Aboriginal Leaders Meet with Canada PM as Grassroots Protest

Jakarta Globe, AFP, January 12, 2013

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, center, holds a press conference
 on January 11, 2013 at her camp on Victoria island in view of Canada's
 parliament in Ottawa, Ontario announcing her hunger strike for improved
 living standards on reserves will continue as long as the prime minister and
 governor general refuse to meet jointly with her to discuss natives' plight.
(AFP Photo/Michel Comte)

Related articles

• Canada, Philippines Ink Defense Procurement Deal
• US, Canada Launch Joint Cybersecurity Plan
• Canada Backs Down on Opposition to Asbestos Hazard Listing
• Quebec Separatist Party Wins Provincial Poll: TV Projections
• Japan’s Indigenous People Eye Political Power

Ottawa. Indigenous Canadians marched on the capital and other major cities Friday threatening to bring the economy “to its knees” as their leaders met with officials to try to resolve a row over extreme poverty on reserves.

As many as 300 aboriginals protested outside parliament in Ottawa in support of a hunger strike by one northern Ontario chief. Hundreds more were expected at rallies in Montreal and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, meanwhile, met with native representatives behind closed doors.

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, whose 32-day hunger strike has become the focal point for an aboriginal rights movement calling for improved living conditions on reserves, however, boycotted the emergency talks.

Spence backed out of the meeting with Harper after Governor General David Johnston, Queen Elizabeth II’s representative in Canada, refused to join in the discussions.

“We’re giving this opportunity for them to resolve the broken promises from the treaty. And all we’re asking is a meeting and to sit down with them,” she told a press conference at a camp on tiny Victoria island in view of Canada’s parliament in Ottawa.

“All we want is justice, equality and fairness which we’re entitled [to],” she said, vowing to continue her hunger strike.

Johnston originally declined to join in any discussions with Spence or other aboriginal leaders, saying their plight is a political matter that must be taken up with elected officials.

He extended a last-minute invitation to aboriginal leaders to his official residence Rideau Hall for a “ceremonial meeting,” in a move widely seen as a bid to save the parallel talks with Harper, but was rebuffed by Spence.

Spence said the governor general’s attendance was “integral when discussing inherent and treaty rights.” Canada’s more than 600 indigenous reserves were created by royal proclamation in 1763.

A delegation of weighty chiefs from Manitoba province in support of Spence also backed out of the talks, insisting on a meeting on their terms and vowing if their demands are not met to “bring the Canadian economy to its knees.”

This could include blocking Can$650 billion in resource development on their ancestral lands over the coming decade, said Manitoba Grand Chief Derek Nepinak.

“We have the warriors that are standing up now, that are willing to go that far. So we’re not here to make requests, we’re here to demand attention,” he said.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, meanwhile, met with Harper, saying in advance that he would seek a commitment from the prime minister for a “long-term process” to address native concerns.

That could include natives getting a share of royalties from resource development planned for the coming decade, Atleo said.

However it remained unclear as the talks unfolded whether that would be enough to quell protests and highway blockades that have popped up across Canada in recent weeks with thousands demanding their treaty rights.

In addition to complaints of severe poverty, natives also blasted changes last month to environmental and other laws they say impact their hunting and fishing rights, and allow tribes to lease reserve lands to non-natives.

Though the government insists the latter was meant to help boost economic development, some fear it will result in a loss of native control of reserve lands and eventually lead to the end of aboriginal communities.

Agence France-Presse

Related Articles:

UN Agency Adopts Global Guidelines Against 'Land Grabbing’

This Election Will Clear the Way for Obama  – Nov 5, 2012 (Archangel Michael channeled by Linda Dillon)

".... GW: Wonderful. Thank you again, Michael.

Maybe a question I’d like to kind of know personally, for me, a geopolitical question about Canada, is Canadian Prime Minister Harper in containment? Can we expect a shift in his actions, or will events have to occur to bring a change in governance?

AAM: Harper is in middle containment. He is not in severe containment, but he is in mid-containment. And so there will be a change of heart there as well, and a change of heart in the rigorous nature of his policies. ...."