Defenders of the Land, Idle No More and other groups are organizing Sovereignty Summer, which will be launched today.
The Canadian Press reports, “Indigenous rights activists are aiming to ‘increase tension’ this summer to oppose the Harper government’s agenda, which they say ignores aboriginal rights and weakens environmental protections. Friday, National Aboriginal Day, marks the launch of the so-called ‘Sovereignty Summer’ in which the grassroots indigenous Idle No More movement says it will band together with other activist groups to plan ‘non-violent direct action’ across the country.”
The Council of Canadians endorsed Sovereignty Summer last spring when it was first announced.
The article adds, “At play are many of the same issues that helped galvanize the indigenous movement in December and January when protests reached their peak: matters such as implementing historic treaty rights, the federal government’s changes to environmental protections, and consultation with aboriginals regarding resource development on their traditional lands. …The groups have listed six demands which include repealing provisions of Bill C-45, the government’s omnibus budget bill that made changes to the Navigable Waters Act; recognition of Aboriginal title and rights; respecting indigenous rights to free, prior and informed consent on matters that may affect them; honouring historic treaties; and launching a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.”
“Organizers say ‘non-violent direct action’ will cover a wide spectrum, and individual communities will decide what it means. But it could include banner drops, camping, rallies, round dances – and even blockades. …Sovereignty Summer national campaigner Clayton Thomas-Muller said there will be ‘major actions’ in mid-July and early August, but declined to provide details. He said the end of the summer would feature ‘mass mobilization’ in urban centres across the country. Protests will highlight various land-based struggles: Thomas-Muller said there are ‘dozens and dozens that are potential powder kegs’ including proposed pipeline paths, disputes with provincial governments, and proposed hydroelectric and uranium mining expansions.”
Sheelah McLean, one of the founders of Idle No More, says, “The point is to increase tension. To raise awareness and increase tension between people who are wanting to assert their rights and people who are unjustly forgetting about the rights of indigenous peoples. …The one thing that’s going to stop this resource hyper-extraction is the rights of indigenous Canadians, and Canadians have to stand behind them. …Pressure on the government is essential.”
For more, please read:
UPDATE: Sovereignty Summer coming soon
Council of Canadians opposes C-45
Council supports Sisters in Spirit vigils
