Three Days of Solidarity with the Hupacasath for Canada and Freedom! – Idle No More
For Immediate Release
Calgary, Alberta – June 5th, 6th & 7th, 2013, at Olympic Plaza, 228 – 8 Avenue SE, Idle No More and Concerned Canadians in solidarity with the Hupacasath will be holding Rallies and Round Dances.
In September of 2012, Prime Minister Harper and China’s President Wu signed a treaty entitled the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA). This treaty would lock Canada into a 31-year deal with China. FIPPA passed through Parliament without serious scrutiny or debate. However, it has not yet been ratified; the only thing standing in the way of FIPPA is the Hupacasath, a small group of First Nation people on the west coast. The Hupacasath have taken the federal government to court over FIPPA, and the hearings are underway, June 5th, 6th and 7th, 2013.
FIPPA will be detrimental to Canadian People and our Environment. China would have the right to take legal action against all levels of government and receive compensation from Canadian taxpayers for loss of profits. This includes any environmental protection rules that China’s government does not agree with. China could also be off the hook for paying clean-up costs associated with an oil spill or other environmental disaster.
Canadian employment standards will also be on the chopping block within Chinese companies, and the restrictions on foreign labour would not apply. Companies under the FIPPA agreement could refuse to follow Canadian standards including paying compensation to Canadian workers injured or families devastated by employees killed on the job.
Stand up for freedom and true democracy. Show Stephen Harper and his government that freedom and respect for Indigenous peoples matter. Raise your voices and let the Conservative Government know that economic development should not be at the expense of Our Environment and Our Children’s Future.
Rise in solidarity and support the Hupacasath in their mission to protect the Environment, Canadian Human Rights, Democracy and Our Future.
Details:
Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
12:00 PM – Noon
Olympic Plaza
228 – 8 Avenue SW
Thursday, June 6th, 2013
12:00 PM – Noon
Olympic Plaza
228 – 8 Avenue SW
Friday, June 7th, 2013
7:00 PM
Olympic Plaza
228 – 8 Avenue SW
Links:
- Information about FIPA – http://fipafacts.ca/
- Idle No More – http://www.idlenomore.ca/
- Idle No More Calgary – http://idlenomorecalgary.ca/
- Facebook Calgary Event Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/198847133598983/
Media Contacts:
Brian Seaman
Calgary Human Rights and Civil Liberties Lawyer
E: brianseaman@yahoo.com
C: 403-617-0082
Chantal Chagnon
Idle No More Calgary, Green Party of Canada
E: chantal.chagnon@greenparty.ca
C: 403-404-7664
Idle No More wins Samara’s Best Democratic Moment of 2012 – Idle No More
When Samara started the “Best Moment in Canadian Democracy” contest in 2011, the Arab Spring had just begun. Reflecting on these uprisings in the Middle East, an American in Samara’s community emailed to thank us for this contest, noting it was important to remember to be vigilant and celebrate democracy at home.
“Given what is happening in the Middle East now,” he wrote, “I think your survey results are particularly resonant… thanks for the reminder that democracy is important and for helping celebrate Canada’s own democracy.”
We are pleased to provide this opportunity for us to reflect on the best moments in Canadian democracy.
This year, you nominated five worthy candidates – the Quebec Student Movement, Female Premiers, Checks and Balances, the Speaker’s protection of minority voices, and Idle No More -and the votes are in. The winner, with 32% of the vote, is Idle No More.
The Idle No More movement may have begun in 2012, but it, and the demonstrations it’s spurred are thriving in 2013. Protests continue, Chief Theresa Spence continues her hunger strike and blockades are making international news.
The rise of the citizens’ voice through protest is a trend we’ve been seeing in this contest since its inception. In each year since this began a protest of some kind has won the contest: anti-prorogation rallies in 2010, the Occupy Movement in 2011 and now Idle No More in 2012.
These movements began, at least in part, online, or were considerably boosted through their presence in social media. While it’s likely true that an online contest privileges these types of movements, we still see it as a snapshot of what’s capturing the imagination of Canadians.
We hope you have enjoyed taking time to reflect on the best moments in Canada’s democracy last year, and here’s wishing you a democratic 2013!
*****
Congratulations to Ryan Patrice who, as the official winner of our contest, will be awarded a political book of his choice.
Final votes:
Idle No More: 32%
Female Premiers: 20%
Speaker’s ruling: 17%
Quebec Student Movement: 19%
Checks and Balances in Place: 10%
Despite heavy RCMP presence Mi’kmaq, Maliseet continue anti-fracking protests in New Brunswick – Idle No More
It was another day of protest in New Brunswick as Mi’kmaq, Maliseet and their supporters voiced their opposition to shale gas exploration in Kent County.
About 100 people have gathered near the town of Birch Ridge, NB, where SWN Resources Canada and their subcontractors have equipment and vehicles used for shale gas exploration stored.
SWN Resources Canada is one of the largest companies involved in shale gas exploration in the province. Many Mi’kmaq and Maliseet are opposed to the exploration, saying that it will eventually lead to ‘fracking’ and cause serious harm to the environment, especially water.
First Nations also say there was insufficient consultation done by the province.
Amateur video and photos show a heavy RCMP presence at the site of today’s protest, although the situation remains peaceful.
This is the fourth day of protests in New Brunswick, sparked when members of the Elsipogtog First Nation seized a vehicle belonging to Stantec, which is a Fredericton-based company subcontracted to SWN Resources Canada.
One of the protesters is Susan Levi-Peters, once Chief of Elsipogtog and former candidate for the provincial NDP. She says frustration is building with shale gas exploration and with the RCMP.
Levi-Peters says with tensions running so high, the province’s Premier David Alward should halt further shale gas exploration until all sides can come together and discuss the path forward.
But she and others warn that with opposition against shale gas exploration so high, it’s unlikely First Nations will agree to allow the industry to develop.
Here’s a brief timeline of events:
Tuesday, June 4
Members of Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick surrounded a vehicle owned by Stantec that was parked at a restaurant near the community. RCMP intervened and brought the vehicle to the local station. Community members followed and refused to allow the vehicle to leave. The vehicle was eventually returned to the company and no arrests were made. Following the incident, New Brunswick’s Energy Minister issued a call for protests to remain peaceful.
Wednesday, June 5
Around 100 people from Elsipogtog and surrounding communities gather on provincial route 126, at the SWN Resources Canada site. Witnesses say although the protest was peaceful, a large contingent of RCMP moved in and arrested 3, including a 16-year-old. The Chief of Elsipogtog, Arren Sock, issued a statement saying that the community is opposed to shale gas exploration and that Mi’kmaq voices must be heard. He also issued a call for calm among protesters, urging them to remain peaceful and lawful.
Thursday, June 6
Another afternoon of protests on route 126. Around 100 gather again and there was a heavy RCMP presence but no arrests are made.
Friday, June 7
Over 100 are gathered at the site on route 126, including St. Mary’s First Nation Chief Candice Paul. Chief Paul has been opposed to the shale gas industry since the province announced exploration would begin over the winter.
Tim Fontaine – APTN National News
Treaty no. 6, 7 and 8 Chiefs Upset with INAC Education Meeting – Idle No More
…Prior to the meeting date, in line with protocol and tradition the Chiefs of Treaty no. 6, 7 and 8 held a pipe ceremony for guidance and understanding. This ceremony was intended to allow our Treaty partners to respect and understand the Chiefs position and to facilitate meaningful dialog. Entering the meeting, Grand Chief Makinaw stated that:
“…this must not be considered consultation, as the Chiefs of Treaty 6 are deeply disappointed by the absence of the Minister. The outcome of the January 11 meeting with the Prime Minister was a dedication to High Level meetings with Chiefs, and this does not meet that dedication and any conversation that takes place must be taken without prejudice.”
This statement, following the strong words of Grand Chief Charles Weaselhead expressed the disappointment experienced by the Chiefs, and dictated the tone of this brief discussion. The Grand Chiefs took turns putting forth a statement for the record, and after some short comments by the Minister via telephone, his communication ended abruptly. At this point the National Chief was given the opportunity to speak, and expressed support for the Chiefs of Treaty no. 6, 7 and 8 as well as the need for the Minister to sit and discuss this issue in person.
With that the Chiefs stated that they did not wish to converse with technicians as it was outside the dedication put forth by the Prime Minister, and would reserve further discussion for a, yet unscheduled, later meeting. The Chiefs then advised the INAC technicians that this means no disrespect and called an end to the meeting and began to exit…READ COMPLETE RELEASE
Elijah Harper, key player in Meech Lake accord, dies at 64 – Idle No More
Elijah Harper, a former Manitoba MLA and MP who was a key player in defeating the Meech Lake accord, has died at the age of 64. Harper died early Friday in Ottawa as a result of cardiac failure due to diabetes complications, according to a statement released by his family.
Harper achieved national fame in 1990 by holding an eagle feather as he stood in the Manitoba legislature and refused to support the Meech Lake accord, effectively blocking the constitutional amendment package negotiated to gain Quebec’s acceptance of the Constitution Act of 1982.
Harper protested that the proposed accord was negotiated in 1987 without the input of Canada’s aboriginal peoples.
The accord required ratification by all 10 provincial legislatures and Parliament, and Harper’s action prevented Manitoba from doing so before the deadline. Newfoundland followed by cancelling its free vote in the legislature.
Family says Harper ‘a true leader and visionary’
His wife, Anita Olsen Harper, his children and the family said in the statement that Harper “was a wonderful man, father, partner. He was a true leader and visionary in every sense of the word.”
The statement added: “He will have a place in Canadian history, forever, for his devotion to public service and uniting his fellow First Nations with pride, determination and resolve. Elijah will also be remembered for bringing aboriginal and non-aboriginal people together to find a spiritual basis for healing and understanding. We will miss him terribly and love him forever.”…READ FULL AT CBC
It is, in the end, the story of one man and one feather.
The man is there for history to measure. He has a name, an age and an address: Elijah Harper, 41, of Red Sucker Lake, Northern Manitoba. He has a voice to speak for himself, a past that can be traced and on Friday (June 22) he took action on a matter for which he will be forever judged.
At 12:30 p.m. his very soft “No” from the back row of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly brought an end to debate on the Meech Lake Accord. Elijah Harper knows he will be both blamed and cheered for having done what no one else would dare.
The feather is not so easily explained… (Windspeaker, The feather, Elijah Harper and Meech Lake)
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba First Nations offered his condolences to the family of Elijah Harper, and reflected on his significance to Indigenous people in Canada:
As a residential school survivor, Elijah spent a large part of his life fighting for the rights of First Nations people of Canada and for the betterment of the human condition around the world while he was a Chief of Red Sucker Lake First Nation, worked with the Manitoba Indian Brotherhood, a Member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, a Member of Parliament and as a Commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission. As a humber leader, he made Canadian history when he, with eagle feather in hand, said ‘No’ to the Meech Lake Accord. He felt that the Indigenous people of this country were not being recognized or being allowed to participate in a meaningful way in that constitutional process. (Rabble, Elijah Harper remembered: ‘He will have a place in Canadian history forever’)
Greatness is a Gift…He Was Our Gift