Algonquin Nation protest continues in Ottawa. Grand Chief Verna Polson starts hunger strike.

Direct Action, Governance, Indigenous, Media, Solidarity

Jun 30, 2019

Algonquin Nation protest continues in Ottawa. Grand Chief Verna Polson starts hunger strike.

"Divide and conquer" from Trudeau at Canada Day meeting

Kwey Kwey,

This is a special newsletter edition from AAAMP, the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Aki Media Project, dedicated solely to the ongoing protest across from Parliament Hill in Ottawa:

*July 4 update:
An agreement July 2nd allowed Grand Chief Polson to end her hunger strike. Read the press release and media reporting here*

The Algonquin Nation protest at 100 Wellington St continues indefinitely, led by Grand Chief Verna Polson, fighting for equality of inclusion of the Algonquin Nation at the soon-to-open Indigenous Peoples Space across from Parliament Hill. Grand Chief Polson has been sleeping in a birchbark wigwam erected directly outside what was to be the main entrance of the space.

The Government of Canada and the three National Indigenous Organizations (NIO) intended to first open the building on June 20, 2019 as a public space for visitors to learn First Nations, Inuit, and Métis history and culture and an engagement space for meetings, but that was stopped.

The peaceful protest is ongoing and supporters are welcome to visit; bring a chair if you can.

* Overall Invitation to Visit the Protest Camp: *

"To all people who stand in solidarity with the Algonquin Anishinabe First Nation, we ask that you visit our Grand Chief Verna Polson who is bravely camped at 100 Wellington St. in Ottawa for 11 days now and counting. The Grand Chief is protesting the disrespect the Government of Canada and the three NIOs are showing to the Algonquin People by not including them as full and equal partners, on whose lands Canada's Parliament Buildings are built. The Algonquin protocols are not being recognized and as titleholders to the land, we must protect it for the children of today and tomorrow. Our rights as a host nation are in jeopardy with this project. We will not be ignored.

We ask that you bring a tobacco tie, containing your prayer and good intentions of support. The Grand Chief will graciously receive your tobacco and keep it safely by her side to inspire and motivate her until the Algonquin Nation are full and equal partners. The tobacco gathered at the protest camp will then be feasted and offered into a sacred fire at a ceremonial site within the perimeters of Algonquin territory. Show your support! Show your respect!"

** Please also help spread the word of this ongoing protest to family, friends, community members, and through your networks and social media. **

Grand Chief Polson started her hunger strike with a midnight ceremony Sunday night / Monday morning. Stay tuned to her personal Facebook accounts here and/or here (though they're mostly private postings).

For all official updates, follow the new public Algonquin Nation accounts on Twitter @as_equals and Facebook 'Algonquins as equal partners in 100 Wellington'.

OTHER URGENT ACTION TO TAKE:

Petition (auto-send an email to four government ministers including Trudeau):
https://act.newmode.net/action/solidarity-with-algonquins

There is also an authorized petition posted at Change.org:
https://www.change.org/p/justin-trudeau-equal-partnership-for-the-algonquin-nation-at-100-wellington-162a6123-c715-4b24-8f1b-cd4b7ad1190a

Phone numbers of Trudeau, Bennett, AFN, ITK, MNC are posted here:
https://www.facebook.com/indigsol/posts/2820202857996620

OFFICIAL MATERIALS:

June 30 Press Release - Algonquin Nation Programs and Services Secretariat
"Support for Algonquin Nation Equal Partnership"
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-W0dmTXkAA70Q7.jpg
To share: tweet and Facebook post

Printable handout with Algonquin Key Messages (1-page of each English & Francais)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ko0uf47jxc2ztq8/100Wellington-IPS-Algonquin-messages.pdf

Printable flyers (four/page) with links to social media and this post (Colour & BW versions)
http://www.mediacoop.ca/sites/mediacoop.ca/files2/mc/algonquin100wellington-flyers.pdf
http://www.mediacoop.ca/sites/mediacoop.ca/files2/mc/algonquin100wellington-flyers_bw.pdf

LIST OF MEDIA COVERAGE:

(Reverse chronological order)

July 2 through 7 - Reporting and statements on agreement reached to end hunger strike
http://mediacoop.ca/story/algonquin-nation-reaches-agreement-government-cana/36878

July 2 - Support statements from Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and Council of Canadians
https://manitobachiefs.com/the-assembly-of-manitoba-chiefs-stands-in-unity-with-grand-chief-verna-polson-and-the-algonquin-anishinabeg-nation/
https://canadians.org/blog/statement-council-canadians-stands-solidarity-algonquin-anishinabeg-nation

Monday July 1 - Press release from AFN-QL, Articles from CBC & APTN, + Twitter thread from APTN's Justin Brake with videos of Frankie Cote, Claudette Commanda, Chief Lance Haymond
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/grand-chief-polson-is-not-in-the-mood-for-celebration-837489065.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/wigwam-embassy-parliament-ottawa-hunger-strike-1.5196271
https://aptnnews.ca/2019/07/01/grand-chief-launches-hunger-strike-as-algonquins-demand-fair-treatment-in-ottawa/
https://twitter.com/JustinBrakeNews/status/1145767192694272008
* Chief Casey Ratt's post after the July 1st meeting with Trudeau
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=875170559512445&id=100010585276442
https://twitter.com/blueskyikwe/status/1145790961622167552
* Algonquin Anishinabe taking the knee during Canada national anthem (Facebook video)
https://www.facebook.com/100005627746615/videos/1100364713494443
* Letter to Métis National Council from Métis youth, women, and Two Spirit people
https://dearmetisleaders.wordpress.com/
* French / en Francais - articles d' Ici Radio-Canada et La Presse Canadienne
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1205502/greve-faim-ambassade-territoire-algonquin-ottawa
https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/201907/01/01-5232271-une-cheffe-algonquine-en-greve-de-la-faim-pres-du-parlement.php
* Spanish /en Espagnol - Artículo de Radio Canada International
https://www.rcinet.ca/es/2019/07/01/jefa-algonquina-anishinabeg-inicia-huelga-de-hambre-cerca-del-parlamento-de-ottawa/