Protests start early for National Day of Action in Canada

Friday, June 29, 2007  

Mohawk protesters in Ontario started erecting road blockades on Thursday night in advance of the National Day of Action today.

The Assembly of First Nations called for peaceful protests to call attention to issues facing Native people. But Via Rail has already started to cancel train service routes and extra police are being deployed in some areas.

In support of the day, Canadian Pacific Railway plans to suspend rail traffic for one minute later this afternoon. AFN Chief Phil Fontaine said a number of Liberal leaders will attend a rally in Ottawa.

Over in Manitoba, the Southern Chiefs Organization is urging Native people to boycott non-Native businesses.

Get the Story:
Protests Affect Canada Rail Service (AP 6/29)
pwpwd
Blockades up as aboriginal day of action begins (CBC 6/28)
Via cancels key train routes due to aboriginal rally (CBC 6/28)
Boycott non-native businesses Friday, Manitoba chiefs urge (CBC 6/28)

Relevant Links:
Assembly of First Nations - http://www.afn.ca
Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples - http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ch/rcap

Related Stories:
Opinion: Canada's forked tongue on land claims (6/28)
Mohawks plan blockade on First Nations Day of Action (6/26)
First Nations leader calls off blockade plan (6/21)
Canada touts commission to resolve land claims (06/14)
Canada to announce new land claims commission (6/12)
First Nations chief knows how to deal with white man (06/07)
Editorial: Hundreds of years of neglect on land claims (06/01)
Canada offers $125M to settle Six Nations dispute (05/31)
First Nations call for day of protest on June 29 (5/25)
Assembly of First Nations meets to discuss 'crisis' (5/22)
AFN leader warns of anger in Native communities (5/16)
Assembly of First Nations to file human rights complaint (02/06)
Another 'nation' recognized within Canada (11/28)
Canada given 'F' for treatment of First Nations (11/22)
Critic of First Nations never visited a reserve (11/17)
AFN works to restore $5B funding commitment (07/26)
Assembly of First Nations re-elects Fontaine (7/13)
Assembly of First Nations meets to elect leader (7/12)
Assembly of First Nations chief faces challenger (06/09)
First Nations leaders seek high-level commitment (05/31)
Residential school abuse deal moves forward (05/11)
First Nations leaders angry over latest budget (5/4)
Canadian party won't honor deal with First Nations (01/12)
First Nations leaders prepare for high-level meeting (11/02)
First Nations finally invited to top-level meeting (10/24)
AFN presents plan to address First Nations issues (08/10)
AFN to file $12B residential school abuse lawsuit (08/04)
Signs of progress reported for Natives across Canada (07/22)
Natives in Canada see highest rates of domestic violence (07/15)
Assembly of First Nations meets for annual session (07/06)
Report looks at urban Native population in Canada (06/24)
Natives in Canada suffer from high unemployment (06/14)
Canada won't remove asbestos from Native homes (04/27)
More asbestos risks found in First Nation homes (03/18)
Native man can't get help for asbestos in home (3/17)
Report cites increase in Native gang activity (03/15)
First Nation homes at high risk of asbestos exposure (3/15)
Native leaders say Canada's budget falls short (02/25)
Canada won't remove asbestos from Native homes (01/28)
Another First Nation sues over inadequate housing (12/17)
First Nation says every home contaminated by mold (11/17)
Study finds high infant mortality rate among Natives (11/10)
Canadian Natives report few hate crimes to police (06/02)
Controversial First Nations legislation dropped (01/23)
First Nations leaders meet with new Indian minister (01/15)
Canada's PM chooses new Indian affairs minister (12/15)
Old pick promises new era in First Nations relations (07/17)
Federal officials monitored tribal protest (7/7)
First Nations protest changes in federal policy (04/29)
Aboriginals protest lack of consultation (4/28)
Canadian tribal leaders to meet (07/15)
Indian policy changes opposed (06/18)
Indian affairs overhaul faces delays (6/14)
Consultations halted on Indian policy changes (8/1)