Take Action: Demand that Ontario Respect Native Land Rights

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Demand that Ontario Respect Native Land Rights

In advance of the October 10th elections in Ontario, more than 250 human rights and environmental advocates and First Nation leaders descended on the Legislature today (September 21) to issue a challenge to all political parties to take immediate, concrete action to resolve longstanding Native land rights issues stemming from unrestrained logging and mining in the boreal forest.

The demonstration, organized by RAN and the Christian Peacemakers Team, involved a massive 75-yard banner in the shape of an arrow reading, "Native Land Rights Now," which they pointed at the Legislature while First Nation leaders spoke and helicopters captured the scene from overhead.

Native groups in attendance--which included the Grassy Narrows, Ardoch and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nations--are demanding a moratorium on industrial activities on their traditional territories that occur without their free, prior and informed consent.

Lend your voice by emailing the leaders of Ontario's political parties with a clear message: The world is watching. Protect Native land rights now! Tell me more

Subject:

Excellency,

(Edit Letter Below)

Earlier this month, the UN General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Article 19 of the Declaration declares:

"States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them."

I am writing to urge you to make a firm commitment to honor this historic declaration by publicly supporting Ontario First Nations calling for moratoria on further industrial activity on their land, including the call issued by Grassy Narrows First Nation for a moratorium on logging in their traditional territory.

During this election period, the people of Ontario, Canada and the world are watching and expecting you to do the right thing. Please make a public commitment that your party will seek the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations before conducting any industrial activities in their traditional territories.

Thank you,
[Your name]

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Dalton McGuinty, John Tory, Howard Hampton, and Frank de Jong

Green Party of Ontario member Frank de Jong
New Democratic Party member Howard Hampton
Ontario Progressive Conservative Party member John Tory
Premier of Ontario Dalton McGuinty

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