Alpha Version

This page is about my obsession with FREEDOM

If you are PEOPLE(s) and you want INDEPENDENCE then read this Resolution!  (It's also availabe at the United Nations website - just click on the resolution title to go there).

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1514 (XV). Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples

Adopted by General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960

The General Assembly,

Mindful of the determination proclaimed by the peoples of the world in the Charter of the United Nations to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Conscious of the need for the creation of conditions of stability and well-being and peaceful and friendly relations based on respect for the
principles of equal rights and self-determination of all peoples, and of universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion,

Recognizing the passionate yearning for freedom in all dependent peoples and the decisive role of such peoples in the attainment of their
independence,

Aware of the increasing conflicts resulting from the denial of or impediments in the way of the freedom of such peoples, which constitute a serious threat to world peace,

Considering the important role of the United Nations in assisting the movement for independence in Trust and Non- Self- Governing Territories,

Recognizing that the peoples of the world ardently desire the end of colonialism in all its manifestations,

Convinced that the continued existence of colonialism prevents the development of international economic co-operation, impedes the social, cultural and economic development of dependent peoples and militates against the United Nations ideal of universal peace,

Affirming that peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations
arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law,

Believing that the process of liberation is irresistible and irreversible and that, in order to avoid serious crises, an end must be put to colonialism and all practices of segregation and discrimination associated therewith,

Welcoming the emergence in recent years of a large number of dependent territories into freedom and independence, and recognizing the
increasingly powerful trends towards freedom in such territories which have not yet attained independence,

Convinced that all peoples have an inalienable right to complete freedom, the exercise of their sovereignty and the integrity of their
national territory,

Solemnly proclaims the necessity of bringing to a speedy and unconditional end colonialism in all its forms and manifestations;

And to this end Declares that:

1. The subjection of peoples to alien subjugation, domination and exploitation constitutes a denial of fundamental human rights, is contrary to the Charter of the United Nations and is an impediment to the promotion of world peace and co-operation.

2. All peoples have the right to self-determination; by virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

3. Inadequacy of political, economic, social or educational preparedness should never serve as a pretext for delaying independence.

4. All armed action or repressive measures of all kinds directed against dependent peoples shall cease in order to enable them to exercise peacefully and freely their right to complete independence, and the integrity of their national territory shall be respected.

5. Immediate steps shall be taken, in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories or all other territories which have not yet attained independence, to transfer all powers to the peoples of those territories, without any conditions or reservations, in accordance with their freely expressed will and desire, without any distinction as to race, creed or colour, in order to enable them to enjoy complete independence and freedom.

6. Any attempt aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

7. All States shall observe faithfully and strictly the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the present Declaration on the basis of equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of all States, and respect for the sovereign rights of all peoples and their territorial integrity.

 "Plenary power is fiction"
Mary Linda Pearson

cartoon submitted by John Seven Wilson III

When people are in abusive relationships, the family members usually wonder why the victims don't "just leave the relationship."  After all, they don't deserve the abuse, they don't want it, and they don't "ask for it. "

Some victims feel stuck.  They worry about:  

• the kids

• the finances (how will I survive?)

• the emotional security

• etc

Often, they  feel powerless to help themselves.  There are many self-help and other support groups aimed toward empowering individuals..... people with like minds who want to help them stand up on their own and gain their own sense of power.....to achieve freedom!

Now, imagine for a minute that Tribes are in an abusive relationship.   Maybe even with Uncle Sam.  Imagine that others are encouraging us to "just leave the relationship."  We don't deserve the abuse, we don't want it, and we definitely don't "ask for it."  It's probably even for our own good.

Do we feel stuck?  Do we worry about:

• the tribal members

• the finances (how will we survive?)

• the emotional security

• etc

Do we feel powerless to help ourselves?  Would a larger group of people with like minds be able to help us feel empowered?  Stand up on our own?   Achieve the status we once had?

And if we did go through the steps, what would it look like?  What would it feel like?  Can you imagine 100% COMPLETE FREEDOM now?

The question is not "can it be done," but it's "when are we going to find the courage to COMPLETELY follow through!  It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth every time I hear about another tribe negotiating little bits of freedom here and there as if we are "stuck" in an abusive relationship.  All this talk about negotiating our "Sovereignty" is driving me nuts!  It's like all smoke and no fire.  We need to JUST DO IT!  As Salman Rushdie once said, "Freedom is not given, it's taken."

"The responsibility for change, therefore, lies with us.  We must begin with ourselves, teaching ourselves not to close our minds prematurely to the novel, the surprising, the seemingly radical.  This means fighting off the idea assassins who rush forward to kill any new suggestion on grounds of its impracticality, while defending whatever now exists as practical, no matter how absurd, oppressive, or unworkable it may be."

Toffler 1995

The People of the Okanagan Nation have executed a formal Declaration stating historical facts and the resolve of our people to defend our land, which land we know as "Our Mother", and our people which declaration states, amongst other things, that:

WE ARE UNCONQUERED ABORIGINAL PEOPLES OF OUR MOTHER

THE CREATOR HAS GIVEN TO US OUR MOTHER TO ENJOY, TO MANAGE AND TO PROTECT;

WE HAVE NEVER GIVEN UP OUR RIGHTS TO OUR MOTHER, OUR MOTHER'S RESOURCES, OUR GOVERNMENTS AND OUR RELIGION.

WE WILL SURVIVE AND CONTINUE TO GOVERN OUR MOTHER AND HER RESOURCES FOR THE GOOD OF ALL TIME.

INDICTMENT

OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, DESIGNATED AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BRITISH CROWN AND NAMED CHURCHES RESIDENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA*

...Long before there were recognized nations called The United States of America and Canada, and for many years since the genesis and recognition of those nations, Blackfoot People lived as and formed a Whole People and Nation. . . . the status and legitimacy of the Blackfoot Nation and the unalienable rights of the Blackfoot Nation and its members to security, peace, prosperity and self-determination do not depend upon any degree or kind of recognition or non-recognition by any other Nation or entity. The objective reality and status . . .  of Blackfoot People as a Nation, and the derivative rights of the Blackfoot Nation to security, peace, prosperity and self-determination demand--rather than depend upon--recognition by all those Nations seeking or asserting similar recognition ( often with less authority) for themselves. >---->READ IT<----<

*Jim Craven, member of the Sovereign Blackfoot Nation

"Quotes"

"When a person places the proper value on freedom, there is nothing under the sun that he will not do to acquire that freedom. Whenever you hear a man saying he wants freedom, but in the next breath he is going to tell you what he won't do to get it, or what he doesn't believe in doing in order to get it, he doesn't believe in freedom. A man who believes in freedom will do anything under the sun to acquire . . . or preserve his freedom."

Malcolm X, OAAU, "Homecoming" speech, 29 Nov. 1964, in By any means, p. 141

"If you're not ready to die for it, put the word "freedom" out of your vocabulary."

 
Malcolm X, Chicago Defender, 28. Nov. 1962

"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.  A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both."
- James Madison (Fourth President of the United States)

Those who are willing to exchange freedom for security deserve neither.

"If we fail to plan our own future, we will be a part of someone else's plan."

The choice is ours.

Things Tribal Leaders Should Never Say Out loud:

"Give me liberty, or give me death."

"Welcome to our country.  Relax, enjoy your visit, stay awhile."

"Can we do that?"

"Let's ask Uncle Sam if we can."

(worse) "Let's ask the state."  or the county, etc....

"Dam it!" (salmon tribes only)

"Free Willie" (coastal tribes)