At this point the people at the blockade have been told that if
they do not move they will be charged. The recent history of RCMP
relations with Indigenous people has not been good - we are
prepared for the worst...
This act by the RCMP is highly provocative given the continual
message from the Elders that they would like to resolve the issues
regarding clearcutting in a peaceful fashion.
The Protectors of Mother Earth are appealing for pressure to be
put on the Attorney General's Department of the Saskatchewan
Government to pull back the RCMP and allow the space for
negotiations and normal discussions.
THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR FINANCIAL AND MORAL SUPPORT.
Messages of solidarity may be faxed to Protectors of Mother Earth
(306 829 4424). Please fax (306 787 0883) your concern over the
use of RCMP force to Hon Roy Romanow, Premier of Saskatchewan; Bob
Mitchell, Attorney General; Darrel Cunningham, Minister of Parks
and Renewable Resources.
Donations may be deposited directly to the Protectors of Mother
Earth bank account (Royal Bank #6095442, Meadow Lake branch,
Saskatchewan, Canada.) Donations may also be mailed to the
Saskatoon Indigenous Coalition, 824 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada. Further information may be obtained from us
by calling (306) 665-5962 or faxing (306) 933-4346)
Thank you for your support. A brief backgrounder on the situation
at the blockade follows.
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(Backgrounder on the situation at the blockade)
In solidarity with Aboriginal people everywhere...Support the
Protectors of Mother Earth!
A group of Aboriginal people from the Canoe Narrows district of
northwestern Saskatchewan (Canada) have set up a blockade 70 km
north of Meadow Lake on Highway 903. They took this stand to
protest logging practices that destroy the forests, plants and
animals they have used for centuries to survive. The Elders and
other traditional land users at the blockade are fighting for
sustainable forestry practices that ensure the proper and
respectful use of land, water, and forests.
The blockade will remain until the concerns of the Elders are met.
First and foremost there must be an end to clear cutting, which is
destroying the land and killing animals and plants the people need
to survive. Any future harvesting must be selective cutting only
and determined by the Elders. The people of the region also want
full control of the resources in the area and financial assistance
and training to manage their own sustainable logging operations
and other forest related businesses. Finally, there must be
compensation to traditional land users for damages that result
from clear cutting, inadequate waste disposal, and mulching of the
earth.
The people at the blockade have asked for moral, material and
financial support from all people who stand with them in the
struggle for Aboriginal rights and environmental sustainability.
Donations may be sent directly to Protectors of Mother Earth
(account #6095442), c/o Royal Bank, 130 Centre Street, Meadow
Lake, Sask S0M 1V0 or to the Saskatoon Indigenous Coalition at the
address below. Letters of solidarity may be faxed to Protectors of
Mother Earth, (306) 829-4424. Letters of concern may be sent to
Hon. Roy Romanow, Premier of Saskatchewan; and Hon. Darrel
Cunningham, Minister of Parks and Renewable Resources (c/o
Legislative Buildings, Regina, Saskatchewan).