Chief Theresa Spence will not attend Friday meeting without Governor General

Source: Rebecca Lindell, Global News

Wednesday, January 09, 2013 8:23 PM

Read it on Global News: Global News | Spence will not attend Friday meeting without Governor General

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence has pulled out of Friday’s meeting between First Nations leaders and Prime Minister Stephen Harper because Gov. Gen. David Johnston will not attend the gathering.

The Assembly of First Nations scheduled a meeting for Jan. 11 between Harper and some of its chiefs, including Spence, but on Tuesday Johnston’s office confirmed he would not attend because it is a “working meeting” with the government on public policy issues.

Spence responded by issuing this statement on Wednesday: “We have sent a letter to Buckingham Palace and requesting that Queen Elizabeth II send forth her representative which is the Governor General of Canada. I will not be attending Friday’s meeting with the Prime Minister, as the Governor General’s attendance is integral when discussing inherent and treaty rights.”

Read it on Global News: Global News | Spence will not attend Friday meeting without Governor General

United Nations speaks out about Chief Theresa Spence to Canada

Canadian authorities must start meaningful dialogue with aboriginal leaders – UN expert

 
Source: United News Centre
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43891&Cr=indigenous&Cr1=

 8 January 2013 – A United Nations independent expert today urged the Canadian Government to establish a meaningful dialogue with the country’s aboriginal leaders in light of recent protests.

“I am encouraged by reports that Prime Minister Steven Harper has agreed to meet with First Nations Chiefs and leadership on 11 January 2013 to discuss issues related to aboriginal and treaty rights as well as economic development,” said the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya.

He continued, “Both the Government of Canada and First Nations representatives must take full advantage of this opportunity to rebuild relationships in a true spirit of good faith and partnership.”

For weeks, aboriginal leaders and activists carried out protests referred to as ‘Idle no more,’ according to a news release from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). It noted that the movement has been punctuated by the hunger strike of Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation, which began on 11 December.

“I would like to add my voice to the concern expressed by many over the health condition of Chief Spence, who I understand will be joining indigenous leaders at this week’s meeting,” the Mr. Anaya said.

The independent expert stressed that the dialogue between the Government and First Nations should proceed in accordance with standards expressed in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration states that indigenous peoples have the right to maintain their distinct identities and cultures as a basis of their development and place in the world, to pursue their own destinies under conditions of equality, and to have secure rights over lands and resources, with due regard for their traditional patterns of use and occupancy.

In particular, Mr. Anaya highlighted one of the preambles in the Declaration which affirms that treaties, agreements and other arrangements are the basis for a strengthened partnership between indigenous peoples and States.

The Government affirmed a “commitment to continue working in partnership with Aboriginal peoples and in accordance with a relationship based on good faith, partnership and mutual respect,” when it released a statement supporting the Declaration on 12 November 2010, said Mr. Anaya, who has asked the Canadian authorities to provide relevant information on this matter, in accordance with the terms of his mandate from the UN Human Rights Council.

“I will continue to monitor developments as I hold out hope that the 11 January meeting will prompt meaningful and restorative action by the Government and First Nations leadership,” Mr. Anaya added.

Independent experts, or special rapporteurs such as Mr. Anaya, are appointed by the Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

Lucky days for the Enlightened

Six Students Attribute Five-figure lottery winnings to Ramtha School Lessons

 SOURCE Ramtha School of Enlightenment,  www.ramtha.com.

YELM, Wash., Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — A remarkable run of Washington’s Lottery winners, all from the Yelm area, have cashed winning tickets of $10,000 or more during the past two years.  The lottery champions gave credit to the Ramtha School teachings, claiming their winning numbers came to them after careful studying and discipline.

The winners include:

Patricia Everheart, $10,000 on Dec. 30, 2012

Ana Mihalcea and Laura Mooney, $10,000 on Dec. 11, 2012

Heather Singleton and Justin Wood, $10,000 on Oct. 8, 2012

Diana Hall, $12,365 casino jackpot at Red Wind Casino in Yelm on April 11, 2011

Michelle Enos, $10,000 on March 27, 2011

Heather Singleton, $10,000 on January 17, 2011

The stories from all the winners, along with official photos from the Washington Lottery, can be found at: http://www.rse-newsletter.com/category/lotto-winners/.

The Ramtha School of Enlightenment teaches students to capitalize on their natural mental abilities. According to Ramtha’s disciplines, we have direct control over how our lives play out. These lucky students attribute their winnings entirely to the techniques they mastered at RSE.

Heather Singleton is a two-time winner, with lottery jackpots cashed in January, 2011 by herself and on October 8, 2012 with her partner Justin Wood.

“Every day we participate in Remote-Viewing,” said Wood.  Remote-viewing is a practice that allows students of RSE to sense events and images that have not yet occurred. Heather Singleton and Justin Wood participate in a daily joint-viewing through the website remoteviewdaily.com, and their collaboration paid off this past October when they accurately viewed the winning numbers 14, 16, 12, and 4.

“The disciplines work,” remarked Singleton, who won her first jackpot after practicing Consciousness & Energy, the teaching that the mind can achieve realities which are seemingly impossible.

“I have always been a winner,” says Patricia Everheart , who won $10,000 after practicing Create Your Day®, a technique of beginning each day by focusing on the mind and the day to come. While mentally preparing for her day, she saw “four numbers came across my brain… I said okay, I will play those numbers.” Everheart is one of many Ramtha students to have cashed in the 4-foot long check recently.

In just the past 3 months, there have been 3 student winners of the Washington lottery, and luck had nothing to do with it. Rather, they deliberately chose the winning numbers after viewing them while practicing the techniques taught at RSE.

Anna Mihalcea and Laura Mooney observed their winning numbers while on a Neighborhood Walk®, a moment of light exercise to improve awareness and general health.

“We decided to start focusing on a set of numbers and become them… mind as matter… we are the number,” said the two women, who won the $10,000 prize this past December. “We chose our numbers and observed them in the Neighborhood Walk®, forecasting our future, and we walked right into them!”

Most students won by predicting the numbers in the “Match 4” game.  The students credit their training at the Ramtha School that taught them stillness and a present focus that caused the numbers to appear in their minds. The frequency of these winnings demonstrates these occurrences may have more do to with skill than luck.

 About Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment

Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment (RSE) was established in 1988 by Ramtha the Enlightened One as an academy of the mind that offers retreats and workshops to participants from all over the world and from all walks of life. Using ancient wisdom and the latest discoveries in neuroscience and quantum physics, RSE teaches students how to access the extraordinary abilities of the brain to “Become a Remarkable Life®.” Ramtha’s teachings are not a religion. They offer a unique perspective from which to view the mystery of life.

It’s bingo time at the Senior Center

 

Bingo at the Tulalip Senior Center
Bingo at the Tulalip Senior Center

 

Article and photo by Jeannie Briones

TULALIP, Wash. –  Tulalip tribal elders and community members started New Year festivities early on December 31st, with a game of bingo where the top three winners won cash prizes.

“We  come down to have breakfast, socialize, and to see everybody,” said Tulalip elder April Moses.

The staff at the Tulalip Senior Center work to put together daily meals and provide a safe place for elders to feel comfortable.

For more information about activities, schedules, or other question, please call the Senior Center Main Line at 360-716-4684.

 

Jeannie Briones: 360-716-4188;jbriones@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Tulalip fishermen spruce up their vessels for 2013

Tribal members Joe Hatch Jr and Joe Hatch Sr working together to install a rebuilt motor.
Tribal members Joe Hatch Jr and Joe Hatch Sr working together to install a rebuilt motor.

Article and photo by Jeannie Briones

 

TULALIP, Wash. – For Tulalip Tribal fisherman Joe Hatch Sr, fishing is in his blood.  For 30 years he has fished the waters around Tulalip and  is passing down his line of work to his son Joe Hatch, Jr. On December 28th, both father and son were in good spirits at the Tulalip Marina as they worked on transporting the rebuilt motor that the F/V WinterHalter will be sporting when it carries in the next catch of geoduck, clams and halibut.

 

Jeannie Briones: 360-716-4188; jbriones@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Winning the fight against tobacco and drugs, one step at a time

 

Tulalip Tribal members, William McLean III, Tisha McLean, and Angela Davis show their support at the Walk Against Tobacco and Drugs.

Article and photos by Jeannie Briones

TULALIP, Washington –  Tulalip Tribal members and community members joined together on December 19th for a walk to honor loved ones lost to tobacco and drug-related illness and to support the many efforts taking place to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, and raise awareness of the health impacts of using drugs.

The first annual “Walk Against Tobacco and Drugs, ” organized by Tulalip Tribal member Tisha McLean and friends, began at the Tulalip Longhouse and spanned almost 2 miles, finishing at the Northwest Indian College Tulalip site. Despite the cold and rain, people showed their support, sending the message that they care about each other and share in the common goal of saying no to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

“I am walking, in part, for my son who is an addict. He has the same problem as a lot of tribal members. I am a spiritual person and our ancestors are walking with us and they’re thankful that somebody’s paying attention to the problem we have. It doesn’t have to be leaders; it has to be our community, our kids that are here today. Tobacco is the leading killer, it tops alcohol and drugs,” said Tulalip Tribal Board Member, Marlin Fryberg.

“It’s truly an epidemic. We all care so much for everybody in our community and want to help everyone,” echoed Tulalip Tribal Board Member, Mark Hatch.

Halfway through the walk, community members where greeted by the Tulalip Police Department, who rallied together to show their support, offering warm beverages.

Wrapping up the event at Northwest Indian College, participants took in a visual display, created by Tulalip police officers, outlining the dangers of addiction. Community members also enjoyed a light lunch, while sharing stories of family members and friends who are addicted to drugs, and the affects this has on their loved ones.

“I have dealt with it my entire life. My parents were addicts, my dad got better, but my mom is still an addict. And I have siblings that followed in their footsteps,” said Tisha, who went on to say that tribal members need to take the first step in wanting help and that people such as herself want to help them embrace a healthy lifestyle and say “no” to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use.

 

Jeannie Briones: 360-716-4188; jbriones@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov