses.

As much as we have bumped heads over the years Petros, I would argue with you on you being a humanist. It has always been the underlying tone of the bulk of your commentary.

But...

I don't fear the future as much, but then again, I'm not where you are, and my perspective is a tad more rosy attending meets and events at the Wahta reserve. With it's large scale cranberry industry and fairly well maintained generally self sufficient life style.

 

[petros]

Your wife is in social work yes?

As much as we have bumped heads over the years Petros, I would argue with you on you being a humanist. It has always been the underlying tone of the bulk of your commentary.

But...

I don't fear the future as much, but then again, I'm not where you are, and my perspective is a tad more rosy attending meets and events at the Wahta reserve. With it's large scale cranberry industry and fairly well maintained generally self sufficient life style.

I'll put it to you this way. Getting a gas station and store with cheap smokes is a monumental event on a rez in the west. Industry will take another 50 years out here at the rate things are going.

 

[gerryh]

I don't fear the future as much, but then again, I'm not where you are, and my perspective is a tad more rosy attending meets and events at the Wahta reserve. With it's large scale cranberry industry and fairly well maintained generally self sufficient life style.

what the fu ck are you talking about? That's not possible since all injuns are leaches sucking off the government tit.

but, then again, on the other hand there are those on the other side of the fence that figure ALL whitey are out to get em and that anyone with less than 100% true blood doesn't deserve to be called one of the people.

 

[CDNBear]

I'll put it to you this way. Getting a gas station and store with cheap smokes is a monumental event on a rez in the west. Industry will take another 50 years out here at the rate things are going.

Really?

Smoke shacks are a dime a dozen out here!

They too come with a criminal or disruptive element, but it's a living. When I was laid up, I sold smokes to pay the bills, so I wouldn't lose the house and end up collecting some form of gov't subsidy. Ya, it was grey market, but I just can't bring myself to be a burden.

I thought that many Nations out west had mineral rights, and held royalties from potash mining, oil and timber. Potash is poised to be real big in the near future. Especially with the new technology coming out of South America, ie, erosion control of potash fertilizer.

what the fu ck are you talking about? That's not possible since all injuns are leaches sucking off the government tit.

I've always loved your as subtle as a brick to the head sarcasm Gh!

but, then again, on the other hand there are those on the other side of the fence that figure ALL whitey are out to get em and that anyone with less than 100% true blood doesn't deserve to be called one of the people.

To to true. I even admit to being an elitist at one point. Thankfully I grew out of that nonsensical logical inconsistency eh?

 

[gerryh]

I'll put it to you this way. Getting a gas station and store with cheap smokes is a monumental event on a rez in the west. Industry will take another 50 years out here at the rate things are going.

Really, Is that all westbank did? Tsu tina? Shall we go through the different Nations through out BC and see what they have been doing over the last 10-15 years?

 

[CDNBear]

Really, Is that all westbank did? Tsu tina? Shall we go through the different Nations through out BC and see what they have been doing over the last 10-15 years?

Can you expand on that Gh. I'm really not up to speed on "on the ground" development and industry amongst the First Nations out west.

And instead of making sweeping, logical inconsistent statements, I would simply ask for some input, from people in the area, before I formulate anymore opinions on the matter. Lest they be erroneous.

 

[gerryh]

WFN

Tsuu T'ina | tsuutina first nations

 

[CDNBear]

WFN

Tsuu T'ina | tsuutina first nations

Seems like two Nations with their sh!t together.

 

[gerryh]

and they aren't the only ones.

 

[CDNBear]

OK Petros, what gives with all the doom and gloom.

I can concede that these two Nations, may be the exception, but if they are making a fair go of it, there has to be opportunity for all, yes?

 

[gerryh]

Negotiation Update: First Nations & Negotiations: BC Treaty Commission


On this page are links to various Nations web pages. You can check out what they have done and what they plan on doing.