Batchewana calls meeting to develop HST action plan

NEWS RELEASE

BATCHEWANA FIRST NATION

************************* Batchewana First Nation pounds the pavement in response to HST

Yesterday, Batchewana community members participated in a peaceful protest, which closed down Highway 17 and 17B in Garden River, Ontario.

Garden River hosted the rally to respond to the federal government's proposed harmonized sales tax (HST), which will take away First Nations right to point of sale tax exemption.

Garden River Council member Darrell Boissoneau declared to participants that the protest was: "to protect and defend what is ours, and to stand up for our grandfathers and grandmothers who stood up for us!"

Participants included residents from Batchewana First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Sault Ste. Marie and Fort Hope.

Batchewana First Nation’s community members and council representatives were attending to show support, strength and unity against the imposed HST which they feel is a direct attack on their treaty right.

Batchewana Council member Harvey Bell spoke at the rally commending the First Nation for their efforts and ensured Batchewana’s support in taking direct action against the proposed HST.

Chief Dean Sayers passed along a message from the HST rally taking place at the Ontario Legislature on the same day: “We truly appreciate the efforts taking place in Garden River today and we are very proud to see both communities standing up to defend our inherent and treaty rights!."

The rally is only the first step in a lobbying campaign against the proposed tax. It is unfortunate that the Crown has failed on its duty to educate the mainstream public regarding obligations to First Nations and it is the hope of rally organizers that events such as this will help shed some light on these important issues.

Batchewana First Nation will be hosting a community meeting on December 10 to engage the community in developing an action plan and determine the next steps.

Chief Dean Sayers says that the rally may have inconvenienced motorists for an hour but that’s no comparison to the inconvenience First Nations have faced for over 400 years.

Chief Sayers ensures that Batchewana will be" “pounding the pavement pretty hard in response to the erosion of Treaty Rights!."

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