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This is Barriere Lake

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3 hours north of Ottawa.

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It includes knowledge of traditional medicines,

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harvesting, and craftmaking,

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and our relationship with the animals

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through hunting, fishing and trapping.

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This is the land where we dream

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and where our ancestors live.

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Then, community assemblies are held,

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where leaders that have been nominated

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are approved by the community.

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It is a direct democracy.

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Leaders must always have the consent of the governed.

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Their agreement was also intended

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to give us a modest share of the revenue

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generated from our land,

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which could then be used

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for sustainable economic development.

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20 years later, and the governments are still

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refusing to implement it.

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Our peaceful protests have been met

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with teargas, arrests, police brutality.

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Economic sabotage,

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internal political interference and PR campaigns

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spreading mis-information.

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This summer, Canada attempted to destroy our traditional government.

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Their latest tactic to undermine

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our connection to our lands

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and our ability to fight for our rights,

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by using a racist and paternalistic section of the Indian Act, Section 74.

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They have imposed a foreign system of government on our community.

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The community did not want these Indian Act band council elections.

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200 people from the community

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signed a community resolution in support of our traditional government.

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So it's no surprise

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only 10 people sent in nomination ballots.

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Based on only these 10 ballots,

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a band council was put in power,

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consisting mostly of people that do not live

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in the Barriere Lake community.

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As feared,

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The government must be relieved

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to get a strong traditional government

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out of the way.

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But we will not back down.

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We will never back down.

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Our parents and grandparents did not back down,

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and that's why our land is still protected.

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The falsely nominated Indian Act chief

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has since resigned in solidarity.

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Support us.

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Support is strong when we are united,

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native or non-native.

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We will protect our land and our customs,

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our hearts and minds are with our future generations.

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There will always be Anishinabe who live & protect the land.