And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Subject: NOTICE: TIME CHANGE on 1st NATIONS/IPPERWASH VIGIL
Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 15:50:24 -0400
From: Ann Pohl <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Please try to come. NOTE THE TIME IS SHORTENED FROM ORIGINAL NOTICE.
One leader, Howard Hampton of the New democratic party, has responded to
our
call to dialogue on these issues. Deputy Liberal Leader Gerry Phillips
(Aboriginal Affairs critic) is trying to juggle his other commitments to
attend. No response yet from the PC's on whether they are sending
someone.
A good show of support for these Chiefs, and First Nations generally,
would
be wonderful.
*********************
A JOINT PRESS ADVISORY - MAY 26, 1999
From: Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewas of Nawash
First Nation, Grassy Narrows First Nation, Coalition for a Public
Inquiry
into the Death of Dudley George
DUDLEY GEORGE WAS JUST THE BEGINNING.
Native leaders are angry about soured relationships
between First Nations and the Ontario government.
FIRST NATIONS SPEAK AT QUEEN'S PARK, TORONTO
Thursday, May 27, '99 ~ Sunrise Ceremony: 6 a.m.
PRESS BRIEFING: 8:30 a.m.
Almost four years after Ipperwash - and still no Inquiry - despite
countless
provincial, national and international calls for one. It is now clear
that
Dudley George's murder was just part of the opening volley in the
steadily
deteriorating relationship between the Ontario government and First
Nations.
The current Reform-style Aboriginal policies in Ontario are frustrating
the
efforts of First Nations' leaders to address profound socio-economic
needs
and rebuild self-sufficient economies in their communities. Ontario is
becoming a polarized society, where it is increasingly uncomfortable for
both Native and non-Native people to live.
The purpose of the First Nations Vigil at Queen's Park is to build
political
and media awareness about the detrimental aspects of current Ontario
Aboriginal policies, as well as the urgent need for changes, including
mandating an Ipperwash Inquiry. In the past two weeks, the leaders of
the
three major Ontario political parties have been invited by letter to
demonstrate their political support on some of these issues: two
responded.
All three have been invited to open a positive dialogue with community
leaders during the Vigil gathering: at least one leader is expected to
attend.
Throughout the Vigil and at the Press Briefing, several First Nations
leaders will speak, including:
² Charles Fox - Grand Chief, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (a treaty
organization of
49 First Nations), opposing the land-use strategy of "Lands for
Life/Ontario Living Legacy" as it ignores the First Nations'
rights to
territory and economic development policies (info: 807-623-8228)
² Larry Johnson - Chief of Caldwell F.N., while attempting to address a
200-year-long land rights issue, this First Nation has been targeted by
community members making threats, and raising concerns ranging from
devaluation of property to drainage to First Nations poverty, and more;
the
Ontario government's official position has been "not our
responsibility",
but the local MPP has released statements which inflame the already
volatile
situation (info: 519-676-5499)
² Ralph Akiwenzie - Chief, Chippewas of Nawash, frustrated by Ontario's
failure to sign a resource management agreement upholding
court-recognized
Treaty rights to commercial fishing; in the meantime, the government has
off-loaded nearly all MNR management responsibilities to non-Native
user-groups ( info: 519-534-1689)
² Darryl Fobister - Acting Chief, Grassy Narrows F.N., a northern
Reserve
with a small land base; Abitibi is clear-cutting their traditional land
&
appeals to the government to halt lumbering & conduct an environmental
assessment have not even been answered (info: 807-925-2201)
INFORMATION: Ann Pohl, Spokesperson, Coalition for a Public Inquiry
tel: 416-537-3520
fax: 416-538-2559
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
doctrine of international copyright law.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
