[Onthebarricades] Indigenous protests, Hawaii - Turtle Island (Canada/US) - Australia, Apr-Aug 2008

[Andy]

ON THE BARRICADES:  Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008
https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/onthebarricades
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/

*  AUSTRALIA:  Rallies against NT "intervention"
*  CANADA:  First Nations rally in Ottawa
*  CANADA:  Manitoba First Nations protest for share of pipeline profits
*  CANADA:  Police attack Mohawk protest at Tyendinaga
*  CANADA:  Mohawks set up blockade in Deseronto over land dispute
*  US, Nebraska:  Native Americans protest dam
*  HAWAII:  Two groups, one in April one in August, occupy royal palace
               [notice also "crap article of the month" - "insurgents, not 
protesters"...]
*  US/UN:  Navajos protest at UN over power plant plan
*  US:  Witte bones become focus of protest, dispute
*  HAWAII:  Protests against home construction on burial ground
*  CANADA:  Month-long occupation of Musqueam band office over funds
*  CANADA:  Algonquin anti-mining protest hits traffic
*  CANADA:  Algonquins occupy MP's office
*  US:  Native Americans march in DC against global warming
*  CANADA:  Algonquins protest in Ottawa

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/21/2281729.htm

Protesters stage rally against NT intervention
Posted Sat Jun 21, 2008 1:21pm AEST
Updated Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:23pm AEST

Aboriginal protest speakers say the legislation underpinning the 
intervention is racist. (AFP: Torsten Blackwood, file photo)
Hundreds of protesters have staged a rally in the Sydney suburb of Redfern, 
demanding an end to the Federal Government's intervention in the Northern 
Territory.
Today marks the first anniversary of the intervention into 73 remote 
Aboriginal communities.
The emergency response has drawn a mixed reaction, with some communities 
praising the measures and others claiming they have made people's lives too 
difficult.
The Redfern protest rally has heard only criticisms of the move. Aboriginal 
speakers say the legislation underpinning the move is racist.
They say while problems needed to be addressed with additional resources, 
mobilising the army and quarantining people's incomes were humiliating for 
Aboriginal people and have only fuelled racist attitudes and problems.
They are calling for the racial discrimination act to be re-introduced and 
the intervention abandoned.
Nearly 100 people in Hobart have also marked the first anniversary with a 
protest outside Parliament House.
Nala Mansell-McKenna from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre told the crowd the 
intervention is racist.
"Kevin Rudd has also publicly announced that his Government would strive to 
embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old 
solutions have failed," she said.
"Well hello Kevin Rudd, does he not realise that sending armed forces in to 
Aboriginal communities is a failed solution?"
Meanwhile, the Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission is also 
calling for the intervention be abandoned.
Commissioner Tony Fitzgerald says the suspension of Northern Territory and 
federal race discrimination legislation can never be justified.
He says instead of continuing the intervention, governments need to finance 
long-term measures to improve housing, build schools and improve health.
Sustainability
The taskforce running the intervention has told Federal Indigenous Affairs 
Minister Jenny Macklin that a decision will need to be made about how many 
remote Indigenous communities are sustainable in the longer term.
The taskforce has recommended that the bulk of the funding for housing, law 
and order, health and education should flow to those communities deemed 
viable.
Ms Macklin says she will consider the taskforce's recommendations as part of 
the broader review of the intervention over the next three months.
She says the recommendation reflects the Government's approach to the recent 
allocation of money for new housing in remote communities.
"The concentration of these new homes will happen in the larger communities 
where there are schools, where there is the availability of health services, 
and where there's more chance of people getting a regular job," she said.
The taskforce also recommends more funding and annual health checks for 
children.
Alcohol laws
Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson has again called for the 
abolition of the intervention's $100 alcohol rule.
Under the legislation introduced by the Howard government, NT retail outlets 
must record the details of customers who buy more than $100 worth of 
alcohol.
Former chief minister Clare Martin said on the night of last year's Federal 
Election she would ask the Rudd Government to overturn the rule.
Seven months later, Mr Henderson says he will ask the Federal Government the 
same thing.
"Let's get rid of this stupid $100 rule where you have got to write your 
name in the book if you purchase $100 worth or a box of wine," he said.
"That is absolutely stupid, it doesn't go to protect children and I suppose, 
[off] top of my head, that is the first thing I would ask to go."

http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/nt_intervention_protests_held_across_australia__549913

NT intervention protests held across Australia
Saturday, 21 June, 2008
Hundreds of protesters take to the streets of Sydney marking the one year 
anniversary of the Howard Government's NT intervention program. (SBS)
Protesters gathered in major capitals across the country, to mark the one 
year anniversary of the Howard Government's Northern Territory intervention 
program.
Voicing concern over the reforms, Indigenous leaders called on the Rudd 
government to take further action to ensure access to health and education 
was made readily available to marginalised Aboriginal communities.
Voicing concern over the reforms, Indigenous leaders called on the Rudd 
government to take further action to ensure access to health and education 
was made readily available to marginalised Aboriginal communities.
Protesters asked the government to:
*Repeal all "NT intervention" legislation
*Restore the Racial Discrimination Act
*Fund infrastructure and community controlled services
*Sign and implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
*Aboriginal Control of Aboriginal Affairs
The previous coalition government launched the radical measures to combat 
child sex abuse, including alcohol and porn bans, welfare management and the 
compulsory acquisition of 73 communities.
'Northern Territory'
Protesters in the Darwin called for the program to be scrapped saying the 
legislation underpinning the reforms should be repealed.

"There was a lack of consultation, a lack of long-term sustainable planning 
and inherent discrimination," says Norman George, Chairman of the North 
Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency.

"It has set indigenous people back decades. They have been stripped of their 
rights and are being controlled by the government," Mr George says.

'Victoria'
Around 100 people gathered in Melbourne also demanding an end to the 
controversial policy, which aims to stamp out child abuse and improve living 
standards.

Organiser Michaela Stubbs, of the Alliance for Indigenous Self 
Determination, said the federal government had to move away from the 
assimilationist policies of the old Howard government.

"They must act on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," 
she said. "Funding and resources in communities is badly needed, but can not 
come at the expense of basic human rights."

A cry for funding was heard in Queensland as Indigenous leaders called on 
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to invest $1 billion to help fix problems in 
Australian Aboriginal communities.
'Queensland'
Members and supporters of Queensland's Aboriginal community met outside 
parliament house before starting a protest march through the city calling 
for an end to the intervention.

Murri leader and Aboriginal Rights Coalition spokesman Sam Watson said the 
intervention did little more than erode the rights of Aboriginals.

"Mr Rudd should put $1 billion on the table and work with Aboriginal 
political leaders and lay down strategies and programs which will alleviate 
problems," Mr Watson told AAP.

Mr Watson has also called for the re-establishment of an elected Aboriginal 
body to work with the government similar to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait 
Islander Commission (ATSIC), which was disbanded in 2004 after a series of 
controversies.
'New South Wales'
While in Sydney Uluru was at the centre of debate with Aboriginal elders 
vowing tourists would be banned from climbing the landmark.

In an address to 300 people who gathered at The Block on the CBD's southern 
edge, Vince Forrester, an elder from the Mutitjulu people who are the 
traditional owners of the tourist icon, said closing the rock to climbers 
would highlight the problems caused by the "draconian" intervention plan.

"We've got to take some affirmative action to stop this racist piece of 
legislation," Mr Forrester told the rally goers.

"We're going to throw a big rock on top of the tourist industry. We will 
close the climb and no one will climb Uluru ever again - no one."

Mr Forrester said the intervention had introduced more bureaucracy to the 
Northern Territory, while the extra resources were not being seen on the 
ground in Aboriginal communities.

 http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080529/native_action_080529/20080529?hub=CanadaAboriginals march in T.O., Ottawa on day of actionUpdated Thu. May. 29 2008 9:35 PM ETCTV.ca News StaffMembers of First Nations communities across Ontario marched through thestreets of Toronto and gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Thursday aspart of the second annual aboriginal day of action.Hundreds of protesters camped out on the lawn of the Ontario legislaturesince Monday, hoping to raise awareness about native issues in Canada. Theyalso want prior consent before any industrial activity takes place on nativeland.Chrissy Swain and 21 others walked 1,800 kilometres from Kenora to Torontoto take part in the event. She said it was a spiritual journey and an act ofprotest over clear-cut logging rights near her home of Grassy Narrows."The walk came from frustration with the way our people get criminalized forstanding up for our land and for our rights for future generations," Swaintold CTV Toronto on Thursday.Among those in attendance was Bob Lovelace, the leader of the ArdochAlgonquin First Nation. He recently served 105 days in jail over disputesabout uranium mining exploration near Sharbot Lake."I do respect Canadian law, I respect the rule of law, but I think Canadaalso has to respect aboriginal law," Lovelace said.Ontario Native Affairs Minister Michael Bryant visited the demonstrators atQueen's Pak, and promised to work hard to address their concerns."The relationship over the course of our history has been an internationalembarrassment, which is why it is incumbent upon us to not only move onchanges, but move very quickly," Bryant said.The protestors packed up their teepees and belongings on Thursday morningand began their march through downtown Toronto in the early afternoon.The group was expected to swell with an additional 2,000 people as theypassed the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, where labour activists weregathered for a convention. The walk was expected to wrap up at the foot ofBathurst Street by 3:30 p.m.On Parliament Hill, Phil Fontaine told CTV Ottawa the Day of Action has"never been about blockades.""It's never been about shutting down the 401 (highway) or shutting downtrain service. It's really an attempt on our part to reach out to Canadians,to invite Canadians to join with us."And while aboriginal poverty is concentrated on some reserves, Holly Danylukof the Cree nation reminded it's also in cities like Ottawa."In Ottawa, there are a lot of people who live in poverty also, so I think(the Day of Action)is a great thing to do for aboriginal people."One group travelled from James Bay Coast to Ottawa, hoping to get promisesand a timeline for a new elementary school for the Attawapiskat First Nationin northern Ontario.But after meeting with Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl, the group leftwithout any assurances.At the Attawapiskat First Nation, about 400 children have been taught ineight portables since their school was closed in 2000 due to a diesel leakin the heating system.Strahl says the situation isn't "ideal'' -- but added it doesn't constitutea health and safety crisis.As 13-year-old student Shannen Koostachin recounted her meeting with Strahlto the crowd of about 1,000 people, cries of "Shame!" rang out."Today, I feel down because Minister Chuck Strahl said he didn't have themoney to build our new school. I didn't believe it. It's not right,"Koostachin told the crowd.Peaceful startThe aboriginal day of action got off to a peaceful start Thursday, withpolice reporting no incidents in volatile Caledonia, Ont., the epicentre ofa land claims dispute.Last year, protests shut down Highway 401 in Deseronto, a town in easternOntario, but Thursday morning there were no signs of any problems on thehighway.The Assembly of First Nations had urged demonstrators to respect the law forthis year's day of action.Students from a northern Ontario community also planned to be on ParliamentHill on Thursday to press their case for a new school.The students from Attawapiskat, an isolated First Nations community offJames Bay, will be meeting with Indian Affairs Minister Chuck StrahlThursday to try to end eight years of frustration.About 400 students from the community have been attending school inportables since 2000. Parents pulled their children from J.R. Nakogee Schoolat that time because of the numerous health problems reported there since amassive diesel leak in 1979.In March, Strahl told Canada AM that the situation was unfortunate but therewere more pressing concerns in the native education budget.In a statement, federal Liberal Indian Affairs critic Anita Neville said theday of action is an "embarrassment" for the Stephen Harper government andCanada's reputation."Last summer's day of action sent out a call for help to this government,"Neville said. "That there is need for a second consecutive day of action isa sad sign that this government isn't listening."Rallies were also expected at the B.C. legislature, in Prince Albert, Sask.,Halifax, the Yukon and Northwest Territories, and other locations throughoutthe country.http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2008/05/29/mba-day-action.html?ref=rssManitoba First Nations protest for share of pipeline profitsLast Updated: Thursday, May 29, 2008 | 9:59 AM CT Comments100Recommend19CBC NewsSeveral First Nations in southern Manitoba used Thursday's second annualNational Day of Action to draw attention to their fight with two oilcompanies.The seven Treaty No. 1 bands set up a teepee on land near the U.S. border,about 100 kilometres southwest of Winnpeg, the proposed site for aTransCanada oil pipeline.The teepee is temporary, said Roseau River Chief Terry Nelson, but he addedit should serve as notice that the bands are willing to occupy the land thissummer.TransCanada's Keystone and Enbridge's Alberta Clipper projects will each runpipelines through southern Manitoba on their way from Alberta to the U.S.Midwest. Construction is expected to begin within weeks.Although neither pipeline will run through reserve territory, the chiefs saythe pipelines will run through what they consider their "traditionalterritory," so they should receive a share of the resources that will flowthem, estimated at $47 billion per year.A spokesperson for TransCanada said the company would not send anyone to thesite on Thursday.Dennis Meeches, chief of Long Plain First Nation, near Portage La Prairie,Man., said he hopes the protest pressures the federal government to forcethe oil companies to negotiate with the bands."It kind of gives us a bit of discomfort when we have to resort to this kindof action a lot of times. I'm just hoping that the government comes to thetable. This is Canada, you know - these kinds of things shouldn't behappening in this country," he said."Bring some, you know, measurable prosperity to the First Nations people sowe don't have to be engaged in this tug of war."Federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl said he had productive meetingsthis week with Treaty 1 chiefs in Manitoba, and he hopes Thursday's rallywill be peaceful."We talked about the progress that we've made on specific claims and on theacceptance of Mr. Nelson's claim on the Roseau River First Nation," he said."I know he's very happy with that, as well. Mr. Nelson has other issues hewants to raise, and again we'll have to see what happens."The seven bands have already filed a court motion trying to stopconstruction of the pipeline, but they say the judicial process may be tooslow and they want their message to be heard now.Nelson had success with last year's National Day of Action protest: his bandhad threatened a rail blockade on the Roseau River reserve, but called itoff after Ottawa granted reserve status to a parcel of land the band owns onHighway 6.http://sketchythoughts.blogspot.com/2008/04/opp-attacks-mohawk-protest-at.htmlSaturday, April 26, 2008OPP attacks Mohawk Protest at TyendinagaPig yelling at observers as he and pals wrestle protester on the groundLots of news about the unfolding confrontation between Ontario ProvincialPolice and the Mohawks of Tyendinaga - this is a series of different pieces,several from the colonial media:URGENT CALL: FRIDAY APRIL 25TH 2008- MOHAWKS OF TYENDINAGA UNDER ONTARIOPROVINCIAL POLICE SIEGE - SHAWN BRANT ARRESTED ON FAKE WEAPONS CHARGES ONCULBERTSON TRACT - OPP CRUISERS AND VANS SURROUND - 20 DOWN BY TRAIN TRACTSON DESERONTO ROAD AND BRIDGE ST.MNN. At 2:45 pm. today, Friday, April 25th, 2008, Shawn Brant was arrestedfor an incident that happened on Monday on Slash Road. He was attacked byDeseronto citizens who were trying to run our blockades. He had no weaponswhatsoever. The OPP are trying to make Shawn out to be the leader there. Heis not.DEMAND THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF SHAWN BRANT, POLITICAL PRISONER.The Ritiskenekete have slashed OPP cruisers windows and chased them offDeseronto Road.APTN and support from Six Nations, Kahnawake are on their way. Anyone whocan go there and help should call 613-391-5132 for information.There will probably be a raid of the illegal Thurlow Quarry that the Mohawktook over a year ago.Shawn Brant was taken to Napanee.Needed urgently: deer meat, fish, non-perishable food, water, Campingequipment, communications equipment, fuel, gas, propane, mobile phones,phone cards, rain coats, gas masks, towels, soap, wet wipes, tooth bushesand tooth paste, bear spray, gloves, work shoes, boots, runners, socks,radios, two-way radios, hand held radio, flashlights, tents, lanterns, woodfor the fire, cooking utensils, plates and silverware, first aid.To go there on the TransCanada Highway 401, to #49 to Slash Road, toDeseronto boundary.Or Marysville Road south to Bayshore Road, turn left all the way to thequarry.Runners should be dispatched to go there to carry information from the siteto supporters. Supporters should contact OPP, Ontario government, bandcouncil chief to stop this aggression and attempted blood bath.All nations council meeting tonight. OPP heat is going on at the quarry.Need help now.Kahentinetha HornMNN Mohawk Nation NewsDan 613-919-1354; Rotiskenekete 613-849-1314 - 613-827-4991 emaildavidrmaracle at aol.comFrom the Kingston Whig-Standard:OPP clash with Mohawk protesters; Police make several arrests near disputedquarry north of DeserontoPosted By W. Brice McVicar; Luke HendrySeveral Mohawk protesters were arrested here yesterday following a wildskirmish that ended in a tense, armed standoff.Dozens of heavily armed Ontario Provincial Police officers clashed withMohawk protesters just north of the Thurlow Aggregates quarry, which Mohawkshave been occupying for more than one year. The standoff began peacefullywith officers and Mohawks talking quietly after the arrest earlier in theafternoon of Mohawk protest leader Shawn Brant on charges unrelated toyesterday's melee.But the scene erupted in violence about one hour after the encounter began,with police wrestling with protesters who began swinging punches at theofficers. Several arrests were made before police radios crackled a messagethat an armed individual inside the quarry was spotted taking aim at policeand police jumped for cover behind cruisers, drawing automatic weapons andsidearms. No shots were fired, however, and protesters who had been arrestedand handcuffed were taken away to waiting vehicles.The wild turn of events began shortly after a protest spokesman agreed toanswer questions for reporters.Mohawk spokesperson Jerome Barnhart said the standoff unfolded after Brantwas pulled over by OPP on Deseronto Road earlier in the afternoon. Theroutine traffic stop, Barnhart said, resulted in "a couple of charges. Onewas with a weapon - a spear - which is just blasphemous as this is our[fish] harvesting season here."We feed our families for the year at this time and to confiscate that as aweapon is outrageous," he said. "If Mr. [Julian] Fantino, [OPPcommissioner], wants to go about it this way. ... Well, we have a lot ofreinforcements coming. Bring it on."Barnhart said the OPP were only trying to "put the screws" to the Mohawks toprevent those reinforcements from arriving.Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte band council convened an emergency meetingyesterday evening to discuss the turn of events, but Barnhart dismissed theauthority of the band."This is Mohawk business. It has nothing to do with Mohawk band council.It's the Mohawk people and the nation," he said. "This is Mohawk nationbusiness and we mean business."As Barnhart was meeting with reporters, OPP Staff Sgt. Steve Flynn informedthe Mohawks that if they remained on Deseronto Road, they would be arrested.He advised them to return to the quarry or be charged and taken intocustody."If you stay here, you'll be arrested. If you go back to the quarry, you'llhave sanctuary," Flynn said.Flynn's comments saw many Mohawks making their way slowly toward the quarry,though some remained behind and hollered at the approximately 20 officersgathered at the intersection of Deseronto Road and Bridge Street."I can't guarantee your officers safety if they come on Mohawk land,"bellowed Dan Doreen, who led the blockade earlier this week on the outskirtsof Deseronto.As one woman walked past the officers, north to where her vehicle had beenleft parked, she looked toward police and said, "Get your guns ready."Moments later, officers wrestled a number of protesters to the ground amidshouts of "stop resisting." In a cacophony of shouts, jeers and orders,protesters told their family members to leave the scene, OPP officersshouted directions and protesters argued as they were handcuffed.Just as quickly as the violence erupted, Mohawks who had remained at thequarry responded. An all-terrain vehicle carrying two individuals racedtoward the scene and, seconds later, word spread among the officers thatsomeone had a gun.After the radio message warning of a gun, officers with sub-machine gunstook aim at protesters both to the south and to the north where a motorhomewas parked at the intersection of Deseronto Road and Lower Slash Road.Officers said they believed there was an individual with a gun inside thebattered RV.By nightfall, a tense calm had descended on the scene as police widened asecure perimeter back some 500 metres from the quarry.From the right-wing Toronto Sun:Mohawk standoff 'Could make Caledonia look like nothing', says protesterBy JOE WARMINGTON, SUN MEDIATensions were mounting last night as native protesters and members of theOPP tactical squad were in a standoff at a protest site in Deseronto.This came just hours after about 10 people were arrested and two policeofficers were taken to hospital.As of late last night the conflict had not been resolved at a scene whichincluded lit fires in fields and vitriolic threats.Among those arrested was Shawn Brant, who organized the blockade of theMontreal-Toronto CN rail corridor last April and June. Brant, who wasarrested during a traffic stop yesterday afternoon, faces assault, weaponsand drug charges, police said.The OPP asked protesters to leave the site or face arrest."We're not moving anywhere," protester Jason Maracle said. "They're going tohave to kill every God damn one of us to get us off our land. We're notmoving. I guess if they want another 1990 scene, then OK, I guess we'll haveone."OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino last night said the dispute is not aland-claims issue. "This violent criminal activity occurred outside of anylegitimate protest and will not be tolerated," he said. "Police officersbeing assaulted and injured for doing their utmost to keep the peace andprotect the law-abiding community is unacceptable."We're trying to keep this from escalating."While Brant was being arrested, supporters arrived at the scene and clashedwith police, resulting in two officers being taken to hospital with minorinjuries, police said.Hours later, police clashed again with protesters and 10 people werearrested "for various offences including assault police." Six remain incustody and four young people were released.Protesters inside a quarry protest site told the Sun last night they were"worried" a confrontation was imminent. "We are surrounded here," saidprotester Mike Brant. "They are sending the media away so we are worriedthey are going to take us all out."He said they were concerned police were going to "come in the dark withguns" which would be unfair because "we are not doing anything. All we aredoing is sitting here holding out land. There is nothing wrong with that."The OPP said they were concerned when officers spotted a "long gun" pointedat them from within the quarry. Native protesters deny this.Protesters have controlled the quarry since March 2007"If we don't get this settled down soon, this is going to make Caledonialook like nothing," said one native protester who asked that his name not beused. "Six Nations protesters are on their way and so are the people whohave been at Caledonia. This has nasty potential."Several witnesses confirmed the OPP had up to 150 officers and 50 vehiclesalready on site in this town, 50 kms west of Kingston, near the MohawkTerritory.Sun Media's Pete Fisher said he was told by police that "they couldn'tguarantee my safety" and he reported that he had never seen a bigger nativeprotest scene. A whole field was set ablaze.From the Hamilton Spectator:Six Nations group forces closure of Highway 6TheSpec.com - Local - Six Nations group forces closure of Highway 6John Burman and Daniel NolanThe Hamilton SpectatorCALEDONIA (Apr 26, 2008)More than 100 Six Nations residents forced the closure of the Highway 6bypass at Caledonia late yesterday to protest OPP action against Mohawksoccupying a quarry near Deseronto, Ont., earlier in the day.The OPP closed the bypass "in the interests of public safety" after a largegathering of natives on two overpasses above it.Native spokesperson Brian Skye told reporters the Caledonia action was takenbecause of the situation between the natives and the OPP near a quarry inDeseronto, in eastern Ontario.There was a tense standoff there, where natives oppose plans for developmenton lands they claim. It escalated when police spotted what appeared to be agun among the demonstrators.There were at least 10 arrests there.Skye said he has seen e-mailed photos from Deseronto with armed police"pointing guns at women and children.""There's been an escalation of OPP personnel advancing on the people ofTyendinaga," Skye said. "They are being pressured by an armed force and thepeople of Six Nations are showing their support for their struggle toreclaim their territory."Skye said the Six Nations want the OPP to stand down in Deseronto.Around 8:30, natives in Caledonia began discussing the possibility ofextending the blockade to Argyle Street, one of two main roads in Caledonia,depending on what happened in Deseronto.Last night's closure of the bypass is the first time in almost two yearsthat a road has been blocked in the Caledonia land claims dispute. ArgyleStreet was blocked for more than a month following an April 2006 attempt toremove protesters from the disputed Douglas Creek Estates subdivision.Skye wouldn't say if the blockades had been sanctioned by the traditionalConfederacy or the elected band council.Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer said last night the move brings back badmemories.Trainer was on her way to a community prayer meeting in support of peace inthe town, attended by about 70 people including MP Diane Finley and MPP TobyBarrett, when the blockade happened.Caledonia resident, Marg Walker, 49, was watching the blockade from avantage point on Highway 54."This is not right ... The people of Caledonia have already been through toomuch. What right do they have to block traffic? If I did that, they'd arrestme."Constable Paula Wright, spokesperson for the Haldimand OPP, said cruiserswere used to block either end of the bypass as "there is potential forpublic safety to be compromised."The bypass was closed at the Argyle Street intersection on the west side oftown and Green's Road on the east.Wright said the OPP is urging everyone "not to jeopardize peace" and to "bepatient."Negotiations to settle the dispute have been grinding on since the summer of2006, but tensions in Caledonia have eased considerably in that time aswell.The OPP in Deseronto said they saw a "long gun" being pointed at them from alocation inside an occupied quarry, which protesters have controlled sinceMarch 2007. Those occupying the quarry said they had no weapons there.An order was issued to all police on the scene to take cover and guns weredrawn by officers crouching behind their vehicles. No shots were fired. Atleast 10 people were arrested, including Shawn Brant, who has been under acourt order to stay away from any protests after being involved in lastJune's aboriginal national day of action which saw the closure of Highway401 in the area.And again, from Mohawk Nation News:MOHAWK URGENT CALL FOR ASSISTANCE from Kahentinetha HornMNN Mohawk Nation News2008-04-26 | Stop attack on Mohawks !Tyendinaga Mohawk Aserakowa [War Chief] speaks from the front line - "We'renot leaving". OPP: "We're coming in at dark to take you out!"MNN: MNN Mohawk Nation News Aserakowa 613-243-4993 still at the quarry.(Ed. Note. Just received. UPDATES to follow.)Shawn Brant was doing a media interview with APTN News in Tyendinaga onDeseronto Boundary Road. Ontario Provincial Police came along with anoutstanding assault charge. They arrested Shawn. They hauled him off tojail. Then the OPP closed both ends of Deseronto Road. The Aserakowa camedown to see what was going on.Steve Flynn of Aboriginal Response Team ART of the OPP showed up. We talked.Flynn told the Aserakowa about Shawn. By then we had men at both ends of theroad. He talked about opening the road. Flynn said, "You walk away and we'llwalk away. Okay?" Both Flynn and the Aserkowa agreed."We will get in our cars and you'll get in yours", said Flynn. It turned outto be a set up. The Rotiskeneketeh started moving off the road. Suddenlyabout 10 OPP jumped about 5 of our guys, threw them in the ditch, beat themup and arrested them. They hauled them off to jail. No reasons were givenfor the arrests or assaults. The OPP is certain not operating on anhonorable nation to nation model. It is not even offering the kind offiduciary protection for indigenous rights as it is supposed to, accordingto the supreme Court of Canada.Since when have the colonial institutions ever acted to protect Indigenouspeople?After behaving like thugs and beating up our guys, the OPP pulled out theirweapons and pointed them at us. For our safety, we retreated back to thequarry. We didn't want to get shot.Once we got there cops swarmed us from every direction. They were everywhereas far as we could see, armed to the teeth with their guns pointed directlyat us all the time.Then they came over with loud speakers, told us to come away from thequarry, down the hill, with our hands up in the air "where we can see them".We told them, "F**k you. This is Mohawk land. We're not leaving". Theyraised their weapons and aimed at us again."You're going to have to shoot us", we told them.Then there was more build up. They told us they are coming in at dark totake us out. They are moving Mohawk people off Mohawk lands at the end of agun barrel.The Mohawks are unarmed.The OPP have SWAT Teams, ambulances, dogs and we can't see if they ships inthe water.Arrested are Clint Brant, Steve Hill, Dan Doreen, Shawn Brant and MacKunkel. We don't know where they've been taken.Six Nations people have closed down three roads. Akwesasne guys are on theInternational Bridge. In Kahnawake there will be closures.They will be coming after us at about 8:30 pm EDT, as soon as it gets dark.We're not moving. We know that.We don't know what's going to happen. This is Ipperwash, 1990, GustafsenLake, Six Nations, the list goes on. If they harm any of those guys atTyendinaga, there's no saying what will happen.The message from the men is that we will defend the land. That's our dutyaccording to the Kaianerekowa, Great Law of Peace, the law of Turtle Island.SEND URGENT OBJECTIONS TO PREMIER MCGUINTY OF ONTARIO; PRIME MINISTER STEVENHARPER; JULIAN FANTINO COMMISSIONER OF THE OPP: tell them to call off theirthugs and stop breaking the peace. They have a obligations underinternational law to resolve any disagreements peacefully. They have anobligation to keep the peace, not to break it.LIVES ARE AT STAKE.MNN Mohawk Nation NewsSubject: RED ALERT IN CALEDONIA!!!!!!!!! FORWARD OUT ASAP!Ok everyone-Just got a phone call from Jacqueline House at Six Nations. In protest towhat the Canadian govt. and OPP armed officers are doing at Tyenindega, theSix Nations have now BLOCKED the By-Pass road at Caledonia!!!!! 3 Men havebeen arrested and have been jailed at Tyenindega.Jacqueline House stated that all relatives with connections to people atthese Reserves, PLEASE CALL and try to mobilize help to the area ASAP.Thanks everyone, please, PLEASE keep our relatives in your prayers, BluejayI've contacted the OPP to let them know that badge or no badge, they are notabsolved in the eyes of our Creator for that which they do.This activity will be monitored by the world.Dieter of GermanyFOR INFORMATION CALL:(1) 518-358-3660Warchief: (1) 613-243-4993Jan Hill (1) 613-961-8515 613-827-1547Dan (1) 613-919-1354Rotiskenekete (1) 613-849-1314; (1) 613-827-4991OPP Easter Headquarters (1) 613-284-4500 L.G. Beechey Chief Supt. CommanderEastern RegionR. Don Maracle (1) 613-396-3089 Cell (1) 613-391-9249http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20080422102747410Mohawk protesters set up blockade in eastern Ontario townTuesday, April 22 2008 @ 10:27 AM CDTContributed by: AnonymousViews: 160Dozens of aboriginal protesters blocked off a main street through Deseronto,Ont., after a Kingston, Ont., developer announced plans to develop aproperty that is part of an ongoing land dispute.Mohawk protesters set up blockade in eastern Ontario townDozens of aboriginal protesters blocked off a main street through Deseronto,Ont., after a Kingston, Ont., developer announced plans to develop aproperty that is part of an ongoing land dispute.An old RV continued blocking the intersection of two gravel roads Mondayafternoon, and protesters plan to maintain the blockade until the developerchanges his plans, said spokesman Dan Doreen."They want to make sure that any other development does not return to thisland," he added. "This is Mohawk land and developers, you better stay thehell away."Demonstrators barricaded County Road 2 in both directions around 6 a.m.Monday, said Ontario Provincial Police Const. Jackie Perry.http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/05/buffett_rebuffs_klamath_dam_pr.htmlBuffett rebuffs Klamath dam protestersPosted by The Associated Press May 03, 2008 17:11PMOMAHA, Neb. -- American Indians and salmon fishermen who had hoped to earn aprivate audience with billionaire Warren Buffett failed to win much supportSaturday for removing four dams along the Klamath River.Buffett again told the protesters that his company, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.,won't decide the fate of the dams its PacifiCorp utility owns. Instead,Berkshire will defer to regulators in California and Oregon, where theKlamath runs, and to federal officials.Buffett also said he promised regulators when Berkshire bought PacifiCorp in2006 that he wouldn't interfere with that utility's operating decisions.The protesters, who were making their second trip to Berkshire's meeting,have promised to keep the pressure on Buffett and his Omaha-based companyuntil they achieve their goal of dam removal or at least win an audience."We feel like we've been listened to everywhere except PacifiCorp," saidLeaf Hillman, a member of the Karuk Tribe.This year Buffett turned to David Sokol, who oversees Berkshire's utilitycompanies, to offer detailed responses to questions about the future of theKlamath dams when they come up during the meeting.The dams PacifiCorp owns on the Klamath are up for relicensing, a processthe company started in 2000 and which may continue five or six more years.The formal license application was filed in 2004."There are a whole series of issues to deal with as part of the federalregulatory process," Sokol said.Chief among the issues is sorting out what 28 different interest groupsconcerned about the dams on the Klamath want to happen. Sokol said there areat least four different preferred outcomes different groups favor.Buffett said it's up to government to balance those competing interests."In the end, we will do exactly what they say," Buffett said.The tribes view the fight to remove the dams as a fight for their ownsurvival."It's the fight for the salmon, and it's the fight for our species," saidFrankie Myers, a member of the Yurok tribe.Berkshire's PacifiCorp subsidiary serves 1.7 million customers in sixWestern states.PacifiCorp is one of more than 60 Berkshire subsidiaries. Berkshire ownsinsurance, clothing, furniture, and candy companies, restaurants, naturalgas and corporate jet firms. Berkshire also has major investments in suchcompanies as Coca-Cola Co., Anheuser-Busch Cos. and Wells Fargo & Co.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/30/national/main4060938.shtmlProtesters Occupy Hawaiian Palace In PeaceThe Hawaiian Kingdom Government Group Does Not Recognize The Islands As AU.S. StateHONOLULU, April 30, 2008After making a peaceful settlement with law officials, a member of theHawaiian Kingdom Government unlocks the gates of the Iolani Palace after ashort occupation, Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in Honolulu. The Native Hawaiiangroup that advocates sovereignty locked the gates of a historic palaceWednesday, saying it would carry out the business of what it considers thelegitimate government of the islands. (AP Photo)(AP) A Native Hawaiian group that advocates sovereignty briefly occupied thegrounds of a historic palace in downtown Honolulu, saying it would carry outthe business of what it considers the legitimate government of the islands.Unarmed security guards from the Hawaiian Kingdom Government group blockedall gates to the grounds of the palace, which is adjacent to the stateCapitol. They did not enter the building itself.After several hours, the protesters agreed to reopen the gates but said theywould remain on the grounds until early evening and return Thursday. Noarrests had been made as of mid-afternoon.Laura Thielen, state land director who oversees the palace area, said someof the protesters could still be charged."This is public property and they can't block public access," she said.Protest leaders had said they were prepared to be arrested and would gopeacefully.Mahealani Kahau, elected "head of state" of the group years ago, said theorganization does not recognize Hawaii as a U.S. state but would keep theoccupation peaceful."The Hawaiian Kingdom Government is here and it doesn't plan to leave. Thisis a continuity of the Hawaiian Kingdom of 1892 to today," Kahau said.The group is one of several Hawaiian sovereignty organizations in theislands, which became the 50th U.S. state in 1959.The ornate Iolani Palace is operated as a museum. Hawaiian King Kalakauabuilt it in 1882, and it also served as the residence for his sister andsuccessor, Queen Liliuokalani, the islands' last ruling monarch.It was neglected after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 andrestored in the 1970s as a National Historic Landmark. It includes a giftshop and is open for school groups and paid tours."The Hawaiian Kingdom Government is here and it doesn't plan to leave. Thisis a continuity of the Hawaiian Kingdom of 1892 to today," said Kahau, whowas elected head of state of the group seven years ago.The protesters are not damaging anything in the palace grounds, Kahau said.Workers inside the palace itself had locked the doors and were not lettingthem inside."We will not resist, we won't fight, we won't be aggressive. But we'll beback for sure," Kahau said.No matter what happened Wednesday, the protesters planned to return to thepalace Thursday, she said.State Sen. Kalani English - a Native Hawaiian and a Democrat from EastMaui-Lanai-Molokai - came over from the Capitol to speak with some of theprotesters, and had his staff take them food."This is the manifestation of the frustration of the Hawaiian people for theloss of sovereignty and land," English said."It is symbolic. This made a statement. It got the word out about the plightof the Hawaiian people," he said.Richard Kinney, who described himself as an independent Hawaiiannationalist, said he went to the Capitol to show his support. He carried anupside-down Hawaii state flag, signaling distress."The sovereignty of these islands is inherent to the Hawaiian people, andwe've never relinquished that," he said."Occupying any land, including Iolani Palace, is the beginning," Kinneysaid.Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of Iolani Palace, issued a statementthat said the protesters delivered a written message to palace officialsclaiming the grounds as the seat of their government."While we respect the freedom of Hawaiian groups to hold an opinion on theoverthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, we believe that blocking public access toIolani Palace is wrong and certainly detrimental to our mission to share thepalace and its history with our residents, our keiki (children) and ourvisitors," Chu said.http://www.cbs46.com/news/16094770/detail.html?rss=lnta&psp=nationalnewsNative Hawaiian Protesters Seize PalaceGroup Claims Rights Over AreaPOSTED: 9:29 pm EDT April 30, 2008UPDATED: 10:21 pm EDT April 30, 2008HONOLULU -- A Native Hawaiian group briefly occupied the grounds of ahistoric palace in downtown Honolulu on Wednesday, saying it would carry outthe business of what it considers the legitimate government of the islands.Authorities said a group of more than 35 people blocked the Iolani Palace onWednesday, claiming sovereign rights over the area.Unarmed security guards from the Hawaiian Kingdom Government group blockedall gates to the grounds of the palace, which is adjacent to the stateCapitol. They did not enter the building itself.After several hours, the protesters agreed to reopen the gates but said theywould remain on the grounds until early evening and return Thursday. Noarrests had been made as of mid-afternoon."A group of about 35 persons have barred the public from entering thegrounds of Iolani Palace, claiming sovereign rights over the area. TheDepartment of Land and Natural Resources State Parks, which manages thepalace in cooperation with the Friends of Iolani Palace, is closing thearea. DLNR enforcement offices are working to fully assess the situation andare talking with the protesters to peacefully end the protest," DLNRDirector Laura Thielen said in a written statement.Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last twomonarchs -- King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister andsuccessor, Queen Lili`uokalani. The palace is the only official stateresidence of royalty in the United States.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/30/america/NA-GEN-US-Palace-Takeover.phpNative Hawaiian protesters lock gates, take over palace in downtown HonoluluThe Associated PressPublished: May 1, 2008HONOLULU: A Native Hawaiian group that advocates sovereignty for the U.S.state locked the gates of a historic palace Wednesday in downtown Honolulu,saying it would carry out the business of what it considers the legitimategovernment of the islands.State deputy sheriffs weren't allowing anyone else to enter Iolani Palacegrounds as unarmed security guards from the Hawaiian Kingdom Governmentgroup blocked all gates to the palace, which is adjacent to the stateCapitol.Arrest warrants were being prepared and would probably be served on the 60or so protesters later in the day, officials said. Protest leaders said theywere prepared to be arrested and would go peacefully.Protest leader Mahealani Kahau said the group doesn't recognize Hawaii as aU.S. state. Supporters planned to keep the protest peaceful and if evictedwould return later, she said.The group is one of several Hawaiian sovereignty organizations in theislands, which became the 50th U.S. state in 1959.The palace, the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last twomonarchs, is a major downtown tourist attraction.http://www.kitv.com/news/16089153/detail.html?rss=hon&psp=newsProtestors End Takeover Of Iolani PalaceGroup Claims Rights Over AreaPOSTED: 10:37 am HST April 30, 2008UPDATED: 9:24 pm HST April 30, 2008HONOLULU -- A group of more than 35 people left late in the afternoon afterbarring officials from entering the grounds of Iolani Palace on Wednesday,claiming sovereign rights over the area.Officials with the Department of Land and Natural Resources State Parks,which manages the palace in cooperation with the Friends of Iolani Palace,closed the area.The situation ended without incident at 4 p.m. Authorities did not makearrests."What we do want to say is the Hawaiian Kingdom Government is here and itdoesn't plan to leave, and the reason why we are here is because our peopleneed help not just kanaka (Native Hawaiians), but everyone,"leader MahealaniKahau said.Kahau said they had a legal right to the land at the palace. Group membersplaced padlocks on gates of the palace. On at least the front gate a yellowsign saying "Warning! No tresspassing," signed by the Hawaiian KingdomGovernment.Kahau said they are the correct rulers of Hawaii.Honolulu Police Chief Boisse Correa went to talk with the members, hoping todiffuse the situation. Group members spoke to some state lawmakers from theCapitol next door who stopped by to see what was happening.A Hawaiian immersion school and others came to offer support. State Sheriffslater prohibited more visitors.Later in the afternoon, DLNR enforcement officers, backed up by sheriffs,urged the Kingdom members to open the gates. The activists left peacefullyat about 4 p.m.The Hawaiian Kingdom Government members said no matter what the state saysor does their intention is to keep coming back to Iolani Palace groundsevery day. The Hawaiian Kingdom Government members said they would return tostake their claim but will not lock the palace gates.Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last twomonarchs -- King Kalakaua, who built the palace in 1882, and his sister andsuccessor, Queen Lili`uokalani. The palace is the only official stateresidence of royalty in the United States.http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?18a4eafc-8c12-4749-87eb-10504f7b8c53Domestic Insurgents - Not Protesters - Seized Control of Iolani PalaceYesterdayOn Bloodless Coups, Hawaiian Publicity Stunts, And What They Mean For TheRest Of UsBy Daniel P. de Gracia, II, 5/1/2008 3:26:41 PMOn April 30, some 70 unarmed Hawaiian Kingdom Government personnel seizedcontrol of a historic, state-owned palace not more than a stone's throw awayfrom the 76 legislators, governor and lieutenant governor and thousands ofstate employees working in the State Capitol.Claiming to be the legitimate government of Hawaii, the HKG personneldeclared that Iolani Palace was theirs and that they were taking backcontrol of Hawaii.As chains were shackled around the gates of Iolani Palace and HKG personnelwalked in circuits around the spacious park grounds in black BDU pants andaloha shirts like sentries, nearly every local and national media outletreferred to them as protesters. But truly, what were they protesting?In speaking with the Hawaiian Kingdom Government representatives, I got theimpression that they weren't protesting but rather attempting to launch abloodless coup d'etat in which the people of Hawaii would rally to themagainst the legitimate governance of the State of Hawaii and the UnitedStates of America.It's an irrefutable fact that on June 27, 1959, the Territory of Hawaiivoted on three propositions, the first of which asked, "Shall Hawaiiimmediately be admitted into the Union as a State?" 132,773 people voted yesto Proposition One, and only 7,971 voted no.The second asked to affirm whether or not, "The boundaries of the State ofHawaii shall as prescribed in the Act of Congress approved March 18, 1959and all claims of this State to any areas of land or sea outside theboundaries so prescribed are hereby irrevocably relinquished to the UnitedStates." 132,194 people voted yes, and only 7,654 voted no.Proposition Three asked the people to affirm whether or not "All provisionsof the Act of Congress approved March 18, 1959 reserving rights or powers tothe United States, as well as those proscribing the terms or conditions ofthe grants of lands or other property therein made to the State of Hawaiiare consented to fully by said State and its people." 132,281 people votedyes and 7,582 people voted no.If you ask me, the people have already spoken by vote, Hawaiians included:there is nothing illegitimate about the State of Hawaii or the United Statesof America because the people by overwhelming majority voted yes to be apart of this country.Those who claim that Hawaii lost sovereignty must face the fact that anydispute between the Hawaiian people and the supposedly "evil" Americangovernment could have been settled on June 27, 1959 by the Hawaiian peoplevoting no to all three propositions. It was not.The people who resist recognizing this historic, democratic decision throughactions such as those taken by the Hawaiian Kingdom Government in capturingIolani Palace are not protesters, but are domestic insurgents who rageagainst the majority will of not just Hawaii, but the United States ofAmerica of which this state is part of.There are a number of unanswered questions which plague my conscience as Iconsider what happened yesterday:Why was the takeover and subsequent siege by unarmed individuals of a Stateowned facility and its surrounding perimeter allowed to persist for so manyhours?Why were government functions allowed to be disrupted?Why is it that Governor Lingle or Lieutenant Governor Aiona, upon seeingthat the HKG personnel were being interviewed by numerous reporters, did notgo out to make televised public statements to discourage others fromengaging in similar acts of lawlessness?Why is it that trained, well-armed State Police and Honolulu PoliceDepartment officers stood face to face for a standoff that lasted hoursagainst unarmed HKG personnel without arresting them?Why is it that HKG personnel were allowed to leave without being arrested?Why does the American Flag not fly over Iolani Palace?While some may argue that the people who seized Iolani Palace yesterday weresheepish and nonviolent, ultimately this attempted bloodless coup by HKGwill serve to inspire the more hostile and violent opponents of the State ofHawaii and the United States of America to follow suit with actions thatinvolve more than just chains and yellow "No Trespassing" signs.The message that our local authorities have projected is that it is not onlyokay to take control of buildings, but that sedition goes unpunished andcarries no deterrent in the State of Hawaii. Today, we face people who chaina building. What will happen if tomorrow gunmen attack the Capitol,Washington Place, or Honolulu Hale and take hostages?The historical precedent certainly exists for individuals to resort to forceas a means to demand sovereignty for a particular group of people. On March1, 1954, four Puerto Rican nationalists attacked the U.S. Congress while insession and took hostages, demanding independence for Puerto Rico. If thingscontinue the way they do in Hawaii, I wouldn't be surprised if violentHawaiian sovereignty groups, anti-Superferry environmentalist maniacs orstraight up terrorists tried the same thing here.We need to make an example of those who resort to such actions not to beharsh or cruel, but to discourage and deter future attacks against ourbuildings and people. We also need to dramatically increase the securitypresence around our Capitol.At best, security at the Hawaii State Capitol District can be described asshockingly lax. There are no entry control points to screen individuals, noconcrete barricades to prevent car bombers, no x-ray machines, no metaldetectors, no regular foot patrols by Honolulu Police or State Police. TheState Police who manage the flag flying at the Capitol won't even fold theAmerican and Hawaii flags properly. Is it any wonder that people likeMahealani Asing Kahau and her HKG forces were able to seize control ofIolani Palace?There is also no excuse for the weak response that our authorities showedregarding the Iolani Palace incident. The minute that Iolani Palace wasseized, the police should have immediately secured and sealed off the areato prevent HKG personnel from escaping or additional persons from gettingin. Federal agencies such as Homeland Security, FBI, and even the Departmentof Defense should have been immediately notified, considering the fact thatthese individuals were inciting an overthrow of the United States ofAmerica.Police officers should have been placed at critical positions in buildingsthat have elevated angles on Iolani Palace. The Governor should havepersonally ordered HKG personnel to turn themselves in to law enforcementfor arrest, and failing their compliance, law enforcement should have gone"tactical" and invaded the complex armed with less than lethal equipmentincluding CS gas, rubber bullets, and tasers.The benefit of utilizing a massive, if not overwhelming response to hostiletakeover of our government facilities is that it has an intimidating effecton those who would participate in such behaviors and an inspiring effect tothose who oppose such individuals, knowing that we don't take lightlyattacks on Hawaii or the United States of America. The public should havegone to sleep yesterday having seen the HKG personnel arrested, not with thecautionary note from Civil Defense that their men had dispersed withoutarrest and might return the next day.We need to treat groups like HKG and others blooming around Hawaii likedomestic insurgents and put their names on the National Terrorist ScreeningDatabase. When we see them taking control of Iolani Palace and othergovernment facilities, we shouldn't call them "protesters" we should callthem "terrorists" and deal with them the same way we'd deal with al Qaedaoperatives taking over one of our buildings.I for one am tired of seeing America shamed in the State of Hawaii by adeceived yet ultimately vocal minority of belligerent, domestic insurgents.Make no mistakes: those who feel the way I do about America are notwarmongers or Big Government "shock and awe" elitists, but rather people whoknow that a peaceful America requires a strong America.To the domestic insurgents out there who want to overthrow Hawaii and theUnited States in favor of going back to the days of monarchy we who believeotherwise say this: "We're Americans, we're Americans, and we'll neversurrender, you will!"Daniel Paul de Gracia II, MA is a political scientist specializing ininternational relations and a former candidate for State Representative whonow works for Rep. Rida Cabinilla, D-Ewa. He lives in Waipahu. His commentsdo not necessarily reflect the policy or opinions of the Office of Rep.Cabanilla. Reach him at mailto:daniel.p.degracia at gmail.comhttp://rawstory.com/news/2008/Protesters_take_over_grounds_of_Hawaiian_0816.htmlProtesters take over grounds of Hawaiian palaceAssociated PressPublished: Saturday August 16, 2008HONOLULU - For the second time this year, a Native Hawaiian sovereigntygroup has taken over the grounds of Iolani Palace, residence of Hawaii'slast monarch.About a dozen men, wearing red shirts with "security" stenciled in yellow onthe back, locked the gates of the landmark Friday evening and posted notrespassing signs that read: "Property of the Kingdom of Hawaiian Trust."The action came on Admission Day, a state holiday marking Hawaii's admissionto the Union on Aug. 21, 1959.Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of Iolani Palace, toldThe Honolulu Advertiser by phone that he and other staff members were "inlockdown" in the palace and a nearby administration building."These guys are threatening to go in the palace," Chu said. "There's about25 of them. They've got a king and the king wants to sit on the throne."Television station KITV quoted an unidentified palace spokesperson as sayingsecurity personnel were guarding the palace, while staff locked themselvesin the administration building. The Advertiser reported people on thegrounds were later allowed to get to their cars.Calls to the police department spokeswoman were not immediately returned."We're going to be here for a while. Four days, five days, a week. A while.As long as it takes," one of the men posting the signs told the Advertiser.He declined to give his name.An "occupation public information bulletin" distributed by a member of thegroup began: "Majesty Akahi Nui, the King of Hawaii, has now reoccupied thethrone of Hawaii. The Kingdom of Hawaii is now re-enacted."Akahi Nui claims to have been coronated in 1998.Hawaiian activists have long used Iolani Palace, the site of QueenLiliuokalani's imprisonment following the 1893 U.S. overthrow, as a primelocation for protests against the United States' occupation of the islands.Another group, the Hawaiian Kingdom Government, occupied the palace groundsApril 30.http://www.khon2.com/news/local/27084494.html6 Iolani Palace protestors charged with burglaryBy Marisa YamaneThe Iolani Palace saga continues.State officials say the historic palace is closed indefinitely because ofFriday night's incident.And tonight, six of the protestors were charged with burglary.After being locked up for nearly 48 hours, six Iolani Palace protestors werecharged with burglary and were released Sunday night after posting bail.The six were among a group of 23 that tried to take over Iolani PalaceFriday night.Majesty Akahi Nui is the leader of the group which calls itself the "Kingdomof Hawaii Ministry Trust."Akahi Nui says he owns the palace."We not crazy. I have the deed to prove my genealogy goes all the way back,"said protestor Majesty Akahi Nui.Akahi Nui says they've been planning to overtake Iolani Palace for the pastsix months.Most of the protestors are from Haiku in Upcountry Maui, and Akahi Nui saysthey came over on the Hawaii Superferry.When asked if he has any regrets about what they did on Friday, Akahi Nuireplied, "No, I'm glad they took me in that way I can open up things."Akahi Nui -- a retired heavy equipment operator -- was also arrested onsuspicion of burglary but he was released pending further investigation.While he says they didn't steal anything from the Palace, he says they didenter it, and says they even took off their shoes when they went inside.When asked if they caused any damage to Iolani Palace, Akahi Nui replied,"No only the locks and that's it. I had asked the palace guards to open thedoor i'm the owner I told em, they refused to open the door so i gave theguys command to take off the lock so they did what I told them."He says they used a screwdriver to remove the lock.State and Palace officials spent the weekend checking the Palace for damageand say they're not sure when they'll reopen Iolani Palace.The protestors who weren't arrested for burglary were arrested for criminaltrespassing."They will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. People in thiscase have to be shown it's just not going to be acceptable as you know thisis one of the most cherished sites in our state," said Gov. Linda Lingle.Only one of the protestors remains in custody -- Donald Love-Boltz, who wasarrested on suspicion of burglary.Police say Love-Boltz is being detained by the Attorney General's office.http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/16/palace.takeover.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryviewActivists arrested after Hawaiian palace takeoverStory HighlightsProtesters calling for Hawaii's sovereignty took over historic palaceOfficers climbed fence and arrested about 20 peoplePalace worker claims to have been assaulted by protestersGovernor promises investigation into police responseHONOLULU, Hawaii (AP) -- A group of Native Hawaiians claiming to be thestate's legitimate rulers occupied the grounds of a historic palace for twohours before being arrested by state officers in the second recent takeoverof its kind.A staff member of the Iolani Palace said she was assaulted and slightlyinjured during the takeover Friday night and then snubbed by city police whoclaimed that they didn't have jurisdiction. Gov. Linda Lingle said Saturdaythat there would be an investigation into the police response to thetakeover.A group of men, wearing red shirts with "security" stenciled in yellow onthe back, took over the grounds by chaining the gates of the palace next tothe State Capitol and posted signs saying, "Property of the Kingdom ofHawaiian Trust."Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the Friends of Iolani Palace, saidhe and other staff members were locked down in the palace and a nearbyadministration building during the takeover."They've got a king, and the king wants to sit on the throne," de Alba Chusaid.State law officers climbed over the fence a couple of hours after thetakeover began and made about 20 arrests. The palace, normally open totours, will remain closed during the weekend to assess any damage and toensure its security, police said.Ah Yuen, an Iolani Palace employee, said she was assaulted by protesters andcalled for help from a Honolulu police officer, who told her the palacegrounds were not under city police jurisdiction.Witnesses said the confrontation started when Yuen went to the palace gateand talked with the protesters, who locked the gate with a chain and thenforced their way into the palace itself before officers from the stateDepartment of Land and Natural Resources came to arrest them.Lingle said the people who invaded the palace "have to be shown it's notgoing to be acceptable.""This is one of the most cherished sites in our state," Lingle said. "Wealways have to try to strike a balance between public access and securityfor the building and for the people there."Laura H. Theilen, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources,which oversees the palace, condemned the takeover."We intend to charge them to the fullest extent of the law," Thielen said.The pro-sovereignty group identified its leader as King Akahi Nui, who wasamong those arrested. An "occupation public information bulletin"distributed by a member of the group began: "Majesty Akahi Nui, the King ofHawaii, has now reoccupied the throne of Hawaii. The Kingdom of Hawaii isnow re-enacted."Akahi Nui claims to have been crowned in 1998.The takeover of the palace -- built in 1882, when the islands were ruled bya monarchy -- came on Admission Day, a state holiday marking Hawaii'sadmission to the United States on August 21, 1959.Several Native Hawaiian organizations have rival claims to sovereignty overthe islands. Another group calling itself the Hawaiian Kingdom Governmentoccupied the palace grounds April 30 and has been getting permits to set upon the grounds each week since then. That group claims to be operating afunctioning government from the palace grounds.The ornate palace is operated as a museum of Hawaiian royalty. King Kalakauabuilt it, and it also served as the residence for his sister and successor,Queen Liliuokalani, the islands' last ruling monarch. Liliuokalani wasimprisoned in the palace after the 1893 U.S.-supported overthrow of themonarchy.After falling into disrepair, the palace was restored in the 1970s as aNational Historic Landmark. It now includes a gift shop and is open forschool groups and offers tours.Hawaiian activists have long used the site for protests against the U.S.occupation of the islands.http://news.infoshop.org/article.php?story=20080427113918962Navajos at United Nations protest Sithe Global/Desert Rock power plantSunday, April 27 2008 @ 11:39 AM CDTContributed by: AnonymousViews: 308NEW YORK - Protesting in New York, Navajos and others from the UnitedNations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, voiced opposition to a newpower plant on the Navajo Nation, bringing to an end the propaganda of SitheGlobal/Desert Rock and elected Navajo politicians.Navajos at United Nations protest Sithe Global/Desert Rock power plantBy Brenda NorrellNEW YORK - Protesting in New York, Navajos and others from the UnitedNations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, voiced opposition to a newpower plant on the Navajo Nation, bringing to an end the propaganda of SitheGlobal/Desert Rock and elected Navajo politicians.Protesting at Sithe Global, Navajos dispelled the myths and corporatepropaganda currently being distributed as news by the Arizona Republic andother mainstream newspapers.Navajos protesting included Elouise Brown, president of the Dooda (NO)Desert Rock committee, and Enei Begaye, executive director of the Black MesaWater Coalition. The Dine' women attempted to deliver a letter to Sithetelling them that local people do not support the project. Sithe did notmeet with them.News reporters accompanied Brown and Begaye into the building, but wereordered to leave immediately.Brown and Begaye, members of the Navajo Nation, pointed out that SitheGlobal is doing business with the Navajo Nation and asked to deliver aletter to Sithe Global. Receptionists called the Sithe Global office severaltimes and left two messages, but Sithe never came down or called back. Thereceptionists refused to deliver the letter but directed the Dine' women toa messenger center at a different location, where they sent the letter."I don't understand how the proponents of the Desert Rock Energy Projectfrom our Navajo Nation can do business with a corporation that will notspeak to members of the Nation who would be directly impacted by theproject," Brown said. "At least we know we delivered the letter, and theyhave an idea there are many Navajo people opposed to this project, and onlya couple who want the project."Outside, Indigenous Peoples from all over the world rallied, chanted, andheld signs in solidarity with the Dooda (NO) Desert Rock Committee.Brown said it was suspicious that soon after the rally started, large movingtrucks were parked in front of the building, blocking protesters from beingseen on the street.Brown and Begaye were part of the Indigenous Environmental Networkdelegation to the UN. Together, the group profiled the disproportionateimpacts their communities face as a result of the expansion of fossil fueldevelopment in their homelands, resulting in contamination and depletion ofwater, compounding climate change, and exacerbating health impacts.Begaye said, "These are resource wars. These companies are occupyingsovereign Indigenous territories, and not just in Iraq. In this country,from the Navajo Nation to the Arctic, the Indian wars continue."Meanwhile, the 88-member Navajo Nation Council and Navajo President JoeShirley, Jr., push for the power plant, which would be the third on Navajoland near Farmington, N.M.Revenues from coal mining, power plants and oil and gas drilling pay thesalaries and travel expenses, including lavish hotels, of elected Navajopoliticians. The backdoor deals of Navajo politicians are not endorsed byNavajos living on the land.Meanwhile, many Navajos in the area of the Navajo power plants live withoutrunning water and electricity, while suffering from the pollution anddiseases resulting from the dirty fossil fuel industries. The electricityprimarily goes to non-Indians in the Southwest.Besides dirty power plants and coal mines, the Navajo Nation has strewnradioactive uranium mine tailings from the Cold War in the same region asthe proposed Desert Rock power plant.Nearby in the same area, is the Navajos most sacred region, the place oforigin, Dinetah. The air is so polluted with fumes and pollution fromhundreds of oil and gas wells, that it chokes people with respiratoryillnesses.The letter to Sithe Global can be found at http://www.dooda-desert-rock.net/Listen to the protest and UN Forum, including Evo Morales' opening statement(April 21) at:http://www.earthcycles.netPhotos of protest at: http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/MYSA_060108_METRO12BIndianRemains_3a51a20_html5074.htmlWeb Posted: 06/01/2008 2:00 CDTAmerican Indian groups protest Witte over remainsThe bone and skull fragments sit in about a dozen blue boxes, neatly stackedon shelves in the back row of the Witte Museum's main storage room. Fornearly 80 years the partial remains, from an estimated 10 natives from WestTexas, have sat in relative obscurity.On Saturday, they became the subject of an emerging emotional disputebetween the museum and American Indian activists who are demanding that theremains be returned to their rightful place: back in the earth."They've been studied, they've been exposed long enough," said Dave Ortiz,president of the Texas chapter of the American Indian Movement. "They neversigned a piece of paper giving their bodies to science. Returning them isthe right thing to do."Ortiz was among about 30 protestors who rallied outside the museum onBroadway for several hours, drawing attention by beating drums, chanting,dancing and hoisting signs that read "Witte robs graves," "Return our dead"and "Give back grandmother."The protestors appear to be headed into a drawn-out clash with Witteofficials, who contend that the remains, which are as old as 5,000 years,pre-date the rise of tribal groups in Texas and continue to offer a valuablescientific window into how the earliest inhabitants lived."There really isn't any legal or ethical or moral reason to do what theywant us to do," said Marise McDermott, president and CEO of the WitteMuseum.The disagreement mirrors conflicts over the fate of native remains andburial objects in museums elsewhere in the U.S, but how it will play out isunclear.None of the groups that took part in the protest, including the St. Mary'sUniversity Indian Student Association and representatives of three AmericanIndian groups, have filed a claim under the federal Native American GravesProtection and Repatriation Act of 1990, which provides a framework forreturning such remains. Nor do any of the groups qualify as a federallyrecognized tribe, as required by the law.For now, the groups said that just because the bones are old doesn't meanthey're up for grabs."We have a huge respect for our ancestors, and once you put them in theground that ground becomes sacred. You don't mess with that," said MarieCrabb, president of the student group. "To say that Indians of the pastaren't related to Indians of today just sounds ludicrous."The Witte took part in excavations around the Seminole Canyon area in the1920s and early 1930s, and subsequent studies of the remains have informedthe museum's display, "Ancient Texan," which showcases lower Pecos artifactslike baskets, sandals and household tools. Museum officials said the boneshave never been on display."Because there's no oral or written tradition from hunter-gatherer peoplethis (artifact display) is like giving voice to this group of people,"McDermott said.Since the 1990 law, she said museum officials have sat with several tribes,and all have agreed that the Witte collection contains no items that aresubject to repatriation.Steve Tomka, director of the Center for Archaeological Research at UTSA,said such collections, however much they've already been studied, willcontinue to yield new information as technology advances."Scientifically, those remains tell us part of human history," he said."It's not about one particular individual who you're studying, or oneparticular group or region, but it's really telling you the story of humanexistence in general."http://www.khon2.com/news/local/19753144.htmlProtestors Oppose Home Construction on Kauai Burial siteBy Tannya JoaquinIt's a last stand against plans to put up a beachfront home on burial groundin Wainiha.Opponents want to preserve the sacred land, with 40 known burial sites.Protestors have put torches on each grave, and have lit them every night forthe past 2 and a half months."Keeping vigil over our burial site. It's the last one on this coastline"says protest organizer Kaiulani Huff. "All the other burial sites have beencovered with villas and big vacation rentals."Landowner Joseph Brescia has tried for years to build a home here.It's next to land owned by Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer Anthony Kiedis,who also seeks to build.Protestor Louise Sausen says "I've been fighting this subdivision for about13 years just trying to preserve kupuna and the iwi."Opponents say despite a green light from the State to start construction,they'll keep fighting to stop development."Hopefully we can do it legally, lawfullly, but I'm going to do whatever Ican" says protestor Andrew Cabebe.According to the State, the landowner is following the law.The Kauai Island Burial Council chose to preserve in place all burials onthe property.The Attorney General says the property owner has the option to build overthe burials.Seven are in the footprint of the proposed house.They will be encased, and the house will be built on pilings.But, that still doesn't sit well with opponents, who say they will holdtheir ground."I decided to get a tent, get down here and do what I can to stopconstruction" says Huff.The State says nothing gives the State Historic Preservation Division or theBurial Council the right to stop construction.http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/BREAKING01/80807091Thursday, August 7, 2008Protesters on Kauai halt construction near ancient remainsAssociated PressLIHU'E, Hawai'i - More than a dozen protesters on Kaua'i halted constructionof a house located on property where about 30 ancient Hawaiian burial siteshave been discovered.At least eight protesters, who anticipated being arrested, linked themselvestogether using segments of PVC pipe Thursday, but no arrests were made.Police waited out the protesters, who left after 10 hours, vowing to returnnext week. Construction workers left the area earlier at the request ofpolice in an apparent effort to avoid confrontation.After years of legal challenges and community opposition, state and localauthorities have given property owner and California contractor JosephBrescia permission to build the house.One protester, Andre Perez of O'ahu, called on Gov. Linda Lingle tointervene."By any standard, by any culture or ethnic group, this is just wrong," Perezsaid. "From a human perspective, this is just wrong."As recently as June 25, Kaua'i County Police Chief Darryl Perry, citing alaw protecting Hawaiian burial grounds, was at the site, turning awayworkers about to start construction.Walton Hong, an attorney for Brescia, said at the time that he would submita burial plan with the State Historic Preservation Division.In December, some 30 burials were discovered on the property during anarchaeological survey. The Kaua'i Island Burial Council determined in Aprilthat the sites must be left in place in order for construction to begin.Brescia has been trying to build a home on the site since 2001.Still in the early stages of development, the site has close to 30 concreteposts positioned around numerous markings noting the location of iwi, orHawaiian remains.The protesters, who came from around the state, said they want constructionhalted and the iwi honored with a heiau, or shrine. Building around thegraves, or moving them would constitute be desecration, they said."If they can do this here, they can do this on all Hawaiian burial sitesthroughout the Hawaiian Islands," Hanalei Colleado of Maui said.http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080626.BCMUSQUEAM26/TPStory/TPNational/BritishColumbia/VANCOUVER -- The administration office on the Musqueam Indian reserve wasopenyesterday after a group of band members decided to end their month-longprotestover distribution of millions of dollars in band funds.Musqueam Chief Ernie Campbell said the protesters took down their picketsandtook the padlock off the front door of the administration building onTuesdayevening. No one spoke to him or, as far as he knew, anyone else on the bandcouncil before they abandoned their protest, he said in an interview.A group of band members had occupied the lobby of the administrationbuildingon May 29 to protest against how the band council intended to spend morethan$20-million from an out-of-court settlement with the B.C. government.Dissident members raised concerns about toxic housing on the reserve, thelackof band support for drug and alcohol treatment programs, and the refusal tofinance a facility intended to help ensure that children in need ofprotectionremain in the Musqueam community. They also raised questions about theaccountability of the band council, transparency of band business and thedistribution of about $40-million.But Mr. Campbell said yesterday he didn't think the protest would lead tochanges on the reserve. Some community services were interrupted and somepeople were left with "hard feelings."But it did not have any impact on anything, as far as council isconcerned,"Mr. Campbell said. "We've been through worse than this. It was a minorthing."Gail Sparrow, a spokesperson for the protest group, said the dissidentsdecidedto stop after meeting with parents anxious to have their children return totheday-care centre in the administration building.Emerging from a two-hour meeting with the band manager and band lawyer, Ms.Sparrow said in an interview the protest had been worthwhile. Concernsraisedby the membership will now be seriously considered, she said.The group started with 17 dissatisfied people and grew to more than 300, shesaid. She anticipated the protest will lead to council members being held togreater accountability and council business being more transparent.Also, the membership will be able to consider the protesters' proposal todistribute $5,000 to each band member, she said. The council had proposeddistributing only $1,000 to each member and designating the remainder of a$20-million settlement to debt repayment and band programs."They [the band council] are now going to listen to the people. We will givethem time. If nothing changes, we will take action again," she said.http://intercontinentalcry.org/algonquin-protest-and-information-toll-july-28/Algonquin Protest and information toll - July 28July 25, 2007 | 11 Comments | 2,127 viewsI just received an update, courtesy of Chief Paula Sherman. Please note, inyesterdays update I had said Frontenac is suing for 1 million dollars-but itis in fact 77 million. Details are below.ALGONQUINS PROTEST AGAINST URANIUM EXPLORATION WILL AFFECT TRAFFIC ONTRANSCANADAArdoch Algonquin First Nation and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation will beconducting a protest and information toll on Highway 7 in Perth on July 28thfrom 3pm-6pm to bring attention to the issue of uranium exploration andmining in North Frontenac County.This will be the third action by the Algonquin alliance to bring attentionto the fact that mining claims were registered and issued to FrontenacVentures Corporation for land where Algonquin title and jurisdiction remainand where required consultation never took place.Consultation must take place between the Crown and the two affected FirstNation communities prior to any mining or land use permits being issued.More actions are planned along Highway 7 over the next few months until apositive resolution has been achieved.For more information please contact:Chief Paula Sherman - 613-329-3706 omamikwe at bell.blackberry.net;Chief Randy Cota - (613) 541-8205;or our lawyer, Christopher Reid - lawreid at aol.com (416) 466-9928.ALGONQUINS SUED BY URANIUM MINING COMPANYThe Algonquin First Nations occupying a proposed uranium mine site ineastern Ontario are being sued by the mining company, Frontenac VenturesCorporation, for $77 million dollars in damages, as well as a court orderending our protest and forcing us to vacate our land.In their Statement of Claim, which was served on our lawyer today, thecompany makes absurd and outrageous claims that we are "threatening" and"intimidating" them and their employees. In fact, our peaceful protest hasbeen completely non-violent and non-threatening from the beginning, evenwhen the president of FVC threatened to send in armed paramilitaries toattack us.We are not afraid and we have no plans to end our protest! In fact, news ofthe company's legal action has brought more supporters to our protest campat the mine site. Meanwhile, the provincial government, which has the legalobligation to consult with us, remains conspicuously silent.Last year Frontenac Ventures Corporation began aggressively exploring foruranium on our land in Frontenac County in eastern Ontario. FVC have nowstaked hundreds of mineral claims covering more than 5,000 hectares of landand have clear-cut large areas of forest to make way for the next phase ofexploration: drilling core samples to determine how much uranium is underthe land they have staked. The government of Ontario has allowed all of thisto happen without any consultations whatsoever with our communities, inclear violation of Canadian law.Last week, after we rejected an offer by the company to end our protest inexchange for $10,000 blood money, we again called for the province to begindiscussions with us to end the standoff. The province has still notresponded.AAFN members, together with our neighbours, the Shabot Obaadjiwan AlgonquinFirst Nation, have occupied the site of the proposed uranium mine since June29 and we have informed Frontenac Ventures that no further mineral stakingor exploration activity will be allowed within our territory at this time.Today, Chief Doreen Davis of Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and PaulaSherman, Co-Chief of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation again called on theprovince to begin consultations to resolve the issues which led to theprotest. Said Chief Sherman, "we have yet to hear anything from PremierMcGuinty or his Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, David Ramsay, and so farnone of their officials have even had the courtesy to return our calls,emails or letters, They do not appear to have any interest in resolving thismess or meeting their legal obligation to consult with us."ALGONQUIN ALLIANCE STATEMENT AGAINST URANIUM EXPLORATION AND MININGJuly 24, 2007On June 28, 2007 leadership and members of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation andShabot Obaadjiwan First Nation moved to secure the site of a proposeduranium mine in the traditional lands of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nationnear Ardoch Ontario. Frontenac Ventures Corporation, under the ownership ofGeorge White had been notified by mail to vacate the premises prior to the28th with his equipment and staff. On the 28th members of the two Algonquincommunities moved in and secured the site to prevent the drilling of uraniumcore samples which were slated to begin the following week.Upon securing the site, the two communities established an alliance whoseoverall purpose was to prohibit access to the site and any proposed drillingwithin and around the site and all associated sites by Frontenac VenturesCorporation. The Algonquin alliance discovered through an initial searchthat multiple users had been granted access to the site and land surroundingthe site by the MNR, Mining and Northern Development and private owners. Atno time did any of these ministries or private owners contact or securepermission from Algonquin people to use the lands or resources in question.In fact, while Algonquin people in the area had heard rumors of a proposeduranium mine in Frontenac County, we were not aware of the plans to developa mine on our traditional territory until Gloria Morrison, a private landowner in the region, attended a council meeting and asked for the ArdochAlgonquin council's help in protecting her property. Gloria came to themeeting because 60 acres of her 100 acre holding had been staked byFrontenac Ventures under the Mining Act. She had exhausted all otheralternatives at that point and hoped that Algonquin people could help her asshe understood that the land she had purchased was in the historicalterritory of Algonquin people.As already mentioned the overall purpose of the Algonquin alliance is toprohibit access to the site and any proposed drilling within and around thesite and all associated sites. This includes sites that are privately ownedand leased to Frontenac Ventures Corporation as this usage is against theOriginal Teachings and Guiding Principles which provide the guidancenecessary to live within Mino-Pimaadiziwin (which means to live the goodlife, in a balanced way that promotes the sustainability of the NaturalWorld and all living entities). The alliance is using a four-prongedapproach to dealing with uranium exploration and mining which includeseducation of the larger community on the dangers of uranium exploration andmining and direct action in various locations in Algonquin territory tobring local, national and international attention to the issue. The twoAlgonquin communities who make up this alliance are also concerned withtheir responsibility as Anishinaabe people to examine prior usage of theland and resources by all users who have been granted access by the provinceof Ontario. Part of that strategy is to develop sound mechanisms forrestoring balance to the land and waterways that have been impacted by theiractivities on the land and also create protocols of interaction that can beused with future users so that the same mistakes do not occur again.The alliance also has to deal with the other users who were granted accessto our territory through the province. One such user is MREL. MREL is acompany that has moved heavily into the defence and security industry, andin particular the development of a range of vehicle disrupters which areused to neutralize improvised explosive devises and bomb laden vehicles,placed in anything from regular automobiles up to tractor trailer sizedtrucks. The units are robot deployed and designed to minimize collateraldamage. The thrust of their work is humanitarian with an emphasis on savinglives, both by countering the threat of bombs in the civilian community, aswell as to improve the defence capability of Canadian troops.As MREL's current contract is designed to save lives, and not connected tothe drilling of core samples or uranium mining, the alliance has made thedecision to permit MREL to enter the site under a memorandum ofunderstanding between MREL and Ardoch and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations.The memorandum of understanding will cover only the current project relatedto their research on vehicle disrupters. It will cover the nature ofrequired clean-up from previous MREL work, set out the protocols forrelating to the land in a way that promotes balanced relationships with theland and waterscapes, while also enabling MREL to complete the project inthe designated timeframe. Any other usage of the site by MREL would have tobe renegotiated. The MOU will also address the issue of securing the sitewhile MREL is conducting their research. MREL has also come out openlyagainst George While and Frontenac Ventures Corporation and has provided thealliance with numerous documents, maps, and correspondence that supports ourposition against uranium mining.The alliance is also concerned with a new tendency on the part of someindividuals to treat this site as a tourist attraction. The articulation ofour autonomy here is a serious issue for both Ardoch Algonquin First Nationand for Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation. We have secured the area for thesole purpose of preventing the drilling of core samples which would lead tothe development of a uranium mine on our traditional territory. Securing thearea means literally keeping everyone out unless they have been invited toenter at the main gate where the encampment is located. This policy isnecessary to secure the safety of everyone, inside and outside the gate. Theentire parameter has been secured through the use of warriors to preventaccess to Frontenac Venture Corporation and no one should enter the site asyou could be seen as working for FVC. This encampment and occupation of thesurrounding land and watersheds is part of an ongoing resistance on the partof these two First Nations to resist the attempts of Frontenac VenturesCorporation to drill core samples, it should respectfully not be treated asa tourist attraction.The Algonquin alliance and resistance force is being assisted by CCAMU,Mining Watch, and other environmental and citizenship groups who are opposedto uranium mining. Many of the individuals involved in the various groupshave had their own property staked under the Mining Act by FrontenacVentures Corporation. While Algonquin people are concentrating on directactions that articulate our autonomy in the valley of the Kiji Sìbì (whichis a necessary component in the overall efforts to prevent uraniumexploration and mining on our traditional lands), our non-Aboriginal friendsand neighbors have renewed ancient relationships with the Algonquin peopleand communities here and have taken up once again their side of the wampumbelt that was neglected long ago by their ancestors. Their efforts to createand disperse important information on the Mining Act and impacts of uraniummining have gone a long way in gaining outside support for our struggle tostop Frontenac in their tracks. Our non-Aboriginal neighbors have alsocreated a network of support for the Algonquin and other Aboriginalcommunities who remain on the site behind the gate. This network ofconcerned friends and neighbors have taken it upon themselves to make surethat the people who remain there have the food, supplies, and necessitiesneeded to maintain the occupation until a positive resolution can beachieved. Both Algonquin communities, as well as the other Aboriginal peopleat the site greatly appreciate the dedication and sacrifices made byeveryone who has supported and continues to support our efforts to stop theproposed uranium exploration and mining on Algonquin land and that of ourneighbors.Direct ActionThe alliance has taken several direct actions in the past few weeks to drawattention to the issue including two protest marches down Highway 7 inSharbot Lake. The next direct action will take place on July 28 in Perth.Those wishing to participate in the action should meet at the lot behindWendys at 3pm. This particular action will take place at two spots onHighway 7. There will be pylons inserted into the middle of the road to slowit down to two lanes. We will be setting up information tolls at each end ofperth on Highway 7. Cars will be allowed to travel but at a much slower pacewhich will permit us to provide info on the issue and also ask for donationswhich are needed to sustain the resistance force at the site and to pay forlegal fees. We will need volunteers to stand at each end of the highway withpicket signs and eight people to work the information toll. We will maintainthe information toll from 3pm-6pm. We will continue to plan such actions onHighway Seven moving next to Carleton Place and eastward..eventuallyreaching Ottawa if necessary.Legal StrategyThe Algonquin alliance has secured the legal services of Chris Reid, who isan expert on Aboriginal rights and law. Chris is working from the legalstandpoint that Algonquin people never surrendered our lands and thus ourautonomy and jurisdiction remain intact in the areas in which FrontenacVentures Corporation has staked and plans to drill core samples. The detailsof that strategy need to remain confidential, but we will keep you updatedon the progress made.Response from Frontenac Ventures CorporationFrontenac Ventures Corporation has responded to our protest in a variety ofways, including issuing a statement in the Globe and Mail wherein Frontenac's CEO George White suggested that perhaps companies in Canada should utilizeparamilitary forces such as those used in Africa (if you have seen BloodDiamond you will get the idea) to protect mining interests from people suchas ourselves, which he equated with terrorism. In a meeting held last week,White's lawyer said several nasty things about our Mohawk allies and askedpoint blank if there were Mohawk warriors on the premises. White alsopromised swift legal action against us at that meeting and has followedthrough with that threat as we have been told that he has filed a 77 milliondollar law suit against the two Algonquin communities here and theirassociated leaders. While a security force showed up at several points todaytrying to serve the notice, no one accepted it and they will know deliver itto our legal team which is being led by Chris Reid out of Toronto.FundraisingGiven the length of time we will need to maintain the occupation of ourlands and the nature of the legal issues, we will need to implement andmaintain various fundraising initiatives and activities over the next fewmonths. Frank Morrison, who alerted us to the activities of FrontenacVentures Corporation, is in the process of organizing a major benefitconcert to take place in Carleton Place which will help in that regard, aswill the one that is scheduled for Weds in Sharbot Lake. If you are not ableto come and stand with us on the ground here please get involved inorganizing fundraising activities to support our efforts here and what willbe undoubtedly a lengthy and costly legal battle. All funds raised can bedropped off at the gate or mailed to 1045 Canoe Lane Ardoch, ON. Pleasespecify that mailed funds go to fight uranium mining and the efforts of theAlgonquin people occupying the site. If you are not able to get involved inthe organization of fundraising activities, please consider dropping off orsending in your donation to support this important issue. Uraniumexploration and mining will destroy our traditional territory and make itimpossible to live off the land or to maintain our responsibilities to theland and waterways. We are doing this for the benefit of your children andgrandchildren, so that they will have a future as Algonquin people.CHI-MIIGWECH!The Algonquin Alliance of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation & Shabot ObaadjiwanFirst NationFor more information please contact:Chief Paula Sherman - 613-329-3706 omamikwe at bell.blackberry.net;Chief Randy Cota - (613) 541-8205;or our lawyer, Christopher Reid - lawreid at aol.com (416) 466-9928.http://mostlywater.org/algonquins_barriere_lake_occupy_mps_officeAlgonquins of Barriere Lake Occupy MP's OfficeContributed by ron collins on Thu, 2008-06-26 21:07.ALGONQUIN YOUTH AND SUPPORTERS REFUSING TO LEAVE CONSERVATIVE MPLAWRENCE CANNON'S OFFICESupport Urgently Needed for Algonquins of Barriere LakeToday a group of Algonquin youth and supporters entered MP LawrenceCanon's office to demand a meeting with him. They are refusing toleave until this happens. Anyone able to come to the Buckinghamconstituency office to lend support is invited to attend.They've been told they will be arrested unless they leave.================================================CONTENTS1) UPDATE FROM INSIDE MINISTER CANNON'S OFFICE2) THE DEMANDS3) BACKGROUND INFORMATION4) MINISTER CANNON'S OFFICE LOCATION AND CONTACT INFO================================================1) UPDATE FROM INSIDE MINISTER CANNON'S OFFICE:"Our group, composed of Algonquin youth and supporters, successfullyentered Minister Cannon's Buckingham riding office, 25 minutes fromOttawa, at 11:30am today, Thursday, June 26th. Minister Cannon is notaround and his staff have been mum about his whereabouts. But spiritsare high and people are settling in and getting comfortable, despitethe fact the Minister Cannon's staff have turned off the airconditioning in an attempt to force people to leave the office. Atfirst Minister Cannon's staff offered to arrange meetings with lowlevel bureaucrats instead of a meeting with Minister Cannon, but weare refused to take the bait. Now we've been told that Minister Cannonhas no involvement or responsibility for Barriere Lake, and that if wedo not leave we will be arrested. We intend to stick it out until ourdemands are met.We would love to have supporters form the surrounding region come toMinister Cannon's office to join us. The more the merrier, andsupporters may help deter any police action. Alternately, if you can'tcome to Minister Cannon's office, we encourage people to call or faxhis various offices and request that he meet with us."2) DEMANDSWe are members of the community of Barriere Lake and their supporters.We are peacefully occupying Minister Lawrence Cannon's office. Wedemand:i) A meeting with Lawrence Cannon, MP for the Barriere Lake community.ii) That the government oversee a leadership re-selection process,with outside observers, recognize the resultant Customary Chiefs andCouncil, and end all interference in the internal governance ofBarriere Lake.3) BACKGROUND INFORMATION[ ] NO COUPS D'ETAT ON ALGONQUIN LAND[ ] END INDIAN AFFAIRS' MANIPULATION OF TRADITIONAL GOVERNMENT[ ] HANDS OFF BARRIERE LAKEFor twenty difficult years, the small Algonquin community of Barriere Lake,3 hours north of Ottawa, has been struggling to hold the government to theirword. In 1991, they signed a landmark resource co-management and sustainabledevelopment agreement with Canada and Quebec to protect Algonquin land uses,to conserve the forest and wildlife, and to give them a share in theresource revenue from the logging and hydro projects on their traditionalterritories. Corporations extract $100 million a year -- Barriere Lakereceives nary a penny.The Canadian government walked away from the agreement in 2001. Instead offulfilling their obligations, the Federal Department of Indian Affairs hasousted the Customary Chief and Council and illegally appointed a minorityfaction as the leadership, in an attempt to scrap the agreement.* Despite several Quebec Hydro dams on their territory, the community isforced to use aging diesel generators to provide power.* The housing crisis in the community has reached tragic proportions, withmost living in moldy, often condemned houses. As many as 18 people live inone house.* The Surete du Quebec has been used to forcibly impose and maintain theauthority of the government-backed minority faction.* Children have been prevented from speaking Algonquin in school by teachershired by outsiders-a grim throwback to residential schools.Join us in Gatineau, and support the community as it demands that thegovernment respect the law and uphold their agreements.MORE INFO: http://barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.comCONTACT: barrierelakesolidarity at gmail.comhttp://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13524.cfmNative American March on DC to Protest Global Warming & EnvironmentalDestructionNative American March on DCInstitute for Public Accuracy, via Common Dreams, July 11, 2008Straight to the SourceWASHINGTON - July 11 - AP is reporting: "Some 500 American Indians aregathering near the White House to mark the end of a 8,300-mile walk acrossthe nation. The trek from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., aims to bringattention to the impact of global warming on the environment. "Organizer Ricardo Tapia says the Longest Walk 2 also was an effort tospotlight concerns among American Indians, such as the destruction of sacredsites by developers. "Organizers plan to present a manifesto of American Indian concerns toDemocratic Congressman John Conyers of Michigan. "Actor and civil rights advocate Harry Belafonte is also scheduled toappear at a traditional pipe ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. "The walk began February 11 and marked the 30th anniversary of the firstsuch journey. That 1978 effort gathered support to defeat congressionalbills that American Indians said threatened their sovereignty."RICARDO TAPIAOrganizer for the Longest Walk 2, Tapia said today: "Thirty years ago, thegovernment was going to strip us of our sovereignty -- our fishing andhunting rights -- and so we marched across the country. We had the supportof Muhammad Ali, Marlon Brando and others and soon after we got the NativeAmerican Religious Freedom Act."Now our sacred sites are being destroyed with the mining and malls beingbuilt. We're concerned about the future to the seventh generation. The G8just met and put out some words about global warming. But we're concernedwith what they do. Modern man has become ignorant and arrogant. We'rewalking the talk with our 8,000 miles over five months and need everyone toreally change direction." More InformationYAYNICUT FRANCOFranco, who is 20, is a spokesperson for the Longest Walk 2. She said today:"We need to protect our sacred sites and stop harming the earth."http://www.dominionpaper.ca/weblogs/lia_tarachansky/1933July 17, 2008First Day of Protests by Barriere Lake AlgonquinsOTTAWA- The Barriere Lake Algonquins are once again back in Ottawa for athree day protest. Camping out on Victoria Island, the community, alongsideMontreal and Ottawa activists, has organized a panel discussion, a series ofprotests, marches, and events including a panel discussion, film screening,and poetry show.Last time the Algonquins came to Ottawa, they peacefully occupied MPLawrence Cannon's office, demanding the end of a March coup d'etat thegovernment enacted on their reserve.-----------Press ReleaseFriday, July 16, 2008Algonquins to demonstrate in front of Department of Indian Affairs and marchthrough downtown Ottawa: demand Government of Canada end illegalinterference in community governance and oversee new leadership selectionOttawa, ON / - Algonquins from the Barriere Lake First Nation will end threedays of demonstrations in Ottawa by picketing in front of the Department ofIndian Affairs in Gatineau at 11:00am and marching through the downtown coreat 1:30pm, demanding that the Government oversee a leadership re-selectionin accordance with Barriere Lake's customs, and honour its signed agreementswith the community."Once again, the federal government has interfered in the internal affairsof Barriere Lake, by recognizing a leadership that didn't follow ourtraditions and customs," says Marylynn Poucachiche, a Barriere Lakespokesperson. "Indian Affairs registered the outcome and recognized aminority faction to get out of agreements they've signed with thecommunity."In 1991 the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, a community three hours north ofOttawa, signed a Trilateral Agreement with the governments of Canada andQuebec, establishing a landmark sustainable development, conservation, andresource co-management process praised by the United Nations and the RoyalCommission on Aboriginal Peoples. However, the Government of Canada hasregularly tried to evade their obligations under the agreement. On March10th, 2008, for the third time in 12 years, the government of Canadainterfered in the internal governance of Barriere Lake, ousting theCustomary Chief Benjamin Nottaway and his Council and recognizing a Chiefand Council whom the Barriere Lake Elder's Council say were not selected inaccordance with the community's customs and whom the majority of thecommunity does not support."I don't think it's right for any government to interfere this way," saysPoucachiche. "The government should respect our traditions and customs andcontinue with the negotiation of the signed agreements."The Algonquin Nation Secretariat (ANS), the Tribal Council representing theAlgonquin First Nations of Barriere Lake, Wolf Lake, and Timiskaming,continues to recognize and work with deposed Chief Nottaway and his Council.ANS Grand Chief Norman Young recently issued a letter to Indian AffairsMinister Chuck Strahl, encouraging him to support a leadership reselectionprocess in the community.- 30 -Media Contacts:Marylynn Poucachiche, Barriere Lake spokesperson: (613) 263-9330Michel Thusky, Barriere Lake spokesperson (available 12-1pm, 4pm-onward):(819) 435-2171Norman Young, Algonquin Nation Secretariat Grand Chief: (819) 627 -6869For more information: www.barrierelakesolidarity.blogspot.comCollectif de Solidarité Lac Barrière