[Indigsol] FYI Barriere lake request

[Angela (OPIRG Carleton)]

*Hey IPSMO,
Just wanted to let you know OPIRG-Carleton is sending an endorsement and
give you this info:

A CALL FOR ENDORSEMENTS AND SOLIDARITY*

Dear friends and allies --

As you might know, in March the Algonquin community of Barriere Lake,
located 400 kms north of Montreal, Quebec, had their Customary Chief and
Council deposed by the Canadian government, with support from the Quebec
government, in an attempt to get out of binding agreements signed with the
community.

This is only the latest chapter in Barriere Lake's long struggle to wrest
control over their lives and lands from governments and corporations. In
1991, Barriere Lake compelled Canada and Quebec to sign a groundbreaking
land management and sustainable development agreement, after a campaign of
civil disobedience that caught international attention. The Trilateral
agreement set important precedents: it would give Barriere Lake decisive say
in the management of 10,000 square kilometers of their traditional
territory, protect Algonquin land uses, and give them a share in the
resource-revenue from logging and hydro projects on their land. Praised by
the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the agreement was an alternative
to the Comprehensive Land Claims process, which Barriere Lake rejected
because it would force them to extinguish their Aboriginal title and rights,
among other reasons.

The federal and provincial governments never liked the agreement, and have
tried everything to undermine it – including the unilateral leadership
change in March. It's the third time in the past 12 years that the
government has refused to recognize the legitimate community leadership.
Today, the agreement remains unimplemented.

For background and information on Barriere Lake:
http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/

Though a small community with few resources, Barriere Lake has demonstrated
remarkable tenacity in their struggle for self-determination and the
protection of their culture and land. But it is a struggle that can only
succeed with broad support and solidarity from non-native people.

The Barriere Lake Solidarity collective in Montreal, taking direction from
Barriere Lake, is looking for groups and organizations to *ENDORSE THE
COMMUNITY'S LIST OF DEMANDS* in order to build pressure on the federal and
provincial government.

Email us if you can:
barrierelakesolidarity at gmail.com<http://connect.carleton.ca/cp/email/message?msgId=71f17a6cc4a156a30ce0ad366a65978b-3.$NCarletonX0020UniversityX0020Mail.$NOPIRG.105&folderId=2.$NCarletonX0020UniversityX0020Mail.$NOPIRG>

* Barriere Lake's List of Demands*

1. That the Government of Canada agree to respect the outcome of a new
leadership re-selection process, with outside observers, recognize the
resulting Customary Chief and Council, and cease all interference in the
internal governance of Barriere Lake.

2. That the Government of Canada agree to the immediate incorporation of an
Algonquin language and culture program into the primary school curriculum.

3. That the Government of Canada honour signed agreements with Barriere
Lake, including the Trilateral, the Memorandum of Mutual Intent, and the
Special Provisions, all of which it has illegally terminated.

4. That the Government of Canada revoke Third Party Management, which was
imposed unjustly on Barriere Lake.

5. That the Province of Quebec honour signed agreements with Barriere Lake,
including the 1991 Trilateral and 1998 Bilateral agreements, and adopt for
implementation the Lincoln-Ciaccia joint recommendations, including $1.5
million in resource-revenue sharing.

6. That the Government of Canada and the Province of Quebec initiate a
judicial inquiry into the Quebec Regional Office of the Department of Indian
Affairs' treatment of Barriere Lake and other First Nations who may request
to be included.

7. That the Government of Quebec, in consultation with First Nations,
conduct a review of the recommendations of the Ontario Ipperwash Commission
for guidance towards improving Quebec-First Nation relations and the SQ's
procedures during policing of First Nation communities.

------
Apart from *ENDORSEMENTS*, we are seeking other forms of support:

**Consider getting *INVOLVED* in our campaign – as a group, or as an
individual – during the upcoming months.

**Consider making a *DONATION*, to support Barriere Lake's needs and to help
with our mobilization efforts. Contact us by e-mail to make a donation, or
donate directly to Barriere Lake through our website.
http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2008/03/donations.html

**If you want *UPDATES*, we can add you to an email list to notify you about
upcoming events and actions. Just email
barrierelakesolidarity at gmail.com<http://connect.carleton.ca/cp/email/message?msgId=71f17a6cc4a156a30ce0ad366a65978b-3.$NCarletonX0020UniversityX0020Mail.$NOPIRG.105&folderId=2.$NCarletonX0020UniversityX0020Mail.$NOPIRG>

-- the Barriere Lake Solidarity collective

-- 
angela mooney

Co-Coordinator
OPIRG Carleton
326 Unicentre
phone: 613 520 2757
email: vcopirg at gmail.com
fax: 613 520 3989
www.opirg-carleton.org

Sign up for OPIRG-Carleton's wednesday weekly e-letter announcing upcoming
events, meeting times, actions, working group info and more! Email me with
the subject WW subscribe!
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