An Indigenous Canadian Journalist Was Covering a Protest. Then He Got
Arrested.
He is one of four reporters arrested while covering Indigenous affairs
in a country that has been trying to make amends for its colonial past.
Karl Dockstader, an Indigenous radio reporter, is blocked from reporting
on a major Indigenous event in his own backyard.
Karl Dockstader, an Indigenous radio reporter, is blocked from reporting
on a major Indigenous event in his own backyard.Credit...Tara Walton for
The New York Times
Ian Austen <https://www.nytimes.com/by/ian-austen>
ByIan Austen <https://www.nytimes.com/by/ian-austen>
* NY Times, Sept. 21, 2020
*
o
<https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=9869919170&link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2020%2F09%2F21%2Fworld%2Fcanada%2Findigenous-journalism-protests.html%3Fsmid%3Dfb-share&name=An%20Indigenous%20Canadian%20Journalist%20Was%20Covering%20a%20Protest.%20Then%20He%20Got%20Arrested.&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F>
o
<https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2020%2F09%2F21%2Fworld%2Fcanada%2Findigenous-journalism-protests.html%3Fsmid%3Dtw-share&text=An%20Indigenous%20Canadian%20Journalist%20Was%20Covering%20a%20Protest.%20Then%20He%20Got%20Arrested.>
o
<mailto:?subject=NYTimes.com%3A%20An%20Indigenous%20Canadian%20Journalist%20Was%20Covering%20a%20Protest.%20Then%20He%20Got%20Arrested.&body=From%20The%20New%20York%20Times%3A%0A%0AAn%20Indigenous%20Canadian%20Journalist%20Was%20Covering%20a%20Protest.%20Then%20He%20Got%20Arrested.%0A%0AHe%20is%20one%20of%20four%20reporters%20arrested%20while%20covering%20Indigenous%20affairs%20in%20a%20country%20that%20has%20been%20trying%20to%20make%20amends%20for%20its%20colonial%20past.%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2020%2F09%2F21%2Fworld%2Fcanada%2Findigenous-journalism-protests.html%3Fsmid%3Dem-share>
o
o
OTTAWA — The land was theirs, the Indigenous protesters said, and so
they tried to prevent the housing project near Niagara Falls from going
forward — burning tires to block a highway, spray-painting slogans on
the construction company’s equipment and setting an excavator on fire.
The demonstrations didn’t get much national attention, but Karl
Dockstader, a local Indigenous reporter, thought it was a big story.
As the protests grew larger over the summer, he returned repeatedly to
the site, finally deciding to pitch a tent nearby to do more in-depth
reporting.
Then he received an email from the Ontario Provincial Police. They
wanted to meet with him.
When he showed up, the police arrested him, and charged him with
criminal mischief, and with violatingan injunction against the blockade
<https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2020/2020onsc5038/2020onsc5038.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAVIjE0OTIgTGFuZCBCYWNrIExhbmUiAAAAAAE&resultIndex=1>.
Now, as he awaits resolution of the case, Mr. Dockstader, who is co-host
of a weekly talk radio program that focuses on Indigenous issues, is
himself blocked from reporting on a major Indigenous event in his own
backyard.
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading the main story
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/world/canada/indigenous-journalism-protests.html#after-story-ad-1>
Mr. Dockstader’s arrest is one of four recent arrests of reporters
covering Indigenous protests in Canada, and journalism andcivil rights
groups
<https://twitter.com/cancivlib/status/1302346131423342593?s=20>immediately
leapt to his defense. Canada’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of
speech includes freedom of the press as a “fundamental freedom.”
“It’s an abuse of power,” said Brent Jolly, the president ofCanadian
Association of Journalists <https://caj.ca/>. “And it’s a pretty
effective way for them to shut down debate.”
* Refer someone to The Times.
They’ll enjoy our special rate of $1 a week.
<https://www.nytimes.com/share?channel=ometered&areas=dock&campaign=corereferral>
Pamela Palmater, a Mi’kmaq lawyer who holds a chair in Indigenous law at
Ryerson University in Toronto, said the arrests also suggest an effort
to silence coverage of Indigenous issues, which could undermine the
country’s efforts under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make
reconciliation with Indigenous people for past wrongs.
“It’s preventing our stories, our side, our version from getting out
there, whether it’s an Indigenous or non-Indigenous journalist who has
been arrested, it runs counter to reconciliation,” Ms. Palmater said.
Editors’ Picks
Florida Was Nice, but This Couple Was Ready to Come Home to New York
<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/09/17/realestate/17hunt-snider.html?action=click&algo=bandit-story_desk_filter&block=editors_picks_recirc&fellback=false&imp_id=650478114&impression_id=df214db0-fcea-11ea-b3da-115417de4161&index=0&pgtype=Article®ion=ccolumn&req_id=459748045&surface=home-featured&action=click&module=editorContent&pgtype=Article®ion=CompanionColumn&contentCollection=Trending>
‘Humility Is What Drew Me to Him’
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/18/style/modern-love-humility-is-what-drew-me-to-him.html?action=click&algo=bandit-story_desk_filter&block=editors_picks_recirc&fellback=false&imp_id=603051657&impression_id=df214db1-fcea-11ea-b3da-115417de4161&index=1&pgtype=Article®ion=ccolumn&req_id=459748045&surface=home-featured&action=click&module=editorContent&pgtype=Article®ion=CompanionColumn&contentCollection=Trending>
A New York Clock That Told Time Now Tells the Time Remaining
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/20/arts/design/climate-clock-metronome-nyc.html?action=click&algo=bandit-story_desk_filter&block=editors_picks_recirc&fellback=false&imp_id=831053692&impression_id=df214db2-fcea-11ea-b3da-115417de4161&index=2&pgtype=Article®ion=ccolumn&req_id=459748045&surface=home-featured&action=click&module=editorContent&pgtype=Article®ion=CompanionColumn&contentCollection=Trending>
Continue reading the main story
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/world/canada/indigenous-journalism-protests.html?action=click&module=editorContent&pgtype=Article®ion=CompanionColumn&contentCollection=Trending#after-pp_edpick>
ImageBroadcast media in February reporting at a railway blockade
supporting the indigenous Wet’suwet’en Nation, in St. Lambert, Quebec.
Broadcast media in February reporting at a railway blockade supporting
the indigenous Wet’suwet’en Nation, in St. Lambert,
Quebec.Credit...Christinne Muschi/Reuters
Appeals court judges in Newfoundland and Labrador said as much in March,
when they unanimously reversed the conviction of Justin Brake, a
Canadian journalist who was arrested in 2016 for violating an injunction
againstprotests by Indigenous groups against a hydro electric dam
project in Labrador.
<https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/11/world/canada/clean-energy-dirty-water-canadas-hydroelectric-dams-have-a-mercury-problem.html>
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading the main story
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/world/canada/indigenous-journalism-protests.html#after-story-ad-2>
“To achieve the goal of reconciliation better understanding of
aboriginal issues and aboriginal peoples is needed,”the judges wrote
<https://records.court.nl.ca/public/supremecourt/decisiondownload/?decision-id=5521&mode=stream>.
“This places heightened importance on ensuring that
independently-reported information on aboriginal issues, including
aboriginal protests, is available to the extent possible.”
The court also strongly criticized the trial court for not considering
Mr. Brake’s status as a journalist,writing
<https://records.court.nl.ca/public/supremecourt/decisiondownload/?decision-id=5521&mode=stream>that
an injunction can limit “freedom of the press and, in appropriate cases
like the present one, the protection of rights pertaining to Indigenous
interests.”
In February, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested Melissa Cox, a
documentary filmmaker from New York, atan Indigenous rail blockade in
British
Columbia,<https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/27/world/americas/british-columbia-pipeline-wetsuweten.html>again
saying she broke an injunction. A court dismissed those charges last
month, without explanation.
About two weeks after Mr. Dockstader was arrested, another reporter
covering the blockade, Starla Myers, was also arrested by the Ontario
police, and charged with two criminal counts of mischief and disobeying
a court order.
Ms. Myers, a member of the Mohawk Turtle Clan and a nurse who also works
for the Mohawk-owned websiteReal Peoples Media
<https://realpeoples.media/post-arrest-statement-from-reporter-starla-myers/>,
is now under similar restrictions as those imposed on Mr. Dockstader.
The office of Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister responsible for
relations, did not comment directly on the arrests but said that when it
comes to reconciliation, “we believe the best way to resolve outstanding
issues is through respectful and collaborative dialogue,” adding that “a
strong, independent, and free press is essential.” A spokeswoman for
Doug Ford, the Ontario premier, referred questions about the arrests to
the police.
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading the main story
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/world/canada/indigenous-journalism-protests.html#after-story-ad-3>
The Indigenous press in Canada includes the nationalAboriginal Peoples
Television Network <http://aptn.ca/>, which reaches more than 11 million
subscribers, and anIndigenous unit within the Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation <http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous>, the national
broadcaster, as well as dozens of smaller outlets like Mr. Dockstader’s
show and numerous podcasts.
Not only do these outlets employ Indigenous journalists, they are often
the first or only news organizations to report on Indigenous matters.
“The arrests are particularly egregious when the small number of
Indigenous journalists in this country are also prevented from covering
their own stories,” Dr. Palmater said.
Mr. Dockstader, 40, is the host, along with Sean Vanderklis, of“One
Dish, One Mic,”
<https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb/shows/one-dish-one-mic-1.9373503>which
was a podcast but became an AM radio station, CKTB, a year ago. The show
focuses on local Indigenous issues in Caledonia, Ontario, which includes
the community of theSix Nations of the Grand River.
<http://www.sixnations.ca/>
That community has a decades-long history ofdisputes over land claim
<https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/12/world/americas/canada-issues-arrest-warrants-for-7-in-land-dispute.html>s.
Mr. Dockstader, a Haudenosaunee member of the Oneida Bear Clan, grew up
in southwestern Ontario as well as Buffalo, N.Y., and worked as a chef
for about 15 years.
About two years ago, he began hosting the radio show. Earlier this year
he and Mr. Vanderklis wona prestigious Indigenous journalism fellowship,
which will give them training through the C.B.C
<https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/cjf-cbc-indigenous-journalism-fellowships-announced-841150596.html>.
Mr. Dockstader is also the language program coordinator at thenative
friendship center in Fort Erie,<https://www.fenfc.org/>Ontario, which
provides services and activities for Indigenous people in the city.
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading the main story
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/world/canada/indigenous-journalism-protests.html#after-story-ad-4>
The story he was covering began on July 20, when about a dozen people
gathered to block construction of a housing development they contend is
being built on Indigenous land. As was the case at ablockade elsewhere
in Ontario earlier this year
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/world/canada/gas-pipeline-protests.html>,
they raised Six Nations flags and painted “1492 Land Back Lane” on a
construction container, a mock reference to Christopher Columbus’s
arrival in the Americas.
Image
Protesters have occupied a parcel of land in Caledonia, Ontario, since
July as part of an effort to halt construction of a housing development.
Protesters have occupied a parcel of land in Caledonia, Ontario, since
July as part of an effort to halt construction of a housing
development.Credit...Tara Walton for The New York Times
Mr. Dockstader and Mr. Vanderklis drove to see the protest on the first day.
“These things start out as tiny things and you just never know what’s
going to happen,” Mr. Dockstader said.
After a police raid on Aug. 5 that resulted in arrests, more protesters
arrived, leading to blockades on more roads. In all, Mr. Dockstader made
15 trips to the site.
By late August, Mr. Dockstader decided to pitch his tent.
“I was interested in establishing a relationship with people that were
in charge as opposed to just running around snapping photos, having cool
things to post and getting clicks,” he said. “I was there for the sole
purpose of documenting what was happening and doing a deeper dive.”
Being present at the scene was contrary to the injunction, but before
the charges were brought earlier this month, Mr. Dockstader’s lawyer
told the police he was there as a journalist, not a protester.
In an email, Constable Rod Leclair, a police spokesman, declined to
offer any specifics about Mr. Dockstader’s case but said “engaging in
activities outside of their reporting purpose, could subject media
personnel to charges in relation to violation of a court order and other
applicable offenses.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Continue reading the main story
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/world/canada/indigenous-journalism-protests.html#after-story-ad-5>
The police say Mr. Dockstader was charged with criminal mischief because
of events on Aug. 29, the last day he was at the blockade.
“There was a concert and a lacrosse game,” said Mr. Dockstader of that
day. “I posted a video to my social media feed that was sort of a recap
of the week. And I honestly thought I was free and clear.”
He is now barred him from returning to the blockade and from
interviewing people connected with it. His lawyer is trying to get those
terms revised.
Ms. Myers, the other journalist arrested after reporting from the site,
said she acted only as an observer, and crossed onto the land covered by
the injunction after reporters and camera crews from large media outlets
did so.
“Sometimes when you tell these stories it makes people uncomfortable,”
she said. “What do you do with people who make you comfortable? You
charge them and silence them.”
Mr. Dockstader is set to appear in court in November.
“For me,” Mr. Dockstader said, “I set the hard line of having
journalists protected so that it’s not police using their discretion to
decide what is and isn’t journalism. But they clearly seem to want to
foray into that territory. They just don’t care.”
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group.
View/Reply Online (#1826): https://groups.io/g/marxmail/message/1826
Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/77015711/21656
-=-=-
POSTING RULES & NOTES
#1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message.
#2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived.
#3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern.
-=-=-
Group Owner: [email protected]
Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/marxmail/leave/8674936/1316126222/xyzzy
[[email protected]]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
