First Nations chiefs and activists are promising to stage Canada-wide protests today, as part of the Idle No More movement's national day of action, including at North America's busiest border crossing.
People participating in the grassroots movement are targeting the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit on Wednesday morning for an "economic slowdown." Organizers say, however, it is "not a blockade".
"We don’t want to inconvenience people too much. But we want to be in places that are going to get us noticed and allow us to get our information out," said organizer Lorena Garvey-Shepley.
Many major cities across the country are bracing for serious traffic disruptions and possible blockades as part of the movement. Planned events also include rallies, flash mobs and prayer circles, to bring more attention to changes to Bill C-45, the Conservative government's controversial omnibus budget bill that directly affects First Nations communities.
Aboriginal leaders say there has been a lack of consultation on changes to environmental protection regulations.
Terry Nelson, a former chief of the Roseau River First Nation in southern Manitoba, said their protests aim to educate Canadians about aboriginal treaty rights and land disputes First Nations have with governments.
Demonstrations are planned for local CP and CN railway lines at noon, local time, he said.
"We're sending the message very clearly with the railway blockade that [there's] going to be no more stolen property being sold until such time that they come to the table and deal with the original owners," he told CBC News on Tuesday.
Nelson added that while those who may block the railway lines have no plans to use force, they are prepared to get arrested.
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says he worries some protesters might take things too far.
"I think it's very important to recognize that we do not, at this time, condone the use of any kind of force," Nepinak said.
"We can't win in any kind of environment where we're using force."
Other chiefs said they will be peaceful today, but if nothing changes to improve First Nations conditions, blockades will follow.
"At this time we have no plans to organize or facilitate the organization of roadblock on Highway 63 for Jan. 16 or any set date," said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabaska Chipewyan First Nation, referring to the northern Alberta highway to the oilsands region.
"However, the people are upset with the current state of affairs in this country and things are escalating towards more direct action."
First Nations activists are also planning a demonstration in front of the Canadian High Commission in London in the U.K. on Thursday.
A key demand of the protesters and chiefs alike is for the government to back down on changes to environmental oversight in two recent omnibus bills.
"The complete gutting of all environmental approval, regulatory and enforcement mechanisms in Canada ... mean that the reassertion of aboriginal and treaty rights are the last best hope to protect both First Nations' and Canadians' water, air and soil from being poisoned forever by big oil and mining corporations," said Clayton Thomas-Muller from the Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign.
But the government opposes any changes.
Andrew McDougall, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's spokesman, said: "The government has no plans to reconsider its legislation."
Original Article
Source: CBC
Author: cbc
People participating in the grassroots movement are targeting the Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit on Wednesday morning for an "economic slowdown." Organizers say, however, it is "not a blockade".
"We don’t want to inconvenience people too much. But we want to be in places that are going to get us noticed and allow us to get our information out," said organizer Lorena Garvey-Shepley.
Many major cities across the country are bracing for serious traffic disruptions and possible blockades as part of the movement. Planned events also include rallies, flash mobs and prayer circles, to bring more attention to changes to Bill C-45, the Conservative government's controversial omnibus budget bill that directly affects First Nations communities.
Aboriginal leaders say there has been a lack of consultation on changes to environmental protection regulations.
Terry Nelson, a former chief of the Roseau River First Nation in southern Manitoba, said their protests aim to educate Canadians about aboriginal treaty rights and land disputes First Nations have with governments.
Demonstrations are planned for local CP and CN railway lines at noon, local time, he said.
"We're sending the message very clearly with the railway blockade that [there's] going to be no more stolen property being sold until such time that they come to the table and deal with the original owners," he told CBC News on Tuesday.
Nelson added that while those who may block the railway lines have no plans to use force, they are prepared to get arrested.
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says he worries some protesters might take things too far.
"I think it's very important to recognize that we do not, at this time, condone the use of any kind of force," Nepinak said.
"We can't win in any kind of environment where we're using force."
Other chiefs said they will be peaceful today, but if nothing changes to improve First Nations conditions, blockades will follow.
"At this time we have no plans to organize or facilitate the organization of roadblock on Highway 63 for Jan. 16 or any set date," said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabaska Chipewyan First Nation, referring to the northern Alberta highway to the oilsands region.
"However, the people are upset with the current state of affairs in this country and things are escalating towards more direct action."
First Nations activists are also planning a demonstration in front of the Canadian High Commission in London in the U.K. on Thursday.
A key demand of the protesters and chiefs alike is for the government to back down on changes to environmental oversight in two recent omnibus bills.
"The complete gutting of all environmental approval, regulatory and enforcement mechanisms in Canada ... mean that the reassertion of aboriginal and treaty rights are the last best hope to protect both First Nations' and Canadians' water, air and soil from being poisoned forever by big oil and mining corporations," said Clayton Thomas-Muller from the Canadian Indigenous Tar Sands Campaign.
But the government opposes any changes.
Andrew McDougall, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's spokesman, said: "The government has no plans to reconsider its legislation."
Original Article
Source: CBC
Author: cbc
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