Funding cuts, reneged promises lead to planned protest (fwd)

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Funding cuts, reneged promises lead to planned protest
http://www.wawatay.on.ca/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=5&pid=239

A national protest has been set for Dec. 5 in Ottawa on the steps of
Parliament Hill.

Chiefs of Ontario (COO) and Assembly of First Nations (AFN) have
organized the protest as a result of the current federal government
failing to honour commitments such as the Kelowna Accord and recent
cuts to language funding.

"There is growing frustration from First Nation leadership at the
inaction of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada," said AFN Ontario
Regional Chief Angus Toulouse.

He said there has been an inability to address the issues and the
priorities of First Nation leadership with the federal government.

AFN National Youth Council co-chair Travis Boissoneau is calling on the
government to start addressing issues by working with First Nations.

"It's a peaceful gathering to raise awareness about how the current
government is failing to properly communicate with First Nations on
what the real issues are and further failing to address these issues as
a collective," Boissoneau said.

The protest coincides with the AFN assembly in Ottawa from Dec. 5-7 and
will involve First Nation leadership from across Canada. A march will
be held at 11:30am on the first day of the assembly from the Westin
Hotel to the steps of Parliament.

–BW

2006.11.29