Just winding down from a great event in Toronto this afternoon. RAN teamed up with the Christian Peacemaker Teams to influence the elections coming up here in Ontario. Volunteers worked on the massive banner for weeks. Today it found a home on the lawn of Queen’s Park, the provincial legislature. The message was simple: “native land rights now”.
The politics, of course, are more complicated. Candidates for the Premier’s office debated yesterday, but they didn’t say a word on native rights. Pretty shocking considering the spread of occupations and blockades throughout the north. Recent court rulings are (finally) beginning to recognize that First Nations hold real power over land use decision making in the province meaning big changes for the future of industrial development.
But the candidates prefer to quibble over whether creationism should be taught in school. We hope coverage of today’s event will get a real conversation started over how to bring meaningful change toward Ontario’s relationship with First Nations. At the least, we’ve sent the candidates a message too big to ignore!
Thanks to everyone who turned out–especially Judy DaSilva and Steve Fobister from Grassy Narrows First Nation, John Cutfeet from KI First Nation and Alvin Fiddler from NAN. It’s been an honor to work with all of you, not to mention the great team from CPT.