Reprieve for occupants of two camps at legislature

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This article was published 22/08/2022 (758 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Eviction orders for two encampments at the Manitoba legislature were not enforced Tuesday after the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs called on the province to reconsider, arguing legislation passed by the Tory government targets First Nations’ rights to protest and hold ceremonies.

A sacred fire lit by demonstrators last June, following the potential discovery of 215 unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, continued to burn within a teepee on the east lawn, despite occupants being ordered by the government to vacate the property by noon.

“I’m not going. I’m staying,” said Sagkeeng First Nation member Mary Starr.

“Whatever happens, if they have to remove me forcefully, then I guess that’s the way it’s going to be.”

The Fort Alexander Residential School survivor — who also goes by Danko Makwa Kaypeytashete, which translates to Great Grand Mother Bear Who Comes Like The Wind — said she participated in the camp on and off since last summer and returned in June when a ground penetrating radar search identified 190 anomalies at the former residential school in Sagkeeng.

Camp members have vowed to tend the sacred fire until all children buried at residential schools are found. Starr said the camp provided her with healing and safety and the eviction notices offended her personally.

“The sacred fire is part of our traditions, part of our culture, it’s part of our ways,” she said. “We don’t know when the last site will be searched, so that’s why it’s going to continue.”

Manitoba Justice officials issued eviction orders to occupants last week, directing them to remove unauthorized structures, objects and fires on Tuesday, under the Legislative Security Amendment Act and the Prohibited Activities Regulation, which took effect in July.

While the province cited safety and security as a reason for the eviction notice, no enforcement efforts were taken and no fines were issued, camp occupants said.

A spokesperson for Manitoba Justice said the department is continuing its dialogue with protesters at the encampments.

AMC acting Grand Chief Cornell McLean called the province’s decision to issue eviction notices and to force camp members to dismantle the sacred fire “patronizing and oppressive.”

In a statement issued just before noon, the assembly called on Premier Heather Stefanson to delay kicking people off the grounds. Chiefs took issue with legislation used to back up the eviction order, saying it specifically prohibits materials routinely used for First Nations’ ceremonies.

McLean said he intends to visit the camp and a second, independent encampment on the north lawn to meet with members, hear about their cause and see if a resolution can be achieved without relying on law enforcement.

The acting grand chief said he was assured by Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere the assembly has until at least Friday before the evictions are enforced.

“They were able to get us a reprieve… at least until we’re able to speak to them and see what’s their purpose here,” McLean said. “I certainly think that it’s on the traditional lands of Treaty 1 and we need to be respected, but we also want to respect the Legislature as well.”

Starr said the camp would welcome a visit from the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. However, an organizer for the occupation on the north lawn rejected a meeting with the assembly, saying the organization has no authority.

“The corporate chiefs have no say. I didn’t choose them as the authority on these lands. What you see around here are the ones that are speaking up, they are the real chiefs,” said organizer Trina Francois, also known as SiPihKo.

The group of protesters — some of whom were associated with the weeks-long ‘freedom convoy’ demonstration against public health measures in February — raised a teepee in front of the legislature in mid-June.

The participants describe the teepee as a law lodge and say they are demonstrating sovereignty over the land through ceremony.

“I’d like them to prove their jurisdiction. That’s all we’re here for,” said Francois, who made headlines last month after delivering an emotional rendition of the Cree song Our Village to Pope Francis, while he was in Maskwacis, Alta. “I have nothing else to prove to them. I spoke to the highest authorities… your Pope, your Queen have no jurisdiction here.”

If law enforcement officials attempt to remove people from the grounds, Francois said it would amount to treason.

“I’m the sovereign here — not no Queen, not no Pope,” she said.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca