Nations gather to protest Liberal government

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Drum beats mixed with chants as more than 20,000 British Columbians marched onto the lawns of the provincial legislature in late February.

People from unions and labor organizations, women's groups, students, and disabled people joined with Aboriginal groups, anti-poverty activists and environmentalists on Feb. 23 to protest debilitating cutbacks in programs announced by Premier Gordon Campbell and his government.

First Nations groups were asked to lead the procession from Centennial Square to the legislative grounds 10 blocks away. Carrying placards denouncing Campbell's proposed referendum on treaty principles, more than 100 First Nations protesters came from around the province to show support for the tens of thousands of protesters.

"We welcome you to our territory today and have come to support you in your protest against Gordon Campbell and his government," said Songhees Chief Gary Albany. "We hope you will join us and support us in our fight against this government, and our presentation of an eviction notice to the B.C. Liberals," he said. The Songhees Nation has filed a writ in provincial Supreme Court showing the lands where the Legislative Assembly sits is reserve lands, and according to Albany, the case should be before a judge sometime later this year.

More than a dozen Nuu-chah-nulth people came for the protest bringing anti-referendum signs and thousands of pamphlets explaining the First Nations position on the referendum.

"I'm here to support all the people of B.C. who are deeply affected by this government as many of our people and coastal communities have been," said Huu-ay-aht Chief Councilor Robert Dennis. "The Liberals have demonstrated nothing but bad faith towards the first peoples of this province. It's just like Apartheid," he said.

"I'm here speaking out against this government, and in solidarity with labor and everyone else," said Hupacasath Chief Councilor Judy Sayers. "He's (Campbell) doing whatever he wants regardless of what the people think or feel, and when this many people speak out you have to listen or things will progress further," she said.

After Songhees Elder Sammy Sam offered the opening prayer, labor and community leaders lined up behind the microphone to address the various issues the province will face as a result of the policies of the Campbell government. Though each speaker had their own agenda and constituency to represent, one common theme of the afternoon was an opposition to the proposed referendum on treaty principles.

"We're totally opposed to the referendum," said I.W.A. President Dave Haggard. "It's insane and we're asking our membership not to vote."

"Forget the referendum and the $12 million it will cost and let's settle land claims together," said B.C. Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair. "Because what the bottom line of the referendum questions is 'do you like Natives, yes or no.'"

"The Liberals have delayed treaty negotiations for over a year, and the people of B.C. and the First Nations of this province deserve better," said Kathryn Teneese of the First Nations Summit. "The only way B.C. will prosper is if there's a reconciliation through good faith negotiations," she said.

As marchers arrived at the legislature for the peaceful protest, a different scene was unfolding behind the building as more than a dozen large police vehicles full of members in riot gear and dogs wearing flak jackets were moving into positions around the building.

"We have 121 members here as part of a contingency plan," said Victoria City Police Inspector Darrell McLean. "We're here to manage the site and make sure everyone gets in and out safely," he said.