has it really been almost 2 weeks?

My apologies dear readers. I've been somewhat delinquent in posting to this blog lately. It's been a busy 12 days. Where do I start? School I think. My friends, family and observant patrons will know that I have been taking an online course this past semester: IGOV 384 through the University of Victoria. I've received A's for all my assignments so far, with the results from my participation and final paper components to go. Wish me luck. Oh, and word around the campfire is I may get my final paper published in a left-wing rag. I'll keep you posted.

I think I am finally over my cough.

That mountain (Lau Wel New), I mentioned in a previous post, well I've climbed it 4 times since. That along with my recent self-imposed denial of evil colonial carbohydrates should get me back in shape just in time for swim suit season. Did I say this last year? Back to the mountain, fight the power Menethia! We got ya back.

Yesterday, I responded to the call from our Vancouver sisters and brothers to help with security at the Six Nations Deterrence Rally. Not to rain on anyone's parade but generally speaking, I am not a big fan of the whole rally, protest, march thing. This one was different though. The feeling, the energy in the air was different. It reminded me of 1990. People, specifically Indigenous people are feeling indignant and dignified again, even though some people are not sure why. They just know that it is a good time to be Indigenous.

Let's see what else did I get up to? I'm reading a REALLY good book: Women of Maize. I am only on page 88 but so far I find the voices of these Indigenous women from Chiapas powerful, inspiring and humbling. For all you rebels and closet-rebels out there, I highly recommend it.

Oh, one last thing. I posted a guest column, "Detoxing From Canada" on my other blog. It was originally published here, the words of a cool settler indeed.

cuu,

Mt. Lau Wel New

Yesterday I completed #12 on my list. The mountain was Mt. Lau Wel New (aka Mt. Newton to the local settlers). It was not as big a mountain as I had originally conceived when I drafted my list and I did not 'conquer' it. I was humbled by it, and not just because I have pneumonia or some other plague that makes me cough up my lungs and it kicked my butt, but because of the significance of the mountain to my brothers and sisters of the territory. It probably took about 30 minutes to get to the top and I know that I was going pretty slow, but the view from the top made it feel like we were on top of the world and at a very special place indeed. I am not as well-versed in the local stories as I would like to be to share it with you but I look forward to learning more especially as development threatens this beautiful place. I will keep you, eager reader, informed and enlightened as best I can.

201 Today :D

As I sat upright, left hand on my thigh, riding my motorcycle into the town of Ladysmith I felt like a conquering hero. This morning I finally did it. I've been thinking about this one (#22) for some time. On a long, straight, downhill strip of highway between Chemainus and Ladysmith, much to the chagrin of my mom, Margo and even Scooter I think, I managed to get the old 599 up to 201. :D I probably could have pushed it a little further but at that speed, one doesn't even want to sneeze or breathe for that matter, so the time between getting to the goal and freaking out with sudden paranoid images that one might describe as "human scab" and "cheese grater" is very short indeed. Another one bites the dust! :D

Is Google Radical or is it just me?

I've been using Google Mail for a few months now but it took me until just last week to notice something. Google is radical. I started to notice a pattern as I was reading an e-mail from my good friend, Chiinuuks. As Old Man Rivers has pointed out in his review/endorsement, unlike other free webmail services GMail uses only very subtle advertisements (text only). There is a single line of "news" on the main screen and a series of sponsored links on the right side of the e-mail composition screen. Much more pleasant than the pop-ups and large ads advertising free iPods or online dating sites I can assure you. At first I thought it was funny that it would show a link for Frantz Fanon and then I noticed it was always telling about Indigenous issues, protests in France, organic, fair-trade food and so on. I then remembered what I friend told me sometime ago. GMail scans my outgoing and incoming e-mails for keywords and then lists related news items and advertisements. A little spooky, but so far I am finding it innocuous enough. What do you think?

Well, it is April, for all you bureaucrats, the beginning of a new fiscal year. Spring is here. I lost my mobile phone and digital camera on the weekend. Time to turn over a new leaf and all the other good cliches. Seriously, time to reduce and/or eliminate some of the contradictions in my life. Dubya is feeling humble today.

google chatting with the "old man"

Not my old man, but Old Man Rivers...

3:40pm

me: How does this one work?
OMR: Like magic
me: My first google chat
OMR: lol. I like it alot better then msn except not as many people are on here
me: Yeah...
OMR: One day though Google Talk will become the future
me: I like the fact that it is not as big and gaudy as MSN...like the e-mail
OMR: ...and full of ads
me: Not full of bright, pop-up ads
OMR: Gmail will be the future
me: No beautiful smiles for singles sites etc.
OMR: lol :)
me: Even the emoticons got out of hand on msn
OMR: haha. Custom emoticons
me: I hate those loud ones on hi5. I think I am becoming more of a minimalist.
OMR: Yeah, I had to disable the function to see custom emoticons. Minimalist...hmm.
me: Simplifying my life
OMR: I cant remember if thats what I want to be
me: Trying to...less clutter
OMR: Yes
me: More of what's important or maybe so much going on right now that it feels that way
OMR: lol. My dream house will be a minimalist house. Actually, there is no way I could do that
me: futons
OMR: lol. There was something I wanted to be that as an "ist" or "ism." I can't remember what though
me: Hmmm...Not tha shizzle?
OMR: Oh well...

Some Other Spring

sung by Billie Holiday...

Some other spring
I'll try to love
Now I still cling
To faded blossoms
Fresh from worn
Left chrushed and torn
Like the love affair I mourn

Some other spring
When twilight falls
Will the night bring
Another to me?

Not your kind
But let me find
It's not true that love is blind
Sunshine's around me
But deep in my heart it's cold as ice
Love, once you've found me
But can that story unfold twice?

Some other spring
Will my heart awake?
Stirring to sing
Love's magic music
Then forget the old duet
Love in some other spring?
Spring?

written by: Irene Kitchings / Arthur Herzog Jr.

V For Vendetta

I went to see V for Vendetta on the weekend. I have been looking forward to it since I first saw the trailer online last month. The first thing I heard was it was produced by the Wachowski brothers, the guys who brought us one of my other favourite movies, The Matrix. Even though I was dissapointed in the 2nd and 3rd Matrices I heard some interesting early buzz about this latest project.

There seemed to be some early speculation that it would cause a lot of controversy, especially among neocon circles. Without spoiling too much of it for you, the story takes place in a dystopian future England where society is highly structured and the government rules with fear and propaganda. The protagonist V, is branded as a terrorist and while one is left to question his motivations and strategies, he is clearly painted as the hero.

I won't tell you any more other than some of the thoughts it provoked. I thought a lot about ends-means consistency and the ethics of using particular strategies for political effect. I also thought about the ethics and effectiveness of what I will characterize as "severe indoctrination." One reviewer described the film as a revolutionary call to arms. I don't think I would go that far but it did provoke some interesting thoughts as well as being entertaining. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Whew! I finally finished "Gandhi, An Autobiography: The Story Of My Experiments With Truth" and I am still processing it. I am finding it difficult to offer a definitive opinion about the man and his work. Obviously, one cannot ignore his contributions to the theory and practice of non-violent militancy/non-cooperation/resistance (Satyagraha). He also set an extremely high standard with regard to personal conduct, integrity and self-restraint. What I am having difficulty with was his apparent allegiance (in his own words) to the British Empire, especially during the Zulu War, Boer War, and World War I. Additionally, there seems to be a lack of solidarity with other Indigenous people, specifically the Africans during his 15+ years in South Africa.

His autobiography admittedly paints broad strokes and I will have to research many more sources to get a better understanding of the man, time, context and other players involved. I do admire his unwavering commitment to the truth, something I wish to emulate in my own life.

[P.S. Reading Gandhi's autobiography was no. 49 on my list and writing 100 posts on my blogs was no. 81.]

W-licious

Citizens of Springfield... I have been sporadically updating lately I know. My first excuse is that I was in Vancouver (aka the big smoke) last week and I stayed with my mom who believes that internet access is an unnecessary expense and usually I have to find an internet cafe or other wireless location. My second excuse is I have been running around the woods like a fool and working like mad on a homework assignment, which I submitted this afternoon. FYI, I am doing well so far and my future as a rebellious academic looks promising. Humble beginnings I know, but I have no where but to look up at that ivory tower and see if I can't spread a lil camouflage along the way ;-)

Women scheme and men are idiots

I'm pretty sure that I will never be a bonafide opera critic, but generally that is what I got from the The Marriage of Figaro performed at the Chan Centre at UBC on Sunday. Oh and they all had great voices. In particular, I liked the signing of Cherubino, a role I assume was originally written (by Mozart) for boy sopranos, but in today's "civilized" times is performed by a young(ish) woman.

I have long appreciated opera, classical music and other colonial favourites and despite nodding off a couple of times, which ALWAYS seems to happen to me at live musical performances of any kind no matter how much I enjoy them, I really did enjoy my first live opera. Kleco Ly, for getting the tickets and accompanying me and of course for nodding off a couple of times yourself so I didn't have to feel bad! ;-) Another one (#40) bites the dust off my list.

This is NOT it!

I don't have the answers...yet. I have some good ideas and believe it or I am actually implementing some of them. I realize that change often takes longer than we might like, but right now I feel impatient. This morning as I drove to work in my sensible, no-frills Honda civic (with over 300,000km on it), sipping my cafe americano, I yelled out loud at the top of lungs. Fear not, I did not have any passengers to frighten, nor did I do any dangerous swerving, but I was struck by a moment: Something in my gut screamed that this world, our place in it, as it is right now is not right. It can be a hard feeling to describe in theory but I can sure tell you how it feels.

500 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
Are we INSANE? As Indigenous men, how can we tolerate that?
As human beings?
Somewhere in the neighbourhood of 30,000 children die from hunger EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Youth suicide epidemics. Our people are killing themselves.
If you talk to some elders, this phenomenon is a recent one...it is very much a legacy of colonialism.
Diabetes? Super Big Gulps. Give that kid a lollipop.
Can't concentrate or sit still? Here, have some ritalin.
Bored? Here, have an X-Box.
Want a treaty? Special price: Your soul.
Let's reconcile. Don't worry, I'll be gentle.
Only if you Indians would go to school. Get a job. Be a consumer.
Be Canadian...a friendly country for sure, polite too.
Wanna fight? Go to court...go ahead. I dare you.
When you win you lose. When you lose you really lose.
Maybe you lost before you started.
Any other tools I can try, master?
Get Rich or Die Trying? Get Free or Die Trying.
Got Fish? Got KD?
Play bingo. We laugh.
Drink. We laugh.
Stick that needle in your arm. We laugh.
We cry.
We scream.
Why is freedom so impractical?
Why are radicals vilified? Crush dissent.
We are used to obeying orders, even a stern look or tone will do it.
Why is dignity radical?
Where is hope? In the Canamerican dream? Boy that Hummer is the shizzle.
I can be like you.
I can be better, really I can.
Forget about creating a strong sense of identity based purely on Indigenous values, principles and worldviews. The imperial vision will do nicely.
I can oppress my brother.
I can be progressive, practical, forward-thinking, a leader.
WTF?!?!
Are you happy?
How is your soul doing?
Who are you?
What makes your life worth living for? What would you die for?
AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!
Breathe.
Let go of your illusions brother.
Let go of your fears sister.
Be free.
Be Indigenous.

Another way of life is possible.
Live your dreams.
Start now.
Right now.

"Stupid F#$%ing White Man"

I'm not sure if it is the best line in the movie, but it certainly is funny, at least to my Indigenous and not-so-easily-offended non-Indigenous friends. The movie I am referring to is Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man, not to be mistaken for Dead Man Walking which was also released in 1995 with Sean Penn. I dig this film. I did not see it for the first time until last summer when I finally bought the dvd. I have seen it in its entirity and in parts several times since. I have noticed, however that some people find it odd, slow and boring. I guess it is not for everyone, or perhaps it depends on your mood. I appreciate the subtle humour, in particular the portrayed differences in worldviews and understandings of the two protragonists, William Blake and Nobody (Xebeche). It's cool also to see some Makah relatives in there at the end.

Here is some of the dialogue that made me laugh:

(William Blake and Nobody are riding their horses in the forest)

William Blake: Nobody, um, shouldn't you be with your own tribe or something?

Nobody: My blood is mixed. My mother "Ungumpay Pacane"(sp?) My father is "Absoluca" (sp?) This mixture was not respected. As a small boy I was often left to myself. So I spent many months stalking the elk people to prove I would soon become a good hunter. One day finally, my elk relatives took pity on me and a young elk gave his life to me. With only my knife, I took his life. As I was preparing to cut the meat, whitemen came upon me. They were English soldiers. I cut one with my knife but they hit me on the head with a rifle. All went black. My spirit seemed to leave me. I was then taken east, in a cage. I was taken to Toronto, then Philadelphia, and then to New York. And each time I arrived in another city, somehow the whiteman had moved all their people there ahead of me. Each new city contained the same white people as the last. And I could not understand how a whole city of people could be moved so quickly.

If you have seen it and love it or hate, let me know what you think. Leave a comment.

"It is not power that corrupts but fear"

- Aung San Suu Kyi

how much do you cost?

After several hours of listening to First Nations representatives and Provincial Government representatives parry and joust over resource management issues a colleague asked me, "When are we going to stop being so nice?"

I replied, "When they stop paying us." :I

a day of romance

I have not asked anyone to be my Valentine. No one has asked me. I have no Valentine. I am Valentine-free. No one loves me. :I Haha, sorry, I just wanted to say that. On a day when my mind and heart are not muddled by the virtual-insanity that is love - I am free to talk about another kind of romance. First, I love the quote above, by Che about revolutionaries being romantic and not at all pragmatic. I am also reminded of the advice of a well-known Nuu-chah-nulth politician a few years ago. "Don't be a romantic" he urged. "Our communities cannot afford romantics."

While I had a healthy respect for his intelligence, I could not disagree more with his politics or advice. I think the money-minded pragmatists have had their share at the helm of our wayward communities. I think that precisely what we do need are romantics, visionaries, and leaders of honour and integrity that will inspire the people. Our people are starving right now. They are materially poor, many are culturally poor, socially destitute, spiritually lost and most of all they lack hope. The so-called BC treaty process does not inspire. Specific Claims do not inspire. Interim measures do not inspire. Consultation and Accomodation does not inspire. Being Canadian does not inspire.

I say we are due for a renaissance of romance and dreams and hope. Isn't it ironic that even in a society so entrenched in practical, consumerist, materialist, individualist values honours, or at least acknowledges those it has martyred - those dreamers and romantics that chose to fight the status quo and work toward the building of brighter future, and future of indpendence and freedom. I for one, have chosen my lot. A thousand times yes, I am a romantic.

Hope Springs Eternal

Here is a picture of my neph (whom you might remember from such posts as, "Fight the Power" and "Power to the (lil) Peeps") and my father, Wickaninnish. I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for both of them. My nephew is a beautiful combination of my sister, her sensitivity and love for life and my brother-in-law with his calm, caring nature and warrior spirit. My father is one of a few true believers of his generation. There are more and more of us of the younger generation who still work and fight for what it is to be truly Quu-as, but he is a rarity is seems. I thank Naas for everyday that I have my father who teaches me what he knows of the old ways so that we may breathe life into our Indigenous values, principles and ways of life again.

A bit of mushy entry I know but I have been very active and pensive lately and I am thinking a great deal of how and when and why we must continue to fight, to protect, to respect and hold up all that is sacred and right and true about our Indigenous ways. Our days are here and now. Act now brothers and sisters. I am with you till the end.

bad beats

I have not played poker that long - perhaps over 5 months I have played 10 times (winning 4 times), but this past Thursday I suffered my worst beats thus far. Ok, so I'm at my cousin's place, sippin' juice, eatin' some potato chips getting ready to give my best poker :I and take him, his woman (Chequita) and Buster for their $25 buy-ins. We're playing Texas Hold'em and the first hand is dealt.

I try not to grin as I peak at my pocket ACES (spades and clubs). I ante conservatively hoping to draw em all in. The Flop is layed out and I think there were two more spades...looking promising for a flush as well. I bet a little higher, then the Turn, another spade. That's it, I'm going all in! I think I can't lose, seeing as I have the high spade right? Well Moyses Alou there calls my all-in, so I think he must have the queen or king of spades and is betting that I don't have the ace. Well my anticipation of whiping out my cousin on the first hand is dashed when the River turns out to be a jack of spades and he has, according to him, his first straight flush ever! Trumps my ace-high flush, and in one hand I'm gone.

You think I would have learned my lesson. I'm a pretty bright guy. You would think I could take a cue from the poker gods.

I buy back in at $10. The next hand is pretty uneventful and I fold. The 3rd hand (yep, only third hand of the night) I have two pair, and it's looking pretty good as Buster and Moy folded, so it's just Chequita and I. I go all in, anxious to get back into contention. and she calls. :I She also has two pair, only higher than mine. 3 hands, $35 down. I'm almost in shock and so I don't react as negatively (even in good humour) as you might expect. 3 hands and all of 10 minutes perhaps. So I offer to deal for the next half hour or so, just so I can feel I am getting SOMETHING for my $35 contribution.

Well at least tonight I can have the goal of lasting more than 10 minutes. I have learned what happens when I win twice in a row. Reckless W no more.

Good Morning

When I used to see these kinds of scenes, sights that would make time slow down, take my breath away and make me feel like a giant and insignificant at the same time, I would normally try and call someone to share the moment with. With no one to call these days, I figured I'd take a few pictures (while driving) and share them with you. :D

Bat W

I love this picture. Old Man Rivers drew it for me on a bebo whiteboard, or in this case, blackboard. I have to admit that in my dreams (both night and day) I shed inhibition and all seriousness and assume the role of Bat W, an Indigenous, monastic colonial-crime-fighter. C.dot says I like women too much though, to assume such a solitary and lonely, albeit noble existence. When Dubya's heart heals, I will no doubt have a different perspective but the potential effect of myth and symbolism are darn appealing. And this is not to suggest that we still do not aspire to the discipline, integrity, honour and understated power of such archetypes.

In seriousness worthy of Kumtux I do believe that those who would be protectors of their Indigenous communities must strive for a more noble, honourable and respectful existence. We must be strikingly upright (can anyone guess where that quote is from?), shed the colonial-paternal conventions that have long plagued our families and be men. I know there is lots to say about this, but I will save that for later. Initially, I just wanted to share the cool pic. Bat W

Indigenous friends don't let Indigenous friends vote

I'm serious! You can read my previous thoughts on the matter here and here. Below is an excerpt from a recent e-mail to a good friend:

You said, "I want to vote in this next federal election because I do not want to leave my fate to the non-Aboriginal community that does vote." This implies that by voting, your fate will not be left to the non-Aboriginal community that does vote. It also implies that your vote, or heck lets say that all the Indigenous votes will have an impact. Theoretically, if we voted 100% what would the results be? I bet we would have a handful (out of about 300 seats) of Aboriginals in office and another handful of somewhat friendly-ish non-Aboriginals.

Now just to get as far as they did, they will no doubt be Liberal or NDP (although I did notice a hereditary chief from Bella Bella was running for the Marxist-Leninist party this morning). Like all other MPs they will have to tow the party line - certainly none of them are gonna go crazy revolutionary and actually speak their mind, lest they endanger their pension or potential senate appoinment later in life. So what impact will they really have? I guess their kids will eat well, and go to good private schools and I'm sure they will be invited to some of the swankiest parties in Ottawa, as long as they don't rock the boat too much. If they do forget (their Canadian) selves you can be sure they will be out the door the next round.

I agree that we are political people. Actually a famous German (or perhaps he was Austrian), Karl Von Clauswitz said, "war is the continuation of politics by other means." Somedays, I would prefer more assertive forms of contention than what we come to accept as radical these days (organizing to vote, protesting, letter-writing etc.)

Finally, you refer to learning "their rules" and how this is not assimilation. Not all acts are assimilative and not all assimilative acts are necessarily bad either. I think we need to measure each act, each tool, against our own, revived Indigenous principles. It's like choosing to buy a honda civic hybrid as opposed to a Hummer...I mean we do have to make decisions about most things but I also challenge you to determine what truly is "inevitable" or "unavoidable" or "necessary."

Have you heard how travelling circus' used to train elephants? When the circus would receive a new elephant, the elephant obviously would not want to be there and wanted freedom. The elephant would be chained to a metal post driven deep into the bedrock. There was no way the post was going to move no matter how much the elephant pulled. Eventually, the elephant gives up and accepts the fact that he will never be free. When they get to the next town and unpack the train, the caretaker drives a wooden stake into the ground about 2 feet. If the elephant wanted freedom, he could easily pull away, but he does not because he already accepted the fact that he will never be free.

Indigenous friends don't let Indigenous friends vote.