Gurpreet Singh
Straight.com reports that Gurpreet Singh, a Georgia Straight contributor and Radio India talk-show host, has declined a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for five reasons including, “The Queen and her Governor General have not shown compassion toward Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence and the indigenous peoples.”
Ellen Gabriel
And recently Ellen Gabriel posted to Maude Barlow’s Facebook page, “I was informed that I was to received one as I was nominated by Quebec Native Women Association. I too will not accept given the lack of respect to Chief Spence and Indigenous peoples by PM Harper and Governor General. Niawenkó:wa Ms Barlow for standing side by side with Indigenous peoples.”
The news report notes, “Singh’s decision comes in the same month that writer Naomi Klein and singer Sarah Slean rejected the same offer. Meanwhile, Council of Canadians chair Maude Barlow reportedly mailed her medal back to Gov. Gen. David Johnston because of his initial refusal to meet with Chief Spence.” Filmmaker Liz Marshall has also declined her Diamond Jubilee medal, http://canadians.org/blog/?p=18808.
The Straight.com article can be read at http://www.straight.com/blogra/346346/gurpreet-singh-refuses-queen-elizabeth-ii-diamond-jubilee-medal.
