March For The Land – September 27th
Come stand in solidarity with the Land Alliance to protect their lands and waters!
Date: Wednesday September 27th, 2023
Time: 12pm
Location: Downtown Toronto
Sign up: https://freegrassy.net/land-alliance-march/
On September 27th, 12 pm 2023 five First Nations from Northern Ontario will come to Toronto to lead a march calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on their Territories. These five strong First Nations have formed a historic alliance to protect their lands and waters in the face of mounting concerns about encroachment on their territories by mining exploration companies who have been enabled by the Ford Government.
You can support the Land Alliance by:
1. RSVP’ing to attend the march – https://freegrassy.net/land-alliance-march
2. Spread the word! Share the event on socials and invite your community.
3. Organizational Support
Mobilize any organization or group you are a part of (work, volunteer, union, faith, etc) to send a delegation to the march. Share the march on your groups social media accounts, and put up posters around your office and neighbourhood.
You can find everything you need for this in our outreach package
Walk with five First Nations of the historic Land Alliance to show that we stand with them in their fight for control over their lives and their lands.
This is a family-friendly event. Rain or shine!
Earlier this year leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI, or Big Trout Lake First Nation), Wapekeka, Neskantaga, Muskrat Dam and Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows) signed a Mutual Cooperation Agreement.
These five First Nations are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown that together we can fight for justice against all odds and make real gains.
Join the Land Defence Alliance to demand respect for Indigenous rights and protect the sources of life on their Territories in the face of mining incursions. Through this march the Land Alliance will show their strength, present their demands, and build public support for their struggle for control over their lives and their lands
Check out www.FreeGrassy.net for more details as the event approaches as well as our socials
BACKGROUND
Prospectors have staked thousands of new claims on these First Nations’ territories since Ford came to power. They are exploiting Ontario’s antiquated “free entry” mining system that allows companies and individuals to stake mining claims on First Nations lands from the comfort of their offices, without gaining the consent of the Indigenous people who live there.
Prospectors are not required by Ontario to give any notice to First Nations until after the claims have been registered and are in force. Conversely, Ontario does not inform prospectors which First Nation’s land they are staking until after the claims are purchased. The claims grant the prospector a wide range of rights under Crown law to explore the area for valuable minerals and to own the treasures that are found under the ground.
However, the areas that these prospectors are staking have been home to Indigenous people for countless generations and continue to provide the sources of life, culture, and livelihood for them. In spite of the well-known concerns of these First Nations, and many attempts to bring the Ford government to the table, the free entry system remains in place and new claims continue to be registered in social conflict zones against the will of First Nations.
Aki Paamaachi Ikoo Ying Ganawaandata!
Protect the land that gives us life!
Kakanawedaamin Anishinabe Miinigowisiwin.
Take care of and keep the land!
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