The Algonquins of Barriere Lake have sent out an urgent call for support, asking people to help them prevent Canada from illegally replacing their Traditional Government.
Canada is attempting to do so by taking advantage of a leadership problem that began last September, according to the Ottawa Citizen, “when former chief Jean Maurice Matchewan stepped down after being charged with gun- and drug-related offences. He remained on council, and Benjamin Nottaway was named acting chief.”
The “New Chief” said this change was made without consultation, so his supporters held their own selection process. Then the group turned to Canada and asked for formal recognition.
Canada was happy to oblige. It would seem they’ve been looking for a chance to get a foot-hold in Barriere Lake for quite some time now—that is, rather than honour the agreements they entered into:
For more news, please visit http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/ (email barrierelakesolidarity@gmail.com, or call 514-398-7432.)
To read the call for support, see http://briarpatchmagazine.com/2008/03/17/call-for-support-from-the-algonquins-of-barriere-lake/
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
1. We Need Monitors/Witnesses:
We need outside supporters with video cameras to monitor and witness how the Surete du Quebec (SQ) are conducting themselves in our community.The SQ have arrested ten of our people so far for defending our community from the dissident group who is collaborating with the governments to take over our community.
The SQ have pepper sprayed children, pregnant mothers, and other vulnerable members without regard to their health or safety.
The SQ have refused to take our complaints against their behavior and tactics.
If you can bring a video camera and be a monitor to witness please contact, Marylynn Poucachiche at (819) 435-2113, We will have to arrange accommodations for monitors/witnesses.
We Need Donations and Supplies:
The federal Department of Indian Affairs has placed our community into what is called “Third Party Management” (TPM). This means our Customary Chief and Council have no say in how our First Nations’ administrative affairs are managed. The Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) decides how our band funds are spent.
We are trying to keep our Elementary School open on a volunteer basis, the Third Party Manager removed the certified teachers from our community on February 20, 2008, while we were trying to get negotiations started with DIA to get Algonquin language and culture into the curriculum and to have a role for our Education Committee in running the school.
We need food for breakfast and lunch program we offer to the children who attend the school.
For SUPPLIES we need the following: Potatoes, White Flour, Rice, Oatmeal, Baking Powder, Lard, Cooking Oil, Dry Cereals, Margarine, Crackers, Macaroni, Spaghetti, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste, Canned Tomatoes, White Peas, White Beans, White/Brown Sugar, Salt, Pepper, Soup Base, Mustard, Ketchup, Coffee, Tea Bags, Canned Milk 2%, Canned Goods, Powdered Juice, Bread, Cookies/Snacks, Coffee Whitener.
Other items: Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Batteries ‘AA’ Copying Paper, Pencils, Erasers, Note Books, Colored Construction Paper, HP Printer Cartridge # 21 and HP Printer Cartridge #56.
If you can provide cash donations (towards milk, eggs, meat, etc.), supplies, or visit the community to be a monitor, contact: Marylynn Poucachiche: (819) 435-2113, marylynnpoucachiche@hotmail.com
Communicate Your Support:
Contact the Federal and Provincial Government, demanding:
That the federal government respect Barriere Lake’s Customary Governance Code and recognize the customary Chief and Council as the legitimate leadership.
That they honour previously signed agreements:
• The 1991 Trilateral Agreement.
• The 1997 Memorandum of Mutual Intent & Global Proposal to Rebuild the Community.
• The Special Provisions in Barriere Lake’s Contribution Agreements, which were removed by the Third Party Manager.
That the provincial government honour the 1998 Bilateral Agreement and negotiate the implementation of the Joint Recommendations adopted by the Quebec negotiator, John Ciaccia, and Barriere Lake’s Clifford Lincoln, in 2006, which includes paying Barriere Lake $1.5 million annually in Revenue Sharing.
Call or Write to:
Stephan Harper, Prime Minister
Telephone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-Mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development Canada
Telephone: (613) 992-2940
Fax: (613) 944-9376
E-Mail: ottawa@chuckstrahl.com
Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca
Lawrence Cannon, Local Member of Parliament, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Telephone: (613) 992-5516
Fax: (613) 992-6802
Telephone: (613) 991-0700
Fax: (613) 995-0327
E-Mail: mintc@tc.gc.ca
Jean Charest, Premier minister, Quebec
Téléphone: 418 643-5321
Téléphone: 514 873-3411
Télécopieur: 418 643-3924
Télécopieur:514 873-6769
Email: www.premier.gouv.qc.ca/premier-ministre/nous-joindre/courriel-formulaire-en.asp
Benoit Pelletier, Ministre responsable des Affaires autochtones
Phone : 418 646-5950
Fax : 418 643-8730
Email: ministre.saic@mce.gouv.qc.ca
Claude Béchard, Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune
Téléphone : 418 643-7295
Télécopieur : 418 643-4318
Phone : 514 864-7222
Fax : 514 864-7695
Email: ministre@mrnf.gouv.qc.ca
Line Beauchamp, Ministre du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs
Téléphone : 418 521-3911
Télécopieur : 418 643-4143
Téléphone : 514 864-8500
Télécopieur : 514 864-8503
Email: line.beauchamp@mddep.gouv.qc.ca
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