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Surrounded by anti-referendum placards and signs, the Trek for Treaties group marched onto the steps of the provincial legislature to the beat of First Nations drummers. Started by members of a Nanaimo area church and community groups, the Trek for Treaties group walked from Nanaimo to Victoria in April to show solidarity with First Nations people in supporting the treaty process. They also provided information that spoke against the referendum on treaty principles.
"The referendum is an insult to First Nations people and a way of obstructing treaties rather than building better relationship through negotiations," said trekker Jim Manly from the United Church, who walked with his wife Eva, and with Gloria Cope from the Anglican Church and Dyane Brown from the Council of Canadians.
"I was so angry about the racist referendum, which could not have come at a worse time," said Brown. "And it's been great to have so many people support us and join with us along the way," she said.
A number of speakers gathered at the legislature steps to publicly congratulate the trekkers, and urge British Columbians to help defeat the referendum by voting "No" to all eight questions.
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