Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2000 
Midwest Treaty Network
Subject: Chicago rally at Canada consulate for Native treaty rights


EMERGENCY RALLY TO DEFEND
ABORIGINAL TREATY RIGHTS HELD
AT CANADIAN CONSULATE IN CHICAGO

On Saturday, September 23, the Midwest Treaty Network
held an Emergency Rally to Defend Native Treaty Rights at
the Canadian consulate in Chicago. The 1 pm (Central time)
rally drew 25 people opposing Canadian government assaults
on Mi'kmaqs in New Brunswick , and opposing
and Canadian company mining plans on Ojibwa treaty lands
in Wisconsin. Participants included members of the
Chicago-area Native community, Wisconsin Native
communities, Wisconsin students and other
citizens concerned about mining proposals,
and other people concerned about rights for First Nations. Protester s
marched to the Old Fort Dearborn sight at the Michigan Avenue Bridge.
Photos available Sunday upon request.

The rally demands were:

1. A peaceful resolution to the Mi'kmaq treaty crisis.
Canadian police, wardens, and military must
halt armed assaults and boat attacks against Mi'kmaq
fishing communities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,
before more violence results.

2. Justice for Mi'kmaq treaty rights.
Uphold and respect Mi'kmaq fishing rights from
the 1999 Marshall Supreme Court decision, and
recognize Mi'kmaqs' management of their small
lobster and crab fishery.

3. Canadian mining companies out of Wisconsin.
The Toronto-based companies Rio Algom and
Noranda should drop plans for the Crandon
metallic sulfide mine next to the Mole Lake
Chippewa (Ojibwa) Reservation in Wisconsin, and
affecting other reservations along the sacred Wolf River.

Participants carried aboriginal flags, and
held signs reading "Stop the Violence
in Canada's Indian War," "Stop the Crandon Mine,"
and a large banner reading "Treaties Protect the Land."

Zoltan Grossman of the Midwest Treaty Network said,
"A decade ago it was racist anti-Indian groups who
were swamping the boats of Ojibwa spearfishers
exercising their treaty rights in Wisconsin. Today
we see Canadian government boats filling that role
against Mi'kmaq fishermen in New Brunswick.
Native treaty rights in the Midwest and Northwest
U.S. have helped protect fisheries from sulfide mining
and other environmental damage, but Ottawa seems to
be more interested in undermining its treaties
than in protecting the Maritimes' marine environment."

Ned Blackhawk, Professor of History at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, said
"The eyes of the world are on Canada to see if it lives
up to its reputation as a beacon of human rights
and cultural diversity."

Midwestern U.S. supporters of human rights
have been asked to call the Consulate at (312) 616-1860
to ask for a peaceful resolution of the stand-off,
and respect for Mi'kmaq treaty rights.

For background and bulletins see the Alerts of the
Midwest Treaty Network at http://www.treatyland.com 
For updates call (800) 445-8615 .
For comments or contacts call (608) 246-2256
or e-mail mtn@igc.org

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