First Nations to Rally, In Honour of the Treaties
From Batchewana First Nation
Chief Sayers of Batchewana First Nation (courtesy BFN)
“First Nations Rally, In Honour of the Treaties”
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – – First Nations from across the country will transform plans into action through a rally to be held on January 24, 2012 to send a clear message to all of Canada that the Treaties are living documents that are alive and well. This effort is a grass roots initiative organized locally by Batchewana First Nation Chief, Council, technicians’ and local, Indigenous organizations to send support to leadership that will be attending the Crown- First Nations Gathering in Ottawa on the same day.
Although the Assembly of First Nations had requested a sit down with the Prime Minister in July 2010, Harpers government agreed to the meeting only after the Attawapiskat crisis came to light under the lens of the Canadian media.
The formal agenda of the meeting includes a ceremony to reaffirm the Nation- Nation relationship that originated the framework for interactions between First Nations and the Crown government (now represented by Canada).
Concurrent sessions are to be held amongst First Nations leadership and Federal Ministers to dialogue on priority issues.
Chief Sayers of Batchewana First Nation will be in attendance at the gathering. Where he will speak to First Nations ability to exercise inherent rights and responsibilities regardless of Canada’s agenda.
First Nations expect that the Prime Minister will make time to attend all sessions, to listen to leadership who have come from across Canada to speak to the critical issues of their Nations.
After Aboriginal Affairs Minister Duncan’s claim that he and his department were “unaware” of the crisis situation in Attawapiskat, Prime Minister Harper should make himself available to listen and understand all of the critical situations occurring across Canada in First Nations to ensure accountability amongst himself, and his Ministers.
The local Rally in Sault Ste. Marie will congregate at the Court House on Queen street in Sault Ste. Marie, On, at 10:00am, and March to the Federal Building at 421 Bay Street for speeches from local First Nation delegates.
Rally organizers ask participants to bring flags, banners, posters that support key messaging.
Rally organizers would like to remind participants to dress weather appropriate, and organizers remind everyone that this is a peaceful demonstration.
- For more information regarding the local rally in Sault Ste. Marie please contact Arlene Jordan, Council Secretary at the Batchewana Band Office (705) 759-0914
