Anishinabek Nation Leadership hold First Nation citizens’ safety in highest regard during Wet’suwet’en solidarity action
– Photo by Laura Barrios
ANISHINABEK NATION HEAD OFFICE (February 26, 2020) — Anishinabek Nation leadership continue to support Wet’suwet’en people who are protecting their traditional territory. The support for Wet’suwet’en people across Turtle Island and globally has come from a place of solidarity and shared values.
The events remind us of September 1995 – when protesters occupied Ipperwash Park to protest the destruction of burial grounds. Unarmed protester Anthony “Dudley” George was killed by an Ontario Provincial Police sniper on Ipperwash Beach.
“From the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry, it was found that there is a lack of recognition and respect of inherent, Aboriginal and treaty rights and how these issues pose a barrier to maintaining healthy relationships between Anishinabek First Nations, government, and police services,” said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Hare. “Anishinabek people who exercise their treaty and Aboriginal and inherent rights find themselves under the eye of not only police services, but by a public who don’t know the history of First Nations people and treaty and Aboriginal rights.”
“We call on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to work toward a peaceful and respectful resolve with Wet’suwet’en leadership,” said Grand Council Chief Hare. “We understand that some of our citizens are participating in protests and we hold their safety in the highest regard. We urge citizens not to engage or dialogue with those making racist comments or who are exhibiting harassing behaviour.”
First Nations have longstanding issues that include decades-long boil water advisories, Canada’s decision to challenge the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal compensation ruling for First Nations children, youth and families, and annuities claims stalled in litigation.
“These aren’t just First Nation issues— these are human rights issues,” said Grand Council Chief Hare.
In the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to which Canada is signatory to, Article 19 states: States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the Indigenous Peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them.