Vol. 77/No. 3      January 28, 2013

The action was one of many across Canada to protest recently adopted federal Bill C-45 and other laws, which give Ottawa increased powers to dispose of Native reserve land, and weaken environmental protection for thousands of waterways.

Half of Canada’s 1.2 million Aboriginal population—who identify themselves as North American Indian, Métis or Inuit—live in rural areas.

Protesters voiced support for Northern Ontario First Nation Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who has been on a hunger strike since Dec. 11, demanding that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. David Johnston meet with her to discuss Aboriginal demands.

Marchers included Mohawk ironworkers and youth, and the president of the Cornwall and District Labour Council.

“Canada now has seven different laws [in preparation] that attack our rights,” Akwesasne resident Dana Leigh told the marchers. “This is only the beginning.”

Since early December actions for Aboriginal rights under the banner “Idle No More” have been organized across Canada, including a 13-day blockade of a rail line in southwestern Ontario.

Harper and Johnston each met with a delegation of Aboriginal leaders Jan. 11. In an attempt to undermine support for indigenous peoples’ mobilizations, Ottawa Jan. 7 released results of a federally commissioned audit of the Attawapiskat nation’s finances, reporting inadequate accounting for the spending of millions of dollars of federal funding. Bad housing conditions brought Attawapiskat to national attention in 2011.

Brad West, communications staffer for United Steelworkers District 3, told the Militant about affirmative action programs the union participates in in Western Canada. “So far over 400 Aboriginals have been hired in the mines through this program, coming from 150 different First Nations. One-third are women,” he said.  
 
 
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