How was the question asked?
The stand, background and the letter sent.
The Indigenous Sovereignty letter writing campaign, to the Canadian Parliament, began in defence of the most honourable words of Indigenous Elder Mel Clifton. Mel’s words were video recorded during the time of the protests on Burnaby Mountain. The video of Mel Clifton recognizing and upholding his own inherent Indigenous Sovereignty can be seen below. At first viewing the video was seen as another case of Police brutality against Indigenous people, which have been numerous and widespread. At closer inspection what was witnessed in the video was an explicit denial of Indigenous Sovereignty by the Canadian Police. Deeply unsettled by this, the Settlers info project felt a sacred duty to address this injustice. The Settlers info project wrote a letter to the RCMP Commissioner, see link below. The RCMP Commissioner wrote back, in a professional manner which was appreciated, and guided the Settlers info project towards seeking a response from the Canadian Parliament. The Settlers info project then wrote a letter to the Canadian Parliament, this letter can be viewed in the next section.
The letter below was sent to the Canadian Parliament during their 2016 Summer recess of Parliament, this was intentional, in the belief that they would have more time to compose a considered response. This tactic bore fruit in the many considered and intelligent responses that were sent by Canadian MPs.
The emails, sent.
The letter to the Canadian Parliament asking the question ‘Do you recognize and uphold Indigenous Sovereignty?’ was supported and communicated by thirty (32) separate emails asking the question ‘Do you recognize and uphold Indigenous Sovereignty?’ 25 times, these can be viewed below. The emails were sent to the progressively decreasing number of Canadian MPs choosing to remain silent about Indigenous Sovereignty. There were no bounce backs on any of the emails. Every email was sent to the official email addresses, for elected Members of Parliament, which are made available to the public through the Government of Canada Web site. All of the responses communicated back to the Settlers info project were through these email addresses and correspondence. Please note: following the first email, subsequent emails were sent out as group emails, due to email address (number of) limits, these were broken into four groups.
Emails sent and received.
Campaign milestones.
UPDATE: JULY 07, 2016 – 11.46 A.M. (PT)
The question: ‘Do you recognize and uphold Indigenous Sovereignty?’ has now been officially asked of every Canadian MP, as of July 06, 2016 – 6.03 p.m. The World is waiting for their responses. This is a video of the Indigenous Sovereignty email being prepared and sent to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on July 06, 2016. The same email was sent individually to every Canadian MP on July 06, 2016. The email included a link to the Indigenous Sovereignty letter written by the Settlers info project and a link to the Settlers info Web site. There were no bounce backs on any of the emails sent – all emails were received by all Canadian MPs.
UPDATE: JULY 13, 2016 – 6.46 P.M. (PT)
The question: ‘Do you recognize and uphold Indigenous Sovereignty?’ has now been officially asked of every Canadian MP, two times as of July 13, 2016 – 6.46 p.m. (PT). The World is waiting for their responses. The email again included a link to the Indigenous Sovereignty letter written by the Settlers info project and a link to the Settlers info Web site. There were no bounce backs on any of the emails sent – all emails were received by all Canadian MPs.
UPDATE: JULY 14, 2016 – 12.02 P.M. (PT)
The first answer to our question: ‘Do you recognize and uphold Indigenous Sovereignty?’ and the first recognition of Indigenous Sovereignty was received July 14, 2016 – 8.14 a.m. (PT) from Marilyn Gladu, MP for Sarnia – Lambton, of the Conservative Party of Canada.
UPDATE: JULY 19, 2016 – 12.52 P.M. (PT)
The question: ‘Do you recognize and uphold Indigenous Sovereignty?’ has now been officially asked of every Canadian MP, three times as of July 19, 2016 – 12.52 p.m. (PT). The World is waiting for their responses. There were no bounce backs on any of the emails sent – all emails were received by all Canadian MPs.
UPDATE: JULY 19, 2016 – 2.00 P.M. (PT)
The first Canadian Member of Parliament who answered our question with a response indicating both recognition and upholding of Indigenous Sovereignty was Tracey Ramsey of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
UPDATE: AUGUST 03, 2016 – 12.25 P.M. (PT)
The first leader of a Canadian Political Party to recognize and uphold Indigenous Sovereignty was The Honourable Thomas J. Mulcair, Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada.
UPDATE: AUGUST 11, 2016 – 11.45 P.M. (PT)
Thirteen (13) Members of Parliament have now recognized and upheld Indigenous Sovereignty, in addition to one (1) Member of Parliament recognizing Indigenous Sovereignty. These honourable statements have come from three (3) of the major Canadian Political Parties. In addition, twenty-eight (28) info responses have been received. These statements also express much love and support for Indigenous Peoples.
UPDATE: AUGUST 24, 2016 – 3.45 P.M. (PT)
Twenty-one (21) Members of Parliament have now recognized and upheld Indigenous Sovereignty, in addition to one (1) Member of Parliament recognizing Indigenous Sovereignty. These honourable statements have come from three (3) of the major Canadian Political Parties. In addition, thirty-two (32) info responses have been received. These statements also express much love and support for Indigenous Peoples.
UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 01, 2016 – 12.23 P.M. (PT)
Twenty-five (25) Members of Parliament have now recognized and upheld Indigenous Sovereignty, in addition to one (1) Member of Parliament recognizing Indigenous Sovereignty. These honourable statements have come from four (4) of the major Canadian Political Parties. In addition, thirty-two (32) info responses have been received. These statements also express much love and support for Indigenous Peoples.
UPDATE: FEBRUARY 10, 2017 – 10.26 A.M. (PT)
Twenty-seven (27) Members of Parliament have now recognized and upheld Indigenous Sovereignty. These honourable statements have come from four (4) of the major Canadian Political Parties. In addition, thirty-five (35) info responses have been received. These statements also express much love and support for Indigenous Peoples.
UPDATE: APRIL 20, 2017 – 2.58 P.M. (PT)
Twenty-eight (28) Members of Parliament have now recognized and upheld Indigenous Sovereignty. These honourable statements have come from four (4) of the major Canadian Political Parties. In addition, thirty-five (35) info responses have been received. These statements also express much love and support for Indigenous Peoples.