Regional Events: Solidarity with First Nations Peoples
Regional Events: Solidarity with First Nations Peoples
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1. Student/Youth March and Gathering, June 29th, Queen's Park, Toronto
2. New Credit/Council Fire March and Gathering, June 29th, Harbourfront,
Toronto
3. Solidarity Celebration at the Tracks, June 29th, Kingston
4. March of Solidarity with the First Nations Peoples, June 29th, Montreal
5. Picket and Demonstration, Anti-Canada Day, July 1st, Montreal
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1. NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR ABORIGINAL PEOPLES:
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Toronto
Friday June 29th 2007 , @ 12 PM
31 Kings College Circle
March to Queens Park
Speakers, Performances, Food
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On May 23, 2007 the Assembly of First Nations called on First Nations,
Canadian citizens and corporations, to stand united and demand that
the Government of Canada respond to the crisis in First Nations
communities.
Since Confederation in 1867, First Nations have been subject to
repeated attempts by the Government of Canada to forcibly assimilate
their communities and erase their identities.
In a call for action, First Nations have put forward a reasonable plan
that provides for reconciliation and begins to close the gaps between
First Nations and Canadians. Working in collaboration, this plan will
contribute to a more productive, prosperous and harmonious Canada.
First Nations are calling for immediate action to improve their
quality of life. This Day of Action is an opportunity for all
Canadians to stand together in support of a better life for First
Nations Citizens in Canada.
We call on the Government of Canada to adopt the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to respect the
decision by the United Nations Human Rights Council that the
Declaration establishes the essential standards for respecting the
rights of Indigenous Peoples jurisdiction and responsibility over
their lands, peoples, and right to govern themselves as Nations.
On June 29th, join Canadians across the nation in peaceful
demonstrations for First Nations rights. We will march from King's
College Circle to Queens Park; demanding a better quality of life for
all First Nations.
For more information please contact:
nsa.exec@utoronto.ca
This event is endorsed and organized by:
Native Students Association
York Federation of Students
Ryerson Students Union
University of Toronto Students Union
Continuing Educations Students' Association at Ryerson York Federation
Canadian Federation of Students National Aboriginal Caucus
Canadian Federation of Student – Ontario
The Ontario Public Interest Research Group - OPIRG University of Toronto
No More Silence
Graduate Students Union- University of Toronto
York University Graduate Students Association
Toronto Youth Cabinet
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2. CONNECTING OUR PEOPLE - NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY OF ACTION (TORONTO)
On June 29th, The National Aboriginal Day of Action, Toronto Council
Fire in cooperation with the Mississaugas of the New Credit, will be
organizing a walk and gathering to bring awareness to National
Aboriginal issues including the Mississaugas' Toronto land claim.
The gathering will take place at Little Norway Park which is located at the
end of Bathurst Street at Queen's Quay (south of Fort York). The
gathering will take place between 10 AM and 2 PM with approximately
700 people expected to attend. A light lunch will be served at the
site and Action Day t-shirts will be available. Participants are
encouraged to bring signs, banners and Nation flags.
For those able to attend, Council Fire will be organizing a walk to
the gathering place, starting at the Centre (439 Dundas Street East at
Parliament) at 8:30 AM. Individuals and groups can join us at the
start point or along the route which will go West along Dundas to Bay
Street, South on Bay to Front Street, West on Front to Bathurst and
South on Bathurst to Little Norway Park at Queen's Quay Blvd (see
map). Buses will also leave from the New Credit Reserve band office at
8am.
To confirm your participation or for additional information please contact
Jayne, Patricia, Jennifer or David at Council Fire:
Tel.: (416) 360-4350 or email esecretary@councilfire.ca
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3, Kingston residents call for Celebration of National Day of Action,
June 29, on the railroad tracks
The Kingston Mohawk Support Network, a primarily non-native
organization is planning to hold demonstrations on the railroad tracks
in and around Kingston, Friday, June 29th.
We will be calling upon upon our government to respect its historical
agreements with First Nations, and to begin to conduct itself
peaceably, justly and honourably in its dealings with all First
Nations and peoples.
We have chosen the train tracks as the location for this event to
demonstrate our solidarity with the numerous road and railway
blockades that are being planned by First Nations communities across
Canada as part of this National Day of Action.
"A big part of celebrating the National Day of Action will be
educating the non-native public as they cross the tracks," says Rosa
Barker, an organizer with KMSN, "but equally important is showing the
government and First Nations that First Nations are not alone in their
fight for justice and the land they were promised."
People who have different comfort levels around civil disobedience
will all be able to participate in different ways. For example, some
people may choose set up lawn chairs and "relax on the tracks," while
others may choose to stand by the side of the road and pass out
pamphlets and refreshments to motorists (where roads cross the tracks),
and still others may play music, chat with passers-by, or play Frisbee on
the grass. We are hoping to foster a positive and celebratory tone to the
protest, with music, street theatre, dancing, and free food. We want
to encourage the participation of as many people as possible, in as many
ways as possible, on this historic day, and as part of the ongoing
struggle to end colonial oppression.
Contact us at: mohawksupport@riseup.net
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4. MARCH OF SOLIDARITY WITH FIRST NATIONS OF CANADA
For the NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
Montreal, June 29th. 2007, 12h00 Noon
This NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION is an opportunity for First Nations and
Canadians to stand together in a spirit of unity to support a better life
for all First Nations peoples. Let us march to put an end to First Nations
poverty as a social injustice that concerns all in Canada. Together, we can
demonstrate that the relationship between First Nations and Canadians is
based on principles of respect, dignity, and fairness.
Action is required now to secure a better and just future for First Nations
children and youth, and honor the wisdom of our Elders. The First Nations
Plan is reasonable, achievable, and necessary for Canada.
We will be marching up Parc ave to the Park Jeanne-Mance, close to the
statue of George-Étienne Cartier, where we will have a Gathering for all who
attend.
* For general public:
The March will start at 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 29th
from the corner of Sherbrooke and Parc ave.
Invite your friends and your family!
* For Aboriginals:
Preparations begin at 11:00am
near the Bleury Exit of Place Des Arts Metro station.
This peaceful march will depart at 11:50 sharp.
We encourage you all to bring your Friends and Family, your Drums and your
Regalia.
Spokesperson in Montreal, Irkar Beljaars (514) 572-2684
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5.July 1st/1er juilllet :: Anti-Canada Day/Action anticolonialiste
-- Support indigenous struggles for sovereignty, dignity and
self-determination on Turtle Island
-- Oppose CN Rail's racism and colonialism
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MONTREAL
SUNDAY, JULY 1st, 1pm (sharp)
Picket and Demonstration
Montreal Central Train Station
metro Bonaventure
(enter via the metro,
or via the street at 895 de la Gauchetière West,
between University and Mansfield)
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** Meet at the large departures/arrivals sign in the main lobby of the
train station. Bring your banners, placards, flags and other symbols
of dissent. **
-- We demand that CN Rail drop their racist lawsuit against Mohawk
activists at Tyendinaga;
-- We stand in support and solidarity with indigenous struggles for
sovereignty and self-determination all over Turtle Island;
-- We denounce CN Rail's role in the corporate North American
Competitiveness Council and the Security and Prosperity Partnership
(SPP).
"When justice fails, block the rails!"
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"Canada" is a country built on stolen land and genocide: we come
together on July 1, in solidarity with native protests across Turtle
Island, as non-natives in opposition to Canadian colonialism and
racism. Join us for an anti-colonial anti-Canada Day!
Organized and endorsed by:
Block the Empire-Montreal (BLEM)
Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement (IPSM)
Liberterre
No One Is Illegal-Montreal
Tadamon! Montreal
La Pointe Libertaire
and others.
(to add your group endorsement, please contact noii-montreal@resist.ca)
INFO: 514-848-7583, noii-montreal@resist.ca
