[Indigsol] Sunday 1pm - Sacred Fire at Beaver Pond to Protect Forest

[ipsmo at riseup.net]

January 15, 2011
Media Advisory

Native Leaders Gather with Community to Protect Forest

WHAT:  A gathering of Algonquin people, other Anishinabe and non-native
communities who wish to show their support for protecting Ottawa’s Great
Forest, the South March Highlands.

WHEN:  Sunday, January 16, 1:00 pm, beginning with a Sacred Fire ceremony

WHERE:  Beaver Pond parking lot on Walden Dr., Kanata Ontario (directions
below)

DETAILS:  This Great Forest is the most bio-diverse in Ottawa and home to
over 675 species that are threatened by development.   Cutting of the
Beaver Pond forest is scheduled to start within days, for a subdivision to
be built by KNL Developments.

Everyone from all communities including Anishinabe, non-native, Inuit, and
Metis are welcome at the Sunday event. Marianne Wilkinson,  Ottawa City
Councillor for Kanata North, has also been invited.

There will be a Sacred Fire at 1pm and Chiefs, Elders, Medicine People,
and other representatives from native and non-native communities from
Ottawa and beyond are expected to participate.  Ardoch Chiefs Mireille
Lapointe & Paula Sherman, Ottawa Chief Paul Lamothe, Kinounchepirini Chief
Grant Tysick, and Elder Robert Lovelace, past-Chief from Ardoch have
confirmed their participation.

After the Ceremony words will be spoken by those leaders in attendance,
about why it is important to save this forest.

DIRECTIONS:
- Exit Highway 417 at Terry Fox Drive and go North past the shopping centers
- Turn Right and take Kanata Avenue up the hill,
- Proceed past Goulbourn Forced Road on the left and school on right, to
Walden.
- Turn Left on Walden and proceed to the very end.

* or check http://octranspo.com 'Trip Planner'
(closest intersection = Walden and Kimmins)


For more information:

Paul Renaud 613-277-5898
Steve Hulaj 613-878-1135

Background Resources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhSU5heJl5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZBcLvtcJBY
http://www.renaud.ca/public/Presentations/2011-01-13-SMH-1-SMH_Overview_v16.pdf
http://www.renaud.ca/public/Presentations/2010-12-07-SMH-2-Stewardship_Plan_Overview_v4.pdf
(Stewardship Plan Overview presentation)
http://filesocial.com/63z6v3t (Official legal request from Kichesipirini
Algonquin First Nation to City of Ottawa)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/South+March+development+without+consulting+native+group+tells+mayor/4111505/story.html
(Latest article in Ottawa Citizen)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Algonquins+meet+city+staff+fight+against+subdivision/4107306/story.html
(Next-to-latest Ottawa Citizen article, with video)
www.ottawasgreatforest.com (website for the stewardship plan to protect
the SMH)
www.southmarchhighlands.ca (website for the coalition to protect the SMH)
http://onnaturemagazine.com/the-race-to-save-the-south-march-highlands.html
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=46087029890 (Facebook group)