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Algonquins of Barriere Lake vs Section 74 of the Indian Act

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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.
Title:
Algonquins of Barriere Lake vs Section 74 of the Indian Act
Description:

Barriere Lake Solidarity has produced this video to help bring attention to the current struggle by the Algonquins of Barriere Lake (ABL) against the Canadian Government's imposition of Section 74 of the Indian Act. By enacting this obscure piece of the Act, the Canadian Government is attempting to take control of the community by imposing band council elections on the community. The ABL have always had their own customary government.

For more information, visit:
http://www.barrierelakesolidarity.org
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Video Language:
English

English subtitles

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