150 Gather & March for Six Nations in Saskatoon, SK

(sent by Peter Garden)

On the afternoon of Friday, April 28 at people from across Saskatoon and the surrounding areas gathered at the First Nations University for an afternoon marching in solidarity with the people of Six Nations and in opposition to the appointment of Maurice Vellacott (Conservative Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Wanuskewin) as the Chair of the House Committee and Northern Affairs.

The afternoon events were started by local community members and Six Nations people living in Saskatoon including author and activist Patricia Monture addressing the crowd. Each speaker spoke of the significance of the occupation in Caledonia, Ontario and how much solidarity from across the country was important and strengthened the resolve of the people fighting for their land. Demonstrators held signs demanding Nation to Nation negotiation and for an end to the police violence against the Indigenous demonstrators.

With a Mohawk flag, several dozen placards and a massive Iroquois Confederacy flag, about 100 people began the long march from First Nations University campus to the office of Maurice Vellacott in the North End of the city. Spirits were high on the hot afternoon as chants of “Nation to Nation, make it work”, “Treaties Make Canada” and various other solidarity chants rang out. The march hit rush hour traffic along the Warman Road route exposing the message to hundreds if not thousands of motorists.

The march finally ended up at the office of Maurice Vellacott where more supporters who could not make it to the march joined the dozens of hot, dusty, spirited marchers. The office was closed with an envelope taped to the door with a letter to the demonstrators from the MP. The letter acknowledged the right of people to protest and engage in the political process but would not apologize for Vellacott defense of Saskatoon police officers convicted of dropping Darrel Knight off on the outskirts of Saskatoon in -25 Celsius weather. Vellacott’s letter was read to the crowd with obvious disapproval indicated from the crowd for most of his words. The marchers left their own papers in the envelope on Vellacott’s door containing 1400 signatures indicating their disapproval of Mr. Vellacott’s appointment to the House Committee. An open mic session followed with articulate and passionate speakers young and old taking their turns at the mic to express their feelings about Six Nations and Maurice Vellacott’s nomination.

Aside from a couple of run-ins near Vellacott’s office with some angry white men, the march was peaceful and a solid demonstration of solidarity from both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities (which were both well represented) in and around Saskatoon.

Some photos from the afternoon’s events can be found at http://www.spiritfindermusic.com/saskatoonpeacemarch.html.