This is a series of testimonies given by our aboriginal neighbors. We are posting these in an attempt to allow everyone to better understand just how badly Canada has neglected the first nations of Canada. These are the words submitted to the JRP Hearings, to Enbridge and to the Government of Canada.
One of the issues I have with transcripts like these is that all emotions, tears, fears, anguish have been removed. To really understand what we as Canadians are responsible for, it is a shame these were not recorded by way of video. Our government would rather the truth dies off record rather than allow it to be on record for future civilizations to ponder about the intentions of those who claim to lead us as a civilized society.
If it is true that a society is recognized by the way we treat the least among us then Canada will go down in history books as a very cruel nation.
I would like to say, that in spite of its shortcomings the written transcript remains very important, in as much we owe it to those whose country we stole from them, to hear what they have to tell us.
Imagine walking for one day in their shoes, having to play their role in a master slave relationship, where they are told to come to the governments table to once again speak to the issue of the land that was and still belongs to them.
Please listen to what they have to tell us, I can assure you our government would rather you do not know the truth.
“Before attending the Edmonton hearings, local resident Denis Budd was a staunch Gateway supporter, but now says hearing the testimony has changed his outlook on the project.
“I feel we really need the pipeline and I came here with that idea that we have to have one, end of story,” said Budd, choking up.
“I wasn’t quite expecting the depth of emotion the First Nations people are presenting. I am saddened that they’re talking about the loss of a way of life and they’re trying to desperately get other cultures to hear of their loss. I think it’s really important that given such a huge project that’s really going have an impact far into the future, let me have an impact,” he said.”
Quote from the Toronto Sun.
JLS
Part One
Hearing held at Audience Haisla Recreation Centre 1538 Kitamaat Village, British Columbia January 10, 2012
Haisla Nation
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF SAM ROBINSON
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ROD BOLTON
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF KEN HALL
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF CLIFFORD SMITH
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF MARILYN FURLAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF HENRY AMOS
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ELLIS ROSS
Part Two
Hearing held in Terrace (British Columbia), Thursday, January 12, 2012
Kitsumkalum Indian Band
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF DON ROBERTS
ORAL PRESENTATION BY KITSELAS FIRST NATION: Mr. Knight - Mr. McKenzie - Mr. Collins
Part Three
Hearing held in Smithers (British Columbia), Monday, January 16, 2012
Wet’suwet’en Nation
ORAL PRESENTATION BY THE GITDUMDEN CLAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY THE LAKSILYU CLAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY THE GILSEYHU CLAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY THE TSAYU CLAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY THE LAKSAMSHU CLAN
Part Four
Hearing held at Audience Island Gospel Fellowship Church, Burns Lake, British Columbia
Wet’suwet’en Nation
Opening Ceremony for the JRP Hearings held in Burns Lake.
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF BROWN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ALEC
Oral presentation by Chief Austin
Oral presentation by Chief Alfred
Oral presentation by Chief John Ridsdale
Oral presentation by Andrew Tom
Oral presentation by David deWit
Oral presentation by Walter Joseph
Oral presentation by Mike Ridsdale
Lake Babine Nation
Oral presentation by Chief Adam
Oral presentation by Frank Michell
Oral presentation by John Bertacco
Oral presentation by Verna Power
Oral presentation by John West
Ned’u’ten Nation
Oral presentation by Chief Ronnie West
Part Five
Hearing held in Edmonton (Alberta), Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Samson Cree Nation - Note: Due to the method used “Questions and Answers” it was more like a cross examination than a testimony, so we did not include it. It is very unfortunate they could not have testified as all other nations did even if it was done in their own native language. It is after all the law in Canada to allow people to testify in their own language, and we feel these people were robbed of their chance to speak up simply because they were unable to speak in English. We do not know who is responsible for it happening in this way, it is unfortunate that it did happen. If you wish to read what was said we have a copy of the original transcript in PDF format HERE
Part Six
Hearing held in Edmonton (Alberta), Thursday, January 26, 2012
Swan River First Nation
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF HERBERT ARCAND
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF LEON CHALIFOUX
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MS. DORIS COURTOREILLE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. KEVIN TWIN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. GORDON COURTOREILLE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. RYAN DAVIS
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. DARRYEL SOWAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. LEE TWINN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY DR. AVE DERSCH
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. RODERICK TWIN
CLOSING REMARKS BY CHIEF HERBERT CHALIFOUX
Part Seven
Hearing held in Edmonton (Alberta), Thursday, January 27, 2012
Dene Nation
ORAL PRESENTATION BY GRAND CHIEF BILL ERASMUS
ORAL PRESENTATION BY ELDER FRANCOIS PAULETTE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ALLAN ADAM
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF CHEYEANNE PAULETTE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. DENNIS BEVINGTON
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ROY FABIAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF WAYNE SABOURN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF JIM ANTOINE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY GRAND CHIEF SAMUEL GARGAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF MARVIN YELLOWBIRD
Part Eight
Hearing held in Edmonton (Alberta), Thursday, January 31, 2012
Driftpile First Nation
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF ROSE LABOUCAN
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. DEVON BELLEROSE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. JOHN HENRY GIROUX
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MS. ANGELINE BELLEROSE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. ROGER OKIMAW
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. GEORGE GIROUX
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. ROGER OKIMAW
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. LEO GIROUX
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. PETER OKIMAW
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. ERNIE GIROUX
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. STANLEY ISADORE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MS. GENE CHALIFOUX
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MS. CAROLINE BADGER
ORAL PRESENTATION BY DR. AVE DERSCH
CLOSING REMARKS BY CHIEF ROSE LABOUCAN
Part Nine – Hearing held in Fort St. James, Thursday, February 2, 2012
Tl’azt’en Nation
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. LARRY SAGALON
Nak’azdli Band
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. VICTOR SAM & BY MS. LILLIAN SAM
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. DICK A’HUILLE
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. JIM MUNROE
Part Ten – Hearings held in Prince Rupert, BC on Feb 17th and 18th 2012
Metlakatla First Nation
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF LEIGHTON
ORAL PRESENTATION BY CHIEF NELSON
ORAL PRESENTATION BY ROBERT NELSON
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MS. FANNY NELSON
ORAL PRESENTATION BY MR. DAVID LEASK
CLOSING STATEMENT BY CHIEF LEIGHTON
This page will be updated after each new hearing has been uploaded.
Harper’s negligence of the F.N. in northern Ontario, was horrible. When the people had to call in the U.N. and the Red Cross stepped in…This is a crime against humanity. That tiny F.N. baby that died of pneumonia, was pure negligence of Harper’s health care, for the F.N. The one and only thing out of all of this. We have been made aware of just how badly the F.N. people have been suffering, this out and out abuse.
The F.N. deserve warm comfortable homes, with indoor plumbing. Their children deserve good, decent schools. Their education has to be looked very closely at. F.N. children all deserve to go on to a higher education, the same way our kids do. I was horrified, at the number of the F.N. young people committing suicide. That is truly heartbreaking, they have no hope for a better life. I can’t even imagine the sorrow of the parents.
Over 80% of the BC citizens, are supporting the F.N….To stop the Enbridge pipeline and the dirty oil tankers. A spill from either one, would seriously affect the food sources of the F.N. It’s bad enough, Campbell thieved and sold our rivers. The dams have destroyed important salmon runs. The filthy diseased fish farms, are killing off the wild salmon, as well. Salmon is a staple for the F.N. to feed their family’s. They also rely on the sea for food.
I can’t wrap my mind around. Harper could care less about destroying the F.N. hunting grounds, and their fishing, needed for food. Their clean drinking water gets poisoned. All of that for, just plain government greed.
The F.N. don’t deserve our hate. They deserve our help. I sign petitions for them, I pass their messages along to everyone I know, and ask them to pass it along to others, and ask everyone to sign their petitions. I hope many others, to do the same.
I support the First Nation’s communities in saying “NO” to the Enbridge Gateline Pipeline through their lands. This pipeline will effect everyone, as well as the land and other lifeforms.
Who cares?
If First Nations can’t get on board with the new global economy then they can wither away on the sidelines. Modern economy doesn’t care about race or creed or religion, it cares about value. Pipelines add value. They bring a valued resource to a global market. First Nations are dreaming if they believe they can exist on a planet where they provide no value. American First Nations are in way better shape than Canadians, due in large part to the US Government telling them to be valuable contributors to the community, or go live in a cave. Canadian First Nations prefer the cave. Bravo to Enbridge for trying to bring value and wealth to Alberta. Every taxpayer should support every effort to maximize value on the land. Say “NO” to crybaby First Nations.
I approved the above comments that came as anonymous to the public, but not so anonymous to us. This post was made from the following web address and poses the following question, what is their link to all of this? Why are they so brutally uncaring about the plight of aboriginals in Canada.
Here is the home address of that writer. Q9 Networks
Let this be a warning to other businesses who try this same trick.
Please also be aware of this companies conection to Enbridge.
Colonizer paid to say NEGATIVE COMMENTS AGAINST THE REAL PEOPLES OF TURTLE ISLAND.
How much are you been paid to attack the Inbdigenous Peoples of Kanata(Canada)?
You are racist bigot- no value in oil, no value in GREED!!
GIVE YOUR SWOLLEN HEAD A SHAKE AND SMELL YOUR ASS BARKING DISCRIMINATORY REMARKS AGAINST PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT HUMAN LIFE!!!
I’m thinking that “caucasian taxpaying person” is spreading his hate on a work computer. We should pass it on to his/her employer……
Or it could be that Q9 Networks launders comments from companies (or governments) that don’t want to be recognized.