Post by Bonnie Johnson
September 22, 2019
It was an historic day today.
The Shuswap Campus of the Okanogan College raised the Secwepemc flag to permanently fly along side the Canadian flag, the British Columbia flag and the Okanogan College flag.
Louis Thomas, knowledge keeper, opened the ceremony with a prayer.
There was a representative from all five of the campfires in the area: Neskonlith, Splatsin, Sqylax (also known as Little Shuswap Band), and Sexqeltquin (Adams Lake).
Judy Wilson said that there are efforts for UNDRIP to become a part of provincial law. I want to ask, are you serious? Judy Wilson told us that a group put the declaration together, the UN watered it down and then passed it. But at least we have something.
The key sticking point that made the progress of UNDRIP slow was nations not being ready to declare that Indigenous people have the right to self-determination and the right to control natural resources on their traditional lands. The four countries voting against UNDRIP were the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, all colonies of Britain.
Unlike me, Chief Wilson did not get caught up in shock and outrage. Her focus was to the future, reminding each of us to think of what actions we can take. Her mother, Elder Minnie Kenoras was one of the people who held onto the chain to help raise the flag. Shirley Byrd and Deloris Perdaby also helped pull on the chain. Three of the Elders danced while a song was drummed and sung in Secwepmachine. It was seeing them dance that felt like the action of gratitude.
Ukpi7 (Chief) Cliff Arnouse ... (to be finished by Bonnie or not to be finished by her. I say that sometimes half a post is better than no post.)
September 22, 2019
The Shuswap Campus of the Okanogan College raised the Secwepemc flag to permanently fly along side the Canadian flag, the British Columbia flag and the Okanogan College flag.
Louis Thomas, knowledge keeper, opened the ceremony with a prayer.
There was a representative from all five of the campfires in the area: Neskonlith, Splatsin, Sqylax (also known as Little Shuswap Band), and Sexqeltquin (Adams Lake).
 |
| Secwepemc Territory. Map: Secwepemc Cultural Education Society |
Judy Wilson said that there are efforts for UNDRIP to become a part of provincial law. I want to ask, are you serious? Judy Wilson told us that a group put the declaration together, the UN watered it down and then passed it. But at least we have something.
The key sticking point that made the progress of UNDRIP slow was nations not being ready to declare that Indigenous people have the right to self-determination and the right to control natural resources on their traditional lands. The four countries voting against UNDRIP were the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, all colonies of Britain.
Unlike me, Chief Wilson did not get caught up in shock and outrage. Her focus was to the future, reminding each of us to think of what actions we can take. Her mother, Elder Minnie Kenoras was one of the people who held onto the chain to help raise the flag. Shirley Byrd and Deloris Perdaby also helped pull on the chain. Three of the Elders danced while a song was drummed and sung in Secwepmachine. It was seeing them dance that felt like the action of gratitude.
Ukpi7 (Chief) Cliff Arnouse ... (to be finished by Bonnie or not to be finished by her. I say that sometimes half a post is better than no post.)
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you are using a Mac, you cannot comment using Safari. Google Chrome, Explorer or Foxfire seem to work.