1 demonstration
1.1 leaders , initiators
1.2 community involvement
1.3 allies, contributors, speakers
1.4 non-violent action
1.5 final day
demonstration
leaders , initiators
the peace village initiated several groups in winnipeg including assembly of manitoba chiefs (amc) , original women’s network. co-chair , founding member of original women’s network , director of amc, shirley olson passed away on in second week of september. there feast @ peace village celebrate life , work indigenous activist. phil fontaine (leader of amc) 1 of many speakers @ peace village , steadfast in amc’s position in favour of peaceful negotiated settlement in armed stand off in quebec.
community involvement
as many 150-200 indigenous , non-indigenous demonstrators including children , elders camped overnight @ peace village throughout duration of extended “sit in” on grounds of manitoba legislative building. peace village grew rapidly , september 12, winnipeg free press reported there 39 tents, , 3 teepees. 3 teepees in center of village. largest teepee used medicine lodge , organizing center volunteers , planned children’s activities while 2 smaller teepees served symbolic purpose , used spiritual support , emphasize indigenous culture. there 1,500 visitors gathered throughout days , evenings speakers, ceremonies, singing, drumming, , dancing.
allies, contributors, speakers
there many speakers @ peace village including phil fontaine, member of parliament john harvard, , chief terry nelson of roseau river first nation. security personnel legislative building helpful , allowed demonstrators access building warmth, shelter, water, , washroom facilities. australian rock band midnight oil’s lead singer peter garrett toured peace village while in winnipeg concert , welcomed amc traditional song , dance , presented him native blanket. spoke saying, “midnight oil band doesn’t take lightly ceremony presented. happen believe first stage in mending planet recognition of rights of indigenous peoples.” environmental organization, manitoba eco network issued statement demanding prime minister brian mulroney recall parliament solve crisis in oka. statement of support endorsed numerous groups including concerned citizens of manitoba, greenpeace, manitoba chapter of sierra club , project peacemakers.
non-violent action
the peace village non-violent demonstration lasted several weeks in support of mohawk nation in oka crisis. demonstrators used public speeches, prayers, ceremonies, , song , dance bring awareness not oka crisis issues of social justice , indigenous rights. used concept of “show not tell” creating village indigenous , non-indigenous people goal of modelling peaceful relationship between 2 groups.
final day
on september 26, phil fontaine declared peace village come down next day though conflict between mohawks , canadian government had not yet been resolved. weather in winnipeg in september quite cold , spokesperson bob macdonald quoted saying goal “support quebec mohawks” , had been accomplished. elder, art shofley resistant leave , said being @ peace village important because shared positive image contrast negative images media had been releasing of mohawks. described peace village sacred place
Comments
Post a Comment