Anishinaabe in Midland to support Wet’suwet’en, Tyendinaga Mohawks
Supporters march down Yonge St. in Midland. -AWARE Simcoe photo
AWARE News Network
Local indigenous people and their allies marched through downtown Midland today to express support for the Wet’suwet’en Peoples, presently defending their land against pipeline construction, and for the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, whose solidarity encampment near the CN rail tracks near Belleville was raided by OPP this morning, resulting in a number of arrests.
See also:
The myth of band councils as First Nations
Toronto Wet’suwet’en Solidarity March
Inside the Wet’suwet’en Protest Camp That Refused to Cede Land for a Pipeline
The gathering of about 25 people started outside the office of Progressive Conservative MP Bruce Stanton, who voted with his party in 2018 against endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
“OPP out of Tyendinaga!” the supporters called. “RCMP out of Wet’suwet’en! Water is Life!”
It was a good-humoured protest, with drivers of many passing vehicles sounding their horns in support. Dissatisfaction was expressed by the squealing tyres of one pickup driver after traffic was held up for a short time at an intersection. “Everyone still got their toes?” one supporter asked. Nearby, a police officer was parked in an unmarked vehicle.
Afterwards, Eizabeth Brass Elson of Chimnissing entered Stanton’s office with a number of supporters to express concern about what is happening to the land and the people and “our wildlife, our animals, our spirits, our souls and our future DNA, because it’s just not getting any better, things are right out of whack here and it’s time that everyone came together and started respecting native people.”
A Stanton representative promised to convey the message to the MP.
Media
‘They have no respect for First Nation people’: Wet’suwet’en protesters gather in Midland
by Andrew Mendler Midland Mirror
A small group of protesters gathered Feb. 24 in downtown Midland in a show of solidarity with members of Wet’suwet’en Nation who oppose a pipeline through their territory in northern British Columbia.
The peaceful demonstration came three days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly stated that blockades halting rail traffic across the country in protest of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline need to come down.
Local protesters, many of whom are members of Beausoleil First Nation, stood in front of Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton’s Midland office at 504 Dominion Ave. with signs and drums. However, Stanton was not at his office during the event.
“We stand in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en and Tyendinaga communities who have had the RCMP and OPP unjustly invade their communities,” said Johnny Hawke, a local Indigenous activist.
More settler folk have to school themselves in all things Indigenous. Thinking back to 2009, I have nothing but respect and love for our Indigenous Sisters and Brothers for making possible the turn around for Site 41. My deep appreciation to Beth and her Indigenous Sisters for saving Springwater Park from stupid. The admiration for John and his heart felt efforts to educate the white colonialist culture with his history of the Indigenous of our area and what they have given us for so many years. A shout out to Vickie and Sarah for all of the strategic benefit they have brought to us. These are but a few examples of the positives we have reaped from Indigenous involvement. What troubles me are the negatives directed at Indigenous. Racist remarks that have no business in Canada. This a Nation to Nation relationship country and this should have the greatest respect. Grow up you that show so little knowledge and respect for Indigenous where ever they are. Our fore fathers stole what was once theirs. Trillions in ongoing reparations from the Indigenous go to make Canada a better place. Unfortunately, much of these moneys and resources have been misappropriated by other than the Indigenous to whom it belongs. It is sad to see the lack of respect shown by our white leadership and judicial systems most recently. We can and should do better. Greed, disrespect and ignorance have no place in Canadian society.