Anishinabek men set up camp over Coldwater “surrender”

News release from the camp April 25 2012

Coldwater Heritage Museum Board of Directors have requested to the organizers of an Anishinabek Oshkimaadzig Camp to pack up and leave the Museum’s property as soon as possible in a show of good faith after setting up camp without permission.

The Camp has been set up for over a week by three Anishinabek Men who are trying to bring an awareness of the 1764 Niagara Treaty Belt, 24 Nations Belt, Two Row Wampum, the One Dish One Spoon Belt and the Ojibway Friendship Belt where they feel Canada’s Specific Claims Policy along with the Indian Act are in breach of these peace agreements as well as the Canadian Constitution. 

” Our intention was not to cause any disruption between the residents of Coldwater or the members of the Four Communities in the Coldwater Land Surrender. Our intention is to raise awareness that an absolute surrender of our land title is an absolute surrender of our Sovereignty. As of yet our lands have not been surrendered. ” says Memeskwaniniisi one of the camp organizer’s

” In a show of good faith we will leave only if the illegal occupiers of our traditional territories also leave until a resolution to this fraudulent surrender as been resolved using an approach that is reflective of our peace agreements represented in the expressed belts and Canada’s Constitution.” We only want to establish a partnership with our neighbours and enhance this museum with factual historic facts of this area and mobilize our people who only want to uphold our end of the peace agreements. We Will not Surrender or leave.” says Kai Kai Kons another of the camps organizers. 

A meeting today between OPP Aboriginal Response Team, Museums’ Board of directors and the Camp was held to establish a partnership with the Museum. a Second meeting to come to a resolution to this issue will be held tomorrow at 1pm.

OPP are closely monitoring this situation. The Camp is calling out to all supporters to join the encampment  and help uphold the peace agreements.

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