Rally participants hoped to prevent escalation

On April 25, more than 500 people gathered on Coast Salish territory at the Vancouver Art Gallery to show their support for the protest at the Six Nations community in southern Ontario near Caledonia. The rally was intended to serve as a deterrence to further police escalation against the Six Nations protesters.

On Feb. 28, members of the Six Nations community set up a camp to protest a housing development being built on their territory, land formally recognized by the Crown in the Haldimand Proclamation (1784) as Six Nations territory.

The developers of the site obtained a court injunction last month to have the protesters removed, which resulted in a raid by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in the early hours of April 20. Using batons, tear gas and tasers, the OPP arrested 16 people. The OPP said the raid was conducted because of an "escalation of activity" at the protestors' camp.

Speakers at the Vancouver rally included organizer Annita McPhee from the Tahltan Nation, Six Nations artist and performer Lindsay Bomberry, Squamish Chief Ian Campbell, Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and David Dennis, president of the United Native Nations.

"We want Vancouver to know that we stand in solidarity with our relatives at Six Nations and will block off all the bridges in the Lower Mainland if the violence against our people continues," said Dennis.

Phillip asked that all non-Aboriginal people seek knowledge and understanding of the First Nations situation so that they may understand Native people's deep frustration.

Cape Mudge Hereditary Chief Dan Wallace echoed Phillip's concerns, and said "The authorities are trying to put shame on us again. The general population of Canada is ignorant of the history of this land. They do not know who we are. We lived in Stanley Park. We lived in Kitsilano. Wake up; we ain't going nowhere," he said.

Mi'kmaq Elder and U.S. Marine Corp veteran Vince Shea came to the rally to show his support for Six Nations members.

"I am here today, because I support Six Nations. I was adopted into the Turtle Clan. I support the Mohawks, even though we were traditional enemies. We must stand together in solidarity."
Six Nations is Canada's most populous reserve and home to the Mohawk, Oneida, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca peoples, who now have access to only five per cent of their traditional lands.

The gathering, led by Aboriginal women, marched through the streets of Vancouver to Lion's Gate Bridge, blocking off traffic as rush hour began.

Cree Elder Rita Blind said "I am here to be of support for Six Nations and also to pray for the spirit of our people to rise up." As she marched she held an abalone shell, burning sweetgrass and sage in it.

Native-African American Catholic nun and community activist Sister Vikki Marie joined in the rally with her drum.

"It's time for the government to start acting like they want their citizens to, with honesty and good faith."