Native Land Rights Now!: In advance of the October 10th elections in Ontario, more than 250 human rights and environmental advocates and First Nation leaders descended on the Legislature last Friday (September 21) to issue a challenge to all political parties to take immediate, concrete action to resolve longstanding Native land rights issues stemming from unrestrained logging and mining in the Boreal forest.
The demonstration, organized by RAN and the Christian Peacemakers Team, involved a massive 75-yard banner in the shape of an arrow reading, “Native Land Rights Now,” which they pointed at the Legislature while First Nation leaders spoke and helicopters captured the scene from overhead.
Native groups in attendance–which included the Grassy Narrows, Ardoch and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nations–are demanding a moratorium on industrial activities on their traditional territories that occur without their free, prior and informed consent.
To take action, please visit: www.FreeGrassy.org
Please spread the word. This election season is an opportune time to make sure that these key issues are made a priority instead of swept under the rug.
Great job to those of you who were in Toronto and made it out!
In Solidarity.
