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Walk 4 Justice gets support from the Council of Canadians

Hello friends,
 
You guessed it, on top of the SPP, bulk water exports, privatized healthcare and toxic tar sands, there is another problem with Canada that we need to take action on. This problem is sadly systemic and continues to go unchallenged even though it affects people daily. It is the apathy of the Canadian people and the Canadian government to the continuous murder and violence towards women. Over the past 40 years, over 3000 women have been murder or disappeared in Canada. 80% of these women are Indigenous to Canada. It is important to note that these are not only women in the vulnerable situation of living on the streets. Barely four years ago, a young women from Saskatoon who was on her way to a teacher’s conference in Reginawent missing – her car was found 60 kms out of the city and her body was never found. She left behind a son of 5.  These women are the mothers, the sisters, the aunts and lovers of all of us, and the problem is their numbers continue to increase without any remorse or action from the government.
 
So why has the Canadian government failed to take effective action? Why when only weeks ago the government offered a national apology to First Nations people for brutally assaulting their culture and their humanity do they continue to allow for such injustices to continue?
 
These are some of the questions Gladys Radek decided to take to Ottawa with the Walk 4 Justice.  Gladys along with many other women from Vancouver began walking on June 21st, 2008 with the mission to cross the country to arrive in Ottawa on September 15th. They plan to spend the whole day at parliament with speakers demanding government action to address this brutality towards women.  On their way they will be passing through a number of communities, where they hope to give presentations and workshops for the public. I was lucky enough to meet with Gladys and some of the women in Edmonton and it was an amazing opportunity to connect with passionate people who instead of being defeated with grief of experiencing such hardship, have risen up to demand justice and seek solidarity with others on this issue*.
 
This is where we fit in as Council members. As activists for social justice, we appreciate what it takes to host even just a day-long action. The Walk 4 Justice hopes to go for 83 days and they are in need of support to keep up their numbers and their spirit. In particular, the walkers were faced with an unfortunate turn of fate, when one of their vehicles was hit by a truck and trailer and totaled. They are in desperate need of a replacement vehicle and any support would be appreciated. They are in dire need of a large capacity vehicle with a driver and monetary contributions or gas cards, food cards, long distance cards and/or cash.
 
This is a call out to all Council of Canadians to support the Walk 4 Justice as it travels through your community. They would love to see our bright yellow banner along with other signs of solidarity. I have attached the schedule for the Walk 4 Justice here and they will be passing through, among many other communities, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Sudbury and Toronto before they arrive in Ottawa on September 15th.

So how can you help?

Join the walk!
If you would like to join the walk please look at the attached schedule and check out their website athttp://www.walk4justice.piczo.com/?cr=6  to sign up or contact Gladys Radek at walk4justice2008@yahoo.caor call 778.839.0072
 
Host a Fundraiser!
If you are unable to support the walk physically but would like to contribute with funds or resources that would also be appreciated.  All of the members on the Walk 4 Justice are volunteers and they need support to help pay for supplies such as food, gas, medical/first aid, shoes, socks, weather gear, honorariums and tobacco, sage, sweet-grass and traditional medicines- all things necessary to make their journey a success. If you could organize a fundraiser for the Walkers as they pass through your community please contact Gladys Radek atwalk4justice2008@yahoo.ca or 778.839.0072
 
For personal donations, please send any cheques or money orders to the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs at the Vancouver Office:
500 - 342 Water Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B-1B6, CANADA
Ph: 604.684.0231, Fx: 604.684.5726
 
Host a Public Presentation!
As I mentioned the Walkers hope to not only garner media attention, but also to outreach to the public with presentations and workshops. If your chapter is able to help host a presentation and help organize the logistics that would be really appreciated. As well it provides you with a chance to meet with the walkers and engage with like-minded folks on how we as a public can help to demand action on this issue. Again please contact Gladys Radek at walk4justice2008@yahoo.ca or 778.839.0072 and call your regional organizer to let us know if we can help!
 
Sign the Petition!
And if you find yourself unable to join the walk or help raise funds, than please take a moment to sign the petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/petition-sign.cgi?glradek as well there is a facebook group with over 2000 members with regular blogs and updates. See http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14313758782&ref=ts
 
All of your support is much appreciated, thanks Council!
 
* The Walk 4 Justice 2008 has the resolute support of the First Nations Summit and the Assembly of First Nations as well as the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. Additionally they have found support through many other groups and people including Amnesty International's secretary general Alex Neve, BCGEU, BC Feds, Longshoreman Union, the Governor General of Canada Michelle Jean and many other folks, both First Nations and non-indigenous.
 
Sheila Muxlow
Prairie Organizer
Council of Canadians
#34 - 9912, 106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 1C5
Toll Free 1.877.729.4500
Office Phone 780.429.4500
Fax 780.429.4501
Mobile Phone 780.233.2528

Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral. ~Paulo Freire

Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada's largest citizens' organization, with members and chapters across the country. If you believe that our social programs and public services should be strengthened, not privatized; that our foreign and trade policies should be independent, not subservient to the United States and the interest of big business; and that our water and natural resources should be protected for public use, not exploited for private profits, please join us as a member. Vist www.canadians.org