TORONTO: First Nations and supporters kick off Gathering of Mother Earth Protectors and Sovereignty Sleepover
May 28th, 2008
CPTnet
28 May 2008
TORONTO: First Nations and supporters kick off Gathering of Mother Earth Protectors and Sovereignty Sleepover
On 26 May 2008, an estimated one thousand people gathered in Queen’s Park, seat of the Ontario Provincial Parliament, to support of the rights of the indigenous people of Canada. Members of the First Nations communities of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) were joined by many others, both First Nation and non-indigenous.
The rally participants called for changes in antiquated Ontario mining laws and made the following demands: “Respect the right of First Nations to say no to economic exploitation and environmental destruction,” “No jail for saying no,” and “Free Bob Lovelace and the KI Six.” Lovelace and the “KI Six” are in jail for defending the rights of their people to be consulted before companies exploit resources on their traditional lands.
Among those addressing the peaceful and festive gathering were several of the “KI Six” out on bond and Father Marco Arana, a mining and indigenous rights activist from Peru. Bob Lovelace, of the Ardoch Algonquin community, addressed the crowd from his prison cell, via a taped message.
The rally was the kick-off event of a four-day Sovereignty Sleepover, in which members of the three communities and their supporters will engage in ceremonies, workshops and other activities, with many of them sleeping over on the lawn in front of the Provincial Parliament building.
Christian Peacemaker Teams is part of a broad coalition of groups supporting the three indigenous communities with the rally and the associated Sovereignty Sleepover. Many CPTers served as rally marshals, and CPTers will help with safety and planned activities during the sleepover, which will culminate with a Day of Action on Thursday, 29 May.
Photos of the event are available at http://cpt.org/gallery/First-Nations-Gathering-of-Mother-Earth-Protectors
28 May 2008
TORONTO: First Nations and supporters kick off Gathering of Mother Earth Protectors and Sovereignty Sleepover
On 26 May 2008, an estimated one thousand people gathered in Queen’s Park, seat of the Ontario Provincial Parliament, to support of the rights of the indigenous people of Canada. Members of the First Nations communities of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI), Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation) were joined by many others, both First Nation and non-indigenous.
The rally participants called for changes in antiquated Ontario mining laws and made the following demands: “Respect the right of First Nations to say no to economic exploitation and environmental destruction,” “No jail for saying no,” and “Free Bob Lovelace and the KI Six.” Lovelace and the “KI Six” are in jail for defending the rights of their people to be consulted before companies exploit resources on their traditional lands.
Among those addressing the peaceful and festive gathering were several of the “KI Six” out on bond and Father Marco Arana, a mining and indigenous rights activist from Peru. Bob Lovelace, of the Ardoch Algonquin community, addressed the crowd from his prison cell, via a taped message.
The rally was the kick-off event of a four-day Sovereignty Sleepover, in which members of the three communities and their supporters will engage in ceremonies, workshops and other activities, with many of them sleeping over on the lawn in front of the Provincial Parliament building.
Christian Peacemaker Teams is part of a broad coalition of groups supporting the three indigenous communities with the rally and the associated Sovereignty Sleepover. Many CPTers served as rally marshals, and CPTers will help with safety and planned activities during the sleepover, which will culminate with a Day of Action on Thursday, 29 May.
Photos of the event are available at http://cpt.org/gallery/First-Nations-Gathering-of-Mother-Earth-Protectors