[IPSM] Grassy Narrows Blockade 5th Anniversary

[Nora Butler Burke]

(taken from: http://friendsofgrassynarrows.com/item.php?754F)

Grassy Narrows Blockade 5th Anniversary December 2, 2002-2007
by Judy Da Silva
Grassy Narrows, Asubpeeschoseewagong

December 2, 2002 Grassy Narrows People (& youth) decided to put up a road
blockade on a logging road in their traditional territory. Many different
types of people came from far and wide to support this blockade and the
media eye was on this community. Today, December 2, 2007 there were two
people humbly lighting a sacred fire to commemorate this day 5 years ago.
They took tobacco in their hands and prayed for the people and for the
land to be protected for futures generations "Creator, help us to continue
to protect the land, our mother the earth and the people's survival for
future generations". The two little boys oblivious to this were running
around in the snow having alot of fun. Then they saw their parents with
tobacco in hand and came running into the wigwam and asked for tobacco too
to make their prayers. It is a good day. There are still people out there
fighting for the survival of humanity in their own ways. Here we are in
the boreal doing the same.

Last week 3 Anishinabe women went to the northend of our traditional
territory and dropped off a notice to a logging camp to vacate the land
because they are destroying the land and there is a morotorium on. The
women have not heard any response yet and are waiting and will continue
with this land protection initiative.

I would also would like to take this day to remember our fallen comrades
that fought along side us to protect the earth;
Dave Brophy
Colleen McCrory
Marcel Angeconeb
Catherine Mae Keesick
(if I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me, but please add on)