Indigenous members made their way across Ontario to voice their opinions on the B.C pipeline project. Starting on the 402, they made their way in a protest blockade across the southern part of the province using major highways. Causing major delays by going half speed, this was a way to let Canadians know that this is their land and their not happy about current decisions.
The rally ended in a converging of peaceful protesters just south of Brantford. Members are rallying across much of the country demanding justice for their land.
On Monday, 14 people were arrested after the RCMP took apart a blocked access to an area where Coastal GasLink wants to build a natural gas pipeline. Organizer of the Brantford protest, Sonny Maracle, feels its unfair that his fellow friends are being arrested for simply defending their territory.
“They’re arresting people for defending their land. That’s not right. What are we supposed to do after that.”
Maracle believes there are better ways to protest then standing out in the cold for days or stopping traffic on major North American highways, but at this point its their only option.
“We gotta stop it somehow. The government has been getting away with way too much stuff. Is this the way to do it? We lose in court every time. If we gotta do this (protest) every time then so be it.”
Protester Myeengun Henry agrees that the mistreatment of Indigenous people has been going on for too long and that they are not going to back down this time.
Myeegun Henry, protester at the rally
“What we see across the country against our people has been going on for too long. When they come into our territory and try to push our people around and arrest our people, we’re gonna stand up and we’re going to get stronger.”
He also warned the government that treatment needs to change because the land they’re attempting to build the pipeline on belongs to them.
“The whole foundation of this country needs to change because Indigenous people are the inhabitants of this land. We’re going to continue to do this (protest). We’re going to tell Canada that this has to change.”
TC Energy who plan to develop the pipeline has said it signed agreements with all 20 First Nations groups along the development path but, members of Indigenous groups opposing the pipeline project say the company failed to get signings from 5 house chiefs.
Protesters are upset about band councils making decisions for the entire First Nation communities.
“We will continue to stand up here and tell Canadians that you’re treading on dangerous territory. When Trudeau stays silent, it sends a clear message that he is not interested in our issues. We need to have him interested in our issues because we are the inhabitants of this country,” said Henry.
