Research & Rescue

Le Flash Mob, c'est magnifique

The Skinny on the Global Poverty Gap (Clue: It's Not Skinny)

In all the ruckus about the protesters at the G-20, the mainstream media has lost the real message. Watch this video recorded speech by Maude Barlow from Democracy Now. It's sad that the mainstream media concentrates so much on conflict and rhetoric instead of covering the real tragedy at hand. Glitz sells, I guess.

Maude Barlow: "The World Has Divided into Rich and Poor as at No Time in History"

O Canada

Happy Canada Day to my friends up north and expats in the other land down under. Hope you have a spectacular holiday!!

What does Malcolm X have to do with Canada?

Fascinating article from The Mark (a highly recommended addition to your newsfeed, by the way). Even having grown up just north (yes, north) of the Canadian border, I never would have made any connection.

The third Sunday in May is Malcolm X Day. In the 1960s, Malcolm X was one of the most candid and admired leaders of the black nationalist movement, whose philosophy was racial separation and self-determination that rejected Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent, integrationist approach to civil rights. Malcolm X was sharply critical of civil rights leaders who advocated black integration into white society as a substitute for building strong black institutions and defending themselves against racist violence. He was an internationally known political leader, whose philosophy can be summed up in his own words: “It is not integration that Negros in America want, it is human dignity.”

Malcolm X Day is celebrated in most major American cities, but what does it have to do with Canada? What impact, if any, did the philosophies of Malcolm X have on black Canadian consciousness and politics?

To answer this question, we must first understand not only the original militant philosophy expounded by Malcolm X and its influence in Canada at the time, but also the ongoing impact of Malcolm X’s transformative philosophy, which moved beyond civil rights to human rights developed shortly after his resignation from the Nation of Islam and just prior to his assassination at the Audubon Ballroom in New York on Feb. 21, 1965. That year, just before his death, he founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity as a non-religious medium to draw attention to the common cause of human dignity and human rights for all people of African descent in the world. On only one occasion did he visit Canada, where he did an interview with the CBC and visited the home of the well-known Canadian author Austin Clarke. However, his influence on black Canadians was significant.

Read the rest at www.themarknews.com

Will the US Support UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples?

According to Indian Country Today, it could happen. New Zealand recently decided to support it (joining Australia in reversing previous policy as one of four countries to oppose it). This leaves the US and Canada and whoever else may still be abstaining.

By Valerie Taliman, Today correspondent

Story Published: Apr 23, 2010

Story Updated: Apr 23, 2010 

NEW YORK – Political tides are turning as international support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples continues to grow, putting greater pressure on Canada and the United States to fully endorse it.

One day after New Zealand reversed its position and supported the Declaration, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice announced that the United States is undertaking a review of its opposition.

Read the whole article at www.indiancountrytoday.com

In Defence of Science Fiction

Take heart, my nerdy, geeky compatriots! According to David Mann of The Mark (a wonderful Canadian publication, if you haven't heard of it), science fiction is actually the richest form of popular culture...

Science fiction is good for us. Politically, morally, aesthetically, even cognitively. In plain language, it makes us think more critically about our world, to appreciate beauty in new ways, and to be better people. In that sense, science fiction is by far the best genre of pop culture, as it’s the only genre that consistently entertains and enlightens us at the same time.

“Quite the claim,” you might be thinking. Perhaps it comes from someone who has spent too much time dressing up like a Klingon and attending conventions full of fellow nerds? Sorry to disappoint: I’m not that type of SF fan. I come to the courtroom of public debate with a reasoned argument and lots of evidence. I’ll concentrate on SF television to keep things simple. Engage.

via www.themarknews.com

Historical photos of Canada

The photo below shows Tranquille Mills, Kamloops Lake, BC in 1871. It's part a truly beautiful archive made available on Flickr by Musée McCord.

via www.flickr.com

Nutrition Guide for First Nations

This guide from Health Canada is available in English, French, AND Inuktitut (I think I've just found my favorite language name in the world, Ojibwe, Cree [Plains and Woods, both]. It is great to see a nutrition guide that incorporates traditional foods. I don't know if there's a similar guide available from the US - perhaps from IHS? - but if someone has a reference, it'd be great if you'd leave it in a comment!

It is a food guide tailored to reflect traditions and food choices of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and is a complement to the 2007 Canada's Food Guide. This tailored food guide has recommendations for healthy eating based on science. It recognizes the importance of traditional and store-bought foods for First Nations, Inuit and Métis today.

via www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Timmy's Anthem

God bless Canada and God Bless Tim Horton's!

Reel Injun Opens in Montreal on Thursday, the 25th

From Reelinjun:

This is it! Reel Injun debuts in Montreal this Thursday, March 25th as part of FIFA then opens at Cinema du Parc on Friday, April 2nd!

We've been getting a ton of great press across Canada and in the U.S., but we need you (our Reel Injun groupies) to spread the word and make this a success. Check us out at http://www.reelinjunthemovie.com

We look forward to seeing you here in Montreal, and wherever we end up.