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Letters to the Editor
MHCC environmental group seeks to clear up activity
Students for Environmental Justice (SEJ) affirms the ecological unity and the interdependence of all species, and the right to be free from ecological destruction. We see the right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self-determination of all peoples as fundamental. We recognize a unique, legal relationship of Native Peoples to the U.S. & Canadian governments through agreements, treaties, compacts, and covenants affirming self-determination and sovereignty.
Earlier this month SEJ planned to attend the Anti Olympic, Vancouver Peoples Summit & Convergence. This historical summit included presentations addressing poverty, homelessness, indigenous rights, civil rights, migrant justice, environment, labor, corporate personhood and movement building.
SEJ also planned to collect information about the growing career field of Community Organizing.
SEJ conferred with faculty and student groups (Chako Kum Tux-Native America club and CASS/IALs students) both of which have experienced the impact of compromised environmental policies concerning the native people around the world. Public documentation outlines all SEJ plans. According to Chako Kum Tux officers “these conferences have greatly improved community awareness on a number of environmental issues that directly affect Indigenous people.”
The 2010 Olympics are occurring on illegally occupied Coast Salish peoples’ land. According to Gord Hill of the Kwakwakawak’w First Nation, 33% of the homeless in Vancouver are Native Peoples and Olympic development has increased that number. In response to rising housing prices, cuts on civil services and criminalization of the homeless the Gathering of the Indigenous called a convergence to oppose the 2010 games.
SEJ meetings are open to all (Tuesdays, 12pm RM1266 / Fridays, 10am RM2755).
Our next event “Knowledge Beyond Borders” (College Center , Feb. 25 @ 3PM). Is co-sponsored by SEJ, the Diversity Board and MECHA, and will include: a Panel CASS/IALS students, Guest Speaker Luis Guzman and a talk on immigrant rights in the US.
Tyler Bristow
President, Students for Environmental Justice
Students for Environmental Justice (SEJ) President Tyler Bristow said during a Tuesday phone call that an editorial in last week’s issue of The Advocate, entitled “Student Organization and Clubs funding choices become worrisome,” contained false claims.
The editorial segment Bristow referred to is this: “The SEJ club will go to Canada, protest and come back. And with no seminars planned, no events scheduled, how are the students of MHCC better served?”
Bristow said Thursday the group never intended to go to Vancouver to protest the Olympics. In a Tuesday e-mail, he wrote: “Our intent was to gain knowledge of the various social & environmental issues being presented at the Vancouver anti-Olympic Peoples Summit & the community organizing happening around them in Vancouver. We had a detailed itinerary on the various panels and workshop we would be attending during the 2 day seminar.”
But a bulk e-mail sent out by SEJ on Jan. 16 said, “The schedule this far looks likes like Feb 10-11 Peoples Summit with work shops on Creative Tactics (puppet and banner making), knowing your rights, indigenous opposition panel, community organizing after the olympics and more. Feb 12 “Welcome” the 2010 Olympic Torch with Free Games, Free Speech, and Free Food!
Beginning with a festival at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 3 pm, followed by a parade and protest to BC Place Stadium.”
Bristow said Thursday that the final itinerary did not include this protest, but that the document with the final itinerary has been shredded due to confidentiality reasons.
Bristow said the editorial’s inference that they were going to spend money on craft supplies is false and that the funding request was merely for gas in two vehicles and food for seven MHCC students. This was included in the funding request as well. The Advocate regrets the error.
Bristow pointed to the group’s funding request as an example of the trip’s benefits to MHCC students. The request said: “Gain insights into Canada’s relationship with sovereign native nations and the conditions of occupation in North America. Learn community organizing methods and network with Indigenous, anti-poverty, migrant justice, environmental justice, anti-war, labor, and anti colonial activists. Gain knowledge of global issues that often go under the radar (for example; the Tar Sands in Northern Alberta). Join in diverse demonstrations and rallies that will give inspiration for a lifetime of activism.”
The Advocate regrets the confusion about the editorial, but stands by the statement that the SEJ’s trip to Vancouver, B.C., would not have been beneficial to MHCC students who were unable to make the trip.
The Advocate reserves the right to not publish comments based on their appropriateness.