BayToday Picture Play Gallery: My Grandmother was right

Story and photos by Nikki Jo Mattinas, Special to BayToday.ca.

It was an early morning as members of the North Bay Aboriginal community boarded a bus on our way to Queens Park, Toronto on April 23rd to support Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) First Nations rights. The bus ride was silent in a calm anxiety, everyone eager to stand up for their people.

Lisa Restoule, a Union of Ontario Indians field placement student officer, wanted to show the KI people that she was there to support their Nation.

“I feel that Native people need to stand together, because this kind of injustice is going to continue. As long as we show the government that we are not going to let this happen to our people, they will eventually have to change the way they work with or against us.”

I was honoured to see a strong showing of women on the bus, how a strong community can stand together. The protest was set to begin at 1:00 pm and go until 3:00 pm; the passengers were starting to get impatient waiting to raise their voices to the government.

Restoule was looking around on the bus and she said to me, “It’s very positive to see the youth and the leader ship together to support the cause.”

My Grandmother taught me that a long time ago that the Native people protested by using their voice and not violence. It was amazing to see all the nations united together with their family and friends in protest to fight together.

“I am very disappointed that the government of Ontario would so carelessly disregard the Aboriginal and treaty right of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation. They are fully aware of the First Nation ties to the land and have chosen to ignore their legal duty to not only consult with them but to respect their voice as keepers of the land,” states Laurie McLeaod-Shabogesic.

“I am very proud of the KI Chief and council and their commitment to the well being of their people. I am proud to support them for they are not only standing up for their community but for the rights of all First Nation people in Canada.”

Over all the Unity Rally was a positive experience, I learned that no matter where you come from Native people always has the passion to protect our land, rights and people. Protesting will always be our way of communicating in a positive manner and that violence is not the answer it only escalates the issue.

I look forward to attending future protests to raise my voice in support for my Native people as they have for me.