Anishinabek grand chief supports Batchewana blockade

COMMUNIQUE TO CHIEFS

ANISHINABEK NATION

************************* Communiqué to Chiefs: Grand Council Chief acknowledges Batchewana First Nation’s protest efforts

UOI OFFICES – Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee commends the HST protest efforts by Batchewana First Nation.

Batchewana will be shutting down the railway that runs through their territory starting on June 21 and the protest will run indefinitely.

“I applaud the efforts by Batchewana to protect our rights,” says Madahbee [shown]. “This initiative will show the government that we have drawn our line in the sand on this HST issue.”

In a May 11 Sault Star article, Chief Dean Sayers of Batchewana said: "The spirit and intent of our relationship needs to be worked towards on the part of the Crown, and we don't see an agenda, we don't see a meaningful table that's being set, so we have to compel the Crown. Unfortunately, it's going to cause some inconvenience, but we have to. It's getting worse. It's a constant, never-stopping erosion of our rights."

Sayers said the blockade will go up June 21 and, unless a three-way deal is signed between the province, the federal government, and First Nations, the stoppage would continue, "probably for the summer, maybe longer."

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