Blockade organized in support of Six Nations

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All across Canada, people have sat and watched or read the news coverage of the protest by the people of Six Nations in Caledonia, Ont. who since late February have been occupying a construction site they claim is on Six Nations land.

A group of concerned citizens in the Battlefords area decided they wanted to do more than just sit by and watch, so on May 21 they mobilized a blockade in solidarity with Six Nations and all First Nations who have unsettled land claims issues.

Between 30 and 40 people, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, took part in the blockade, set up at the main bridge southwest of the city of North Battleford for close to two hours on the hot Sunday afternoon.

People travelling to and from Highway 16 stopped and listen as protestors handed out pamphlets and informed travellers about the purpose of the blockade.

After negotiating with RCMP, the protesters agreed to open up one lane and traffic was able to pass through for about 10 minutes at a time.

According to those who participated, most of the travellers who were stopped by the blockade were sympathetic and understanding, but some swore at the protestors and yelled out racial slurs.

Poundmaker Cree Nation band member Marcia Chatsis-Neault was one of the organizers of the protest. She was one of two participants who received traffic tickets for obstructing traffic with the blockade.

Participants held signs and flags and wore red bands.

"I was told that the red band symbolizes victory," Chatsis-Neault said.

North Battleford resident Leora Harrington, who took part in the blockade, said the action taken was a success because it brought attention to what is happening in Caledonia.

"Those protestors at Caledonia, they have been out there for a long time ... they're not alone. These things take time. Even if people don't agree, they start trying to inform themselves," Harrington said.

After the blockade ended the protestors walked to the site of the Wandering Spirit monument, located near historic Fort Battleford. There, an Elder prayed and the group shared their feelings about the day's event.

"It was very stressful. We are now trying to deal with our emotions. We are trying to talk to the young people. We have Elders praying for us all the time," Chatsis-Neault said.