A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
Sign at Fire. Photo by Gracey Martin
Sign on Rt. 37 at sacred fire supporting Mi’kmaq protest.
82 year old, David Day ‘Dday’ tending the ‘spiritual fire’ on Kawehnoke. The fire began on Friday evening in support of New Brunswick First Nations and activists who began blocking the highway in their community. With plenty of food donations (coffee, banana bread, donuts) and a healthy woodpile, the fire was attracting plenty of attention. ‘DDay’ was adamant that this was a peaceful demonstration. He encouraged young people to ‘keep moving forward’ and remind the Europeans of ‘why we are here’. The Mi’kmaq claim that the Canadian subsidiary of the American frackers, Southwest Energy (SWN), is operating illegally on tribal land, and they have the duty to consult and accommodate aboriginal people when the development is on their traditional land. On Saturday, cars passing through Akwesasne Mohawk Territory ‘honked’ in support of New Brunswick First Nations people opposed to ‘fracking’ on their territory. This fracking—will last for generations, poisoning ground water, destroying wildlife and making vast tracks of land uninhabitable, speeding up global warming—all for the sake of burning ever-increasing amounts of energy. Photo by Rease Doxtdator
Solidarity Sacred Fire started on Sat. Oct. 19th on Rt. 37. Photo by Deb Cook
Photo by Gracey Martin.
The blockade at Elsipogog First Nation is in protest of the Texas-based natural resources company SWN Canada that began exploring for natural gas deposits in the region. Opponents to the exploration worry that it will soon lead to hydraulic fracturing, the practice known as fracking that involves injecting noxious chemicals into the ground to break out the oil and gas deposits. The protest was backed by the Signigtog District Grand Council, which represents Mi’kmaq communities across southern New Brunswick and northern Nova Scotia.
Those arrested on Oct. 17th by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) included Chief Arren Sock, council members from Elsipogtog First Nation, and elders at the blockade performing ceremonies and protesters.
Word was received from the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs that people from our community left on Tues. Oct. 22nd to support and to help them in any way, and others are already there. Also that the Haudenosaunee Task Force on the Environment is against fracking.
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Mike Kanentakeron Mitchell released the following on October 23, 2013 - “The Mi’qmaq people are standing up to the bullying practices of the Canadian government, and we stand with them, in support of their efforts and desire to protect their land and Mother Earth. It has been said repeatedly that the Canadian government needs to sit down at the table with First Nations people to talk, negotiate, and have discussions. Instead, Canada repeatedly ignores their Constitutional obligation to consult First Nations and the result is always negative. No act of violence can be condoned. Our Elsipogtog brothers and sisters should know that they are not alone, and that First Nations people across the continent are behind them.”
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe released the following statement concerning the events at Elsipogtog on October 23, 2013 - “The controversy in Elsipogtog is over shale gas exploration. We support a collaborative, peaceful means of negotiation between leadership in the spirit of protecting the health and safety of the people, and preventing contamination of their natural resources.”
The Assembly of First Nations of Quebec & Labrador (AFNQL) met in Akwesasne on Oct. 22nd and one of the topics discussed included the anti-fracking demonstration in the Maritimes.
The following was released Kentenha (October) 17, 2013 from KAHNAWAKE MOHAWK TERRITORY – KENTENHA – The Mohawk Nation at Kahnawà:ke – People of the Longhouse – is horrified by the recent Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, attack on indigenous protesters at the Mi’kmaq Nation at Elsipogtog near Rexton, New Brunswick. The protestors have been barricading Route 134 since September 30, to prevent the SWN Resources Canada from conducting exploratory research for potential shale hydro-fracking in that area.
Since its introduction into our traditional territory, the Haudenosaunee Six Nations Confederacy has been opposed to hydro-fracking. A statement issued by the Haudenosaunee Grand Council states:“We have seen first-hand the impacts of hydro-fracking; the vast industrialization of the landscape, the pollution of the air from hundreds of trucks, propane stripping stations, gas flares, and compression stations; the fragmentation of habitat and landscape by the incursions of roads and drill pads; the ruining of streams and drinking wells from drilling-related contamination; and most heartbreakingly, the permanent disruption of peoples’ homes, lives and communities. Even when things are done “right”, the impacts are devastating.”The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples established human rights standards that directly relate to this matter. They include:
Article 19, States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them.
Article 29, This article contains three important provisions relating to the rights to the conservation and protection of the environment of the lands, territories and resources of indigenous peoples.
Article 37, Indigenous peoples have the right to the recognition, observance and enforcement of treaties, agreements and constructive arrangement concluded with States and their successors.
The Mohawk Nation at Kahnawà:ke understands that if the Mi’kmaq Nation at Elsipogtog did not take action against SWN Resources Canada, their exploration for shale gas would no doubt prove disastrous to the Mi’kmaq and the neighboring Canadian municipalities.
The Mohawk Nation at Kahnawà:ke stands in support of the Mi’kmaq people of Elsipogtog and are prepared to offer whatever assistance they require.
In peace and friendship,
Atsenhaién:ton Kenneth Deer
Secretary – Kahnawà:ke Branch
Haudenosaunee Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy
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