First Nations demonstrators and their supporters from across the country took over University Ave. Thursday in the first sizeable G8-G20 protest so far.
About 1,000 people marched from Queen’s Park along University Ave. and east on Queen St. to the Eaton Centre to demand the Canadian government respect their treaty rights.
Chanting, drumming and stopping frequently to sing, the protesters were followed by a phalanx of unmarked police security vans. Toronto police lined the streets shoulder to shoulder as the protesters passed by peacefully.
Some held signs saying “Shame: Third world conditions on Canadian reservations” and “Native Rights, Human Rights.”
At Queen’s Park, Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee told the gathering that Canada’s failure to sign the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights is a shame.
“The federal government is doing their thing here and ignoring the First Nations,” he said.
National aboriginal and provincial chiefs were not invited to the summits. “They are meeting on our traditional territory,” he said. “If they wanted to have an impact, they should’ve had the national chief here. What does that say to you?”
One woman from B.C., who didn’t want to give her name, said: “I am here for my sisters and brothers, my children, my grandmothers, my whole family. I am aboriginal.”
When they first assembled before noon, people in the crowd had been given pamphlets from organizers about how to behave.
One pamphlet told demonstrators not to wear bandanas or face masks. “You may keep a bandana in your pocket, soaked in vinegar, in case of tear gas or pepper spray” from police, they were instructed.
“Watch out and support those around you, especially children, parents and elders,” another handout told demonstrators. “Non-native people are asked to take leadership from indigenous people.”
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