[Indigsol] RELEASE: National Gathering of Indigenous Peoples Challenge Harper Government in Winnipeg

[Lia Tarachansky]

*** PLEASE READ TO THE END AND FORWARD***


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."

-30-

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

Picture 1: Milton Bornwithatooth negotiates with RCMP security guard to
deliver the letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Picture 2: (left to right) Chrissy Swain, Irene Billy, Arthur Manuel, Judy
de Silva and Jo Redsky on their way to deliver the letter to Prime Minister
Harper
* Please credit Ben Powless. *
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