Youth brave cold leading Unist’ot’en support peaceful protest
By Kelly Anne Smith
NORTH BAY—A call out for Dresses and Drums to show Solidarity with Wet’ suwet’ en was answered in North Bay. About 50 supporters walked in the extreme cold from the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre to the North Bay Courthouse.
There were thermal leggings under ribbon dresses with the windy -25 degree Celsius weather feeling more like -40 degrees Celsius.
Walking with a mission was 18-year-old Kamryn Whiteye from Delaware Nation. She felt compelled to act after reading negative comments on social media.
“Our love for our people, land and culture are stronger than anyone’s hate,” read one poster in the solidarity walk.
Whiteye is an Indigenous Studies student at Canadore College who says there needs to be more awareness in Canada and the world.
“I recently read a post about the Sudbury Solidarity Rally. I saw all the hateful comments from the western people about how they wish they could run us over.”
That’s when Whiteye decided to coordinate the rally in North Bay.
“We made info sheets about what is really going on in B.C. and we’ve been handing them out to businesses and people walking on the sidewalk.”
The handout concludes: “We will protect all Indigenous Peoples’ right to exercise our Free, Prior and Informed Consent. We will protect our traditional territories because Mother Earth needs us”.
Whiteye is standing up for our natural world.
“When we are speaking for the land and the water, we are speaking for everyone. They don’t see the destruction they are doing to the land and the water.”
Whiteye says western people have forgotten what is important.
“We taught them many years ago how to live on this earth. Now, everything has become a market. And they think endless resources. We think resources need utmost respect.”
Outside of the North Bay Courthouse, singers led the peaceful protesters in a round dance.
“We dance to promote resilience, strength, unity and solidarity,” affirms Whiteye. “We most likely will continue [to peacefully protest] because Canada fails to address these issues.”
Walking along with Whiteye is 20-year-old Agnes Iahtal from Attawapiskat First Nation. Iahtal is a second-year Canadore College Indigenous Studies student protesting to bring awareness.
“Enough is enough. There are a lot of Indigenous issues and problems going on.”
Iahtal says strength is growing.
“We are not going to sit around any more. We are going to stand up all together. Now is the time to work together as a nation and as people as one, focusing on resolving the issues.”
Other posters in the peaceful protest shared messages such as “Indigenous Peoples have the right not to be subjected of their culture” and “States shall provide effective mechanisms for prevention of and redress for any action which has aim or effect of depriving them of their integrity as distinct peoples”.
On their return walk to the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, the group gathered inside to be welcomed by a delicious hot soup and coffee.
Singers Jacob Richard Dayfox, Tyler Eagle, McKenzie Otter Eyes Eagle, Cody Sutherland, Justice Martin, Michael Smith, Eric Assinewai, Steve Rickard and Cody Sackaney played the big drum for the warming protestors.
After having gratitude for new warm Christmas socks from her daughter, Elder Lorrainne Whiteduck Liberty declared it was time for a round dance.
“They are such good singers. It is time to dance. In that circle you have good thoughts.”
Holding out her hand, she was joined one by one until the entire group made a circle, swaying and dancing as one.