ELSIPOGTOG, NEW BRUNSWICK – Mikmaq community is outraged by the treatment and arrest of women carrying out sacred duties to protect water against seismic testing in Kent County, NB.
Ms. Suzanne Patles and Ms. Lorraine Claire will meet with the press following their arrest and detention while asserting their right to pray at a Seismic testing site in Kent County, NB.
Location: Elsipogtog First Nation, Fisheries Building board room
Time: 11:00 am
Date: June 11th,2013
Ms. Suzanne Patles and Ms. Lorraine Clair, two Mikmaq women recently arrested for conducting ceremonial prayers near SWN’s seismic testing site in Kent County, NB, are calling on all nations and devotions to defend their treaty rights to protect their territorial waters from destruction by Seismic testing and fracking activities. Both ladies are also seeking International oversight of their abusive treatment at the hands of the RCMP in exercising Aboriginal rights and human rights.
Ms. Clair suffered injury to what she claims is excessive force, is now wearing a cast and is currently considering both legal and human rights remedies from the RCMP.
Ms. Patles has also suffered emotional trauma due to the RCMP’s disrespect to her cultural practices. She is also suffering from mental and emotional trauma from what she has described as inhumane treatment while incarcerated in her cell and during interrogation. Ms. Patles also claims that she was not treated the same as other prisoners in the cells. Deprivation of blankets, food and water and kept in custody for periods much longer than non native protestors.
The interference of their traditional ceremonial practices and the sacred responsibilities as protectors of the waters is both an infringement of Canada’s human rights protections under both domestic and international human rights, as well as, s.35 protection of Aboriginal and treaty rights.
Both ladies, with strong support from Mikmaq communities and allies, will continue their efforts to raise the public awareness of the dangers of Seismic testing and fracking on sacred watersheds within the Mikmaq territory.
For more information or comments please call:
Phone: Kathy Levi (506)532-3763 Email: Kathy_levi@hotmail.com
Indigenous Peoples are putting their bodies on the line and it's our responsibility to make sure you know why. That takes time, expertise and resources - and we're up against a constant tide of misinformation and distorted coverage. By supporting IC you're empowering the kind of journalism we need, at the moment we need it most.
