[IPSM] Tonight: Event to support Algonquins of Barriere Lake (Toronto)

[liisa schofield]

OPIRG – Toronto presents...

Blockade: Algonquins Defend the Forest, 1989-2008

Panel discussion and film screening
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WEDNESDAY, November 5, 7:00pm, 2008
OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), Room # 2-211
University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street W (@ St. George Subway Station)

Donations encouraged
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Hear from Barriere Lake Algonquin community representatives, following an
intense summer of marches on Ottawa, sustained calls for public support,
protests in front of Premier Charest's office, an occupation of local MP
Lawrence Cannon's office, and culminating in a one-day blockade of Highway
117 that resulted in 9 arrests and the deployment of riot police and tear
gas. A short film of the recent blockades will be screened.

Since the Department of Indian Affairs ousted their Customary Chief and
Council in March 2008 and used the Surete du Quebec to forcibly impose the
authority of a minority community faction, the Algonquins have been
organizing to roll-back the quiet coup d'etat. They are campaigning to make
the government honour a number of agreements, including the Trilateral, a
internationally praised land co-management and resource-revenue sharing deal
the Algonquins signed with Canada and Quebec in 1991. It remains
unimplemented.

Community spokespeople from Barriere Lake: Norman Matchewan and Marylynn
Poucachiche are teachers in Barriere Lake's Algonquin elementary school and
Barriere Lake's youth spokespeople.

***Donations of money are encouraged to support the community's campaign –
they need money for gas to travel. Click here for a full list of community
needs and to make an online donation:
http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.com/2008/03/donations.html

For more information Contact:
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG)
Research – Education – Action on Social and Environmental Issues
www.opirguoft.org
opirg.toronto at utoronto.ca / (416)-978-7770
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