Vermilion River Stewardship supports the growing grassroots protest by First Nations and many other Canadians against the federal government’s Omnibus Bill C-45 and other legislation which have put First Nations’ treaty rights in grave danger and have gutted major environmental legislation including the critically important Navigable Waters Protection Act. Healthy river ecosystems are of critical importance for the future of First Nations, and for all Canadians.
We support Chief Spense of the Attawapiskat First Nation in her quest to open up a meaningful dialogue on First Nation issues with the federal government, and are appalled that it has not been possible to accomplish this without the need for a hunger strike.
Vermilion River Stewardship supports First Nations in protecting their treaty and territorial rights, and implores Prime Minster Harper to meet with Chief Theresa Spense immediately.