Let us put our minds togeather and see what life we can make for our children. (Sitting Bull, 1877)
I've deleted the comment box because some adults are protraying themselves as other people or exhibiting their inner dominate child by name calling. It is not productive and shows a bad example to your youth. I can vouch for Laura's (not the immitation) statements as being true. So feel free to email the question box with any comments, suggestions, or what ever...I appologize for the C-Box childlike comments.
Something has bothered me for a few years now...The identity of our people in relation to the governments. First we were called "North American Indians"
Then we were called "Aboriginal Peoples of Canada"
Now we are refered to as "First Nations" or is it "First Nation"? (Without the plural..s..'s..[s])
Can any English majors, Band representatives, and/or Individuals explain this to me, Please? INCIDENTLY... This is the type of language the Minister of Indian Affairs designated his Consultation representatives to use when he tried to pass the First Nations Governance Act (FNGA). I speak from an individual personal perspective when speaking of our identity.
Personally, I refer to myself as being from the tribe = "People of the Earth"
Perhaps I should introduce myself and thought of “Education”. In my opinion:
Throughout my life as a mother, many things have changed me. Since their conception I have lived my life for my children so they might better their lives in a more timely manner then myself. I have always told them to be proud of who they were and respect others opinions and beliefs. Something we carry with us is the fact that we not only represent ourselves…we represent our parents, grandparents, and ancestors of Indigenous people as a whole. I taught them it is important to be aware of their surroundings, pay attention to our inner beings, and in the eyes of the Canadian Law it is possible to be viewed as guilty by association.
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I first became involved with Hillsides disciplinary tactics when my daughter (Through customary adoption) was given a detention for being in the bathroom more than 5 minutes. I did not agree with her being stood along a fence line as a form of teaching compliance to school rules. Because I disputed this form of discipline within 6 weeks (actually 30 school days) she was given 5 detentions, suspended twice, and kept from going on 2 trips with the grade 8 class. I took several policy violations to the Education Committee but they didn’t want to deal with them because they had other things on their minds. After taking the fence line detention to the Committee twice, I was successful in getting ONLY HER off the fence. In return she would have to write 50 lines…The committee decided only Mr. Frezza, Principal, could decide what the appropriate sentence would be…He chose a statement from the school policy and wanted 100 lines. 6 weeks of constantly being a scapegoat for school authorities was enough for me to transfer her to the Adult Learning Center where she received rave reviews by the teacher. She was also not listed as a candidate for any accomplishments associated with graduation, including Valid Victorian; However, when she finished well ahead of her entire class, she helped her female classmates win a math contest when they were segregated (as this teacher often does) pitting boys against the girls she was given another detention insead of praise.
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I still do not agree with standing children along a fence line to enforce compliance to rules that are interpreted by a former Catholic Principal who came out of retirement to make some tax-free zhoon off our Indian children.
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I WELCOME any legal charges against me for writing, speaking, or insinuating my individual opinion…then we can take this matter to the courts. The working groups on the Education Agreement with the Union of Ontario Indians suggests the courts should handle First Nations Child Protection Disputes.
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One thing I have learned in my travels is that even in brief meetings with other beings it is possible to influence thoughts on life, Indians, and current policies if the individuals are open minded.
1.) We never stop learning in our cycle of life on this Earth
2.) Babies & young people learn from adults and Elders in communities
3.) We are each weavers of our own web of life
4.) Treat others as you wish to be treated
5.) Everyone needs something to believe in
6.) Respect other beings, personal belongings and area
7.) Babies and Elders receive ultimate consideration in everything
8.) You will never know if you don’t ask, and don’t be afraid to ask
9.) Things happen for a reason
10.) No two days are ever the same
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Hello, sorry for the delay in up-dates. I am going to switch to the APPEALS and REDRESS; Phase II section of the Union of Ontario Indians – Restoration of Jurisdiction into the Education Agreement 2005.
I do believe the process of appealing the educational decisions is the issue here. Recently, I visited Bev Bressette, (Education Administrator at Hillside since September 2005) in her office before the Christmas break and was told that she (or “we” as she put it) do not want parents on their “Parent Committee” who are going to be disruptive to the school’s operation. I am wondering just how much input this proposed committee’s recommendations will have???? Will these parents also be stood on the fence line if they become troublesome to the procedures currently established for non-compliance to school rules? 10 people expressed they wanted to be involved (including myself) but this was the first I learned of it going forward. I will withdraw my name for fear that I will be bound by the employment manual of Kettle Point which will disqualify me from (In my opinion) freedom of speech.
Incidentally…the children are still being stood on the fence line for yet another winter. I don’t know how this type of abuse is condoned by most of the Hillside staff, Education Committee, Youth and Child Services, as well as Chief and Council…It is beyond me. Children do learn what they live…[Foresight] Will these children lock their children out in the cold for disobeying rules?
Please keep in mind the population of each reserve being represented…From the South-western Region representation for the Union of Ontario Indians consultation into the Education Agreement we had representation from Kettle Point by: Christy Bressette and Peter Cloud Sr. with Bonnie Bressette from the Anishinabek Nation Women’s Council. Other South-western representation came from Aamjiwnaang-Errnol Gray, Chippewas of the Thames; Ron Deleary and Jesse McCormick, Munsee-Delaware Nation-Michelle Fisher, Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians; Rolanda Elijah and Sharon John (both of Oneida), Anishinabek Nation Youth Council; Sandra Albert from Chippewas of the Thames and Arnold Yellowhead from Aamjiwnaang, Ray Rogers of the Anishinabek Nation Elders Council, also representing Union of Ontario Indians-Mike Eshkawkogan, Mary Larond, Jenny Restoule-Mallozzi, Linda Seamont and Karen Schuyler.
Mediators are people who assist conflicts to be resolved between parties.
Arbitrator - The boards, committees or institutions choose arbitrators when mediation fails to reach resolution. Arbitrator decisions are final with no opportunity for appeal. (Some what of a dictatorship In my opinion)
Nine exercises were given to the participants to determine appeal and redress, areas of jurisdiction, or if a higher level of appeal systems are needed for First Nations people.
First Nation Housing Dispute; First Level of Appeal: 38% FN Appeal Committee, 31% FN Tribunal, 23% FN Mediator, 8% FN Arbitrator.
First Nation Housing Dispute; Second Level of Appeal: 53% say None, 15% FN Arbitrator, 8% FN Appeal Committee, 8% FN Tribunal, 8% FN Court, 8% Chief and Council.
First Nation Child Protection Dispute: ……Be right back
OLDER POSTINGS - I would like to thank the 600+ people who have cheaked out this web page since first posting on November 11, 2005. It goes to show that the issue of education is a priority on many peoples minds. I have updated information on what we can have input into in the near future. I am also seeking a meeting with our Education Administrator, Bev Bressette, to see if our immediate concerns are being dealt with. Please read on and see where your expertise can best be of use to the children attending Hillside.
I would also like to know if people are interested in volunteering to establish programs or councils within the school.
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was
broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many
pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
To go to the older posts - click here
Email: the_questionbox@hotmail.com
