Canadians reaching out to support and learn about Indigenous rights and struggles
Day of Indigenous Solidarity this Sunday in Belleville
May 22, 2008
Belleville – "This is it, justice for first nations communities: lock us up. Anybody who speaks out, lock 'em up. KI6, Bob Lovelace, lock 'em up...Don't fix the problems, lock 'em up." – Shawn Brant, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory defendant
The Organic Underground will hold a Day of Indigenous Solidarity May 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 255 Front Street, Belleville, with speakers Chris Read, lawyer for Bob Lovelace (Ardoch Algonguin First Nation) and the KI6 defendants (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation), Magaly San Martin, spokesperson for the Tyendinaga Support Committee, Paula Sherman, Co-Chief of the Ardoch Algonguin First Nation and Sakura Saunders of Rights Action.
The event will begin with a drumming and smudge ceremony.
A press release from the Organic Underground states the conflict between natives and developers "has reached a crisis point in Ontario with the mass incarceration of aboriginal people across this province.
Belleville is ground zero for this conflict between First Nations' rights versus corporate greed. At issue, according to the release, is native rights to their land and corporate efforts to extract resources like gravel, uranium, platinum and gold."
Saturday's speakers will provide updates on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory arrests and the status of incarcerated aboriginal leaders Bob Lovelace and the KI6 defendants, among other things.
"You may not like the politics of confrontation, but I would rather see Shawn Brant block the 401 than Ovide Mercredi begging at the gates of Meech Lake, or Phil Fontaine writing Steven Harper’s apology for the abuse of residential schools." – Bob Lovelace, incarcerated Ardoch Algonquin First Nation leader.