A wave of First Nations protests over treaty rights swept through Yorkton last week.
On Friday afternoon, dozens of people marched down Broadway Street downtown blocking rush hour traffic to attract attention to what the National Executive of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) calls "the disrespect and shameful treatment of First Nations by the Government of Canada."
"As First Nations leaders from coast-to-coast-to-coast, those with inherent rights and title and those with whom the Crown has entered into Treaty, we collectively raise our voices about the critical situation facing First Nations," said National Chief Shawn Atleo in an open letter to Governor General David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper dated December 16.
The nationwide protests were sparked, at least in part, by the federal governments omnibus legislation known as Bill C-45. It contains changes to the Indian Act that aboriginal leaders say could impact the way reserve lands are leased and the way decisions are made involving band territories.
They say the government has no right to pass Bill C-45 because it runs contrary to inherent and treaty rights.
"The government of Canada has not upheld nor fulfilled its responsibilities to First Nations, as committed to by the Crown including at the Crown-First Nations Gathering January 2012," Atleo wrote. "Canada has not upheld the Honour of the Crown in its dealings with First Nations, as evidenced in its inadequate and inequitable funding relationships with our Nations and its ongoing actions in bringing forward legislative and policy changes that will directly impact on the inherent and Treaty Rights of First Nations.
The government has said the bill is not about eroding aboriginal rights.
The AFN executive is demanding a meeting with Johnston and Harper to "demonstrate respect and attention to the priorities set by First Nations."
Attawapiskat (Ontario) Chief Teresa Spence has been on a hunger strike since December 11 to draw attention to the dire conditions some First Nations communities face. Attawapiskat is arguably one of the gravest humanitarian crises in the country.
Spence said she will continue her strike until a meeting is achieved between the Crown and Treaty First Nations.
