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Grassy Narrows speaking tour in SK? - 2006/10/17 15:27
Hi/ Tansi !
I've been trying to coordinate a speaking tour that the Asubpeeschoseewagong
Anishnaabek (Grassy Narrows Ojibway) members would like to hold on Treaty 6
territory. They woulkd like to speak about their fight to protect their
culture, forests, and the right to self-determination on their traditional
territory. Moreover, they would like to share their experiences and possible
lessons for other peoples, the role of traditional governance
systems as opposed to the Indian Act ones, as well as the role of
non-Aboriginal allies in the decolonization process.
They would like to demostrate the links b/w "state-sanctioned action,
environmental degradation, deteriorating health of local peoples and thus,
human environmental rights abuses" (to paraphrase Barbara Johnston).
Here is a more detailed info about the Grassy Narrows (GN) speaking tour. They
would like to have an event in Saskatoon/Regina/ SK (university?). The dates
are flexible, but they were thinking about sometimes between Oct. 24 and Nov.2.
Most of the people I've spoken with ,however, can only contribute a small part of the
expenses (transportation to and back, accommodation, food and the like). Are folks in Regina, Saskaton and elsewhere in SK can assist with the expenses? or know anyon people who can?
A more "formal" factsheet (to add and to forward to other people) about the
current Grassy Narrows struggle (feel free to refine it):
From time immemorial the Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishnaabek (Grassy
Narrows Ojibway) have occupied, cherished, and gained sustenance from
their traditional territory. That land is integral to their identity and
existence as Anishnaabe people. As one of the Indigenous nations of Turtle
Island, they retain their language, their culture, their land and their
spirituality. On that basis they assert they innate sovereignty and their
inalienable right to self-determination and control over their traditional
lands. These inherent rights can only be extinguished by the creator.
Recently, Weyerhaeuser and Abitibi multi-national corporations, with the consent
of the Ontario government have been driving a wave of destructive logging that
threatens to uproot their traditional way of life.
On December 2nd, 2002 the Indigenous youth of Grassy Narrows lay down in the
path of industrial logging machines – blocking access to their traditional
homeland. Their action sparked the longest standing Indigenous logging blockade
in Canadian history. The most remarkable thing of this blockade is the
non-violence and peaceful civil disobedience that characterized their struggle
for human rights, survival and dignity.
But, almost 4 years later, clearcut logging is still taking place on remote
sections of Grassy Narrows’ territory. Weyerhaeuser, Abitibi, and the Ontario
Government refuse to stop the logging, and respect the community’s right to
manage their territrory as they see fit.
The Grassy Narrows community members are protected by Treaty 3 rights.
The Supreme Court of Canada has repeatedly upheld historical indigenous or
aboriginal rights, and clarified that in any development with potential impact
on treaty rights the Crown has a duty to meaningfully consult and accommodate
the affected First Nation.
Moreover, The Canadian governments’ refusal to respect its treaty with Grassy
Narrows and its decision to continue to allow provincially or state-mandated
corporations, such as Weyerhaeuser, to decimate Grassy Narrows’ land without
the community’s consent is in direct violation of basic human rights as
articulated by the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in
its interpretation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination - an established and binding human rights
treaty.
Finally, groups like Amnesty International, the Christian Peacemaker Teams and
many enviromental organizations have consistently supported, worked with and
advocated on behalf of the Grassy Narrows community.
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