Needs No Introduction

In 2012, the Attawapiskat reserve in Northern Ontario was deemed to be experiencing a housing crisis and put under third-party management. In the months that followed, the Federal Court reserved the decision, pointing out that the government's imposition of a third-party manager failed to address the systemic issues that had led to the crisis in the first place. While the ruling was deemed a victory for the community, the situation highlighted the complex and challenging reality facing Indigenous people in Canada.

From higher rates of unemployment and rates of children in foster care to allegations of racism in health care, the discrimination experienced by Indigenous people in Canada is impossible to deny. Yet this discrimination goes beyond individual attitudes to the structures of society itself, including the structures meant to ensure an equal standing for all. On January 22, Halifax's Central Library hosted a panel discussion exploring Indigenous perspectives on law and rights and how the legal system in Canada affects and often undermines the standing of Indigenous people.

The panel consisted of Karen Drake (Metis), a professor of law at Lakehead Universitywhose research focuses on the intersection between liberalism and Aboriginal rights; Naoimi Metallic (Mi'gmaq), a Halifax-based lawyer who works in Aboriginal law as well as human and constitutional rights; Sherry Pictou (Mi'gmaq), a PhD Candidate at Dalhousie University, focusing on social action in Indigenous and global contexts.

They discussed the complexities and complications of Aboriginal title, the ways in which not only discriminatory laws, but also the lack of sufficient legal structures, exacerbate the poverty and social problems experienced by those living on reserves, and the effect of neo-liberalization and privatization on not only Indigenous and treaty rights but also civil liberties.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 3rd, 2014 FROM 8:30AM TO 5:00PM

House of Commons Room 237-C, Center Block

This forum brought together parliamentarians, experts and the public, to continue dialogue on renewable energy and clean technology in Canada, and how it can be harnessed to create green jobs, foster sustainable growth and protect our environment.

Hosted by: Peter Julian, Official Opposition, House Leader, Anne Minh-Thu Quach, Official Opposition Deputy Critic for Industry, François Choquette, Official Opposition Deputy Critic for Environment.

Media sponsor: rabble.ca

The forum consisted of four panels of experts, each centered on different dimensions of clean energy and industry. The four panels were: Renewable Energies, Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Industries & Urban Centers, and finally, International models. The forum was open to MPs, the public, civil society organizations, and the media.

This episode of Needs No Introduction is an edited version of a portion of the proceedings.

You can also listen to the entire conference proceedings by going to these links:

https://soundcloud.com/rabbleca/international-models-national-forum-on-c...

https://soundcloud.com/rabbleca/clean-energy-forum-5mp3

https://soundcloud.com/rabbleca/romeo-saganash-national-forum-clean-ener...

https://soundcloud.com/rabbleca/renewable-energies-national-forum-clean-...

https://soundcloud.com/rabbleca/energy-efficiency-national-forum-clean-e...

https://soundcloud.com/rabbleca/national-forum-clean-energy-forum-2014-t...

When posts in a Facebook group joking about having "hate-sex" and chloroforming women were made public, the anonymous members of "Class of DDS 2015 Gentlemen" were instantly infamous. As calls for a response from Dalhousie grew, however, the university equivocated, mired in a controversy for which it seemed to have no response. As of January 12, the 13 students, though suspended from clinical duties, will return to study in courses taught separately from their classmates.

In a year rife with well-publicized cases of misogyny -- including a frosh week "rape chant" at another Halifax university -- it was clear that even in institutions of higher learning, education on how to address gendered violence and harassment is sorely needed. As the controversy over the Dalhousie Dentistry students continues, difficult questions arise: how do we address the complicated causes of gendered violence, and what role do universities play in instituting this change?

On January 9, the Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs responded to the developing crisis, convening a Panel in Halifax titled "Sexualized Violence On Our Campuses." Moderated by Dr. Susan Sherwin, research professor Emerita in Philosophy, Gender and Women's Studies at Dalhousie University, the Panel consisted of: Dr. Jayne Wark Professor Art History and Critical Studies, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design; Dr. Jody Clarke, Academic Dean, Atlantic School of Theology; Dr. Francoise Baylis, Professor, Canada Research Chair in Bioethics and Philosophy, Dalhousie University and one of five authors of a statement demanding an independent inquiry into sexualized violence on campus; Dr. Rylan Higgins Professor, Anthropology, Saint Mary's University; Dr. Marnina Gonick Canada Research Chair in Gender, Mount Saint Vincent University.

Drawing on questions from the capacity crowd at Halifax's Central Library, the panel discussed the underlying causes of misogyny and "the colonization of our sexuality by malignant, profit-driven forces," its effect on the socialization and sexuality of young women and men and the responsibility individuals and institutions alike have in addressing cases of gendered violence.

This year, 2014, has seen the return of the debate on gender equality to the public consciousness. Yet some fear that when popular campaigns proclaim that "feminism is for everybody," the ubiquity of the term undermines its anti-oppressive potential. As the ongoing issues around feminist politics enter into the collective consciousness, have we lost sight of what feminism is for? How does the feminist movement maintain momentum while resisting being co-opted by those that would use the movement to meet ends that are indifferent and even hostile to feminism?

This past October, these issues were discussed at the Women's Forum in Ottawa. Now in its third year, the forum focused on articulating "the feminist agenda." Asking how we can express a feminist vision of our individual and collective existence, the forum explored diverse understandings of gender inequality to provide ideas on how to move forward.

In this panel, the issues discussed were as diverse as the speakers themselves. Moderated by Kate MacIntruff, Senior Researcher for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and director of the Centre's initiative on gender equality and public policy, the panel was composed four speakers: Marcelle Perron, Vice President, Women's Committee of the Quebec Federation of Labour; Sharon Gregson, Spokeswoman for the Coalition of Childcare Advocates of BC, $10/day Child Care Plan; Sonia Lawrence, Director of the Institute for Feminist Legal Studies at Osgoode Hall and Erica Violet Lee, blogger and activist who has worked internationally as a youth organizer with the movement since initially garnering attention speaking at the first Idle No More teach-in in 2012.

Ranging from affordable child care and the consequences of austerity to building an intersectional, critical feminism, the panel focused on how to build coalitions, finding, as Sonia Lawrence suggests, the aspects of the feminist agenda we can agree on and pursuing those.

Ellen Gabriel was first introduced to the Canadian public in 1990, when she was chosen by the People of the longhouse and her community of Kanehsatà:ke to be their spokesperson during their resistance to the proposed expansion of a private nine-hole golf course near the town of Oka, Quebec. During the ensuing standoff between the Mohawk people and the Canadian army, Gabriel not only participated in negotiations to protect the sacred grove of pines, but also spoke out about the presence and leadership of women behind the barricades.

Since then, she has worked to raise consciousness among politicians and the public alike of the history, culture and identity of Indigenous peoples. Although her national activities have been far-reaching, ranging from presentations to Parliamentary and Senate committees and the Quebec National Assembly to presentations and conferences and post-secondary institutions, the real breadth of her efforts extends to the international sphere. Gabriel has been active in the UN, participating in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples and advocating for Indigenous cultures and languages at the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In 2004, Gabriel was elected president of the Quebec Native Women's Association, a position she held until 2010. She continues to be an advocate for gender equity, Indigenous governing structures and the revitalization of Indigenous languages, culture, traditions, as well as the importance of this revitalization in overcoming colonial oppression.

Last August, rabble.ca took part in a groundbreaking gathering of activists from across the country. The Peoples' Social Forum was four days of talks, discussion groups, arts events, demonstrations... all to call attention to some of the most pressing problems facing our country. And to figure out how to solve them.

Even though it took place in the summer, we're still putting together programs based on the material I gathered. Even though it was a few months ago, the issues are still the same. Still pressing, and still needing to be solved.

Today's Needs No Introduction focuses on independent media. Sponsored by rabble.ca, it was a panel called Media and Movements. It was moderated by Judy Rebick, one of the founders of rabble.ca. You'll also hear Jorge Barrera from the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, James Patterson (Canadian Dimension Magazine), Cathy Edwards (CACTUS - Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations ), Steff Pinch (rabble.ca), Diane Lamoureux, Monique Moisan (Revue À bâbord!) and Sharmeen Khan (Upping the Anti, Media Coop).

Women throughout the world have always played their part in struggles against colonialism, imperialism and other forms of oppression.

However, there are hardly any academic books on Arab political prisoners, fewer still on the Palestinians who have been detained in their thousands for their political activism and resistance. Nahla Abdo's Captive Revolution seeks to break the silence on Palestinian women political detainees, providing a vital contribution to research on women, revolutions, national liberation and anti-colonial resistance. Based on the stories of the women themselves, Abdo draws on a wealth of oral history and primary research in order to analyze Palestinian women's anti-colonial struggle, their agency and their treatment as political detainees.

Nahla Abdo is an Arab feminist activist and Professor of Sociology at Carleton University in Ottawa.

The book launch for Captive Revolution was on Monday, November 3, 2014 in Toronto. Introducing Nahla Abdo is David McNally, Alan Sears and Himani Bannerji.

We all know Harper has transformed Canada, but how did it happen? Donald Gutstein has been following Canada's backroom political dealings for decades. In this podcast he discusses his new book: Harperism - How Stephen Harper and his think tank Colleauges have transformed Canada"

What is Harperism? We've seen the effects of Harperism across our country. Today's discussion is a definition .. or several definitions .. of how Harper and his ideas have changed our society.

Today we present a discussion from the book launch - "Harperism - How Stephen Harper and his Think Tank Colleagues Have Transformed Canada". The launch was held at Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre Campus just a few days ago, October 8, 2014.

The book was written by Donald Gutstein.

In his own words, "I've studied the media and right-wing think tanks for two decades. My concerns are to understand how and why the Right is winning the war of ideas and to encourage the Left to get on the battlefield. Conservatives have successfully framed most issues. Progressives need to create their own frames, not just respond to conservative frames, which is a losing strategy."

He is joined in this discussion by Louise Mandell, a specialist in aboriginal law for four decades; Adrienne Montani, child and youth advocate; and Gwen Barlee, environmental and health advocate.

Van Jones says he came here to speak to the Good Jobs Summit because "you've got a crazy dude up here, and it's not Rob Ford."

He has harsh criticism for our Prime Minister, saying Stephen Harper is more interested in looking good than doing good. Listen to hear the other things he says about Stephen Harper, the global economy and how to shift the power from the corporations and governments to the people.

Van Jones is an American environmental advocate, civil rights activist, attorney, CNN commentator and best selling author. Also an adviser to President Barack Obama in 2009 on Green Jobs, his views on the environment, jobs and the economy are much sought after in the public sphere.

He was the keynote speaker this weekend, October 3-5 at The Good Jobs Summit in Toronto. Sponsored by Unifor, the Canadian Federation of Students, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the CAW-Ryerson Social Justice Chair.

The goal of the gathering was s to spark a national conversation about the quality of work in Canada and creating good jobs.

The iconic Maple Leaf Gardens was the stage last weekend for the Good Jobs Summit.

The Good Jobs Summit was a national dialogue between workers, students, governments, employers and community organizations, with the goal of finding solutions and new approaches to jobs and the economy.

The Summit featured a number of high-profile speakers, workshops and panel discussions, exploring questions of:

• How can we turn low-income, precarious jobs into good jobs?

• Where will the new good jobs come from?

• How can young workers and students succeed in Canada's difficult labour market?

It was co-sponsored by Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union; the Canadian Federation of Students; Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and The Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy.

Featured speakers in the Friday night debate were: Trish Hennessy - Director - Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Ontario (Moderator) / Jim Stanford, Economist, Unifor / Todd Hirsch, Chief Economist, ATB Financial / Preet Bannerjee, Personal Finance Columnist, Globe and Mail / Kaylie Tiessen, Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Ontario