A group of students, community members
and tribal leaders from across the region gathered in the biting-cold
Friday afternoon to express support for First Nations leaders who
are protesting alleged treaty-rights violations by the Canadian government.
About 40 people, including Ute Mountain
Ute Tribal Council Vice Chairman Bradley Hight and tribal council
member Juanita Plentyholes, attended the local solidarity protest
in Buckley Park.
The gathering was one of dozens across
the world that are part of the Idle No More protest movement, which
was sparked in part by the hunger protest of Theresa Spence, chief
of the Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario. According
to Canadian news sources, Spence has been on a liquid-only diet
for the last month to bring awareness to aboriginal grievances,
including legislation that indigenous leaders claim violates sovereignty
and treaty rights. The budget-related bill covers a broad range
of subjects, including land use and resource policies, environmental
protections and requirements for leasing reserve lands.
Spence also demanded a meeting with both
Canadian Governor-General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen
Harper, which had not occurred as of Friday evening.
Johnston planned to hold a ceremonial
meeting with dozens of First Nations chiefs Friday night, and Harper
met with representatives of the Assembly of First Nations during
the day, but the two did not plan to hold a joint meeting.
At the local gathering, Fort Lewis Colleges
Bala Sinem choir formed a drumming circle, and several people spoke
about the need to support the Native American leaders in Canada.
This is our way of showing support
through dance and song, said Noel Altaha, a senior at FLC.
The gatherings goal also was to educate Native Americans and
non-Native Americans about issues happening with the planet and
Native American rights, Altaha said.
We want to send the message out
that we stand strong with our brothers and sisters, said Kenny
Frost, a Native American consultant and member of the Southern Ute
Indian Tribe. 2012 wasnt the beginning, or the end,
of the world, but it is a new era for native people, and were
witnessing that today.
Native Americans in the U.S. are fighting
similar battles as those in Canada in order to maintain their hunting,
fishing and water rights, Plentyholes said.
Things are being taken away slowly,
and its still happening now, she said.
It is especially important for tribal
leaders to participate in these types of protests, Hight said.
We have to show the younger generations
that were still fighting for what we fought for when we made
the first treaties, he said.
ecowan@durangoherald.com
To learn more about Idle
No More visit their website at http://idlenomore.ca/
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