OPIRG Toronto Contingent to March for the Land

*** OPIRG Toronto Contingent***

March For The Land: Walk with Land Alliance!

Wednesday September 27th, 2023

10AM: Meet at the OPIRG Toronto office for brunch & an informal discussion about how to conduct ourselves and stay safe at the March for the Land.

*meat, veg, vegan and gluten free options will be available

11:30AM: Depart for Rally location (Grange Park, Beverly Street)

12PM- ?: Rally & March

When the march is complete we will hold a short de-brief

Join OPIRG Toronto to stand in solidarity w. five First Nations calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on their Territories

On September 27th, 12 pm 2023 five First Nations from Northern Ontario will come to Toronto to lead a march calling on Premier Ford to end unwanted mining activity on their Territories. These five strong First Nations have formed a historic alliance to protect their lands and waters in the face of mounting concerns about encroachment on their territories by mining exploration companies who have been enabled by the Ford Government.

Walk with five First Nations of the historic Land Alliance to show that we stand with them in their fight for control over their lives and their lands.

Earlier this year leaders from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI, or Big Trout Lake First Nation), Wapekeka, Neskantaga, Muskrat Dam and Asubpeeschoseewagong Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows) signed a Mutual Cooperation Agreement.

These five First Nations are powerful leaders in the movement for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice. They have shown that together we can fight for justice against all odds and make real gains.

Join the Land Defense Alliance to demand respect for Indigenous rights and protect the sources of life on their Territories in the face of mining incursions. Through this march the Land Alliance will show their strength, present their demands, and build public support for their struggle for control over their lives and their lands

This is a family-friendly event. Rain or shine!

BACKGROUND

Prospectors have staked thousands of new claims on these First Nations’ territories since Ford came to power. They are exploiting Ontario’s antiquated “free entry” mining system that allows companies and individuals to stake mining claims on First Nations lands from the comfort of their offices, without gaining the consent of the Indigenous people who live there.

Prospectors are not required by Ontario to give any notice to First Nations until after the claims have been registered and are in force. Conversely, Ontario does not inform prospectors which First Nation’s land they are staking until after the claims are purchased. The claims grant the prospector a wide range of rights under Crown law to explore the area for valuable minerals and to own the treasures that are found under the ground.

However, the areas that these prospectors are staking have been home to Indigenous people for countless generations and continue to provide the sources of life, culture, and livelihood for them. In spite of the well-known concerns of these First Nations, and many attempts to bring the Ford government to the table, the free entry system remains in place and new claims continue to be registered in social conflict zones against the will of First Nations.

Aki Paamaachi Ikoo Ying Ganawaandata!

Protect the land that gives us life!

Kakanawedaamin Anishinabe Miinigowisiwin.

Take care of and keep the land!

Sign up for the rally: https://freegrassy.net/land-alliance-march/

More info: https://freegrassy.net/

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT ATTENDING THIS RALLY WITH THE OPIRG TORONTO CONTINGENT PLEASE EMAIL US: COORDINATOROPIRGTO@GMAIL.COM.