MNN has a group of highly trained workshop facilitators
and skilled speakers:
•
Tekarontake. Border, Land, Resources, and traditional law
issues
•
Taiotekane. Legal, Criminal Court Issues]
•
Eric Schweig. Inuit. Front line street outreach worker.
Issues facing Urban Homeless Indigenous and Inuit
Peoples.
•
Kaniehtiio. Talent from a Youth Perspective
•
Splitting the Sky. Writer, Speaker, Activist on court and
prison system.
•
John Kane. Radio show "Native Pride" on trade and
commerce, legal, historic and current issues of the Iroquois
nations.
•
Aroniakons. History, Contemporary Issues
•
Kakwirakeron. Indigenous Constitutional Jurisdiction
Issues, UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights
•
Kahentinetha. Haudenosaunee and Modern Cultural
Conflicts
•
Thahoketoteh of Kanekota. Music and story telling.
These are Some of the Workshops that We Offer:
•
Colonial Goal of Assimilation
•
Indigenous Basis of International Law
•
Media Stereotyping of Indigenous People
•
Haudenosaunee Land Regime
•
Cross Cultural Encounters
•
Impact of Residential School Experience
•
Indigenous People and the Courts
•
Oka/Mohawk Crisis of 1990
•
Indigenous Health Care
•
Legal Basis of Modern Activism
•
Indigenous Role in Environmental Issues
•
Iroquois Longhouse Philosophy
•
Consensual Decision Making Process
The goals of the Indigenous Awareness Workshops are to promote understanding of Indigenous cultures and values; increase
awareness of Indigenous issues; and enhance communication with Indigenous peoples. They are designed and facilitated by
Indigenous professionals. Delivery includes lectures, group exercises, panel discussions, resource speakers, audio-visuals and group
discussions. Workshops are one to three days.
Example Workshop Outline:
Day 1 - Overview of Indigenous Culture. Content: Creation Story; Basic Concepts About Indigenous Culture; Diversity Among Peoples;
Ceremonies.
Day 2 - History of Indigenous and European Relationships. Content: Contact and Effects of Contact with Europeans; Treaties, Federal
Indian Law, Indian Act, Indian Affairs; Assimilation Policy.
Day 3 - Contemporary Indigenous Issues. Content: Examination of Current Issues: Indigenous Rights; Constitution; Self-
Determination; What Indigenous People Want.
Tekarontake
Longtime speaker and interpreter . Workshop: "Traditional philosophy of the
Iroquois". He knows that the Kaianerehkowa, the Great Law of Peace, is the
foundation for world peace. Specializes in US/Canada border issues.
Taiotekane
Lawyer. Courageous and committed to protecting the rights of Indigenous and
non-Indigenous clients. Very knowledgeable about the court system and
criminal law that victimizes many Indigenous people. Almost 40 years of
experience in the system in which he never compromised his Indigenous
principles.
Kaniehtiio
Actor. Workhop: "Talent from the Youth Perspective'. She is part of the coming
female energy. Her background is sports, waterpolo and competitive swimming.
She is a trained experienced actor appearing in many current films, such as
"Indian Summer", "The Trotskie", "Web of Lies", "Moccasin Flats", "Wild Hunt",
"the Colony", "18 to Life", and so on. Her main focus is to help youth to find their
identity and energy through understand Indigenous culture
John Kane
Radio show "Native Pride". He is a longtime activist in the issues facing
Indigenous people, particularly economic oppression. Workshop: Trade and
commerce, legal, historic and current issues of the Iroquois nations.
Aroniakons
Paralegal entrepreneur. Lifelong musician [violin, banjo, guitar, mandolin and pedal
steel guitar] who has written songs and music, as well as singing the traditional songs
of the Longhouse. He is skilled in political, legal and economic aspects of Native land
issues. Workshop: "Historic Pre-European to Present and Future Expectations".
Certified golf instructor and coach. Workshop: "Challenges of Colonial Martial Law
Trying to Stop Economic Development in Native Communities".
Kakwirakeron
Workshop: "What is Economic Sovereignty:" "Our spirituality is based on giving
greetings and thanks to that system that makes life on Mother Earth possible".
"Economic sovereignty is the foremost issue". Another Workshop: "Consensual
Decision Making", the traditional system of resolving issues, big and small. This unique
system can be taught to all groups who want to learn to resolve issues where everyone
has a voice and all are equal.
Eric Schweig
Inuit. Actor for several decades. He is currently starring in two Series:
"Blackstone" and "Casino". Throughout his life he has been a front line street
outreach worker. Workshop: Issues facing Urban Homeless Indigenous and
Inuit Peoples. He Has honorary doctorate from Nipissing University for his work
among Indigenous youth.
Kahentinetha
Story Teller, writer, interpreter from the Great Law perspective. She is a stalwart
elder woman, mother and grandmother. She has written almost 1,000 MNN
articles on all aspects of Indigenous resistance. She is Editor of MNN Mohawk
Nation News since its beginning in 1990 during the Mohawk Oka Crisis that
plagued that summer.
Thahoketoteh of Kanekota
Lives at the source of the Grand River. His main role is jurisdictional. He has
studied extensively the history and contemporary legal issues of
Rotino'shonni'onwe. His gifts are music and story telling. Workshop:
"Reclamation of Kanekota and its implications for re-establishing Kaianerehowa".
He has many insights into "The Return of Dekanawida's Message".
Dacajewiah, Splitting the Sky
Writer, Speaker, Sundance Chief. Activist on court and prison system. Wrote
"From Attica to Gustafsen Lake". He sets an example, writing his memoirs,
proving that the pen can be personally more healing and publicly mightier than
the sword for the Indigenous Peoples in their struggle for Justice. Workshop:
Human invincibility against repressive forces. Ecode, raising of prison walls and
globalization growing divisions between small, entitled minorities and large, dis-
entitled majorities. All peoples have the right to exercise their right of self-
defence as part of self- determination.
Colonial Goal of Assimilation
First the holocaust of 120 million Indigenous in the Western Hemisphere. Then
the Genocide policy of placing us in isolation. Now the final stage of
assimilation/absorption. Is it working? The Residential School Program of the
government and churches have been devastating for the Indigenous peoples.
Media Stereotyping of Indigenous People
The mainstream media is run by a cartel of propagandists who promote the
corporate agenda. Indigenous are resource and land owners are demonized.
Historic wrongs have been ignored, covered up or twisted. The Europeans are
making wrong decisions based on their own misinformation.
Indigenous Basis of International Law
The Two Row Wampum of Indigenous agreements and compacts is the basis of
international law. It signifies that the Europeans would remain in their ship and
the Indigenous would be in the canoe. They would maintain their own
languages, ways and laws government their own people. The land would never
be forfeited by the indigenous owners. Both vessels would go down the river of
life, never crossing paths. The Indigenous nations have been violated by the
visitors. The consequences must be dealt with.
Haudenosaunee Philosophy and Historic Land Issues
The relationship of land to the people is explained. An historic overview of the
land regime and the peace that was originally created between the Indigenous
and the visitors has been broken. What are the affects? The Kanianerekowa
and Two Row Wampum principles need to be understood. They are the basic
philosophies underlying all treaties between Indigenous and non-Indigenous
peoples.
Cross Cultural Encounters.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous misunderstand each other, leading to serious
conflicts. The Indigenous view of the land as their birthright, while the Corporate
structure sees land as an economic commodity to be exploited. This has lead to
environmental degradation. The mainstream must learn Indigenous history and
truth to resolve 500 years of misunderstanding.
Residential Schools Program
This is part of the genocide policy of taking young children from their families and
communities to be educated. It was one of the greatest crimes in history of Great
Turtle Island perpetrated by the governments and churches. It fundamentally
damaged the Indigenous people for generations to come. The apologies do not
address the long term consequences. What can the perpetrators do to honestly
address the damage?
Indigenous People and the Courts
Explaining the colonial laws and Indigenous constitutional jurisdiction.
Indigenous never surrendered their birth right. The artificial entities must resolve
this impasse where Indigenous want to save Mother Earth and the occupiers
want to continue to exploit the land and resources. The colonial courts are for
profit and punishment.
Oka Crisis of 1990
It was Wednesday, September 26, 1990. Fifty-two men, women, children
and ten journalists, were holding out. The War Chief had given a coded
message in Mohawks over the Radio. He waned them to vacate the Alcohol
and Drug Treatment Centre as soon as possible because "something was
coming down that night". Since September 1, 1990 the Canadian Army
had surrounded the Centre. There was no communication with the outside
world, little food was coming in, the weather was getting cold. The army
was stepping up its psychological warfare, and the Canadian and Quebec
governments wanted an end to the Mohawk Crisis that had plagued the
summer of 1990. Over 10,000 Mohawks were affected. This workshop will
be the story of this historical 78 day siege, presented with first hand
information, videos and discussion.
Indigenous Health Care
Medicines were promised to the Indigenous peoples. Unfulfilled promises
have lead to Indigenous people suffering ill health similar to third world
living conditions, from lack of clean water, inadequate housing,
malnutrition and other horrific health problems. Major health issue must
be addressed. MNN has health professionals who can provide knowledge
and guidance to the mainstream and medical fields.
Legal Basis of Modern Activism
Indigenous peoples, two hundred fifty million, or more, and one of the
world's most endangered humans have several roads open to them. They
could disappear into the larger societies without leaving a trail to their
past, their ancestor, culture and spiritual values. They could enter the
prisons of the body, mind and soul created for them from concrete, steel,
alcohol, drugs, violence, segregation and cruelty. Or they could resist,
assert their dignity, their equal worth and struggle for the survival of their
people and all they have to offer humanity. This story must be told!
Indigenous Role in Environmental Issues
The abuse of the environment has lead to the breakdown of the hierarchical
centralized corporatocracy. Depletion of oil will destroy modern life. No more gas
will lead to cities becoming unviable, transport and road systems useless, food
and most production becoming localized. The old knowledge will be invaluable.
Small independent communities will survive. The masses will need to learn to
become their own service providers. In this way anger and racism will be
avoided.
Longhouse/Great Law Philosophy
Indigenous culture is all encompassing, based on the relationship to the natural
world. The Kaianerekowa, Great Law of Peace, is scientific, based on
observation of the natural world. Tools have been put in the Great Law to help the
Indigenous people to use their minds and energy to solve all their problems.
Various exercises help in the understanding of this concept, to bring people from
"I" to "we" in their thinking.
Consensual Decision making Process
One of the problems in discussions between the Indigenous people and the
colonial governments is the differing processes of decision making preferred by
each: hierarchical vs. communal consensual decision making. This exercise is to
give the participants the experience of arriving at decisions based on an
Indigenous process.
