SASKATOON — The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Executive voiced their strong opposition to the actions of the Freedom Convoy protestors who drove from Delta in British Columbia to Ottawa.
The FSIN said some of those who participated in the Freedom Convoy publicly and online used tactics and shared ignorant acts of cultural appropriation of First Nations culture and spirituality.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron condemned the open acts of racism and ignorance that were committed across traditional Treaty territories.
"Our First Nations communities have been some of the hardest hit since the beginning of the pandemic. We have been working tirelessly to distribute PPEs (personal protective equipment) and supplies to our First Nations because we are highly vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Cameron.
“Our families and communities have suffered insurmountable losses because of this horrible virus and our First Nations Chiefs have implemented some of the strictest protocols in the country to keep their memberships safe.”
He added it was disrespectful to see First Nations items that are sacred to their culture used improperly in a protest that also spreads wrong information on the pandemic.
“This convoy is an insult to our Chiefs, our communities, and to the hundreds of loved ones we’ve lost through this pandemic. Not only are these protestors risking lives and spreading false information, but they’re also disrespecting our traditional drums, pipes, and medicines. It’s a disgrace to see our culturally sacred items being used improperly, without proper protocol, in support of anti-vaccine protests.”
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is committed to honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, as well as the promotion, protection and implementation of the Treaty promises that were made more than a century ago.
