The Mexican Zapatistas are an inspiration to indigenous revolutionaries the world over, from New Zealand Maori to the natives of Great Turtle Island (North America).
From the Narco news Bulletin
October 23, 2007
TUCSON, Arizona: Mohawk Warriors joined in solidarity with Subcomandante Marcos and the Zapatistas at the Gathering of Indigenous Peoples of América. They quickly learned that one factor is the same for indigenous peoples all over the world: corporations intent on seizing the land, minerals and water have no regard for their lives or rights.
Rarahkwisere, Mohawk Warrior, said the Zapatistas’ encuentro, or gathering, made it clear to him that the same thing is happening to indigenous peoples all over Turtle Island.
Members of the Iroquois Confederacy (Six Nations) make a presentation to Subcomandante Marcos in Sonora, Mexico, in October 2007
“All of our stories were the same, how we are being mistreated to this day,” said Rarahkwisere, among the Mohawks from the United States and Canada attending the encuentro. Mohawks and other members of the Iroquois Confederacy (Six Nations) were among the 570 delegates from 67 Indigenous Peoples, coming from 12 american nations at the encuentro hosted by Yaquis in Vicam Pueblo, Sonora, Mexico, Oct. 11–14, 2007.
“It is all about the natural resources and the big money people,” Rarahkwisere said. In northern Quebec, the invaders go hunting for diamonds and pollute the water. What follows is sickness and displacement, as Indian people have to leave their homelands and search for places to live.
Remembering the encuentro, he said, “There is a revolution, at least on Turtle Island!”
Rarahkwisere said he had no problem crossing the border to attend the encuentro using his Haudenosaunee passport. However, his trip to Mexico revealed the dangers for Indians in the south, including the heavily-armed soldiers at military checkpoints. He said it was scary at first, until he realized that many of these young soldiers’ also had Indian ancestry, and supported Indian efforts.
Rarahkwisere said the attacks on Indian people are formulated in the urban minds with corporations; together urban minds and corporations want to exploit the peoples’ land and resources. In Mexico, and elsewhere in the South, he realized how often Indian people face death for the risk of speaking out.
“You will get killed. The corporations hire paramilitary groups.”
Reflecting on the struggles for indigenous peoples, he said, “It’s hard being Indian, but we are not going to ever, ever give up. We are just getting started.”
Rarahkwiswere said that indigenous peoples in South America face far greater dangers than the people in the North. He said a Colombian attorney told how two groups were called to play football. Instead of a football, the chief’s head was presented. The people were told if they did not play the game, the same thing would happen to them.
Rarahkwiswere, who spoke on the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace and Wampum Belts, said it was good to meet with Subcomandante Marcos and the Zapatistas.
“I want to thank them for hooking up with us. We all have to get together to fight colonialism. I hope to meet them again soon.”
When the Europeans came to Turtle Island, they emptied the prisons and insane asylums in Europe to populate this country. “That is why there are serial killers, it is genetic, hereditary.”
“A lot of people from Europe didn’t really want to come here. They needed people, so they got all of this riff-raff and sent them here. They just brought them here and turned them loose. In the west, the women were either domestics or prostitutes.”
They emptied the orphanages and brought one million children to work the farms in this country.
“They couldn’t force the natives to be slaves. A native had rather die than be a slave to the white man. Native people were not used to being treated like that. Native people would starve themselves to death or run away.” The people of Africa were kidnapped, sold, enslaved and sent to this country. Their own people helped sell them into slavery, he said.
One hundred million indigenous people were killed by Columbus and the Spaniards in what is now North and South America.
“When the treaties were written, they knew they were not going to honor them. If they are not going to keep the treaties and honor them, then they should get rid of them.”
Nowhere has there been more atrocities than in the north and south of Turtle Island, known as the Americas. Still, the truth is not taught in schools.
“If you don’t know your history, then you don’t have a future,” he said.
Europeans came here for exploitation and that is what continues today. “It is all for exploitation. They even exploit their own people. My dad always said, ‘There’s going to be a worldwide revolution one of these days.’”
“The revolution is coming. It begins with this awakening.”
The radical left is long known to suppress any voice but their own,and it pays lip service only, to notions of free speech.Keep shining the light Trev.
Proof Anon?
Put up or shut up.
EXOCET
CYF is watching this guy closely.
Norrell, you’re a hyprocrite. You see the likes of the U.S.-Mexican Border to be “oppressive” but then target someone who happens to publish your article on their blog? You call yourself someone who supports human rights? What about the right for someone to critque your work or are you’re afraid of that as well?
Brenda Norrell says “I am also requesting an investigation into your human rights violations by international authorities.”
The left has applied the term human rights violator. Trevor is now considered a human rights violator. Trevor has descended to the level usually reserved for Zionist and American pig dogs.
Why would Brenda Norrell try to use capitalist copyright laws to prevent the exposure of her propaganda? Brenda you are incoherent. A common maldy of the radical left.
Well she might have you on the complete copy and paste of the article, but I’m sure that as google/blogger are based in the US, exerpts would be covered by “fair use” under copyright law, with the source correctly attributed.
Same goes with the picture. That said, it seems strange that she would allow social networking tools such as digg, rededit and del.ico.us which host parts of the article as well if you click on them.
Another example where copyright tramples all over freedom of speech.
As for human rights violations. She’s full of shit.
To be honest, the above comment reminds me of scientologists tryign to prevent discussions of their cult using copyright.
As the author of this article, I am directing you to remove this article and photo. As a freelance writer, I maintain the copyright to this article. I will be contacting Google Blogger regarding this copyright violation. Further, you do not have permission to use this photo, as it also carries a copyright.
People around the world are rising up to support the Maoris. Your hate site will only bring more attention to the racism against Indigenous Peoples. Ultimately, it will only bring more support as people around the world rally to support Indigenous Peoples’ rights. I am also requesting an investigation into your human rights violations by international authorities.
Brenda Norrell
When colonials treat natives as second class citizens it’s called aparthied.
When natives treat natives as second class citizens it’s called indigenous rights.
These are national movements based on opposition to development. They are quite explicit about their opposition to modern development.
I believe a majority of indigenous people would vote for living under modern first wrold sovereignty versus indigenous sovereignty.