|
 |
|
April 17, 2003 MEDIA ADVISORY First Nations Cross-Canada Caravan to Ottawa shows national opposition to First Nations Legislative Suite |
|
Attention all Ontario Media The Caravan will reach the Ontario border on the morning of Friday, April 25, and be in Ottawa on Monday, April 28 when Parliament returns from its Easter break. The three bills (C-6, C-7, and C-19), each dealing with an aspect of First Nations claims, governance or fiscal rights, change the First Nations-Canada political, legal, treaty and fiscal relationship and unilaterally reduce the federal government’s responsibilities. Bill C-7, the First Nations Governance Act, is the centrepiece of the package. It generated intense opposition when the House of Commons Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs held hearings on it across Canada last month. The Caravan starts off led by Chief Stuart Philip who is the President of Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. At each stop, the Caravan will be joined by others until it reaches Ottawa where, it is expected, the entire First Nations coalition — from reserves and urban areas — against this legislative package will demonstrate against it. Members of the group will then lobby MPs and Senators for the remainder of the week. Ontario Regional Chief, Charles Fox, who joins the Caravan at Thunder Bay, said, “We are doing everything in our power to show that the overwhelming majority of First Nations oppose what this government is doing. We cannot allow the federal government to pass this legislation without speaking out strongly and acting directly. By this emergency mobilization, we intend to demonstrate our commitment and convince parliament that this legislation is legally and morally wrong that will further destruct relations between Canada and First Nations.” The proposed route and schedule: April 22: Vancouver to Calgary (through Kamloops) Contact: Rosie S. Mosquito, Chiefs of Ontario 807-627-2483 |
|
|
|