Indigenous Activist Blocks Road into Ontario Provincial Park

Report on indigenous blockade and land reclamation action in so-called Ontario.

TINY TOWNSHIP- An Indigenous Rights Activist blocked a road leading into Ontario’s Awenda Provincial Park this morning as an act to educate and organize opposition against Federal Policies extinguishing Indigenous Title to Indigenous Nations Traditional Territories.

Anishinabek Nation Activist John Hawke a member of the Beausoleil First Nation located on Christian Island says he is using today’s National Indigenous Peoples Day and the Park as a platform to address grassroots concerns.

“This day is used to celebrate token aspects of culture like song and dance where Canada continues to terminate our Title and Rights and exploit the Land” says Hawke

Hawke was part of a group who set up a Cultural Camp and built a cabin in 2012 in Awenda Park to oppose Canada’s Specific Land Claim’s Policy and says his community has strong ties to the specific land in the park.

“The 1798 Penetanguishene Purchase involving the Crown and Hereditary Chiefs of the Chippewas of Lake Huron and Simcoe ceded lands around Penetang Bay for British Military use but the Treaty did not include lands the current park is situated on. Elders along with a large granite rock bolder at the park known as Council Rock has Hereditary Chiefs Clan and Crown Representatives etched markings that speak of this” says Hawke.

Beausoleil First Nation recently was part of seven other First Nations that received $1.1 billion in the Williams Treaty Settlement Agreement regarding 100 year old grievances regarding hunting and fishing rights and 12 million acres of traditional Anishinabek territory in which Hawke feels the settlement breaches a fundamental Nation to Nation Relationship.

“The 1764 Niagara Covenant Chain Belt a Crown to Indigenous Nations Treaty laid the foundation that any lands we share our Nations are to be compensated as long as the sun shines. The Williams Treaty Settlement Agreement is only a one time payment where Elected Leaders governed by the Indian Act surrendered Indigenous Title to 12 million acres which they have no authority to do. We also shouldn’t have to purchase back our lands where so much Crown lands needs to be handed back over to our Nation.” Explains Hawk

Hawke also states issue with Self Government Agreements First Nations are ratifying under Federal Policies.

“There are major issues regarding the fraudulent Canadian Constitution that needs to be addressed. The BNA Act and its 1982 Amendment is not a Constitution where all laws and agreements imposed on our Nations are invalid where both our Nations and Canadian citizens need to examine what this alleged constitution really is.” Says Hawke

Hawke hasn’t planned how long he intends to be blocking entry into the park but encourages allies and other First Nations community members to stop by and support and organize.