Organizers, leaders, and spokespeople from Indigenous communities involved in land struggles with the Canadian and Provincial Governments have assembled in Winnipeg for the Defenders of the Land Gathering, to share strategies and ideas for how to best achieve land rights and self-determination.
The gathering runs from November 12-14th, 2008, and will feature presentations by members from the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, Six Nations, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Secwepemc First Nation, and possibly others. Please see the press release below for details and contact information.
For Immediate Release: November 12, 2008
MEDIA ADVISORY
WINNIPEG - Spokespeople from Indigenous communities involved in land struggles across Canada will issue a national challenge to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative government's policies when Harper attends the Conservative Convention in Winnipeg this week, delivering a letter to Harper on Thursday at 6pm, and following up with a press conference on Friday at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Indigenous organizers, leaders and membership will be meeting in Winnipeg for the Defenders of the Land Gathering from November 12-14th, 2008 to share strategies and solutions for achieving land rights and self-determination.
The Defenders of the Land Gathering will feature special presentations by members from the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, Six Nations, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Ardoch Algonquin First Nation, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, Secwepemc First Nation, while many others will be in attendance.
The Defenders of the Land Gathering will focus on several key principles including recognition and respect for Inherent, Aboriginal and Treaty rights; opposition to arbitrary, one-sided federal and provincial legislation, policies and practices that negatively affect Indigenous Peoples; stopping the environmental degradation of Indigenous lands; a fair and just interpretation of section 35 of Canada's constitution, including the elimination of the racist, outdated concepts of the Doctrine of Discovery and Terra Nullius; and the application of the Articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
The Press Conference will be held:
Date: Friday November 14, 2008
Location: Winnipeg Convention Centre
Time: TBA
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For more information, please contact:
Courtney Kirkby 514.893.8283
Harmony Rice: 204.510.9899
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An update…
DEFENDERS OF THE LAND GATHERING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2008
National Gathering of Indigenous Peoples Challenge Harper Government in Winnipeg
Winnipeg-Grassroots activists, elders, and elected leaders from First Nations fighting for self-determination and protection of land and resource rights presented a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Conservative Party’s national policy conference in Winnipeg today. The Indigenous spokespeople have come to Winnipeg from communities across Canada to form a network dedicated to fighting for recognition of and respect for Indigenous rights, and deliver their message to Prime Minister Harper.
“Canada, along with the United States and New Zealand, is one of three countries that have voted against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We call on Canada to join the vast majority of nations who have adopted this declaration,” said Art Manuel, of the Indigenous Network on Economies and Trade.
Terry Sappier of Tobique First Nation said the “The federal government, jointly with Indigenous communities, must change its policies on self-government, land claims and historic Treaties to bring them in accordance with standards of international law, a fair and just interpretation of these rights, which are protected in the Constitution of Canada and in court cases.”
“When Indigenous peoples stand up for our land and resource rights, and fight for self-determination, the governments of Canada and the provinces criminalize us. We’re calling on these governments to act honourably and fairly towards Indigenous peoples as the courts have directed them to do, instead of cherry-picking the rights and court cases they like,” said Sam McKay, spokesperson of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug, who was jailed for over two months for non-violently preventing mineral exploration on their traditional territory.
The Indigenous Peoples were stopped by the police from entering the convention centre and a member of the RCMP committed to delivering the letter to the Prime Minister. The Indigenous peoples pledged to form a national network to continue their fight for land rights and self-determination. Irene Billy, an elder from the Skwek’wek’welt Protection Centre said, “We will be watching your government’s actions and if your government does not accede to our reasonable requests, we will take coordinated action to convince your government to respect our Indigenous Peoples and communities.”
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For more information, Harmony Rice 416.576.9718 (c) Art Manuel 250.319-0688 (c) Russell Diabo 613.296.0110 (c)
Attached:
Defenders of the Land Letter to Harper Nov 13 08
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Indian and Metis Friendship Centre
Winnipeg, Manitoba
November 12-14, 2008
Hand Delivered
November 13, 2008
Mr. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister
Government of Canada
c/o Winnipeg Convention Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba
Mr. Prime Minister:
We are here in Winnipeg attending a gathering of spokespeople of Indigenous Peoples from across Canada who are engaged in land use/natural resource conflicts involving hydro, forestry, fisheries, wildlife, mining, uranium mining, oil and gas exploration and development, tar sands and of course urbanization and tourism, including impacts from the preparations for the 2010 Olympics.
> From the presentations we have heard at our gathering it is clear that the
federal government is responsible for violations of our Inherent, Aboriginal, Treaty and Human Rights, by issuing unilateral self-government and land claims policies and related negotiation processes.
These federal policies are designed to give the provinces, industry and third parties priority over our traditional lands, resources and waters.
As the spokespeople for our respective Indigenous communities we must insist that your government take immediate steps to:
1. Adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and
2. Jointly change the federal policies on self-government, land claims and historic Treaties with Indigenous communities;
3. Cease the criminalization of Indigenous Peoples when they are exercising their rights to lands, resources and self-determination and direct the provinces to do the same.
We will be watching your government’s actions and if your government does not accede to our reasonable requests, we commit that we the undersigned who are attending our gathering here in Winnipeg will take coordinated action to convince your government to respect our Indigenous Peoples and communities by acting on our requests presented in this letter.
In Defense of Our Mother Earth,
COMMUNITY SPOKESPERSONS:
Tobique, Maliseet Nation
Algonquins of Barriere Lake
Ardoch Algonquin First Nation
Six Nations, Grand River
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwig
Youth Rep., Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Indigenous Environmental Network
Redwire Native Youth Society
Pimicikamac Cree Nation
Indigenous Network on Economies & Trade
First Nations Environmental Network
Swelk’wek’welt Protection Centre
Asubpeeschoseewasong, Anishinabe Territory
Lonefighters Society, Blackfoot Confederacy
Lubicon Lake Cree Nation
Native 2010 Resistance, British Columbia
Downtown Eastside Women’s Council
Elders Council, Vancouver
Looks like there were too many politicians in Winnipeg, and not just at the conservative convention. Good luck defending the land with petitions to the prime minister…
Yeah, the petition’s probably not going to change anything–but, if the commitment it outlines is genuine, than I believe it marks an historic moment. It’s a step towards a national indigenous movement.
Now we just have to build upon it, ensure that it doesn’t become a product for special interest groups (AFN), and most importantly, that everyone follows through.
No more backing down or settling for less. That doesn’t mean we have to become so rigid that we isolate ourselves or force a stalemate (which means aboriginal policy continues to advance). Quite the contrary. We have to compel the change we need in the same way that a plant will thrive when its needs are fulfilled… except that we are the plant that must feed itself.
Canada, on the other hand, is one that cannot adapt to the soil of this land, who’s only means of survival is to exploit us.
Once that means is disabled, through vigilance to our health and our ways and our perspectives (rather than by pleading to the parasitic plant), we can regain control over our lives, and if we want, transform Canada and build a mutually-beneficial symbiotic relationship.
It’s our choice how we want all this to unfold. But if we don’t make that choice soon, and then stand firm by it, than Canada will choose for us. That ultimately means we become the parasite.
Will there be a meeting of Defenders of the Land in the future?
Greetings, Chief Kitsilano. Actually, they just gathered in Vancouver about a week ago.
It won’t be until next year now, but there will definitely be another meeting.
They also have a website now, you may find it useful http://www.defendersoftheland.org/
Real ID Act is Fake IDentity Finally