Media Advisory - Assembly of First Nations - National Protest to Save Our Legacy (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Media Advisory - Assembly of First Nations - National Protest to Save
Our Legacy

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2006/03/c3141.html

    OTTAWA, Dec. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - The Chiefs of Ontario, and Assembly of
First Nations, are holding a National Protest to Save Our Legacy,
beginning at 11.30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The demonstration will
leave at 11 a.m. from the Westin Hotel, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa,
and proceed to Parliament Hill.
    "First Nations poverty is Canada's shame," said AFN Ontario Regional
Chief Angus Toulouse. "We live in a country that is rated 6th best in
the world in which to live, according to the United Nations Human
Development Index. Yet First Nations citizens live predominantly in
impoverished
conditions without the basics such as clean water, and safe homes."
    "First Nations poverty is the greatest social justice issue in
Canada today," said National Chief Phil Fontaine. "For this reason, and
to raise awareness for all Canadians and politicians, we recently
launched Make Poverty History: The First Nations Plan for Creating
Opportunity. Some 12,000 Canadians have signed our on-line petition."
    "This rally is to underscore that First Nations people are here to
stay, and that we will not remain out sight and out of mind," added
Regional Chief Toulouse. "We want what all people want for our children
- good health, safety, education and equal opportunity. We will not
accept less".
    The rally will also call for the implementation of recommendations
in the 10-year-old Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples;
implementation of the Kelowna Accord; as well as reinstatement of last
month's $160 million in Aboriginal language funding cuts.

    More details on the rally are posted at www.afn.ca