We’ve also compiled a list of all the indigenous-related workshops and events: please see this PDF document.
Also keep reading below for the specific activities IPSMO is involved with at the PSF.
This is a workshop for people who are new to the subject of decolonization and indigenous solidarity, and who want to learn more. We will be introducing some of the key issues, concepts and practices in effective and respectful solidarity organizing.
This is a workshop that is intended for people who are already involved in doing Indigenous Solidarity organizing. It focuses on how colonization plays out in practice, and addresses how to do be effective and responsible allies. Finally, it also explores the issues of White Supremacy and Heteropatriarchy as tools of colonization.
As part of the upcoming Peoples’ Social Forum we are planning an assembly of organizations and individuals who are interested in working in solidarity with Indigenous peoples to decolonize Turtle Island.
The assembly will provide an opportunity to share ideas about being an effective solidarity activist, analyse the issues, solutions and strategies, and identify joint or supportive actions. The assembly proposal is endorsed by the Forum’s Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus.
The following organizations are supporting the assembly: Christian Peacemakers Teams, Engage North, Grand River Indigenous Solidarity, Independent Jewish Voices, Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement – Ottawa, Justice for Deepan, KAIROS, MiningWatch Canada, No One Is Illegal – Ottawa, Rising Tide – Vancouver, Students Against Israeli Apartheid – Carleton.
Dans le cadre du prochain Forum Social des Peuples, nous organisons une assemblée des organisations et individus intéressé-e-s à travailler en solidarité avec les peuples indigènes pour la décolonisation de l’île de la Tortue.
L’assemblée sera l’occasion de partager des idées pour être efficace dans notre travail de solidarité; pour analyser les problèmes, solutions, et stratagèmes; et pour identifier des actions en soutien et en commun. La proposition de l’assemblée est approuvée par le caucus des Peuples’ d’Origine du Forum.
Accessibilité: L’Assemblé sera accessible physiquement. Nous assurer la traduction ASL ou transcription en Anglais ou Français, et traduction simultanée en Anglais at Français.
L’assemblée est soutenue par les organisations suivantes: Christian Peacemakers Teams, Engage North, Grand River Indigenous Solidarity, Independent Jewish Voices, Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement – Ottawa, Justice pour Deepan, KAIROS, MiningWatch Canada, No One Is Illegal – Ottawa, Rising Tide – Vancouver, Students Against Israeli Apartheid – Carleton.
Join us for a feast. We are organizing the feast as part of the Indigenous solidarity activities at the Peoples’ Social Forum, and it is intended for indigenous and indigenous solidarity activists, but everyone is welcome.
A collection of recent and not-so-recent links to statements, articles, photos/images and video.
The following organizations are supporting the assembly: Christian Peacemakers Teams, Engage North, Grand River Indigenous Solidarity, Independent Jewish Voices, Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement – Ottawa, Justice pour Deepan, KAIROS, MiningWatch Canada, No One Is Illegal – Ottawa, Rising Tide – Vancouver, Students Against Israeli Apartheid – Carleton.
Decolonizing Together is about listening to indigenous people, taking direction from them, sticking around in decolonizing movement, and discussing together what it means to be responsible allies to indigenous people and communities struggling for justice and decolonization.
We will start by learning from Jaime Koebel, a Metis artist and educator, about the often hidden indigenous history, art and culture in the city of Ottawa.
After we arrive at Victoria Island there will be an opening by a local Elder.
To open the solidarity assembly we will hear about the Algonquin history of the Ottawa River valley from Ardoch Algonquin elder and Queen’s University Professor, Robert Lovelace. This will lead us into a collective discussion about what meaningful Indigenous Solidarity and Decolonization movement is, and how we can do it.
We are honoured that Robert Lovelace will be with us to speak about the Algonquin history of the Ottawa valley. The entire Ottawa river watershed is the traditional territory of the Algonquin people. His words will begin a large group discussion on the nature of Indigenous Solidarity and Decolonization.
This small assembly is part of the lead up to the Peoples’ Social Forum happening from Aug. 21 – 24, and our plans to have an Indigenous Solidarity Movement Assembly during the forum. It will involve a collective discussion about questions that are important to indigenous solidarity movement: What is Indigenous Solidarity and how do we do it effectively? As settlers, what are our differing roles and responsibilities in decolonization movement?
Guided by the spirits of her departed mother and brother, an Aboriginal teenager plots revenge against a sadistic Indian Agent in this fiercely irreverent debut feature from Canadian director Jeff Barnaby.
– These events are wheelchair accessible: Victoria Island is listed as BASIC ACCESSIBILITY. The main area is grass covered, and the site has an accessibility ramp. There is an accessible toilet. If you require assistance, our volunteers can help you.
This event was co-organized by the Asinabka Film Festival and the Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement – Ottawa (IPSMO) and our partners: KAIROS, MiningWatch, Justice For Deepan, Independent Jewish Voices, No One Is Illegal – Ottawa, and the Peoples’ Social Forum.
The full schedule for this week long film festival will be available soon.
Currently in our 3rd year of programming, the mandate of the Asinabka Festival is to present an annual Indigenous film and media arts festival in the Nations Capital that allows independent artists – national, international, Indigenous, non-Indigenous – to share, present, and disseminate their work.
The Solidarity Assembly and Asinabka Movie screening are happening on Victoria Island, in sight of the Chaudière falls. The Chaudière falls are a deeply important cultural site for the Algonquin people. They were negatively impacted by the Hydro Ring Dam that was built in 1908. The current plans of Windmill Development Group to “develop” and gentrify the Domtar building currently on the Island is a step in the wrong direction. The Chaudière falls, like the whole Ottawa river watershed, are stolen Algonquin territory. Both the natural beauty and the cultural significance are already marred by the Ring Dam and this will only be worsened by increased “development” on the Island.
Before they were harnessed for industry, the Chaudière Falls were second only to Niagara, and many people considered them more interesting in their variety and setting. The main feature was the Big Kettle, where the waterfall came into almost a full circle. It’s a greater arc than Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls. Over millennia, the flow had worn the stone at the base into a great bowl. The water would swirl around and bubble up, and there would always be a mist. On a bright summer day, there would be at least one rainbow in it. Further towards the Quebec side was the Lost Chaudière, where the area was completely surrounded by stone. Much to the amazement of visitors, the water would flow in but wouldn’t come out again: It was travelling through an underground channel, reappearing further down the river.
Are you interested in doing Indigenous solidarity organizing? Do you want to learn more about how to effectively oppose colonialism and to support Indigenous people, communities and nations?
If so, come out to the Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement – Ottawa’s upcoming open meeting, and get involved!
Friends (Quakers) Meetinghouse, 91A Fourth Ave.
Are you interested in doing Indigenous Solidarity organizing? Do you want to learn more about how to effectively oppose colonialism and to support Indigenous communities and peoples?
If so, come out to the IPSM Ottawa upcoming open meeting, and get involved!
We are currently organizing towards an Indigenous Solidarity Assembly at the Peoples’ Social Forum, and will be organizing an event in collaboration with the Asinabka Film Festival (www.asinabkafestival.org) on July 23rd.
The Indigenous Peoples’ Solidarity Movement of Ottawa started as a group of activists who did some solidarity organizing in support of the six nations land reclamation near Caledonia, in the summer of 2006.
Since then we have been doing Indigenous solidarity organizing in many varied ways and in support of many different people, issues, communities and nations. Some of this work includes supporting the Tyendinaga Mohawks during their occupation a quarry on their territory, supporting the Ardoch Algonquin and the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations in their opposition to a uranium nine on their territory, and supporting local anti-racist organizing at Carleton University.
Most of the work that we have done in the past 6 years, however, has been in support of the Algonquin community of Barriere Lake and supporting initiatives and groups struggling for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirits.
The Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement – Ottawa (IPSMO) is a grassroots organization that directly supports indigenous peoples in diverse struggles for justice. We also work within communities to challenge the lies and half-truths about indigenous peoples and colonization that dominate Canadian society. The organization is open to both indigenous and non-indigenous people, and focuses on local and regional campaigns.
As we act in solidarity with indigenous people, we build relationships where we can learn from indigenous cultures. By doing this, we can further decolonize ourselves, and so learn to better challenge the racist and colonial ideas that dominate Canadian society.
We provide support to actions and campaigns for Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, defense of the land, environmental protection, cultural revitalization, and the honouring of treaties and agreements.
A roundup of information details and links from the June 19 event, Indigenous Resistance and Solidarity: Against Pipelines, For The Land.
ReachUp! empowers young university graduates to deliver technology and business training in vulnerable communities.
RESIST: The Unist’ot’en’s Call To The Land, is now online at the film’s website or on Vimeo.
Connecting with Resonance: What is De-colonization?
And special thanks to Southminster United Church for hosting the post-event social; the Indigenous ladies singing group for the songs at the Mayfair, and the OTown Boyz for the druming at the social!