Correction: APTN News incorrectly labelled the Bora Laskin Law School as an Indigenous law school in this story on Friday. While Indigenous laws and rights are a part of the school’s agenda, Natural Resources and Environmental Law, and Sole, Small Town Practice with the Integrated Practice Curriculum is also taught according to the school’s website.
A judge who jailed six members of the Kitchenumaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation in Treaty 9 has been named the interim head of the Indigenous law school at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
Ten years ago, Justice George Patrick Smith sent the chief and five councillors from KI to jail for contempt of court because they refused to stop blocking access to their territory to a resource company.
Chief Donny Morris was one of those jailed.
“For him to take interim… it has to be somebody else in that position,” Morris told APTN News.
“It is a polluted environment now. Some sort of opposition will be forthcoming in the form of a letter.”
The university is searching for a full-time dean of the law school after the departure of Angelique EagleWoman who resigned saying that she experienced racism and a university board that was apathetic towards Indigenous issues.
Morris questioned whether Smith had an understanding of the country’s Indigenous issues when he sentenced the six KI members almost a decade ago. He said he invited Smith to his community after his release from prison, but the justice never accepted.
“He would’ve heard firsthand from our elders why we are like this,” Morris said. “We truly believe this is our land, our area, our issues, the non-native system is not recognized. It’s faith-based too, we believe God put us here, this is our area, we didn’t migrate here. We were born and raised here, this is our land, our territory and his expertise and his areas contradicts what we believe in.”
More to come…
news.ca
With files from Willow Fiddler
I find it funny that APTN is running this story, but refusing to acknowledge that the former dean had several human rights complaints filed against her, and that she fired staff members without just cause and hired non qualified Indigenous people in their place. Then there is the fact that NAN has demanded that they get final say on all new hires for LU’s law school. Who’s law school is it?
As an Indian myself, I find this baiting by APTN appalling and can’t even call this journalism.
I find it funny that APTN is running this story, but refusing to acknowledge that the former dean had several human rights complaints filed against her, and that she fired staff members without just cause and hired non qualified Indigenous people in their place. Then there is the fact that NAN has demanded that they get final say on all new hires for LU’s law school. Who’s law school is it?
As an Indian myself, I find this baiting by APTN appalling and can’t even call this journalism.
The system of Rule of Law was laid upon this land without consulting the First People of this land who already had systems of governance in place based in the Great Law of Peace. The British and French imposed their systems through force, not through peace. Millions of Indigenous people were slaughtered by their armies in order for them to take land that isn’t theirs. So this judge did what they are instructed to do and have been doing since they arrived. Get the Indian off the land, force them off their land, take the children, imprison the men and murder the women then turn away and deny their part in this haulocaust.
Canada’s Rule of Law is subject to the Natural Law that was here before they ever set foot on this land. Their Bible is the WORD of their GOD and that they will be judged by. We have our CREATOR who placed our ancestors on this land and we are the Original People of this land who are not under this rule of law. Canada made Treaties with First Nations based on the terms of those treaties which is rooted in Natural Law. Thank you to our Hereditary Ancestral Custodians who are with us still.
These Treaties Must Be Adhered to by The Government of Canada. They are responsible for meeting the terms of these treaties. Our people are responsible for making sure they carry out these terms.
If the AFN won’t do it our people are going to have to.
The system of Rule of Law was laid upon this land without consulting the First People of this land who already had systems of governance in place based in the Great Law of Peace. The British and French imposed their systems through force, not through peace. Millions of Indigenous people were slaughtered by their armies in order for them to take land that isn’t theirs. So this judge did what they are instructed to do and have been doing since they arrived. Get the Indian off the land, force them off their land, take the children, imprison the men and murder the women then turn away and deny their part in this haulocaust.
Canada’s Rule of Law is subject to the Natural Law that was here before they ever set foot on this land. Their Bible is the WORD of their GOD and that they will be judged by. We have our CREATOR who placed our ancestors on this land and we are the Original People of this land who are not under this rule of law. Canada made Treaties with First Nations based on the terms of those treaties which is rooted in Natural Law. Thank you to our Hereditary Ancestral Custodians who are with us still.
These Treaties Must Be Adhered to by The Government of Canada. They are responsible for meeting the terms of these treaties. Our people are responsible for making sure they carry out these terms.
If the AFN won’t do it our people are going to have to.
I guess the real question is, who recommended this hire? Seems to me to be totally tone deaf to the community it serves. And here I thought Kanye West was busy down south but it seems that either him or Faith Goldy have been tapped for consultation.
Does this University have no shame?
Omg!
I guess the real question is, who recommended this hire? Seems to me to be totally tone deaf to the community it serves. And here I thought Kanye West was busy down south but it seems that either him or Faith Goldy have been tapped for consultation.
Does this University have no shame?
So, the former Dean who claimed racism and an apathetic board (Don’t want to admit to racism in their hallowed halls) so that is ignored and now they are looking to “replace?”, “… the departure of Angelique EagleWoman who resigned saying that she experienced racism and a university board that was apathetic towards Indigenous issues.”
Aingai, Boozhoo.
I just wanted to note that there is a pretty obvious error in the title and in the article. The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law is not an “Indigenous law school.” It is a normal law school open to everyone, with both indigenous and non-indigenous students.
Omg!
Wow Thunder Bay a colonizers paradise. The devil and his minions hard at work I see. Lord we command all demonic forces activities hexes vexes against all First Nations in this area to go. We command the spirit of murder jealousy hate the colonizer mindset over the old stalk white oppressors in this community to be loosed. We command you break these strong holds of hate in all agencies lawyers doctor’s police govt who are part of this demonic system in this city. We command all evil practices past on by their forfathers to go in Christ name. I ask for a hedge of protection around the youth woman and children and the men. I thank you in advance God for what you are going to do. What is bound on Earth is bound in heaven. I pray you restore what the locust has stolen from the people. I pray for all generational curses bloodline curses over the native people to be broken today. Keep revealing keep pulling back the curtains of lies like the great wizard of Oz. Burn healing coals on the heads of evil doers. You are a judge so I am praying to you to to your higher court Lord to convict all the racist murders the cover ups all the shadey activities in all areas of this city. To try all the minions in the upper eshalons who have gotten away with these evil practices since first contact these generations of families who practise murder lies slander evil Amen Lord amen whoo. God bless all the native people we are praying for your miracles Amen
So, the former Dean who claimed racism and an apathetic board (Don’t want to admit to racism in their hallowed halls) so that is ignored and now they are looking to “replace?”, “… the departure of Angelique EagleWoman who resigned saying that she experienced racism and a university board that was apathetic towards Indigenous issues.”
Good God. Was Mike Harris not available?
Aingai, Boozhoo.
I just wanted to note that there is a pretty obvious error in the title and in the article. The Bora Laskin Faculty of Law is not an “Indigenous law school.” It is a normal law school open to everyone, with both indigenous and non-indigenous students.
The appointment signals contempt for Indigenous people, Indigenous worldview, and Indigenous relational practices and Indigenous land. It is as though a clear point is being made, a line in the sand drawn, a statement of intent – one that says reconciliation is a storefront and is meaningless here. Talk about poor judgement and a missed opportunity.
He is a judge with a micro-brain and no foresight…..he is the worst choice. Our Inherent Rights and Title are entrenched
Wow Thunder Bay a colonizers paradise. The devil and his minions hard at work I see. Lord we command all demonic forces activities hexes vexes against all First Nations in this area to go. We command the spirit of murder jealousy hate the colonizer mindset over the old stalk white oppressors in this community to be loosed. We command you break these strong holds of hate in all agencies lawyers doctor’s police govt who are part of this demonic system in this city. We command all evil practices past on by their forfathers to go in Christ name. I ask for a hedge of protection around the youth woman and children and the men. I thank you in advance God for what you are going to do. What is bound on Earth is bound in heaven. I pray you restore what the locust has stolen from the people. I pray for all generational curses bloodline curses over the native people to be broken today. Keep revealing keep pulling back the curtains of lies like the great wizard of Oz. Burn healing coals on the heads of evil doers. You are a judge so I am praying to you to to your higher court Lord to convict all the racist murders the cover ups all the shadey activities in all areas of this city. To try all the minions in the upper eshalons who have gotten away with these evil practices since first contact these generations of families who practise murder lies slander evil Amen Lord amen whoo. God bless all the native people we are praying for your miracles Amen
Good God. Was Mike Harris not available?
The appointment signals contempt for Indigenous people, Indigenous worldview, and Indigenous relational practices and Indigenous land. It is as though a clear point is being made, a line in the sand drawn, a statement of intent – one that says reconciliation is a storefront and is meaningless here. Talk about poor judgement and a missed opportunity.
He is a judge with a micro-brain and no foresight…..he is the worst choice. Our Inherent Rights and Title are entrenched