On February 13, 2008 the “No Olympics on Stolen Native Land” speaking tour passed through Hamilton. The speakers included Kanahus Pellkey, a Secwepemc and Ktnuxa Warrior and member of the Native Youth Movement. They spoke while taking care of their very young children who occasionally grabbed the attention of the 50+ crowd with their laughter and curiosity. Despite the title of the talk, the 2010 Olympics were only briefly mentioned as the speakers spoke freely on a wide range topics. The following is a summary of some of the key themes that we picked up on.

Regarding the 2010 Olympics, the speakers described them as a land grab by global investors in order to profit from the unceeded lands of the St'at'imc and Squamish territories. They see this as yet another act of colonization using the spectacle of the Olympics to cover up the fact. They mentioned how the Olympics are portrayed as a symbol global peace and cooperation when in fact they are about environmental and cultural destruction, colonization and exploitation.

Speaking within a university, they contrasted Canada's system of education with their own which is based on the passing of knowledge from women to children and which is focused on living off the land and on transmitting culture and history. They spoke of the disastrous effects of Canada's residential schools on indigenous peoples and the difficulties of dealing with the consequences of widespread and institutionalized racism, sexual abuse and cultural genocide faced by a whole generation. One of the speakers saw this latest wave of indigenous struggles as the first awakenings after the end of the residential school system.

They also mentioned solidarity movements with indigenous peoples. They stressed that their struggle was not about indigenous peoples versus, in their words, “other races” and that all cultures have something positive to contribute. They said that those who do solidarity work should be prepared to face violence from the state and that they do not have the time to protect activists in those situations. They also mentioned that solidarity activists need to respect indigenous laws.

They said that they reject the Indian Act and the system of band councils imposed on indigenous peoples by the Canadian government. They criticized the band council chiefs referring to them as “puppet chiefs.” Instead, they said that they are fighting for autonomy and they see the basis of this in their land, culture and language. As a practical example of what this resistance means, they mentioned that they do not register their children with the Canadian state.

Overall, while there was less information presented on the 2010 Olympic than expected, the passion and determination with which the speakers spoke left a powerful impression on everyone present and a greater understanding of what is at stake in this struggle.

By Karine and Alex, Common Cause Hamilton