Anishinaabe Water Walk to Unite Treaty 3 People against Energy East Pipeline – Idle No More

On August 2, 2015, nearly two dozen (or more) Anishinaabe Women and Men, Youth and Elders will be joined by supporters in a week-long walk against the Energy East Pipeline. The walk will cover more than 125 km of TransCanada’s proposed pipeline route where it crosses and threatens more than a dozen waterways in Treaty 3 Territory. The Anishinaabe Water Walk is organized by Grassroots Indigenous Water Defence (GIWD).

Water Walk Poster

What:   The Anishinaabe Water Walk is a week-long walk along the route of the proposed TransCanada Energy East Pipeline project, to protect the waters of Treaty 3 Territories.

When:  Sunday August 2 to Saturday August 8, 2015.

Where: Highway 17, Eagle Lake to Shoal Lake, Ontario, Treaty 3. (see itinerary below for details)

Why:     The Energy East Pipeline would be the highest volume tarsands pipeline on the continent—tarsands growth representing one of the biggest threats to the planet’s changing climate—and given recent pipeline spills, amongst other concerns, constitutes an unacceptable risk to local waterways and the health of lands, wildlife and people in Treaty 3 Anishinaabe Territories.

Organizing against oil pipelines and other environmentally destructive resource extraction industries is just one example of how First Nations Peoples are positioned at the forefront of the contemporary environmental movement, and are engaged in an intertwined process of protecting lands and waters in their Territories while also forwarding political sovereignty and cultural resurgence.

Who:     Grassroots Indigenous Water Defence was founded in 2014 by Anishinaabe Women from Treaty 3 communities as a response to the threat posed by the Energy East pipeline.

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Contact:   Grassroots Indigenous Water Defence, Media Liaison @ GrassrootsIndigenous2015@gmail.com

 

Quotes

“The Love we hold for our children is the same we hold for the land, the water, the air and the future generations which depend on the decisions we make today. Water is life. Our Anishinaabe laws and values tell us everything we need to know about Energy East. That is why we say no.”

-Fawn Wapioke, Lead Water Walker, Shoal Lake #39 mother and Chief.

 

“It is very important that we as Anishinabek youth stand up and start acting and fighting for the water. We need to speak out to everybody and show them that the mistreatment of water needs to stop now. All people across Turtle Island, from all walks of life need to realize that our water is at risk from industry like this pipeline, and we need to start thinking about the future we are leaving for our children.”

-Edmond Jack, Lead Water Walker, Grassy Narrows Youth Organization.

 

“The Anishinaabe Water Walk in our home territory is to bring awareness to people of the threats to this very precious life giving source. The walk is meant to call attention to what is threatening the water—mercury in the English-Wabigoon River near Grassy Narrows, new mining near Wabaskang, the proposed Goliath Gold Mine near Wabigoon, and TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline which is going through the process of consultations to push the oil through these lands. These are the kind of serious water issues people need to look at in Kenora and Treaty 3 if they want to keep the water pristine for future generations—we need to be good ancestors. ”

-Judy Da Silva, Water Walk Organizer, Grassroots Indigenous Water Defence, Grassy Narrows mother and grandmother.

 

“First Nations are on the forefront of the fight against the impacts of climate change, as well as its primary drivers like the expansion of Canada’s tar sands and its pipeline infrastructure such as the TransCanada Energy East pipeline proposal. The Sacred Water Walk in Treaty 3 Territory against the path of the project is one of the most important grassroots initiatives to support in this major fight to protect our water, land and collective rights against the agenda of big oil and the Harper government.”

Clayton Thomas-Muller, Indigenous Climate Campaigner, 350.org.

 

Walk Itinerary

Evenings, at camp sites, will include daily traditional teachings and/or workshops presented by experienced facilitators, Elders, and others.

Saturday, August 1 – Opening Ceremony at Eagle Lake Pow Wow, 9-11am

  • Pow Wow breakfast sponsored and served by GIWD

Sunday, August 2 – Start at Eagle Lake Pow Wow grounds to Eagle Lake Bypass. Distance 16 km. Camping at Eagle Lake Pow Wow Grounds.

  • Youth Walk – Sunday morning, children will be leading the day’s portion of the Walk

Monday, August 3 – Eagle Lake Bypass to Km 30, Vermillion Bay. Distance 30 km. Camping at Eagle Lake.

Tuesday, August 4 – Start at Km 30 to Dixie Lake. Distance 30 km. Camping at Willard Lake.

Wednesday, August 5 – Dixie Lake to Kenora Bypass. Distance 30 km. Camping at Rushing River.

Thursday, August 6 – Kenora Bypass East to Kenora Bypass West.  Distance 30 km. Camping at Grand Council Treaty 3.

  • Walk will be going through downtown Kenora.

Friday, August 7 – Kenora Bypass West to Shoal Lake Junction. Distance 30 km. Camping at Shoal Lake Pow wow Grounds.

Saturday, August 8 – Shoal Lake Junction to Shoal Lake Pow Wow Grounds. Distance 9 km. Camping at shoal Lake Pow Wow Grounds.

MORE DETAILS INCLUDING DAILY EVENTS AND START TIMES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.

 

Idle No More Joins the Neil Young Tour (USA) – Idle No More

INMhand.jpgIdle No More is pleased to announce that we have been invited to travel with Neil Young’s Rebel Content tour during July 2015. We will be one of twelve leading environmental rights and justice organizations on the tour that are tackling today’s greatest environmental challenges through education and by impacting legislation. 

 

INM will be a part of the traveling village of eco defenders, from July 16th until July 22nd. Our representative will be on hand at each of Neil Young’s concerts on the Rebel Content Tour to answer all your questions about the work Idle No More is doing and about the network of Indigenous rights allies.  Our booth will be located in the Freedom & Justice section of the travelling village.

 

Neil Young has also generously donated tickets to Idle No More, which will be available for sale from our representative, for several of the shows. We are honoured to join this delegation of dedicated organizations, so we can continue raising awareness about  Indigenous rights, climate change, corporate takeover of our food supply and many other environmental issues affecting us all.

Neil Young’s Rebel Content tour dates and cities:

  • 1_TMY_website.pngJuly 16 Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ
  • July 17 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY
  • July 19 Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, VT
  • July 21 Jones Beach inWantagh, NY
  • July 22 Xfinity Center in Great Woods, MA.

 

To contact our rep for ticket purchases to one or more of the show, you can phone or text Tori at 415-316-3934. Our tickets are limited and selling fast at each city. Hurry so you don’t miss out to come rock with Neil Young & Promise of the Real on the Rebel Content Tour. Arrive early to come check out the Traveling Eco-Village and see how you can help raise awareness with those leading the way in Climate Change campaigns happening all over Turtle Island. Together we can make positive changes for the next 7 generations.  

This is an exciting opportunity to support Idle No More while rocking out to Neil Young! Can’t make it to one of the concerts? Spread the word to your friends or contact us to host an Idle No More gathering at your own hometown.

 

Solidarity with the COTTFN – Idle No More

Idle No More & Defenders of the Land stand in solidarity with Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in their legal challenge against Enbridge’s Line 9 pipeline project.

Last April, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation (COTTFN) filed with the Federal Court of Appeal to challenge the National Energy Board (NEB) approval of Line 9, saying that the federal Crown provided no consultation with COTTFN on the project, as is their right. Line 9 crosses through Chippewas of the Thames’ traditional and treaty territory, including the Thames River which provides a source of drinking water to the First Nation.

 

Line 9 crosses every major tributary that flows into Lake Ontario. A spill from Line 9 could threaten the drinking water of over 10 million people and devastate rivers with bitumen that cannot be cleaned up.

 

Despite the COTTFN court challenge and requests from several municipalities to conduct an environmental assessment, the NEB approved Enbridge’s request to reverse the flow of the line, increase its capacity, and use it to transport diluted bitumen and fracked oil. Bitumen has proved to be detrimental to public health and the environment as evidenced by the Michigan Kalamazoo River spill in 2010 and numerous other spills across North America. The serious toll of fracking on health and the environment is also increasingly coming to light as more fracked oil and contaminated wastewater spill.

 

Line 9 would also contribute to the expansion of the tar sands by providing another export route. The tar sands emit massive amounts of CO2 and are creating a toxic sacrifice zone in much of Alberta. Several communities near the tar sands, including Fort Chipewyan, have reported cancer clusters and massive ecological changes threatening wildlife populations and traditional food systems.

 

The NEB’s approval of Line 9 is a violation of COTTFN’s treaty rights, which are affirmed in Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution. The Line 9 approval is also a direct violation of internationally recognized Indigenous rights, which include the right of free, prior, and informed consent, as stated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

 

For these reasons, we support Chippewas of the Thames First Nation in their legal challenge to Line 9 and urge the court to hold the NEB accountable to its treaty responsibilities as a body of the Canadian government.

 

 

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Idle No More Stands in Solidarity with the Families of the Missing Ayotzinapa Students of Mexico – Idle No More

Idle No More supports and stands in solidarity with the families of the missing Ayotzinapa students following Mexico’s mid-term elections. Several months ago the families of the 43 missing students denounced yesterday’s midterm election, stating that the conditions would not allow a fair and transparent election due to the evidence of links between organized crime and local governments. The recent election has been called the “Narco-Elections” by activists and protesters.SolidarityMexico1.jpg

As reported by Telesur, activists, which includes teachers and other concerned citizens,  in the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, called for a boycott of the vote stating that “the election is a ‘farce’ that will only serve to legitimize a political system that is closely tied to organized crime.”  In the  weeks leading up to the election, 9 candidates were killed, underscoring the extreme violence that has swept the country.

Mainstream media and other sources have reported deaths, arrests, and violence in the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Guerrero, Puebla, Yucatan Chihuahua, and Michoacan. It has also been reported that 415 polling stations were closed due to the violent disruptions.

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We oppose the use of the military to cordon off the city of Guerrero in an attempt to deceive the world that the June 7th election would be “peaceful”. We oppose the use of militarized police and the Mexican army in an attempt to subdue, silence, harm, and kill those who have stood up in opposition to the federal elections held in the state of Guerrero.

We ask you to join us in Solidarity to support those who have been leading the movement to bring back the 43 Ayotzinapa students alive, as they are firmly opposed the federal elections being held in the state of Guerrero.

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Violence that has been reported is continuing at this very moment. Stand with us in Solidarity as we demand justice for the families of the missing Ayotzinapa students and support their stand against corruption, violence, the deaths of those opposed, and countless human rights violations during the recent Mexican midterm elections.  

Photos Credit: SC # YoSoy132’s Facebook page

Anti Chevron Toronto – May Events Update – Idle No More

May 21st, 2015 International #AntiChevron Day of Action

Toronto Solidarity Committee – Day of Action

On May 21st, 2015 the Canadian Solidarity Committee, Chevron’s Dirty Hand organized the second #AntiChevron International Day of Action outside of the R.B.C. in downtown Toronto. Allies from Six Nations of the Grand River, the migrant community, and labour movement reps joined in solidarity to raise awareness and support of the Black Hand campaign in Canada directly in the financial district of 11258912_787725438001048_6869523384970427334_o.jpgToronto. We support the ongoing international fight to hold Chevron (formerly Texaco), accountable for one of the worst man made environmental disasters on the planet.

We are the land and violence against our territories is violence against our people. We are directly connected with our land and water, whether we live in North or South America our people are getting sick due to the poison and devastation left behind in the wake of “development” and progress. This has been going on since contact and together we will rise and lead the way to climate sustainability by making the right choices about what “development” happens in our territories. 

“We are here in solidarity from the Grand River. It is now time to fulfill the prophecy of the Condor and the Eagle. The struggle of the Indigenous people of South America is our struggle too, that’s why we are here standing in Solidarity with our brothers and sisters. It’s time to stop Chevron.” said Jagwadeth of Six Nations.

 Why This Matters in Canada?

With the Canadian Federal Government entering into agreements such as Canada-China FIPA, this matters because with corporations being accountable to no one in these agreements, we are now facing the same reckless disregard for water, land and people on our territories, while Canada can face multimillion dollar lawsuits for any laws that harm the corporate profits of outside investors.

Below is a key point analysis as reported by TeleSur on Dec. 12/14 in an article titled “10 Key Points on Ecuador’s Battle with Chevron

  1. Texaco, later Chevron, has been found guilty of causing one of the world’s greatest environmental disasters while drilling for oil in the Ecuadorean Amazon between 1954 and 1990.
  2. Contamination in the Amazon over this period is estimated to involve 80 times the amount of oil spilled in the infamous 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.
  3. Contamination in the Amazon over this period is estimated to involve 80 times the amount of oil spilled in the infamous 2010 BP Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.
  4. Chevron is also accused of overseeing a fraudulent remediation in 1995, which encouraged residents to build homes on top of and near oil pits they thought had been cleaned by the company.
  5. Challenging Chevron’s actions, 30,000 Ecuadoreans are engaged in private legal action to demand compensation.
  6. Chevron fought for years to have the case moved to Ecuador, where many have said it believed it would get a favorable outcome.
  7. In 2011, an independent Ecuadorean court ordered Chevron to pay billions in compensation and remediation.
  8. In 2013 the Ecuadorean Supreme Court ratified that ruling and set the compensation to US$ 9.5 billion.
  9. Chevron is accused of spending millions of dollars – more than it has paid for any clean-up – on lawyers and political lobbying in order to avoid paying. A spokesperson for Chevron famously said, “We’re going to fight this until hell freezes over. And then we’ll fight it out on the ice.”
  10. As Chevron no longer has any assets in Ecuador and refuses to pay, the plaintiffs are seeking to seize Chevron’s assets internationally, including in Canada.

Background

Chevron, formerly known as Texaco, contaminated the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest for over 20 years, leaving pollution 30 times larger than the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska, becoming the probably largest oil-related environmental catastrophe in the world. This caused the destruction of great parts of the Amazon Rainforest and the death and sickness of thousands of people and generations. Health issues to the Indigenous peoples in the surrounding regions include cancer epidemics, miscarriages, deformations, skin problems, etc.

This is the reason why 30’000 affected people represented by the Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia, sued Chevron in a court in New York, USA. However Chevron fought to have the trial moved to Ecuador.

Finally, in 2011, after nearly 20 years of legal battle, the Ecuadorian court, ruled that Chevron had to pay for the destruction that it caused and to compensate the victims. On December 11, 2013 the Supreme Court of Ecuador ratified the ruling and set the final amount owed at $9.5 billion. 

Chevron has retracted their assets in Ecuador so as a result, the indigenous plaintiffs are now trying to gain justice in several Courts across the globe, including Canada. On December 17, 2013, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled that the Ecuadorian indigenous communities indeed have the right to pursue all of Chevron’s assets in Canada to enforce the $9.5 billion Ecuador judgment (Chevron’s assets in Canada are estimated to be worth $15 billion). Thus, the entirety of the Ecuador judgment can be collected in Canada if our communities prevail on their enforcement action. On December 11th, 2014 the Supreme Court of Canada’s (SCC) held a hearing relating to jurisdictional debates in the case 35682, Chevron Corporation, et al. v. Daniel Carlos Lusitande Yaiguaje, et al. A final ruling is expecting in the fall 2015.

The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa has also exposed Chevron’s pollution and corruption which they are eagerly trying to hide. Further, presidents, activist, political parties and social movements from across the world have shown their support for Correa’s calling for justice.

Given that the legal battle against Chevron now continues in Canada, several organizations and collectives in Toronto created the Canadian Committee in Solidarity with the affected communities by Chevron. Two of their members joined the Ecuadorian School of Good Living (Escuela del Buen Vivir) in a trip to the Amazon Rainforest where they witnessed the destruction left by the oil giant Chevron. 

The communities affected by Chevron deserve Justice! 

Together we can make this company accountable! 

Join the Canadian Solidarity Committee and stand with us, stand with the communities affected by Chevron in Ecuador. 

Follow us on Twitter, Chevron’s Dirty Hand.

Like us on Facebook, Chevron’s Dirty Hand.

Email us for more information, chevronsdirtyhand@gmail.com.

INMroots: From Apology To Action – Idle No More

INMroots-_9_(1).jpgThe world had its eyes on Canada this week as the final gathering for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission convened in Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Territory. The gathering brought together residential school survivors, their descendants, and other concerned citizens to review the long-awaited final report of recommendations that resulted from a 5-year investigation into the genocidal legacy of the residential school era. The final report lists 94 calls to action. Read those and more critical news stories in this edition of INM Roots.

WORLD WIDE

EVENTS

International Two Spirit Gathering: August 13 – 16
Join the Event or Learn More

 

COMMUNITY

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action
Read More

Amah Mutsun Tribal Band: Open Letter to Pope Francis
Read More

From Our Ancestors
Learn More and Watch the Film

National Election Official of Mexico Ridicules Indigenous Peoples
Read More

 

For Our Ancestors Image

CENTRAL

EVENTS

Idle No More Minnesota in Solidarity with the Indigenous Bloc: June 6
Join the Event or Learn More

Cuyahoga River Water Walk: June 22 – 27
Join the Event or Learn More

Anishinaabe Treaty 3 Water Walk: August 3 – 7
Join the Event or Learn More

 

COMMUNITY:

Defenders of the Black Hills Camp-out: June 10 – 16
Read More

Idle No More @ The Climate, Justice & Jobs March in Toronto: July 7
Read More

Idle No More Opaskwayak Cree Nation says NO to C-51
Read More

Walk to End Violence
Read More



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SOUTH

COMMUNITY

Nihígaal bee Iiná Stand with Apache Stronghold at Oak Flat
Read More

Join Cooperation Jackson for the Summer of Our Power Southern People’s Movement Assembly for a Just Transition
Join the Event or Learn More

 

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EAST

EVENTS

Native-Immigrant Presents: Beadworks: Visions Of Peace Art Show Call For Artists
Join the Event or Learn More

US Social Forum 2015 in Philadelphia, June 25 – 28
Join the Event or Learn More

 

COMMUNITY

The Migration Water Walk 2015: June 23
Read More or Join the Event

Anti Chevron Toronto – May Events Update

Read More

March to the End of the Line – No Energy East in Wolastoq Territory, Redhead NB
Read More

 

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WEST

EVENTS

Kamloops “Unsettling Canada – A National Wake Up Call” Book Launch: June 10
Read More

Red Jam Slam Radio Festival: June 17 – 21
Read More or Join Event

US Social Forum 2015 in San Jose: June 24 – 28
Join the Event or Learn More

COMMUNITY

Grassroots Secwepemc Warrior Women Update
Read More

Artist Tannis Monkman Nielsen – Update on her Artwork Donations
Read More & View Artwork Here

Red Jam Slam Radio Festival – Idle No More

 

The Red Jam Slam Society exists to host events, celebrations, and annual festivals that promote and feature emerging and seasoned aboriginal artists and performers. We are creating a five day Radio festival celebrating Aboriginal Week airing live from five venues in Vancouver beautiful British Columbia and will be broadcasted from station-to-station and coast-to-coast in Canada.

The live show will also be available via podcast or Internet Stream. We’re raising funds to ensure quality of stage and broadcasts throughout the radio festival. The radio festival will run from June 17 till June 21. Click here to help Support the Festival’s crowdsourced funding.

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The Impact

The Red Jam Slam Radio Festival will create an opportunity for listeners and audience members to hear expressions of healing and caring for mother earth and respect for our own cultural teachings while staying in tune with others living on mother earth.

Hello Red Jam Slam supporters! We are pleased to announce our 3rd Annual Red Jam Slam Radio Festival! This year’s festival is going to be so very very awesome. We have invited five venues:

June 17 – Musqeaum Cultural Centre, 4000 Musqueam Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. Detailed Updates on the Facebook Event Page Here

June 18 – Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre, 875 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC – Detailed Updates on the Facebook Event Page Here.

June 19 – Location in collaboration with the Vancouver School Board at the Strathcona School Auditorium – Detailed Updates on the Facebook Event Page Here.

June 20 – Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC – Detailed Updates on the Facebook Event Page Here.

June 21 – The Bill Reid Gallery, 639 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC – Detailed Updates on the Facebook Event Page Here.

Each location will be accessible via location or by radio live-remote feed to these participating radio stations: 

CITR – http://citr.ca

CKXU – Lethbridge Radio – http://www.ckxu.com

CJSF – http://www.cjfs.ca

CKUW Winnipeg Radio – 95.9 FM – http://www.ckuw.ca

CHUO – Ottawa – http://chuo.fm

CKDU – Halifax – http://www.ckdu.ca

Our goal is to have region to region air time. Thanks to all venues and stations for participating in what will be our biggest annual event yet! Please stay tuned for the line up of each location and day!

Risks & Challenges

The risks and obstacles have been to ensure a clear radio feed provided by CITR UBC Campus Radio Station from each venue to each participating station. We have tested the feed and received positive results. Your contributions will enable us to have continued success during the Red Jam Slam radio festival from June 17th -June 21st from 1PM-5PM Pacific Time.

What We Need & What You Get

What we need is money for equipment rentals and props? We also need money to fund the crews for the sound and stage to ensure a professional appearance as well to help with travel expenses. The show will appear before a live studio audience and then broadcasted from Vancouver BC to  Ottawa Ontario . Even the smallest of donations will receive our gratitude and thanks larger donations will receive digital link to copies of the show. Those who can contribute more will benefit from the professional sound with a downloadable MP3 copy of the five-day performance. You can make an online donation on our IndieGoGo fundraising page, Red Jam Slam 2015 Radio Festival.

Other Ways You Can Help

We understand that not everyone can help with money. And we still need your help because you can share this event with your friends your family and communities. We asked that you share this on Facebook and Twitter with your community because no matter how many friends you have, you can be a big contributor to this campaign by sharing in your circles.

Unsettling Canada – Kamloops Book Launch – Idle No More

UC_flyer_Kamloops_rev.jpgJoin Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson for a launch of “Unsettling Canada.” 

“Unsettling Canada” chronicles the modern struggle for Indigenous rights covering fifty years of struggle over a wide range of historical, national, and recent international breakthroughs.

“Unsettling Canada” is built on a unique collaboration between two First Nations leaders, Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ron Derrickson.

Both men have served as chiefs of their bands in the B.C. interior and both have gone on to establish important national and international reputations. But the differences between them are in many ways even more interesting. Arthur Manuel is one of the most forceful advocates for Aboriginal title and rights in Canada and comes from the activist wing of the movement. Grand Chief Ron Derrickson is one of the most successful Indigenous businessmen in the country.

Together the Secwepemc activist intellectual and the Syilx (Okanagan) businessman bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to Canada’s most glaring piece of unfinished business: the place of Indigenous peoples within the country’s political and economic space. The story is told through Arthur’s voice but he traces both of their individual struggles against the colonialist and often racist structures that have been erected to keep Indigenous peoples in their place in Canada.

Information and details on the flyer below, or check out the Facebook Event page, Kamloops launch: Unsettling Canada.

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No Energy East in Wolastoq Territory

Why do we walk?

  1. To protect our community.

  2. To oppose the tar sands and the Energy East pipeline

Trina_Roache.jpgBecause this 42-inch diameter export pipeline also implies a 150-hectare tank farm situated right in the middle of the rural community of Red Head, a 183-hectare marine terminal complex and some supertankers carrying 2.2 million barrels of oil crossing over the Bay of Fundy which threaten :

  • The traditional lands of the Wolastoq (Maliseet) First Nations
  • The 1500 residents of Red Head
  • The Saint-John River, its tributaries and the drinking water of hundred thousand people
  • The Bay of Fundy’s rich biodiversity and endangered species like the North Atlantic Right Whales
  • Our climate
Photo by Trina Roache.

Over 500 people marched in Red Head, at the end of the proposed Energy East pipeline in Saint John, New Brunswick on Saturday May 30th. Community residents stood with First Nations to protest TransCanada’s proposed pipeline that would bring 1.1 million barrels of tar sands oil and build an oil tank terminal on the shore of the Bay of Fundy.

March to the #‎EndoftheLine Wolastoq Organizer & community leader, Ron Tremblay speaks about today’s ceremony and purpose

 

Clayton Thomas Mullers VLOG from ‘March 2 #EndoftheLine’ in Wolastoq Territory, Redhead NB 

Yinka Dine Alliance standing in solidarity with Wolastoq Nation against Energy East

 

 

You can stay up today on the fight to stop Energy East in New Brunswick on their website found HERE.

 

The Migration Water Walk 2015 – Idle No More

The Migration Water Walk 2015 will begin from the land of the Wabanaki, on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at Matane, Quebec and end at Madeline Island in Wisconsin on or around August 20, 2015.
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We will arrive and set up camp on June 22nd, have pipes smoked, share our creation stories and especially the Original Great Migration to Madeline Island where food was found growing on water. Then on June 23rd, we will move forward towards the First Original Stopping Point at Gitigan Zibing. Pipes will be smoked, sharing of traditions, migration stories and nightly drumming, fun for all.

The Migration Walk is mainly to raise awareness about Oil spillage either by ships and/or trains. This causes great concern on the lakes and rivers from Lake Superior on down to St. Lawrence River and beyond.

Secondly, the other purpose is to seek our history(s) of the past migration of long ago before it gets lost in the minds of our young people. The stories are so beautiful and full of prophesy that we must pay attention to.

Along the way the Walkers will visit the stopping points of the original migration to hear history as it is remembered by the wisdom keepers. We will complete the journey again at Madeline Island in Wisconsin where the original migration ancestors found food that grows on water.(wild rice)

The-Migration-of-the-Anishinabe-from-The-Mishomis-Book-by-Edward-Benton-Banai-on-page-99.jpgAt the onset, June 22, 2015, it is my hope that the Eastern people will come and share their ancestral stories of the original Migration. Pipes will be lit in the wee hours of the morning as in the olden days, the Water Drums will be sounded and tobacco offered as each tribe recounts their stories. I have mailed tobacco by courier for Matane, QC who I hope will host this historic event.

1. Presently, I am unfamiliar with the layout of the land, there is a need for someone who can find a campground where the event will happen.
2. What are the hotels like and are they within the area. I have spoke to two of the Eastern Doorway Chiefs who know what is taking place and will need accomodations when they arrive, by car. They are Jim Dumont and Edward Benton.
3. Is the river close by, it was suggested that there will be canoes that will move to the St. Lawrence from the river in Matane.

On the morning of the 23rd June, we start the Send Off after the Offerings are made to the River and then we are off. Our first stop will be where the migration first stopped. This I am not sure but I think it may be someplace by Gitigan Zibing(Garden River) Quebec.

So, this is as far as I can say for now. Because the location is not confirmed by the local people of Matane, I cannot say with certainty with Posters or Brochures. Which is why I was asking for help from the people who are more familiar with the town/city, I need the blessing from the Town fathers or Council or how you call them, I am not even sure. City Council?

Help support us by visiting our Facebook Auction Page. You can also stay up to date on our Facebook event page, The Migration Water Walk 2015

Dear Supporters:

Please tell this to whomever can respond to my request.

Once again, I am approaching people to assist us with the rental of a van for approximately 2 months. I am hopeful that you can recognize the importance of refining the role of Native women as life-givers and protectors of water in our country. I do not ask governments for money because this work is voluntary. Much has been accomplished; media, newspapers, radio and First Nations/Tribes have become so much more aware of the need for women to protect the water for future generations.

This year our work will be raising awareness of oil spills by train derailments across Ontario and Quebec and including ships that may spill oil as they cross the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. This year we start at Matane, QC on the Migration Waterwalk along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. The migration journey will end at Madeline Island, Wisconsin. Just as the original Great Migration of our ancestors we will stop at all the original stopping points until we reach where “food grows on water” (wild rice) and end at Madeline Island.

On the 22nd of June, there will be a reunion with our eastern clans: Pasmaquaddy, Abenaki/Wabanaki, Micmac, Ojibways and all other clans to tell stories of the Great Migration and share the history of our people. Pipes, Tobacco, and Drums will emerge as our sacred stories are shared. The walk will start on the 23rd June 2015. I hope you can be present for this historic event.

It is with great hope that I close, trusting that anyone can help in this very important venture. If it is impossible for a van rental, alternatively a cash donation would be equally helpful.

Make a Donation

Contact Us by Email

Josephine Mandamin
Lead Waterwalker

Mother Earth Water Walk