|
|
|
| |
| |
Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
July 12, 2005
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| August 28, 2003 |
The First Nation People of Canada – Matthew Andrew |
|
| |
 |
| Mathew Andrew and the struggle of indigenous people in Canada |
Mathew Andrew is a 28-year-old activist speaking out for his First Nation people of Lillooet, and joined Peace Boat to talk about the struggle of Canada's indigenous population to maintain their land, language, culture and basic human rights.
Since the "discovery" of the Americas, the First Nation people of British Columbia have been fighting for their way of life. Although they are the original people of the land, they now live on only 0.3 percent of their former territories. The Indian Act of 1876 "forced us on to reservations", introduced the residential school system and restricted fishing and hunting. All of this despite the fact that there has never been a treaty signed that surrendered Lillooet land to the government.
By making a peace camp on traditional land earmarked for a ski resort development, Mathew says, "We're not begging for our rights, but standing up for them." The camp at Melvin Creek was established two years ago, and has received visitors pledging support from all over the world. However, it has also been under attack from vandals and the police. A similar camp protesting the further development of Sunpeak Ski Resort led to the arrests of natives for allegedly "trespassing" on their own land. |
|
|
 |
| "We are not begging for our rights, but standing up for them" |
Mathew's father remembers when Whistler - a wealthy ski resort town and site of the Winter Olympics - was a pristine wilderness. Now the land is so developed that it cannot be used for anything but a playground for the rich. The resorts are growing with the prospect of the Olympics, and First Nation activists have formerly complained to the IOC about the event being held on indigenous lands.
Many Canadians see these protests as "stopping progress," but Mathew wonders how over-logging, over-hunting and over-fishing can be called progress. "We want to live in peace in a way which sees that the land is not destroyed." A sign on the peace camp at Melvin Creek announces that the Lillooet people are coming back to "assert their title rights." The government stole the land years ago, and there has been no justice in the Canadian courts. By actively returning to reclaim their traditional territories, the Lillooet are inspiring other nations to do the same, and continue fighting to keep their ancient culture alive. |
| |
|
|
|
