We are now going into our second year of the Six Nations standoff in Caledonia, which is about ten minutes past the city I live in.

Quick background: Land that Six Nations claim is theirs was sold to a developer. While the land was being developed, protesters from Six Nations and many other reserves took the land over and have refused to leave until the land claim is settled. At first it was considered an illegal occupation by some people, but the province has bought the land back from the developers and is allowing the occupation to continue legally. For the most part it has been peaceful, but a few troublemakers have caused trouble and harassed the local townspeople.

That's just from my memory, actual information can be found here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/caledonia-landclaim/

I have to say, I've been stunned, completely stunned, and how much racism has come out of local people in regard to the Natives. Whether its the anti-native protests, the fist fights at the site, or the racial slurs I hear from people, it makes me sick to think that everyday normal Canadians can be so ignorant towards the people and the situation in general. (Although it doesn't surprise me -- we certainly aren't taught in school how poorly we've treated First Nations people.)

I realize that it must be inconvenient not to use certain roads anymore, but let's be realistic. What has Canada as a country down the First Nations people? Much worse than close a road or two. Until 1960, we wouldn't let them vote unless they gave up their treaty rights. We were still forcibly putting their children in residential schools in the 80s! The fact is, Canada has systematically stomped on the rights of our Natives and, now, when they stand up for themselves, we complain that we've been inconvenienced.

You know what we should have done? We should have joined the protest and went to Queens Park and Parliament Hill and demanded action on behalf of the natives. They have been fighting for this land since 1995. Maybe a united voice demanding a resolution to this land claim would have been more effective than an ongoing bitter occupation.

Oh, and people of Haldimand County? Vote in a new mayor -- Marie Trainer's 'us' and 'them' attitude doesn't help at all.

So, congrats to "the Inconvenient Truth" for winning an Oscar. I'd encourage anyone who hasn't watched this movie to rent it soon. The documentary is very educational and such an eye opener, yet it leaves you feeling motivated rather than doomed.

Speaking of the environment...
One of the consequences of environmental damage that isn't mentioned very often is its impact of global security in terms of war. This is one of the topics I've been reading up on for my exam tomorrow.

Consider that as desertification moves slowly (or quickly) across parts of Africa, the competition for usable land becomes more intense. The amount of land available for farming and grazing has been cited as a source of conflict in Sudan.

Control over sources of water has created a huge amount of tension in the Middle East -- I never knew this. Part of the 1967 war was over attempts to divert some rivers that feed Israel.

Environmental decay also causes instability. Heart-breaking events such as floods/tsunamis/hurricanes/etc take away people's land (and lives), creating refugees and mass migration and straining the resources of neighbouring countries.

Even things like pollution causing illness will eventually lead to economic decline as people are less productive. Poverty, instability -- these factors undermine international security.

So do your part everyone and take care of our planet. Environmental damage is harmful is so many ways.

I feel like since this is my first entry, I should introduce myself. I'm Tamara, I live in Canada. I work (web design), I go to school as much as I can, and I really like to knit but never have the time. This is the sort of stuff I plan to add to the 'about me' section as soon as I have time...

I'm currently majoring in Political Science (International Relations), which I absolutely love. I'm currently taking a class which is called ... something about war ... one sec ... 'the Causes of War'.

You think it would all be very depressing, but it's nothing compared to the class on genocide I took last semestre. That class was a definite experience -- I'd stay up late trying to get through all the readings and then have nightmares. I'm glad its done. I'm also thankful that I've never had to experience anything like that firsthand, because the things that human beings are capable of doing each other is absolutely astonishing. Just horrific.

Back to my current class. I thought it would be, I don't know, like reading the handbook for the game Risk or something, but we've touched on topics ranging from environmental causes to feminist perspectives to economic factors.

Anyway, I have a mid-term coming up and I'm trying to catch up on all the readings and I thought, hey, why not write my opinions out in this blog as I go through the readings, as it will help me process my thoughts and maybe even get some feedback.

I am currently reading various essays about the relationship between imperialism and capitalism, and I will be back later to comment once I've finished them.

I'm off to go read. =)