As Chief Spence's hunger strike looms on, a fervent atmosphere of revolution
has exploded over the minds and hearts of Canada’s First Nations and Inuit people.
Hails of repossessing rights to protect ancestral lands have been
rejuvenated as First Nations and Inuit across Canada have been protesting to
make changes in Bill C-45 that would take away protection of thousands of lakes
in their ancestral home lands.
Stemming from the current ill treatment of land in Canada and rising
environmental health concerns in these regions, Aboriginals are addressing what
has already become seemingly harder to protect – the state of their overall well-being
.
Environmental health concerns on reserve have been cited in Aboriginal communities
including high rates of menthol mercury poisoning in Nunavik and other Inuit
regions, high rates of toxic metals and PCB's in water sediments around Fort Chipewyan,
and constant boil water advisories all throughout First Nations reserves pre
Bill C-45. The deregulations of this Bill will intensify these healthcare
matters.
With the Arctic Sea ice melting rapidly, creating an open 'highway' for
international cargo ships to pass, environmental protection has become a
concern for First Nations and Inuit who want to preserve their lifestyle of
their Aboriginal right to use the land - though ocean protection is not cited
in the Bill C-45, it is feared deregulation of the Arctic oceans regions may
soon follow.
Chief Spence has gained international recognition for her efforts in
addressing the mismanagement of Federal aid to her own reserve of Attawapiskat
during its housing crisis.
Being targeted as, 'the rabble-rouser’
of the Attawapiskat crisis by Prime Minister Steven Harper and Aboriginal
Affairs and Northern Development Minister John Duncan, she won her Federal
Court case against the Canadian government.
Could Harper still be begrudged by this international embarrassment not
to meet with Chief Spence? Will he be willing to hold this grudge for so long
for a meeting that a recognized Firsts Nation chief could potentially die?
Could this be childish of him?
These are all possibilities under the mind of the Mr. Harper.
So this holiday time is of giving and understanding, of love and
compassion for ones neighbour. The Canadian government should stick up to those
values and accommodate a conversation to debate in the New Year.
This debate should not just be stuck to the lines of Bill C-45. It
should address what the protest is really about.
It should address the years of: the neglect of First Nations and Inuit
people who have sustained poverty, violence, and genocide. The outstandingly high
rates of unemployment, undermined health provisions in addressing high rates of
transportation, psychological distress and high rates of incarceration.
Speaking as an Inuit person and a Canadian, this protest is for the of
the Nation that it actually cares about the wellbeing for its citizens and not
just what we project about the near-sighted economy. Politics of a nation
should reflect its future and its future
is withheld with its people. Its time to care about Canadians.
From dj NDN: Chief spence is asking everyone to
meet in front of harpers house, 24 sussex. tomorrow at 1:45pm tomorrow for a
round dance. Spread the word.
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