April 16, 2008
Statement of support – First Nations leaders in Ontario
from PSAC National Aboriginal, Inuit and Métis (NAIM) Circle
April 12, 2008
At its April 10-12, 2008 meeting, the National Aboriginal Inuit and Métis (NAIM) Circle of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) expressed strong dismay with the recent jailings of First Nations leaders of the Ardoch Algonquin Nation in Eastern Ontario and the Kitchenumahkoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation in Northern Ontario.
Both these struggles, like many others in Canada, are about the unresolved First Nations land claims. Both these struggles are also about the failure of our governments – in this case the government of Ontario -- to engage in and ensure that meaningful consultation with First Nations on land and resources take place. Both these struggles are about exploration by the mining industry on traditional lands of First Nations communities. In both these struggles, First Nations leaders have been jailed because they firmly believe that the fundamental rights of their First Nations communities to their land and water have been violated. In both these struggles, First Nations are supported by community coalitions.
The NAIM Circle reiterates our full support for the broader struggles of the Ardoch Algonquin Nation in Eastern Ontario and the Kitchenumahkoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nation in Northern Ontario, and for the jailed First Nations leaders.
The Circle is calling on the PSAC and our broader communities to take concrete action in support of these struggles. In the coming days, we will be drafting a letter to Premier McGuinty condeming the actions of the Ontario government and urging him to take immediate action to release the jailed First Nations leaders and to engage in meaningful consultation on the protection of land, water and other resources.
(signature by NAIM Circle members)
Home Site Map Contact Us Bargaining Search Join Our Union Français
Date Modified : 2008/04/16
Public Service Alliance of Canada | 233, Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ONTARIO CANADA, K2P 0P1, Tel.: 1 888 604-7722 (PSAC)