[Indigsol] URGENT - rally in support of Barriere Lake at INAC Friday

[kim mackrael]

-------Please read to end and  forward widely---------
After blockading Highway 117 for the second time this fall, the Barriere
Lake community was again subjected to police brutality and targeted arrests.
No negotiations were attempted, and Indian and Northern Affairs continues to
hide behind the Quebec police, using them to remove the protestors from the
road rather than taking responsibilty for the situation. It is essential
that we, in Canada's capital, show INAC that we will not tolerate this
behaviour.

Please read the press release below. The rally will start at 12 noon
TOMORROW (Friday at NOON) - please arrive 15 minutes early if possible. It
is important that we have big numbers out there, so bring along friends,
noisemakers, placards, banners, and come make some noise with us.

Also, call or write the government representatives below and let them know
how you feel about this.

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OTTAWA RALLY IN SUPPORT OF ALGONQUINS OF BARRIERE LAKE

FRIDAY 21 November 2008
12 NOON
10 WELLINGTON, NORTH TOWER, GATINEAU, QC

INDIAN AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA



On Friday at noon, protesters will gather outside the offices of Indian and
Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to denounce the treatment of the Algonquins
of Barriere Lake at a highway blockade they erected earlier this week.
Another protest will be held outside the Quebec-Ontario Inter-Governmental
Relations Office in Toronto at the same time.



On November 19, 2008, community members from the Barriere Lake reserve
launched their second blockade in recent months on Highway 117, north of
Maniwaki, Quebec. The Algonquins' demands were that the



1) Governments of Canada and Quebec commit in writing to honour previously
signed agreements;

2) Government of Canada appoint an observer to witness and respect the
outcome of a new leadership selection process in accordance with the
community's Customary Governance Code.



Rather than negotiate with the community, police used excessive force to
remove protestors from the site and arrested six people, including Acting
Chief Benjamin Nottaway and youth spokesperson Marylynn Poucachiche.

"One (arrested protester) was bleeding very bad ... another was slapped to
the ground and her face hit the concrete," said Norman Matchewan, a
community spokesperson.

Organizers of this Friday's protest at Indian and Northern Affairs are
denouncing the department for failing to honour signed agreements and
interfering with the community's traditional governance code.

"The governments have been hiding behind a faction of dissidents to avoid
honouring the agreements they have signed with us," said community
spokesperson Michel Thusky. "They refuse to negotiate with us. When we try
to protest, they use the police to silence us."

This week's blockade was the second this fall. During the Algonquin's
earlier blockade on October 6th, 2008, Quebec police used tear gas and "pain
compliance" techniques against a peaceful crowd that included Elders, youth,
and children.  Nine people were arrested and a Customary Councillor was
hospitalized after being hit in the chest with a tear-gas canister.  The
police actions drew criticism from the Chiefs of Ontario and the Christian
Peacemakers Team. See: [http://blip.tv/file/1391794] and [
http://www.vimeo.com/2007861].

Protestors are expressing their frustration at INAC's refusal to take
responsibility for the situation in Barriere Lake.

"Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is relying on the Quebec police force to
silence protests from Barriere Lake and avoid addressing the community's
demands," an Ottawa supporter said.


 -30-

Media Contacts:


Michel Thusky, Barriere Lake spokesperson: (819) 435-2171



*OTTAWA** ORGANIZER WITH A CELL PHONE??* (contact me ASAP at
kimmackrael at gmail.com if this could be you!)


* *

Additional Information: Barriere Lake's Specific 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 improving the policing procedures of the SQ when
policing First Nation communities.


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Send Letters to these Political Representatives:

Stephen Harper, Prime Minister
Telephone: (613) 992-4211
Fax: (613) 941-6900
E-Mail: pm at pm.gc.ca

Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs & Northern Development Canada
Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Terrasses de la Chaudière, North Tower, Suite 2100
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H4
Phone: (819) 997-0002/Fax: (819) 953-4941
E-Mail: ottawa at chuckstrahl.com, Strahl.C at parl.gc.ca

Lawrence Cannon, Local Member of Parliament, Minister of Foreign Affairs
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Telephone: (613) 992-5516/Fax: (613) 992-6802
E-Mail: Cannon.L at parl.gc.ca

Jean Charest, Premier minister, Quebec
Téléphone: 418 643-5321/Télécopieur: 418 643-3924
Email:
www.premier.gouv.qc.ca/premier-ministre/nous-joindre/courriel-formulaire-en.asp
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