This is Barriere Lake
3 hours north of Ottawa.
It includes knowledge of traditional medicines,
harvesting, and craftmaking,
and our relationship with the animals
through hunting, fishing and trapping.
This is the land where we dream
and where our ancestors live.
Then, community assemblies are held,
where leaders that have been nominated
are approved by the community.
It is a direct democracy.
Leaders must always have the consent of the governed.
Their agreement was also intended
to give us a modest share of the revenue
generated from our land,
which could then be used
for sustainable economic development.
20 years later, and the governments are still
refusing to implement it.
Our peaceful protests have been met
with teargas, arrests, police brutality.
Economic sabotage,
internal political interference and PR campaigns
spreading mis-information.
This summer, Canada attempted to destroy our traditional government.
Their latest tactic to undermine
our connection to our lands
and our ability to fight for our rights,
by using a racist and paternalistic section of the Indian Act, Section 74.
They have imposed a foreign system of government on our community.
The community did not want these Indian Act band council elections.
200 people from the community
signed a community resolution in support of our traditional government.
So it's no surprise
only 10 people sent in nomination ballots.
Based on only these 10 ballots,
a band council was put in power,
consisting mostly of people that do not live
in the Barriere Lake community.
As feared,
The government must be relieved
to get a strong traditional government
out of the way.
But we will not back down.
We will never back down.
Our parents and grandparents did not back down,
and that's why our land is still protected.
The falsely nominated Indian Act chief
has since resigned in solidarity.
Support us.
Support is strong when we are united,
native or non-native.
We will protect our land and our customs,
our hearts and minds are with our future generations.
There will always be Anishinabe who live & protect the land.