More than 2,000 protesters marched through downtown Kenora on Monday in what organizers said should serve as a wake-up call to Indian Affairs minister and local MP Robert Nault.
“It was better than we expected,” said Grand Council Treaty #3 executive director Reid Thompson. “It was a huge success in the sense that that many people came to small-town Canada and it was a reflection of what the rest of the country feels.”
There was an American contingent there, too.
“There were a small number from America that I was aware of,” Thompson said. “I was happy they were there. It was a show of solidarity and brotherhood.”
The protest was punctuated by 24 drummers which gave a spiritual side to the political protest. “I don’t know if there were ever that many drums pounding at once in Canada,” said Thompson. “People felt empowered and spirits were lifted by them.
“The fact that all those drums were there [lent] some spirituality to the rally.”
Organizers were disappointed Nault didn’t attend Monday’s protest but hoped he heard the message.
Grand Council Treaty #3 and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation co-hosted the event, and were joined by National Chief Matthew Coon Come, Grand Chief Dennis Whitebird from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Tony Belcourt, president of the Métis Nation of Ontario, Grand Chief Margaret Swan from the Southern Chiefs of Manitoba, Grand Chief Chris McCormick from the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, Saskatchewan Regional Vice-Chief Perry Bellegarde, and Six Nations of the Grand River Chief Roberta Jamieson.
“I respect the chiefs of Treaty 3 and Treaty 9s right to protest the First Nation Governance Act [FNGA],” Nault said in a statement Monday.
“It is unfortunate that they waited until today to join in the debate on this important initiative, particularly in light of the 470 information and consultation sessions that have taken place.
“These were excellent opportunities for dialogue and co-operative work,” Nault noted. “Over 10,000 First Nation people took up the challenge and their views provided the basis for the legislation.”
Nault added the grand chiefs have failed to provide any substantial reasons for disagreeing with the content of the proposed FNGA.
Regional and grand chiefs held a caucus yesterday to plan out their next step.
Treaty #3 Grand Chief Leon Jourdain said self-government must come from the First Nations people, not the minister of Indian Affairs. And he vowed they will fight for their rights if necessary.
“This is only the beginning [in the] fight for our sovereign rights and our inherent rights of our people,” said Jourdain, who also was one of the rally’s organizers.
Nault announced last year that Ottawa was going to overhaul the Indian Act, which has remained relatively untouched for 50 years. The proposed legislation is designed to revamp election regulations for band members on and off reserves, tighten fiscal authority, and improve administration.
Nault has said the legislation would be an interim step toward self-government, but aboriginal groups complain they weren’t properly consulted and that the legislation would perpetuate a colonial approach to aboriginals and simply turn reservations into mini-municipalities.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
