[Indigsol] March 4 Justice: Sept 4th Ottawa

[ipsmo at riseup.net]

March 4 Justice in Ottawa

Tuesday September 4th, 2012
https://www.facebook.com/events/471382019558700

11AM - Victoria Island, Ottawa - The Marchers, interested supporters and
media will gather & march to Parliament Hill.

1 PM - Parliament Hill, Ottawa - The rally will begin once the Marchers
arrive on the hill. Other details to follow. Please share and comment with
suggestions.


About: March_4_Justice - A Call 4 Action

Leo Baskatawang, a graduate student at the University of Manitoba, has
been marching from Vancouver to Ottawa to raise awareness about the
government of Canada’s apparent unwillingness to address critical
Aboriginal issues in a timely and effective manner. He was joined by
Ashley Bottle and later by Clifford Acoby, Edmond Jack, April Sawanas and
finally by Stephanie MacLaurin. As part of his demonstration, Baskatawang
will chain a copy of the Indian Act to his body. He says that the Indian
Act is “a notoriously relic piece of federal legislation that has
subjugated Aboriginal peoples to archaic colonial policy”. Baskatawang
believes that his demonstration will symbolize, “how, we, as Aboriginal
peoples, have essentially been imprisoned by this piece of legislation in
the past (as well as now); it will demonstrate our collective enmity
toward this document; as well as symbolize its future erosion (not
withdrawal entirely) by dragging it across the countryside.

Baskatawang is an Anishinaabek student from Lac Des Mille Lacs First
Nation, Ontario. He seeks to address the shortcomings of the “historic”
meeting that took place on January 24 between AFN Grand Chief Shawn Atleo
and Prime Minister Steven Harper. At that meeting, the government of
Canada said it will release a “progress report” on January 24, 2013, which
will outline its plan for “economic development” (CBC News). Baskatawang
says, “the government’s underwhelming response to Aboriginal issues has
been flagrantly apathetic, and this is no longer tolerable.” He says,
“there is a desperate need for Aboriginal peoples to rise up, and press
the federal government for immediate action on a number of critical issues
that have plagued our society since, and even before, the confederation of
this country.”

Though the Indian Act is, in some respects, a recognition of Aboriginal
peoples’ unique distinction and influence in the formation of Canada, it
does not allow for Aboriginal peoples to self-determine what the identity
of Aboriginal person is, nor does it provide effective education policies.
“It’s time we put an Aboriginal person in charge of the Department of
Aboriginal Affairs; it is imperative that the person who is elected to the
position of Head of Aboriginal Affairs, by Aboriginal peoples, is not
affiliated to any political party” said Baskatawang.

The March began in Vancouver, BC on April 23, and is planned to arrive in
Ottawa on Tuesday, September 4. This is not being done for academic
credit, but rather as a cause for what is standard social justice. “This
effort will require the utmost support from anyone that has a concern for
social justice,” says Baskatawang. To get involved, add him on Facebook at
March_4_justice, and follow him @march_4_justice.