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Posted by Miles Howe on October 1, 2013
Elsipogtog Chief issues eviction notice to Texas-based frackers. Band Council Resolution to reclaim all unoccupied Crown Land
SWN - Leave by midnight, says chief to Treaty Day crowd of hundreds
REXTON, New Brunswick – In what may well go down as an historic Treaty Day, Eslipogtog First Nation's Chief Arren Sock today presented a Band Council Resolution stating that his community is prepared to reclaim all unoccupied Crown Lands in Signigtog District, which comprises most of present day provincial New Brunswick. The resolution was read to an exuberant crowd of hundreds of supporters from across Kent County, New Brunswick, and beyond.
“Whereas Prime Minister Harper and the Canadian Government have washed their hands with regards to the environmental protection of our lands and waters," read Chief Sock from a prepared statement.
"And whereas the provincial government has turned over all lands entrusted to them by the British Crown to a corporation for their own benefit.
And whereas our lands have been assaulted by clear-cutting and hardwood spray for the benefit of a few.
And whereas the Queen, under whose name our lands are entrusted, has shown unequivocally that she will not protect our interests.
And whereas our present lands are not adequate for our populations.
And whereas our lands have not yielded the amount capable of supporting our people due to mismanagement.
And whereas we are capable of managing our lands better than other governments or corporations.
And whereas we have lost all confidence in governments for the safekeeping of our lands held in trust by the British Crown.
And whereas a notice of eviction from our Keptin has been totally ignored by the provincial government and Southwestern Energy.
And whereas we have been compelled to act and save our water, land and animals from ruin.
Therefore, let it be resolved at a duly convened band council meeting, let it be known to all that we as Chief and council of Elsipogtog are reclaiming all unoccupied reserved native lands back and put in the trust of our people.
Furthermore, we have been instructed by our people that they are ready to go out and stake their claims on unoccupied Crown lands for their own use and benefit.”
Councillor Robert Levi from Elsipogtog then announced that the Elsipogtog band chief and council would be issuing SWN Resources Canada an eviction notice to have all their equipment removed from their currently blockaded, Irving-owned, compound along highway 134.
The notice of eviction will demand that SWN vacate by midnight, tonight, October 1st.
Jim Pictou, representing the Mi'gmaw Warriors Society, noted that the society would personally escort them out of the province of New Brunswick.
Chief Candice Paul of St. Mary's First Nation then offered the support of members of her community in assisting the Warriors in their escort.
In terms of the larger scope, the future implications of this Band Council Resolution remain unclear, but massive. Chief Sock alluded to the potential of mis-allocated royalty payments on equipment on Crown land, which currently goes to the province, but would benefit – and is due – to his community.
As far as the immediate issue of evicting SWN Resources Canada's blockaded seismic testing equipment, the chief kept his cards close when asked what would be done if the Texas-based gas company chose to ignore his eviction notice.
“We have planned next steps. But right now we're just going to keep that amongst ourselves as Elsipogtog Chief and Council,” said Sock.
Sock also noted that he had not yet spoken to representatives from the provincial New Brunswick government, but that they had a copy of the resolution and the eviction notice.
“I want a moratorium on fracking in New Brunswick,” said Sock. “Until if there is such a time that they can come up with a safer solution on how to extract shale gas. Right now I am here for our children and their children's children. Right now nobody can guarantee a safe and effective way of extracting shale gas without harm to the environment.
“No more negotiations with anybody.”
UPDATE: RCMP Appear to Be Withdrawing as Solidarity Protests Spread
Early reports are saying that the RCMP appears to be withdrawing from the Mi’kmaq blockade, leaving hundreds of protesters victorious (for now). The armored personnel carrier has reportedly left the scene already, and more vehicles are leaving presently.
Canada is currently in an uproar about the violent surprise attack on the Mi’kmaq’s peaceful blockade this morning, which involved sniper rifles, attack dogs, tear gas, pepper spray, and plastic bullets. Solidarity protests have spread throughout “North American” cities, from Washington, DC, to Ontario, Canada. At the same time, a solidarity blockade of Highway 5 by the Six Nations in Ontario snarled traffic for hours.
Talks between the Elsipogtog and the premier of New Brunswick are set to recommence within days, and a national day of action in support of the blockade was called for tomorrow. No word yet as to whether talks will continue or not. If reports are true, and the RCMP does stand down, they only do so due to the courage and bravery of the First Nations—not only the Elsipogtog and the Mi’kmaq, but their supporters who have defended and upheld their rights from the very beginning.
The state will likely be licking their wounds, spreading lies about violent protesters, and trying to analyze the best way to take the land over. We must continue to support the Mi’kmaq through social media and neighborhood conversations. Let’s stop the PR industry machine in its tracks.
We’ll keep you posted!
Carol Newquist » Thu Oct 17, 2013 4:38 pm wrote:Is that what you and justdrew are contending as it relates to what's transpiring with this protest turned into a turkey shoot by cowardly and sadistic snipers? Is that the reason for the subversion pamphlet link?
Carol Newquist » Thu Oct 17, 2013 4:42 pm wrote:Exactly, Luther. This supports what I said above and how it would obviously be spun by the media so comparisons to the streets of Egypt and Syria aren't made. Exceptionalism at its best.
Carol Newquist » Thu Oct 17, 2013 3:44 pm wrote:It looks like an interesting read from a cursory review...
Your enthusiastic willingness to comment in detail on source material you haven't read is an inspiration to us all.
I also got a kick out of this:
Carol Newquist » Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:27 am wrote:Your enthusiastic willingness to comment in detail on source material you haven't read is an inspiration to us all.
Who is "us all?" That's a serious question. There are a lot of members with active accounts at this forum, and there are many more lurkers, and yet you have the temerity to speak for "all' of them. Very telling. Or, are there not as many members here as the numbers would reveal? Perhaps that could explain why you can so confidently speak for "all." Hmm.......
And, in fact, you were wrong with your statement. As I've noted in the other thread, I'm going to dissect the subversion manual, but no doubt, as I do, whatever thread that's done in will be inundated with all those questions that aren't questions you want me to answer but I won't because I'm not interested in flame wars, but still, it will come fast and furious, I won't respond to it and ignore it, and you will lock the thread because of all those nonsensical, baiting off-topic comments.
Carol Newquist » Fri Oct 18, 2013 9:27 am wrote:Your enthusiastic willingness to comment in detail on source material you haven't read is an inspiration to us all.
Who is "us all?" That's a serious question.
Carol Newquist » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:27 pm wrote:Your enthusiastic willingness to comment in detail on source material you haven't read is an inspiration to us all.
Who is "us all?" That's a serious question. There are a lot of members with active accounts at this forum, and there are many more lurkers, and yet you have the temerity to speak for "all' of them. Very telling. Or, are there not as many members here as the numbers would reveal? Perhaps that could explain why you can so confidently speak for "all." Hmm.......
And, in fact, you were wrong with your statement. As I've noted in the other thread, I'm going to dissect the subversion manual, but no doubt, as I do, whatever thread that's done in will be inundated with all those questions that aren't questions you want me to answer but I won't because I'm not interested in flame wars, but still, it will come fast and furious, I won't respond to it and ignore it, and you will lock the thread because of all those nonsensical, baiting off-topic comments.
Wombaticus Rex » Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:26 am wrote:I remember when this was a thread about Idle No More, is all I'm saying, SLAD. I do not appreciate the fact you're making thread after thread into a referendum on Carol. You are exacerbating the problem.
So are cracks about asshole transplants.
seemslikeadream » Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:36 am wrote:I have spent literally my whole 10,000 post life on RI posting factual intellectual linked information
I'm the one that resurrected this thread to post news about INM ...don't blame me for this disruption
A rhetorical flourish in the service of sarcasm.
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