Joseph Corbiere was born and raised on the Rankin Indian Reserve by John and Alice Corbiere.
He is a member of the Anishnabek Nation of Batchewana.
He graduated from the Toronto University of Law in 1999 and operated his own private law practice for about six years.
Currently, Corbiere is sessional professor at Algoma University and an editorialist at SooToday.com.
This weekend we've decided to feature his column for your viewing, and listening, pleasure.
Punch the bully in the nose!Friday, September 14, 2012 by: Joseph Corbiere
Don’t you think over every door, to every Band Office, there should be a sign that reads;
REMEMBER WHO THE ENEMY IS!!!
Indian Affairs
CAS
MNR
The police,
... and other assorted governments!
Maybe then we wont be fighting with ourselves.
It is easier to fight within, because we can see the opponent.
Fighting the government is daunting.
Yet we need to do it.
We need to punch the friggin' bully in the nose!
We need to stand together.
We say we are Nations.
Yet we generally act like squabbling children, fighting over the scraps that the governments throw at us.
The Anishnabek Nation needs to unify itself.
The band system in Canada and the tribe system in the U.S. are systems designed to divide us.
Then we buy into this mindset when we look at each community as a separate nation.
I firmly believe that we, Anishnabek need to re-establish the Anishnabek Nation.
Let’s see which Band, or Tribe or Native Organization puts this over their door?
What do you think of that?
I think we need to listen and practice the words and thoughts in the song above.