MUSKRAT On-line Magazine

 Check out this on-line Indigenous knowledges magazine. 

"MUSKRAT is an on-line Indigenous arts, culture, and living magazine that strives to honour, investigate, and disseminate traditional knowledges in ways that inspire their reclamation."  

Issue One: http://muskratmagazine.com/category/past-issues/premiere-issue/

Issue Two: http://muskratmagazine.com/category/past-issues/food-issue/

STARS Event: Dr. Karla Jessen Williamson

Illuminating the Crosscurrents of Racism and Sexism:

A Practice-Based Approach to Transforming Multiple Oppressions

Thursday, Nov. 22nd

4:00 - 5:30

Education Rm 2001

The Student Teachers’ Anti-Racism Society (STARS) warmly invites you to join special guest Dr. Karla Jessen Williamson in examining the relationship between the lived realities of racism and sexism in Canadian society. While each subject merits in-depth and careful examination, engaging the two forms of violence concurrently bears new understandings about the multiple and shifting spaces in which these forms of violence are played out. The event will include two objectives: the first is to bring into focus the ways racism and sexism are leveled against Women of Color in Canadian society, and the second is to collaboratively engage a selection of resources that may be used by practitioners to address racism and sexism in the classroom. All are welcome to this event. We would greatly appreciate it if you would be willing to share this invitation among your email networks. Refreshments will be provided.

Racing the Rez: A documentary

Check out this excellent documentary.  Suitable for grades 7-12.

Racing the Rez
In the rugged canyon lands of Northern Arizona, Navajo and Hopi cross-country runners from two rival high schools put it all on the line for Tribal pride, triumph over adversity and state championship glory. Win or lose, what they learn in the course of their seasons will have a dramatic effect on the rest of their lives....A co-production of Wolf Hill Films and NAPT, Racing the Rez moves beyond Native American stereotypes of the past and present by delving deep into the daily grind of these Native teenagers. Over the course of two racing seasons, you'll witness the boys striving to find their place among their Native people and the American culture surrounding them. The film sheds light on the many challenges that these runners face living on a Reservation and how they come to terms with having to make cultural choices that most American youth will never encounter (from: http://visionmaker.semkhor.com/product.asp?s=visionmaker&pf_id=RREZ-11-H&dept_id=23445).

Website: http://racingtherez.com/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaXL7bUv1dc

Racism and mascot resources

I've been following this story for awhile, because I'm a hockey nut, and think it's interesting, especially given the temperature around name and mascot changes in our own city...
'Home of the Fighting Sioux' signage removal begins at Ralph Engelstad Arena 
http://www.grandforksherald.com/content/home-fighting-sioux-signage-removal-begins-ralph-engelstad-arena 

Last year, this same team was not allowed to compete in the championship tournament wearing their regular sweaters because of NCAA rules. 
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/shhhh-north-dakota-t-admit-fighting-sioux-during-154634680.html

And lastly, from the other side, a rather ignorant website defending the use of the "Fighting Sioux" name and "tradition." http://savethefightingsioux.com

First Nations Catholic Saint

It appears that the Catholic Church is going to make a Mohawk woman from the 17thC a saint.  I know that some FN groups are looking at it as a positive thing, particularly those who identify as Catholic, and it might go a long way towards healing for survivors of the residential school system.  Despite that the process to make her a saint was begun more than 70 years ago, I still feel a bit apprehensive about it.  It would have meant everything to her, but I can't help but wonder if it isn't a political move on behalf of the Church. 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/mohawk-woman-to-become-catholic-saint-1.1140204

Is this a genuine gesture of healing, a strategic political move, a tokenization of an individual, or simply the making of a saint and completely unrelated to politics and FN people?