STORY about Direct ActionEnvironmentIndigenousPeace/WarPolice/Prisons posted on March 22, 2013 by Roslyn Cassells
Splitting the Sky died March 13 2013
Indigenous sovereigntist, prison justice activist, human rights and ecojustice warrior
In the highest of honour I will remember Splitting the Sky who died suddenly March 13 2013 in Adam's Lake, BC.
Splitting the Sky, also know as John Boncore, his colonial name, aged 61, was one of the most fierce, uncompromising, warriors I have ever met. He was fighting the pipeline in northern BC at the time of his death, but has been involved in sovereignty issues and many human rights and ecojustice campaigns all over the world.
As survivor of the prison uprising in Attica and a member of AIM (American Indian Movement) he came to Surrey, BC during the trial of the Sundancers of Tspeten, the Gustafson Lake standoff, the longest trial in BC history. That is where I met him.
He tried to arrest George Bush for war crimes, and was an ally of social justice battles everywhere. His fierce spirit, big heart, and huge smile and sense of humour is what I will remember of Splitting the Sky.
I doubt he will rest in peace, as there is yet no justice. I suspect his fighting spirit will return to encourage those of us who remain to keep up the battle for all peoples, and all our relations.
I will always remember Splitting the Sky, and his cry for justice!
Roslyn Cassells
Settler in support of indigenous sovereignty
Here is the story from the Mohawk news:
http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2013/03/15/splitting-the-sky/
The site for the Vancouver local of The Media Co-op has been archived and will no longer be updated. Please visit the main Media Co-op website to learn more about the organization.
Comments
"Please- if someone tells you that I died from a slip and fall..
don't 'fall' for it." - STS
and especially if that someone telling you is Barbara McLintock from the BC Coroner's Office...
A Very Fishy News Report Regarding the Death of Splitting the Sky
http://splittingthesky.blogspot.ca/2013/03/a-very-fishy-news-report-rega...
Hero's
No one can judge John Boncore "Splitting The Sky" but John himself - The Title of this YouTube put up recently after the news of his passing. For years he maintained his innocence regarding the Attica Guard William Quinn - Like Boncore, William Quinn the guard John was accused to killing died from head injuries on 9/11 1971 - In 2003 Boncore claimed it was a brick that killed Quinn when the prison doors came crashing down - in 2011 his story change to John hitting the guard with a stick as John describes in bloody detail in this YouTube - http://youtu.be/8In08oFfF0Q
Not everyone thought of John as a hero. After his death I thought of a quote by another famous aboriginal man Mr. Will Rogers - "We can't all be heroes, because somebody has to sit on the curb and applaud when they go by."
R.I.P William Quinn, R.I.P John Boncore