First Nations making sure government hears them

Page 11

Nearly 50 First Nations people from across Canada spent a rainy night on March 20 outside of Toronto's Union Station. All night they stood beside a sacred fire singing traditional songs.

In the morning they would be 2,000 strong from First Nations communities in southern Ontario, and march through the downtown streets to protest the federal government's proposed First Nation governance act.

"I came because I wanted my voice to be heard," said Tanya Anakons of the Native Youth Movement. "We are the youth of today and we need to do this so our children can carry on our traditions. We need all of the youth to be a part of this. If we don't protest, we'll end up losing all of our rights."

Roger Obonsawin, one of the co-ordinators of the march, thanked the Elders, the firekeepers and the protesters who stayed the night to keep vigil.

"In spite of the way they try and control us, we can still have that dignity to walk there, without being harassed. And we will walk there with pride and dignity," he said.

Obonsawin introduced Chief Bryan Laform, of the Mississauga New Credit First Nation, who welcomed the crowd to the Mississauga territory.

"We've been here since time immemorial and we are going to continue our fight for the next 500 years and continue it till we win. So our struggle has just begun for our inherent rights, to do and live in our First Nations as we see fit. So let's go out, walk proud and fight for our rights."

National Chief Matthew Coon Come of the Assembly of First Nations berated the administration of Robert Nault, minister of Indian Affairs, and the handling of the governance act consultations.

"Today, as I stand before you, I receive a great energy. I see a people who will stand up for what is right. I see people who want to protect their rights. I see a people who want to protect the future of their children. Our message is simple: Treaties, yes, FNGA, no."

He said the government wanted to modernize the Indian Act.

"We will not accept legislation of a colonialist act. We do not want it. The government of this country says that we as leaders and chiefs are against this act, but our people are not. So I ask you, do you want the Indian Act? Do you want the governance act? Do you want the minister of Indian Affairs? I rest my case, march on."

The roar of the crowd was deafening as the chant 'FNGA, no way' echoed off the city buildings.

Chief Roberta Jamieson of Six Nations said people came to protest the FNGA because the act consultation committee "will not come to us. This committee and this parliament that proposes to pass laws over our people decided not to go to one of our 633 communities."

She said the people will not be silenced.

"We will not have a minister interpret our silence as consent. We are here because we will not buckle under the avalanche of legislation and colonial policies that are coming our way. We are here to say in the strongest possible terms, 'We object to this First Nations governance act. We object to any piece of legislation that proposes to impose laws on our people'....In 1969 we won that fight."

The government withdrew the 'White Paper,' and we'll win this fight too," said Chief Roberta Jamieson

Ontario Chief George Fox said the people have a strong sense of their identity as original peoples.

"We have rights. . .When those rights are threatened, we will stand up to protect those rights."

The Native Canadian Centre drum group was transported down Front Street on a flat bed truck, following the leaders, the eagle staff and the flag bearers. The march blocked mid-morning traffic, but proceeded without incident.

Afterwards, the large group of protesters gathered outside the Radisson Plaza Hotel as 30 people at a time were allowed into the building to watch the governance act consultation proceedings.

One of the presenters to the committee was a nine-year-old girl, Jackie McLure, of Toronto.

"I feel really strongly about this. I want this to change. W are the first people here and this shouldn't be done to us."

Other presenters included Chief R. Donald Maracle of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and Jamieson.

Many of the protesters interviewed by Birchbark had the same fear of the act. Thedosia May Collins from Cross Lake, Man., said, "If this goes through, First Nations will be like any other white person. The government doesn't have the right to take away our rights. The chiefs will end up living high and mighty, but what about the children and Elders? Are they going to take care of them? If the chiefs go for this, they're going to turn reserves to the white man's way. I don't think so."

Three generations of one family from Walpole Island came out to protest.

Grandmother Cathryn Mandoka said, "We are carrying on a family tradition of protesting the government. My mother died last year, but my daughter, Chesne, and granddaughter, Sugar, are keeping the tradition strong."

Marnie Williams from Broken Head, Ont., said, "I wanted to come out and protest against it. When I get older I don't want to think back on it and say 'I could have done something.' I wanted to come here and tell my children I stood up for them."

A homeless man who said his name was Billy Jack carried a sign that read Broken Treaties.

"I'm here to protect our women and children, so they don't end up like me."