Pointing the finger
Just winding down from a great event in Toronto this afternoon. RAN teamed up with the Christian Peacemaker Teams to influence the elections coming up here in Ontario. Volunteers worked on the massive banner for weeks. Today it found a home on the lawn of Queen’s Park, the provincial legislature. The message was simple: “native land rights now”.
The politics, of course, are more complicated. Candidates for the Premier’s office debated yesterday, but they didn’t say a word on native rights. Pretty shocking considering the spread of occupations and blockades throughout the north. Recent court rulings are (finally) beginning to recognize that First Nations hold real power over land use decision making in the province meaning big changes for the future of industrial development.
But the candidates prefer to quibble over whether creationism should be taught in school. We hope coverage of today’s event will get a real conversation started over how to bring meaningful change toward Ontario’s relationship with First Nations. At the least, we’ve sent the candidates a message too big to ignore!
Thanks to everyone who turned out–especially Judy DaSilva and Steve Fobister from Grassy Narrows First Nation, John Cutfeet from KI First Nation and Alvin Fiddler from NAN. It’s been an honor to work with all of you, not to mention the great team from CPT.
6 Responses to “Pointing the finger”
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September 23rd, 2007 at 10:51 pm
[...] FINALLY a few days ago RAN activists teamed up with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Toronto to do an action where about 200 folks got together in Queens Park, led by First Nations leaders, to demand the [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
As an individual with a small percentage of my heritage going back to Native Americans, I support Native rights 100% I am with the struggle and the eventual return to greatness of the Real Americans.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hello! and thanks for your wonderful work! I’m a psychotherapist who is also a student and teacher of NVC or non-violent/compassionate communication. I have some concern about the somewhat shrill and demanding tone of some of your correspondence at times, although I share your passion. I edited your letter to Roger Penske a bit to soften some of the requests, hopefully to make them sound less rigid/demanding. I have noticed that when I am attached to the outcome of my wishes and requests, I am less likely to receive what I am asking for.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Thanks for the feedback George. We’d love to see the edits. We’re always interested in improving our communication.
October 26th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
I also have a Heritage going back to Native Americans! I think they have Been Scalped many time’s by almost Everyone!
They are more Human than the PEOPLE who atack them!!!
October 28th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Creationism? That subject never comes up here! In this province (and country), we don’t question the fact of evolution. I don’t know what candidates’ debates you were hearing. The actual quibbling between, and obfuscating by, the candidates was regarding the funding of faith-based schools.