[Indigsol] Statement from the Chiefs of Ontario - Re: Algonquins of Barrier Lake - November 20, 2008

[Ben Powless]

*Statement from the Chiefs of Ontario*

* *

*Re: Algonquins of Barrier Lake *

*November 20, 2008*







In response to the urgent request for support from the Algonquins of Barrier
Lake, in the face of threats from the Surete du Quebec riot squad,
Chiefs-in-Assembly meeting in Toronto are responding to their call for
support.



Based on reports from community spokespersons, Chiefs were informed that
Barrier Lake leaders and protestor were again subjected to aggressive police
measures and arrests.



The Algonquins are engaged in a long standing dispute which originates in a
tripartite process and agreement.  The Chiefs-in-Assembly believe it is
incumbent on all jurisdictions to honour their respective undertakings and
to live up to their promises in the negotiated arrangement that continues to
exist.  Resorting to aggressive police action and imprisonment is not
appropriate.



As noted in the conclusion of the Ipperwash Inquiry by Justice Linden if
"provincial and federal governments want to avoid confrontation in the
future, they must work to resolve land and Treaty claims effectively and
fairly".  We, the First Nations leadership of Ontario are fundamentally
committed to ensuring that the tragic events that occurred at Ipperwash are
never repeated.



At this meeting of Ontario Chiefs, the Chiefs honoured the efforts of Sam
George, to seek justice on behalf of his brother Dudley George – an
innocent, unarmed protester who died at the hands of aggressive police
action while defending the rights of his people to land.



We urge the Government of Quebec and their police force to find an
honourable resolution to this situation instead of using unjustifiable force
and lock up.



-- 
"In life we meet extraordinary people who follow us wherever we may go" -
Trisha Nagpal
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/indigsol/attachments/20081120/4d71c517/attachment.html>