Volume XV, Number 4, April 1997
The Western Separatist Papers are published
monthly by W.S.P. Ltd.
Address all correspondence to WSP, P.O. Box 40143, Victoria, B.C.
Western Canada V8W 3N3.
A one-year subscription is $15.00. Our e-mail address is:
wcc@ftcnet.com
Canada has become a Third world country of whining pressure groups, bureaucrats, enormous taxes, huge government regulation, diminishing freedom for the individual to think and speak, tyrannical laws controlling everything from guns to wheat sales, a propagandist's docile media favourable to socialism and government, a military which is corrupt and leaderless, bilingualism and multiculturalism as a state religion and diminished respect for human life and God.
We believe the time has come to build a new nation of Western Canada from a new foundation with one culture, one language and one government.
Hear the Western Canada Concept present two seminars: The WHY, HOW and WHAT of Western Independence.
Bring a friend, listen to a new vision and discover what hope can mean.
Admission $10.00.
When comparing the movement for the Nation of Hawai'i with Western Canadian separatism, it is interesting to note the determinative aspects of race, culture, language, religion and history. With these excerpts from their web page, we present a view of how the "Nation of Hawai'i" sees itself:
The population of Hawai`i comprises one of the most diverse ethnic mixtures in the world, with many races of people having gathered and lived relatively harmoniously for over a century. Along with their Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) hosts, Caucasian, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Pacific Island peoples are all well-represented. Unfortunately, the Kanaka Maoli have benefited the least and suffered the most of all populations in Hawai`i from the island's forced incorporation with the United States and the current system of economics, politics, and land administration. ...
HISTORICAL SUMMARY
Prior to the arrival of the first Europeans in 1778, the Native Hawaiian people lived in a highly organized, self-sufficient, subsistent social system based on communal land tenure with a sophisticated language, culture, and religion. A unified monarchical government of the Hawaiian Islands was established in 1810 under Kamehameha I, the first unifying King of Hawaii in several centuries. From 1826 until 1893, the Kingdom of Hawaii was recognized as a sovereign and independent nation among the world community of nations, with full diplomatic protocol. ...
In 1893 the Hawaiian government was illegally overthrown in a conspiracy with participation of citizens, agents, and the military force of the United States. In 1898 the United States annexed Hawaii without a treaty, unilaterally and unlawfully abrogating all of Hawai`i's existing treaties. In 1900 the Territory of Hawaii was falsely established with the imposed Organic Act. In 1946 Hawaii was placed under the United Nations Charter, Article 73, as a non-self-governing territory under the administering authority of the United States. In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States through an invalid special vote. In 1993, the United States apologized for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, and recognized the unrelinquished inherent sovereignty and right of self-determination of the Native Hawaiian people. ...
Present Status of Hawai`i
Hawai`i is an independent nation-state undergoing a process of political, economic, social and cultural restoration and transition from a status of imposed involuntary colonial integration with the United States.
In 1893, the internationally recognized independent Kingdom of Hawai`i was overthrown in what then-President Grover Cleveland called an "act of war" supported by government agents and military force of the United States. This international violation followed a century of genocide and systematic disenfranchisement of the Kanaka Maoli in their homeland of Hawai`i.
In 1993, the United States apologized to the Native Hawaiian people for the 1893 overthrow. In fact, the overthrow, the subsequent self-proclaimed Republic of Hawaii, the annexation, and statehood were all illegal under the United States Constitution and international law. Congress and the President admitted in Public Law 103-150 (the "Apology Resolution") that "the indigenous Hawaiian people never directly relinquished their claims to their inherent sovereignty as a people or over their national lands to the United States, either through their monarchy or through a plebiscite or referendum," and recognized their right to self-determination.
As Senator Gorton (R-Washington) stated during the Congressional debates, "...the logical consequences of this resolution would be independence."
Now in 1996, the Hawaiian people, inclusive of all ethnic populations in Hawai'i, have established a just, honorable and legal claim for independence and the restoration of the sovereign nation-state of Hawai`i.
The Process of Restoration
A summary of developments over the last two years since the passage of the Apology Resolution provides a framework to understand the legal foundation and process for independence, and the new and empowered self-determination being exercised by the Hawaiian people.
In December 1993, Pu'uhonua Dennis Kanahele, as a member of the Governor's Sovereignty Advisory Commission, invited Professor Francis A. Boyle, an expert on international law of human rights and self-determination, to testify before the Commission and the public on the meaning of the Apology Resolution.
Prof. Boyle stated that, "...now the United States government, after one hundred years, has finally and officially conceded, as a matter of United States law, that Native Hawaiian people have the right to restore the Independent Nation State that you had in 1893 when the United States government came and destroyed it.
...as a matter of international law, the Native Hawaiian people have the right to go out now and certainly proclaim the restoration of that State..." Boyle also testified that, "Congress is effectively conceding now that the (1959 statehood) vote is meaningless, as a matter of international law and United States domestic law."
On January 16, 1994, the Proclamation Restoring the Independence of the Sovereign Nation State of Hawai'i was delivered by a coalition of sovereignty organizations, churches, civic/public organizations, and individual families at `Iolani Palace in Honolulu (the historical seat of Hawaiian government and the focal point for sovereignty efforts). This Proclamation empowered the `Aha Kupuna, the Council of Elders, as the Provisional Government of Hawai`i, to provide measures of development for the restoration of independence and to call for a constitutional convention.
The following day, on January 17, 1994, the front page of the Honolulu Advertiser read "Group Declares Hawaiian Independence."
In March, nearly 200 kupuna from all the major islands gathered in Ka`anapali, Maui, and convened the First Legislative Session of the Provisional Government. At this convention, Pu`uhonua Kanahele was unanimously selected as the Head of State, and given the mandate to act of behalf of the people to pursue the full restoration of sovereignty for Hawai`i.
Throughout the year, under his leadership, Kanaka Maoli and supporters on all islands organized themselves, educated their communities, and drafted an organic document.
On September 8, President Clinton sent a letter to the Honorable Pu`uhonua Kanahele, addressing him as the "Head of State of Hawai`i" and giving de facto recognition to the sovereign and independent Nation of Hawai`i.
A New Constitution
In October 1994, the first `Aha Kumu Kanawai, Constitutional Convention, was held in Waimanalo, and a Constitution was prepared for the independent Nation of Hawai'i, an organic document from and for the people. In November the delegates gathered again to refine the document, and a third convention was held from January 13-15 to finalize the Constitution.
On January 16, 1995, the one year anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence - and the one hundred year anniversary of the imprisonment of Queen Lili'uokalani in `Iolani Palace, charged with misprision of treason by the conspirators who overthrew her - kupuna (elders), ali'i (descendants of Hawaiian royalty), spiritual leaders, and delegates from all islands gathered at `Iolani Palace to sign the Constitution of the Nation of Hawai'i, an event covered by all the predominant media in Hawai'i.
This document serves as an instrument of transition, and is open to amendment as the process evolves. Educational efforts concerning the history of Hawai'i and the right and process of restoring independence are ongoing among the Native Hawaiian people and the community as a whole, to provide a broad participation in the transitional process and to ensure a solution-oriented approach which balances the many interests which are affected.
Transitional Provisions
The Transitional Provisions of Article XVII of the Hawai`i Constitution provide that the agencies and corporations of the United States of America and the State of Hawai`i may continue to provide services in Hawai`i to the extent necessary as the government of the Nation of Hawai`i shall deem proper and expedient for a peaceful transition toward restoration, and provides that time shall be granted to allow these entities to state their claims and desire to function under the Nation of Hawai`i. The Transitional Provisions also hold these agencies and corporate entities accountable for their actions in violation of the Constitution, require that settlement of claims with the United States can only be resolved by treaty, and provide no limitation for lawful remedies
Citizenship
Pursuant to the Proclamation of Restoration of January 16, 1994, all Kanaka Maoli, who trace their ancestry to Hawai'i prior to 1778, including the diaspora population who reside outside of the Archipelago, are automatically eligible for citizenship. All permanent residents of Hawai'i as of January 16, 1994, are eligible to apply for citizenship through a process of naturalization.
While the Constitution is based on the inherent sovereignty of the Kanaka Maoli and is designed to regain, protect and perpetuate the culture and rights of the original people of these islands, it is at the same time an inclusive document that recognizes the unique multi-cultural heritage of modern Hawai`i, and provides for citizenship, protection of rights, voting, and participation in government for all the inhabitants of the archipelago. Dual citizenship may be an option for those who wish to maintain American or other citizenship; this will be determined by treaties negotiated with respective countries in accordance with the Constitution.
HAWAI'I'S INDEPENDENT FUTURE
Restoring Hawai'i's independence is clearly legal, justified, and possible. It is obvious that the existing political and economic systems of the State of Hawaii, aside from being illegal, are not responsible to the just and timely advancement of peoples' rights and livelihoods, nor the sustainability of our environment. In fact, the existing government by and large represents the interests of entities which destroy our future without regard for the eventual costs to our children. Discontent with the government is at an all time high. If we keep going in the same direction, we'll certainly end up where we're headed, which would be most unfortunate. This is not a specific critique of individuals in office; it is a call to awaken responsible and ethical participation in the inevitable transition of governing authority in Hawai`i.
In Hawai`i and globally, our human `ohana (family) is an a crisis of living, unable to meet the basic needs of the people in a sustainable manner. We the people of Hawai`i are in a process of non-violent positive change designed to prevent further economic and environmental crisis in our region and in our world. Working together we can co-evolve a relatively corruption-free form of self-government that implements natural laws in a manner consistent with the realization of equality and liberty for all people in Hawai`i.
Independence means more than just political independence. Currently we live in a highly dependent society, relying on outside sources, primarily the United States, to meet most of our basic needs. We import over three quarters of our food, and even more of our energy, despite the fact that we inhabit the most isolated land mass in the world. Therefore Hawai`i is subject to the control of outside forces, lacking self-reliance and suffering great vulnerability. Hawai`i must become more independent in many ways to ensure the future stability and security of our land and people.
Once one shifts perspectives from U.S. domestic law to international law, the range of rights and of options for self-determination expand dynamically. The opportunity exists to evolve quickly in a positive direction with independent political status. Life won't change drastically overnight, but can change steadily for the better.
Economically, Hawai`i will capitalize on the advantages of our unique position in the center of the Pacific Rim, controlling our 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone, becoming a center for international trade, ethical investment banking and related secure financial services. The inauguration of international tax haven banking in Hawai`i will produce funding for the initial diversification of our local economy with profitable innovative community based projects, producing meaningful employment and furthering local and national self-sufficiency. Utilizing the judicial powers of Hawai`i to design and enforce equitable trade tariffs and taxes applied to trusts, financial institutions and high profit centers in our economy will eliminate the burden of income tax for the citizens of Hawai`i.
If there is any place in the world capable of evolving politically, economically, socially, and culturally in a peaceful transition toward a truly equitable and sustainable future, it is Hawai`i. In the process, we will become an example and evolving model of self-determination and goodwill for the common benefit of all our Earth's peoples.
As we remember and integrate the wisdom of our ancestors, we begin to reflect on the wise and just way to honor the past, perfect the present, and prepare for a peaceful future. With Aloha, we can change the world.
Aloha Ke Akua.
[end of excerpt from web page]
The following are quotations taken from a paper by Kekula P. B. Crawford and Scott P. Crawford, (scott@hawaii-nation.org) who is the Director of Communications for the Nation of Hawaii and the lead designer of the Nation's WWW Home Page (http://www.hawaii-nation.org/). He received a B.A. in American Studies and English from Tufts University in 1990. This paper was delivered at the Internet Society 1995 International Networking Conference in Honolulu on June 29, 1995:
"In his essay "Cyberocracy is Coming," David Ronfeldt describes the importance of information technologies in terms of politics and power. "The distribution of power and the prospects for cooperation and conflict are increasingly seen as a function of the differing abilities of governments and other political entities to utilize new technologies." `Other political entities' would certainly include self-determination movements.
"5. The Virtual Nation
Self-determination struggles may benefit from the ability to form "virtual communities." The situation of peoples who are involved with these struggles is often one of dispersion, having been forced away from their homeland for military, political or economic reasons.
In the discussion on the International Relations and National Sovereignty Listserv discussion group, Kurt Mills, writes that: "The most obvious impact of communications technology is that it makes possible new kinds of communities, or at least provides the possibilities for a certain level of cohesion among a dispersed community which may be necessary for any kind of SD movement to form and assert itself. Alongside this, it creates new centers of authority, relocating authority away from traditional authority structures -- i.e. the state -- toward more ambiguous and fluid confluences and loci of authority. It also means that territoriality, in one sense, is not nearly as important in the creation of feelings of community. That is, dispersed communities can form and remain cohesive a lot easier with advent of telephones, the Internet, e-mail, communications satellites, etc. ... One can think of many other dispersed communities and such communications capabilities might aid them in various self-determination activities, by being able to exchange information, strategize, etc." Thus the body of people capable of participating in the self-determination process may be expanded through access to communications technology.
...Tibet forms a clear example of a situation where both politically and technically, access from within the territory itself is extremely limited, but by the government-in-exile working in partnership with its people and various supporters around the world, a vital cyberspace community is being established to further the purposes of the people of Tibet."
"8. Electronic Voices
Politics is voice. Political independence means having one's own voice, representing one's own people, in the international arena.
Having a presence on regional and global information networks expands the voice of emergent nations and peoples with electronic forums to focus international attention and support toward specific self-determination issues and efforts.
The Nation of Hawaii, as an example, established our presence on the World Wide Web (http://hawaii-nation.org/nation/) in December of 1994, in order to provide information regarding the legal foundation for the restoration of Hawaiian independence, along with cultural perspectives from the people of Hawaii. The site includes legal documentation, current and historical information, news articles, and links to related resources in and about Hawaii on the World Wide Web. We now receive an average of around 600 hits per week to our home page, and through our guest book registrations we have developed an electronic mailing list of hundreds of people (predominantly from North America and Europe) who now form a network of supporters who we can keep informed and activate when needed. We also have set up an automated document retrieval system (info@hawaii-nation.org) to provide legal and related information about the Nation to those who don't have access to the Web. We post materials in related newsgroups as well, such as alt.culture.hawaii."
[end of quotation]
The people of every country are the only safe guardians of their own rights, and are the only instruments which can be used for their destruction. And certainly they would never consent to be so used were they not deceived.
Thomas Jefferson to John Wyche, 1809.
The most effectual means of preventing [the perversion of power into tyranny are] to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them knowledge of those facts which history exhibits, that possessed thereby of the experience of other ages and countries, they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to defeat its purposes.
Thomas Jefferson: Diffusion of Knowledge Bill, 1779. Papers, 2:526
Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.
Thomas Jefferson: Rights of British America, 1774. Papers, 1:125
When patience has begotten false estimates of its motives, when wrongs are pressed because it is believed they will be borne, resistance becomes morality.
Thomas Jefferson to M. deStael, 1807.
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
Thomas Jefferson: his motto.
The office of reformer of the superstitions of a nation is ever dangerous.
Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1820.
Politics, like religion, holds up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.
Thomas Jefferson to James Ogilvie, 1811.
Instead of considering what is past, however, we are to look forward and prepare for the future.
Thomas Jefferson to Edward Stevens, 1780.
by Douglas Christie
The Chairman (Mr. Lyle Vanclief (Prince Edward - Hastings, Lib.): Gentlemen, I want to thank you very much for coming before the committee as we continue our discussions on Bill C-72, an act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act.
...
Mr. Tom Jackson (Individual Presentation): Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I farm in the Sherwood Park-Ardrossan area, just east of Edmonton. I understand the clerk will be getting translated the packages I put together for you to read at your leisure.
The Chairman: All of the presentations will be circulated once they're translated, yes.
Mr. Jackson: Okay. What I'll do then is go straight to the point and target a couple of areas that are of concern to me and my legal counsel in regard to Bill C-72. The Wheat Board, when it in the future can buy grain from any entity anywhere, is no longer a western Canadian marketing agency but really in fact has the ability to be the wheat board of the world, and they will back this financial activity with a contingency fund that's taken from western Canadian farmers.
As far as I'm concerned, the pooling accounts, if they are not set for a specified time, make no sense. They do not help in reducing the volatility over that time. If they can be ended, they become virtually useless.
This brings me to the point where my legal counsel and I have been very concerned with some of the legal aspects of the Canadian Wheat Board Act and its accountability to the judiciary. I'll turn this over to Doug Christie, my counsel, who will discuss some of these things.
Mr. Douglas Christie (Individual Presentation): When Tom asked me to speak for him, I said, "Tom, you're wasting your time. Save your breath. This is just a bunch of Liberal hacks touring western Canada to be a public relations exercise for the government''. And I believe it is. "Frankly'', I said, ``Tom, they couldn't care less whether you give them 10 pages of paper or no pages of paper, because they won't read them anyway. They've made up their minds, as they always do, and then they come out and present what they've decided as if they had public sympathy and support''.
I used to be pretty nice about things like this to people like you and others, Mr. Chairman, because I used to think Canada was a nice country, until I watched an innocent, honourable bunch of men stand up in a court and plead not guilty for selling their own wheat.
Some voices: Hear, hear! That's right!
Mr. Christie: I cannot tolerate that in any free and democratic society. You, sir, should tell the government there's people here who know what's wrong with that.
This country allows women in their ninth month to have an abortion, but men can't sell their own grain. What choice is that?
If the Wheat Board is as wonderful as its advocates say it is, let farmers choose whether they want to participate or not. That would be a free and democratic society, not this one. This is contrary to fundamental justice.
This proposed amendment, which just strengthens the stranglehold on ordinary citizens, would not be tolerated in any other country. It should not be tolerated here, but it will be. It will pass. Or it'll be dumped in the dustbin of history, if this Parliament dissolves and the Liberals get back again with another split for the right wing.
You have it in the bag. You can do what you like and you know it. The Reform Party, that thinks it can reform this system, will find out how quickly it's impossible to reform it. The sooner the Bloc Québecois succeeds in breaking this corrupt stranglehold on free and democratic people, the better. I wish them Godspeed.
Bill C-72 will remove the status of an agent of Her Majesty, which is open to review in the courts, and substitute that with a mixed corporation. Crown corporations cannot be taken for charter review before the courts of this country. Why would any democratic society want to remove the institutions of control from the judicial review process unless it wants to strangle and destroy the charter freedoms that would otherwise limit their power?
That, sir, is an indication of the arrogance and the corruption of this process that denies people freedom of choice.
Some people don't like to take risks. Some people like government cheques. Some people like security. Well, some people like freedom. Don't you think they should have the choice? You don't want choice for anybody.
There is a choice here, all right, between the communist idea of state control and state marketing and the free individual idea of taking risks and getting benefits. Some people don't like freedom.
There will be a real struggle in this country, this part of the world, and Tom Jackson and others will see after the next election that reform is impossible and the smug bureaucrats in Ottawa will have their way. The Liberals will be the next government and you'll have your CWB with more power, you can be sure of that. But don't count on everybody to be so stupid that they go along with it forever while you smile from your high and mighty places.
More and more, people will realize that Ottawa is the source of all this corruption, this oppression, this contempt for freedom and individual liberty, and they won't tolerate it forever, any more than the thirteen colonies tolerated a tax on tea.
The Chairman: You have half a minute left.
Mr. Christie: I've had enough time.
(other presenters)
Mr. Elwin Hermanson (Kindersley - Lloydminster, Ref.): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I won't be too long. I'll more or less put some things on the record, so if some of the presenters want to comment, that's fine. I guess I was a bit disturbed by some of Mr. Christie's comments. I want to put some things on the record.
Yes, Mr. Jackson, I believe this is a bit of a PR exercise by the Liberals. But I want to make it clear that there were several requests from some pretty legitimate and responsible farm groups from western Canada that asked this committee to come out west. I and other Reformers support that and believe in dialogue and this type of process, even though I believe, as some of you have also expressed, that the Liberals really aren't listening and have a bottom line that is unacceptable to us and to many other producers on the prairies.
Any time you have to raise your voice to try to get your point across in an environment like this, I think it weakens your position. Actually, Mr. Christie, you probably should debate in a basement somewhere with David Orchard, who presented yesterday to this group and made about as much sense as you did. You probably deserve each other even though you're on opposite sides of the issue.
Having said that, I want to also put on the record some comments about the Farmers for Justice and the status quo. As Reformers, we have not publicly supported - or privately supported, for that matter - the moving of grain by alleged illegal methods across the border. However, we agree with the objectives of the Farmers for Justice that you should be able to move your grain across the U.S. border - or across the ocean, for that matter - outside of the jurisdiction of the Canadian Wheat Board.
We've been very clear on our support for the board to be an agency in which you participate voluntarily. So while we've stayed out of the legal wrangling and the legal things that the Farmers for Justice have got involved with, nevertheless we support the same objectives they support.
I want to make that very clear and have it on the record, Mr. Chairman, because I think it's very important. Of course, there's a big argument in the courts as to whether what they're doing is illegal or legal. I'm not in a position to comment on that because I just don't know. ...Having put that on the record, that's the time I want to use, Mr. Chairman.
In all fairness to the chairman, and in response to Mr. Christie, the chairman has been fair and this process has been open to everybody who wanted to appear before it. Nothing has been fixed. I want to make that clear. I think that needs to be on the record. Yes, it may be a PR exercise. We'll find out when we see what changes, if any, are brought forward to Bill C-72. This bill may actually die and gather dust like many other proposals to modernize the board. We'll deal with that at election time.
The Chairman: Thank you very much. I appreciate your comments to the chair, Elwin. Tom, if you wish to comment, go ahead.
Mr. Jackson: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I think it is important that the things that Doug Christie said were said, because I believe in my heart that tens of thousands of farmers in western Canada are saying the exact same things - and I've heard them in coffee shop row - that Doug just said. If you people are serious about listening to what the farmers of western Canada are concerned about, then please take to heart what Doug said, or we will have another Quebec out here.
Prove me wrong. Prove that Doug is wrong. To the committee, I beg you, prove that he's wrong, because I'll bet you there's a 95% chance that he's right, and that will go down in history on each one of your names.